Who are we?
History and Geography
EckO was formed in 1984. In the Dunoon area there were two prominent orienteers - Hilary Smith and Jean Ramsden. They provided the driving force for the inauguration of the club. The club covers the whole of Argyll and has bases in Dunoon, which is the south-eastern part of Argyll and Oban in the north-west.
Recently, links with local schools have been established with the help of the Argyll & Bute orienteering partnership .
Membership
In the first six or so years of the club membership was healthy. At that time there were many outdoor education centres in the area. Staff working in the centres were attracted to the sport and had already supported C. A. T. I. Events run by staff at Ardentinny Centre in the 1970's and early 1980's. A crisis came in the mid1990's when club membership had dropped. At an A. G. M. the current membership voted to continue as a small club, with the main aim being the provision of local events for local people.
Although the club is small, there is much quality, with success at home & abroad. Several members travel the length and breadth of the country to compete on a regular basis. We have a Grade 3 Controller in the club - Lynne Walker, who is also the SOA Vice President (Performance).
Events and Maps
As the club is small, we are willing to help larger clubs at events. SOL events have been staged in this part of Argyll, as well as WoSoL events. EckO hosted a round of the 'Middle Distance Race Series' at Airds Park, nr.Oban in 2004 and had 81 competitors. We hosted SOL4 at Craig Mhic, nr.Oban on 7th May 2006.
EckO embarked on a large mapping programme recently, and we now have 14 maps and more in the pipeline. This mapping project will allow the club to continue the provision of local orienteering for local people.
A spring series of about five events is usually held in April and May; after that the midges are often too fierce and the bracken requires a periscope to find the way through! An Autumn series follows when conditions improve.
A core of club members support the Scottish 6-Day event. Usually a planner, controller or organiser can be found as well as help on the day.
Communications
Paul Frost is our newsletter editor, webmaster & publicity officer; we have recently succeeded in getting articles printed in the local paper. The website is becoming the main means of communication now, as it can be updated so fast, and unlike the newsletter, it doesn't get thrown out with the newspapers.
Lynne Walker, EckO secretary
