News and Information

  • 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.

  • Strawberry Hill – 21st December

    A terrific final NOC event of the year at Strawberry Hill saw some tricky conditions with mist reducing visibility on what were some well planned courses by Kevin Lomas. 

    Despite the conditions, it was really pleasing to see so many good results from our most recent intake of MapActive participants!  Here are the headline results.

    There were wins for Richard Robinson (Brown) and Ed Eckhard (MapActive on Orange). 

    There were also a number of podium finishes for Hilary Hodkinson (Short Green), Jan Ellis (Very Short Green), Eleanor Eckhard (W10, MapActive on Yellow) and Evan Llewellyn (M12, Orange).

    There were a good number of top ten finishes too.  These included Tim Booker, Mick Lucking, Angela Lucking, Grace Robinson, Lily Robinson, Emilie Milsom, Bodie Milsom, John Palmer, and the following MapActive participants: Emma Donson, Victoria Eckhard, Alan Blackwell and Rianne Gibb.

    This was a popular year-end event which also saw LOG and DVO host their club championships too, and everyone headed back to Download for refreshments, mince pies and lots of chat about the courses.  Next year’s Christmas bash will be at Walesby on the 20th December. See you then!

  • NOC performances at Beacon Hill

    The recent EM League event at Beacon Hill, hosted by LEI, once again saw some strong results from NOC members.

    Richard Robinson (M40) continued to demonstrate his prowess by being first back on the Brown course, more than 14 minutes ahead of the next competitor!

    Bodie Milsom (M14), who started orienteering just 12 months ago as part of our MapActive programme, finished 2nd on the Light Green course and the first of four M/W14 competitors.

    Paul Morris (M65) was 3rd on the Green.  Elaine Smith (W65) was the first woman back on the Short Green, finishing 4th overall.

    Top ten finishes were recorded by Tony Donaldson, Catherine Hughes, Tricia Neal, Emily & Neil Milsom, Elodie and Emily Booker, Grace and Lily Robinson, and new NOC member, Alan Blackwell.

    Just two more events remain for 2025.  Next up is NOC hosted Strawberry Hill on 21st December.