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Orienteering gets financial boost in Harrogate
28 AUGUST 2007:
ORIENTEERING is a growing sport which has just been given a
boost locally with news that three permanent courses in Harrogate's
Valley Gardens extending into the Pinewoods and Birk Crag are to be
improved.
Members of the Claro Orienteering Club, who were successful in
their bid for an Awards for All lottery grant, have been working
with the Parks Team at Harrogate Borough Council to bring these
courses back into use by replacing old worn out posts and renewing
leaflets and mapping.
The first course for families and beginners runs through the
Valley Gardens, the second, a slightly harder course, extends
through to the Pinewoods. These two courses will
re-open on 2 September.
The third course leading out to Birk Crag, which is more
challenging, will re-open later this year and is aimed at those who
have more orienteering experience.
All three courses will be colour coded in line with the
national standards and linked to fitness and confidence within the
sport and will be open all year round.
Councillor Pat Jones, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services,
will open the first event at 1.00 pm on Sunday, 2 September. She
said: "Most orienteering events take place on a
Sunday so it will be a great addition to our list of things for the
family to do, especially the buggy friendly Valley Gardens
course. Or you can go it alone, whatever suits
you best. The Claro Orienteering Club are keen
to open up this sport to more people and we are happy to help them
do this. We are hoping for a big turn out on
Sunday when members of the Club will be on hand to help and advise
those who may be interested having a go."
There will be a fun family competition between 1.00 pm and
4.00 pm.
The usual type of event is to navigate on foot around gardens,
forests or fells using specially drawn orienteering maps to visit a
series of controls that have been placed on the
course. Leaflets and maps are available from the
Tourist Information Centre in Harrogate as well as the Games in
Parks Hut in the Valley Gardens. ENDS
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
1.00 pm Sunday, 2 September at Games in the Park Hut near the
tennis courts Valley Gardens.