Information for Self Catering Visitors

The Magdalen Environmental Trust, Magdalen Farm, , Chard, , TA20 4PA www.themagdalenproject.org.uk

Welcome to Magdalen! We hope you enjoy your stay here at Magdalen. The aim of this information pack is to provide you with background information about the centre and its surroundings, how the centre and farm operate, and answers to any questions you may have.

Background and history… Magdalen is owned by The Wessex Foundation, an environmental charity aiming to promote a deeper understanding of sustainable development and a greater appreciation of our natural and rural heritage. After being bought in the 1990’s, the farm buildings were sensitively converted, (the bedrooms were once stables, and the dining room was originally the farm’s milking parlour) using sustainable methods and materials where possible; for example the beams in the dining room were once part of a Somerset pier.

Who our visitors are… Primary, secondary, college and university groups have been coming to Magdalen for residential and day visits for over 15 years. Other groups that utilise the centre and the farm include Young Carer groups, Youth Groups, Forest School Camps, Yoga Groups, Groups with Special Educational Needs, Scouts and Guides. Corporate groups visit the centre for seminars and away days, teachers visit for INSET training and we run rural craft courses such as straw bale building, bread making and living willow structures. Magdalen has held a Civil Wedding and Partnership License since 2005, and has seen many couples celebrate their special day.

We only book one residential group in the centre at a time; however, there may be other groups and schools using the farm for day visits, or camping. We ensure different groups are not mixed, but please be aware that there may be a few areas around the farm that others may also be using, such as the dining room, courtyard, boot room and toilets.

Magdalen Contact Details Website - www.themagdalenproject.org.uk Magdalen e-mail - [email protected] Magdalen Farm Grid Reference 385055 Winsham Chard In case of emergency Somerset TA20 4PA Kathy Dorse - Centre Manager 07525 810384 Phone - 01460 30144 Jan Sartain - Catering Team Leader 07743 424942 Payphone in Reception - 01460 30799 Giles Aspinall 01460 30827 Fax - 01460 30177 MAGDALEN TERMS AND CONDITIONS Self Catering

Booking Confirmation A booking will only be secured when the booking and agreement forms have been fully completed / signed and returned to the bookings administrator with the agreed deposit usually one third of the expected total amount plus £500.00 breakages deposit (to be paid by separate cheque) which will be returned to you within one week of departure once the centre has been checked for damage.

Invoices You are requested to confirm numbers eight weeks before your arrival date. The final invoice will then be issued, this will be payable four weeks prior to the event. The booking will be confirmed on full payment of the invoice. Failure to pay remainder could result in the loss of the booking. Please note that we do not give credit for non arrivals.

Please make any cheques payable to “The Magdalen Environmental Trust”. Cancellation Any cancellation will result in the loss of any monies paid.

Travel Insurance It is strongly advised that Travel Insurance is taken out by the client to cover any unforeseen circumstances / cancellation.

Loss or Damage to Premises and Grounds The client is liable for any loss or damage caused by the client, the client’s guests or the client’s suppliers. No liability can be accepted by Magdalen for any damage to or loss of personal property, or accident or injury to the client, the client’s suppliers or the client’s guests whilst on the premises or on the grounds of Magdalen, including the car park.

The client and / or terms and conditions signatory is responsible for the actions and behaviour of their guests invited to Magdalen and for ensuring that the Terms and Conditions are adhered to.

Any action or omission on the part of any member of the party that is deemed to be illegal or that is against the best interest of Magdalen will cause Magdalen to cancel the contract without any notice or recompense.

MAGDALEN Self Catering – A to Z Guide

Accidents Please report any accident personal or otherwise to a member of Magdalen Staff as soon as possible.

Arrival / Departure Times Hire is based on a 24 hour basis starting at 4pm on the day of arrival. This time may be changed by prior arrangement. Extra charges will apply for extra hire timings.

Centre / adjacent buildings / courtyard must be left in a clean and tidy condition. All areas will be inspected by a member of the Magdalen staff team prior to your departure.

