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The Social Group Terms & Conditions
All participants in Social Group events, activities, and holidays agree to abide by The Social Group Terms & Conditions.
PRIOR TO JOINING
The Social Group is a provider of leisure services, comprising social events, social activities, and social holidays. The Social Group is an independent social enterprise. The Social Group is a trading name of SGE Ltd. Directors Andrew B. Haglington B.A. and Cathy J. Haglington. The Social Group includes local area branches, such as Cornwall Social Group, Devon Social Group, Somerset Social Group, Bristol Social Group, and so on, plus Social Group Holidays, all of which are trading names of SGE Ltd (Social Group Enterprises Limited).
People are expected to have understood what we do and what we are before becoming Members of The Social Group. There is an abundance of information available prior to joining. Our online content contains is accompanied by numerous photographs to enable people to make an informed choice prior to joining.
The Social Group Terms & Conditions are displayed online at www.thesocialgroup.uk.com and can be viewed prior to becoming a Member. Enquiries are welcome by email office@sge.eclipse.co.uk or by telephone 08456 121770 (12noon - 7pm, open most days)
The Social Group can be followed via social media on our main Twitter page @SocialGroupUK
Social Group Organisers Andrew Haglington and Cathy Haglington can be followed on Twitter @AHaglington and @CathyHaglington
For all areas, we use one central postal address for admin: Social Group Office, “Revelstone”, Mary Tavy, Dartmoor, Devon PL19 9PF.
Unless otherwise stated or attending as a guest, people are asked to join as a Social Group Member before taking part in any events.
SOCIAL GROUP MEMBERSHIP
Membership of The Social Group entitles people to:
1. Become a Social Group Member, with an official photo-personalised Member ID Card (subject to approval from the organisers)
2. Be able to attend events offered in the current issue of Social Group Magazine at Member prices (subject to availability)
TYPES OF SOCIAL GROUP MEMBERSHIP
Different types of Membership are available, at different prices, with each including a different package of items and services, as advertised.
VIP MEMBERSHIP and BUDGET MEMBERSHIP are only available where we have local hosts organising a varied selection of local events for each region, with this currently being Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Bristol only. VIP Members pay more to start with, but most events are free to attend and there is a discount on larger events. Budget Members pay less to start with, but have to pay more per event.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP is only available where VIP MEMBERSHIP and BUDGET MEMBERSHIP are not available - ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP is currently available in all areas of the UK except Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Bristol.
VIP MEMBERSHIP
(South West England 'Inclusive' Membership)
VIP Membership includes more than Budget Membership and is designed to save money for those who take part in more.
Subject to availability, VIP Members have the opportunity to book for a range of social events, dining out, parties, balls, indoor activities, outdoor activities, adventure sports, walks, days out, weekends, and short breaks around the UK, plus international holidays, all at VIP Member prices.
WHAT VIP MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:
· Upon first joining, new Budget Members receive a New Member Welcome Pack including one copy of Social Group Magazine (both "SOCIAL" and "EVENTS" together) including our local area Events Programme posted to you FREE
· VIP Members receive one copy of Social Group Magazine (both "SOCIAL" and "EVENTS" together) posted out to you for FREE at the start of each new events programme during the period of Membership, as soon as this is published and available, as far as is possible.
· VIP Members can book for all standard events for FREE!
· VIP Members can book for all larger events, activities, and parties at a discounted VIP Member rate, as stated
· Discount on Social Group Holidays of 4 or less nights (off public prices), currently £15 Off
· Discount on Social Group Holidays of 5 or more nights (off public prices), currently £20 Off
· Discount on Contacts (names and phone numbers of 10 other Social Group Members), currently available for just £10
· Discount on advertising online or in Social Group Magazine - see web site for current prices
· Discount on bespoke Party / Event / Wedding Planning Services - please enquire
· Discount on Moor Business Social Media and Business Services - please enquire
WHAT VIP MEMBERSHIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
· The provision of any food and drink, entertainment, admissions, venue hire, transport, or accommodation.
BUDGET MEMBERSHIP
(South West England 'Pay As You Go' Membership)
Budget Membership includes less than VIP Membership. Budget Membership is designed to work in a similar way to a Budget Airline that people may be familiar with, with less to pay to start with for those on a budget, and then, each subsequent service charged accordingly as is required.
Subject to availability, Budget Members have the opportunity to book for a range of social events, dining out, parties, balls, indoor activities, outdoor activities, adventure sports, walks, days out, weekends, and short breaks around the UK, plus international holidays, all at Budget Member prices.
WHAT BUDGET MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:
· Upon first joining, new Budget Members receive a New Member Welcome Pack including one copy of Social Group Magazine (both "SOCIAL" and "EVENTS" together) including our local area Events Programme posted to you FREE
· Budget Members can book for all events. activities, and holidays at Budget Member rates, as stated. (On Budget Membership a small Booking Fee is made for each event - event prices start from as little as just £2.50pp per event.)
· Discount on Social Group Holidays of 4 or less nights (off public prices), currently £10 Off
· Discount on Social Group Holidays of 5 or more nights (off public prices), currently £15 Off
· Optional Contacts (names and phone numbers of 10 other Social Group Members), currently available for just £20
· Discount on advertising online or in Social Group Magazine - see web site for current prices
· Discount on bespoke Party / Event / Wedding Planning Services - please enquire
· Discount on Moor Business Social Media and Business Services - please enquire
WHAT BUDGET MEMBERSHIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
· The provision of any food and drink, entertainment, admissions, venue hire, transport, or accommodation.
