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Terms
The following comments and extracts of letters from
Shakespeare Classic line give an outline of the general terms and agreements,
they are not comprehensive and should be checked with the week owner or
Shakespeare Classic before making any commitment.
The boats
are managed by Classic Membership Services Ltd, who allow unused weeks to be
rented out to other parties.
On arrival at Barton Turns you will be asked for a £500 deposit (credit cards accepted) against damage to the boat and a £25 deposit to ensure the boat is returned reasonably clean, both these are returnable, though deductions will be made for broken glasses etc…
Further to this is a £115 charge for diesel, gas and car parking.
If you were to use all the fuel you would actually find this
charge very reasonable, but no returns are made for unused fuel.
An additional charge of £45 per head is made for dogs - limited to 2 max - Dogs are generally discouraged due to past problems, please discuss with Gemma at Shakespeare Classic before committing to a booking , if dogs are involved.
The arrangement for week rental is that the person renting the week is the “Guest” of the week owner.
However an agreement must be reached whereby the person
renting takes on the liabilities for the boat in their charge for the rental
period.
The situation as I understand it is that the boat will be comprehensively insured against damage of all sorts, however there is an excess of £500, which is covered by the deposit.
I also imagine that in cases of “Gross neglect” or
deliberate damage further claims could be made against the person responsible
for the boat.
In practice the normal bumps and scrapes, which even the most careful of boat handlers encounter from time to time are regarded as “fair wear and tear”.
Our family are not the most proficient of crews and most years hit at least one bridge, but have yet to loose anything from a deposit in this score, our deposit loses have so far been only for broken glasses and china,
Which I think is typical.
Having said this, wild parties or badly behaved pets could prove very expensive at the end of the week, so be warned.
Keep the parties in the pubs and exercise the pets on the towpath and you will be OK.
A minimum of 3 adults is required onboard. At least two
people must be 24+ years of age and one must be at least 16+ years of age for
safety in operating the boat and also for insurance purposes.
Please also refer to http://www.narrow-boats.uki.net/faqs.htm and the Shakespeare Classic website for more information
The following are extracts of standard letters sent out by the managing agent in the last six weeks or so prior to your holiday:
Thank you for
choosing Classic Narrowboats at Barton Turns Marina as your holiday
destination.
Our records show
that you are shortly due to arrive at Barton Turns Marina. In order to minimise any delay on arrival,
please would you take a few moments to
complete the enclosed pre-arrival form and return it to the address provided.
On arrival at the marina, please
check-in at Classic Narrowboats’ reception.
Your narrowboat will he ready
for you to occupy
from 3pm; guests will not be permitted to check-in any later than 5pm (the security gates are locked after
this time and access cannot be gained to the boats). Due to the important boat
handling tuition involved, guests MUST be fluently conversant in the English
language. Before taking to the waterways, please ensure that you are fitted
with buoyancy aids/life jackets; these are for your personal safety, please do
not leave the marina without them.
Please note: dogs are allowed
aboard the narrowboats, however a supplementary charge of £40 per dog is payable
prior to your arrival. Please forward payment to Shakespeare Classic Line Limited, together with your pre-arrival information.
We look forward
to welcoming you to Barton Turns Marina and your holiday experience on board a
Shakespeare Classic Line narrowboat.
Yours Sincerely
Gemma Harris
Administrative Assistant enc.
Welcome
to Classic Narrowboats at Barton Turns Marina!
We are looking forward to meeting
you and want your time with us to be thoroughly enjoyable. Classic Narrowboats
at Barton Turns Marina is ideally placed to offer idyllic vacations to our
guests. Situated in newly constructed and beautifully landscaped grounds, there
are many places of interest within the surrounding area including Lichfleld,
the birth place of Dr Samuel Johnson; the National Forest; Stoke-on-Trent,
where the famous manufacturers of finest china and porcelain Wedgwood, Aynseley
and Royal Doulton have visitors centres. Historic Stratford-Upon-Avon is a
short drive away.
You may well have been
narrowboating on rivers and canals before, however for first timers and those
unfamiliar with this stretch of the Trent and Mersey Canal we offer some
guidance to ensure your holiday is a complete success.
