If you have any questions about
The Chase Walk
or write to:
The Chase Walk,
or email chasewalk@oocities.com
Chase Walk number 16.
WATCH OUT!!!!! PLEASE TAKE CARE!!!!!
Tread carefully around checkpoints 2 & 9, particularly along the Sherbrook Valley. Don’t step on the little people.....
We are, for the first time and as a pilot project, providing a “Junior Chase Walk”. The JCW is this year open only to a selected group of Cub Scouts accompanied by an adult) on a non-competitive basis over a distance of approximately 5 miles.
If the pilot proves successful it is hoped that this may become part of the annual thrash over the Chase.
Please let us have your comments: Should we push ahead? Any thoughts and ideas will be gratefully received.
I hope all went well last year from your point of view and that there were not too many blisters.
A great many people give a considerable amount of time over the year to make the event possible - to those people a heartfelt THANK YOU. Thanks also to the landowners for allowing access to enable the walk to take place.
And last but not least, THANK YOU once again to all the walkers for the tremendous support each year.
Keep it up... Have an enjoyable and successful day.
Geoff Morley
Chairman.
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Who's who in '98.
| Chairman
Transport Safety and Walk Control Treasurer and Kit Check Beaudesert Operations Catering Checkpoint Staffing Equipment Communications Computing Start Finish Handbook First Aid | Geoff Morley
Ian Jones Mark Thomas Alan Chambers Nigel Theaker & Stewart Davies Chris Worship & Team Judy Jones Simon D'Arcy Alex Beirne and the Nationwide Scout Communications Team Andy Upton & Andy Smith Stewart Davies & Ian Barber 15th Sutton Coldfield Andy Upton Anne Morley |
| Friday Evening/Night
22.30 Saturday 04.30 04.45 05.30 06.00 08.00 14.00 18.30 24.00 Sunday 08.30 10.00 | - Teams arrive at Beaudesert.
- Registration Closes. - Registration reopens. - Breakfast available. - Kit Check opens. - Walk starts. - Last team starts. - First teams finish. - Evening meals available. - Final teams finish. - Breakfast available. - Presentation. |
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How to get to Beaudesert.
Beaudesert is between Rugeley, Cannock and Lichfield.
The entrance to the site is in Gentleshaw (Cannock Wood), grid reference 050125. Follow the tarmac track round several bends (mind the speed ramps!) for about half a mile to the car park.
Training.
If you visit Beaudesert for training walks, please let the Warden know you are on the site or leaving your car. The site phone number is 01543-682278.
Dogs.
Please note dogs are not permitted at Beaudesert Camp Site.
Food and Drink.
Meals at Beaudesert
Saturday breakfast and dinner and Sunday breakfast are available at extra cost and must be booked in advance. If you wish to book more meals than indicated on your entry form please contact Geoff Morley on 0121 355 4910.
Mealtimes
| Saturday
Sunday | 04.45 - 07.00
18.30 - ? 08.30 - 09.30 | Breakfast
Evening Meal Breakfast |
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Shop.
The providore at Beaudesert will be open at various times selling sweets, drinks, etc. The few remaining badges from previous years events will also be available for sale.
Spectators.
Spectators are always welcome on the Chase Walk and we hope this handbook will be of use to those not actively involved as well as to the participants.
However, there have been occasions when spectators have caused us some problems. We therefore ask you to help the smooth running of the event by following these guidelines.
Information on the progress of the event and your teams is available at the enquiry desk in the Cal Day Centre.
Returning Retirees.
Please make contingency plans for the possibility of members of your team not completing the whole route. There have been occasions over the past years where people have been stuck without car keys, dry clothes, money or food, in some cases for many hours.
A notice board for leaving messages will be provided in the finish area.
The Rules.
Any of the rules are broken.
The country code or rules of the road are disobeyed.
Members of a team do not keep together.
The stated route is not kept to.
Checkpoints are not visited contiguously.
Any assistance is received except in an emergency.
In the opinion of a marshal a walker is unfit to continue.
A checkpoint is reached after its allocated cut-off time.
Warm Shirt; Warm Hat; Socks; Long trousers or breeches (NOT denim); Two long sleeved sweaters; Warm gloves or mittens; Good quality wind- and waterproof coat and overtrousers; Food for consumption en route; Pencil and paper; Whistle and compass; Torch with spare batteries and bulb; Watch; Polythene exposure bag minimum 6' by 2'6" 500 gauge; Mug; 2 coins suitable for telephone.
A reflective material MUST be visible front and rear whilst walking during the hours of darkness.
Completed route plan from walkers handbook.
First Aid kit which should include as a minimum a good supply of plasters and 2 large triangular bandages.
