HAVOC Regional, SWELL & EASOL - Belhus Woods

Introduction
HAVOC Regional, SWELL & EASOL

Terrain Description
The country park is a low-lying mix of ancient woods, meadows, streams, ponds and other earth features created by past gravel and brickearth extraction. There are also extensive Forestry Commission and Woodland Trust 1990s tree plantations which are maturing nicely, with their runnability varying with the coppicing and brashing cycles. The area is relatively flat and fast for those who can maintain map contact while making frequent decisions caused by the path and ditch network and the mosaic of woods and meadows. Courses are planned to offer a technical and physical challenge; full leg cover is advised.

For more information about the country park see the Visit Parks website.

The map is 1:10,000, 5m contours at ISOM 2017 standard. The Brown course will use a double-sided map.

Parking
What3Words: term.grape.stop

The simplest approach is via Upminster.

From M25 J29 take the A127 west towards Romford. After 1.25 miles turn onto the first slip road, signed Upminster and Cranham, then turn left at the T junction. Continue through Upminster on the B1421 and then to Corbets Tey. At the point where the road has a sharp left hand bend, turn right, signed Aveley. Turn left at the T junction/mini-roundabout. Follow this road for 1.5 miles then turn left into the Country Park.

You can approach from the south: M25 J30, A13 west, A1306 and B1335 to Aveley then take the Romford Road to Belhus Woods Country Park.

There are brown tourist signs to the Country Park from Corbets Tey and Aveley.

NOTE: There is a 2.4m/7'4" height restriction into the car park.

Essex County Council car park charges apply, pay and display. Up to 1hr - £2.80, Up to 2hrs - £4.00, Up to 4 hrs - £5.20. The machines take card payments only, no cash. For online payments register at MiPermit Essex County Council Country Parks Cashless Parking and Digital Permits.

Note: Belhus Woods is outside the recently expanded ULEZ area, although to avoid the zone, drivers will have to approach the park from the South through Aveley.

Public transport: 22 bus (www.ensignbus.com), hourly Sunday service from Grays bus station (10 minute walk from Grays railway station) to Usk Road, Aveley then 2.5K walk through Belhus Chase (please stay on paths as this is in the competition area). Or 370 bus (www.tfl.gov.uk) half-hourly Sunday service from Upminster railway station to Corbetts Tey then 2.5K walk.

Ockendon railway station is about 3K from the Country Park.

Times
Enquiries from 10:00 to 12noon

Starts from 10:30 to 12:30pm

Courses close at 2.00pm

Course Info
Full range of courses suitable for adult and junior beginners, and experienced orienteers.

Final course details are:
. White - 1.7 Km, 5m climb, 13 controls
. Yellow - 2.6 Km, 10m climb, 13 controls
. Orange - 3.5 Km, 15m climb, 12 controls
. Light Green - 3.8 Km, 15m climb, 11 controls
. Short Green - 3.6 Km, 15m climb, 13 controls
. Green - 5.0 Km, 25m climb, 17 controls
. Blue - 7.4 Km, 30m climb, 23 controls
. Brown - 10.2 Km, 45m climb, 33 controls

There is 1 timed out road crossing on Green, Blue and Brown, which uses a traffic light pedestrian crossing. Up to 2 minutes will be allowed for this crossing.

The Start and Finish for all courses, except Green, Blue and Brown, are adjacent to the Car park. There is a second Finish location for Green, Blue and Brown which is 350m from the car park, across the road in the western area.

SIAC will be enabled, although competitors will need to punch the Start and Finish.

Please note that to achieve the distance, and include the road crossing, the Brown course has 33 controls. Please check that your SI Dibber has sufficient capacity, and contact the Organiser if you need to hire a replacement dibber. A small number of SIAC dibbers will be provided for these Brown competitors.

Entry Fees
No start blocks, first come/first served start procedure.

Seniors: £10 ( £12 for non- BOF members)

Juniors: £4
Chip hire: (non SIAC) £1.

Late entries, subject to map availability will be available from April 7th, subject to a £1 additional fee for adults.

There will be limited EOD entries available from the Enquiries tent, subject to map availability.

Facilities
A visitor centre, serving light refreshments, ice creams and snacks. A new toilet block has been built to the east of the visitor centre.


Lakes with plenty of waterfowl (duck food available from the visitor centre). There is also a children's play area (marked as a rectangular OOB on the event maps) for the young and young at heart.


A new permanent Orienteering course has also recently been launched, with map packs available from the visitor centre

Contacts
Organiser: Colin Jackson (organiser@orienteering-havoc.co.uk)

Planner: Guy Lidbury

Controller: Paul Beckett