Important Information About Using The Cottage

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Mendip Caving Group – Registered Charity Number  1197325

Guidelines for the use of Nordrach Cottage Guidelines for the use of Nordrach Cottage. Last Updated Dec 2024

FEES:

• £5.00 per night for members and member’s children,
• £7.50 for Guests. Camping (including sleeping in vehicles) is charged at the same rates.

 ACCESS:

• You will be supplied with a credit sized electrical swipe card or blue fob.
• To open the front door, swipe your card/fob close to the sensor. You will hear a tone and the LED will turn green. The door should now open.
• Upon leaving the Cottage at anytime, ensure the door is fully locked - make sure that the latches holding back the two locks are both released.

NO SMOKING:

• Smoking is not allowed in any part of the Cottage.
• Since July 1st 2007 it has been illegal to smoke in all enclosed public places and workplaces in England.
• This law applies to the Cottage as it is open to the public and may also be a place of work (for example if a Guest Group is led by a paid member of staff).
• Any person smoking in the Cottage is therefore breaking the law and may be liable to fine not exceeding £2,500.

FIRE ALARM: .

• A copy of the User Manual is available online at: http://www.mendipcavinggroup.org.uk/documents/Fire_Alarm_Instruction_Manual.pdf
• Should the fire alarm be activated, the advice is to “Get out, Stay Out, Call Out”.
• Evacuate the building and call the Fire Service (999).
• Stay out until the Fire Service say it is safe to return

ACCOMMODATION:

• Upstairs there are 30 bunks, arranged in three rooms for 6, 8 and 16 persons.
• Guests are normally booked into the 16 room (Foreman’s Lounge) but on non-members’ weekends may also require the use of the 6 or 8 rooms.
• Kitchen (2 gas hobs, double electric oven, microwave, refrigerator, utensils, crockery and cutlery), reached through a large lounge with wood burner
• Utility storeroom (under-stairs cupboard),
• 3 flush toilets.
• Substantial changing and washing/showering facilities. One set of showers (3 heads) are communal and are not divided into separate cubicles. There is a seperate single shower and toilet that may be approached from the side door without entering the main changing room.
• Combined gas and Electric water heaters ensure plenty of hot water for the kitchen and washing/showering .
• The Cottage can be cold in winter if it has not been occupied but there will be adequate supplies of free wood (the wood shed is adjacent to the gate into the car park) for the use on multi fuel stove in the lounge.
• Access to the tackle store and library is normally restricted to Full Members only.
• Hosing-down area and adjoining drying shed for caving gear. The drying shed keys should be hanging on an ornamental gas tap on the wall in the kitchen.
• Parking is available on site for about 8 vehicles- further off-road parking is available adjacent to the site.

USING THE COTTAGE:

• Members may normally use the cottage at any time, and may bring a few guests without prior booking.
• Guest group bookings should be made via the Website http://www.mcgtest.co.uk/cottage-booking-form/
• Advance applications for bookings by guest parties are welcomed throughout the year, but on the first Fri/Sat of each month priority will be given to MCG members.

USER’S RESPONSIBILITIES.

• Nordrach Cottage is the MCG’s major financial asset. Everyone is asked to help keep it in good condition.
• It is expected that the cottage will be kept clean and tidy, and that consideration will be shown to other users.
• The MCG trustees reserve the right to refuse access to Nordrach Cottage by any persons who are unable to conduct themselves in a responsible manner.
• You must not watch TV from a mains powered device.

ON FIRST ENTERING THE COTTAGE,

• Select your bunk and write your name on the daily cottage booking sheets which are kept on the lectern in the lounge. If the date is not entered at the top of the page ensure the date is also recorded.

ON LEAVING THE COTTAGE

• Even for a short period -  lock all outside doors, close all windows.
• COTTAGE FEES.
• Please put fees (cheque/cash) into one of the envelopes provided in the lectern, adding relevant details to the front, and place it in the metal ‘post box’ on the Lounge wall. Alternatively, use the SumUp machine to pay using a bank card.

ELECTRICITY:

• There are two consumer units located near the front door above head height. These should be left in the ‘ON’ position.
• The electricity is protected by an earth leakage circuit breaker. If this trips, please inform the cottage warden.
• There are two metered outdoor sockets for the use of camper vans or to charge an EV at low rate. Please take photos of the meters before and after use and pay the per unit amount indicated on the nearby notice - pay by cash or SumUp.

KITCHEN:

• Store food tidily on the shelves below the cooking surfaces.
• Utensils, crockery and cutlery will be found on the shelves, and in cupboards and drawers.
• Please WASH UP and REPLACE articles used after each meal and CLEAN the oven and hobs.
• Take ALL food home at the end of your stay – please do not leave any food, not even tea or coffee as this just accumulates.
• Leave the fridge empty but switched on.
• Take all your recycling with you - it is not collected from the MCG.

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