COMBLEY GREAT WOOD

Report

Combley copse deserves it's reputation as one of our best venues and it

didnπt disappoint us in October. Despite a very wet period just before, the

copse had dried out well and conditions underfoot were surprisingly good.

Because the copse is fairly compact, the planner decided to use a second

master map on the green and light green courses. Apologies to those who

may have been delayed a couple of minutes, where a fellow competitor was

still writing up his second map in the woods. Adjustment has been made

and the planner will ensure two maps are available in future!

I hope nobody fell into the big ditch on their way to the start - Glyn Williams

weilded his pick axe with good effect, to cut steps in the bank.

We are very grateful to Mr and Mrs Brown, the farming couple at Lynn Farm,

who allow us to use both their pony paddock and their access to the copse.

Our event clashed with their autumn lambing season and Mr Brown was up

all night with his ewes, before opening up his field and greeting the planner

at some unearthly hour on the Sunday morning!

The planner was very grateful to Iris Fay for her kind help with the String

course. It is sometimes so easy for competitors to forget, that these events,

even though small, do not organise themselves - Offers of help are always

most welcomed. Thanks to Chris and Chris Sokes at registration, young

Matthew Grattage and his mum, Anne and Alex Ralph at the start, Martin

and Adam Boyce, and Glyn and Sue Williams who cheerfully collected in the

most awkward far-flung controls, afterwards, allowing everyone to leave

by 2.30.

Well done to Andrew Barrington-White for beating regular winner, Glyn

Williams on green and to longstanding member Vanessa Allen for a good

win on the light green course, humiliating her husband Kevin , in the process!

Ian Ralph, Planner