Four Winds Centre, Dockenfield, nr Farnham, Surrey.
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Report to Maintenance Group on a visit to inspect Four Winds Centre
Summary
This report contains the following sectionsLocation
The site is 10 minutes by car (and 1.5 hrs by foot) from Farnham or Bentley stations. Bentley Station is approximately 1 hr rail journey from London Waterloo. Trains run hourly.
Facilities
| 1 Dormitory (single beds for 14 (no bunks)) | |
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| Bedroom, en suite + shower, ground floor, 2 single 1 pull-out beds | |
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| Single room, ground floor, entrance from outside | |
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| Bedroom, for 4, 1 double, 2 single | |
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| Flatlet. This is a double room plus 2 single put-you-ups; shower and loo en suite | |
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| Small summerhouse amongst trees. Not suitable for sleeping except in good weather. | |
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| Conservatory | |
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| Grounds. Tents may be erected in the grounds if desired. The site is very suitable for camping; | |
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| Private Woodland (approx 1/4 acre) - note that access to this can be mudbound therefore good boots may be needed. Beyond the private woodland is Alice Holt National Trust woodland; | |
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| Fire circle with log seats in a ring | |
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| Secluded outdoor area suitable for small group meetings | |
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| Large communal room | |
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| Part of the dining area showing coffee/tea facilities | |
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| Kitchen facilities |
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Other matters
- 2 vegetarian meals are provided each day in addition to self-serve breakfast;
- Alternatively we can book as self-catering. In this case, we are required to only supply vegetarian meals;
- The fact that the group is gay is not expected to present a problem;
- Socialising on the lawn late into the night is not a problem;
- There is (as at July 98) only one staff member living in an adjoining building. He has an apparently very laid back and friendly approach;
- The site is not suitable for nudity outdoors.
Prices
The prices are per person with a minimum which is equivalent to 12 people booking. Prices shown are per night. Single days, weekends and full weeks are possible, although all weekends are already booked for the remainder of 1998, as are many in 1999.>
| Fully catered | per 24 hrs £27.00, | minimum £324.00 |
| Self-catering | per 24 hrs £17.00, | minimum £204.00 |
Opinions
The site appears to be excellently suited to ECC events. The staff appear accommodating and the facilities similar to what we have experienced elsewhere. There is good walking nearby and the grounds and rooms are suitable for ECC activities.This venue would be suitable for smaller ECC events (e.g. such as Wasdale or Unstone Grange) or for an AAFBG meeting.
Special Needs
The twin bed en suite unit (with an optional third extra bed) would be suitable for a wheelchair user. The main common areas are also on the ground floor. The room with external access would also be suitable, but the WC/washing facilities are on the first floor. It is perhaps more suited to someone who needs to be able to get away from things and rest during the day, e.g. if affected by HIV or ME. Access from car park to building is also flat.
Date of visit
20/7/98
Visit and report by
Chris Jeffries and Ted Vidler