Potteries Orienteering ClubWest Midlands Orienteering Association |
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Potteries Orienteering ClubWest Midlands Orienteering Association |
|
POTOC organises orienteering events in
North Staffordshire and some neighbouring areas. For more details see the
list of mapped areas used by
POTOC.
The club was formed in 1975 and has grown to about 60 membership units (individuals, families and groups). It is run by a committee elected annually at the AGM in October. See the formal constitution of the club.
The club logo is a bottle
oven with two fir trees. At major events we display a POTOC banner
with the logo on it.
A secondary motif is the crow named
Quasimodo – we orienteer “as the crow flies”.
Quasimodo appears occasionally, but also gets lost from the club memory for
several years at a time. You may recognise him on POTOC orienteering
maps.
Club ‘O’ Tops are red with a white and green yoke,
with the club logo 
in red on the left breast.
Club sweatshirts and T-shirts are red with the club logo
in white. The logo can be small, on the left breast, or large on centre
front.
Come to our next informal event, or get in touch with the New Members Secretary or anyone on our contacts list.
The club organises a series of informal events, where beginners can try orienteering on simple courses. These events are held once a month, often using maps which cannot support difficult courses.
Less frequently, the club organises district events, offering courses for experienced orienteers. These events are more formally organised, but still suitable for newcomers to orienteering.
The club hosts a regional event once a year. These events use
maps which can support technically challenging courses, and need a great
deal of planning and organisation.
The club runs a league for schools and youth groups which compete in POTOC local events.
The club maintains a league table, where club members’ recent orienteering performance can be compared. The league runs from the 1st November to the 31st October the following year, with the winners being the club champions. All national, regional and district events in the UK qualify.
Held in November or December at a district event organised by one of the neighbouring clubs.
These are presented at
the Christmas Social. There are
trophies for the senior man, senior woman, junior man and junior woman for
both the club handicap and the league. There is also a novice trophy for
the league. The Wooden Spoon is a wooden bowl and spoon
awarded for the biggest orienteering gaffe of the year. The bowl had a
deliberate chip – a faulty trophy for a faulty performance.
This was carefully repaired by the 1994 trophy winner who did not appreciate
the significance.
The AGM is held in October. The business is kept to a minimum and the recent practice has been to follow the meeting with a free buffet and social.
Presentation of trophies, quiz and other activities including food and drink.
Occasional barbecue, sharing lifts and discussion at
events. Look for the club banner.
A club newsletter, The Potter, is sent to club members six times a year. This includes a calendar of orienteering events taking place within reach of Stoke-on-Trent, standings in the club league and articles written by club members. Articles available on-line include:
Any club member is welcome to run in a POTOC team. Participation is more important than winning, though POTOC has reason to be proud of its success. The red club tent is used as a gathering point and shelter at relay events.
The club coaches are available
to advise and encourage you if you are not sure how to progress.
Contact them by phone or at events, and take
advantage of the training sessions which are organised.
Revised 6 January 2008 by Dave Sparks
http://www.sisyphus.demon.co.uk/POTOC/
