Terms and Conditions for Farm Friends
These terms and conditions of use may be changed at any time by Quarries Farm, without notice. Your continued access to the farm and to the website will mean that you agree to be bound by the most current version of the Terms and Conditions of use. Please check these terms and conditions regularly for any changes.
Failure to comply with these terms and conditions may mean that your access to the farm is suspended or revoked. If this happens you will not be eligible for a refund.
Website Use
Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy, govern Quarries Farm relationship with you as a farm member. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website. Please read our terms and conditions carefully before proceeding with your use of our website or registration for membership of Quarries Farm
Farm Access Agreement
The Quarries Farm uses the principles of permaculture, and compassionate farming in order to offer a place where people can experience practical self-sufficiency and engage with nature. All members and their visitors must comply with our farm Terms and Conditions or their membership may be revoked.
By continuing to use our farm for your activities you agree to comply with these terms and conditions. It is your responsibility to keep update with all documents related to your use of the farm, which may change from time to time. If you are not in agreement please inform us immediately, so that we can cancel your membership.
For the avoidance of doubt this is a shared use agreement. Other farm users, the farm owner, their agents and visitors, may use the Land at the same time as the farm member and at a different times from the farm member.
- You can come to the farm anytime between dawn and dusk.
- The farm is a quiet haven for people and for wildlife. We encourage you to sit in nature, to be mindful and to enjoy a slower pace of life whilst you are here. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all individuals, animals and wildlife involved in our community.
- We are a ‘visit by appointment only’ farm, which means we keep the farm safe and enjoyable for all our members and wildlife. You are responsible for your visitors, human and non-human.
- Please ask for permission before bringing a group greater than 6 visitors to the farm.
- Please ask for permission before offering an activity, service or product related to your use of the farm. The farm may request an extra fee for this permission.
- You will take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of you and your group. You will keep aware of possible risks and hazards and use safe practice to reduce the risks in a woodland and agricultural environment. You and your visitors will treat others with respect, kindness and compassion.
- Supervision – Children ( and adults who have identified supervision needs) must be supervised by an adult at all times during their visit.
- Inform the farm immediately if you become aware of any safety issues, any disrespectful behaviour or any new or increased risk.
- Pets – Keep your pet on a lead at all times. Clean up and take home any pet waste. Take your pet home if it is disturbing other farm members, livestock or wildlife.
Lone Visits
If you are coming to the farm alone. – agree a ‘lone working’ procedure with someone in your family/friend circle. Always let someone in your family/friend circle know when you are going and when you return home and ensure that they know how to take action if you do not respond.
Using the paths and hides
- Always stay on the agreed pathways.
- Always be aware of possible risks. For example, If there is danger of the risk of ice do not go through the farm house yard but use the woodland path. If it is very windy you may cancel your visit to the farm as there is danger of falling branches or roof tiles when it is windy.
- During and at the end of your visit, ensure that all pathways you use are kept clear and safe for others to use.
- You are welcome to use any of the woodland paths or hides on the farm. The only exception to this, is if there is an organised event or someone else using a hide. During those times we request that you be respectful and allow the event participants their peaceful enjoyment of the farm.
- If you want to use the woodland roundhouse or other shelter area to meet with a group or family event, then please ask for permission beforehand to avoid disappointment. There may be a small donation for gatherings at the farm.
Rubbish
Take your own rubbish home to be disposed of. Where appropriate and safe, please pick up any rubbish left by others on the farm and dispose of in the farm bins.
Parking and Access
- Always park in the main car park unless special permission has been given to park elsewhere. The main car park is on the right hand side before your reach the farm yard. Those with mobility issues may park in the farm house yard and by the Smallholding Field. Ensure you do not block any shed doors or emergency routes, or others access when parking.
- Be considerate to other farm users when leaving the site. Where possible give way to those entering the site and reverse back to the previous passing place to allow cars in. Give way to commercial vehicles eg Sainsburys Deliveries or Council Refuse Collection. Be patient and considerate with each other.
- Take care when planning deliveries to the farm so that materials are removed from any community access areas on the same day and access is not restricted. Ask permission before arranging any overnight storage in the car park or communal areas. All soft materials such soil or compost must be delivered in tonne bags or placed on tarpaulin. Care must be taken not to get any soft materials on community areas such as Car parks and lanes to reduce the need for weeding in these areas and to preserve the integrity of the road surfaces.
- Keep all gates closed appropriately when using the farm. This is a working farm with livestock and it is important for the health and safety of all farm users, animals and the protection of crops. Road deaths are caused by loose animals.
- We ask you not to use our lane towards Ballycrochan Road. We keep our community area separated from the more ‘intensive agricultural’ area of the farm by keeping the old farm gates closed at the Low Yard. This keeps our community members safe from farm machinery and ‘break out’ cattle.
- There is a ‘no right turn’ procedure for exiting the farm.
- Always ‘give way’ to those driving onto the farm and reverse back to give room for passing.
Facilities
- The toilet facilities are compost toilets, in accordance with our permaculture ethos. Please leave in a good condition for the comfort of your fellow users. We have a toilet on level ground in the woodland and toilets accessed by a flight of steps in the orchard field.
- Hand wash facilities are in the car park and in each field. Always wash your hands with soap and running water when necessary. Particularly before eating, touching your face or leaving the site. Please keep each hand wash station clean and tidy for the next user.
