MEMORANDUM OF CATMHS POLICIES ANNEXED TO THE CONSTITUTION

1) CATMHS POLICY RELATING TO ARTEFACTS AND PHYSICAL FEATURES

The policy of the Society is that any artefacts or mineralogical/geological features found on CATMHS meets should be left undisturbed. A photographic record should be made and details of the find given to the meet leader, who (depending on the importance of the find) should in turn advise the Committee.
Objects should only be removed if they are under threat, they then become the responsibility of the Society, but after being recorded, they can be held in the possession of the discoverer, whilst they remain a CATMHS member and have suitable storage facilities.
The arrangement is subject to the condition that such objects may be recalled for display at some future date.

2) CATMHS FIELD RESEARCH POLICY

Research activities which involve no physical alterations to the site i.e. surveying, photographing or otherwise recording details of the site may be carried out without restriction.

Any works involving physical alteration to the site will only be carried out after obtaining permission from the land owner and all the relevant authorities and submitting a full schedule of proposed works along with a method statement and risk assessment. In the event that this is not required by the land owner or other authorities this information must still be provided to the Committee.

Exceptionally where the committee believe that unless work is carried out immediately valuable artefacts, structures or access will be lost then such work as is necessary to stabilise the situation may be authorised before the appropriate permissions and agreements are in place.

3) CATMHS POLICY ON VISITING SITES

Visits and Exploration Meets

It is not normally CATMHS policy to seek permission to visit or explore sites from landowners or holders of mineral rights for the following reasons

1) Visits and exploration meets are intended to be exactly that; no alteration to or work on the site is to be carried out and no damage caused.
2) Should any damage or other disturbance be caused the landowner/ holder of mineral rights interest is protected by Public Liability insurance.
3) In many cases it is impossible to determine land or mineral rights ownership.
4) If asked for permission to visit /explore either formally or informally most individuals and virtually all corporate owners will refuse permission for fear of incurring liability for any subsequent incident.
5) Trespass is not a criminal offence except in certain closely defined areas (see below) and successful civil actions for trespass require the landowner to demonstrate loss or damage against which Public Liability Insurance provides protection.

In the event that CATMHS is specifically advised by a land/mineral rights owner that they may not visit a site then the Committee will endeavour to negotiate an access arrangement that will suit both parties. Individual members, who are still covered by Public Liability Insurance as individuals, and wish to visit such a site, are asked to carefully consider the effect of their actions beforehand and behave accordingly.

Work Meets

See above “CATMHS FIELD RESEARCH POLICY”

Criminal Trespass

There are certain areas where trespass is a criminal offence e.g. working mines, some MOD areas, many nuclear facilities and the area around explosives magazines. CATMHS policy is not to enter any such area without prior permission.

Individual members are reminded that entry into such areas involves the risk of prosecution with attendant severe penalties. In addition, it is possible that the insurer may decline to meet any claim under a Public Liability Insurance policy where a criminal offence has been committed.

4) Attendance of Non-Members at CATMHS Meets.

The Constitution permits the attendance of Non-Members at Meets under a series of defined conditions. Should this be the case then the Meet Leader should ensure that each of these persons signs and dates the “Release of Claims” form shown below.

CUMBRIA AMENITY TRUST MINING HISTORY SOCIETY
RELEASE OF CLAIMS
I agree and acknowledge that I am participating in the CATMHS meet at
______________ on
_ of __________ 20 ____ of my own accord. I give this acknowledgement freely and knowingly and I represent and warrant to you that I am physically and mentally fit and that as a result, able to participate, and I do hereby assume responsibility for my own well-being.

I am fully aware that possible physical injury might occur to me as a result of my participation, and I agree to assume the full risk, including risk which is not specifically foreseeable, of any injuries, including death, damages or loss regardless of severity, which I may sustain as a result of participating in any and all activities connected with this meet.

In consideration of the right to participate in the meet, I hereby waive any and all rights or claims I may have as a result of participation in the meet against CATMHS and the Society’s meet leader, officers and members and all individuals assisting in conducting these activities, and I hereby fully release and discharge them from any and all claims resulting from injuries, including death, damages or loss, which may accrue to me or my heirs arising out of or in any way connected with my participation in the meet.

I further agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CATMHS and the Society’s meet leader, officers and members and all individuals conducting these activities, from any and all claims resulting from injuries, including death, damages, or loss, which may accrue to me or my heirs arising out of or in any way connected with my participation in the meet.