A good Planner is worth their weight in gold
So what goes on at a planners course. And more importantly should you enrol for the next one? Sharon Dickenson writes…
On Saturday 28th February a band of merry novice planners convened in Hillsborough Parish Centre. The days’ teaching block was to be delivered by the stellar LVO planner Philip Baxter, aided by Ric Gamble wearing his British Orienteering hat in the supply of food and supervision, although he initially expected us to drink hot beverages without any cow juice! First order of the day, a sprint to the Spar to ensure everyone had a cuppa. The donuts were left sealed as a promise after some planner osmosis……
The morning session proceeded with classroom teaching from the calm presence at the front. Some who had done their homework, reading the Appendix B course descriptions, coming to the fore, others intently googling said document and downloading it to their drive, avoiding little to no eye contact……… The migration of knowledge was going fine until, here’s your map draw up a course on this TD, oh and BTW leave me a copy…..your going outside after to set out.
Partners selected by the main man……. stedfast duos all separated, a maneuver intended to challenge all individuals……..the scramble to pick controls commenced, accompanied by a white wall of questions from the audience…..eeek too soon I hear you say!!
Armed with your partner and a set of setting out objects in tape/peg or fleg format – off we set into the first actual dry day in 58 consecutive days of rain in Norn Ireland – discussions of ‘be quick’ lunch will be waiting upon your return. The vegies requesting a defence of their fuel………incase we all ate their allocated cheese or hummus salad…….
Now I hear you cry you can all orienteer, setting out and collecting should be second nature – mayhem always ensues, where more than 2 orienteers are involved………..who had the same pegs as me….. did you lift my tape and of course those partnerships who chose controls furthest away from the education centre…….thinking the troop would be polite and await their return before eating……not likely!!
In the afternoon, the laptops were all produced with the planners software of choice, however no one anticipated that the teacher would, in our absence sprockling around the forest, actually set-up all of our courses for public viewing. The roulette wheel was spun…….was yours going to be projected to be critiqued…….Friendships could be in jeopardy!! Open forum and discussion sess successfully closed out, some keeping their dignity. No need to highlight being smart mouthed has its repercussions in life! Questions of why do you need that control, is the large body of water not a good enough catching feature?? Response – only for the under 18s, the rest are legally binding to be responsible for their own actions, in partaking in a high risk sporting activity,they sign a disclaimer. Good job we were not being graded!!
The day closed out with a few hours of using software and student interaction…….. dangerous mutterings could be heard in the NW corner…… what does rubber band do again?…..its not working!!… did you hit escape twice…….ooh look I put in a first aid and drinks station….. oh thats what that box is for on the control description!!
All who attended, were released back into the community to impress you with their newly attained skills, at an event coming to you in the near future. Make sure you sign up!!
A highly recommended day well spent and am sure everyone would agree in thanking Philip for his guidance and Ric answering some pointed questions about ditches not being correctly mapped.
A good Planner is worth their weight in gold!