· On Budget Membership subsequent copies of Social Group Magazine (both "SOCIAL" and "EVENTS" together) are not posted to you FREE and must be ordered by Members for a small charge, currently £7, with free p&p. It is strongly recommended that all Budget Members make sure they order the current issue of Social Group Magazine (both "SOCIAL" and "EVENTS") as soon as this is published and available, at the start of each new events programme.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
(UK National Membership)
Associate Membership is designed for those living outside South West England who still wish to be part of The Social Group.
Subject to availability, Associate Members have the opportunity to book for a selected choice of social events, parties, balls, adventure sports, days out, weekends, and short breaks around the UK, plus international holidays, all at Associate Member prices. This is a more limited range than available to VIP Members and Budget Members in South West England, but should still provide plenty of interest in which to take part.
WHAT ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:
· Upon first joining, new Associate Members receive a New Member Welcome Pack including one copy of Social Group Magazine (both "SOCIAL" and "EVENTS" together) including our local area Events Programme posted to you FREE
· Associate Members receive one copy of Social Group Magazine (both "SOCIAL" and "EVENTS" together) posted out to you for FREE at the start of each new events programme during the period of Membership, as soon as this is published and available, as far as is possible.
· Associate Members can book for a selected number of events (where stated) at Associate Member prices, across the UK and internationally
· Discount on Social Group Holidays of 4 or less nights (off public prices), currently £5 Off
· Discount on Social Group Holidays of 5 or more nights (off public prices), currently £10 Off
· Discount on advertising online or in Social Group Magazine - see web site for current prices
· Discount on bespoke Party / Event / Wedding Planning Services - please enquire
· Discount on Moor Business Social Media and Business Services - please enquire
WHAT ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
· The provision of any food and drink, entertainment, admissions, venue hire, transport, or accommodation.
· On Associate Membership subsequent copies of "SOCIAL" Social Group Magazine and "EVENTS" the local area Events Programme are not posted to you FREE and must be ordered by Members for a small charge, currently £7 for both "SOCIAL" and "EVENTS" together, with free p&p
· It is strongly recommended that all Budget Members make sure they order the current issue of Social Group Magazine (both "SOCIAL" and "EVENTS") as soon as this is published and available, at the start of each new events programme.
· On Budget Membership a small Booking Fee is made for each event. Budget Members can book for all standard events at Budget Member prices - event prices start from as little as just £2.50pp per event.
· Budget Members can book for all larger events, activities, and parties at Budget Member prices
APPLYING TO JOIN AS A MEMBER
Applicants pay the Membership Join Fee for the organisers to do the work to join them as a Member of The Social Group.
All applicants must complete, sign, and submit a Join Form to join as a Member of The Social Group. The Join Form is a legally binding contract between the applicant and SGE Ltd. in which applicants agree to abide by the Terms & Conditions. All applicants confirm that the details they give are true and correct.
All new applicants must supply 2 recent passport size photographs - one is kept on file, the other is used to make a Member ID Card. Photographs must be an accurate and recent likeness, passport style and size.
Organisers reserve the right of admission to The Social Group, and may turn down any application for Membership from any individual.
WELCOME PACKS
All new Members receive a Welcome Pack which includes one copy of Social Group Magazine for the area they live in, as appropriate for the type of Membership, which contains details of how everything works, details of the planned programme of events, and the full Terms & Conditions, plus a photo-personalised Member ID Card with an individual Member ID Number on it.
It is possible for Membership to begin straight away.
Applicants should normally hear back from us within 5-10 days, except at busy times, or if the office is closed for holidays.
If applicants don’t provide everything required, payment, signed and completed join form, and required photos, this may cause delays.
If applicants have provided everything, and do not hear from us within 30 days of payment being received, applicants will be entitled to a full refund, unless already having booked for our events, taken part in our events, or used our services in any way, in which case Membership is deemed to have already commenced and all rights to a refund just because someone has changed their mind are nullified.
People who are re-joining or renewing at the Budget Membership rate do not get a copy of Social Group Magazine included in the Join Fee price, as they may already have a magazine.
An extra copy of Social Group Magazine or another issue for another area costs £7 for Members and £10 for non-Members. (Including free p&p in the UK).
SOCIAL GROUP MAGAZINE
The two publications "SOCIAL" and "EVENTS" together comprise Social Group Magazine. In "SOCIAL" there are magazine-style features, news and photographs from events, and details of Social Group Holidays. In "EVENTS" there is a listing of local area social events.
ADVERTISED EVENTS PROGRAMME
SGE Ltd. reserve the right to change, adapt, postpone, or cancel events as necessary. Details and prices of events are as accurate as possible at the time of going to print. Events which have been planned out and published in Social Group Magazine are offered subject to availability. There is no guarantee that there will be events every month. There is no guarantee that events will run. There is no guarantee that a certain percentage of events will run. It is made clear that unpopular events may not be able to go ahead. All Members accept that they are not entitled to a refund of Membership Join Fees if for any reason events are not able to go ahead.
