Excessively long final details...

[Freefall]

I think it's what's called an Executive Summary we need. I actually quite enjoy reading some of the stuff but agree a one pager with all the important stuff (in pdf) is best

[Gross]

so the views expressed maybe those of the SOA Professional Officer.... how can we tell

[AndyC]

In the specific case of the Northern Champs I'm going to praise the organiser who faced with two exceptionally different events (but both of quality) in two very different venues has made every effort to ensure that he has made all the relevant information available in one set of final details.
I for one would rather have details that were long but covered everything I needed to know than make a mistake because I didn't know an important point.

And ,Gross, as Colin was being reasonable I suspect that those might be the views of the SOA Professional Officer (or they might not)

[widdershins]

Paul Frost wrote

But as I don't manage all the club websites in the UK it's not a universal fix for the problem.

But that is surely just a matter of time

[Freefall]

How about (or is this too long):
Northern Championships (NATO Level A incl UK Masters Cup) 27 Mar 11 Ray Demesne, Northumberland Osigned NY988857. Parking £1. Assembly incl traders in car park. Ltd EOD. Free swap SI Cards V9. Starts 250m. Litho printed A3 maps waterproof paper. Mixed terrain, fences/walls not overprinted purple, XC points compulsory. Dangerous crags. Finish 50m to car parking. Prizegiving. Organiser Patrick Smyth, Controller Paul Taylor CLOK Planner Colin Matheson FVO

[Roger]

How about (or is this too long):
Northern Championships ...

I'm not sure whether this is meant to be a summary or the full set.

Trim off the officials (but leave the organiser if this is the full set) and instead tell the competitors whether they'll get a drink on the course. If the start were further away then information about presence or absence of clothing transfer would be useful, but in this instance there's no need.

My acid test is '"What am I expecting the competitor do / not do / do differently as a result of giving them this information?" Applying the test would lead me to cut out "Litho printed A3 maps waterproof paper." "Mixed terrain" also adds nothing, although "forest and fell" or "muddy grass plus 50% tarmac" would contain useful information.

[madmike]

I agree officials not that relevant in final details and I think you may be lacking;

call up at -3/-4 and loose con descrips in lane at -2/at enquiries - otherwise everything you need to know is probably there.

[Freefall]

Surely no need to mention call up to start - these should be standard at an event at this level. Still think officials should be mentioned - note I left out the club for the organiser as one assumes he/she is from the organising club. It's good to know who the planner is so you can shower them with compliments/**** after your run.

[andypat]

Surely no need to mention call up to start - these should be standard at an event at this level. Still think officials should be mentioned - note I left out the club for the organiser as one assumes he/she is from the organising club. It's good to know who the planner is so you can shower them with compliments/**** after your run.

Agree totally Freefall. You need to know who the officials are if there is an issue.

Call up is useful for newcomers maybe, but a bit superfluos in an exec summary as newbies would want to read everything. We've added a couple of appendices for the final details at Erskine for their benefit.