5th Urmston Scout Group have developed a rural woodland Campsite over the past 30 years. The site comprises a number of small camping areas suitable for patrols and these are available for booking. Facilities include a toilet block which has hot showers, washing facilities and a
disabled toilet. If you are interested please contact the bookings secretary:
Camp site bookings - considerations
Introduction
We are located in Urmston, in Trafford, in the South West of Greater Manchester, on the north bank of the River Mersey which, contrary to popular belief, has now cleaned itself up to the state where it has fish in it. The Mersey Valley has been made into a 10 mile long environmental park and is quite pleasant for short hikes.
The site comprises a Group Headquarters (which is used Monday to Friday evenings for meetings) situated in about 9 acres of woodland with interspersed camping and activity areas. The site is let out to other Scout Groups and organisations. We would point out that evening arrivals must be arranged to minimise disruption to 5U's Beaver, Cub and Scout meetings, particularly on a Friday evening, when we have Beavers, Scouts and Explorers and the HQ is in use until 9.30 p.m.
The site is normally only let to one booking at any time but this cannot be guaranteed unless by special arrangement.
We do not have a resident warden on site, but members of 5U group will be available at the start of any 'camp' to show the visitors the set-up. We will also give telephone contact numbers in case assistance is needed during the camp.
Campsite Costs - 2007
Camping Includes use of toilet block £2.00 / head / night – Scout Groups
£2.50 / head / night – non Scout users
Day Visitor Includes use of toilet block £1.00p / head /day or part day
Use of headquarters & facilities (in addition to camping fees)
Including kitchen and toilets (e.g. training camps) £30 / day / night
(Hourly rate for non-camping activities = £9 per hour)
NB: we currently have no formal indoor sleeping accommodation
Marquee Hire £75.00 per day - includes putting up and taking down.
Advance Deposits - non refundable
Camping only 20% of fee (£10 min)
Emergency use of HQ 20% of fee (£10 min)
Full use of HQ 20% of fee (£20 min)
Payment to be made in cash or by cheque made out to '5th Urmston Scout Group'
Security and Warnings
The site is in an urban area. Although vandalism and incursions to the site are rare, it is recommended that the visiting party leave somebody on site when the party leaves for other activities. Valuables should not be left in unattended tents.
A stream runs through the site. Although it runs cleanly, the bed consists of deep mud in which past pollution, mainly oil, is still present. The stream is not fit for playing or water activities. (5th Urmston do build rope bridges over it, however)
Barbed wire fences and hedges surround the site. To preserve these and avoid injury the site must be entered and left only by the main gate.
The ground can become very soft after rain. Vehicles should not be taken onto the camping or activity areas and should be limited to the 'gravelled' tracks.
Emergency services
NHS Direct 0845 46 47
Nearest Hospital for A&E
Trafford General,
Moorside Road
Davyhulme
Tel 0161 748 4022
Site Rules
Every Scouter leading or organizing a camp must have a sound knowledge of the association’s policy and principles relating to camping and set out in the associations publication “Scout Camping” and must adopt a principle of reasonable care when using the site. Those leading camps for members under the age of 18 will be required to give details of their ‘Nights away Permit’.
Permission to Camp
Any Visitors should comply with the requirements of P.O.R. and the submission of a Nights Away Notification (form NAN) will be required for all parties that include members under 18 years of Age. This should be forwarded before the date of commencement to Urmston & District Commissioner, David Vost, 1 Grasmere Ave, Flixton, Urmston Manchester, tel 0161 746 9546.
Child Protection,
All groups other than Scout Association members using the site should provide prior to arrival details of their Policy for Child Protection or alternatively agree to sign our own document; copies can be obtained on request.
On arrival at the site you will be welcomed by the duty warden who will appraise you of the site and the various facilities that are available. Any required activities should be pre arranged to confirm that these are available. The duty Warden will open up the toilet block and any other buildings that you will require and will hand over a set of keys for each of the buildings. The Duty warden will issue his/her telephone number in case of emergency or problem and will agree a time of departure for a final inspection of the site.
The party using the site has full responsibility for leaving the site clean and tidy. All wood should be returned to woodpiles or alternatively cleared from the cut areas to allow the grass to be mowed. The toilets should be fully cleaned and the floor hosed down with the hose provided. All cleaning materials are held in a locked cupboard in the ladies toilet area, your keys for the site will include access to this cupboard.
Water
There are 4 water points on the field that will be set up as appropriate for the size of camp.
Toilet block
The toilet block has male, female and disabled toilets, together with two 'unisex' showers accessible from the entrance lobby.
The block is kept locked when not in use and we ask that it be locked if the party leaves the site.
The sinks should not be used for washing-up, nor (due to the limitations to the heating system) should hot water be taken from the block to the sites. As there is no on-site warden, visiting parties should arrange to check the toilet block regularly and organise any cleaning that becomes necessary during and at the end of the camp.
Wood fires
Use altar fires only - no cutting of turf to make fires. Each camping site has a brick altar fire, but in exceptional cases (e.g. camping competitions) additional altar fires (steel) can be supplied by arrangement.
The only exception to this rule is the Campfire Circle in which the fire is on the ground.
Wood and woodcutting
There is usually a good supply of wood lying under the trees. No wood to be cut from living (standing!) trees!
Axes and saws are not banned, but the visiting party is responsible for the security and proper use of these in accordance with the provisions of P.O.R.
Wet pits
Wet pits can be dug 1 metre outside the cut limits of camp sites, although we would prefer the 'grass filled bin bag' wet pit system with the bags being burnt after use.
Rubbish
The group has a rubbish collection service. Suitably bagged rubbish should be placed in the skip provided near the main building.
1st Aid
All Groups using the facilities are fully responsible for providing both suitably qualified First Aiders along with the provision of sufficient 1st Aid kits for the activity/camp taking place
Alcohol
Alcohol is not permitted on the site unless this is prearranged for an Adult Only group.
Noise
All users of the site are asked to respect neighbours, particularly around the car park area where there are old persons flats. Leaders should enforce a quiet time between 10.00pm and 7.00am.
On site activities
Activities are the responsibility of the visiting party but should always be carried out in accordance with POR rules and authorisations (for scout parties) or other organisations own regulations and authorisations.
Pioneering
We can supply pioneering poles, but the visiting party will need to bring ropes, pulleys, etc.
Orienteering
We have a permanent orienteering course on the field, and can supply maps, rules, answer sheets, etc prior to the visit. As we do not have a copier, we would prefer that the visitors copy answer sheets before the visit.
Activities area.
This is about the size of a normal football pitch and thus suitable for football, rounders, etc. Cricket can be expensive in lost balls if a big hitter plays
Five a side football
We can usually supply one or two sets of five-a-side football posts by arrangement, although there are occasions when these are taken off site for district competitions.
Off site activities/ Places to Visit
Being in the Manchester area, there are many places of interest or entertainments to visit, particularly for those from outside the area.
BOOKING FORM
Click here for the Booking Form
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read this document:
Contact for booking : Margaret Marshall
E mail address : bookings@5thurmstonscouts.com
If you require more information please visit our Scoutbase
Directories website. |
