Welcome to the first edition of MAR Orienteering Club newsletter of the millennium. By coincidence it also happens to be the first edition produced by the new editorial team, headed by the Langans. Our thanks must go to Alexander firstly for producing an excellent newsletter over the last two ? years and secondly to providing us with information and tips necessary to getting this production underway.

At the back of this edition we have included a Standard Entry Form which can be detached, copied and used if you have run out! As more families and members have ready access to computers and the Internet we have included some useful and interesting Internet (web) site addresses. We are also proposing to distribute as many copies of future issues of MAR O NEWS electronically.

The success of and enjoyment from this newsletter relies on contributions and feedback from you, please help us to continue its success. NEXT COPY DEADLINE:- MARCH 15th. The younger editors wish to make a greater use of the club emblem and would like to hear suggestion for its name.

We will finish our first editorial piece by adding all our best wishes for the coming year - may your choices be good ones and may the bracken be short.

The Langan family

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had good Christmas and New Year celebrations, and not too many of you succumbed to the flu.

I hope that the New Year will be as successful for MAROC members as last year, or even more so. Certainly the big event as far as Scots are concerned must be the JK in Rannoch and Craig a Barns at the end of April. However there is a full programme of local events planned and Trish and Fiona have been very busy sorting out officials and permissions.

I have been trying to catch up with everything after spending the last four weeks in Korea and New Zealand at the World Veteran Championships. It is a bit of a shock coming back to a Scottish winter! However during 40 hours of travelling from Dunedin to Aberdeen, Graham Kemp and myself came up with some ideas for a revamped Club League, which will be published after the committee have had a look.

The reorganisation of the committee is proceeding. I hope that the idea of sub-committees will work well with the club's forward plan, and also involve more members of the club in putting forward ideas. We will see how this works in the coming year.

Lastly, but certainly not least, many thanks to the Langans for taking over the club newsletter, and also to the outgoing editor : Alex Maclachlan for all his hard work.

Angela

With many thanks to Suse Coon and CompassSport (see noticeboard),we have reproduced the following competition. No prizes, just e-mail or post us the unravelling of the six anagrams (together with your copy!) in time for the next Mar O News.

Ten seconds, step over the line ……………………

Words: CONTROL LOST EVENT BADGE CRAG PIT PATH FORM LINE SCORE SILVA GALOPPEN MAP SPUR

Word Search by Alice Langan

In November, Euan's street event in Alford raised over £60 for Children in Need. This was also an excellent effort by Euan (for the Orienteering bit) and his Mum who supplied all the home bakes for the refreshments.

The Charity collection at the 'soup table' at the Boxing Day Pudding Shaker event raised £55. This has been sent to Children 1st (formerly known as the Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children). A letter of thanks has been received from the charity chairman Nicola Bradford. Evelyn

The JK Easter orienteering festival takes place in Perthshire this year. The organisers have asked MAROC to help with the relays at Tullochroisk on Monday 24 April 2000, working with FVO, PO, WFO and LINOC. If you are able to help with a duty at this event, please let me know.

The closing date for JK relay entries is 20 March 2000. If you would like to participate, please could you let either Graham Kemp or Sarah Pattinson know at least a week before that deadline. The club will pay relay entries for juniors; seniors pay for their own relay entries (£8.00 per person for JK2000 entries received by 20 March). Graham Kemp

This was my first overseas trip to a foreign land with the Scottish team. It was certainly a very eventful and exciting expedition and one that I would like to share with you.

We arrived at B&Q, the big DIY store in Aberdeen with Joanne early on the Friday morning. The minibus was there and waiting with Ken and Julia. Oleg ended up being ten minutes late, putting us in a dangerous position as far as the Stranraer ferry was concerned.

After a long and tiresome journey involving Andrew, Alexander and Fiona who provided entertainment we made it to the isolated half way point of the trip. Eventually we met up with the southerly folk after a very unusual trip to find where we park the bus.

The rest of the way consisted of Fiona's makeup and a debate about Mr. Chips. The chips were good at Enniskillen and kept everybody quiet until we met up with a wilting and halved Welsh constituency at the grotty Castle Archdale Youth Hostel.

Bed was accomplished and we all slept soundly until Philip showered me with his energy powder stuff early in the morning. Breakfast was toast and corn flakes followed by a speech from Andrew on what to do and not to do.

Lost again! Before we'd even started, we could not find the outdoor centre, the signs were useless. A turn around sorted things out and soon we were getting transported to the largely open area called the Burren.

Philips energy stuff worked well, he came in fifth not far behind Murray who won.

Duncan

There are a few among us in MAROC who can look back with affection on the Deeside Railway, and even reminisce on journeys along the valley in a more leisurely age of steam - but then some of us are pretty old! Along with many rural lines in the 1960's, the death knell was tolled by Dr. Beeching in 1966 and Queen Victoria's glorious railway station at Ballater ceased to be.

