Northern Navigators Orienteering Club invite you to a local event at Elemore Country Park. All abilities catered for and newcomers welcome.

Location: Elemore Country Park is situated to the south of Hetton-le-Hole, only about 6 miles from Durham. Head NE on Elemore Lane from High Pittington for just over 1.5 miles and the signed entrance is on the left, or from Easington Lane head west for 0.5miles on Elemore Lane, entrance on the right. Parking will be in the car park adjacent to the visitor centre. Nearest Postcode: DH5 0QS, ‘what 3 words’ https://what3words.com/loitering.regulates.hazelnuts Grid ref: NZ 355 455
The nearest bus stop is in Easington Lane High Street, about a 0.5mile walk on footpaths.
The are bike racks for securing your cycle at the visitor centre.

Parking: Will be in the visitor centre car park, no charge. Parking will be limited, so please car share if possible.
Please park on the gravel area first, leaving the tarmac area for other visitors.
Overflow parking will be roadside in Easington Lane. Please park thoughtfully; there is a roadside footpath to the Park entrance.

Registration/Enquiries: located in the visitor centre and open from 10:30. Register at the table, collect your dibber; any other enquiries can be dealt with here.

Entries: Entry on the day, ideally let us know you are coming by pre-entering using the following link Pre-entry is appreciated so that map numbers can be more accurately estimated, however please pay on the day.
Pre-entries requiring a hire dibber – please collect them from registration/download.
Pre-entry now closed, entry on the day subject to map availability.

Fees: Seniors £4.00, juniors £2.00. Groups welcome and charged as one senior/junior. Please bring the correct change.

Start: Starts from 11.00 -12.00. Route to the start will be taped from the visitor centre, about 230m / 4min walk,

Punching: This event will use the SportIdent electronic system. SI cards will be available to borrow free of charge on the day, but competitors will be charged for any loss. Please bring your own SI card if you have one. There will be a sample control near registration for you to see the SI card in action and instruction in the use of the system will be available on the day. Lost or non-returned SI cards will be charged at £30. Control stations will be enabled for touch free punching (SIAC) but competitors will need to punch the start and finish control.

Map & Area: Scale 1:5000, 2.5m contours, A4, a brand new map produced by Allen Banister
Control descriptions only on the map (no loose descriptions).

Terrain: Elemore Country park is on the site of an old golf course, there are still signs of the golf course with many of the bunkers marked as depressions. The area is gently undulating, so note 2.5m contours have been used. The park is still being developed so there may be paths under construction. There are several wooded areas but a lot of the area is runnable rough open. Enclosed Fenced areas should only be accessed by the marked crossing points (gates). The competition area extends to adjacent public parkland for some courses.

Recent work: There is a lot of work ongoing to develop the park. Some shale paths have been put in, and the ground alongside has been churned up by vehicles. Although the mud has been levelled it is deep in places so cross this muddy band with caution. New play/gym equipment is currently being installed and may not be on the map, a small playpark near the visitor centre is marked as out of bounds.

Safety Information: There are no roads in the park, however some of the tracks are used by horse riders; competitors should ensure they warn the riders of their presence well in advance if approaching from behind. There is evidence of powered bikes using the area, though unlikely at the time of the event, please exercise caution should you come across one. All competitors that have registered to start must report to registration after they finish (even if they do not wish their score/time to be recorded). Competitors are welcome to carry a phone when they compete. There will be a first aid kit and first aiders at registration and a contact phone number on the map.

Control descriptions: descriptions will be on the map.

Facilities: Toilets will be available in the visitor’s centre, accessible from the parking. The café is also located here selling drinks, snacks and ices.

Please remove dirty shoes / studded shoes before entering the visitor centre / download.

Dogs: Dogs will be allowed, but please clean up after your dog.

Thanks: Many thanks to the park management who kindly gave us their permission to use the area, facilities and toilets.
Note that a permanent course will become available shortly in the park should you wish to return for another challenge.

Officials:

• Organiser – Allen Banister 
• Planner – Barney Warren
• Controller – Julian Warren