Safety at Harvester 2011?

[Slowtochide]

Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of the Harveer and take place whenever I can. However, this year's Harvester Trophy will be held at Eccleshall Woods and the last time it was held there several major incidents took place involving members of the public that caused significant concern for the safety of competitors. Fortunately there were no serious injuries that time. I am very interested to find out what steps are being taken for this year's event to ensure that similar (or worse) problems do not reoccur. Does anyone out there on planet Nopesport know? I have tried emailing the event to find out but have had no response - which either means that they aren't reading their emails (not really that worrying) or that they aren't interested in the issue (definitely worrying).

In this era of Risk Assessment forms and Safety & Welfare Workshops I can't believe that no one has considered this particular concern for this particular event and planned suitable safety steps - but I really would like someone to demonstrate the fact to me before I commit to taking part.

[Spookster]

this year's Harvester Trophy will be held at Eccleshall Woods and the last time it was held there several major incidents took place involving members of the public that caused significant concern for the safety of competitors. Fortunately there were no serious injuries that time.

I live within a quarter of a mile of the wood, and we run round it at night a lot. I didn't realise it was so dangerous! But seriously, what were the particular issues last time? The previous event was run by SYO, but this years is being run by ShUOC, who I am sure will not have been at the previous event.

I am very interested to find out what steps are being taken for this year's event to ensure that similar (or worse) problems do not reoccur. Does anyone out there on planet Nopesport know? I have tried emailing the event to find out but have had no response - which either means that they aren't reading their emails (not really that worrying) or that they aren't interested in the issue (definitely worrying).

In this era of Risk Assessment forms and Safety & Welfare Workshops I can't believe that no one has considered this particular concern for this particular event and planned suitable safety steps - but I really would like someone to demonstrate the fact to me before I commit to taking part.

Well it's ShUOC, so it's likely they won't have been responding to emails to the event address over the Christmas holiday. But they should be back by now...

[Slowtochide]

But seriously, what were the particular issues last time? The previous event was run by SYO, but this years is being run by ShUOC, who I am sure will not have been at the previous event.

Issues last time?
One W21 chased by 3 men whilst crossing the road until she managed to escape into the woods
One fit and strong M35(?) hit across the shoulders by a branch wielded by a youth he passed on a path in the forest
There were also reports of other issues but not affecting people that I knew so I'm less certain of those.

The issue seemed to be that because the event is a relay and goes on all night there was time for a few members of the publc to become aware of something going on and get 'interested'. as a result IIRC the problems took place 1am or so

[Dave]

Do not fear slowtochide, there will be a 5m perimeter fence erected 6 hours before the competition begins and there will also be a helicopter with spotlight and a SWAT team on standby. your safety is #1

[Rachel]

ShUOC are aware that there were some issues last time the Harvester was hosted in Ecclesall woods and we are looking into people's concerns about it. Apologies for the lack of email replies, the event organiser doesn't have internet at the moment (student housing!), and it's also January exam time so everything else tends to go on the backburner for a few weeks!
Cheers
Rach, ShUOC

[Slowtochide]

Good. I'm happy to wait for a reply, just need to know the issue is being considered

[Big Jon]

Just make sure there are a few groups of large burly orienteers jogging round the wood randomly, any neds would think twice if they felt they were likely to be on the receiving end of a good do-ing.

[gg]

you and gross free that weekend jon?

[RS]

I think, Slowtochide, that perhaps you are being overly concerned. When was the last Harvester at Eccy Woods? 15 years ago? Over the years there have been odd incidents at all types of events but that's life.
For example, Harvesters have continued to be held on army training areas inspite of an 'incident' due to miscommunication.
Worse things have happened to competitors on courses without any other people involved.
Are you trying to sabotage an event that has been struggling in recent years to attract huge numbers of teams?

PS Hoping we can get out at least 2 or 3 teams

[Mrs H]

Well according to the totally excellent video it was nearer 40 years ago. Hopefully the Neds will be Dead Neds by now.

(Sorry just an excuse to watch this again - there's nothing I like better than seeing my kids enjoy themselves )

[AndyC]

a quick google search suggests it was there in 1993 - 18 years ago so the yobs' children are now the yobs perhaps?
RS - 15 years ago it was at Dipton Woods where I'm still trying to organise a level C because we keep losing the roads!

[SYO Member]

Having mapped, organised, planned and controlled as well as run at Ecclesall Woods many times over the last 30+ years, including being a first leg runer at the inaugural
Harvester there in 1978, I can honestly say its probably one of the safest of all our
areas in South Yorkshire.

I've also mapped many of our less salubrious areas, (or rather areas with a less
salubrious hinterland, which doesn't apply to Ecclesall), and have never once felt
threatened.

When we're orienteering anywhere, we all come across evidence of a small burnt patch of woodland with empty beer cans and other rubbish, showing that a group of youths have at some time been up to no good, and I must have seen at least one of these in every area I've mapped and many I've run on.

I reckon these soirées of undesirables aren't happening every weekend and although I
wasn't at the 1993 Harvester, suspect that the incidents reported were just the
unfortunate outcome of a one-off.

[Slowtochide]

Are you trying to sabotage an event that has been struggling in recent years to attract huge numbers of teams?

Actually the opposite. Nothing would kill the Harvester quicker than having a major incident resulting in an injured orienteer. The mid-90s saw two Harvester events with different kinds of safety issues (Eccleshall and Grizedale). It also saw a plummet in numbers in certain categories of competitors. I don't know if the two were linked but I suspect that they were. So it is important to address the issue - and if you read my initial email you will see that this is something that I tried to do directly with the Organisers.

[RS]

"and if you read my initial email you will see that this is something that I tried to do directly with the Organisers."

...and if you read Rach's post above, you'll see why you haven't received a reply.

[guest960504]

I personally am baffled by all this. What do you want the organisers to do? Apart from being aware of it there isn't much they can do. It was over ten years ago. When does it become safe again? Would you orienteer on a map where the battle of hastings took place because I hear in 1066 there was a particularly rough battle there..