Bedford Quakers
Room Hire
Rooms at our Meeting House are available for hire between 9am – 10pm on Mondays to Saturdays, subject to our lettings policy, with rates revised from January 2010. (See below.)
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
Bedford Meeting
QUAKER MEETING HOUSE
5 Lansdowne Road, Bedford
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LETTING from 1st January 2010
Hirers are reminded that our building is intended primarily for community use, rather than for commercial purposes.
The following rooms are available from Monday to Saturday from 9am-10pm; rates are per hour or part of an hour.
MEETING ROOM 3 hour session £20
Hourly rate £8
CHILDREN’S ROOM 1 3 hour session £15
Hourly rate £6
LIBRARY, CHILDREN’S ROOM 2 AND COMMITTEE ROOM
3 hour session £12
Hourly rate £4.50
CHILDREN’S ROOM 1 PLUS ONE OTHER (not the Meeting Room)
3 hour session £20
Hourly rate £8
QUIET ROOM 3 hour session £8
Hourly rate £3
USE OF KITCHEN for tea and coffee making £3
Buffet and afternoon teas: by arrangement
The building is fully accessible on the ground floor for wheelchairs at both front and side entrances, and toilet facilities for people with disabilities are provided.
BOOKINGS: These should be made on our booking form, obtainable from the Lettings Officer (See below for telephone number). At least two weeks’ notice should be given of any necessary cancellations or alteration, otherwise the full fee will be charged.
Should the Meeting House be required by the Society of Friends itself at short notice, we reserve the right to cancel a booking. This is unlikely, but should it necessary, as much notice as possible will be given and the booking fee will be refunded.
HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY: A nominated adult must be in attendance who is familiar with the conditions and procedures in the event of fire or accident. These include knowledge of locations of Fire Extinguishers, Break Glass Panels and Emergency Exits (which must be kept clear). For information on these, please consult the note (page 3) on Fire Extinguishers. A First Aid box and Accident Record Book is kept on the Kitchen mantelpiece. An emergency telephone is available in the Library downstairs and the Quaker Office (upstairs). 999 calls only can be made. Children must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult and should not be allowed in the kitchen unaccompanied, nor left there alone.
No item of electrical equipment may be brought on to the premises without permission nor should dangerous substances be brought into the building.
DAMAGE AND DEFECTS: any defects should be reported to the Lettings Officer (Tel no at the end of this notice). All damage should be reported and recorded in the Book of Breakages. All costs of damage to the property and its contents caused by users must be paid for by them. It is the users’ responsibility to ensure that they are fully insured against any liabilities which may arise from their occupation or use of the premises or property of the Meeting. The meeting is covered for Public Liability.
OCCUPANCY: A nominated person should be responsible for understanding the system for locking and unlocking the premises, and should ensure that all doors and windows are locked and lights are off when they are the last to leave.
SPECIAL NOTE TO HIRERS: We would remind you that the front door should NEVER be left open and unattended. Please arrange for one of your number to be there at any time during your meeting if you wish to leave the door open. Otherwise leave the door firmly closed, even if there are others in the building. Latecomers to your meeting can always use the doorbell for you to come and let them in.
Thank you for your co-operation in this important security measure.
SMOKING, ALCOHOL, ILLEGAL DRUGS, AND GAMBLING are not allowed on the premises.
Each group is responsible for arranging the seating to suit its own needs. Extra chairs are available if required, and should be replaced if moved. Only portable displays or decorations may be used, and nothing should be attached to walls or doors. Groups are asked to leave the rooms as found, clean and tidy, and to respect the property of other users. Cleaning equipment is in the storeroom adjacent to the Male toilet.
USE OF KITCHEN & EQUIPMENT: Urn, Kettles, Crockery and Cutlery are provided- all cupboards are labelled to facilitate finding crockery etc. As these facilities are used by many groups, thorough washing up is essential. The kitchen should be left clean and tidy and all items returned to their correct places. Please provide your own tea towels and dish cloths. Hot water for washing up is available on tap. The small basin is for hand washing only. Please unplug and empty urn if used.
GENERAL: Users are reminded that the building is in a residential area and asked to respect the needs and privacy of neighbours and other users by avoiding noisy activities and by leaving quietly.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND EXITS
There are two large fire extinguishers in the entrance hall, and one more is to be fund in the lobby entrance near the Meeting Room. In the event of a fire, please a) try to put it out, and b) call the Fire Service before it gets out of control, and notify the Lettings Officer on 01234 359976 or the Clerk on 01234-215445 as soon as possible. In the Kitchen there is a fire blanket and an extinguisher hanging on the old Fire Surround.
There are two extinguishers on the landing upstairs. If you call the Fire Service and there are other people in the building (the top floor flat may be occupied) please use a Break Glass Panel to sound the alarm. This releases the Fire Doors on the first and second floors. Escape may be made by the outside (private) staircase or down the main stairs.
Fire Exits are by the side entrance (to the left) near the Meeting Room, and the Front Door. The key to the garden door in the Meeting Room is kept in the drawer of the old table.
USE OF THE BOILER/TEA URN
Please follow these instructions:
1. To fill the urn for normal numbers (18-22 cups) use the large metal jug and pour 2 full jugs.
2. Fit the plug in the socket and switch on.
3. Set the dial on the urn to High- it will boil in 15-20 minutes. Switch to Low or Off. The water remains hot for along time. If it is required over a long period, turn the switch to Low.
4. Hold the teapot at an angle against the side of the stand and pull down the tap to fill. Lift the tap to stop the flow of water. Switch the dial to Off after filling the pot.
5. Please disconnect the plug from wall switch and empty urn completely after use.
6. DO NOT PUT TEA BAGS IN THE URN.
7. Leave the urn on the stand; it is safer there and out of reach of small people!
CLEANING EQUIPMENT
This will be found in the storeroom adjoining the Men’s toilet. Spare electric light bulbs will be on a shelf in the same store. Please report any that have to be used.
Bedford Meeting reserves the right to cancel bookings made by any group which fails to adhere to these terms and conditions.
Lettings officer: tel 01234 359976
Clerk to the Meeting: tel 01234 215445
To book a room, telephone the Bookings Officer on 01234 359 976
