2003 News ...

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4th November 2003 : November Classic ...

12th October 2003 : Yvette Baker Trophy ...
    Well done GO juniors! We were 3rd behind SLOW and SO, only 16 points off SLOW. Full results can be found here.
6th October 2003 : Junior Coaching Day - Sunday 19th October, White Downs ...
    You / your family are invited to a joint GO / SLOW coaching day on Sunday 19th October 2003 on White Downs, Oaken Grove section, south of Effingham.

    Meet at 10 a.m. at here.

    Terrain is gently contoured woodland with an area of complex contours. Technical exercises from white for young juniors, through yellow/orange for beginners and juniors to light green and beyond to stretch developing orienteers will be available.

    You can go round with somebody or talk to the coaching team afterwards. No orienteering competitions locally to distract you so you can really concentrate on perfecting those vital navigational skills. And if you are really missing the competition too much there will be a fun relay to finish after lunch (please bring your own ... lunch that is ... not relay!!).

    Please let Barbara Lugton know if you will be coming by 12th October 2003 so that we can organise some more experienced orienteers to guide you. Please also let Barbara know if there are any techniques you particularly want to practice. Any offers from volunteers to help also gratefully received.

    You can contact Barbara on 01483 476774 or send her an

3rd October 2003 : Veteran Home Internationals ...
    At last weekends Veteran Home Internationals held near Stirling, Keith Tonkin had two good runs (even though he will tell you he lost a load of time!!) to help the England team to victory. On the long relay leg on Saturday he finished in 7th against many of the big guns, and on the M45L course on Sunday he was a very respectable 6th behind only some strong Scottish runners. Well run Keith.

    On the same weekend at the SARUM badge event at Collingbourne Woods, Linda Pakuls showed the opposition a clean pair of heels to win W45L ... well run Linda. Hopefully with this good form at the moment Linda has not really joined up with Quantock Orienteers as suggested by the club name in the results!! Is QO that close to GO I wonder??

11th September 2003 : Call up papers for Keith ...
    ... no not for Iraq but for the Veteran Home Internationals being held in Scotland on the 27th/28th September. Keith's outstanding results, particularly in the British Champs ... both day and night, have earnt him a well deserved place in the England team running in the M45 class. It could have been a full house for Guildford in this class as Peter Nicholls was also selected, but rumour has it his passport has run out and he can't take too much Haggis in one season!! Good luck Keith and have a great weekend.
4th September 2003 : Summer exploits ...
    A good number of Gophers made the trip to Moray 2003 based in Forres near Inverness, and we had the chance to race on some of the best areas in the UK. The terrain varied from the almost impossibly complicated dunes of Lossie Forest to the almost impossibly complex Dallaschyle Forest near Cawdor ... with a few slightly less impossible areas thrown in for good measure!

    Several Gophers performed extremely well over the 6 days, with an outstanding overall win in W10B for Natalie Smith and an equally outstanding 3rd place in M45L for Peter Nicholls. Many other Gophers also had some excellent runs with Christopher Nicholls - 7th on M12B, Toby Doyle - 4th on M14B with a win on Day 1, Tim Pugh - 4th on M60S and Catherine Nicholls - 6th on W10B. So well done to everybody who survived the experience, and I am sure we will all be back in 2005 to sample the delights of Royal Deeside. If you want to check out the Moray results click here

    Apart from Moray, there has not been much on the O Scene to tell you about, but rumour has it that 3 foolish Gophers did run the misnamed 20 mile Jog Shop Jog on the South Ups at the end of August ... madness or what!! Just glad they don't call it the Jog Shop Run! See if you can find out who needs to be sectioned sooner that later.

21st July 2003 : New GO Suits hit the headlines ...

    The new GO suits were featured in this weeks Haslemere Herald with a photograph of Peter Clement presenting the sponsorship cheque which has funded new O Suit tops for most of our junior club members. If you read the Surrey Advertiser or Farnham Herald the story may well have made it there too ...

21st July 2003 : North Downs Relay results ...

    A new record for Tom Mendum on this years relay ... brilliant, and the team were not that far down at the end, so well run team, and we look forward to great things next year.

