{"id":526,"date":"2023-11-29T14:48:33","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T14:48:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/?page_id=526"},"modified":"2026-02-09T16:24:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T16:24:53","slug":"useful-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Useful Information"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n<section class=\"full-width-text py-5\">\r\n    <div class=\"container\">\r\n        <div class=\"row\">\r\n            <div class=\"col-lg-10 mx-auto\">\r\n                <h1>Communications update<\/h1>\n<p>Following feedback from our recent Parent Questionnaire, we are making some updates to how we manage communications within the Branch. These changes are designed to make information clearer, more consistent, and easier for everyone to access.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WhatsApp Groups<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Going forward, we will maintain one main Branch WhatsApp group, which will be used for information and updates. This will ensure important messages reach everyone efficiently. All previous subgroups have now closed. From now onwards, any queries or questions can be directed to the relevant committee member.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Please join the new North Down WhatsApp group using this link:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/NDPCMainWhatsApp\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/NDPCMainWhatsApp<\/a><\/p>\n<p>We have also opened some discipline groups for Tetrathlon, Games (will open in January once Games training resumes), Polocrosse and the Yela volunteers, as these disciplines have weekly training and more frequent updates. These groups will be renewed each year. If you are interested in any of these disciplines, or if you are currently completing your YELA awards you can join these groups here:<\/p>\n<p>Games 2026: This group will open in the New Year, once Games training resumes &#8211; a link will be shared at that time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tetrathlon 2026<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/NDPCTetrathlon2026\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/NDPCTetrathlon2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Polocrosse 2026<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/Area17PolocrosseGroup\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/Area17PolocrosseGroup<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>YELA 2026<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/NDPCYela2026\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/NDPCYela2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Temporary WhatsApp groups may still be created for specific purposes \u2014 for example, test training or Area competitions \u2014 but these will be short-term and closed once their purpose has been fulfilled.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Additional Communication Channels<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Email<\/strong>: We will continue to use email to share important Branch updates, documents, and reminders.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Facebook<\/strong>: Our Branch Facebook page will continue to share upcoming events, news, and member successes, helping to celebrate achievements and keep our community connected.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Google Calendar<\/strong>: The calendar, shared earlier in October, will be updated regularly and can be used to plan ahead for rallies, training sessions, and other activities. A link to our can also be found here: <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/NorthDownCalendar\">https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/NorthDownCalendar<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Online booking: All Branch activities will be available to book via IPS no later than one week before the event date, ensuring everyone has sufficient notice to register. A link to our IPS booking site is here: <a href=\"https:\/\/itsplainsailing.com\/org\/northdown\">https:\/\/itsplainsailing.com\/org\/northdown<\/a><\/h5>\n                                                                <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n<section class=\"content-left-right py-5\">\r\n    <div class=\"container py-md-4\">\r\n                <div class=\"row align-items-center\">\r\n            <div class=\"col-md-6\">\r\n                <div class=\"content-image\">\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/MG_image_4_685x460.jpg\" class=\"card-img-mobile\" alt=\"\"\/>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"col-md-6\">\r\n                <div class=\"content-description-right\">\r\n                    <h2>Pony Club Rules and Policies<\/h2>\n<p>To keep everyone safe and uphold fair sportsmanship it is important to have Rules and Policies for competition and to support Official decision making. We encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the Rules and the Pony Club Policies. Login into the Resource Hub to find out more.<\/p>\n                                            <div class=\"btn-repeater\">\r\n                                                                                                <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.pcuk.org\" class=\"btn btn-default purple text-white\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n                                        Resource Hub                                        <span class=\"arrow\">\r\n                                                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" version=\"1.1\" id=\"Layer_1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 69.32 46.51\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 69.32 46.51;\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\r\n                                                    <path d=\"M43.79,2l-3.55,3.81l15.97,14.85H5.27c-1.44,0-2.6,1.16-2.6,2.6s1.16,2.6,2.6,2.6h50.97L40.25,40.7l3.55,3.81l22.86-21.25  