Home › Forums › PUBLIC DISCUSSION BOARD › How to organise a foray..? (Chopwell Wood)

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    • January 16, 2014 at 2:00 pm #282
      John R
      Keymaster

      As I am about to attempt to organise one of our days out for the first time, I thought it may be useful to compile a thread on the topic. Hopefully, this will be a useful reference for anyone who may need to do it in future.

      My starting point is this information kindly provided by Dominique:

      “Requirements: The leader is responsible for gaining the required permission(s) from the land owner/holder: (for SSSIs, Natural England will organise this on behalf of the leader/group). Some land holders e.g. local authorities require proof of insurance and risk assessments; if these are necessary Tom will provide the leader with them. For those land holders requiring the name of a formal contact for the purposes of issuing a permit, this would be our secretary Alan Bunn. You would need to provide Tom with the information you find in the newsletter, e.g. map, parking, directions etc.; also collating the list of finds (which has been made much easier using Tom’s recording sheet).

      In my experience, it is usually the local government/public bodies that require proof of insurance/risk assessment and like to issue permits.”

      My current understanding is that now the leader DOES NOT have to be a member of the ABFSG.

      • This topic was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by John R.
      • This topic was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by John R.
    • January 30, 2014 at 8:18 am #320
      Tom Kirby
      Moderator

      Hi John,
      As always, Laura will need all of this for putting in the Newsletter.
      Best,

      Tom

    • January 17, 2014 at 8:29 pm #286
      Tom Kirby
      Moderator

      Generally this is as far as we (the NEFSG) need to go in terms of “legal” obligations…and even then, provided that all the required, emphasise “required”, permissions are in place we are essentially covered by double indemnity of the BMS affilliation and ABFG membership. The duality of cover would be a problem if a claim was ever made…but whilst we pay for the ABFG membership because it gives us what we need in terms of cover per foray ie. Official forays of the NEFSG regardless, largely, of the “make up” of the members (ABFG or not,provided that a significantly large percentage, not defined but say 95% NEFSG members),foray “leaders” are not in the consideration.
      Of much greater importance is the clear understanding that we do not trespass and that we adhere to “best practice” gudelines.
      The “Foray” leader is a titular role which does not extend past the not too onerous task of making sure that parking and route and post-foray arrangements are in place…the production of the “list” of finds takes a little effort but it is a good discipline and help is always to hand.
      Any suggestions on improving our foray procedure will be looked at enthusiastically!
      Best,
      Tom

      • This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by Tom Kirby.
      • This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by Tom Kirby.
    • January 19, 2014 at 8:03 pm #289
      John R
      Keymaster

      Thanks for the info Tom. My first step has been to send an email to the Friends of Chopwell. The response has been a deafening silence so far but there is a phone number, so I will follow it up this week.

      I also have the contact details for G. Simpson who has had dealings with them in the past should I need a contact. I will update when I know anything.

      Cheers,

      John

      • This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by John R.
    • January 22, 2014 at 7:49 pm #293
      John R
      Keymaster

      Friends of Chopwell kindly put me in touch with the Forestry Commission (Hamsterly) who grant the required permission. They were very helpful, said yes in principle and emailed a form to complete for their records. They also requested a copy of our insurance.

      Everything has now been sent, so it should go ahead unless there are any unforseen snags.

      Friends of Chopwell may have a couple of people interested in tagging along also.

      • This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by John R.
    • January 29, 2014 at 7:18 pm #315
      John R
      Keymaster

      Yes, all confirmed now 😎

      Meeting point could be the “information point” (a map with a small roof on it if my memory serves me right) in the main car park. Road access is from Hookergate Lane/High Spen.

      Walking map can be found here

      It’s quite a walk from the main car park down to the river area where some of the older oaks are located, but I may try to give it a trial run nearer the time.

      • This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by John R.
      • This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by John R.
      • This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by John R.
      • This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by John R.
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