    Leg Starts At km Record GO Team GO Position SLOW SLOW CROC SAX/SN LV/TAC Canterbury
        Time   hh:mm:ss on Leg hh:mm:ss hh:mm:ss hh:mm:ss hh:mm:ss hh:mm:ss
    1 Dover 11.2 49.23 Andy Webb 0:51:26 1 Dick Clark 0:57:48 0:52:06 0:57:24 1:01:28 0:56:47
    2 Castle Hill path & road jn. 13.3 53.49 Keith Tonkin 1:02:41 2 Andy Robinson 1:08:00 1:02:35 1:09:20 1:12:59 1:04:00
    3 Stowting (The Tiger) 10.5 46.51 Tim Stansfeld 1:00:05 3 Chris Owen 1:03:00 0:52:45 1:02:48 1:07:44 0:53:02
    4 Wye (Level Crossing) 11.0 40.49 Neil Harwood 1:06:00 6 Jeremy Owen 0:55:04 1:02:07 0:48:20 0:58:10 0:59:22
    5 Charing (A252 Jn) 12.3 50.56 Sarah Maliphant 1:18:04 6 Mike Garvin 1:02:06 1:00:54 1:04:33 1:04:19 1:12:30
    6 Hollingbourne (X-roads) 16.7 76.30 Jeremy Wilde 1:43:30 5 Matt Lynas 1:19:29 1:24:44 1:34:33 1:39:22 1:55:00
    7 Bluebell Hill (Picnic site) 8.0 28.26 Jim Morris 0:36:01 3 Vicky Robb 0:45:28 0:32:01 0:40:42 0:35:41 0:37:08
    8 Medway Bridge W (Car Park) 13.2 57.55 Tom Mendum 0:54:44 1 Mark Vyvyan-Robinson 1:08:42 1:11:44 1:10:56 1:12:03 1:27:00
    9 Vigo Inn (X-roads by pub) 14.7 64.35 Mike Elliott 1:21:52 5 Mike Murray 1:08:49 1:17:17 1:26:46 1:18:45 1:17:46
    10 Dunton Green (Rose & Crown) 9.8 44.14 Jennifer Thomas 1:03:57 4 Karen Watson 0:52:45 1:17:00 1:07:00 0:52:40 1:03:27
    11 Betsom Hill Farm (road X-ing) 11.0 49.47 Mark Smith 1:02:56 1 Jon O'Donnell 1:05:36 1:24:45 1:17:09 1:09:36 1:17:07
    12 A22 (footbridge East Side) 11.5 46.33 James Crawford 0:49:10 1 Karen Jones 0:56:59 0:52:13 1:08:34 1:08:03 1:05:32
    13 Reigate Hill (Car Park) 11.8 46.41 Ben Smith 1:05:58 5 Mike Farmery 0:54:53 1:00:58 0:56:42 1:00:00 1:11:08
    14 Stepping Stones (West side) 15.0 61.22 Peter Clement 1:28:08 6 John Dowty 1:13:55 1:20:07 1:16:11 1:15:46 1:10:48
    15 Newlands Corner (road X-ing) 12.4 47.54 Peter Nicholls 0:49:52 2 Charlie Whetham 0:48:42 0:55:50 0:50:56 1:10:44 0:57:25
    16 Puttenham ( by Car Park) 10.6 44.25 Jenny Nicholls 0:52:38 4 Andy Armitage 0:51:15 0:59:12 0:49:28 0:58:46 0:49:44
    Farnham (A31) 193.0 17:07:02 16:12:31 17:06:18 17:21:22 17:46:06 17:57:46
    Team Positions : 3 1 2 4 5 6

16th July 2003 : Bits and bobs ...

    Check out some pictures from the AGM.

    With Moray 2003 just a few days away now, check out your start time and any last minute information from the Moray 2003 web page.

28th June 2003 : Club Day and AGM ...

    This years AGM and club day was very well supported and a good band of Gophers enjoyed the fine weather and the challenges set by Neil, Jeremy and Keith on Pewley Down and The Chantries. It is amazing how much fun can be had on such a small area. Many thanks for organizing it Neil and the team.

    After lunch we were delighted to welcome Peter Clement, who as hopefully most of you know, has very generously sponsored the club to allow us to provide the new GO tops to the majority of our current junior membership. Peter also presented trophies to this years club champions who attended the AGM. Pictures will appear on the web very soon.

16th June 2003 : GO Club Day and AGM - Saturday 28th June ...

    All GO Club Members are invited to a Club Day and AGM on Saturday 28th June 2003 at Holy Trinity School, Addison Road, Guildford. Neil Harwood is Organiser and Course Planner, and if you intend to come please RSVP to as we will need to know numbers for map printing.

    Program of Events ....

    10.30 - 10.55 am Assemble. Approach along Pewley Way which runs alongside Mount Alvenia Hospital. Use the main school entrance in Addison Road.

