BBC Things To Do

[usuallylast]

I don't know if anyone else has tried this, but this year I'm advertising our club's monthly informal introductory events on the following BBC website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/thingstodo
They seem particularly keen for this sort of event to be promoted, encouraging wider participation of outdoor activities, appealing to families etc.
There is an application process, but nothing too onerous.

[AndyC]

As you've been successful can you give some hints - I presume "Countryfile" OR "Sport tasters2 waas the category you applied in?

[usuallylast]

As you've been successful can you give some hints - I presume "Countryfile" OR "Sport tasters2 waas the category you applied in?

Yep, the countryfile category - outdoor adventure etc. You need to register, then they phone to check a few things such as the non profit aspect of the activity etc and once that's ok you will get login details so you can add your event details. Approval can take a day or so as they are busy, but it's straightforward enough.
I don't know if it will draw in any new people, but it's worth a go. There are links to the activities on the BBC local news pages as well as the 'Things To Do' website.

[AndyC]

Well I've got some NATO events without losing too much hair and have found another couple of websites that have let me upload and others that haven't replied yet -worth a trawl.....

[The Cumbrian]

Orienteering on Countryfile this weekend, 6:30pm Sunday as part of the Wild Ennerdale project. Not sure how long it'll be on for (?) 3 mins for 2 hours of filming!

[usuallylast]

Orienteering on Countryfile this weekend

Thanks - will set the recorder

re Things to Do - the rest of our 'Come and Try It' events are in places the website doesn't recognise, so I'm having to submit locations for approval. At least you can put a grid ref in so it's not too hard. Remains to be seen how long it will take before I can use them to create the events.
With the character limit on how much you can write, I've had some head scratching sessions over making sure I push the speed, skill and fitness aspects of the sport while still appealling to beginners and those with young families. Just about managed the balance with my second attempt and hoping interested folk will also visit our website.

[AndyC]

I created two new locations tonight and they were approved bfore the TV programme I was watching had finished
Local Radio Interview arranged for our Chairman next week - only time will tell if we see more people at events but we can but try

[frog]

Excellent idea, thanks. Have applied to join, will see how many extra people it attracts.

[alanbrett]

Countryfile orienteering feature on NOW on BBC1

[Miner]

Great achievement to get orienteering on BBC but I'm feeling slightly underwhelmed by the coverage...

[The Cumbrian]

Miner, you need to remember it's primetime BBC1 viewing and they were interested in the fact that the WE project had facilitated us using more areas for O and that those areas were now better O, all with some nice visual backdrop (and it was a fantastic days weather).
We did film some bearings being taken (which didn't make it in) but it was made clear the technical side was to be kept short and simple...route choice, attack points etc were never going to make it on screen. Perhaps just be happy that the sport appeared to a running one thats easy to get into, testing mental and physical abilities and mostly enjoyed by the 'younger' generations?

[epocian]

Watched it with some friends, who are non-orienteers, and they remarked it didn't look competitive, more like a gentle jog round. Suppose it's better than nothing.

[RJ]

Was it shown as heavily clad, old bearded blokes, with heavy walking boots, OS map in a plastic holder round the neck, compass in hand following a bearing at walking pace!!! epocian.... try and be a little more positive!!

And miner..... it is the producer who decides what the programme is about! His brief was.... Wild Ennerdale! We were there to show how we were making use of it. A training exercise as explained by one of the contributors was what it was.

The word/label orienteering was used and there were shots of young fit individuals in smart tops running through the wonderful terrain in sunshine. VERY VERY VERY positive I would have thought!!

[Mrs H]

I thought it was good (mind you I had a chuckle when he used the D Word)

[JennyJ]

Was it as good as the orienteering on 'Playing it Straight' on E4 the other night??