50th Anniversary of English Orienteering

[Brian J]

Whilst you tougher types were struggling around the heat of Wasdale I was tackling a lesser ordeal at Whitewell in the Trough of Bowland. It was a nice low key event organised by South Ribble OC to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first English orienteering event organised by Gerry Charnley. That was also held at Whitewell. As well as a 1hr score there was a 10k classic event on the lines of the 1964 event. Unlike then it used a specially drawn map but kept simple and largely black and white. We had 30 controls and they had 7. All followed by a fine picnic. The main thing of interest to this forum was the attendance of 4 of the 15 original competitors - Alan Heaton (Clayton), Don Talbot(Clayton?), Maurice Dean(SROC) and Dave Griffiths (MDOC). They were joined by Maurice Collett (SROC). All of them took an active part in Saturday's event – either helping at the start and finish or competing (Don and Dave). Keen fell running historians will be aware that Alan was the first to complete the BG, Don the first to complete the Joss Naylor), and the two Maurices competed in the First Mountain Trial in 1952 and the first one held on orienteering lines in 1957. It was great to see them again in their natural habitat.