Durham Doves – Terms & Conditions

At Durham Doves, our aim is to provide a beautiful, memorable and professional dove release service whilst always placing the welfare of our birds first. We believe our Terms & Conditions should be fair, clear and transparent so that you know exactly what to expect when booking with us.

If you have any questions about these Terms & Conditions, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're always happy to help.

Booking & Payment

A booking deposit equal to 50% of the agreed price is required to secure your booking.

The remaining balance must be paid no later than three weeks before the scheduled event.

For bookings made within three weeks of the event date, full payment is required at the time of booking.

Your booking is not confirmed until the required payment has been received by Durham Doves.

Deposits & Cooling-Off Period

Your deposit secures your booking, reserves our birds and event date and enables us to begin planning and preparing for your event.

If you cancel your booking in writing within 48 hours of making the booking, your deposit will be refunded in full.

After this 48-hour period, the deposit becomes non-refundable, as planning, administration, personalised readings, event preparation and reservation of birds may already have commenced.

Cancellation by the Client

If you cancel your booking after the 48-hour cooling-off period, your deposit will remain non-refundable.

Should cancellation occur within 14 days of the scheduled event, the full balance will remain payable. By this stage Durham Doves will have reserved birds specifically for your event, undertaken planning and preparation work, prepared personalised readings where applicable, and may have declined alternative bookings.

Where appropriate and entirely at the discretion of Durham Doves, payments already received may be transferred as a credit towards a future dove release, provided the new booking takes place within 12 months of the original event date.

Welfare of Our Birds

The welfare of our birds will always be our highest priority.

Durham Doves will only provide birds that are healthy and in excellent condition.

Throughout the year, birds naturally undergo a process known as a moult, where old feathers are shed and replaced with new ones. Occasionally, a bird may display minor signs of this natural process, such as some missing tail or wing feather. This does not affect the bird's welfare or ability to fly safely.

Birds in full moult will never be used for a release.

Suitable Release Locations

As a responsible and ethical company, there are occasions where it would not be safe or appropriate to release our birds.

Durham Doves will not release birds:

• indoors;

• close to airfields or major airports;

• near wind turbines;

• adjacent to heavily glazed or mirrored buildings;

• near overhead electricity cables or power lines;

• at dusk or after dark; or

• at any location where, in our reasonable opinion, conditions present an unacceptable risk to the birds.

It is the client's responsibility to advise Durham Doves of any known hazards at the venue.

Failure to disclose significant hazards may result in the birds not being released. In these circumstances, no refund will be payable.

Weather & Safety

The safety and welfare of our birds will always take precedence over a release.

Should adverse weather conditions - including but not limited to heavy rain, strong winds, fog, snow, ice or electrical storms - make it unsafe to release the birds, Durham Doves reserves the absolute right to cancel, postpone or refuse the release.

This decision may be made before travelling to the venue or after arrival if conditions deteriorate.

Where a release cannot safely take place because of adverse weather:

• monies already paid will normally be transferred as a credit towards a future Durham Doves release;

• the credit will remain valid for 12 months from the original event date; and

• no cash refund will normally be payable unless Durham Doves is unable to offer a suitable alternative booking within that period.

Where Durham Doves has already travelled to the venue before the decision is made, the same credit policy will apply.

Durham Doves shall not be liable for any consequential loss, disappointment, venue costs, photography costs or any other third-party expenses resulting from a release being cancelled or postponed due to unsafe weather conditions.

Bird Behaviour

Our birds are living animals and, like all animals, each has its own individual characteristics.

Whilst every effort is made through careful training and experience to ensure our birds circle before returning home, Durham Doves cannot guarantee:

• the exact direction of flight;

• the speed of flight;

• how quickly the birds leave the release point; or

• any specific flight pattern.

These natural variations do not constitute a fault in the service and shall not give rise to any refund or compensation.

Delays on the Day

Durham Doves will aim to arrive approximately 20 minutes before the agreed release time.

If the event is delayed by more than 20 minutes for reasons beyond our control, we reserve the right to refuse the release where we reasonably believe that continuing would:

• compromise the welfare of the birds;

• significantly increase the risk of birds failing to return home;

• require the birds to remain in their release baskets for longer than is appropriate; or

• adversely affect other scheduled bookings.

In these circumstances, the birds may not be released and no refund will be payable.

Dove-in-the-Hand Releases

Where Durham Doves agrees to a "dove-in-the-hand" release, full instruction will be given on the safe handling of the birds.

Whilst every reasonable precaution is taken to minimise the possibility of birds soiling clothing or equipment, birds are living animals and Durham Doves cannot guarantee that this will not occur.

Durham Doves accepts no liability for cleaning costs, damage to clothing, equipment or other property resulting from the normal behaviour of the birds.

Cancellation by Durham Doves

In the unlikely event that Durham Doves has to cancel your booking for reasons other than adverse weather or safety concerns, all monies paid by the client will be refunded in full.

This refund shall represent Durham Doves' total liability.

Durham Doves shall not be responsible for any indirect or consequential losses, third-party costs or compensation arising from such cancellation.

Force Majeure

Durham Doves shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations where such delay or failure results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, flooding, road closures, accidents, vehicle breakdown, illness, government restrictions, acts of God or any other event making attendance impossible or release unsafe.

Arrival Times

Our standard service includes arrival approximately 20 minutes before the agreed release time.

If earlier attendance is required, this must be agreed at least seven days before the event and may incur an additional charge.

Allergies & Phobias

Durham Doves accepts no responsibility for allergies, phobias or sensitivities relating to birds experienced by clients or guests.

It is the client's responsibility to ensure that anyone affected maintains a safe and appropriate distance from the birds.

Photography & Marketing

Any photographs or video recordings taken by Durham Doves remain the intellectual property of Durham Doves.

Unless the client notifies us before the event that they do not consent, Durham Doves reserves the right to use photographs and video taken by us for promotional purposes, including on our website, printed literature and social media platforms.

This does not affect ownership of photographs taken by the client, guests or third-party photographers.

Personalised Readings

Where Durham Doves prepares a personalised reading for your event, this is provided as part of our service.

All personalised readings remain the intellectual property of Durham Doves and may not be reproduced commercially without our prior written permission.

Use of Durham Doves Images

Images of our birds may not be used to promote any third-party business, product or service without the prior written permission of Durham Doves.

Where permission is granted, appropriate acknowledgement of Durham Doves must be included.

Final Arrangements

To ensure your release is prepared to the highest standard, all final arrangements, timings, colour schemes and personalised requirements should be confirmed no later than 14 days before your event.

Acceptance of These Terms

By requesting a booking and paying the required booking deposit, you confirm that you have been given the opportunity to read these Terms & Conditions, that you have read and understood them and that you agree to be bound by them.

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Should you have any questions before making your booking, please contact us - we're always happy to help.

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