    11.00 - 12.00 noon A free orienteering course devised by Neil, which will depend on his mental state at the time of planning. Rumour has it that there will be some relationship to a score event but there is no guarantee that the best orienteer will win. Competitors are warned not to take part if they are of a nervous disposition. Bring a compass but SI dibbers are not required. A pencil and paper might be useful as Quizmaster-in-Chief Jeremy has been seen with an evil glint in his eye. The area has been newly mapped by Neil for the event.

    For those of a nervous disposition the committee recommends a one hour run on the downs behind the school. Bring your own map if the area is unfamiliar.

    12.00 - 2.00 pm Picnic. Please bring your own food. If it is dry, barbecues will be provided for you to cook on. If it rains, the school kitchen will be opened for us.

    2.00 pm Results and possibly prizes.

    2.05 pm AGM

    Clothing Club clothing will be available for purchase. This is a good opportunity to buy since clothes can be tried on, and the bright new style can be seen before ordering. The old styles will be available in most adult sizes at a small discount.

    Peter Clement - Club Sponsor ... Peter who has very kindly sponsored the club so that we can provide free tops for at least some of our more regular juniors, will be stopping by to see the new kit and give us the chance to take some photos of Peter and as many club members as possible sporting the new club O Suits. Please make every effort to be there with your new suits so that we can get some good photos for the local newspapers.

16th June 2003 : New O Suits have arrived ...

    The first batch of the new style GO O Suits arrived recently and they look really cool. I am trying to get to see those folk who have ordered the new suits at events over the next few weeks, and will take the suits to the AGM which you will of course all be going to ... you have a good reason to go now!! They look so cool that a second order has already gone in for some people who missed the boat first time round ... nothing to do with P&O or trans Atlantic epics Jim!! Hopefully over the next few months those of you who have not as yet ordered will get a chance to see the kit and decide if you want to make an order. More details and pictures of the new kit will appear on the web soon so keep checking for updates.

29th May 2003 : Junior Coaching Day - Sunday 22nd June, Reigate Priory ...

    GO and SLOW are organising a coaching day on Sunday 22nd June at Reigate Priory to provide people with an opportunity to learn and practice navigational techniques. Reigate Priory consists of a steep hillside with the Greensand Way along the top, some major paths dropping down the valleys and various features dotted across the wooded slopes in between. The coaching day is designed for a range of standards from young juniors just starting to exercises to stretch developing juniors and adult inexperienced orienteers (approximately yellow to light green standard and a bit beyond). The exercises can be tailored to match the people who want to come. You can be shadowed by more experienced orienteers or just talk to a coach after each exercise. We start at about 10.30am and will finish by early afternoon with a fun relay. This is a good chance to talk to people about the areas you want to improve.

    Please let me know if you would like to come by 12th June so that we have time to find experienced orienteers to help. Let us know if there are any particular skills you would like to practice.

    Experienced orienteers - we would really appreciate your help passing on your skills and enthusiasm by shadowing less experienced orienteers. It is a good way of reminding yourself what you should be doing as well! Please let me know if you can help on the day, preferably by 12th June.

    Please contact Barbara Lugton on 01483 476774 or send her an

    Click here to find the car park venue.

20th May 2003 : British Champs Successes ...

    A few Gophers headed North to Wharncliffe and Greno Woods for this years British Champs and a few excellent results were achieved. Freddie Nelson won M12B to be the first GO National Champion for a while, and Keith Tonkin had a superb run to finish a close second to Martin Dean in M45L. A year ago Keith was getting over knee surgery, but has bounced back this year in fine style, and was unluckly not to win having been in the front during the middle portion of the race. To keep up the family form, Julie Nelson was also 2nd on W40S less than a minute down on the winner, and Christine Kiddier was a fine 7th on W50L having started early only to be beaten by a few later runners who would have almost certainly had the benefit of a few elephant tracks ... yes they still roam the hills around Sheffield!! To round it off, Toby Doyle was just out of medals in M14B with a solid 4th place.

    In the relays, we managed a 4th on the M45L relay behind SLOW, BAOC and BOK, with Andy Jones of SLOW overhauling both Colin Dickson from BAOC and Gavin Clegg from BOK on the final leg for a very well deserved win. As a regular Thursday Night boy for many years, and also living in Guildford, perhaps we can persuade Andy and family to join GO once we get our snappy new O suits!!

1st May 2003 : New GO O Suits

    For those Gophers who ordered new O Suits, I hope to take delivery at some stage in mid May ... so watch this space and have your pens and cheque books primed and ready to roll.