Our boats are designed for river
and canal systems, with ease of handling and maneuverability as high
priorities. Before you set-oft the marina staff will show you how everything
works, and takes you on the canal to practice steering and mooring. You will
soon feel at ease. A twenty-four hour help line is available and a ‘pay as you
go’ mobile telephone is placed on your boat for your convenience (cards may be
purchased locally). The telephone number for your mobile telephone is on the
back of the handset; please feels free to pass this to friends or relatives at
home, in case of an emergency.
The major attractions of a boating
holiday are freedom and experiencing the delights of canal and countryside at
first hand. As with other outdoor holidays, some home comforts are not
necessarily found afloat, so we offer some suggestions. It is worth planning
carefully as space on board is always at a premium.
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Checking-in
On arrival
at the marina, please check-in at the Classic Narrowboats reception. Your narrowboat
will be ready for you to occupy from 3pm; guests will not be permitted to
check-in any later than 5pm (the security gates are locked after this time and access cannot be gained to the boats). Due to the
important boat handling tuition involved, guests MUST be fluently conversant in
the English language. Before taking to the waterways, please ensure that you
are fitted with buoyancy aids/life jackets; these are for your personal safety,
please do not leave the marina without them.
Buoyancy Aids
Buoyancy Aids are provided for all
occupants (above three years of age) and we strongly recommend children and
non-swimmers wear them. Bouyancy aids for children should be specially fitted
by the marina staff to ensure a correct fit. With your safety in mind, please
DO NOT leave the marina without them. The water level is generally above three
feet deep in the canals, rivers and locks.
Clothing
Comfort and ease of movement are
essential. Casual sports/leisurewear is ideal; a warm jumper, jogging trousers and
shorts are all good basics. We hope you have glorious weather, however as it
can be unpredictable, please pack accordingly.
For those sunny days, hats,
sunscreen and sunglasses are essential. Lightweight clothes are the order of
the day.
In Spring and
Autumn, the evening and early morning temperatures can be particularly chilly.
The boats are centrally heated but you will still need warm nightwear and day
clothes.
On occasions it can
be wet, so don’t forget your waterproofs— short jackets and trousers are ideal
as they keep you dry while allowing for mobility.
Shoes
Non-slip shoes are very important
(‘deckies’ or cheap yachting shoes with purpose made soles are great). Trainers
can be used but take care as some soles become slippery when wet. Most decks
are non-slip, however you may need to stand on the cabin roof or climb across
another boat. Please do not wear leather-soled shoes or high heels; flip-flops
and sandals are also not advisable.
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Dogs
Dogs
are allowed aboard the narrowboats, however a supplementary charge of £40 per
dog is payable prior to arrival. Please complete and return the enclosed
payment form.
Epuipment on board
The galley
(kitchen) is fully equipped with all basic cooking and eating utensils and a
small fridge. Cooking is by gas.
Each boat is
furnished to an excellent standard and includes a television, video and small
stereo. Pillows, pillowcases, sheets, duvets, towels and tea towels are
provided
Cleaning Products
Please DO NOT
use any bleaching products or standard household toilet cleaners on the toilet.
The on-board tanks are pre-treated with an industrial cleaning product; addition
of another product will render this ineffective.
Food
There are an abundance of
waterside pubs along the route, providing good food at reasonable prices.
For your
convenience, a grocery pack may be ordered in advance and placed on your boat.
Should you wish to take advantage of this arrangement, please complete the
enclosed order form and return it to the address provided. The cost of the pack
will be charged on arrival at Barton Turns Marina.
Water levels
Although
generally of little concern, in exceptionally dry conditions progress through
the canals can be slow due to lack of water to fill the locks. Conversely,
continued heavy rain can cause a temporary river closure as raised water levels
prevent passage of boats under some bridges, or the current may be too strong.
Closure of the river is then an essential precautionary measure. It is not
possible to predict when such a situation might occur.
Returning your boat
To enable us to service the boat
for the next guests, your boat must be back at the marina by 9.3Oam and vacated
by lOam on the final day of your holiday. Your assistance is greatly
appreciated.