This is my first Chairman’s chat as Chairman, so a quick thanks to those who sanctioned the decision and to Julie and Jason for handing over the reins. Thanks to Gavin who has stepped up to support as Vice Chair. You won’t want to hear from me every week, so I will update every so often but am looking for volunteers to also write some updates. Let me know!

This is just a quick note as we will all hopefully be seeing each other at the weekend at the Agglestone event. It is great credit to Julie and Roger and the whole club for coming together and running a regional event at such short notice. Having taken part in two regional events now, at SLOW Glover’s Wood and TVOC Penn Wood, it is clear that Orienteering events can take place in a safe environment and with the usual orienteering efficiency. Hopefully our calendars will keep being filled up with future local events that require slightly less travel. 

You may have noticed that four Wessex night league events have been posted on the website, so get these in your diaries. They are in Upton (19th Oct), Christchurch, Wareham and Canford Heath. Others will be published from other clubs, including an early one from BADO at Beggarswood (30th Oct). Some of these are likely to be pre-entry so to avoid disappointment, book early.

There are also some fantastic military events on a Wednesday for those retired or who can work flexibly. It is a credit to BAOC that they are running so many events and that they make them available to civilians. They are always well planned.

Mapruns continue to keep us busy too. The Summer 12 course league finished back in August, to be followed by an autumn league. It’s at Broadstone this week, followed by Verwood. It’s the usual suspects leading the new league, but great to see most of the club taking part in these events. Mapruns have been a real success over the last six months.

Finally, Jason has been working hard mapping and setting up new permanent orienteering courses at Littlemoor, Portland and Gillingham. You can read all about them here

See you all (from a 2m distance) at the weekend. Hoping for sunshine!

Final details are here

Don’t forget to print your control descriptions