MEMBERSHIP JOIN FEES
- REFUNDS POLICY
The term of Membership starts from the month people join. This is normally 12 months, unless otherwise agreed. As soon as people have paid for their Membership and have submitted the Membership Join Form and required photographs, Membership is deemed to have commenced.
Upon receipt of the initial Welcome Pack new Members are given a no obligation 7 day cooling off period in which they can check everything over and decide if they wish to go ahead with Social Group Membership or not. Upon receipt of the Welcome Pack, if applicants do not wish to proceed, they should return the Welcome Pack to us in the same condition which we sent it out, and request a refund within 7 days of receipt of the Welcome Pack. After the 7 day cooling off period, each person who has not cancelled and who has decided to go ahead and become a Social Group Member, is confirming they accept the Terms & Conditions of Membership and are agreeing to abide by all of this.
After this 7 day cooling off period, refunds cannot be paid on Membership Join Fees. Any refund requested within the 7 day cooling off period on Membership Join Fees will be paid within 30 days. Applicants will not be entitled to any refund if they have used, accepted or benefited from the Magazine in any way, if they have used or copied any of the information in the Magazine in any way, if they have booked for or attended an event, or if they have accepted or used our services in any way. If the ID Card is not returned, we will charge £10 for this. If the Magazine is not returned, we will charge £10 for this. If the Magazine is returned damaged, torn, or marked - or looks read, thumbed or creased - we will make a charge of £10 for this. If applicants purchase a list of contacts at Member rates, they are deemed to have used our services and are not entitled to any refund of this fee or of any Join Fees. No refunds can be given for payments for a list of contacts purchased from us. Photographs submitted cannot be returned. Payments for magazines and other publications are non-refundable.
Occasionally, from time to time, as a courtesy, applicants who have paid to join but who have not yet had time to submit a Join Form and photographs, may book for an event or make use of our services. Anyone booking for an event at Member rates, or making any use of our services, agrees Membership has commenced. Anyone booking for an event at Member rates, or making any use of our services, agrees to abide by The Social Group Terms & Conditions. Booking for an event, thereby making use of our services, immediately negates the 7 day cooling off period and any right to a refund of event payments or Membership Join Fees. No event payment or Membership Join Fees will be refunded at a later time should anyone change their minds. In such circumstances, SGE Limited have the right not to accept any further bookings or participation in events until a completed Join Form and photographs are received.
If Members choose to cancel their Membership after the 7 day cooling off period, they accept that no Membership Join Fees can be refunded. After the 7 day cooling off period, Members are not entitled to any refund simply because they do not make use of their Membership. After the 7 day cooling off period, Members are not entitled to any refund simply because they change their mind.
TAKING PART IN EVENTS
People become Social Group Members in order to have the opportunity to take part in events organised by The Social Group at Member prices. Events may include social occasions, dining out, parties, nightlife, themed events, quizzes, walks, outdoor activities, and holidays. What is on offer is varied all the time. Members accept that organisers are entitled to include whatever events they wish, as many or as few. Members accept the events programme does vary from week to week, from month to month, and from year to year. The Social Group is under no obligation to provide regular events in one particular area. Members in one area accept that organisers also try to put on events for Members in other areas. Members accept not everything can take place in their own area. Members accept that events further afield provide more choice.
It is for Members to make the effort to make the most of their Membership. The onus is on Members to keep in touch with what is happening and to make the effort to book for events in good time and turn up on the day and on time. Organisers are under no obligation to chase people up and remind them to take part. If Members do not take part in events or do not make use of their Membership, Members accept this is their own choice.
Members are expected to participate, make the most of events and the opportunities to socialise, and not spoil events for anyone else.
The Social Group does not provide transport to events. The Social Group does not guarantee lifts / transport will be available.
Members are required to be able to get to events under their own steam, to manage to take part in events under their own steam, to be able to cope with normal social situations, to be polite and well mannered, and to not be offensive or negative. Members agree to try to be as supportive as possible at all times. The Social Group operates a policy of zero tolerance to disruptive behaviour of any kind.
EX-MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO RE-JOIN
Ex-Members cannot be invited along to any events as ‘guests’. Guests can only be people who have not previously been Members. If ex-Members wish to take part in Social Group events, they are invited to re-join first.
PHOTOGRAPHS
All Members give consent for organisers to take their photographs at events and publish them on the web sites, in publicity material, and in Social Group Magazine at any time. Which photographs are published by The Social Group is entirely at the discretion of organisers. All Members accept and agree with this. Organisers do not wish to display photographs which they feel would embarrass people.
All Members accept that all photographs taken by organisers at our social events are wholly the property and copyright of SGE Ltd. All Members accept that it is illegal to copy, display, or use images from our web sites, online content, or Social Group Magazine without permission.
SMOKE-FREE POLICY
The 2007 No Smoking law in the UK states that nobody is allowed to smoke in enclosed public places. In accordance with this, for everyone’s comfort, all Social Group events, activities, and holidays are Smoke-Free. Smoking is not permitted near other Social Group participants at anything we organise, including outdoor and international events. Anyone wishing to smoke should do so well away from other Social Group Members and organisers.
DATA PROTECTION
In accordance with the Data Protection Act, personal details are kept safe and secure, and never passed onto third parties for marketing. Information given to The Social Group is confidential. Members can be assured of discretion.
