Health and Safety Considerations

 

Educational Access under the

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

The Bridge Mill, Bridgerule


HEALTH AND SAFETY ASPECTS

Please note that a booking cannot be accepted unless the following information has been read. Teachers visiting for the first time will need to make a pre-visit to assess the health and safety implications.


There are specific safety hazards on the smallholding to which your attention is now drawn.  See also the Site Map for locations.


  1. a.Deep water occurs at a number of locations throughout the smallholding.  The river Tamar, the lake, the millpond and leat, the wheel pit and race, the silt trap, the pond-dipping area and some deep ditches all carry the risk of drowning.  It is therefore extremely important that children are kept under control and not allowed to run ahead of the group when walking round. Please see also, the important note about pond dipping at the end of this document.


  1. b.The banks of the river in some places have been washed away to create an overhang. Children working by the river, or walking beside it should be made aware of this and should always be supervised by an adult.


  1. c.Machinery is present in the form of farm implements stored in the rick-yard, and also as gearwheels, shafts, levers and chains at the Mill.  All these are potential hazards even when stationary.  Teachers/group leaders are asked to ensure that children keep clear of these hazards and do not interfere with any of the trapdoors, ropes, or levers etc. in the mill. Extra care must be taken whilst the mill machinery is working.


  1. d.Stairs are to be found inside the mill and the stable. Children should not access any stairs unless accompanied by an adult. 


  1. e.Barbed wire is used extensively as fencing material around field boundaries. It is not specifically labelled. Please remember that the Mill is a working smallholding, not a purpose built attraction.


  1. f.Electric fences are used to protect certain areas. These are marked by yellow warning signs at normal access points. Children should not be allowed to run ahead of the group when walking round.


  1. g.Livestock can be dangerous and although those kept here are normally tame they should not be approached or handled except under the advice and supervision of the owners. Children should be told not to make sudden noises that would frighten the animals.


  1. h.Commonly found poisonous plants may be growing wild on the smallholding, e.g. foxgloves and hemlock water dropwort. Many garden plants are also poisonous. For this reason, we ask that children do not access garden areas especially the herb garden unless supervised.  Children should be told not to put anything in their mouths during the visit.


  1. i.In the vegetable garden, the raised beds are edged with slates. These are potentially sharp so children should be told not to stand on them when in the garden.


  1. j.Some paths near the farmhouse and mill are of slate and may be slippery during wet weather. Some are also very uneven so please make sure that children walk, not run.


  1. k.Immediately behind the mill is a grassy garden area where there is a log circle around a fire–site. School groups are welcome to make use of this circle for picnics and plenary sessions though teachers should be aware that this is not a safe area to allow children to play in as:


    1. ·There is a sheer drop into the wheel pit on your left immediately through the gate by the mill. There is also another drop by the sluice and waterfall.

    2. ·The river runs along the bottom of the site.

  2. If you would like the children to run off some energy, we can always find an alternative play area.


  1. l.All animal medicines kept in a locked cupboard. No pesticides or similar chemicals are present on the farm.


  1. m.On farm personal hygiene requires careful attention.  Hand washing is mandatory after touching animals, before eating or after using the W.C.  A new washroom was built in 2009 with three toilet cubicles and three washbasins. Children should be supervised to ensure that effective hand washing takes place.


  1. n.Bio-security A trough and running water is available for the children to wash their dirty wellington boots before leaving the farm.


  1. o.Appropriate clothing and footwear varies with the time of year but will include the following considerations:

Footwear – Wellington boots are necessary for most fieldwork; trainers or similar are inadequate except during settled dry summer weather.

Coats must be waterproof (not just shower proof) if rain threatens; hats or hoods are essential on wet days.

Warm clothing – may be needed on cold days or to protect against wind chill.

Shorts – are not often appropriate for fieldwork and most children are more comfortable wearing trousers through the long grasses of wet meadows.


  1. p.Teachers are responsible for the children’s behaviour throughout the visit. Please ensure that they stay with the adult in their group and do not wander off.


  1. q.Farm buildings should not be entered, other than those available for the visit e.g. the stable for under cover seating and wet weather lunches.


  1. r.Children should only eat snacks or lunches under the supervision of the group leader and then only after effective hand washing.


  1. s.Advice to pregnant women is that close contact with sheep during the lambing period (in March) should be avoided, as there may be a risk of infection from the pregnant ewes. Although infections are uncommon, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks.



The ratio of adults to children in the group will of course vary according to the age of the children and what is being planned for the day. The following ratio is advised:


1:1 for children under 1 year old

1:2 for children between 1 and 2 years old

1:3 for children between 2 and 3 years old

1:4 for children between 3 and 5 years old

1:8 for children between 5 and 8 years old

1:10 for children over 8 years old


Pond dipping equipment

Nets and large tubs for observing the “catch” are supplied.  We ask that all the helpers be instructed beforehand to “dip” with one child only and sit the others in the group on the bank side with instructions not to move; these children can observe the catch and/or make observational drawings whilst waiting for their turn.


FIRST AID

A first aid kit is kept in the washroom above the hand-basins and is checked regularly.

However, schools should make their own arrangements for the visit with regard to first-aid kits and trained personnel.


Grid reference (for emergency vehicles) SS 276029




Directions to the Bridge Mill as follows:


From Holsworthy take the road to Bude (A 3072).  You will pass Rydon Park, then the Golf Club on the left. After the golf club there are a couple of bends in the road before you reach a left turn signed to Bridgerule. Turn left here and drive for three miles. As you enter the village of Bridgerule, you will pass the church on your right. Drive down the hill (take care as the road is very narrow). The mill is on the right at the bottom of the hill opposite “Short and Abbot” agricultural engineers.


Please note:

Mobile phone reception is rather unreliable in some areas of the smallholding.

Please do not hesitate to use our landline if the need should arise.


IMPORTANT

To ensure the safety of the children, it is important that all adults in the group are made aware of health and safety information in this document prior to the visit.


This information was updated in January 2025







Map showing Health and Safety Issues at The Bridge Mill

Updated 2025


Please note, the electric fence around the lake has been removed.




Booking Procedure.


  1. 1.Please telephone to discuss ideas for your visit and to agree a date.

  2. 2.If you have not visited before we advise that you make a site visit beforehand.

  3. 3.Please complete the booking form and send it to us as soon as possible.


Please note that no booking can be accepted without completion and return of this form.

Visits need to be for at least two hours and the group size six or more.


Name of school/group………………………..   Address………………………………..


School telephone…………………………..School email…………………………………


Teacher/ leader in charge of the group…………………….  

Emergency phone number please (in case of last minute hitches)


………………………………………..    Email………………………………………………..


Date of visit……………… start time………….finish time…………


Number of children ………     Number of adults………Age range of children………


Do any of the children have special needs? ……If yes, please provide any information that is relevant to the visit (access needs etc) ………………………..  


Please provide an approximate timetable for your visit, indicating what you intend to do during the day. This will help us to prepare for your visit. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to ring Katie on 01288 382803. The phone number for the Bridge Mill itself is 01288 381341.


…………………………………………………………………………………………


…………………………………………………………………………………………


I confirm that I have read the health and safety information and studied the map of potential hazards.


Signed (by the teacher responsible for the children)


…………………  Date………………………


Evaluation Form

It is a requirement under the Educational Access Scheme that you complete the evaluation form provided at some point during your visit. Thank you.