News and Information

Category: News

  • Thieves Wood; 18th January 2026

    It was another misty day at Thieves Wood near Mansfield for the first NOC forest event of 2026.  The drizzle and bouts of light rain tested the waterproof maps that the courses were printed on.  There was plenty of forest debris to navigate too!

    Despite the conditions, the event attracted a good number of entries who all seemed to appreciate the challenge.

    There were podium finishes for Paul Morris (Green), Robert Gibb (VSG), Bodie Milsom (Light Green), and Brianne Haigh (Orange).

    There were top ten finishes for Tony Donaldson, Hilary Palmer, Natasha Claus, Catherine Hughes, Jan Ellis, Peter Brookes, Patrick and Janet Cain, Neil Milsom, Kevin King, Grace Robinson, Rianne Gibb, Tricia Neal and Alan Blackwell.

    On the Yellow course, NOC filled the top four positions.  Well done Leo and Elodie Booker, Brianne Haigh (who also completed the Orange course) and Lily Robinson.

    Thanks to Jane Booker for organising the event, Richard Robinson for planning the tricky courses and Simon Elliott who provided Controlling duties.  A big thanks also to all the volunteers who helped before the event (obtaining permissions, updating the map, etc.) and on the day.   Results and courses are available on RouteGadget.

  • Cademan Woods – 11 January 2026

    Some 14 NOC members took part in the first forest event of 2026 at Cademan Woods, hosted by LEI.

    Top honours go to Lily Robinson (W10) who won on the Yellow course and was more than five minutes ahead of her nearest rival.  Hilary Palmer (W75) was the first woman back on the Short Green course and Bodie Milsom (M16) continued his progress by finishing 3rd on the Light Green course.

    There were also top ten finishes for Richard Beadle, Neil Milsom and Kevin King.

    Take a look at the courses on Routegadget.

  • Matlock & EMUL Winners

    On New Year’s Day 2026, three NOC members were recognised for winning their class in the 2025 East Midlands Urban League.  The image above shows Helen Parkinson (Winner WSV class) and Hilary Palmer (WHV class) collecting their prizes from EMOA Chair Ann-Marie Duckworth.  Paul Morris was also confirmed as the winner of the MUV class.

    The first event of the 2026 EMUL season at Matlock, which started just after the 2025 presentations, saw 23 NOC members line-up in the start box.  There were wins for Katy Butterfield (WV – W40) and Jane Booker (WHV – W70). 

    Many members secured podium positions including Victoria Hanman (WV – W40), Janet Cain (WV – W45), Helen Parkinson (WSV – W60), Hilary Palmer (WHV – W75), Elodie Booker (WJ – W10), Ian Stevenson (MV – M50), and Louise Orgill (WSV – W55).

    Many finished in the top ten: Tim Booker (MV – M45), David Sissons (MV – M50), Andrew Ridgway (MSV – M60), Patrick Cain (MSV – M55), Andrew Wallace (MUV – M65), Peter Cholerton (MUV – M70), Patrick Squire (MHV – M75), Elaine Smith (WHV – W70), John Palmer (MHV – M80), and Tricia Neal (WHV – W80).

    Everyone seemed to enjoy the courses, and the sunny conditions, even if the cold gusty wind took the edge off a bit!  Thanks goes to Derwent Valley Orienteers for organising and hosting the event.

    The next scheduled EM Urban League event is on the 7th June at Nottingham University.

  • Grey Lodge Estate – 28th December

    The final EMOA event of 2025 was hosted by LEI in the new area of Grey Lodge Estate.  Despite being staged during the festive break, the event attracted a good attendance including sixteen NOC members.

    There were podium finishes for Richard Robinson (Brown), Lily Robinson (Yellow), and Christine Elliott (Short Green),

    NOC members with top ten finishes included Andrew Ridgway, Richard Beadle, and Alan Blackwell.

    Visit the LEI website for full results and Routegadget analysis.