Those of you in SOC around 30 years ago (and I know there are a good number of you!) will remember Ian Diamond, who has since had a very successful career in academia. In 2013 Ian got knighted for services to social statistics, in tribute to which Colin Hicks published an amusing bio.

However, even if Ian's orienteering wasn't always in the top percentile, he's continued to do better than average professionally and has now been appointed as the UK's National Statistician, effectively the most senior statistician in government.

However, Ian isn't the first former SOC member to attain that status, as Tim Holt filled a similar role in the 1990s. The probability of that occurring by chance seems so low that I can only conclude that the mental challenge of navigating around the New Forest must sharpen the statistical brain!

Well done Sir Ian!

With apologies to those who have already read the article in the latest copy of CompassSport magazine, Julian and I thought it was worthwhile drawing your attention to the excellent new website put together by Duncan Bayliss from Wrekin Orienteers. The Better Orienteering site is a gold mine of information for anyone looking to improve their orienteering from beginner to experienced competitor. There are articles covering different techniques, a questionnaire to help you determine where to focus on improving your orienteering and guidance on post-race analysis. There are also resources to download, videos to watch and suggestions for further reading. Well worth taking a look!

Over the next few weeks I'll be rationalising the content of the website to remove content that is available elsewhere, ensure that what remains is up-to-date, and, hopefully, generally make it easier to find what you're looking for! If I appear to have removed your favourite page, you can't find something, or you just have some feedback, please drop me an email.