Alcohol Self catering groups may bring alcohol onto the premises however under no circumstance may alcohol be sold to members of the group. If you have requested The Magdalen to provide a pay bar, alcohol will not be sold without complying with Licensing Regulations. The Bar will open / close at the agreed times although we reserve the right to close the bar at anytime without notice. Magdalen bar staff will not:  serve alcohol to anyone who appears drunk, is drunk, quarrelsome or violent.  serve alcohol to anyone who is, or appears to be under 18. Proof of age will be asked for if a person looks under 25 years old.

Bonfires Bonfires must be on the designated site only. Wood is available at an extra charge and must be prearranged. Please do not gather wood from any site on the farm.

Breakages & Damage A damage deposit is required before your stay. This will be refunded to you after inspection on your departure.

It is the responsibility of the group to ensure that any damage or breakages are reported to a member of staff. Cleaning materials are left for the use of the group.

Broken or Faulty Equipment Any broken or faulty equipment or fittings must be reported to Magdalen as soon as possible.

Candles Please do not use candles.

Car Parking Visitor car parking is available at the end of the Magdalen Drive, cars may be brought into the farm to unload but are then requested to be parked in the designated parking areas. Disabled parking is available close to the centre – please advise us of these cars.

Children Magdalen is a working farm, for their own safety children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Please be aware that there are several deep water ponds on the farm and a fast flowing river at the boundary.

Cleaning Materials Environmentally friendly cleaning materials will be left for your use. Please do not use any other materials unless by prior arrangement with housekeeping staff.

Drugs Are not to be brought on site, anyone found with drugs in their possession will be asked to leave the site immediately.

Electrical Equipment The use of any electrical equipment will need to be agreed in advance and in writing. Limitations will be set to the number of items of equipment that can be plugged in to a system. All equipment must be PAT tested.

Farm and Animals Magdalen is a working farm and as such we ask that you treat the farm area, fields and animals with due care and attention.

When you arrive, we will make sure you know your way around, and let you know of any areas which are unsuitable for you to visit.  Please leave gates as you find them.  Please do not enter animal paddocks unless accompanied by a member of the Magdalen Staff Team. Some farm animals can be dangerous.  Please do not give food to the animals.  Please do not pick any plants - some are protected by law, and some are highly poisonous.  Please treat all animals and wildlife on the farm gently and with respect, whilst speaking quietly and moving calmly.  After any contact with animals, and after any excursion outside the centre building, please wash your hands thoroughly before eating, drinking or smoking.  Please do not use or play on farm equipment or machinery.

Fireworks and Chinese Lanterns Due to animals and neighbours we ask that no Fireworks and Chinese Lanterns are used.

First Aid / Emergencies All groups should bring a qualified first aider to provide non emergency first aid. In the case of an emergency, there is a member of Magdalen staff on site or on call 24 hours a day to assist. Magdalen is not responsible for transporting or paying any costs occurred in transporting patients to and from hospital.

First Aid Kits First aid kits are located in the kitchen, and reception area. Blue re-usable ‘ice packs’ are located in the freezer in the kitchen (the bottom half of the white fridge freezer), please return after use. Any accident in the centre and on the farm must be recorded in the accident / medical log book located next to the first aid box in the kitchen and discussed at the earliest opportunity with a member of Magdalen Staff. Any item used from any one of the first aid kits must be listed and a member of the Magdalen Staff informed.

Fishing Fishing may be possible on Magdalen’s stretch of The River Axe, please discuss in advance of your stay as permission cannot be given on the day without notice.

Food Please follow the kitchen rules and guidelines (see below). Please do not take food or drink into the bedrooms. We ask that the kitchen and dining room are cleaned immediately after meals.

Garden Privately owned parts of the garden must be respected. Do not enter any part of the garden through the gates marked ‘PRIVATE’.

Heating & Hot Water Heating and hot water are controlled by a preset timing system. Should you require additional heat then please contact a member of staff.

Linen On one night bookings we request that you supply your own sheet, duvet cover and pillowcase. For 2 or more nights stays linen will be provided. On departure we ask that beds be stripped and laundry to be placed in a pile in each bedroom. Please note that we do not supply personal towels.

