Pendle Forest Orienteers Page

04/09/2026

🧙‍♀️AUTUMN SERIES 🧙‍♀️

Towneley Colliery

🗓 Sun 20 September
⌚ Start windows between 10:30am - 12pm.
📍 Burnley

Our 'traditional' events return with a visit to this lesser-used area on the edge of Burnley, the event offers a great mix of terrain on the site of the former colliery.

Long since reclaimed by nature, the area now provides intricate navigation through replanted woodland, open land, water features and an abundance of contour detail, creating a great test of both map reading and route choice.

Whether you're an experienced orienteer looking for a technical challenge or a newcomer keen to explore a unique area, there will be a course to suit you. For those looking for a longer but simpler course, the Red course is perfect for club and fell runners, or those just wanting to stretch their legs. Full guidance is given.

Courses:

(Distance as the crow flies) / (Difficulty of finding controls)

🟡 Yellow - Families (2.5km) Easy
🟠 Orange - (3.5km) Intermediate Short
🔴 Red - (7km) Intermediate Long
🟢 Green (5.5km) Difficult

This event is open to all and no experience is necessary, there will be club members on hand to explain any questions you may have! 🧙

Come along and explore! 🗺


Info: https://www.pfo.org.uk/events/towneley-colliery-2026-09-20/


Entry: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event/pfo-towneley-colliery-2026?elid=Y

03/09/2026

Good fun was had at last night's Club Night around Helmshore! The village magically uphill in each direction! 📈😅

As well as llamas, we had to try and get as many checkpoints as possible on 45 minutes before some well earned refreshment at Loom Bar 🍻

No club night next week as it's Todmorden Street O! 🗺⭕️

Entries are LIVE on SI Entries, and this one is a historic special! You'll be treated to visits to many historical sites you may never know existed 🏛

https://www.sientries.co.uk/event/pfo-street-o-todmorden-2026?elid=Y

28/08/2026

🧙‍♀️ TODMORDEN STREET O🧙‍♀️
🗓 Weds 9th September
⌚ Starts between 6-7pm
📍 Hare & Hounds
⏰ 60 / 75 Min Score Event
🚶👪 Teams & Families Welcome!

It's nearly time! 🗺

We return from our summer break with a very special edition of Street O, exploring the streets of Todmorden! This event will have a historic twist taking you on a journey around some of Todmorden's historic places and hidden corners. As you navigate the course, you'll discover fascinating snippets of local history, intriguing landmarks, and stories from the town's past.

Want to try something different and exciting? Street O's are a brilliant way to get out and explore an area. 🗺

The aim? To get as many points as you can in the time-limit using a simplified street map and an answer sheet. Checkpoints will be on things like post-boxes or telegraph poles and you have to visit them to get the answer from them! Simply fill in the answer sheet when you get to the checkpoint with the answer that is there.

You can walk, jog or race the courses and can bring your mates along as there are solo, pair and trio/family group entries! 🏃🚶🏻‍♀️

Entry: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event/pfo-street-o-todmorden-2026?elid=Y

Info: https://www.pfo.org.uk/events/tbc-street-o-2026-09-09/

26/08/2026

A date for your diary…Club Night returns!

Wed 2nd September – Helmshore
🗺 45 mins Maprun
🕕Start between 6.45 – 7.00pm
📍The Loom, Helmshore (BB4 4NP)

We're pleased to announce the return of our PFO Club Nights! 🧙

Come and explore Helmshore with us, with a 45 minute Score course, trying to visit as many checkpoints as you can in the time-limit. These checkpoints are GPS checkpoints, automatically recorded via the free Maprun app 🤳Don't worry, we'll give you a paper map too 😀

A great chance to practice navigation on the move, whilst exploring with a mate or two. You do not need to be a club member to join us, and best of all, it's free!

Let us know by Wednesday lunchtime if you'd like a map saving. The Loom is a great venue and will be serving food and drinks for after your evening out. pre order your food before you set off to make sure it's ready for your return!

25/08/2026

21/08/2026

Things are gearing back up here at PFO! 🧙

The end of the summer break means one thing - our events kick off again!

We're treating you to three different events in the next 6 weeks, kicking off with the Todmorden Street O, packed full of interesting locations. How many can you visit in the time limit? 🗺

Then we head to the lesser-used Towneley Colliery, to explore the old groundworks and a bit of the beautiful park, with courses ranging from 1-6km. Set checkpoints - but it's up to you how you get between them. 🔀

And finally, we're giving you a BOGOF! A Double Sprint around Whitaker Park, and the streets of Rawtenstall - two short (sprint) courses for the price of one. Your results will be the combined time taken over both.

For full information head to our new-look website -
www.pfo.org.uk

All events will be open for entry on SI Entries 👍

08/08/2026

🧙‍♀️ TODMORDEN STREET O🧙‍♀️
🗓 Weds 9th September
⌚ Starts between 6-7pm
📍 Hare & Hounds
⏰ 60 / 75 Min Score Event
🚶👪 Teams & Families Welcome!

We're back! 🗺

We return from our summer break with a very special edition of Street O, exploring the streets of Todmorden! This event will have a historic twist taking you on a journey around some of Todmorden's historic places and hidden corners. As you navigate the course, you'll discover fascinating snippets of local history, intriguing landmarks, and stories from the town's past.

Want to try something different and exciting? Street O's are a brilliant way to get out and explore an area. 🗺

The aim? To get as many points as you can in the time-limit using a simplified street map and an answer sheet. Checkpoints will be on things like post-boxes or telegraph poles and you have to visit them to get the answer from them! Simply fill in the answer sheet when you get to the checkpoint with the answer that is there! Can you plan the optimum route to get round the checkpoints in time because if you're late, you lose points! It's all about tactics and clever thinking 💡💭

You can walk, jog or race the courses and can bring your mates along as there are solo, pair and trio/family group entries! 🏃🚶🏻‍♀️

You will see all ages tackling the courses and full guidance will be given!

Entry: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event/pfo-street-o-todmorden-2026?elid=Y

Info: https://www.pfo.org.uk/events/tbc-street-o-2026-09-09/

05/08/2026

Make the most of the summer holiday and explore with our FREE summer adventure courses for all ages!! 📲🗺

The free Maprun app turns local green spaces into interactive orienteering trails suitable for all ages. Walk, run or race the courses, with different distances and difficulties available straight to your phone!📲

Or, why not tackle our Permanent Courses across East Lancashire where you can test yourself with pre-set courses with permanent posts waiting for you! 🗺

Whether you're wanting to shake up your summer training, a new place to walk the dog or a wander out with friends you can find out where you can adventure for free here - https://www.pfo.org.uk/information/anytime-orienteering/

31/07/2026

Here's a look at what's still to come for the 2026 season here at PFO! 🧙‍♀️🧙‍♂️

From moors to urban sprints, there's something for everyone and we're looking forward to welcoming everybody back in the autumn!

First up is our Todmorden Street O in September, where you can expect a slice of history alongside the usual fun of chasing those checkpoints! More information next coming week 🤩

28/07/2026

It may be down season over the summer for the club, but it's not for our members who are enjoying other pursuits!

Plenty of PFO'ers were at the Montane Lakeland 50 & 100 over the weekend, either tackling the courses or helping out in all sorts of guises! 🤣👗

And whilst the 'fun' was being had at the Lakeland, Kirsty stormed on to win the High Wether Fell Race too 💪

📸 Steve Wilson Photography