EPOC would like to welcome you to orienteer on beautiful Norland Moor, near Sowerby Bridge.
Location: Parking on Norland Rec, signposted from the crossroads in the centre of the village, near the school and church. The rec is a gently sloping and well drained grassy field. Please park as directed and turn to face downhill. No exit from field until 11.30.
Please be aware that both approach roads from Sowerby Bridge are steep, narrow and involve a hairpin bend, and are therefore not suitable for motorhomes or large minibuses. Approach via Barkisland or Greetland in a large vehicle. Public transport options: the railway station in Sowerby Bridge is less than a mile away but it is a steep climb from the valley to the moor. Allow 25-30 minutes. Bus service 562 from Halifax Horton Street at 09.50 reaches Norland (War Memorial) at 10.09. This comes via West Vale (10.00), where a connection could be made if coming from Huddersfield by bus. Return to Halifax on service 561 at 13.08.
History: Norland Moor has a very long history (standing stones, bronze age axe head), and for centuries was part of the ancient Upper Calder Valley hunting grounds of medieval lords. In 1932 it was put up for auction by Lord Savile to pay death duties. It was bought by a Norland resident for £250, and then was transferred to the ownership of Norland Parish Council, after an appeal raised over £400 in a few days. It is now owned by Calderdale MBC. More on the history of Norland village and the moor on my website www.norlandvillagehistory.org.uk
Facilities: Portaloos. Picnic tables. Children’s play area. Start(200m) and finish(150m) both very close to car parking. The nearest pub is The Moorcock on the north west edge of the moor, 800m from car parking, but if you intend to eat there, you would be best advised to book a table in advance.
Terrain: mainly gently sloping moorland rising gradually from the northern end (ca 230m) to the trig point in the south (284m). The north-western edge of the moor, however, drops steeply to the boundary road. On this edge there are several old quarry sites, which must be approached with caution, as there are some abrupt drops. Please be especially aware of this if the mist is down. There is an extensive network of paths over much of the moor, but a lot of the paths are quite rocky and uneven in places, and can be slippery in wet weather. The vegetation on the moor is predominantly a mixture of heather and bilberry (slow run), interspersed with an increasing number of young trees.
The moor is very popular with walkers (with or without dogs), and runners, please respect their right to be there. You may also encounter mountain bikers, who shouldn’t be there, but please (for the sake of a peaceful event) don’t try telling them that!
Entries: Online entries are now closed. Limited Entry on Day will be available at £12 Seniors, £6 Juniors, Dibber Hire £1.
Short Green - This course was inadvertently not included in the event set up. If you want to run Short Green then please enter Light Green but email Dick Spendlove (organiser) to advise that you actually want to run Short Green. If you have already entered either Light Green or Green but prefer to run Short Green then please also let Dick know. Apologies for this mix up.
Start Times: 10.30 – 12.30
Courses close at 14.30.
You MUST report to the download tent even if you retire.
Controls are SIAC enabled but you must punch the start and finish boxes.
Courses:
Length km
Climb m
Controls
Brown
5.5
160
27
Blue
4.8
100
22
Green
3.8
80
17
Short Green
2.8
75
13
Light Green
2.7
70
13
Orange
1.9
50
11
Yellow
1.5
40
9
White
1.4
25
10
Map: 1:7,500, 5m contours. Minor Updates 2022.
Dogs: Dogs are permitted on a lead in the car park (please clean up after them), and you may of course take your dog for a walk on the moor after you have competed, but please NO dogs on courses.
Safety:
Please carry a whistle and know how to use it in an emergency (six long blasts). You may be required to carry a cagoule. Full leg cover is compulsory. The nearest hospital with A&E facilities is the Calderdale Royal Hospital, Salterhebble, Halifax HX3 0PW, approx. 2 miles away. Please read the safety information in the start lanes.
If you are involved in any accidents, damage, injury or a dispute with a member of the public, please let us know when you report to download.
Lone competitors are advised to leave car keys at registration so we have an added check that you have returned, even if you forget to download.
A comprehensive risk assessment will be carried out by the organiser, but competitors take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety. All competitors who start must report to download even if they retire. In the unlikely event of cancellation, details will be posted on the EPOC website – www.eastpennineoc.org.uk Information can also be obtained by emailing the organiser.
If you have a complaint about your course, or any other aspect of the event, please come and discuss it initially with the Organiser or Planner at download/enquiries. We will involve the Controller if necessary if the issue is related to the fairness of the course. We will try and resolve all issues on the day.
Insurance:
Please note that if you are not a member of an orienteering club affiliated to British Orienteering then you are not covered by our public liability insurance except if you are a newcomer to orienteering, in which case you are covered for three registered orienteering events without joining. Please ask any of our club officials for more information if you would like to join EPOC.
COVID-19 The event will be organised in accordance with British Orienteering and Government Guidance in effect at the time of the event.
IF YOU HAVE ANY COVID SYMPTONS PLEASE STAY AT HOME – STAY SAFE
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