Fanny Bush Forest Garden is a part of Snowdrops Sunsets Retreats, created by Snowdrops Sunsets (registered name S.S. DISTRIBUTION LTD 13007433).

This site has nothing to do with local authorities and has been approved by local support.

It is a private space with public access and the property here is privately owned.

It is not to be considered as a “community project” we have a very specifically designed root to reclaim this land, it is currently being stewarded by Terri Leighs and Snowdrops Sunsets.

Fanny Bush Forest Garden is an occupied piece of land.

We are not able to able provide insurance and we are not (yet) the legal owners or occupiers of this land.

We are creating this space to be an escape from society in many ways that means we avoid any associations with authorities and have an anarchistic view point of personal reasonability and cooperative agreements to operate.

If you are unable to take responsibility for your own health and safety, do not join as a member or come to use our site.

The site is to intended to be used as a nature based, low cost private retreat space for personal growth, reflection, contemplation and healing. It is not to be considered a holiday place or event hosting facility.

The site was neglected for over 20 years, has limited access and accessibility.

The site is off grid meaning it has no energy or lighting supply connected to the mains. All energy, water and other connections are provided by us and are our property.

All instructions related to the use of these supplies must be adhered to and any damages caused by misuse will result in compensation and repair costs being claimed from you and legal action may be taken against you.

All damage, problems or required repairs must be reported to us as soon as possible either via text or a call (in an emergency) or logged in the reporting diary provided during your stay.

The site is risky to move around and work on and anyone using the site is doing so at their own risk, we do not accept liability and these terms and our service agreement document serves as a disclaimer and waiver of responsibility.

Members and site users are responsible for themselves, their children, any invited guests and pets they bring to the site.

This site may not be suitable for some people with access needs, disabilities or other physical or social needs.

This site and retreat stays are judged by us as not suitable for anyone aged 0-18.

The site is dog friendly (with agreement in advance) and users are assuming full responsibility for dog behaviour, their health safety and all waste relating to the animal is managed by the owner.

The owner must always be present and take full reasonability for the animals well-being.

No other animals are permitted to be brought onto this site.

The site is a work in progress and guests should expect it to be less than perfect with alterations and improvements being made when we are able to as we have workers, volunteers and funds available.

Work will be carried out on the site at times guest might be staying on site. This will be notified in advance so users are aware.

The site is on a public path and members of the public can access the garden space. Privacy can only be expected indoors.

We have had security issues in the past and users must be vigilant and follow security measures while on site or staying.

The site is based in Chopwell (NE17) in Tyne & Wear. It is a small village with limited shops and transport links.

Parking is available in public car park close to the site (walking is required). Some access to pull up to the caravan or site gate is possible but cars can not be parked there.

The site is to be utilised and worked on by members only. Non-member guests are not invited to the space to stay. They may visit but not work on the site.

The membership is created to create a community with a shared interest in protecting and utlising the forest garden space.

Membership is for 365 days and is renewed annually with the option to cancel at renewal.

Members must be adult.

Members may be considered aged 14-18 and will require a guardian and guarantor.

Fanny Bush Forest Garden has two types of membership connected with it.

Friends of Fanny Bush Group (FFB) is a constituted group who will ultimately take responsibility of the land once it is claimed and in trust. This group is formed to legitimise the project, build support for the idea and make any decisions regarding the space outside of the Snowdrops Sunsets remit.

Fanny Bush Private Membership is a paid for membership that agree to share the space for private retreats. Members pay for their retreat through an annual membership fee which covers the cost of developing the site & providing basic essential while staying.

Members are required to complete this application form.

All private members are automatically designated as Friends of members.

FFB is for friends of the project who support the idea. Anyone who seems to be in opposition to the idea or communally agreed practices, causes continual, ongoing or unnecessary conflict during meetings or when making decisions and people who refuse to adapt their expectations to the terms and nature of this project will be removed as a member.

The FFB constitution can be viewed here.

If private members choose not to renew they will remain as FFB members unless they choose to remove themselves or are dismissed from membership for acting outside of these terms and conditions or for a stated reason for dismissal.

Private members are required to sign a service agreement in person on arrival for their stay.

A copy of this service agreement can be found here.

Members who complete the application form agree to these terms in order to join and their membership is considered subject to these terms prior to the physical signature being collected.

Private members are subscribing to a paid for annual membership.

One week stay is included as standard for each member.

Couples joint membership is available as an option.

Members can request additional stays of up to 4 weeks per year and they are paid for and subject to the same payment terms.

Private membership is activated when the first payment is received and all forms have been completed.

Private members are paying for one week of access to the caravan, including basic food supplies, gas and plumbing.

Electricity and energy supply are not guaranteed.

There is no wi-fi or electronics on site.

Members are expected to manage their waste produced on site in aligment with our wste system.

Unprocessed waste may have to be removed by the user from the site.

