1. THE CLUB’S ETHOS

1.1 Fritton Lake Members Club (the “Club”) is intended to be informal and fun, with food and hospitality, sport and recreation and nature conservation at its heart. We hope to attract like-minded members with shared values who will grow with the Club and influence its direction along the way.

1.2  The Club and all its members and guests are bound by these Club Rules (the “Club Rules”). These Club Rules are intended to keep everyone safe, happy and respectful of other members and the natural world around us.

1.3 These Club Rules apply to the entirety of the Club premises and operate alongside the
Membership Terms and Conditions. You must abide by them at all times whilst using the Club. Please ask a member of staff if you would like any of these rules to be clarified.

1.4 By agreeing to the Membership Terms and Conditions and these Club Rules you acknowledge that the Club, provided it has not been negligent and to the extent that it is lawful to do so, accepts no r sponsibility for loss or damage to property nor for death or personal injury suffered by members or their guests on the Club’s premises. Members and their guests attend the Club’s premises and participate in activities at the Club’s premises at their own risk.

1.5 Failure to adhere to these Club Rules or the Membership Terms and Conditions may result in your membership being suspended or terminated with immediate effect, or guests being asked to leave the Club.

1.6 Only members and their guests are admitted to the Club premises. The Club reserves the right to refuse entry or ask to leave any member or guest who fails to comply with these Club Rules or the Membership Terms and Conditions, or who fails to follow the spirit of the Club’s ethos.

1.7 For the opening times of the Club, please see our website. Please note that these opening times may vary during the year due to seasonal constraints and weather conditions.

2. THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE CLUB

2.1 The Club is set within the Somerleyton Estate’s 1,000-acre nature reserve. We ask that you, like us, respect the environment at all times especially along the buffer zone along lake edge reed beds.

2.2 Please be aware that the Club is a natural environment and may contain hazards such as, but not limited to, uneven ground, tree roots, and deep water. Please be careful at all times when you are on the Club premises.

2.3 You must take reasonable precautions when traveling around the Club or using the facilities.

2.4 We are working hard to remove single-use plastics from the Club, and we would appreciate your help in reusing or recycling as much of your waste as possible. With that in mind, please limit bringing single-use plastics to the Club.

3. RESPECT FOR OTHERS

3.1 We want the Club to be fun but please respect other members’ and their guests’ right to enjoy the Club free from excessive noise or rowdiness.

3.2 You must refrain from any verbal or physical abuse. Any foul or abusive language or anti-social or threating behaviour is not accepted and will result in removal from the Club.

3.3 You must be considerate of others when using phones or audible media and use headphones where appropriate.

3.4 You must not take photographs of other members in any part of the Club without their express consent.

3.5 Nudity is not accepted in any public space within the Club premises. Please see the Club Membership Terms and Conditions for area specific dress policies.

4. HEALTH AND SAFETY

4.1 Please make us aware immediately if any accident or injury occurs.

4.2 If you become unwell, please cease activity immediately and report it to a member of staff immediately.

4.3 If at any time during your membership your medical condition changes, you must report it to us immediately in writing.

4.4 Please report any health and safety risks (including any hazards at the Club) you become aware of to a member of staff.

4.5 In addition to these Club Rules, members and their guests must observe any additional rules and adhere to any signage displayed around the Club premises. These are for your own safety.

4.6 In the event of an emergency, please do the following immediately:

4.6.1 Sound the alarm;

4.6.2 Summon help; and

4.6.3 Act quickly.

4.7 Safety equipment is placed around the Club and should be used without delay. Fixed alarms are situated at the Swimming Pool and the Boat Dock.

4.8 SWIMMING

4.8.1 The Club does not have a lifeguard. For your safety, we recommend that you do not swim alone.

4.8.2 Please do not use the swimming pool or other swimming areas after consuming alcohol, medications that may make you drowsy or effect coordination or a large meal.