While some former railways have disappeared without trace, much of the Deeside line remains and is used for recreation - foot or cycle paths. The 6.4km stretch between Dinnet and Cambus O'May was opened some years ago, continuing westwards to Ballater with just one short break where the walker or cyclist has to cross the A93 at Tullich. The path is well surfaced, with very little gradient, accessible at several spots with car parking opportunities - and so the idea of the Railway Relay was born.

Plans are still taking shape, but this is a new innovation not to be missed, and will form part of a MAROC Triple Bill weekend on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November. Start and finish will be at Dinnet. Teams of up to 4 people will run legs of either (approx.) 2, 4 or 6km depending on the make up of the team. Change over points will be at Cambus O'May and at the point where we normally enter the forest for O events beside the Willows Tearoom. We'll hire Dinnet Hall for changing facilities and refreshments. Transport will be provided to ferry runners to and from the various change over points. All ages can take part - there will be prizes. The 2km section with straight forward navigation will be equivalent to Yellow Course. Total distance is 12.8km, so the whole run will be over in an hour. With a mass start around 12 00-13.00, everyone will be back, refreshed and off to Aboyne Swimming Pool later in the afternoon.

The other components of the MAROC Triple Bill will be a Night Event on Saturday evening - colour coded courses as well as the Scottish Night Championships - and a Colour Coded event on the Sunday. More details will come your way in due course, but make a note on your calendars now - Saturday 11/Sunday 12 November.

Evelyn

Lots of MAROC juniors earned their SOA or BOF badges during 1999 COLOUR BADGES went to:-

Yellow Katy Elder, Tom Spencer, Hazel Wright

Light Green Rebecca Baird, Ranald Baird, Jillian Elder, Euan Macaulay, Danny Oliver, David Spencer

Green Duncan Coombs, Charlie Langan

BOF BADGES went to:

Bronze Ranald Baird M14, Jillian Elder W14, Eeva Campbell W14, Kari Campbell M16, Nicola Verra W10

Silver Katy Elder W10, Rebecca Baird W14, Euan Macaulay M14, Andrew Verra M12, Duncan Coombs M14 (but still M12!)

Gold Calum Coombs M10, Charlie Langan M14, Philip Booth M16, Alexander Maclachlan M16, Alice Langan W12, Joanna Langan W12

Championship Calum Coombs M10, Duncan Coombs

M12 TSB Improver Cup Charlie Langan TSB Championship Quaich Duncan Coombs

To qualify for a Colour Badge you must finish within the winner's time +50%, or in the top 50% of the starters on that colour course on 3 occasions. The more Colour Coded events (i.e. the normal Sunday ones) you attend, the better you will become and you'll earn your badges. To qualify for a BOF badge you must achieve the standard in your age class on 3 occasions within two years, and if you wish to claim a badge you must be a BOF member. Age class events are Badge events, or National events, Scottish Champs, British Champs or the JK. It is not mandatory to be a BOF member to compete in a badge event in Scotland, but advisable as then you are free to go to events south of the Border or indeed anywhere overseas as well. This year the JK, the big annual Festival of Orienteering, will be in Perthshire - an event not to be missed - BOF membership required.

Ken

On the 15th October 1999 the Scottish Junior Orienteering Squad set out on a mission to win the Junior Home Internationals which this year took place in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. After a very long journey by rail, road and sea the 24 members of the Junior Squad accompanied by their 4 coaches arrived at Castle Archdale youth Hostel-their base for the JHI's 99.The events were spread over two days. Day 1 being the Individual events and day 2 the relays.

The area where we were running on Day 1 was called the Burren. This was largely open boggy moor land. However right in the heart of this area was a forest, which seemed to emit a green glow due to the vast expanse of moss carpeting the forest. The terrain turned out to be physically as well as technically challenging. At the end of the Individual events on Day 1, we achieved the following placing: -

M14 (1) Oleg Cheplin (8) (9) Duncan Coombs

W14 (1) Fiona Berrow (10) Jillian Elder

M16 (1) Murray Strain (5) Philip Booth (9) Alexander Maclachlan

Later that evening the prize giving was followed by an enjoyable Irish disco.

The next day after getting all fueled up and raring to go we set off for the relay . These took place in the woods around Castle Archdale. The woods were full of brambles but it had plenty of linear features to navigate by.

I was on the M16 relay team with Murray Strain and Alexander Maclachlan and we came second to the English M16's by only 2 minutes. In the relays Scotland only had 1 winning team which was the M18's which consisted of Mark Sanderson, Steven Porteous and Ewan McCarthy.

Overall out of both days England came 1st, Scotland were 2nd, Ireland were 3rd, and Wales were 4th. Although we didn't win overall we were extremely happy with the result. Everyone in the squad worked really hard over the two days and the team spirit was great.

Philip Booth

Scotland's National Orienteering Centre is at Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore, in the heart of some of Scotland's premier terrain, and provides all sorts of facilities. As well as using lots of mapped areas, Clubs and training groups can take advantage of the facilities within Glenmore Lodge. There is a range of accommodation there too.