Members are expected to contribute and communicate to help improve the site and keep our records up to date.

We will be developing our digital and online systems to streamline all our processes as soon as funds allow. When this happens members must take the tine to transfer to the new system and folow the instructions provided to do so within the dates specified.

Failure to do this may resut in membership being cancelled.

Members are required to provide contact details to be notified of relevant news and updates via email or phone.

We have a Whatsapp group to update members, annouce events and meetings.

All members are required to do basic work during their stay (regardless of their additional work agreement).

Required work is: itinerary check, washing up, dusting and surface cleaning, hoovering, plant watering and stripping the bedding, reporting and documenting required records (such as damages or repairs needed, any news and observations not previously recorded) removal and management of waste. We also welcome any offers of skilled or administration work and consider all offers.

Basic shared tools, equipment and instructions are supplied; any additional needs for equipment or instructions must be requested in advance at the time of joining.

Any member who requires their own personal tools or equipment must provide them.

People are asked to follow the instructions provided unless they are experinced in the job and can provide alternative instructions or find an easier, more efficent way to do the same job to the smae standard.

Work is expected to be done at a reasonable pace and to a good standard.

Booking cannot be made until payment is made in full and in advance.

People who pay first are given the option to book first. We operate a first come first served system.

Bookings will not be open until the stage of development is complete and the available dates are dictated by Snowdrops Sunsets. These are not negotiable.

Booking dates can be recurring (as in a week can be selected each year) and must be confirmed when requested at renewal.

Any unconfirmed recurring dates will be assumed to have been abandoned and will become vacant again.

All booking requests must be made at least 7 full days prior to the stay requested.

Bookings can be transferred to other members with prior agreement of all parties involved with at least 7 days notice given and confirmation is made in writing.

Cancellations of bookings must be made within 28 days to retain access.

Rebooking is subject to availability and is not gauranteed.

Rebookings are not priorised over oroginal bookings and will be put at the bottom of the booking priorty list.

If a booking is not made within 12 months of payment being received (due to the fault of the member) then a random week is allocated to them and if that week is missed it is considered lost.

Stays are Saturday to Saturday.

Check out is expected between 12-1pm.

Check in are expected between 1-5pm.

Exceptions can be made in some circustnces but they must be agreed and requested in advance and may result in a shorter stay.

We may offer spare retreat spaces or cancellation slots at short notice to members at a reduced rate that will be made clear at the time of booking.

Payments are made in exchange for time at the premises, repairs, maintenance and ongoing improvements including equipment, tools, materials.

Prices are subject to an annual review. Any changes will be notified to members in writing.

Payments are currently accepted by bank transfer.

Alternative payments processing can be provided via stripe or paypal at request but embers need to cover any processing fees and an admin fee of £20.

Payment of £240 per person equates to an annual membership and single week stay and is required for all members.

Couples can join and stay in the same week and are charged at £360 per week.

We can accept a minimum of £120 (£180 for couples) cash plus 12 hours (9 hours each for couples) of volunteer work per person per week stay.

Volunteer work can be offerred as payment and is considered a contribution of £10 per hour.

Members can agree a price for their stay (in advance of joining) based on what they can afford and are willing to work which will be confirmed in writing.

Members can pay more (time or money) towards the space if they choose but additional payments do not gain additional favours and are considered a donation in good faith.

Memership payment fees can be made in 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 12 instalments.

All payments are non-refundable.

Funds raised cover operating and improvement costs.

A maxiumum of 25% of funds raised are used to cover design and hosting fees to Snowdrops Sunsets and are not for equipment or improvements.

We can offer a tranfers service to collect or drop people at either Newcastle-Upon-Tyne or Durham bus or rail station.

Transfers to and from Newcastle cost £25 or £30 from Durham.

Loud noise, gatherings parties, non-member guests, additional member guests, the use of poisons, pollutions and fly tipping are forbidden.

Any damage or observed repairs must be reported immediatley and may result in charges or reimbursement being sought. All memebrs sign an itinery when they arrive and any damages found after their stay will be attributes to them.

Intentional damage, sabbotage, misuse or violence will reuslt in the member being dismiised from membership.

Charges may be brought to the member and we may consider reporting any incidents as a crime.

We exepect members to be able to update our record keeping as requested and instructions will be given.

Guests will be greeted on arrival and shown around the site and inducted into our systems.

Wildlife must be respected while staying on site. Shooting, trap setting or "pest management" is not permitted to be excuted by members.

We do not allow illegal drugs on site.

Herbal and medicinal drugs are allowed and brought to our attention prior to a stay or at induction.

The project is designed and managed by Terri Leighs (Terri Lee-Shield) and she can be contacted at [email protected] or 07356143798.

All complaints must be made to the above channels.

Any unresolved complaints will be discussed at the Friends of meetings.

All updates, plans, terms, details, information and bookings can be found at: https://ss-retreats-fb.crd.co .