Rules of Magog Down November 2023
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Rules applying to the use of Magog Down by the public
Revised November 2023
In these rules: “the Magog Trust” means The Magog Trust, Registered Office: Verger’s Cottage, 1 Gog Magog Way, Stapleford, Cambridge CB22 5BQ. A Company limited by guarantee Registered in England No 2426534 Reg Charity No 802150
“the land” means all that land at Magog Down, Haverhill Road, Stapleford under the management of The Magog Trust shown on a map displayed on the notice-board facing the car park at Magog Down or on the website here.
Aircraft of any description, including helicopters, gliders, hang gliders, microlights and hot-air balloons are not permitted to take off from or land upon the land.
Archery and the use of archery equipment in any way is not permitted.
Ball games are not permitted.
Camping is not permitted on the land. The erection of a tent or use of any vehicle, including a caravan, or any other structure for the purpose of camping is not permitted.
Cycling is not allowed on any part of the land apart from the approach road to enable access to the bike racks provided near the car park.
Dogs are permitted on Magog Down in designated areas only. Dogs MUST be kept under control at all times and on leads as advised by signage which follows advice provided by the Countryside Commission and in the Dangerous Dogs Act. Dogs may be let off lead only in permitted areas, as indicated by signage. Dog faeces must be removed from the Down by the person in charge of the dog and disposed of in the marked bins provided. A permit is required to walk a maximum of four dogs on a commercial basis. Otherwise, no one person may walk in excess of three dogs.
Drones and similar small unmanned aircraft may not be flown from or over Magog Down, without prior written consent of the Trustees. The Magog Down is registered as a drone no-fly zone.
Erection of structures of any nature is not permitted. For clarity, this includes the erection of any post, rail, fence, pole, tent, booth, stand, building or any other structure.
Fires of any description, including Barbeques and Camping Stoves, are not allowed. No person shall on the land intentionally light a fire, or place, throw or let fall a lighted match or any other thing which may be likely to cause a fire (including fireworks).
Gates must be closed after use.
Golf games are not permitted.
Grazing of animals is not permitted, without the consent of the Magog Trust.
Horses are not permitted on the land.
Kites may be flown on the land provided that it is done in such a manner as to avoid danger or annoyance to any other person on the land. The use of paragliding equipment in any capacity is prohibited.
Litter must be taken home. There are no disposal facilities on site.
Metal detectors of any kind must not be used on the land, except by prior written consent of the Magog Trust.
No person shall on the land, to the danger or annoyance of any other person on the land, throw or discharge any missile.
Mobility aids such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other vehicles specifically constructed or adapted for use by a person with a disability and used solely by such a person are permitted on the land. This permission is granted subject to suitable ground conditions (as determined at the discretion of the Trustees having made reasonable adjustments).
Model aircraft which are power-driven by any form of combustible fuel or electrical means are not allowed to take off, land or fly over the land.
Motor vehicles are not allowed on the land without prior written consent by the Magog Trust, except in the areas designated for parking and the access road thereto. This prohibition includes any trailer drawn by such motor vehicles but excludes emergency vehicles in the proper exercise of their duties. For the purposes of this rule, motor vehicles include any motor cycle, quad bike, e-scooter and other form of mechanically powered transport.
No users of the land shall cause or permit to be made any noise which is as loud or so continuous or repeated as to give reasonable cause for annoyance to other persons on the land and/or disturbance to wildlife. Excessive noise levels may arise from (a) shouting or singing; (b) playing a musical instrument or (c) from the use of any device which amplifies sound such as a radio, or other digital or analogue sound equipment.
No person shall on the land:(a) intentionally obstruct any officer or employee of the Magog Trust in the proper execution of their duties; (b) intentionally obstruct any person carrying out an act which is necessary to the proper execution of any contract with the Magog Trust or behave so as to give reasonable grounds for annoyance to other persons on the land.
No person shall, without the prior written consent of the Magog Trust, leave any vehicle or cause or permit any vehicle to be left on the land during the period of closure of the car park gates as advertised at the entrance to the car park or on the website here.
No person shall on the land, without the prior written consent of the Magog Trust, intentionally kill, injure, take or disturb any animal, bird, butterfly, moths & other invertebrates or engage in hunting, shooting or the setting of traps or nets, or the laying of snares.
No person shall on the land, without the prior written consent of the Magog Trust, place or take part in any show, event or exhibition, or set up any swing, roundabout or other like thing. The permission of The Trustees must be sought for any event on Magog Down (whether free of charge or paid-for), organised by anybody other than The Magog Trust, and provide evidence of relevant insurance and risk assessment policies.
No person shall, without reasonable excuse, remove from or displace on the land any barrier, railing, post, sign or seat, or any part of any structure or ornament, or any implement provided for use by staff, contractors or volunteers working on the land.
No person shall, without the prior written consent of the Magog Trust, remove from or displace on the land any stone, soil or turf, or the whole or part of any plant, shrub, tree, fungus or flower.
Cleaning, painting or undertaking repairs to any vehicle parked on the land is not permitted, except in the event of an accident, breakdown or other emergency.
The use of roller skates, skateboards, segways, wheels or other similar mechanically powered equipment is not allowed on the land.
No person shall on the land, without the prior written consent of the Magog Trust, sell, or offer or expose for sale, or let or hire, or offer or expose for letting to hire, any commodity, article or service or undertake such activities that promote a commercial enterprise in any way.
The Trustees reserve the right to vary or interpret these rules at their discretion in the best interests of the land and its users.
Guidelines for Running Clubs
Added October 2020
Using Magog Down as an informal Training Area under supervision.
Written permission must be obtained from The Trustees of The Magog Trust on provision of a Risk Assessment and Insurance Cover.
- Preventing Erosion of Paths and Meadow Areas
- Safety for all visitors walking on the grass paths
1. Warm-ups with groups of runners.
a. Please avoid group warm-ups which spread out onto grass path edges, leading to trampling of vegetation and ultimately widening the paths. Similarly, repetitive group exercises which may lead to trampling of grass areas. The top of the hill is an important wild flower area with sensitive flora, and general trampling is leading to a loss of meadow. (This of course is due to general visitor use).
b. Please undertake large group warm-ups in a quiet area in the car park, or possibly on the grass area of the car park near the notice board.
2. General Running Activities
a. Runners to exercise individually one behind the other, or at the very most two abreast, to avoid erosion of the paths, as above, and to enable other visitors to walk safely without being knocked or having to dodge running people.
3. Please respect other users of Magog Down: be kind and considerate to other visitors.
4. BBQs, heating appliances and fires are not permitted at any time without prior agreement.