Definitions
In this document, the following terms apply:
‘You’, ‘your’, ‘booker’, ‘attendee(s)’, ‘buyer’, customer’ refer to the person who books and where appropriate pays for an event ticket or tickets, or purchase an item from our shop
‘We’, ‘us’, ‘the society’, ‘the trader’, ‘the shop’ refer to Berkshire Family History Society CIO Reg charity 1204390
‘Product’, ‘goods’ refers to any physical item offered for sale in our shop.
‘Order’ refers to the purchase of any product from the shop or event booking through our online events system.
General
The laws of England shall apply to this contract. These terms and conditions apply to all sales made between the customer and us. No contract exists until an order has been submitted, paid for (where appropriate), and confirmed by us.
Bookings
All fees, where shown, are payable to the society in full, at the time of booking. Your place will be reserved once your booking request is received and any required payment has been made. Your completed online event booking , when backed up with a payment, constitutes a firm booking by you, but no contract exists until we have acknowledged your booking.
Members’ discount
Members will receive the member discount by selecting the appropriate member ticket during the booking process. We conduct background eligibility checks. Where a booker is found not to be a current member, payment of the difference will re required.
Multi-event booking discounts
Multi-event discounts may apply on some events, e.g. when booking all five afternoon talks for one quarter together. Such a discount is only obtainable when the multi-event booking is made and paid for in advance, or on the day and immediately before, the first event in a series takes place.
Acknowledgement of booking
The society will confirm your booking, and send any further information, to the email address that you provide during the booking process. It is your responsibility to provide a correct email address. If an incorrect email address is given and we are unable to deliver your confirmations, the society is not responsible for the consequences.
Cancellation of a booking
If it becomes necessary for you to cancel a booking, you must notify us at the earliest opportunity by completing this form. Refunds will only be made at the discretion of the society if, in its opinion, there is a reasonable prospect of reselling the ticket. Any refund offered may be in the form of a discount code to be used against a future booking, or by a refund to the card used to make payment, at the sole discretion of the society.
Substitute attendees
A substitute may attend in your place if you are unable to take part in an event for which you have booked a place. These terms and conditions also apply to that individual. If that attendee is not a current society member, they will need to meet any difference in cost of attendance.
Cancellation or change by the society
The society will make every effort to fulfil the published events programme, but reserves its right to cancel, postpone and to make changes to any event, including dates, content and timing. If cancellation of an event proves necessary for any reason, the society’s liability is limited to the return of any event fee paid. The society will not be held liable for, nor will it reimburse, any travel, hotel, or other associated cancellation fees or penalties.
Disabled access
Before booking for any event, you should check disabled access details directly with the events team by completing a contact form. The Centre for Heritage and Family History is accessible by wheelchair (lift from the ground or first floors). Disabled parking places are located in front of Reading Central Library, however the society cannot guarantee the availability of these spaces.
Personal possessions
You are encouraged to use the lockers at The Centre for Heritage and Family History to store personal items. These are available on a first come, first served basis.
Notwithstanding the use of a locker, no responsibility is accepted by the society for loss, theft or damage of any personal items during an event.
Virtual Events
When an event is delivered online, it is the attendees’ responsibility to ensure they have suitable computer equipment to participate. For more information on technology requirements see here. Technology issues on the attendees’ part is not a justification for a refund. Where technology issues on the part of the society, the platform or the speaker prevent delivery of an event, the attendees shall be entitled to a free ticket for any rearranged session or a full refund if no alternative session can be arranged.
Sharing of the virtual event connection link by an attendee with third parties is prohibited.
Where multiple people attend a chargeable virtual meeting using a shared device, each attendee must have a valid ticket.
Privacy
The society uses personal data that you supply on booking to deliver your requested event services. It will be held securely and not be used for any other purposes or sold or passed on to any third party. For our full privacy policy see here
Allergies and intolerances
When refreshments are provided at an event, attendees should advise the events team of any allergies or intolerances that they may have, using the boxes provided specifically for this purpose during the booking process. You shall check whether foodstuffs and drinks are safe for you and any attendees on your booking to consume.
Shop Sales
The Shop will supply goods as described on the shop pages of the Berkshire Family History Society website, or in the publications of the society, subject to those goods still being available. The stock availability displayed on our website is indicative but cannot be guaranteed.
Member Discount
Current members of the society are entitled to a discount on products published by the society. These are denoted as ‘Berkshire FHS Publications.’ No discount applies to third party products. To claim a member discount, the customer must insert the current member discount code in the appropriate place during the checkout process. Member discount cannot be applied retrospectively. The current code can be found on the website homepage (login required) or in the current edition of the Berkshire Family Historian.
Data downloads
In respect of data downloads, these are paid for and fulfilled from our digital store and are subject to a separate set of terms and conditions which are available here
Delivery
Where delivery of physical goods is required the customer has the option to select click and collect or carrier shipment. Click and collect orders may be picked up from The Centre for Heritage and Family History – for the address and opening hours see our website.
Cancellation
Except in the case of Data Downloads, the consumer (customer) has the right to cancel an order for goods within 14 days without giving any reason. The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which the customer acquires, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by the customer, acquires physical possession of the goods (in the case of delivery in lots, the cancellation period runs from acquisition of the last lot.)
To exercise the right to cancel the customer must inform the Shop of their decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement in writing before the cancellation period expires by completing a contact from here, or by emailing shop@berksfhs.org.uk or by writing to Berkshire Family History Society at the address in the footer of this page.
If the customer cancels this contract, we will reimburse the customer all payments received, excluding the costs of delivery, but only if they are returned in a re-saleable condition. The goods are to be cared for by the customer at the customer’s risk. No refunds will be made in respect of CD’s where the customer has broken open the seal or wrapper. Where a CD is returned as faulty, we reserve the right to check the item; if found to be faulty our obligation extends only as far as supplying a replacement.
The cost of packing and returning the goods must be met by the customer and will not be reimbursed. Reimbursement will be made by the same means of payment as used for the initial transaction.
Licence
In respect of digital products (CDs and Data Downloads), the customer acquires no ownership of the data but instead receives a personal exclusive licence to the use of the information, as set out in the preamble to the data on the CD or download. There is no right of transfer to a third party and customers are prohibited from providing a lookup service to any third party or disseminating the data in any format, other than as a fully cited source as part of their personal family history records.
Data downloads, are paid for and fulfilled from our digital store and are subject to a separate set of terms and conditions which are available here.
Berkshire Family History Society CIO Reg Charity 1024390
Version date: 17 Jun 2025
