St. John's Church
Guidance Notes
For the Hire and Use of St John's
 
  1. All bookings are made and accepted in accordance with St. John’s Church Booking Policy, as agreed by the District Church Council (DCC) in January 2004.

  2. The building is normally available for hire between 8:30am and 10:30pm, with the building clear by 11pm. No hiring may be extended beyond this time without a specific dispensation. Hirers do not have access to other sections of the building that they have not booked.

  3. The building is not licensed for public performances, public dances, public discotheques, or for the sale of alcohol.

  4. St. John’s DCC reserves the right to cancel or change a booking if the building is required for Church functions, use as a Polling Station, or any other exceptional need. Any fee paid for a booking that is subsequently cancelled by the Church, will be refunded. The DCC can not be held liable for any costs incurred by the hirer as the result of a cancelled or changed booking. The right is reserved for a representative of the DCC to enter the building at any time.

  5. No electrical appliance or outlet may be altered, modified or tampered with in any way. Normal projection or sound equipment may be used providing that the sound level is kept low enough so as not to disturb people in neighbouring properties or users in any other part of the building. Small electrical kitchen appliances may also be used. Any other electrical equipment shall only be used with the prior agreement of the Co-ordinator of Administration. All electrical equipment belonging to the hirer must comply with the Electrical Appliances at Work 1989 directive.

  6. All damage and breakages must be reported to the Co-ordinator of Administration. A charge may be made for the replacement of broken items.

  7. At the end of each hire, all the hirer's equipment must be removed from the premises and no rubbish/litter shall be left anywhere on Church property. The building should be left in good order with all tables and chairs returned to the correct place.

  8. The hirer may use the kitchen for the purpose of making light refreshments only. Any other use is subject to the agreement of the Co-ordinator of Administration.

  9. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on Church property (including the garden). Alcohol consumption is not permitted without the prior agreement of the Co-ordinator of Administration.

  10. Adhesive tape or drawing pins must not be used to affix anything to the walls or woodwork. Cautious use of "blu-tac" is acceptable on wooden surfaces, but not on brick or plastered walls.

  11. Please do not leave any valuable items in the building (even if locked away in cupboards). The Church accepts no responsibility for the loss of personal possessions or injury sustained to any persons whilst the building is in use by the hirer.

  12. First Aid boxes and report books are located in each of the kitchens, and the Co-ordinator of Administration should be informed of any accident or injury occurring.

  13. The hirer should familiarise itself with the fire regulations for the building and the location and use of fire protection and detection equipment. Fire equipment must not be misused and fire escape routes must not be restricted. The Fire Brigade should be called out to any outbreak of fire, however slight, and the incident reported immediately to the Co-ordinator of Administration. Highly flammable substances, portable gas appliances or other equipment involving the use of a naked flame are not permitted in the building. Candles only may be used with the prior agreement of the Co-ordinator of Administration.

  14. No items may only be stored in the building with prior agreement of the Co-ordinator of Administration.

  15. The right to refuse any application is reserved by the DCC.