- Share space in the main car park – If you are leaving materials, items or plants in the share space. Please let members know by putting up a photo and information on the What’s App group. If no-one comes to take the item after 2 weeks , please dispose of it yourself at home.
- Communicating with each other. We use email, What’s App, the farm website and social media platforms in order to communicate about the farm and with each other. Please let farm management know if you do NOT wish to give authority for us to contact you in any of these ways or for your voice and image to be used for documentation, on Social Media or our Website.
- Communal Shed in Smallholding field –When health guidance allows- this is available for all farm community members to use. It has electricity and you are welcome to use it to store your equipment. It is understood that if you store equipment in the shed it can be borrowed by other members so please label all your items clearly. If you borrow any items from the shed please be respectful in their use and return them in a good condition. Please alert the farm owner if any items in the shed are faulty or dangerous to use.
- Building entrances and yard areas – Be aware this is an agricultural environment. Shed entrances may have steps or uneven ground and the door openings may be low and require you to duck to enter. Yard surfaces may be uneven as may pathways. Take care whilst walking, entering and exiting buildings
Permission for Activities
Permission must be granted before undertaking any activities other than walking round the farm and woodland. For example permission is needed before setting up and lighting a barbeque or having a family get together. Also permission must be granted before you engage in any activity on the farm that is linked with your work or which you gain an income from.
No Smoking Policy
Quarries Farm operates a no smoking policy anywhere on the premises. Vaping is also not permitted.
Using materials and other items.
- Always assume that materials lying around the farm and woodland are designated for a particular use. Do not use man made or natural materials from the farm or woodland without getting permission from the farm.
- Use the land lightly, by avoiding the use of materials such as concrete or post crete. Do not create any permanent structures or foundations.
- Do not keep or leave any hazardous substances around the farm. This includes gas bottles for camping stoves.
Volunteering your time
From time to time you may be asked to support the farm to maintain the communal areas and other facilities. Giving your time in this way enables the farm to keep your access to the farm unique, safe and enjoyable whilst keeping your costs down. You are responsible for keeping yourself and your group safe when volunteering your time.
Behaviour
- Treat all farm members and visitors with respect, kindness and compassion. Dress appropriately and do not use words or gestures that may cause offence. Please inform the farm management immediately, if you experience or witness any disrespectful behaviour.
- Treat all wildlife on the farm with respect and kindness and refrain from any action which causes harm or distress. From time to time some wildlife numbers may be managed by the farm, such as the culling of rats or removal of wasps. This is only to be actioned by those authorised by the farm. Members are not permitted to use poison or traps on the farm.
- Be thoughtful and speak with kindness when ‘face to face’ or using Whats App or Social Media. These groups are for positive messages including sharing advice, produce or asking for help. Eg asking for assistance if your car will not start.
- Concerns or grievances must be directed to farm management using private messaging and voice calls.
- Do not carry or use non-prescription drugs on the farm. Only bring alcohol on site if it has been agreed with the farm. Keep all prescription drugs out of site and in a safe place.
Disagreements
From time to time there may be disagreements between Farm Friends. Please bring any issues to the farm owner. The farm owner has the authority to settle disagreements between members. These decisions are final.
Your Responsibilities
You are responsible for the farm premises and are expected to take all reasonable care of it. All communal areas, equipment, utensils etc must be left clean and tidy at the end of your visit. You are also responsible for any breakages or damage to the farm, or for any loss of shared equipment whilst being used by you. All such incidents must be notified to Quarries Farm immediately.
- You will Inform the farm immediately of any natural effects to the land or boundaries eg drains needing cleared , hedges cut or fencing wear and tear.
- You will inform the farm owner immediately of any shooting or trespassing that occurs on the land, or if you see signs of harm or distress to farm wildlife.
- You will inform the farm owner immediately of the action of any third party which affects the Land or its boundaries eg littering , cutting or removal of hedges or fencing.
Farm responsibilities
- Access to Water – The farm will provide access to running water when reasonably possible. Times when this may not be possible would be if there were a repair needed on the system.
- Maintaining communal pathways – the farm will manage the maintenance of pathways and access areas where possible with the support of farm volunteers.
Your Payment
- You are responsible for paying the agreed amount to the farm by the agreed date. If you are a Plotholder and do to make the payment for your plot by the deadline, your plot will revert back to the farm and items or materials on your plot will become the property of the farm. You will still be liable for a pro rata payment for the plot up to the date when a new Plotholder takes over the plot.
- For every day after the payment date that the membership fee remains unpaid, you will pay interest on the sum due at the rate of 5% over Bank of England base rate, per month. Failure to pay may mean your membership will be revoked.
Disclaimer
No responsibility will be accepted by the Quarries Farm for any personal injury to you or any member of your party. No liability will be accepted for accident or loss of, or damage to personal effects, equipment, materials, car or any other item belonging to you or any member of your party whether arising from the negligence of the farm owner, their representatives or that of another Farm Friend or visitor. You must take all necessary steps to safeguard your property and ensure the personal safety of yourself and your visitors.
Complaints
If at any time you are not entirely satisfied, you should contact Quarries Farm immediately in order that we may attempt to resolve the problem. Failure to follow this procedure will make it impossible for us to put the matter right and may result in the loss or reduction of any rights you may have had in connection with your complaint. If, after contacting Quarries Farm you still feel the problem has not been resolved to your satisfaction, then you must put your complaint in writing to “The Quarries Farm” within fourteen days of your initial compliant.
