New Year's Day Novelty

Start location
The event start and finish will be in Marshalls Park, just east of the Marshalls Park car parking area, off London Rd, Braintree. The postcode is CM7 2AS, but it covers a large area.
Location of start: What3Words: ///everybody.reclaimed.extension

Parking and travel
There is very limited parking available at Marshalls Park car park (approx. 8 spaces for all users), so please allow time to find somewhere elsewhere. Other parking is possible on residential roads near the park, such as Tortoiseshell Way & Townrow Avenue, both to the south, but please be considerate of residents’ access.
Parking is available close to the town centre and the Holiday Inn near the BP garage, however it is chargeable. Information is at https://www.braintree.gov.uk/directory/1/braintree-car-parks/category/1
Please do not park on the 40mph sections of London Road.
Public transport will be very limited on New Year’s Day and trains are not expected to be running to Braintree Station.

Start times
Start times between 11:00 and 12:00.
Courses close at 13.00.

Map/terrain
A4 Open Orienteering style map 1:7,500 printed on waterproof paper
There will be a very small number of updates made to the open-source map, however participants must be prepared for the existence of minor discrepancies. Note that schools are marked in pink and are out of bounds; any fences marked on the map should be considered uncrossable.
The large majority of the course can be run on pavements, with some urban footpaths and paths over parkland or though woods. Be prepared for uneven ground

Course information
In addition to your map, you will be given a piece of paper with a question about each control and on which you must note your answer to each of the questions. There will be one question relating to the local area at each control. Correct answers will be awarded 10 points, but fewer points may be achieved at the Planner’s discretion if an answer is partially correct. Incorrect answers will score zero points. Controls will vary in design and be implied on the question sheet (eg a statue, blue plaque, information board or street furniture). Please bring your own pen/ pencil and if it is raining, a plastic bag for the answer sheet.
Your time will be based on when the completed question paper to the event official at the finish and all your group have returned.
The winning person (or group) will have scored the highest number of points by correctly answering the questions (allowing for any late penalties), and the shortest time to return to the finish.
There will be a prize for the fastest family (minimum of 1 adult & 1 junior aged under 16).

Facilities
There are toilet facilities at the supermarkets (Tesco and Sainsburys) & George Yard shopping centre in the town centre. Local petrol stations can also be used (eg the BP garage 400m southwest of the site, postcode CM77 7AJ). George Yard shopping centre will be closed.
Participants are invited to visit the King Willian IV pub, 114 London Road,
CM77 7PU for post run rehydration and discussion from 12:00. It is located ½ mile south of Marshalls Park. Telephone 07595 911046. The pub’s Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/kingwilliamivbraintree/
Please note that food will not be available.

Safety
Participation is at your own risk. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Wear clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and terrain. High visibility clothing is strongly recommended
As with any urban orienteering which requires participants to cross roads, you are asked to take due care and pay attention at all times.
Please be aware that London Road between the A120 and Marshalls Park has a 40mph speed limit. It will not be necessary to cross roads with a limit above 30mph.
There may be dog walkers, cyclists, scooters or residents on the pavements & footpaths, be aware and give them priority
We hope to hand out sweets at the end of the event. Anyone with a nut allergy must include this in the answer to the health question on the entry form.
First Aid will be available at the Enquiries Point.

Contact
Planner: Roger Gooding
Organiser: Marc Owen, Tel: 0796 111 7909