Our business is going on pause during the crisis but we will see how we can support existing party bookings. We’re in a reasonably healthy place financially as most of our costs are linked to when we run and the government support in wages means we can buffer the storm. You can help us get through by booking a party for when the crisis is over. See our book now page if you’d like to prebook.
After discussions with our Woodland Trust Site Manager we’re not at the stage of cancelling parties/events but at some point in the future this might be imposed on us. For existing party bookings we think the following advice is sensible. We’ve based this advice on a hierarchical hazard reduction method - the hazard here being people and specifically close interaction balanced against the benefits of being outside.
1) Postpone/Refund
Go for a belated birthday party. We can move your party booking further on in the diary. Our planned small price hike of £15 for the new financial year to cover wage increases has been placed on the deposit button which you’ve already paid. That means your belated party will be at the 2019/20 price. As per our updated related T&Cs if you need that £50 deposit refunded we can refund it easily. However if you cancel and decide to rebook at a later date it’ll be at the current price. Just let us know your preference. This is our preferred option as its the safest.
2) Reduce the size
If you really need the party to go ahead at this stage we can as long as people adhere to all our safety measures. We want to discourage social mixing. We definately don’t want sick people and people who wouldn’t normally be socially mixing. Going for a smaller party could be the answer as those safety measures such as 2m social distancing will be easier to maintain. We are likely to have less staff attending as some staff live with vulnerable family members so a smaller party would be apprecited. Smaller parties cost less too.
3) Isolate
We only want healthy people attending. The following also should not attend:
Someone that has a persitant cough or high temperature.
Someone that lives or has regular contact with somebody else displaying a persitant cough or high temperature.
People identified as high risk. See NHS - namely over 70’s, pregnant women, immunosurpressed people and other high risk groups.
Someone that lives or has regular contact with somebody who is at the most risk.
4) Extra Control Measures
These measures are everyone’s responsibility and will require self discipline and gently reminded each other. Please do this in a thoughtful and helpful way.
Social distancing. Curently this is recommended at 2m between people outside to slow the rate of infection. However families that live together are likely to regularly be contravening this. Therefore we think its sensible that the 2m rule is applied to different family/household groups. Actvities should be carried out between families 2m apart e.g. one family builds a den whilst another family builds a den at least 2m away. This will be quite challenging to maintain especilly with children that havn’t seen each other for a while so we request all adults gently remind children and enforce this.
Hygiene. We have various handwashing stations of soapy water. Please wash your hands regularly - before the session and before you leave. Feel free to bring your own personal gel, hand wipes and any antiseptic wipes. Blowing candles out on a shared cake is sadly a no-no (individul cup cake?).
Avoid touching your face.
Final thoughts
Please note that our preferred option is no.1 but we appreciate families have to balance managing children over what could a long period of isolation. It might well be you examine the safety measures and think they will detract too much with the flow of the party so go for a postponement. Its also worth talking to other parents that are thinking of attending and get a feel for what they think.
Its likely that enforcement of more draconian rules will come into effect which might means us being forced with option no.1 so putting the party further back in the diary seems prudent. We don’t know if thats days or weeks away but we think its coming.
Thanks for taking the time to read. Go outside, get exercise and have fun but stay away from other people. Take care!