Music Please discuss your music arrangements with the bookings administrator. Magdalen’s Entertainment Licence states that all music must be at a moderate volume level and finish or be turned right down at midnight. If a member of Magdalen staff team feels that music is being played too loudly they have the right to turn it down or off. This must be strictly adhered to. Please respect our neighbours.

Night time and Security A member of Magdalen staff will be on site at all times or contactable by telephone. Phone numbers are listed on the wall in the dining room.

On arrival, your group leader will be shown how to lock the centre at night. It is the responsibility of the visiting group to ensure they have closed, checked and locked all doors and windows at night time

Once you have locked up, nobody can enter the centre without a key, however should you wish to leave the building, you may do so.

Please ensure that all internal fire doors are closed before you go to bed, especially the door between the dining room and residential area.  External doors to close and lock:  The back door to the boot room  The front door to the courtyard in the reception area  Laundry room door to kitchen garden  Fire door in Alder bedroom to kitchen garden  2 doors in residential corridor to courtyard  2 doors in dining room to courtyard  Door in the Granary to the steps leading down to courtyard  Door in seminar room/classroom (by main office) to courtyard

Personal items We accept no responsibility for property left with us or left in the centre or farm. All participants should ensure they have adequate insurance cover in place either under their own household policies or group policy to provide cover for personal liability and possessions.

Pets Pets are not permitted at Magdalen, however there is a boarding kennel close by, please ask for details.

Outside Cob Ovens Magdalen’s cob ovens may be used by guests but must be prearranged prior to your visit. Extra charges will apply for wood supply.

Rubbish & Recycling Please help us keep Magdalen tidy by recycling as much rubbish as possible, and ensuring all other rubbish goes into the bin. We will show you the recycling bins when you arrive.

Smoking The law dictates that none of our buildings, including the barns, tipis, tents and marquee are acceptable for smoking, so please can you smoke outside? Please dispose of any butts in the sand buckets provided.

Wellies & Walking Boots We advise all guest to bring suitable outdoor shoes. A boot room with boxes for this type of footwear is available. Please do not walk into the centre wearing dirty footwear – additional cleaning charges will apply

Magdalen Fire Procedure

1 Be aware at all times that a fire may occur. 2 Please ensure that all fire doors are closed when not in use. 3 Please make yourselves familiar with the location of the fire alarms, fire extinguishers and fire exits 4 Fire procedures and assembly points are displayed in all rooms 5 A fire record/bedroom allocation listing all visitors must be completed and displayed above the fire panel in the reception area outside the office. 6 You will be briefed in relation to fire procedures during the first day of a visit to the centre. 7 On discovering a fire, the alarm should be activated by breaking the glass (please familiarise yourself with their locations) 8 Immediately on hearing the alarm or being informed of a fire, you should call the fire services by ringing 999 and stating the address and grid reference Magdalen Farm, Maudlin Cross, Winsham, Nr Chard Somerset, TA20 4PA, Grid Reference 385055 Telephones are located in the kitchen (press 9 for an outside line) or payphone in the reception. 9 Evacuate the building, closing doors behind you where possible 10 Do not attempt to fight the fire, fire-extinguishers in the building should only be used by trained Magdalen staff only 11 No one may re-enter the building unless authorised to do so by a fire officer 12 Fire Assembly Point is adjacent to the farmhouse patio, below the Granary outdoor steps

RAISE THE ALARM  CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE (999)  EVACUATE THE BUILDING PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A NO SMOKING RULE IN ALL THE BUILDINGS

Magdalen USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Magdalen Farm Telephone: 01460 30144 Winsham Fax: 01460 30177 Chard Website: www.themagdalenproject.org.uk Somerset Email: [email protected] TA20 4PA

NHS Direct (for health advice and information) 0845 4647

Hospitals The nearest hospital for emergencies is located in Chard

Chard Community Hospital - 01460 238220 Road, Chard. TA20 1NF The hospital has a Minor Injuries Department, which is a Nurse-led Service, open between the hours of 8.00am to 10.00pm, seven days a week

Main hospitals in the local area are - 01935 475122 (this is the preferred hospital in terms of convenience) Yeovil District Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 4AT 24 hour Accident and Emergency Department