Contact names and telephone numbers can be disclosed to other Members looking for friends and to share lifts with, an additional service for which we make a charge. If Members would like us not to give out their telephone number to other Members looking for friends, Members should tick the box on the Join Form. We never give out the telephone number of a specific individual if someone asks - for obvious safety, privacy, and possible harassment reasons. Other personal details are never disclosed.
Members should state their Member ID Number when they contact organisers. This is a security measure for the benefit of all Members.
DO NOT CONTACT VENUES DIRECTLY
- OUR ARRANGEMENTS ARE PRIVATE CONTRACTS
Members agree not to interfere with Social Group bookings, finances, and contracts. It is illegal for Members to investigate, check up on, or interfere with contracts made between The Social Group and other companies - so please do not contact any venues / management directly.
Members agree not to contact venues and add themselves an extra place if they are told an event is full or if they have not booked in time.
NO GATE-CRASHERS
All events must be booked in advance. Members agree not to go to events unless they have booked a place with SGE Ltd. If Members have not booked in advance for an event, they should not just “pop along” or just “turn up” on the day. Anyone turning up to take part in an event without booking will be asked to leave, and anyone involved and sharing any responsibility may have their Membership cancelled. Gatecrashers are not welcome.
Unless otherwise stated or if permission is given by SGE Ltd., if Members do not intend taking part, they should not just turn up to watch - events are for participants only. Please do not try to bring guests to events stated as ‘Members Only’. Exceptions may be possible for your close family or if you have visitors staying with you. If Members wish to bring someone with them last minute, please contact the Social Group Office and ask us if this is possible. Please do not have guests just turn up without paying for them to take part and without booking a place for them in advance.
The Social Group needs to charge Booking Fees to help make the finances of the organisation viable. All Members accept and agree with this necessity. Anyone attempting to by-pass the Social Group Join Fee or the Social Group booking process is engaged in an illegal act. Anyone deliberately trying to circumvent Social Group organisers and participate in a Social Group event with other Social Group Members without booking through The Social Group is engaged in an illegal act. Anyone attempting to take part in a Social Group event without paying the Join Fee or Booking Fee is trying to get something they have not paid for - this is viewed as the same as shoplifting or fraud, which is a criminal offence.
NO UNOFFICIAL EVENTS
The purpose of joining The Social Group is to have the opportunity to take part in the programme of events listed in Social Group Magazine. Members are expected to take part and support the events organised. Events can only run if there are enough bookings for them. Members agree not to organise or promote anything which takes people away from attending Social Group events. Members agree not to organise or take part in unofficial get-togethers or separate social events with groups of our Members. Members agree not to do anything which might undermine or damage The Social Group or the official programme of events. Mavericks publicising or organising anything independently, running secret events, or doing anything which significantly lessens attendance at any Social Group event, and anyone involved, may have their Membership cancelled. To clarify, this does not apply to a few friends getting together and meeting up, as obviously we want people to make friends. This refers to people actively going around collecting contact details of Members and then organising groups of our Members to go elsewhere, thereby damaging our income or attendances. Clearly, to make The Social Group work, we need people to attend the events we organise. It is in the interests of all Members that Social Group events are well-attended, so it is important we have everyone’s support with this.
LOYALTY TO THE SOCIAL GROUP
Members agree not to do anything which might sour the atmosphere, or which might damage the success of The Social Group, or disrupt the running of The Social Group, or insult, embarrass, abuse, or assault the organisers, or bring parent company SGE Ltd. into disrepute.
Members agree not to promote rival companies or other social / friendship / holiday organisations, or any other separate programme of social events to other Members. Members agree not to recruit Members for rival companies or other social / friendship / holiday organisations. Owing to a possible conflict of interests, Members agree not to assist, advise, organise, help run, promote, or recruit for rival companies or other social / friendship / holiday organisations / events anywhere within the UK now and for a period of 24 months after they have ceased to be a Member of The Social Group. Anyone deliberately acting against the interests of The Social Group by promoting something else and anyone found recruiting our Members for a private event or any other similar company, clique, organisation or club, may have their Membership cancelled and may face legal action. Inappropriate or negative content about The Social Group on the internet will result in cancellation of Membership and possible legal action.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
The Social Group operates a dedicated policy of fair trading. We are committed to the very highest standards of customer service and all Members can expect a professional and caring approach. If any Members wish to make known a concern, comment, or complaint, please let us know in a civilised, polite and calm manner, in a properly written letter, so that efforts can be made to find solutions.
ATTENDING EVENTS
Members agree to book for events before the stated booking deadlines. If Members do not turn up or choose to cancel their place on anything we organise, they accept that they lose their payments. If Members are unable to attend an event they have booked for, they must let organisers know as soon as possible. Other Members could be kept waiting needlessly and some events such as team games or quiz evenings need everyone there to be successful. Empty seats can spoil things, so we are looking for people to make a commitment not to let others down and for Members to make every effort to be there on the day, with full attendances. No guarantee of minimum numbers is made. No responsibility is accepted for other Members not turning up on the day.