Emergency high energy food pack.
Thermos flask with hot drink.
Sleeping bag - suitable for keeping a casualty warm.
2 sets of OS maps of the route (1:50 000 sheets 127 & 128; or 1:25 000 Explorer 6), photocopies not accepted.
TEAMS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO START, or continue, the walk unless the equipment listed in rules 5 and 6 can be produced at the kit check and at spot checks carried out by inspection teams on the course.
| Checkpoint
1 Forest Centre 2 Aspen Car Park 3 Mansty Farm 4 Penkridge 5 Shutt Hill Lock 6 Sycamore Hill 7 Walton on the Hill 8a Broc Hill base 8b Broc Hill summit 9 Aspen Car Park 10 Oat Hill 11 Shugborough Hall 12 Seven Springs 13 Rifle Range 14 Moor's Gorse. 15 Wandon Cross-roads | Group and Contact
Focus Venture Scout Unit Duncan Smith 6th Sutton Coldfield Fellowship Brenda Nettles 26th Sutton Coldfield Scout Group Sara Billingham 1st Sutton Scouters Ken Short South Sutton Venture Unit Nigel Speakman 1st Compton VSU, Wolverhampton John Wellings 1st Dorridge Scout Group Malcolm Scott 39th Walsall VSU Andrew Forrest 1st Pelsall Scout Group Neil Cross Foundation Scout Fellowship Elaine Horton 36th Walsall Scout Grou Alan Daffern 1st Shirley Scout Group Andrew Bains Delta VSU, Sutton Coldfield Stuart Foxall East Birmingham Fellowship Paul Skinner St. John’s Scout Group Warley Brian Grice Equinox VSU Ian Cornock | Location
017 171 983 158 959 129 933 132 937 168 973 182 953 204 974 198 975 200 983 158 979 203 992 220 004 207 999 172 023 151 040 145 |
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DANGER! PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE MANY OLD MINE SHAFTS ON THE CHASE. PLEASE TAKE GREAT CARE IF YOU LEAVE A FOOTPATH.
The Start - Beaudesert.
CP1 - Forest Centre.Cold drinks.
CP2 - Aspen Car Park.Hot and cold drinks, toilets.
CP3 - Mansty.Hot and cold drinks.
CP4 - Penkridge.Hot and cold drinks, snack, toilets.
CP5 - Shutt Hill Lock.Hot and cold drinks.
CP6 - Sycamores Hill.Hot and cold drinks.
CP7 - Walton-on-the-Hill.Hot and cold drinks, toilets.
CP8 - Broc Hill.Hot and Cold drinks.
CP9 - Aspen Car Park.Hot and cold drinks, soup, toilets.
CP10 - Oat Hill.Hot and cold drinks.
CP11 - Shugborough.Hot and cold drinks.
CP12 - Seven Springs.Hot and cold drinks, hot snack, toilets.
CP13 - Rifle Range.Hot and cold drinks.
CP14 - Moor's GorseHot and cold drinks, soup, toilets.
CP15 - Wandon Crossroads.Hot and cold drinks.
FINISH
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THE CRUTCH TROPHY - Any member aged 20 or over.
The Chase Walk Stage by Stage.
Arrival.
Those camping at Beaudesert may camp in any of the areas marked on the campsite map. PLEASE DON'T TAKE VEHICLES OFF THE TRACKS AS IT DAMAGES THE GRASS.
After unloading please return your vehicles to the car park, do not leave vehicles blocking the tracks.
If you are arriving early and want to try to get some sleep, the quiet areas marked on the map on page 13 will be cordoned off to vehicles at 22.30. Please do not pitch in these areas after this time.
Registration.
The office will be open for booking in from 19.30 until 22.30 on Friday, and will reopen at 04.30 Saturday. ONE person should bring your completed registration form into the Chapel. DON'T FORGET AUTHORISATION SIGNATURE. You will be issued with your walk cards which each walker must carry personally during the walk. Please allow AT LEAST 15 minutes to register before your kit-check time - there is no allowance for late starting.
Catering.
Meals are served in CK2 (see map page 13). Please bring your own plates and cutlery.
Free tea and coffee will be available at all reasonable times in CK1, where route maps and last minute information will be displayed, and on Saturday evening in the Cal Day Centre.
Kit Check.
Have you registered? Are all your team together? Have you got everything on the kit list? If so then you are ready for the kit checkers who are in the Cal Day Centre. Please report as close as you can to the time shown in the front of this booklet.
Start.
The start is in the Cub Hut. Make sure your team is ready to start when you are called, as no allowance will be made for late starting. Have your walk card ready to be stamped by the starter.