4.8.3 No diving, bombing or other non-swimming activities are permitted.

4.8.4 At busy times, we may restrict the number of people in the swimming pool or other swimming areas.

4.8.5 You must always wear appropriate swimwear when swimming in the swimming pool or other swimming areas. Please only wear shoes with non-marking soles around the pool area.

4.8.6 Please ensure to shower before entering the swimming pool on all occasions.

4.8.7 Please observe and read all poolside notices before using the swimming pool.

4.8.8 Use of the swimming pool or other swimming areas is at your own risk.

4.9 EQUIPMENT

4.9.1 Use of our equipment is at the risk of members and their guests.

4.9.2 We are entitled to charge you for the full replacement value of any Club equipment or item that is lost, damaged or destroyed by you (for whatever reason).

4.9.3 Please do not move equipment from one part of the Club to another, unless with our express permission.

4.9.4 Instructions for use of equipment is available for many activities and we recommend that you do not use any equipment or undertake any activity independently unless you feel that you are competent and it is safe to do so.

4.9.5 You remain responsible for any loss or injury caused to yourself or another person caused by your improper use of equipment (including use whilst under the influence of alcohol or medication), or by your failure to inform us of a relevant medical condition.

4.9.6 Please take good care of any of our equipment provided, including cleaning or wiping down after use, where appropriate.

5. CHILDREN

5.1 Children aged 17 and under are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult and will remain the responsibility of that adult whilst at the Club.

5.2 Please be considerate of other members and their guests when visiting with children.

5.3 Please see Membership Terms and Conditions for further information about bringing children to the Club.

6. ANIMALS

Other than assistance animals, please do not bring any animals into the Club premises (please see map if not sure).

7. PERSONAL PROPERTY

7.1 Any items that are brought to or left at the Club are entirely the responsibility and at the risk of the member and/or their guests.

7.2 We hold no responsibility for the loss or damage to personal property.

7.3 Please do not bring valuable jewellery with you to the Club.

7.4 Weapons or dangerous or hazard items of any sort are not allowed on the Club’s premises at any time.

8. SMOKING

You must not smoke in or about the Club’s premises (including e-cigarettes) other than the designated smoking areas of the Club’s premises.

9. FOOD AND DRINK

9.1 Only food and drink offered by the Club may be consumed on the premises.

9.2 You must not bring or use glassware or crockery in the swimming pool area.

9.3 You must not drink alcohol in areas other than designated drinking areas of the Club’s premises.

10. PROHIBITED ACTIVITY

10.1 You must not carry out any business activities on the Club premises without express written permission.

10.2 You must not vandalise or deface signage or equipment.

11. SWIMMING POOL

11.1 Only Club towels may be used within the Club premises.

11.2 Please return used towels in the towel bins provided.

11.3 Please do not bring inflatables or floats into the swimming pool other than buoyancy aids.

12. OPEN WATER BATHING

12.1 Fritton Lake is a privately owned nature reserve and a drinking water reservoir. Please take care not to pollute it in anyway.

12.2 Please do not enter or exit the water anywhere except the designated entry points. We sensitive nesting areas for wildfowl and water edge birds.

12.3 Please do not cause a nuisance to other swimmers or those by the side of the lake, such as by playing ball games, using inflatables or playing music or the radio.

12.4 We may ask you to undertake a swimming test supervised by a swimming instructor, to ensure that your swimming ability is suitable for open water swimming at the Club (although, please note that by passing the swimming test, we are not guaranteeing your safety when swimming in open water at the Club as there are inherent risks to open water swimming).

12.5 Swimming in open water carries additional risks to swimming in a pool. We recommend that those wishing to swim in our lake conduct their own research into “open water swimming”. Please do not swim in the lake unless you are comfortable with your swimming ability and feel it is safe to do so. If you have any doubts about swimming in the lake, please refrain from doing so. Swimming in the lake is entirely at your own risk.

12.6 Guided “open water swimming” sessions are available from the Club. We recommend that swimmers access the lake as part of a guided session for their own safety.

12.7 Do not swim outside of the published open water swimming hours. These will be published daily by the lake entry points and will be subject to change dependent on season and weather conditions.