Members agree to make the best of the events they attend and try to be good company. If Members turn up late, they accept they are not entitled to any pre-paid food courses already served and that no refund is due. Members accept that any entertainment being organised by the management of a featured venue is not anything The Social Group has control over - in the event of no entertainment taking place, the event will simply be a social occasion instead, and no refund will be due to Members. Members accept that The Social Group is not liable for any additional costs incurred by Members, e.g. incidental and travel costs to an event, overnight accommodation booked separately by Members, etc.
EVENT BOOKING
- CANCELLATION BY THE SOCIAL GROUP
Except as a consequence of something beyond our control, if it happens that an event has to be called off by The Social Group, Members are unlikely to lose any Booking Fee money. If we have to disappoint Members, we will offer Members their Booking Fee money back. We will give Members a refund of Booking Fee money if, when we receive a booking, a social event is already full or sold out. We will give a refund of Booking Fee money if we cannot go ahead with an event and have to let anyone down. For small amounts, if Member’s Booking Fees have been processed, we will put the amount in credit to use on another Social Group event. Members who choose to request a refund of Booking Fee money must state name, address, and Member ID Number. If Members choose to request a refund of a payment which was originally made by cheque, Members are asked to contact the Social Group Office by post, and must enclose a Stamped Addressed Envelope - 28 working days should be allowed for refunds to be posted back. If Members choose to request a refund of a payment which was originally made by card, Members are asked to contact the Social Group Office by telephone, giving details of the card they used - 28 working days should be allowed for refunds to be made to cards.
VIP Members accept they are not entitled to any full or partial refund if any of the standard events are cancelled or called off, and accept that the events included in their VIP Membership status are offered subject to availability and may not be available.
Members accept SGE Ltd are not responsible if other Members do not attend events. If other Members do not book for events, or pull out of events and let everyone else down, and the event cannot go ahead or is spoiled as a result, Members accept this is not the fault of organisers. All Members accept that some social events will not be as popular as others and not everything will run. All Members accept that organisers have the right to cancel or make changes to events where necessary. The Social Group will not give any refund if we make changes to the details, times, or prices of an event - as we reserve the right to do so, where necessary. Any necessary changes will not be made unreasonably. Members accept that there is no guarantee or promise that events will go ahead and that events are booked subject to availability.
Exceptions to above: We will not give a refund if an event is disrupted, cancelled, or abandoned due to an ‘Act of God’ such as a natural disaster, bad weather, fire, storm, flood, or earthquake, or to circumstances beyond our control such as death, injury, illness, power cuts, strikes, criminal acts, riots, war, or terrorism.
EVENT BOOKING
- CANCELLATION BY MEMBERS
Booking Fees act as an incentive for Members to take part in events. If Members decide not to attend something booked, Members accept they lose the whole of their payment. We will not give refunds if Members cancel. If Members do not go to something, and let everyone else down, Members lose their money. Sorry - no exceptions. We will not give a refund if Members have a family crisis, if Members are ill or have to go into hospital, if a relative is sick, if the person who was giving a Member a lift lets them down, if Members have no transport, if Members have to work extra hours, or if Members have double booked their diary, or if Members simply decide to do something else - as none of this is our fault. We do not transfer money from one booking to another, one event to another, or one person to another. If Members cannot make an event, Members lose their money. If someone else turns up in a place of the Member who had booked the place, we will view them as gatecrashers.
MEMBERSHIP CONTRACT
All Members sign a Join Form which is a legally-binding contract to say they agree to abide by the Terms & Conditions. Anyone in breach of the Terms & Conditions, or found interfering with Social Group contracts with venues, or stealing, copying, or using Social Group information, ideas or property, or causing damage or disruption to The Social Group, or insulting, attacking or being abusive to the organisers of The Social Group, will have their Membership cancelled. In serious cases, anyone deemed to have acted against the interests of The Social Group may face legal action. Anyone in breach of the Terms & Conditions may find their Membership is cancelled, and in such circumstances, they accept that any bookings already made are null and void, and all monies which have been paid to The Social Group are forfeit.
Anyone who has been excessively rude, abusive, offensive, disruptive, threatening, or aggressive, or who has broken the Terms & Conditions of Membership, and who is suspended pending an apology or who is expelled from the group, accepts they are not entitled to any refund of any monies paid either as Join Fees or for events. No compensation is due to anyone thrown out of the Social Group.
We will not give a refund if Members allow their Membership to expire and the events they booked become forfeit. If Membership is not renewed before expiry, all bookings after expiry are cancelled, all monies paid for deposits / bookings are forfeit, and any monies held in credit are void. Requests for refunds of money in credit must be made before expiry. Upon expiry, Members have no right to any remaining amounts held in credit.
The Social Group should be seen as an exclusive club and Membership regarded as a privilege. Social Group Membership is entirely at the discretion of the organisers, who reserve the right to expel any Member from The Social Group at any time. This right will not be used unreasonably and should not be necessary unless someone is excessively rude, makes an absolute nuisance of themselves, seriously undermines or damages The Social Group, tries to exclude the organisers, or treats the organisers in an unpleasant, unreasonable, threatening, insulting, abusive, or aggressive manner.
Subsequent terms of Membership are entirely at the discretion of the organisers of The Social Group. Any Members who have been disruptive or who have made a nuisance of themselves will not be invited to apply to renew or re-join, or will be told they are not being allowed to continue.
