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FAQ's - THE RECEPTION PARTY
How long can our party go on in the evening?Under the new Licensing Act 2003, regulated entertainment has to be finished at certain times. However this does not mean your party has to finish! You can use our small domestic CD player after the main party to play background music and chill out after a hectic day with your close family and friends. Discos need to be finished by 12.30 a.m Live bands need to be finished by 11.00 p.m You will find that this is normally quite adequate and live bands are accustomed to finish at this time, as it takes quite a while for them to pack up their equipment. We can provide you with high quality professional music equipment, (including lights) which you can plug a laptop, Ipod or mp3 player. Some people make up a complete night’s play list prior to coming to the Fort, and use this instead of hiring in a DJ. We provide you with this equipment free of charge so you can save a lot of money! Can we have a band or music out on the lawns?Amplified music of any sort is not allowed outside the building. This is due to the beautiful tranquil environment the fort is set in, and our licensing conditions. An acoustic guitar player, saxophone, harpist or even bagpipes are the types of music we can allow on the lawns. It is very important to check with us whether the type of entertainment you are thinking of is covered under our entertainments licence and that we are happy to accept the band or DJ you are thinking of hiring. Please do check prior to putting a firm booking down with your entertainer. Can we have a live band in the Fort?Yes we do allow live bands in the fort – however it is very important that the band is aware of our music rules prior to the event. We must ensure that all amplified music is kept within the building. We have installed treble glazing and as long as all the windows and doors are kept shut whilst the band is playing, there is normally not a problem. We have someone on hand during the time the band is playing to ensure that our music regulations are adhered to. It is important to check with us prior to booking the band to ensure that we are happy for that particular band to play at the fort. We have had on occasions some bands that have not complied with our regulations and these bands would not be welcome back at the fort. Live bands must also finish playing at 11.00 p.m. and must have no more than 7 persons in the group. Can you help us arrange music and entertainment?We can certainly advise you on different musicians, discos and bands and give you contact details. We also have some very good entertainment agencies. (put in link to Orangements and Heartbeats) The actual booking of bands and discos is something that you do yourselves. However some of our caterers offer a complete service and can do this for you, or you could consider a recommended wedding co-ordinator Wedding Matters. Also you may contact an agent such as Orangements Can we have fireworks?The Fort is not insured for fireworks so none can be set off in the grounds of the fort. However if you have a real burning desire for a firework display it can be arranged! The farmer, Lyn Wilton (tel: 01752 822215) who owns the field above us rents out the field for fire works to be set off from. We recommend that you use an established fire work company as they are aware of all the dangers involved and the regulations that need to be considered. We are in a coastal location with horses close by, so we need to be informed of any planned fire work display. How many cars does the car park take?See FAQ's Accommodation – How many cars does the car park take? Is the fort suitable for disabled people?See the FAQ's Fort Building – Is there disabled access? Is the fort non-smoking?Yes under the new smoke free England law the Fort is now a non smoking building. There are signs at the entrances to the Fort to inform your guests. We would ask that you ensure that all your guests are aware of this and to make sure that none of them smoke in the Fort – including the bedrooms! Please note that secret smoking in bedrooms will probably set off the fire alarm – which in incur a call out charge to reset the system – never mind the disturbance to everyone else. Is there a cloakroom in the Fort?Not as such. We provide moveable coat racks on wheels, and these can be put where you choose - generally in one of the bedrooms, sometimes at the bottom of the main entrance spiral stairs, sometimes in one of the corridors. Is there anyone to call on for help?Yes. You can always call on our main trouble-shooter, Fred Buss on 01752-822830. This number is up on a notice board in the kitchen of the Fort, along with those of our Wedding Co-ordinator, Ruth (tel: 01503-230711) and our office manager Kathy (mobile: 07767-373754) as well as several others to turn to, including emergency plumbers/electricians etc. Most people by-pass this anxiety during their weddings by arranging direct with Fred Buss himself to attend the wedding and help move furniture around and a hundred and one small things to help the wedding go smoothly. Is there a member of staff on the premises at all times?No. The whole point of the way we let you have the Fort is that you have it to yourselves, to do (within reason) what you want. The only time we specifically provide someone is during the wedding itself and the hour before, which we are obliged to do for the purposes of our wedding licence. We are also required to have some one at the Fort whilst there is any type of regulated entertainment taking place. eg. Live bands and discos. The benefits of this privacy far outweigh any perceived disadvantages, and if you need help and advice, Fred Buss (see section on Anyone To Help) is the man. |
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