Checkpoints.
As you arrive at a checkpoint ensure that ALL your team or combination of teams are together (you shouldn't be out of contact anyway!). Report to a checkpoint marshal and get your card punched before taking a rest or refreshments. Keep your mug handy for drinks. The clock is still running whilst you are at a checkpoint so don't stay too long - 10 minutes at each one adds up to 2.5 hours!
Food on the Course
Your entry fee includes drinks (squash, tea, coffee, soup etc.) at most checkpoints.
Two checkpoints also provide a snack - please note this is intended as a supplement to your food for the day, you must bring and carry your own lunch (and breakfast and tea!).
The Route.
A map of the route and checkpoint plans will be on display in CK1 on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
A lot of time has been spent to find a course that is off the roads and interesting. In a number of places it may seem possible to use roads rather than the approved course, please don't because: i) Many of the roads are narrow and have no footpath; ii) Road walking is not very interesting.
Follow the route markers and flashing lights from the start to Castle Ring. When approaching the A460 at 027157, turn right and follow the road to the junction. Do not be tempted to climb the grass bank and cross the barriers as you are on a dangerous blind bend.
The checkpoint is by the centres gates. Start through the woods parallel to the road up Penkridge Bank, before joining the road for the final 600m to Rifle Range Corner. Cross the Sherbrook Valley and head for the new site of checkpoint 2 at:
Follow the track beside the road past the War Cemetery, then the footpath through Dogingtree Estate, cross the A34 and take the footpath past the now cleared site of the coal mine and across the fields to join the minor road at:
Continue along the footpath until the B5012. Turn right, and then left onto a track at Pillaton Hall Farm. Do not walk through the farmyard. Beside the motorway bridge is:
Follow the minor road past houses to gain the canal towpath. Follow the canal to the next checkpoint, do not use the road as it is very narrow and has no footpath.
Follow the road until the track for Plashes Farm. Follow the footpath to Bednall, cross the A34 and take the path up to:
Descend to the hollow below Tar Hill, then pass through Brocton to pick up the bridleway to Walton just to the left of the golf course entrance. The checkpoint is at the junction of this bridleway and the road outside Walton.
Walk through the housing towards the Walton Farm, turning right to gain the footpath to Brockton Lodge. Cross the Brockton-Milford road and go up the track opposite. Refreshments are at the foot of the hill and the radio check-in is at the top.
Descend the hill and gain a track climbing toward Coppice Hill. Follow this and the road via Anson's Bank and Springslade Lodge back to Aspen car park. This part of the chase was a huge army camp set up in 1915. To the left of the road are the concrete bases of buildings, connected by a railway that joined the main line at Milford. About 1500 wooden huts were erected on this very exposed area and between 1915 and 1918 some 250,000 soldiers passed through these camps.
Return to the Sherbrook Valley and turn north towards the wooded slopes of Brockton Coppice, the last remnants of the natural oak forest which covered the Chase before large scale charcoal burning at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. At a crossroads go straight on up to:
Book in at the summit of Oat hill and then turn right and head down to the car park by the A513 for refreshments.
After a short distance along the main road you will come into the magnificent parkland of Shugborough Hall. The house has been the seat of the Anson family since 1624. The family later received the title "Earls of Lichfield", and the fifth Earl, photographer Patrick Lichfield, still lives in part of the house.
The checkpoint is on the road through the park. You cross the River Trent via the Essex Bridge, a superb structure built in the 17th Century as a packhorse bridge. Originally there were over forty arches; only fourteen remain, but it is still the longest packhorse bridge in England.
Follow the towpath beside the canal, built by James Brindley around 1770 to link the Trent with the Mersey. Leave the canal at Navigation Farm.
Walk up a good track along Abraham's Valley, following the perimeter of the rifle range. Even though the range is now out of use, do not cross it as there is danger of old ammunition.
Head south through the woods to Flints Corner and the Marquis Drive. Toilets are available until 5.30pm at the Brindley Valley visitors centre (003 152). Take care crossing the railway and the A460.
The water pumping station here at Moor's Gorse is one of six on the Chase that pump from bore holes tapping the vast store of water in underground pebble beds. Continue up Marquis Drive to:
The tracks from here to the finish are not shown on later 1:50 000 maps so the route will be marked by flags and lights, passing Horsepasture Pool and climbing through the woods to a barrier. Turn right here and climb the last hill to reach the campsite.
The finish desk is in the Cal Day Centre (the same building as the kit check), the entrance will once again be via a side door.
