I spent many of my childhood days exploring Bradgate Park and thought I knew every square inch. It turns out I did not. Since my first recce of the park for this event back in June, I have found corners I never knew existed. It was a pleasure to finally be able to get inside Dale Wood, probably the biggest of the walled enclosures. I hope everyone whose course took them there, enjoyed this new and very interesting little area.

This was my first ever Level C planning. It was a long time in the making and during that time, the cutting and changes in height of the bracken meant the courses were constantly being chopped and changed around. Many thanks to Roy Denney for his mapping of Dale Wood in particular and to Chris Bosley who must have walked more miles than I did, for last minute changes to the map, right up until the day before sending to be printed.

If it felt to some that I was hiding controls, my apologies, I can tell you that that was not my intention, in fact when competing myself I hate it when planners hide controls as I am short sighted and never wear glasses when running and need all the help I can get (as anyone who knows me will tell you). In fact on the day, I thought kites may be too easily spotted with bracken dying right down, particularly in Dale Wood enclosure, where six weeks ago it was neck high on the very top of the hill!

I would like to thank Chris Bosley, my controller, who was brilliant, who taught me a lot and put in lots of hours and as I say must have covered more miles than me. I am much more appreciative now of how much effort controllers put into making a good event. Thanks also to Laurie and his helpers, who as usual made everything run smoothly again. Last but not least, a big thank you to every one of you, who turned out on what was a blowy but glorious day, to run whatever course it was and made our efforts worthwhile, I really hope you enjoyed your orienteering in Bradgate Park!

Nigel Lydon