1st May 2003 : Gare Hill National Event and JK 2003

    Quite a few Gophers managed to get to both the Gare Hill National Event and JK during the last few weeks, and some excellent results were achieved. Of particular note were Pete Nicholls who was 2nd at Gare Hill on M45L just 15 seconds down on the winner, and won M45L on day 1 of the JK at Hambleden. Pete was Controller on day 2 so didn't get the chance to contest the overall title ... next year Pete. Keith Tonkin has also returned to excellent form, and was not far back on M45L with a 4th at Gare Hill, and a very respectable 6th overall in M45L at the JK.

    Keeping it in the family, Jenny Nicholls was a splendid 4th in W45L at Gare Hill and an equally impressive 5th in W45L on day 1 of the JK. Like Pete, Jenny was only able to run the first day. Christine Kiddiers outstanding form this year continued with 3rd in W50L at Gare Hill, and 6th on day 1 of the JK.

    Not to be outdone, the juniors Gophers also had some good results at the JK, with George Simmons an excellent 3rd in M10B, Freddie Nelson 6th in M12B, Toby Doyle 4th in M14B and Eleanor Nelson 6th in W12B ... keep it up.

22nd March 2003 : GO Club Championships

    The 2003 Club Championships were held in conjunction with the CompassSport Cup event on Redlands on the 16th March, and some worthy Club Champions came to the top of the pile on the day. Overall Club Champion for 2003 is Keith Tonkin who has shown some tremendous good form this year after missing much of last year due to knee surgery ... well done Keith. The ladies champion this year is Linda Pakuls who was runner up in 2002 ... great run Linda. Linda managed to hold off the on form Christine Kiddier who has been having a great season so far. Not to be outdone, both Carolyn Pakuls and David Abrams retained the titles they won in 2002 ... perhaps a hat trick in 2004?

22nd March 2003 : CompassSport Cup

    Oh what a perfect day ... There are some events that stick in your mind as perhaps the courses were good, or the forest nice, or perhaps the kids had a good day, but being totally biased as a Gopher, I really though that the event on Redlands scored highly in all areas. The weather was almost perfect, the courses planned by Neil Harwood were tough and challenging, Redlands despite it's physcial nature was a pleasure to run through, and to crown it there seemed to be a genuinely good atmosphere on the day.

    So a big thank you to Neil for planning, Mike Murray for controlling and Gareth Davis for pulling it all together and organising the event ... great job done. As a club we should also thank the many of you who I trust enjoyed the day and made it all worth while. Good luck to SO and SOS in the finals.

3rd March 2003 : North Downs Relay ... 21st June

    Looks like El Capitain goofed and got the date wrong in the latest allGO!! The North Downs Relay is (I hope) on the 21st June 2003 and not the 28th as I wrote for allGO. So now that the relay is on the 21st you should all be able to get along to the AGM that is I believe pencilled in for the 28th ... or is it??

3rd March 2003 : 2nd place for Keith at British Nights

    Keith Tonkin's excellent night form this season saw him to a fine 2nd place in a very competitive M45 class in the North East of England last weekend (22nd Feb). Keith had been in the front by about 3 minutes mid way throught the race, but one mistake cost Keith the title. Keith has been working hard to regain fitness after last years knee op, but it looks like his excellent night navigation more than compensates for any lack of speed that he may well still be suffering from ... great result Keith.

16th February 2003 : National Event 1 - Box Hill

    The first National Event of 2003 at Headley Heath and Box Hill saw wins for Pete Nicholls in M45L and Julie Nelson in W40S ... well done. The event was suitably tough, with a great route choice option on the M45L course which is very rare in the SE. Overall a great effort by MV, assisted at the East start by a team of frozen Gophers!!

8th February 2003 : CompassSport Cup

    Don't forget that we (GO) are organising the CompassSport Cup this year at Redlands on 16th March 2003. Entries close on 28th February, so please get your entries in early to avoid a last minute rush for Andrew Bussell who has taken on the job of entries for this event. Gareth Davis would no doubt appreciate offers of help from anybody who has not already volouteered or been press-ganged into helping!!

    Not only will you get the chance to run in the CompassSport Cup, but we will be holding the GO Club Championships in conjunction with this event. So please make sure that you come along to support the event.

8th February 2003 : JK and BOC Relays

    Entries for the JK Relays close on 14th March, so please don't delay, check it out today!!

Last Update : 17 Jan 2009