BASOC turns 25
As we enter our 25th year it is a time for reflection, celebration, and to look to the future. Below is a short history and reflection on the early years of our fabulous club, kindly provided by Marion.
In the beginning
Several large orienteering events were held in the Highland area in the 1990’s including:
- In 1994 Veteran World Champs based in Aviemore
- In 1995 Scottish 6 days based in Kingussie
- In 1999 World Orienteering Champs 99 based in Inverness
In addition the Scottish Orienteering Association (SOA) National Orienteering Centre was established at Glenmore Lodge in the late 90’s.
At that time there was no orienteering club based in Badenoch and Strathspey and local orienteers were members of INVOC in Inverness. However, after the three large events listed above and with the National Orienteering Centre based locally a group of local orienteers led by Eric Langmuir and Mike Atherton began to feel it might be a good idea to launch a new club as many of the areas well suited to orienteering and used in the above events were on the doorstep. In particular the 1999 World Championship relays were held at Loch Vaa home to two local members!
Local discussions took place, including a meeting with INVOC. Although some doubts were expressed about having another club so nearby there was a high level of support. It was recognised that with another club there could be an increased number of events in the Highland area and there might also be the opportunity for more areas to be mapped. The attraction of high-quality double badge event weekends was welcomed by all. Joint coaching programmes were also a possibility. As a result of this discussion it was decided to go ahead.
Inaugural meeting of BASOC 01 June 2000
This was a public meeting to which all interested parties were invited. The aim was to establish if there was enough interest in Badenoch and Strathspey to form a viable new orienteering club viable. Sufficient interest was shown and it was decided to go ahead on the understanding that this would be a small club as the area’s small population was unlikely to be able to support a medium to large club.
The club’s name was chosen as Badenoch and Strathspey Orienteering Club to represent all the people present at the meeting and soon the wolf logo was chosen as the story of the Wolf of Badenoch is known locally.
Office bearers were elected and a programme of events started.
First BASOC event 13 June 2000 at Uath Lochans.
To start the programme of events for the new club local Primary schools were invited to attend the first event from 4pm and members of the public from 6.30pm. Events at Achlean, Moor of Alvie, Loch Vaa, Deisher and Craigbui followed. So began our evening events.
The early years provided a lot of interest and junior training was well attended. Norma Atherton along with Caroline and Bill McCarthy dedicated a lot of time to this. From this group of early young runners our first junior representative was selected.
LOCHOC, based in Fort William, came to be part of BASOC after Lochaber 2001. This was agreed by their Chairman Adrian Hope and the members of that club as they wanted to extend their access to areas further into Strathspey.
Events
Club members were actively involved in providing all the officials for several large events organised by BASOC in the early years - some in areas no longer used. For example, in 2003 BASOC organised and planned the Scottish Championships which were held at Glen Truim with INVOC planning the Scottish Relay on Craigbui. In 2004 BASOC organised a Scottish Orienteering League event at Inveruglas (near Insh).
Strathspey 2007 Scottish 6 Days event
This was a major part of the life of the club in the early years with BASOC and ESOC (Edinburgh Southern) sharing the leading roles. The Chairman of BASOC Mike Atherton was the coordinator that year and Peter Lamb the Treasurer. Several new areas for the event were mapped and others upgraded. All of our members had roles in this. It was an exciting time for a small club.
BASOC continues regularly to deliver and support events from small local events to national league events.
As with any small club individual members come and go and the fortunes of the club go up and down. A core of members remained and maintained the summer evening events and the training programme. When Hilary Quick joined us in 2009 she suggested to the committee the idea of our Tuesday = O and set about ensuring that an activity was available on every Tuesday evening starting with the summer months and moving on to the year-round programme. Our Tuesday=O club training evenings continue to be a key part of the club culture.
There have been many training programmes to attract juniors to the club and when a member of the British squad was based in the area we had a very successful period with a group of young runners.
25 years on a small number of original members of BASOC continue to support the club including Callum and Hilary Scott and Marion MacCormick as well as Peter Lamb our long-term Treasurer who joined us in 2000 with Libby.
We cannot mention every member by name as there have been so many over the years but hope that all who read this will accept that what makes a club is the membership and although one or two of the early pioneers have been mentioned as this is a history of our club no individual really needs to be highlighted!
Look forward
We remain a small club of dedicated members fortunate to live in an area of fabulous forests and orienteering areas. We look forward to another 25 years and more.
Watch out for birthday celebrations throughout the year including our event on 01 June to celebrate 25 years from the inaugural meeting where is all started.