DISCLAIMER
Participants recognise and accept that they take part at their own risk. Participants are required to take out their own insurance as appropriate. All Members agree that The Social Group is not liable for any unforeseen circumstances, accidents, injuries, illnesses, bad weather, cancellations, changes and other such problems. Members are always advised to dress as appropriate for the weather. The Social Group accept no liability for the behaviour of individuals. The Social Group is not liable for Members negligence or disputes between Members. Members accept responsibility for their own actions, behaviour and social etiquette. Members are required to be able to manage events under their own steam.
The Directors of parent company SGE Ltd. reserve the right to make changes to any aspect of The Social Group at any time, including prices, and including the social events, activities, and holidays advertised, and the Terms & Conditions which may need to be adapted occasionally. Updated Terms & Conditions will be published on the web sites and in new issues of Social Group Magazine.
COPYRIGHT RESERVED
© Social Group Enterprises Ltd. 1997 - 2012. All rights reserved. All Social Group material is protected by copyright laws. Anyone copying, stealing, or using Social Group original ideas, ways of operating, intellectual property, social events, information, text, or photographs belonging to Social Group Enterprises Ltd., or in breach of copyright laws protecting Social Group Enterprises Ltd., is likely to face legal action.
Copying any part of Social Group Magazine or copying anything from our web sites without permission is an illegal act.
Social Group Terms & Conditions do not affect your statutory rights, and operate in accordance with the law of England & Wales.
THE SOCIAL GROUP TM ©
Social Group Enterprises Ltd. Registered Number 4690215.Directors Andrew B. Haglington B.A. and Cathy J. Haglington.
Registered Office: Harscombe House, 1 Darklake View, Plymouth, Devon PL6 7TL. Registered in England & Wales.
POSTAL ADDRESS: Social Group Office, “Revelstone”, Mary Tavy, Dartmoor, Devon PL19 9PF, England.
Social Group Holidays Terms & Conditions
Social Group Holidays are offered to Social Group VIP Members, Social Group Budget Members, Social Group Associate Members, and the general public.
Discounted prices are offered on Social Group Holidays to our Members.
The Social Group Terms & Conditions apply to all participants. All participants agree to abide by all Terms & Conditions when they make a booking. The Social Group Terms & Conditions can be viewed online or in Social Group Magazine.
Social Group Holidays Terms & Conditions apply to all participants. All participants agree to abide by all Terms & Conditions when they make a booking. Social Group Holidays Terms & Conditions can be viewed online or in Social Group Magazine.
ABOUT SOCIAL GROUP HOLIDAYS
Social Group Holidays is a trading name of SGE Ltd (Social Group Enterprises Limited), an independent social enterprise based in the UK. Directors Andrew B. Haglington B.A. and Cathy J. Haglington.
The dedicated web site for Social Group Holidays is www.socialgroupholidays.com and social media pages on Twitter include @SG_Holidays @SG_Cruises @SG_Ski @SGVegasHolidays and @SGCreteHolidays
International tour guides Andrew Haglington and Cathy Haglington can be followed on Twitter @AHaglington and @CathyHaglington
Social Group Holidays Terms & Conditions are displayed online at the main web site for The Social Group at www.thesocialgroup.uk.com.
Enquiries are welcome by email info@socialgroupholidays.com or by telephone 08456 121770 (12noon - 7pm, open most days)
The postal address is: Social Group Office, “Revelstone”, Mary Tavy, Dartmoor, Devon, PL19 9PF, England, UK.
Participants benefit from the many years of travel expertise of the organisers, who plan the holiday, put the holiday together, advertise and promote the holiday, get people together to take part, do the research, organise the logistics, and book the accommodation. Certain trips may also involve organising other forms of transport such as car, taxi, bus, coach, train, ferry, cruise ship, or ski lift.
Everyone is welcome to take part with Social Group Holidays - both singles and couples - no matter where you live. Participants do not need to be a Social Group Member of The Social Group in order to take part in Social Group Holidays.
Prices quoted are subject to availability. Prices are usually advertised on the basis of two people sharing a room. Participants should make it clear if they require twin or double beds when booking. Single people are encouraged to opt to share a room and many participants choose this option. In order to help keep down costs, it is usually possible for organisers to help find single people someone to share a twin room with, and many people enjoy having someone to share with. Single rooms are offered where available.
HOLIDAYS - REQUIREMENTS
Participants on an international holiday must have a valid passport. This must have at least 6 months on it, a legal requirement. Participants must give their full name as it appears on their passport. Date of birth, home address, and home telephone number are also required, plus details of any significant medical problems. Please advise of any special requests when booking. Sometimes a visa may be required for entry into the country of destination - if required, this is the responsibility of participants. Everyone taking part on holidays must take out their own travel insurance, which should be in place as soon as a booking is made.
HOLIDAYS - PAYMENTS
CASH - in person, with organisers Andrew Haglington or Cathy Haglington.
CHEQUE / POSTAL ORDER - by normal 1st class post, made payable to “SGE Ltd.”.
DIRECT BANK TRANSFER - contact Cathy at the Social Group Office for advice on how to do this via the internet.