Taunton - 01823 333444 Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5DA 24 hour Accident and Emergency Department

Taxi Companies IQ Taxi Crewkerne Taxis 07736 642738 01460 210007

Woods Taxis 07729 563033

Emergency Telephone Please note your mobile phone may not have signal in the centre or the farm, signal is normally improved if you walk up the track towards the cottage and visitors carpark There is a phone located in the kitchen for emergency use only (dial 9 for an outside line) Please do not answer incoming calls. There is a payphone in reception (01460 30799) you can dial 999 from here and receive incoming calls

Local Shops Winsham Post Office 01460 30225 Village Shop 01460 30282 www.thorncombe-stores.co.uk/

Local Pubs Squirrel Inn 01460 30298 Bell Inn – Winsham 01460 30677

Train Station – Crewkerne – London Waterloo to Exeter line South West Trains Bus Stage Coach South West – Chard to 01392 427711

GROUP INSTRUCTIONS We would like everyone at Magdalen to enjoy their stay and remember us for the right reasons. We ask that you take a few minutes to discuss these few safety points with your group at the start of your stay.

Inside the building…

 Please do not take food and drinks into the bedrooms.

 Please leave the centre and environs as you would wish to find them. Cleaning materials are available for spills and debris to be cleaned correctly.

 We request that you wear clean shoes or slippers at all times inside and always walk through the building.

 Please help us to conserve energy by turning off lights, taps and showers when not in use.

 Please do not lean on or out of the windows or climb on furniture and walls.

Out on the farm…

 Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Warning - there are several deep water ponds on site.

 Please do not enter farm buildings

 Stay away from machinery and equipment on the farm.

 Do not climb over gates and remember to close all gates behind you so animals do not escape Act calmly and quietly in fields or areas where there are animals

 Only enter animal enclosures or fields unless accompanied by Magdalen staff. Under no circumstances should the animals be fed.

 Always take boots or outdoor shoes off when you come in through the back door and leave them in the boxes in boot room

 Wash your hands thoroughly with soap every time you come back in from being outside.

PLEASE REMEMBER YOU ARE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR BREAKAGES DURING YOUR STAY

Magdalen Instructions for Kitchen Appliances

WATER URN

This will need to be filled with water from the Kitchen sink nearest to the larder (drinking water tap). Fill the urn to the maximum level, turn on at the wall.

The urn will take about 20 minutes to warm up. It is set to 90 degrees C, please do not adjust this setting.

Please check that the water level is sufficient throughout the day, if left to boil dry the urn will be rendered unusable.

COOKER

This is an LPG double oven.

The smaller of the two ovens cooks at a higher temperature than the large oven so adjust the temperature accordingly by about 10 degrees lower than normal.

To ignite the ovens you will find a button at the bottom of each open oven, turn the temperature dial to the setting you need, hold it in and push the button until the flame ignites, continue to hold the dial for about 10 seconds then release.

The gas rings can be lit using the igniters kept to the right hand side of the oven. Turn the temperature dial and hold in then ignite with the lighters.

DISHWASHER

Turn the dishwasher on at the wall first, then the green button on the front of the machine.

When turning off, press the Green button first then the red button on the wall.

To empty: Turn off the dishwasher, take out the 4 filters in the top of the machine along with the plug and round fliter.

Wash all the filters then rinse out the machine and leave empty overnight.

To Fill: Put in the round filter, plug and all 4 square filters. Close the lid and turn on the machine. The machine will take 10-15 minutes to fill and heat to the correct temperature.

To Use: Rinse off all dishes, load into the grey trays. Put the tray into the dishwasher, close the lid and leave to run through a cycle. The machine will click and the green light goes out when the cycle has finished.

Magdalen About Us

Magdalen’s Vision Our vision is of a sustainable future in which a healthy environment and thriving, fulfilled communities are integral and essential to one another.

Magdalen’s Aims

Our purpose is:  To help people recognise their environment as integral to their wellbeing.  To strive towards sustainability in our practices, and demonstrate it in action.  To provide understanding and enhanced wellbeing through inspirational experiential learning for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.  To use sound organic farming and conservation practices which enhance biodiversity, while recognising the needs of a hungry world.