The SOA Annual General Meeting will take place at Glenmore Lodge on Saturday 6th May. On the same day (either before or after the AGM) MAROC will stage a Short Race nearby to entice people from all over Scotland to go to the AGM. To make things even better MAROC will then stage a Colour Coded event on the Sunday also in one of the wonderful forests in the Glenmore area. On MAROC's, behalf boss-lady and boss-men for both events will be Angela, Jonathan and their hard working pal Gordon Ross, but some assistance from Club members will be required. Electronic punching (Emit) will be used on both days, so if you've not encountered this before here's you chance - you'll love it!

This weekend gives you a chance to hear what is going on at SOA level and to have your say if you wish, to run in two first class areas not too far from home, and to have a weekend away in Spring. Lots of camp sites around, or try B&B in Glenmore Lodge itself.

Ask · Jon or Angela (Tel 013398 81203) for details on events or the National Centre. · Evelyn Hall (013398 84332) and Graham Kemp (01330 833341) have some details on the National Centre.

Alternatively, contact the National Centre yourself on 01479 861713, or Marcela Robertson who works there part-time e-mail : marcela1@aol.com Evelyn

After the acclaimed AGM on the Saturday night the owl-eyed orienteers rolled up at the wet wood of Birnam, early entry in hand. We parked along the twisting tracks, popped over to the pongy portaloos then set off up the high hill to the steamy start.

Armed with comforting compass and magnificent map I charged through the fast forest. I scaled the daunting deer fence to find the big boulder and headed on through the unending undergrowth but never unearthed the bingo boulder in the grotty green. Overtaken by a nifty Norwegian I followed through the horrible heather to find more formidable features.

I ticked off a V-shaped valley, climbed a killer knoll, plummeted into a perilous pit, rested at a rambling ruin, discovered a doggy depression on a lovely line feature, but unfortunately the wretched wall was never there. Gradually my score had been increasing.

Now a lost lady, benumbed to the bone and soaked to the skin, I turned for the far-off finish as time trudged on. The wind whipped by and there was no shelter from the driving downpour. With passable pacing and bleary bearing I dashed downhill without further extensive error. I negotiated the wild windblown and fell into the finish. I wasn't outrageously late and although I incurred many penalty points I did not score a negative number.

I pulled off the sopping shoes, the grubby gaiters, and the smelly suit and wallowed in the warmth of the car. The competitors departed, the prize-giving postponed.

The tired team had done its best. Marvellous MAROC beat Grumpy Gramp, only to be piped by Irritating Invoc.

Despite the wicked weather I hope you'll be there next year, after all who ever heard of an obsolete orienteer?

Trish

WHEN ? Saturday 12th and Saturday 19th February

WHERE ? Cambus O'May

These Coaching Days will run from 11.00am - 3.00pm, so bring something to eat and drink. Also take warm clothing, as you won't be running all the time. Come and learn about CONTOUR INTERPRETATION, FINE NAVIGATION, AND LOTS MORE.

Adults and children will be grouped separately, and offered instruction according to experience. There will also be basic instruction available for beginners. No booking needed, but some idea of numbers would be helpful, so please try to let me know if you intend coming. There will be a charge of £1 per person per day, to cover the cost of maps. The intention is to have something different on each day, so you are welcome to come both days. If you have any requests or queries, or if the weather is really bad, please get in touch.

I can't do all this single handed, so could I please have offers of help from anyone with some experience.

Ken

Congratulations to Euan, Charlie and Joanna who have been invited to join the Scottish Junior Squad. They join Alexander, Philip, Duncan, Rebecca and Jillian, to make up one quarter of the whole Squad.

The Squad will be offering further places to anyone running M/W 14 upwards, who has good results at major events such as Scotland's galoppens, the JK and the Scottish Champs, so now you know what you have to do!

The Squad is planning a trip to Norway from 3rd to 18th July this year. If there are any spare places available, it may be possible to invite Maroc juniors. If you are interested, let me know, and I'll give you more details.

KEN HALL. Tel. 013398 84332. E-mail: theoldbyre@aol.com

Congratulations to MAROC members who achieved top-three places in the 1999 SG series. SOA certificates have been awarded to:

Calum Coombs (1st in M10), Charlie Langan (3rd in M14A), Alex MacLachlan (1st in M16A), Philip Booth (2nd in M16A), Graham Kemp (3rd in M21L), Simon Langan (1st in M35S), Joanna Langan (1st in W12A), Alice Langan (2nd in W12A), Eeva Campbell (3rd in W14A), Sarah Pattinson (1st in W21E) and Jonquil Nicholl (3rd in W40L).

The 2000 SG series starts on 5 March with Clydeside Orienteers' badge event at Dunrod Hill, Greenock; competitors count their best 4 scores from the 7 SG events. Electronic (SI) punching will be used, closing date February 19th. Graham Kemp