To keep holiday prices low, Social Group Holidays do not take credit card or debit card payments for international holiday bookings. Participants can go ahead and book with confidence, as all holiday payments are protected in the event of insolvency by a separate Trust Account held at Lloyds TSB Bank in Bedford Square, Tavistock, Devon, England (in accordance with government guidelines). Payment can be made in easy instalments (if required) - please enquire well in advance if you wish to do this. Company Secretary Cathy Haglington worked for Lloyds TSB Bank for 22 years, so can offer expert advice on how to pay.
TIPPING SOCIAL GROUP ORGANISERS
(YOUR INTERNATIONAL TOUR GUIDES)
Tips are invited for the hard working Social Group Organisers who are your international tour guides. This is at your own discretion, but is usual after months of hard work and effort in putting holidays together, looking after you on the holiday, and making everything possible. It is general practice for participants to tip £20pp per week.
HOLIDAYS - FLIGHTS
To avoid the need to pass on high costs and to offer greater flexibility, Social Group Holidays do not sell flights. Social Group Holidays do not sell package holidays including flights. Where air travel is necessary, holidays are not organised as package holidays. Social Group Holidays research the best available flight options. Participants are advised of what is available, and given the choice to book the same flights as everyone else taking part via the same travel company, or to book their own separate flights and rendezvous in the resort. Participants are welcome to fly out from any UK airport, at a time that suits them, giving everyone choice and flexibility. Participants wishing to travel with other participants will be advised when and how to book flights. Participants are advised not to book flights until given the ‘go ahead’. Once organisers give the 'go ahead', all participants are advised to book flights as soon as possible. Social Group Holidays are not responsible for the availability of flights and cannot guarantee any prices offered by travel agents or airlines. If a suggested flight is no longer available at the same price, it is the responsibility of participants to book an alternative. Flights are the responsibility of participants. With the nature of uncertainty in the travel industry and how flights are in recent years, all participants should try to be flexible on dates and be prepared to travel a few days either side if absolutely necessary. Sometimes changes do happen.
HOLIDAY CANCELLATION POLICY
- CANCELLATION BY SOCIAL GROUP HOLIDAYS
Social Group Holidays will give participants a refund if, when a booking is received, a holiday is no longer available or sold out. Social Group Holidays will give participants a refund if Social Group Holidays decide a holiday cannot go ahead.
If an advertised holiday is no longer available, Social Group Holidays will try to arrange a suitable replacement within 18 months. If a holiday does not go ahead, all participants accept they are not entitled to additional compensation extra to a refund of what they have paid to Social Group Holidays. Social Group Holidays accepts no liability for additional costs incurred by participants, such as transport, airport car parking, or accommodation not booked by Social Group Holidays.
Participants accept that Social Group Holidays have the right to cancel or make changes to holidays where necessary, and that final prices may vary depending on availability, exchange rates, and circumstances beyond the control of Social Group Holidays. Social Group Holidays will not give a refund or compensation if reasonable changes need to be made to details, dates, times, location, or prices of a holiday, as Social Group Holidays reserve the right to do so, where necessary. Any changes will not be made unreasonably.
In accordance with our dedicated policy of fair trading and our Terms & Conditions, organisers will do their best to deal fairly and reasonably with all participants at all times, and in a professional manner. Participants accept there is no guarantee or promise that a holiday will definitely go ahead. Participants accept that there is no guarantee or promise that a holiday will have a minimum number of people taking part. Participants accept that advertised holidays, details and prices are all offered subject to availability.
Exceptions to above: Social Group Holidays will not give a refund if a holiday is disrupted, cancelled, or abandoned due to an ‘Act of God’ such as a natural disaster, severe bad weather, fire, storm, flood, volcano, earthquake, or tsunami - or due to circumstances beyond our control such as death, injury, illness, power cuts, strikes, economic troubles, currency fluctuations, criminal acts, riots, terrorism, or war.
HOLIDAY CANCELLATION POLICY
- CANCELLATION BY PARTICIPANTS
Holiday bookings made prior to 10 weeks before departure operate differently to normal Social Group event bookings. With a holiday booking, after a booking is made and payment received, a special courtesy 7 day holiday booking cooling off period is offered to participants to make sure they are satisfied with everything and wish to proceed. During the 7 day holiday booking cooling off period, if participants change their minds and decide to cancel their holiday booking, a full refund is available - notification must be received in writing within 7 days of payment for the holiday being made.
Where a deposit is paid to secure a holiday booking, the 7 day holiday booking cooling off period is deemed to start as soon as the deposit payment is received and no further 7 day holiday booking cooling off period is offered when the balance is paid.
After the 7 day holiday booking cooling off period, if participants decide not to take part, or if they decide to cancel their place on the holiday, they accept they lose all monies paid and no refund or additional compensation is due. All bookings accepted on this basis.
For bookings made within 10 weeks of departure, the 7 day holiday booking cooling off period is not possible. Participants who book within 10 weeks of departure accept that no refunds can be given by Social Group Holidays if participants decide to cancel their place.
Notice of cancellation by participants is asked for in writing, by email or letter, by 1st class post - not registered post or recorded delivery.
