Planner’s Notes

Fixby & Bradley is actually six different woods and this is the first time I’ve planned in the whole area.  I’ve planned informal events in single or double woods many times.  Each of the woods are different in character.  Bradley Gate Wood is well maintained by a weekly volunteer group and the paths there were ideal for the white and yellow courses.  The orange course went into part of Dyson Wood where the paths were ok but off path choices were horrendous. Medium length courses went into Lower Fell Greave ideal orienteering terrain, a runnable beech wood although lacking in features.  The blue and brown courses crossed Bradford Road into Upper Fell Greave.  This was the most challenging wood, for two reasons, the dense foliage obscured the holly bushes which are a useful aid to navigation and there are many new paths which are not mapped.

I must apologise for control 107 earth bank foot which was harder to approach from the open ground than shown on the map.  As an M83 I couldn’t put all the controls out myself so thanks to the army of volunteers who helped put them out and collect them in. 

Thanks to Emma for correcting my many mistakes and to Jean who had to overcome many problems.

Rod Shaw