HAVOC Regional, SWELL and EASOL - Hadleigh Park

Introduction
An event in the SWELL and EASOL series

Terrain Description
The area consists on a south facing scarp slope, steep in places, with flat drained marshland at its base. New paths and biking trails, which criss-cross each other, have been created in the area. The marshland, part of the Thames Marshes, is crossed by the Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness railway line.

The terrain includes mature and younger woodland with open and rough open areas on the steep hillside running down to the more open flat, rough grazing areas which are interspersed with ditches, some containing deep water. There has been some significant clearance work in the last year, to clear areas of dense thickets and brambles and create areas of restored grassland, making the area more runnable. Some work is still in progress and any newly cleared areas will be mapped as rough open.

Unusual for Essex, this is a good opportunity for some hill training. The Country Park is on the western side of the area and the eastern part was used for the London 2012 Olympic Mountain Biking event and has been developed to include several mountain bike routes and activities as part of the Olympic legacy. Some old WWII buildings can also be seen in the eastern part.

Parking
The Country Park car park (open from 8.30am to 4.30pm) is accessed at the south-west end of Chapel Lane, Hadleigh, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 2PP .

W3W: likely.grass.dinner

From A13/A129/B1014 Roundabout: Head east along the A13 for 500m and turn right at the filter lane on the dual-carriageway (just after the traffic lights; you will need the right-hand lane ). Return westwards for 100m then turn left into Chapel Lane immediately after the traffic lights. Follow brown and white tourist signs to the Country Park in 450m, which is well signposted throughout the local roads.

We will be using the main car park which has 400 spaces on firm standing. Payment for parking is now pay and display, with payment in advance using either normal ticket machines (credit card only), or the MIPERMIT App. Parking can be registered in advance via MiPermit Essex County Council Country Parks Cashless Parking and Digital Permits. To make a payment, either use the MiPermit app which can be downloaded when you register or, call MiPermit on: 0345 520 7007 and quote the name of the park (i.e. Hadleigh Park) code 702107. You will need a credit or debit card. Parking charges are £2.80 for up to 1 hour, £4.00 for up to 2 hours, or £ 5.20 for up to 4 hours. The money raised from the car park charges goes towards maintaining and improving visitor facilities.

Nearest main line station is at Leigh-on-Sea, a 3k walk, passing Hadleigh Castle. Alternatively the 28 bus operates a half-hourly service from both Basildon railway station and near to Pitsea railway station to Hadleigh (The Memorial) which is at the northern end of Chapel Lane, 800m walk to the car park.

Times
Enquiries 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Starts 10:30 am to 12.30 pm

Courses close 2:00 pm

The Start is 200m South East of the Visitor Centre, on a good level track. The Finish is 200m South West of the Car Park, with a steep path back up to the download / car park.

Course Info
Full range of courses suitable for adult and junior beginners, and experienced orienteers.

WHITE 1.7K 65m 11 controls

YELLOW 2.4K 85m 15 controls

ORANGE 2.9K 100m 11 controls

L GREEN 3.6K 120m 9 controls

S GREEN 3.1K 85m 10 controls

GREEN 4.7K 145m 14 controls

BLUE 7.0K 170m 17 controls

BROWN 8.8K 260m 23 controls

Note these details are subject to final controlling.

Help and coaching will be available for beginners and improvers.

Maps are 1:10,000 (L Green and longer), 1:7,500 (White, Yellow, Orange) scale with vegetation and ground detail specially prepared for orienteering. Maps will be A4, waterproof, pre-printed and pre-marked with the ground features and the courses. Blue and Brown maps will be double-sided.

Entry Fees
Entry in advance via RaceSignUp

Entries close at 4pm on Saturday, January 25, 2025.

Note - juniors should include their School, and Schools Year (Eg. Year 5 Girls) in the entry details.

Standard entry (up till midnight on Sunday, January 5, 2025)

Seniors/groups: £10 (£2 supplement for non-British Orienteering members)

Juniors (under 21): £4

SI ‘dibber’ electronic timers will be used. SI ‘dibber’ hire fee £1, or use your own.

Late entries (from Monday, January 6, 2025)

Seniors/groups: £12 (£2 supplement for non-British Orienteering members)

Juniors (under 21): £4

SI ‘dibber’ electronic timers will be used. SI ‘dibber’ hire fee £1, or use your own.

SIAC will be enabled, although competitors will need to punch the Start and Finish controls.

Facilities
The main toilets (open 8.45am to 4.40pm) are in the SE corner of the visitor centre complex, adjacent to the car park.

Hub cafe,serving coffee and hot & cold snacks (open 9.30am to 4pm) and BikeArt (bike hire - open at 9.30am to 4pm).

A range of mountain bike trails to suit all abilities. Children's play area. Cycle and bike skills training areas.

Iron Age roundhouse reconstruction adjacent to the car park. Hadleigh Castle is a short walk from the car park.

Good views over the Thames Estuary including Canvey Island, Southend Pier and the QE2 Bridge at Dartford/Purfleet.

Contacts
Organiser: Colin Jackson (HAVOC). Email: chairman@orienteering-havoc.co.uk

Planner:Janet Biggs (HAVOC)

Controller: Guy Lidbury (HAVOC)