12.8 If you are open water swimming, please wear a bright swim cap for your own safety.

12.9 Please stick to the “swim zone” as marked on the map and with buoys unless you have express permission from Club management or are on a led activity.

12.10 For safety reasons only our own equipment may be used on the lake.

12.11 We recommend that SUP boarders and boat users always wear buoyancy aids.

12.12 Please do not swim if you have an open wound or broken skin. This is to reduce to a minimum the chance of anyone contracting Weils disease, an infection of the blood which can be contracted from swimming in water contaminated through rats’ urine.

12.13 If you sustain a wound or graze whilst swimming in the lake, we advise you contact your doctor’s surgery to obtain the appropriate antibiotic.

12.14 If you develop any illness within a few days of swimming in the lake, we advise you seek medical advice.

12.15 The lake temperature can vary significantly throughout the year. If the lake temperature is below 16⁰C, we would recommend use of a wet suit and neoprene gloves and socks. Cold water swimming at such a temperature instantly and significantly increases blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart failure or stroke. If you are aware of any coronary heart disease or have other health concerns, please refrain from swimming in the lake.

12.16 We strongly advise against swimming at water temperatures under 11⁰C. The daily temperature of the lake will be taken by Club staff and posted at the designated lake entry points. In any event the Club reserves the right to close the lake to swimming for any reason, including if the Club considers that low temperatures are forecast.

12.17 If you, or any other swimmers begin to shiver, slow down, or show signs of confusion, slurred speech or poor coordination, please exit the water immediately and inform a member of staff at the Club.

13. TENNIS

13.1 To ensure the smooth running of the Club, it is Club policy that all tennis courts are pre-booked. Please speak to a member of the Club staff to book a court.

13.2 Please return the court to the manner you found it when you have finished playing and take all rubbish with you.

13.3 Please always sweep the clay courts with the mats provided. Please ask for a demonstration if you are unsure how to do this.

13.4 If you borrow Club equipment please return it and report any loss or damage. We reserve the right to charge you for the full replacement value for any equipment that is lost, damaged or destroyed.

13.5 Please refrain from playing anything other than tennis on the courts (including any other ball sport) and report any damage to the surface of the court to a member of Club staff immediately.

13.6 Only wear clean and non-marking ‘All Court Tennis Shoes’ on court. Spikes, running shoes or studs are not permitted.

14. ADVENTURE PLAY

14.1 Our adventure play areas have been designed with your children’s fun and safety in mind, however children remain their parents’ responsibility at all times.

14.2 Children swimming in the junior children’s pool must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

15. BEACH CLUB

15.1 The beach club area is for relaxing away from the hub, please respect this area’s more laid-back atmosphere.

15.2 You must not swim from the beach unless this is part of an organised Club activity.

16. THESE CLUB RULES

We may amend these Club Rules at any time without notice to you. Please visit the Club website or speak to a Club staff member to obtain the latest Club Rules.

SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

Fritton Lake is trying hard to become the first WildEast (www.wildeast.co.uk) accredited tourism business and as such is overhauling its sustainability policy.

We are committed to eliminating one-use plastics by January 2021 as well as working with owners, members and staff to reduce packaging and waste at all stages of the cycle. We are also working with our kitchens and maintenance teams to reduce power use and convert to green energy supplies.

We are proud of the work we do with Essex and Suffolk Water to improve the quality of lake water by encouraging reed bed regeneration and our work with Natural England and other conservation partners rewilding and creating the 1,000 acre nature recovery reserve around Fritton Lake. This process involves removing about 500 acres from commercial agriculture and returning it to its natural state and reducing the forest canopy to allow more light and a greater mosaic of both flora and fauna.

We hope to re-introduce key species over the next few years and hope our owners and members enjoy living with and closer to the natural world. Currently we have Otters, Kingfisher, Water Rail, Grebes, Swans, Geese, wild pigs, Red & Fallow deer, wild ponies, cattle and sheep.