Your Team
The ChaseWalk is a TEAM event. If a member of your team is unfit to continue, your first duty is to see them safely to a checkpoint or collected by ChaseWalk transport. You must be close enough together to be able to communicate with each other AT ALL TIMES.
You started together, and should STAY TOGETHER. Teams whose members are out of communication with each other risk being disqualified.
Retiring.
Should you decide not to continue, or a marshal decides you are unfit to continue or you arrive at a checkpoint after its cut-off time then you will retire. Transport will be arranged to take you back to Beaudesert.
Should you be unable to continue between checkpoints, at least one other team member must stay with you whilst others obtain assistance. In this instance the remaining team members must not continue the walk until Walk Control give permission. It is your first duty is to ensure that the retiring team members are safely accounted for and you may be required to help locate them. The remaining members of your team will be allowed a time adjustment in this case.
Once you have retired and the rest of your team have left then you CANNOT continue walking. If you do this you render your whole team liable to disqualification for not walking as one group.
Disqualification.
We have tried to tune the Rules over the last 15 years to cover all eventualities without becoming a huge legal document, but this isn't easy. The Chase Walk exists only for the competitors, the rules may appear unnecessarily strict to some; however with over 600 walkers spread over nearly 40 miles we cannot ensure that there are no serious problems unless they are kept to.
We hope that there will be no disqualifications this year, but the only people that can ensure that are you, the competitors. You agree to the rules when you enter: please abide by them - letter and spirit.
First Aid.
Report to the First Aid Centre near the finish. If it is your feet that require treatment please bring a towel and clean socks.
Presentation.
All walkers and spectators are invited to attend the presentation, which will start at 10.00am on Sunday morning in the Cal Day Centre.
Results.
Results lists and certificates will be available for collection after the presentation. Any not claimed will be posted on. Copies of the results are available by sending an SAE to the address in the front of this booklet.
Lost Property.
All enquiries to the address in the front of this booklet. Any lost property not claimed by May will be disposed of.
The Chase Walk Trophy Winners.
| 1997 | Concord | 8hrs 17mins | |
| Denise Philpott | Doug Wibberley | Paul Martin | Gary Taylor |
| 1996 | Boys are Back | 7hrs 59mins | |
| 1995 | A Man, his Sprogs and a Wench | 7hrs 1min | |
| 1994 | Journalists from Krypton | 7hrs 38mins | |
| 1993 | Journalists from Krypton | 7hrs 6mins | |
| 1992 | A Man and his Sprogs | 6hrs 59mins | |
| 1991 | The Hawaiians | 7hrs 57mins | |
| 1990 | 41st RAMS VSU Leaders | 9hrs 10mins | |
| 1989 | 41st Coventry RAMS A Team | 9hrs 3mins | |
| 1988 | Tell Sid | 9hrs 23mins | |
| 1987 | Hatherley Fellowship | 6hrs 17mins | |
| 1986= | The Limpits | 9hrs 5mins | |
| 1986= | Birmingham University SSAGO 'A' | 9hrs 5mins | |
| 1985 | Birmingham University SSAGO | 9hrs 54mins |
THE BOOT TROPHY - Any member aged over 15 and all under 20.
1997 Antares VSU - Hard ‘n’ Fast 10hrs 46mins
Benedict Smith Steve Block John Lilley Dave Marston
Rhys Harris (retd)
1996 The Des Alpes Offspring 11hrs 10mins
1995 41st Ventures A Team 10hrs 22mins
1994 41st Coventry Ventures A 9hrs 54min
1993 41st Coventry Ventures 9hrs 1min
1992 41st Coventry Ventures 9hrs 7mins
1991 Xenophobes from Zululand 8hrs 26mins
1990 Xenophobes from Zululand 8hrs 56mins
1989 3 Cocks and a Hen 10hrs 21mins
1988 Viking VSU 'A' 8hrs 4mins
1987 Quest 2 8hrs 3mins
1986 1st Excalibur Venture Scouts 10hrs 3mins
1985 Quest Venture Scout Unit 1st Team 11hrs 25mins
1984 Quest VSU
THE ROCK TROPHY - All members aged under 16.
1997 Dorridge Darts 13hrs 1min
Aaron Fulton Edward Bateman Graham Fent Alex Penn
Simon Whiteside
1996 Dorridge Darts 11hrs 40mins
1995 Maori 11hrs 44mins
1994 Dorridge Darts Again 11hrs 40mins
1993 Dorridge Darts 11hrs 26mins
1992 Dorridge Darts 11hrs 20mins
1991 Hall Green Hammers 12hrs 13mins
1990 96th Scout Troop 14hrs 9mins
1989 Dorridge Darts 13hrs 37mins
1988 Viking VSU 'B' 10hrs 53mins
1987 46th Walsall Scouts 10hrs 25mins
1986 46th Walsall Scouts 13hrs 1min
1985 1st Tidbury Green Scouts 15hrs 53mins
1984 15th Sutton Coldfield Scouts
THE KNOT TROPHY - No member has entered the event before.
