Location
West Woods is about 2.5 miles (4km) southwest of Marlborough. The wood contains a Neolithic long barrow surrounded by a ditch on all sides and is bisected by an ancient earthwork known as the Wansdyke dating back to the 5th or 6th century BC. In 2020 it was announced that West Woods was the most likely origin of most of the sarsen stones used to create Stonehenge.

Travel Directions
West Woods is located between Marlborough and Pewsey and will be signed off the A4 at Clatford west of Marlborough at GR SU159690 (What3Words link: nightlife.frogs.rinse) and off the A345 near Clench Common at GR SU169650 (What3Words link: appetite.path.replying). Assembly will be in the public parking area (What3Words link: cake.cackling.sediment).
PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERLEIGH ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE A342 TO ITS JUNCTION WITH SWAN ROAD PEWSEY FOR 10 DAYS FROM 08/01/24 WHICH MAY AFFECT YOUR JOURNEY FROM THE SOUTH.

Parking
Parking will be along the main forest track.
PLEASE FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE FROM THE MARSHALS
The distance to the Start from the Assembly area is about 300m and from Finish to Download is about 250m. Cars will be parked along the main forest track up to the public car park and just beyond.

Start Times
Start times: 10:30 - 12:30
Courses close: 14:30

Facilities

String Course
Unfortunately we will not be running a String Course.

Entry
Online entry only - entry closes at 23:59 on 07-01-2024
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PASSENGERS & PEDESTRIANS ONLY.
THERE WILL BE NO LATE ENTRIES OR ENTRY ON DAY

Timing System
EMIT card

Map
Scale 1:10,000, 5m contours, A3 format. Updated 2016, minor revisions 2018/2019/2022/2023.
Overprinted with course on waterproof paper with control descriptions on the front. White, Yellow and Orange courses will have written descriptions; all other courses have pictorial descriptions. Loose control descriptions for all courses will be available at the start.
Some areas of the competition area have undergone recent forestry work. Map corrections have been applied where they may affect the courses, but not all changes due to the work have been corrected on the map. Every effort has been made to correct the maps for hides appearing and disappearing, but there may be the odd exception.
Following a very late request from Forestry England to avoid some sensitive areas of the forest, some last minute changes have been made to the Brown, Blue and Green courses. You may still use the tracks through areas marked out of bounds (though this should not be necessary), but please do not stray from them as this may affect future permissions to use the woods.

Terrain
Mainly mature woodland. Areas of significant undergrowth are marked on the map. Mostly the undergrowth is bramble. Courses have been designed to avoid the worst. Please note that this is a public woodland with wide ranging access including some private vehicles.

Results
Results, Splits and Routegadget will be available on the North Wiltshire Orienteers website as soon as practicable after the event

Conduct
Please make yourself aware of and abide by the British Orienteering Participant Code of Conduct.

Clothing and equipment

Bio-security
Please come to the event with clean and dry shoes and clothing. Before leaving the event check your clothing and equipment and remove any mud, soil or leaf litter. Once home thoroughly clean your footwear and clothing and leave it to dry for as long as possible. Please take home any litter with you.

Dogs
Although this area is a very popular dog walking area, there have been several reported incidents of Alabama Rot which has killed at least one dog. As a result we advise that participants do not bring dogs to this event and to make sure that kit and footwear is washed and disinfected afterwards.

Hazards
Please be aware of the risk of ticks and Lyme disease. Dog walkers and horse riders also use the area, so please be respectful and cautious around their animals.

Safety

Medical Conditions
If you have a high risk medical condition you want the organisers to be aware of please download and complete this form and place it in a sealed envelope with your name on it. This can be left at registration. Envelopes will only be opened if required for a medical emergency. Unopened envelopes should be collected after the event. Any unclaimed envelopes will be destroyed after the event.

Prior to the event, if you test positive for COVID-19 then you must not attend. Refunds will only be given to those unable to attend for this reason.

Event Officials
Organisers: Ian & Carol Prosser (NWO) (07971 962037)
Planner: Roger Bryan (NWO)
Controller: Paul Gebbett (BOK)

Personal information
The personal data you give when you enter will be used by the event organisers and their agents, but only for the purpose of processing/publishing entries/results, conducting safety checks and as required by our insurers to validate our cover and managed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Cancellation Policy
NWO will make every effort to ensure the event goes ahead as planned. However, should the event be cancelled, NWO reserves the right to retain part of the advance entry fees to meet costs already incurred or committed.