Lokkelebery Vineyard Volunteer Morning (half day)

This year we are expecting our first harvest. In order to expose the fruit to the suns rays and reduce disease risk, we need to strip the leaves away from the fruiting zone.

What to expect on the day

Firstly, it is important to note that this is not an open day, it is very much a working day. We have plenty of vines to work through and are keen to get cracking! To learn about the vineyard, have a guided tour/walk and Q&A, please consider attending one of our events.

Order of the day

8.45am Arrive at the vineyard for signing in and to sign health and safety document.

9.00am Welcome, compulsory training and Health & Safety briefing (prompt start at 9.00am, volunteers who arrive after 9.00am will not be able to volunteer that day)

9.15am Get started in the vineyard!

10.30am Cake break

Midday Work finish, sign out; vineyard closes and time for some well earned rest!

Please stay only as long as you would like, volunteers do not need to stay all morning, only as long as they are able/wish to. Please sign out when you leave

Nature of the Work

The work will involve standing upright and pulling leaves off the vines. It will not involve bending down for most individuals, perhaps only for very tall individuals. Some may experience discomfort it their hands due to the nature of pulling off the leaves. Most of the work is at a comfortable height. Please consider your own comfort before volunteering.

What to bring

• Eventbrite Ticket (digital is suitable)
• Water
• sturdy, comfortable shoes
• thin gardening gloves
• comfortable clothes e.g. sports wear/outdoor wear
• Snacks/drinks
• Sun cream/hat/rain mac (weather depending!)
• enthusiasm!

Essentials before you volunteer

• Attendance ticket via Eventbrite: if you wish to volunteer, please sign up with an official Eventbrite ticket. You will be required to show your ticket & give your name upon arrival and will not be able to volunteer without it. If you are unable to arrange a ticket, please contact hello@lokkelebery.co.uk

• Training: it is essential to attend the training session at 9.00am in order to undertake any volunteering in the vineyard. Should you wish to return on another day of the same task, you do not need to re-take this training, only on your first visit. However, you will need to sign up for another official Eventbrite ticket to attend any further volunteer days, so that we have a record of attendance.

• T&Cs and Risk Assessment: at 9.00am we will have a training and Health and Safety talk, after which volunteers will be asked to sign a waiver and confirmation of health and safety briefing. The signing of this is essential before volunteering; without this, volunteers will be unable to take part. At each volunteering opportunity, volunteers will be required to follow this protocol (e.g. if a volunteer returns for another day)

• Health and work: the nature of this work may become strenuous for those not used to manual labour/walking/standing for periods of time/with back injuries/with hand or wrist injuries. There will also be walking between the vines and across uneven terrain. We may work with sharp secateurs which can cause injury. Please consider your own comfort and health needs when signing up. Volunteers may rest/finish at any time.

• Dietaries/allergies: if you have any dietary requirements (for the cakes) or allergies, please indicate this on the Eventbrite sign up

• Smoking: there is a designated smoking area at the vineyard site. Please do not smoke anywhere else on site as this could cause a serious fire risk.

• Age restrictions: for health and safety reasons, over 18s only

• Leaving the Vineyard: when leaving the vineyard site, please ensure you sign out (and sign back in on the way back), closing gates behind you

• Dogs and pets: while we love furry friends, please do not bring dogs (or other pets!) on site

• Weather conditions/unforeseen circumstances: In the event of wet weather/unforeseen circumstances, we will inform all volunteers no later than 1 day prior if we have to cancel the volunteering session- Lokkelebery Vineyard reserves the right to cancel or change the date of the volunteering event in the event of changes in unforeseen circumstances e.g. wet weather, viticultural needs

• Cancellation: Volunteers may cancel their place at any time but please inform us if you are unable to come on the day itself so we know not to expect you: hello@lokkelebery.co.uk

• Final sign ups: sign up for volunteering will close at 18.00GMT the day before the event

How to find us

Car/Bike

• Enter from the Great North Road here (Lockley Farm driveway after the A1M motorway bridge): https://w3w.co/lied.bottom.wasp
• Follow the signs up the drive (look for the boat logo). Halfway up the drive at the crossroads turn right and follow the right fork into the vineyard parking area. A member of the team will meet you there and guide you to the vineyard ready for training.
• Please do not enter by bike on a public footpath

On Foot

• Walk along the designated public footpaths, then follow the the track to site: https://w3w.co/newest.reap.cycles

Train

• Welwyn North Station, then by foot (c.25 minute walk) or taxi to the farm