1997 Joanna Ride Darling 11hrs 59mins
Neil Davies Andrew Bushell Ross Tweedale Matt Thomason
Alan Ryall
1996 Iceni 11hrs 59mins
1995 Dorridge Darts 14hrs 15mins
1994 Team Brufen 10hrs 41mins
1993 1st Ripley Scouts 11hrs 22mins
1992 The Wollaston Chasers 12hrs 14mins
1991 The Hawaiians 7hrs 57mins
1990 Ancient China 12hrs 46mins
1989 Arrow 9hrs 45mins
1988 Viking VSU 'A' 8hrs 4mins
1987 Hatherly Fellowship 6hrs 17mins
1986 54th Coventry Team 1 10hrs 12mins
1985 Coventry (Allesley) 54th Leaders 11hrs 5mins
THE COMPASS TROPHY - Both male and female members finish.
1997 Concord 8hrs 17mins
Denise Philpott Doug Wibberley Paul Martin Gary Taylor
1996 Concord 8hrs 15mins
1995 A Man his Sprogs and a Wench 7hrs 1min
1994 Concord 7hrs 54mins
1993 A Man and his Sprogs 7hrs 25mins
1992 Concord 7hrs 19mins
1991= Phoenix Fellowship 8hrs 41mins
1991= Three Men and a Little Girl 8hrs 41mins
1990 41st Coventry A Team 9hrs 22mins
1989 41st Coventry RAMS A Team 9hrs 3mins
1988 41st Coventry 9hrs 47mins
1987 Beacon Ventures 'A' Team 10hrs 47mins
1986 Birmingham University SSAGO 'A' 9hrs 5mins
1985 Birmingham University SSAGO 9hrs 54mins
THE VETERAN'S TROPHY - Average age 45 or over at start and finish.
1997 The Old Codgers 10hrs 13mins
Graham Holiday Mick Comery Roger Adams Arthur Clare-Hay
Gill Harris
1996 The Old Codgers 10hrs 57mins
Before 1996 the Veteran's Trophy was awarded to the fastest team averaging 35 years or over at both start and finish.
1995 A Man his Sprogs and a Wench 7hrs 1min
1994 Burntwood Geriatrics 8hrs 49mins
1993 A Man and his Sprogs 7hrs 25mins
1992 Wrinklies Rejuvenated 8hrs 56mins
1991 Burntwood Geriatrics 8hrs 47mins
1990 Burntwood Geriatrics 10hrs 35mins
1989 96th Wrinklies 9hrs 30mins
1988 Radford District Scout Fellowship 10hrs 51mins
1987 Radford Fellowship 10hrs 10mins
1986 15th Sutton Coldfield Veterans 13hrs 23mins
THE ROLLING PIN TROPHY - All members are female.
1997 The Waddlers Return 11hrs 43mins
Ann Harman Jo Baines Pat Bunting Madeleine Harman
Cecilia Harmon
1996 Waddlers Return 14hrs 49mins
1995 Always with Wings 15hrs 51mins
1994 Yes 16hrs 29mins
1993 Five on the Chase 10hrs 34mins
1992 Voy-e'e'-thea 11hrs 49mins
1991 The Golden Girls 12hrs 6mins
1990 Die Pfafenhofen Jungen 10hrs 50mins
1989 41st Coventry Ladies Team 12hrs 26mins
1988 Andy's Angels 14hrs 31mins
1987 41st Coventry Ladies Team 13hrs
BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY TROPHY - Team of seven, all of whom finish.
1997 Sutton Coldfield College 10hrs 52mins
Kirsty Bishop John Lawton Ian Butler Paul Birch
Daniel Stainforth Mark Palmer Ray Neale
1996 Tony's Trotters 11hrs 54mins
Before 1996 the Birmingham University Trophy was awarded to the fastest team with no retirements.
1995 41st Ventures A Team 10hrs 22mins
1994 Journalists from Krypton 7hrs 38mins
1993 Journalists from Krypton 7hrs 6mins
1992 A Man and his Sprogs 6hrs 59mins
1991 The Hawaiians 7hrs 57mins
1990 Xenophobes from Zululand 8hrs 56mins
1989 41st Coventry RAMS A Team 9hrs 3mins
1988 41st RAMS 'C' Team 9hrs 47mins
1987 Hatherly Fellowship 6hrs 17mins
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