Saturday 17/10/2026 – NGOC League 10 – Knockalls Enclosure

Considered to be one of NGOCs best areas for orienteering, Knockalls Enclosure is a steep area of mixed woodland, generally sloping North to South, and has an abundance of rock features and charcoal burning platforms. The mapped area includes Staunton Meend common land which is visited by the longer courses.

The damp start to the summer resulted in more significant undergrowth than usual. However, the subsequent dry spell appears to have caused the vegetation to die back earlier than usual. At this stage it is too early to assess the potential runability of the areas of map shown with the undergrowth screen. Courses are planned to avoid the worst of the area’s undergrowth.

In some areas, the abundance of rock means only significant boulders and crags are mapped, with the remaining rock typically mapped using either the boulder field or stony ground symbol.

A number of walls and fences are marked with purple overprint and MUST only be crossed at marked crossing points. A number gates are found within the area, and competitors are asked to close these after passing through.

The threat to our forests and woodlands has never been greater. Trees and plants in Britain are now vulnerable to a range of new pests and diseases as a result of a combination of climate change and the increased movement of goods around the world. Activities in forests can increase chance of spreading a pest or disease. Everyone who visits or works on managed forests can make a difference.

Please arrive with clean footwear and clothing and clean footwear and clothing either on site or at home before visiting another woodland, “Leave the Forest in the Forest”.

The map has been updated by Pete Ward using LIDAR over Winter 25/Spring 26. All maps will be printed at 1:7,500 scale because of the wealth of detail.

The map is printed on waterproof paper and will be at A4 for all courses.

Control descriptions will be text for Yellow, both text and pictorial for Orange and Red, and pictorial for all other courses. Loose control descriptions will be available in the start lanes, except for the Red course, for which control descriptions are only on the map.

Assembly is at the end of the parking track, approximately 1.8km from signed entry point.

The start will be 250m from assembly, with 40m climb.

The return to assembly from the finish will be 200m downhill.

SI Touch free punching is enabled, but all runners must punch both Start and Finish.

Course details are provisional and are likely still to change a little. They are however representative of the likely final details.

Course distances are the straight line between controls. For the Red course, using the likely path route will result in a course distance of approximately 5km. Red course runners can run in pairs or groups if they wish.

NGOC hope to provide a String Course, in which case it will be located very close to assembly.

We will use SI Timing, in contact and touch free modes. All runners must however punch the Start and Finish controls.

You MUST go to Download even if you do not complete your course – we need to confirm that you are back safely!

Whistles must be carried by juniors running on their own and are highly recommended for all competitors. If you hear a distress whistle, please go to assist.

Split starts. In order to minimise demands on scarce volunteer resources we operate a 90 minute start window for this event, and we recognise that this can be a challenge for parents seeking split starts. We are happy to accommodate split starts provided:

• You let us know in advance that you need a split start. Do this by emailing the organiser, address in the introduction above
• You come early; the start team will normally be ready to allow very early starts up to 30 minutes before the published start time, so aim to be there with this in mind. We do not offer starts later than the published end of the start window.
• The shorter course runner goes first. We will not turn you away if you can't manage this, but it gives you both a better chance of beating the course closure time.

Entry Details

You should enter the course appropriate to your involvement in the NGOC league, if relevant, or whichever course you choose otherwise.

Starts: 11:00 - 12:30.

Courses close: 14:00, meaning that you must report to download before 14:15, or risk disqualification. Please ensure that you allow sufficient time to complete your course.

SI dibber hire: Standard dibber £1 Adults, Juniors and Red course free

Touch Free dibber: £2 Adults, £1 Juniors, Red course free

Entries will open soon, and will close at midnight on Wednesday 14th October.

Entry on the day is possible only while maps last, but note the premium price to discourage this. We should be able to accept credit/debit card payments, but this is not guaranteed so bring cash just in case.

Please note that we keep entries open as late as we can subject to map printing. If you miss the deadline you are welcome to enter on the day, and there will usually be a map available for the course you choose to run. We will not reserve maps for people who contact us after entries close and ask us to do so; you take your chance with all others who choose to enter on the day.

A helper discount is available for those offering to help on the day. These events don't happen without volunteers willing to help out on the day, so if you are able to do so, before signing up to enter, email Ian Prowse, Volunteer Coordinator, to let us know if you can help, and ask for the helper discount code that you can apply when entering. You don't have to be a NGOC member to help, but you do need to be a BOF member to be covered insurance wise.

The standard Fabian4 terms and conditions offer an automatic refund up to 2 months before the event date, and we do not normally vary this specification. That means that in most cases no refunds are possible, as we do not publish details until less than 2 months before the date of the event.

However, for all except large events we hold entries open until only a day or so before the event, so you can delay entry if unsure whether you can run, until very close to event day.

Dogs are allowed in the area and courses as long as they are under control and owners tidy after them.

A single toilet should be available in the assembly area.

The NGOC pop-up café should be present at assembly. Please note that it operates a cash only honesty system. If you have no cash, you can pay via card at registration, subject to a minimum charge of £1.

If you are interested in obtaining club kit, whilst there will not be an extensive range of sizes to try on at the event, we can have a few sizes available for specific items. You can see the options, and a size chart, on the Club Kit page. Email paul@ngoc.org.uk with details of any items, and relevant sizes, you wish to try, and we can have those available.

Important: Please note that as from 1 January 2026 Non-members of British Orienteering are not insured under British Orienteering’s public liability policy. By entering this event, you acknowledge that you are participating at your own risk.

The area is steep in places, so care and grippy shoes are required.

The area is popular with walkers, horse riders and heavily used by mountain bikers due to the steep slopes.

Most of the mapped small paths are used by mountain bikers, so please be vigilant. Junior courses have been planned to avoid these, but junior competitors may encounter bikes on or crossing the main tracks. Senior courses are designed to minimise conflict between bikes and orienteers, but it has not been possible to eliminate this so please be alert, particularly when running downhill on a small path.

There are large crags and boulders within the competition area, in particular at the north of the map visited by Blue and Brown courses. Please take extreme care and “look before you leap!”

A risk assessment has been completed, and a copy will be held at Enquiries and Download in case competitors wish to consult it before their run.

Competitors take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for terrain and weather.

A first aid kit and trained first aiders will be available in the Assembly field.

Orienteering is a great sport for young people. If you bring children, please help us to keep to our safeguarding policy and British Orienteering’s photography policy.

By entering this event, competitors agree to abide by the British Orienteering Code of Conduct.

When participating in our events/activities your name may appear in the results section of this website or in newspaper reports. To see how we look after your personal data, please read our privacy policy.

NGOC follows British Orienteering’s national guidance. This provides a sensible balance between the benefits and risks associated with the taking and use of images. If you are unsure about acceptable practice, please speak to the event organiser.