Lochaber 2021 Scottish 6 Days

[pete.owens]

I think the am/pm idea is worth considering, if at all feasible. Six days with maprun and streamers at control sites sounds a lot more attractive (to me anyway) than 3 days with all the bells and whistles.

Even if it was feasable, the am/pm thing would be a naked attempt to circumvent the regulations rather than comply with them.

And it isn't remotely feasable. In order to even pretend that you are runing two different events you need to allow sufficient time for everybody participating in the first "event" to leave before participants start to arrive for the second. This is not simply a nominal pause in the start window. It means enough time for an arthritic W85 finishing 1 minute before courses close to get back to assembly, download and walk back to their car, before you open the car park for the 2nd "event". You then need sufficient time for another arthritic W85 to change their shoes, walk to assembly and then onto the start in good time for the first start slot. Even if start, finish, assembly and parking were co-located (unlikely for all 6 days) you are talking about an absolute minimum gap of 4 hours, which pushes course closing time into late evening, sending control pickers out with head tourches and potentially organising searches for lost competitors in the dark.

[Gross]

In order to even pretend that you are runing two different events you need to allow sufficient time for everybody participating in the first "event" to leave before participants start to arrive for the second.

Throw in about 6 miles of single track roads on one of the days at least

[Snail]

...What are you basing this on?

The Scottish Covid regulations applicable to areas in level 1:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-level-1/
Under Holiday Accomidation:
... A bedroom should be occupied by members of only one household (or extended household).
In self-catered or other unregulated (unstaffed) accommodation, in-house socialising rules apply. In Level 1, a maximum of 6 people from up to 3 households can socialise in a private dwelling...

That refers to level 1 which is where Highland is at the moment. Level 0 changes to 8 people from 4 households but otherwise seems the same. Level 2 seems the same as well so I think its only if Highland reverts to level 3 that group accommodation rules change significantly.

There will be some people who booked accommodation, say in 2019, on the assumption that there would be no restrictions at all. Even if areas move to Level 0 in August they may be forced to change their plans.

[Freefall]

With the exception of sportscotland (who are now above my pay grade) I have contacted every stakeholder outside the orienteering community seeking their feedback. This includes EventScotland, Highland Council, Argyll & Bute Council, PoliceScotland, land managers and landowners and suppliers including event services, chemical toilets (don't mention the Portaloo word) and first aid. Internally an email has been circulated to all the main officials - Central Organising Team, Day Organisers, Planners and Controllers. This should give the Scottish Orienteering 6-Day Event Co Ltd Board sufficient information as to how to progress matters.

[mikey]

With the exception of sportscotland (who are now above my pay grade) I have contacted every stakeholder outside the orienteering community seeking their feedback. This includes EventScotland, Highland Council, Argyll & Bute Council, PoliceScotland, land managers and landowners and suppliers including event services, chemical toilets (don't mention the Portaloo word) and first aid. Internally an email has been circulated to all the main officials - Central Organising Team, Day Organisers, Planners and Controllers. This should give the Scottish Orienteering 6-Day Event Co Ltd Board sufficient information as to how to progress matters.

Thank you

Good luck to those involved in the decision making. I am sure the UK orienteering community will support whatever decision is finally made.

[maprun]

In order to even pretend that you are runing two different events you need to allow sufficient time for everybody participating in the first "event" to leave before participants start to arrive for the second.

Throw in about 6 miles of single track roads on one of the days at least

The suggestion was based on personal experience. I assure you no one was pretending it was two separate events, in fact there were four separate events over the weekend, of different age groups with staggered mini-mass starts over two course lengths. By Sunday evening the results were merged where the age groups competed over the same course.

The series ran over three weekends from Easter to early May when initially the restrictions were tighter than now. It was a case of turn up only after a set time, warm up, only where and when allowed, race, get changed and go by a set time, with half an hour built in, where theoretically just the organisers were left having lunch. The atmosphere of the event was relaxed but business like- turn up, race and go. Certainly not a typical S6D feel of a festival with stalls and distractions for the kids.

I should add, I've not entered the S6D and just keen to pass on personal experience of a relatively high profile race series that was within both the spirit and letter of even tighter rules. Glad it has at least been/is being considered.

[Snail]

Manchester and Salford being added from Monday as places from which travel to Scotland is not allowed (except for permitted reasons). In addition to Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen. But Bedford removed.

