Firstly I must apologise for the lack of Chairman's chat since September, however as you are all aware the pressures of increasing workloads seem to be even more demanding. Unfortunately it always seems it is our recreational activities that are the first to suffer.
I first started writing this chat before the outbreak of Foot & Mouth was announced. In it I was looking ahead to events in Rendlesham Forest, the CompassSport Cup at Highlodge Warren, the JK in the Forest of Dean and the British Champs in Northern Ireland. How quickly things can change from their normal order.
At the present time there does not seem to be an end to the outbreak and I fear that it will be several months before things get back to normal. Orienteering is likely to be affected for some time as mapping and planning for events later in the year will have been stopped. I believe that we will be very lucky to have any major events before the autumn.
I think that this present crisis brings home how much orienteering relies on the good will of landowners both individuals and National bodies to allow us access to put on events. It is only when access to the countryside is denied that you realise how lucky we are in this country to have such a good footpath network and access to National Parks. This is something that a lot of other countries do not have.
Hopefully clubs are already considering local events using city parkland, if access is still permitted or beach and sand dune areas. Alternative competitions such as street events, armchair planning courses and coaching exercises all come to mind in looking for some alternative mental stimulation. I feel so sorry for those clubs and Associations who have spent so much time planning and preparing for their events, hopefully the National Fixtures committee will re-plan next years fixtures list so that most events will only need to be postponed until next year. However you can all be assured that orienteering will continue in the future.
Of course it does give us all a chance to catch up on those jobs which have been left for so long! So what have you been doing with all this spare time?
The JK at Easter is always a key date in most orienteer's calendars. Some people still visited the Forest of Dean area as they already had accommodation booked, but Kim and I decided that it would be an ideal opportunity to get another short break to the French Alps to do some more snowboarding. This brings me to some very sad news.
It is with deep regret that I have to report of the tragic death of Barry Chilvers of WASH OC, after a freak snowboarding accident in early March. Barry had always enjoyed an active life and was a keen and enthusiastic orienteer who contributed much to his club WASH. He was the current holder of the Bill Stevens Trophy, awarded annually to those who make major, behind the scenes, contributions to orienteering in East Anglia.
As a snowboarder who has suffered from not wearing a crash helmet I know how easy it is for accidents to happen. I can only reiterate the wishes of Barry's family to encourage anyone going skiing or snowboarding to wear a crash helmet. We all take for granted our ability not to get injured but in all sporting activities we should be aware that accidents do happen and provide the most protection possible.
I know that Barry will be missed by his many friends in WASH, NOR and EAOA but our thoughts should go out to his family at this sad time.
At the BOF Council meeting in January a significant amount of time was spent discussing the restructuring of BOF and the options available to keep the process moving forward given the impasse that had been reached with the Scottish OA.
The latest proposal is to continue funding the Federation as at present through event levies. But with the levy for multi-day events such as Scottish 6 days, Welsh 5 days, Lakeland 5 days being ring fenced for development purposes only with 50% being returned to the Association promoting the event. This would allow Scotland to move forward with their own devolution and giving them the freedom to run their own affairs. Any other of the National bodies could do the same thing whenever they felt that it was appropriate to do so.
The membership payment system would enable the SOA to make a single annual payment to BOF for all its members with all SOA members becoming members of BOF.
Council was asked to consider three alternatives:-
No decision was reached at the meeting but the debate will continue and firm proposals will be available for the next AGM.
My feeling is that the proposals for safeguarding all the different areas of English orienteering have not been sorted out yet and that this is what concerns most orienteer's in England. We need to ensure that in the future all clubs can have a voice in the development and running of the sport.
Lets hope that we can all get back to running in the woods and over the fells as quickly as possible. Here's looking forward to sunny days in Scottish forests.
Tim Eden (NOR)