MORE AREAS OF THE ISLAND TO BE MAPPED FOR ORIENTEERS

Manx Lottery Trust is supporting a project that will see several more areas of the Island mapped for orienteering use.

The grant for £2,500 will help the Isle of Man Orienteering Klubb map Ballaugh & Sleau Curin Plantation (including Glen Dhoo Nature Reserve), Braddan Head & Bradda Glen, and Silverdale Glen for the use of Orienteering activities, with permanent orienteering markers placed at these locations.

Once completed, orienteering courses will be developed for these sites, with events to launch each taking place later this year and during 2023.

The Isle of Man Orienteering Klubb was formed in March 2017 to develop the sport of orienteering in the Isle of Man.

William Higgins, Orienteering Development Officer, explained: ‘The new courses will be available to download for people to use in their own time, adding to the wide range of areas we have previously mapped around the Island. The Orienteering Klubb will continue to use the locations for various events in our annual programme, which are open to people of all ages to get involved.’

The project is being supported by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, which is supplying the posts on which the orienteering markers will be placed.

The existing permanent orienteering courses around the Island have been created on a voluntary basis by William, who will design the courses at the new locations.

He said: ‘A large part of the cost of establishing these courses is the creation of orienteering maps, which require a specialist. Other costs include producing the permanent markers and fitting them in place around the courses. This generous grant from Manx Lottery Trust will enable so many people, of all ages, to get involved with orienteering and enjoy the beautiful Manx countryside.’

Sarah Kelly, Manx Lottery Trust Chairman, said: ‘The Isle of Man Orienteering Klubb has achieved so much in the last five years, and we are pleased to be able to help it expand the areas that are mapped for orienteering.’

You can find out more about Isle of Man Orienteering Klubb by visiting www.orienteering.im

For information about Manx Lottery Trust and the community funding support available, visit www.mlt.org.im