The BBC is reporting travel from Birmingham will also not be allowed, but that isn't currently supported by the gov.scot website.

[MrD]

Manchester and Salford being added from Monday as places from which travel to Scotland is not allowed (except for permitted reasons). In addition to Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen. But Bedford removed.

The BBC is reporting travel from Birmingham will also not be allowed, but that isn't currently supported by the gov.scot website.

Its the other way around, a massive loophole.

Scotland --> Manchester / Salford --> Scotland is not permitted.

Manchester / Salford --> Scotland --> Manchester / Salford is permitted.

Non-essential travel was banned between Scotland and Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen on 24 May, while travel restrictions with Bedford were lifted on Friday.

[mikey]

Manchester and Salford being added from Monday as places from which travel to Scotland is not allowed (except for permitted reasons). In addition to Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen. But Bedford removed.

The BBC is reporting travel from Birmingham will also not be allowed, but that isn't currently supported by the gov.scot website.

Its the other way around, a massive loophole.

Scotland --> Manchester / Salford --> Scotland is not permitted.

Manchester / Salford --> Scotland --> Manchester / Salford is permitted.

Non-essential travel was banned between Scotland and Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen on 24 May, while travel restrictions with Bedford were lifted on Friday.

I don’t think that’s right.

“ Travel to and from Manchester and Salford is only allowed for permitted reasons from Monday 21 June 2021.”

[MrD]

Manchester and Salford being added from Monday as places from which travel to Scotland is not allowed (except for permitted reasons). In addition to Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen. But Bedford removed.

The BBC is reporting travel from Birmingham will also not be allowed, but that isn't currently supported by the gov.scot website.

Its the other way around, a massive loophole.

Scotland --> Manchester / Salford --> Scotland is not permitted.

Manchester / Salford --> Scotland --> Manchester / Salford is permitted.

Non-essential travel was banned between Scotland and Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen on 24 May, while travel restrictions with Bedford were lifted on Friday.

I don’t think that’s right.

“ Travel to and from Manchester and Salford is only allowed for permitted reasons from Monday 21 June 2021.”

I didn't say it was right or wrong, but a loophole . To the half glass empty person, it reads that all journeys starting/originating from Scotland are not permitted to travel to/from XYZ location.

However, the intent is the same. If you come from a covid hotspot, stay away!

[Scott]

1.—(1) A person who lives in Scotland must not leave Scotland for the purpose of entering or remaining in a place within the common travel area mentioned in paragraph 4.

(2) But a person who lives in Scotland may travel through such a place in order to reach another destination.

2.—(1) A person who lives in a place within the common travel area mentioned in paragraph 4 must not enter or remain in Scotland.

(2) But a person who does not live in Scotland may travel through Scotland in order to reach a place outwith Scotland.

4. The places are—
(b)in England, the areas of—
(ii)Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council,
(iii)Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council.
(iv)Manchester City Council,
(v)Salford City Council

So if you live in Blackburn, Bolton, Manchester or Salford, you cannot legally go to Scotland; and if you live in Scotland, you cannout legally go to Blackburn, Bolton, Manchester or Salford. "Going on holiday to Scotland for a week and then going home again" would clearly not count as "travelling through Scotland in order to reach a place outwith Scotland".

[graeme]

Not that it matters, since everything will change by August, but ...

Examples of reasonable excuse

3.—(1) For the purposes of this schedule, examples of what constitutes a reasonable excuse (see regulation 5(4)) include leaving Scotland or (as the case may be) entering or remaining in Scotland, for the purposes set out in sub-paragraph (2).

(2) The purposes are to—
...
(b)work or provide voluntary or charitable services, where it is not possible for the person to do so from home,
...
(u)participate in or facilitate organised activity, sport or exercise which is for persons under 18 years of age,

[nooomember]

Latest News: No change in Levels in Scotland.
Hope to be level 0 on 19 July...
So...?

[graeme]

Chapter and verse.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-first-ministers-statement-22-june-2021/
At the moment, everything is scheduled to be level 0 before the 6-days. But a new date, August 9th, has appeared, so any further slippage is likely to go past the event.

[Freefall]

Feedback on Nopesport has for the most part been helpful and thank you to those who responded so quickly to the straw poll. From my own point of view I am very encouraged by the positive responses from all (100% of) the stakeholders outside the orienteering community including Councils, land managers and suppliers. The Board should have sufficient detail to make an informed decision tomorrow night.