International
Farm Camp

To find out more about a working holiday at Tiptree, and what you MUST do to apply, please work through our check list below:

•  The Camp
•  The Work
•  Rates of Pay
•  Your Stay
•  How to Apply
•   What you must bring
•   Notes
•   Warning - Visitors from Abroad
•   Payment of Booking Fee
 

 

The Camp

Age limit: 18+ years.

No one below this age limit will be accepted.

The Camp is about 80 km from London and has conveniences including flush sanitation, hot and cold showers, hand basins, drying rooms, ironing rooms and washing machines. Sleeping accommodation is only in caravans. Each caravan has a kitchen and bathroom. There are only a small number of double beds available. All buildings are strictly non-smoking. Camp entertainment includes table tennis, snooker, a football field, wireless internet access and television. Subject to work-load and demand, excursions are arranged at weekends during the season to places of interest.

 

International
Farm Camp

To find out more about a working holiday at Tiptree, and what you MUST do to apply, please work through our check list below:

•  The Camp
•  The Work
•  Rates of Pay
•  Your Stay
•  How to Apply
•   What you must bring
•   Notes
•   Warning - Visitors from Abroad
•   Payment of Booking Fee
 

 

The Work

The Camp is open from the 1st of May.

The main work through the season will be fruit picking, but at certain times you may be offered alternative work either on our farm or in our pack house. These jobs are used to fill in time between the ripening of different crops and in the event of adverse weather, dates will fluctuate from year to year.

Once our peak season is finished (usually mid July), if there is not enough work available for all participants on our farm, every effort will be made to transfer you to work with another SAWS operator.

Please adhere to the dates stated on your application form, do not ask for other dates as the Camp will be fully booked except for the dates stated.

 

International
Farm Camp

To find out more about a working holiday at Tiptree, and what you MUST do to apply, please work through our check list below:

•  The Camp
•  The Work
•  Rates of Pay
•  Your Stay
•  How to Apply
•   What you must bring
•   Notes
•   Warning - Visitors from Abroad
•   Payment of Booking Fee

 

Rates of Pay

Fruit is usually picked by a combination of hourly and piece-work, generally speaking the more you pick - the more you earn, for which payment is made weekly in arrears. The rates offered are governed by the amount of ripe fruit available and are exactly the same as those paid to local pickers who also work on the farm. Earnings depend on the effort and ability of the individual, many participants who are prepared to work hard and acquire the necessary skill earn well in excess of the national minimum wage. Where harvest work is hourly paid it is at a rate which is specified by the U.K. Government, currently £6.10/hr with overtime paid at £9.15/hr. Please note that there will only be limited opportunities to work overtime.

Owing to new regulations covering rates of pay, it is essential that you achieve a set standard of productivity (which will be advised daily); otherwise we will not be able to employ you. Work is usually available between 08.30 and 16.30 Mondays to Fridays. Typically your working day will be 8 hours (7 hours on a Friday) although at certain stages during the season you will be required to work overtime on Saturdays and Sundays and on other occasions your hours may be less than 39. There may be the opportunity to work some early mornings and weekends. It is important to remember that crop yields and ripening dates are largely determined by the weather, which is unpredictable and can on occasions make work loads unpredictable.

 

International
Farm Camp

To find out more about a working holiday at Tiptree, and what you MUST do to apply, please work through our check list below:

•  The Camp
•  The Work
•  Rates of Pay
•  Your Stay
•  How to Apply
•   What you must bring
•   Notes
•   Warning - Visitors from Abroad
•   Payment of Booking Fee
 

 

Your Stay

It is only possible to stay in the Camp on a self-catering basis for which the charge is £33.11 per week. Please note that this amount is inclusive of accommodation and some utilities such as water, sewage, laundry, Wi-Fi and reasonable gas and electricity use. If in the season you require additional gas or electricity this will be available to be purchased at a cost with cash or you are at liberty to make your own arrangements directly with an approval supplier. The fees are payable weekly in arrears and no reduction can be made if you do not stay in the Camp for the complete week. The Camp week runs from Monday to Sunday. No rebate on boarding fees can be given should you arrive late.

There is a resident Co-ordinator in charge of the Camp who is responsible for your welfare, and who will be pleased to help should you experience any problems. In order that life in the Camp may run smoothly you will be expected to comply with the few simple rules which are printed on the back of the booking form.

You are expected to keep the camp clean and tidy throughout your stay and to adhere to our Health and Safety protocols which will be posted on the main camp notice board.

