Terms, conditions and handy tips
Covid
Courses have returned to normal with approximately 12 people per course. We are outside all of them time so there is plenty of fresh air but please bear in mind in the size of the group if you feel concerned about mixing with people. If you have booked a course and then either test positive or you start to show any of the Covid symptoms (cough, fever, loss of taste/smell) please contact Helen straight away. We’re sorry but you will have to postpone your foray until a future date when you are safe to attend.
Booking
If you would like to book a course then contact us using admin@wildseasonsforaging.co.uk. Payments can be made via bank transfer, and bookings are not confirmed until funds are received. Courses can get booked up very quickly so we recommend that you book and pay as soon as possible.
Cancellation
If you need to cancel your course then we can offer a full refund if you cancel four weeks or more before the course date. Any cancellations made between 2-4 weeks before the course will be given a 50% refund. Cancellations made after that time are non-refundable. We may offer a transfer to a future course date based on availability but that is at Helen’s discretion.
Accessibility
Please be aware that, unless otherwise mentioned in the individual course information, our forays are usually not suitable for people with restricted mobility or wheelchair users.
Accommodation and travel costs
Courses may be cancelled at short notice if weather conditions make it unsafe to go ahead. If you have paid for additional accommodation or transport to allow you attend the course, then it may be advisable for you to arrange travel insurance for your trip. We cannot be held responsible for any additional costs that are incurred when you book your course.
Allergies
If you have any dietary requirements please let us know in advance of the course – see ‘Foraged Foods’ and ‘Tasters and Nibbles’ sections regarding possible allergies and food ingredients. Information on any other allergies you may have would be useful, especially if we are likely to encounter your allergen whilst out on the course, eg. dogs, horses, bites and stings.
Children and babies
We love having children on our courses and children of school age are very welcome. Smaller children may find the courses aren’t quite as much fun as the adults do, so you may want to organise child care for the littlest ones. Babies in slings or baby carriers are welcome but there are unlikely to be any changing facilities apart from the forest floor. Prams and pushchairs are not advisable.
Clothing
Please come prepared with appropriate clothing for the forecasted weather conditions, bearing in mind that the weather can change during the day. Insect repellent is handy and it is also advisable that you bring a hat, sunscreen lotion and plenty of water if the weather is sunny. We recommend you wear walking boots, strong trainers or wellies for walking in the wild – definitely no sandals or flip flops. Yes, we have seen people try to forage in the pouring rain with flip flops on.
Dogs
We love dogs but not everyone does, for everyone’s comfort and enjoyment of our forays we ask that you don’t bring your furry family members with you on our courses. They don’t really like it anyway as it’s not a proper walk for a dog and they get very bored.
Foraged Foods……
Helen will be showing you a range of edible plants / fungi on your course. All plant and/or fungi must be checked by Helen prior to eating. Once checked and approved, no additional plants or fungi can be added to the edible collection. After you return home, please do not eat anything unless you are 100% sure you know what it is. It is possible that new foods may trigger an unexpected allergic reaction or an upset tummy. Always try a small amount of each foraged food when you try it for the first time to check to make sure you don’t have a reaction. Wild Seasons Foraging cannot know in advance of any potential individual reactions and cannot be held liable for any illness or losses due to a reaction.
…… And what we will find
We hope that there will be a large range of different edible foods to find on the day and Helen can usually find something to eat any day of the year, however, it is impossible to say exactly what we will find. That’s part of the fun!
Group Bookings
Helen can run bespoke or private bookings for groups by prior arrangement. Please contact her via admin@wildseasonsforaging.co.uk.
Fitness / Medical Conditions
Our forays are always slow paced so that we have time to find the edible goodies, so you don’t need to be super fit. Some of the plants / fungi we may find interact with existing medical conditions so please let Helen know in advance if you have any medical conditions. This can be done in advance and with absolute discretion.
Personal details and GDPR
Wild Seasons Foraging need to take those personal details that will allow us to make your booking, take payment and contact you regarding your booking. We keep those details safe and never pass those on to any third party. We may use your email address to inform you of upcoming courses but you can opt out of our mailing list at any time.
Pregnancy
There are a few wild foods that can affect pregnancy or those trying for a baby - please let us know on your booking form if you are pregnant or trying for a baby.
Tasters and nibbles
During the course Helen may offer small tasters of food made using wild ingredients. These have been prepared on a ‘homemade’ and ‘as is’ basis. These are intended to show how delicious various wild foods are and to inspire you to try making these foods at home. If you have any food allergies or medical conditions you must let Helen know in advance so that she can advise on the safety of eating these tasters or any of the edible plants / fungi that we nibble during the course. Helen usually prepares gluten free / dairy free foods but these are NOT prepared in a GF/DF environment so those with allergies would be advised to avoid these ‘homemade’ tasters.
We will be nibbling any wild food we find that can be eaten raw. Mushroom forays end with the preparation and cooking of the mushrooms we find – these are cooked in olive oil. See Foraged Foods above.
Toilets
Wherever possible we will attempt to run courses with public toilets nearby, however, this is not always possible so please be prepared.
Trips and falls
Our forays take place in natural locations where roots, branches and slippery mud can try to catch us out. Please by extra careful as you walk around – we cannot be held responsible for any injuries or losses as a result of trips or falls.
Weather
Forays will take place regardless of the weather unless we have had a forecast for extreme weather. In this situation, Helen will make a decision regarding the safety of holding the course and if, in the unlikely situation the course is cancelled, then either a full refund or a transfer to another date will be offered.
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers can be bought either for either our 2 hour or 4 hour courses. Each voucher is valid for 12 months so please make sure the recipient books their course - the expiry date is shown on the voucher. Sadly, we cannot exchange the voucher for cash. We can prebook a specific course date as a gift if that is something you would like, for a surprise birthday gift or hen party for example.
