All the important stuff to ensure we all stay safe & sound.

Please have a good read through this page and if at any point you have concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Esther or Jeremy.

Camping Wild

This is not a well equipped campsite - its just a field. There are all kinds of hazards - stinging nettles, insects, fox poo, and barbed wire fences to name a few. There are things you can trip over, fall off or fall into. There are open fires, horses and a real running river nearby.

So consider the risks before you come and when you arrive, check out the field carefully. If there's anything you don't understand or have concerns about, please just ask or ring Jeremy & Esther's mobile - see Contact page. And if you feel its not for you, don't feel bad about turning round and heading home!

If you are bringing children, and anyone who has vulnerabilities, you will be responsible for their safety and supervision. We've made some notes below on Safeguarding - please do read them!

Cooking, Eating and Drinking

Although a lot of cooking and eating is done together, we'd recommend you bring your own gear for cooking, eating and washing up. There are some shared facilities in the camp kitchen if you forget something but it can get busy in there.

Bring plenty of drinking water too. There's a hosepipe feed to the field which is ok for washing up and showering but not safe for drinking.

If you cook on a barbecue, please make sure you have at least one bucket with you, filled with water, or a fire extinguisher so you can quench it if needs be. If the field gets very dry we may have to put on a last minute ban on these for safety reasons.

Dog Lovers

Dogs are welcome in the camping field - IF they are kept on a lead.

Its been a 'bone of contention' in the past because whilst dog owners love and trust their dogs to behave impeccably, others get stressed when a dog runs in their tent uninvited, or gets tempted to rummage amongst food bags. So even if you know your dog would never do that please stick to the rule so we are all on the same page.

If you want to let your dog off the lead for a run, there are miles of footpaths to roam along in beyond the field boundary - just be aware of sheep and other livestock in the usual way.

Loos & Waste

In the past we got by with compost loos but we now have a couple of portaloos. The guiding principle is simple - 'Never leave the loo as you found it - always better!'

There will be a basic stand-pipe water supply and a make-shift sink for washing up but it isn't safe for drinking. There's also an outdoor tree-shower in the wood which is on every morning for an hour. Some say this is the most memorable experience of the camp.

Please bring your own bags for recycling and rubbish. If you can take it away with you great. If not, squash it as small as you can and put it in the steel oblong boxes on our drive, ready for the bin-men.

First Aid & Emergency

On site you will need to come equipped and prepared for your own first aid but if its something beyond your capability...

There's a minor injuries unit at Edenbridge Hospital open 8.30am to 6.30 pm. Tel 01732 862137. For A&E it's the Tunbridge Wells 01892 823535.

We will of course do everything within our means to support you but we are not equipped or trained to take responsibility for everybody's Health & Safety - so please give this careful consideration in advance.

Safeguarding

We want all our campers and visitors to enjoy the freedom of the field, but also to be safe. Parents, please be aware that although this is a private event, not everyone is well known to everyone. The field is also accessible to members of the public some of whom walk it regularly, so do supervise your children as you would in any public space.

Under 18 year olds should not be at the camp unsupervised by a parent or guardian. If you are not able to be on site please appoint a named person who has parental responsibility, and make them known to Esther and Jeremy. In some cases we have agreed that a 16 -18 years old may stay unsupervised as long as we have written permission from a parent and a contact number in case of emergency.

We will appoint a number of adults who know the camp well who will be "eyes and ears” for both health and safety and child protection concerns. Please note though that these are not official officers or wardens of any kind. They'll be wearing an orange wristband.

Please reports any concerns or incidents to Jeremy or Esther, however small.

FIRE SAFETY

If you're cooking with a barbecue or gas fire please make sure you have a dedicated bucket of water ready at all times for fire control if needed.

Because the weather is often warm and dry, individual campfires are too risky to have on the grass - but we do allow them if they are in a proper fire-pit.

There will also be a central campfire each evening. Its a great place to pull up a chair and have a drink with other campers but its an open fire, so please supervise children with extra vigilance.