If participants cancel their place outside of 6 weeks prior to the holiday, it may be possible to transfer a holiday booking to another suitable person (subject to approval from the organisers), but participants must find this person themselves and if such is possible, an admin charge of 10% of the amount paid to Social Group Holidays will be due, covering any costs involved in making the necessary changes with our suppliers. Participants should note that due to security considerations, name changes may not be allowed by some of the companies we deal with such as cruise companies, so in some circumstances, late changes may not be possible. It is not the responsibility of Social Group Holidays to find people to fill up places for participants who cancel and participants must not expect them to do such on their behalf. No transfers are possible within 6 weeks of the holiday.
Participants agree to make sure they have adequate travel insurance cover in case they need to cancel their place on a holiday, which participants accept they will need to claim from if they decide they cannot take part and wish to recoup any of the money they have paid.
Where applicable, where participants have paid a deposit and do not pay the balance by the stated deadline, the booking is automatically cancelled and any money paid is forfeit. It is not the responsibility of Social Group Holidays to remind participants when a balance is due.
On holidays, sometimes there are just small groups of participants together - sometimes between 2 and 12 people. Other times, there are much larger groups of participants taking part - sometimes as many as 30 - 50 people. Social Group Holidays cannot guarantee a specific number of people on any holiday. The number of people taking part on the holidays can vary. Participants are not entitled to a refund on the grounds that there may only be a small number of people taking part. If some participants cancel their bookings, and if this reduces numbers, this does not entitle remaining people booked on the holiday to any refund from Social Group Holidays unless Social Group Holidays decide to cancel the holiday.
It is our intention to protect participants sharing a room from incurring any additional costs should the person they were supposed to be sharing with lets them down. Where holidays are booked on the basis of sharing a room (whether just a deposit or full payment has been made), anyone pulling out and cancelling their own place agrees (i) they are liable for any shortfall or costs the person they were supposed to be sharing with may incur as a result of their actions, and (ii) they are liable for any shortfall or costs Social Group Holidays may incur as a result of their actions.
People who book for a holiday at Member rates will only be allowed to take part at Member rates if they are still a valid Member when the holiday commences. People who book for a holiday at Member rates who's membership ends before the holiday commences will not be allowed to take part unless they pay the difference between Member rates and general public rates. If the additional amount is not received, SGE Ltd will have the right to cancel the holiday booking and no compensation will be due.
People who decide to cancel a place they have booked on a Social Group Holiday accept they must claim on their own travel insurance to get back any monies paid. They accept that Social Group Holidays cannot give refunds or cover their costs.
HOLIDAYS DISCLAIMER
Participants recognise and accept that they take part at their own risk. Participants are required to take out their own travel insurance as appropriate at the time of booking. All participants agree that Social Group Holidays is not liable for any unforeseen circumstances, accidents, injuries, diseases, weather, wars, economic problems, exchange rate fluctuations, cancellations, changes, and other such problems beyond our reasonable control. Participants are always advised to dress as appropriate for the climate and take precautions with sun protection where necessary. In hot sunny climates, sun glasses, sun hats, and high factor sun screen are recommended. Participants are asked to respect local customs and standards of dress, as well as local laws. Social Group Holidays can take no responsibility for anyone falling foul of local customs or breaking the laws of other countries. Participants accept responsibility for their own actions, behaviour and social etiquette. Organisers do not guarantee to accompany participants on all holidays. Where organisers do accompany a holiday, participants are asked to try to be as supportive of organisers as possible. Social Group Holidays accept no liability for the behaviour of individuals, for the negligence of participants, or for any disputes which may arise between participants. Participants are required to be able to manage holidays under their own steam and to be able to cope with normal social situations. Participants are required to be polite and respectful to the organisers at all times. Social Group Holidays operates a policy of zero tolerance to disruptive behaviour of any kind. Participants must not do anything which might sour the atmosphere, or damage the success of a holiday, or disrupt the running of a holiday, or insult, embarrass, abuse or assault the organisers, or do anything which puts organisers or other participants at risk, or bring Social Group Holidays into disrepute or damage our reputation in any way. Anyone who is abusive, offensive, or aggressive towards the organisers or anyone causing serious problems or offence, or acting in a way which spoils things for other participants, will be in breach of contract and may be asked to leave the holiday accommodation and depart. If such occurs, and participants are thrown off the holiday, participants accept they are not entitled to any refund, costs, or compensation. In serious cases of misconduct, legal action may be taken and damages sought.
It is illegal for participants to interfere with contracts made between Social Group Holidays and other companies. Participants must not investigate, check up on, or interfere with Social Group Holidays bookings, finances, or contracts, which are private matters between the parties concerned and are nothing to do with participants on the holidays. Participants accept they must not contact hotels regarding booking contracts and arrangements made by Social Group Holidays, or attempt to delve into the finances of Social Group Holidays. Participants acting in an unethical way and getting involved in the booking contracts, finances, or details between Social Group Holidays and hotels or doing anything which is illegal will be in breach of contract and may find legal action taken against them and damages sought..
SOCIAL GROUP HOLIDAYS TM © ALL MATERIAL PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Social Group Enterprises Ltd. Registered Number 4690215.
Directors Andrew B. Haglington B.A. and Cathy J. Haglington.
Registered Office: Harscombe House, 1 Darklake View, Plymouth, Devon PL6 7TL.
Registered in England & Wales.
POSTAL ADDRESS : Social Group Holidays, Social Group Office, “Revelstone”, Mary Tavy, Dartmoor, Devon PL19 9PF, England, UK.
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