Snowdonia Fern Identification

Preston Montford Field Centre

Student Information

About The Centre Preston Montford Hall is a delightful Queen Anne country house built around 1700. Formerly a private residence, it was extended and adapted for use as a Field Centre in 1957. The Centre stands in its own grounds close to the River Severn in North Shropshire.

The Shropshire landscape is one of great scenic beauty and variety, being the meeting point of wild mountains, hill country and lowland plains. The Northern farmland, small woods, lakes, peat bogs, canals and languid lowland rivers constitute a countryside in startling contrast to the neighboring South Shropshire Hills and the mountains of the Welsh Borderland, each with their heather moorland, forests, stony streams and breathtaking scenery.

The Centre offers simple, clean and comfortable accommodation, with twin rooms in the Wenlock and Darwin buildings and dormitory style rooms in the Main House. We pride ourselves in the creation of a happy, relaxed and friendly atmosphere throughout the centre.

Accommodation is simple, clean and comfortable. As from September 2012 bedding will be provided in all rooms. We provide wholesome, home-cooked meals including an excellent range of vegetarian food. Our kitchen is able to cater for almost any dietary requirements (with advance notice).

The Field Studies Council (FSC) is an environmental education charity committed to helping people explore, understand and be inspired by the natural world. Each year over 100,000 people experience the FSC through visits to our network of 17 Centres throughout the UK Student Information ,,

Accommodation

You will be required to make your own bed with the bedding we provide. At the end of your stay you will be asked to strip your bed and put it in the trolley situated in the corridor. We will also require you to vacate your room before breakfast on the day of departure, ensuring your room is left tidy.

Meals

If you are vegetarian, on a restricted diet, or have other special requirements, please make sure your school has details well in advance of your visit.

Breakfast 8.30am each day.

Lunch You will need to make a packed lunch. A hamper box will be laid out in the dining room from 8.00am until 9.30am. You will need your lunch box, as we do not provide food containers.

Evening Meal Usually 6.00pm in the Dining Room. You will be asked to clear your table and lay- up for breakfast.

Work and play

Classes normally begin at 9.30am with a briefing followed by field and class work until 6pm. The after dinner session will usually be finished by 9pm. In view of the long hours worked and for the benefit of everyone staying and living in the Centre, you will be asked to be on your way to bed by 10.45pm and in your room and quiet by 11.15pm. During free time footballs, board games and dvds are available from our centre shop.

Field Equipment

Schools will be liable for the cost of lost or broken fieldwork equipment. Please make sure that you take care of the equipment that you will be using.

Safety

Teaching staff are trained in First Aid and Health & Safety in the outdoors. Risk assessments are undertaken for all field sites. It is important to listen carefully and comply with safety instructions.

Shop

The small centre shop opens in the morning from 9am and in the evening after dinner. It sells notebooks, writing paper, various books and identification guides, postcards, stamps, CDRW’s, memory sticks, disposable cameras, a range of food and drink, water bottles and souvenirs.

Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking rules follow your school policy. There is one designated smoking area in the centre. The consumption of alcohol by school and college students is strictly prohibited.

Preston Montford Field Centre, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1DX Tel: 0845 330 7378 mail: [email protected] Web: www.field-studies-council.org/prestonmontford

Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW Student Information ,,

Electricals

Electrical items must be safe to use. We can electrically test them if required. Expensive items should be left at home as we cannot guarantee their safety. Please ensure mobile phones are switched off during class sessions.

Drying Rooms

The drying rooms are located in the cellar of the Main House and in the Darwin building. Please ask a member of staff if you need to use them.

Eco-Centres

We aim to minimise our use of resources. Please contribute to this during your visit by reusing and recycling, using a lunchbox and minimising your lighting and heating energy use.

Fire

You need to read the fire notice on the back of the bedroom door. The meeting point for when a fire alarm sounds is located on the lawn at the side of the Main House.

Emergencies

In the event of an emergency a member of the Centre staff is available 24 hours a day. They can be reached by dialling 1 on the emergency phones located in all buildings.

What to Bring

o Walking boots or strong shoes o Wellington boots* o Waterproof jacket* o Waterproof trousers* o Warm, old clothing – several layers o Gloves, hat and scarf for cold weather o Sun cream and sun hat for warm weather o Indoor shoes o Small day rucksack o Pens, pencils, coloured pencils and a 30cm ruler o Personal Toiletries o Towel o Calculator o Camera if possible o Pair of washing-up gloves (for river & pond work) o Lined paper and folder o Clipboard and a large clear plastic bag (big enough to write inside if it rains) o Lunch box and drinks bottle / flask

* These are available to hire at the Field Centre at a cost of £1 per item plus £1 returnable deposit

Preston Montford Field Centre, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1DX Tel: 0845 330 7378 mail: [email protected] Web: www.field-studies-council.org/prestonmontford

Our Facilities

 132 Bed maximum capacity – Wenlock contains 16 twin bedded rooms, Darwin contains 17 twin bedded room including a wheelchair accessible room and our Main House building contains small dormitory rooms.  Six workrooms - Including three well equipped field laboratories  Wireless internet access  Library  Drying rooms  Common room  A wildlife garden and an access for all sensory garden  A small centre shop  24 hour duty system – a member of staff available 24 hours a day  Ground floor rooms available – Some with specially adapted facilities Finding Us

Preston Montford is located 6 miles west of Shrewsbury.  Less than 1 hour from Birmingham.  Less than 2 hours from Manchester and Liverpool.  3 hours from Central London. SAT NAV: SY4 1DX By Road: From the A5, take the roundabout exit signposted to Mid-Wales and Welshpool (A458). One mile along this road, turn right onto B4473, we are located on the left after approx ½ mile.

By Bus or Train: Shrewsbury stations; a pick up is available by prior arrangement.

Our Environmental Performance

Preston Montford is an Eco-Centre; we are committed to reducing our negative impact on the environment. We try, where practicable, to use locally sourced and ethically produced products, this is reflected in the products used in the kitchen and available in the centre shop and bar. We take measures to minimise the impact of our work activities on the environment, including the field sites we visit as part of our courses.

Preston Montford Field Centre, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1DX Tel: 0845 330 7378 mail: [email protected] Web: www.field-studies-council.org/prestonmontford

Field Studies Council is a limited Company, registered in England and Wales No. 412621 and a Charity No. 313364. Registered Office; Preston Montford, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 1HW