Closed Today Due to High Winds for Public and Volunteer Safety
High winds can make even familiar outdoor spaces unsafe very quickly. For that reason, we will remain closed today, Sunday 25th October, to protect members of the public, our volunteers, and everyone who helps keep the site running.
We are very sorry for any inconvenience this causes. We know many people may have planned a visit, made arrangements with family or friends, or set aside time to support us. This decision has not been taken lightly. Safety must come first, especially when strong winds can create risks that are hard to see from the outside.
Why we are closed today
The closure is due to the high winds forecast and experienced today. Strong gusts can affect a site in several ways, especially where there are trees, temporary structures, signage, uneven ground, open spaces, or equipment that could move unexpectedly.
Wind risks can include:
Falling branches or debris
Loose signs, barriers, or fencing
Slippery paths caused by leaves and rain
Unstable items being blown across walkways
Difficulty for volunteers carrying out duties safely
Sudden changes in conditions during opening hours
Even if conditions look manageable at one moment, gusts can arrive without warning. That is why we have made the decision to stay closed for the whole day rather than open and then risk having to close at short notice.
The safety of visitors and volunteers is our main concern. We would much rather apologise for a cancelled visit than put anyone in a risky situation.
Protecting the public and volunteers
Our volunteers give their time generously, often in all kinds of weather. They help with day-to-day running, public support, site checks, practical tasks, and many of the small jobs that make a visit possible.
During high winds, those tasks can become much harder and less safe. A volunteer might need to move between outdoor areas, check access points, speak with visitors, secure materials, or respond to unexpected hazards. Bad weather increases the chance of slips, trips, falling debris, and difficult working conditions.
Keeping the site closed helps avoid putting volunteers in a position where they are expected to manage risks that are outside normal safe working conditions.
This decision is also for the public. Visitors may not always be aware of hidden hazards, such as weakened branches, loose objects, or ground conditions that have changed after wind and rain. Closing today allows everyone to stay safe and avoids unnecessary travel.
What this means for planned visits today
If you were planning to visit today, please do not travel to the site. We will not be open to the public on Sunday 25th October.
We understand this may be disappointing, especially for anyone who had made special plans. We are genuinely sorry for the disruption.
If your visit involved meeting others, arranging transport, or bringing children or relatives along, please let them know about the closure as soon as possible. Weather-related closures can be frustrating, but in this case staying away is the safest option.
The closure applies to today only, unless further updates are shared. Conditions will be reviewed before reopening, and normal arrangements can resume when it is safe to do so.
Why weather closures can happen at short notice
Weather does not always fit neatly into plans. Forecasts can change, and local conditions can vary from one area to another. A place that feels sheltered on an ordinary day may become exposed during strong gusts.
That means closure decisions sometimes need to be made close to the day itself. The aim is not to inconvenience anyone. The aim is to respond sensibly to the conditions and avoid preventable accidents.
High winds are especially important because the risks are not always obvious. A dry day can still be unsafe if gusts are strong enough. A tree, sign, fence panel, or temporary fixture may appear stable until a sudden gust moves it. Even small objects can cause harm when lifted or blown at speed.
When volunteers and visitors are involved, caution is the right approach.
Please stay safe if you are out today
If you need to travel elsewhere today, take extra care. Strong winds can affect roads, paths, public transport, and outdoor areas.
A few simple steps can help reduce risk:
Avoid walking under trees where possible
Give extra space to loose signs, bins, barriers, and fencing
Take care on wet or leaf-covered paths
Check travel updates before setting off
Keep pets and children away from unstable objects
Do not try to move fallen branches or debris unless it is safe to do so
If the wind is strong where you are, it may be better to delay non-essential journeys until conditions improve.
Thank you for your understanding
We are grateful for the patience and understanding of everyone affected by today’s closure. Decisions like this are made with care, and we know they can be inconvenient.
Thank you also to our volunteers, whose safety and wellbeing matter deeply. Their time, effort, and commitment are valued, and today’s closure helps ensure no one is asked to work in unsafe conditions.
We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused by being closed today due to high winds, but we believe this is the responsible decision for public and volunteer safety.
We look forward to welcoming you back
We hope to welcome visitors back as soon as it is safe to do so. Before reopening, the site can be checked for any weather-related issues, including fallen debris, damaged signs, blocked access points, or other hazards caused by the wind.
Please keep an eye out for further updates if conditions continue to affect opening. For today, the message is simple: we are closed on Sunday 25th October because of high winds, and safety must come first.
Thank you again for your understanding, patience, and support.
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