 

International
Farm Camp

To find out more about a working holiday at Tiptree, and what you MUST do to apply, please work through our check list below:

•  The Camp
•  The Work
•  Rates of Pay
•  Your Stay
•  How to Apply
•   What you must bring
•   Notes
•   Warning - Visitors from Abroad
•   Payment of Booking Fee
 

 

How to Apply, please send

  1. Completed application form.
  2. Four passport sized photographs.
  3. Proof of student status (if appropriate) and a copy of your passport as proof of your date of birth.
  4. Accommodation security deposit, (Total £100) to:

THE ORGANISER,
INTERNATIONAL FARM CAMP,
HALL ROAD,
TIPTREE, ESSEX. CO5 OQS.
ENGLAND.

Note: Places are not reserved until the completed and signed application form and full deposit have been received by the Organiser.

An accommodation security deposit of £100 must be sent with each application, of which all will be refunded on completion of your stay subject to leaving the camp and your accommodation in a satisfactory condition.

You will be sent written confirmation that a place has been allocate to you and your work permit will be provided following your arrival on site. Applications may be declined without explanation. You are expected to stay in the camp for the whole period booked, and cannot undertake further employment within the UK at the end of this period without a specific work permit to do so.

 

International
Farm Camp

To find out more about a working holiday at Tiptree, and what you MUST do to apply, please work through our check list below:

•  The Camp
•  The Work
•  Rates of Pay
•  Your Stay
•  How to Apply
•   What you must bring
•   Notes
•   Warning - Visitors from Abroad
•   Payment of Booking Fee
 

 

You must bring with you

Knife, fork and spoon.
1 Large Saucepan for cooking in.
Mug and two large plates.
Old working clothes and gloves.
Raincoat.
Heavy boots or shoes.
Rubber boots.
Towel and toilet requisites.
Thick pullover and warm clothes.
Warm Sleeping bag or sheets.
Passport & National Identity Card.
Money (about £100 is recommended).

 

International
Farm Camp

To find out more about a working holiday at Tiptree, and what you MUST do to apply, please work through our check list below:

•  The Camp
•  The Work
•  Rates of Pay
•  Your Stay
•  How to Apply
•   What you must bring
•   Notes
•   Warning - Visitors from Abroad
•   Payment of Booking Fee
 

 

Notes

Where possible we like to encourage participants with a particular interest in Agriculture or Horticulture in their home country – please note on your application if this is applicable.

Participants coming to the camp must be in good health and should be up to date with current vaccinations. On departure all participants MUST leave a forwarding address.

All participants are advised to have a personal insurance policy to cover themselves against loss or theft of belongings as well as personal accident. Under no circumstances can the International Farm Camp management or its servants or agents accept any liability for any loss or damage to property of any description. In the event of illness you will be liable for the cost of any medicines etc. Please ensure you have had up to date Tetanus & TB vaccinations before entry to the UK.

Please remember that this is a farm camp. Work and living conditions can be hard, and may not suit everyone, but if you are able to mix well with your fellow participants you can have an excellent working holiday, as have many participants who have returned for successive years. The UK weather is very unpredictable, it can be wet and cold – please be prepared!

 

International
Farm Camp

To find out more about a working holiday at Tiptree, and what you MUST do to apply, please work through our check list below:

•  The Camp
•  The Work
•  Rates of Pay
•  Your Stay
•  How to Apply
•   What you must bring
•   Notes
•   Warning - Visitors from Abroad
•   Payment of Booking Fee
 

 

Warning - Visitors from Abroad

Immigration Officials are likely to refuse permission to land if you do not have with you a valid National Passport or ID, endorsed where necessary with a United Kingdom visa. You are warned that you may on NO account use this scheme as a means of seeking other employment in the United Kingdom, as your stay here is for a limited period only, and you may only work at the International Farm Camp, Tiptree. You must not use our camp scheme as a means to look for other work.

It is essential that you bring a current national passport, without this we will be unable to open a bank account for you or register you for National Insurance purposes.

 

International
Farm Camp

To find out more about a working holiday at Tiptree, and what you MUST do to apply, please work through our check list below:

•  The Camp
•  The Work
•  Rates of Pay
•  Your Stay
•  How to Apply
•   What you must bring
•   Notes
•   Warning - Visitors from Abroad
•   Payment of Booking Fee
 

 

Payment of booking fee
(the accommodation security
deposit of £100)

From Abroad

Please make payment by any one of the following methods:

(a) Bank Transfer to Barclays Bank, Witham Branch, Tiptree, 20-97-40, account number 30953717.
IBAN GB64 BARC 2097 4030 9537 17Swiftbic BARCGB22

(b) Postal Giro.

(c) International Bank cheque.

(d) Barclays Bank International Money Order. This can be bought at branches of Barclays Bank or Barclays subsidiaries in most parts of the world.

All payments must be made to Wilkin & Sons Ltd.

If you are booking together with friends you can save on bank charges by making one payment for yourself and your friends, but the names of all those booking must be stated on the payment advice.

Cheques must be made in Sterling and all bank charges are to be paid by the sender.