L43.79,2z\" fill=\"white\"><\/path>\r\n                                                <\/svg>\r\n                                            <\/span>\r\n                                    <\/a>\r\n                                                                                                                                <a href=\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/faqs\/\" class=\"btn-default btn-transparent-outline\" >\r\n                                        FAQ\u2019s                                        <span class=\"arrow\">\r\n                                                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" version=\"1.1\" id=\"Layer_1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 69.32 46.51\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 69.32 46.51;\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\r\n                                                    <path d=\"M43.79,2l-3.55,3.81l15.97,14.85H5.27c-1.44,0-2.6,1.16-2.6,2.6s1.16,2.6,2.6,2.6h50.97L40.25,40.7l3.55,3.81l22.86-21.25  L43.79,2z\" fill=\"white\"><\/path>\r\n                                                <\/svg>\r\n                                            <\/span>\r\n                                    <\/a>\r\n                                                                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n<section class=\"content-left-right py-5\">\r\n    <div class=\"container py-md-4\">\r\n        \r\n                <div class=\"row align-items-center flex-row-reverse\">\r\n                    <div class=\"col-md-6\">\r\n                        <div class=\"content-image\">\r\n                                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/General_Image_22_685x460.jpg\" class=\"card-img-mobile\" alt=\"\"\/>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"col-md-6\">\r\n                        <div class=\"content-description-left\">\r\n                            <h2>Parents&#8217; Information<\/h2>\n<p>Volunteers and Officials all work together to offer a wealth of opportunities to Members. Parents and Guardians also play a vital role, discover more in the Resource Hub.<\/p>\n                                                            <div class=\"btn-repeater\">\r\n                                                                                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/resources.pcuk.org\" class=\"btn btn-default purple text-white\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n                                                Resource Hub                                                <span class=\"arrow\">\r\n                                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" version=\"1.1\" id=\"Layer_1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 69.32 46.51\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 69.32 46.51;\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\r\n                                                        <path d=\"M43.79,2l-3.55,3.81l15.97,14.85H5.27c-1.44,0-2.6,1.16-2.6,2.6s1.16,2.6,2.6,2.6h50.97L40.25,40.7l3.55,3.81l22.86-21.25  L43.79,2z\" fill=\"white\"><\/path>\r\n                                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                                <\/span>\r\n                                            <\/a>\r\n                                                                                                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n<section class=\"content-left-right py-5\">\r\n    <div class=\"container py-md-4\">\r\n                <div class=\"row align-items-center\">\r\n            <div class=\"col-md-6\">\r\n                <div class=\"content-image\">\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/Training_image_8_685x460.jpg\" class=\"card-img-mobile\" alt=\"\"\/>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"col-md-6\">\r\n                <div class=\"content-description-right\">\r\n                    <h2>Members Insurance<\/h2>\n<p>Every Member receives insurance cover from Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd, to protect Members whilst taking part in Pony Club and other equestrian activities. You will find information below about the insurance cover and it is strongly recommended that Parents, Guardians and Members review the information regarding the insurance policy provided.<\/p>\n                                            <div class=\"btn-repeater\">\r\n                                                                                                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.howdengroup.com\/uk-en\/pony-club-insurance-hub-howden-uk\" class=\"btn btn-default purple text-white\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n                                        Find out more                                        <span class=\"arrow\">\r\n                                                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" version=\"1.1\" id=\"Layer_1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 69.32 46.51\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 69.32 46.51;\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\r\n                                                    <path d=\"M43.79,2l-3.55,3.81l15.97,14.85H5.27c-1.44,0-2.6,1.16-2.6,2.6s1.16,2.6,2.6,2.6h50.97L40.25,40.7l3.55,3.81l22.86-21.25  L43.79,2z\" fill=\"white\"><\/path>\r\n                                                <\/svg>\r\n                                            <\/span>\r\n                                    <\/a>\r\n                                                                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n<section class=\"content-left-right py-5\">\r\n    <div class=\"container py-md-4\">\r\n        \r\n                <div class=\"row align-items-center flex-row-reverse\">\r\n                    <div class=\"col-md-6\">\r\n                        <div class=\"content-image\">\r\n                                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/General_Image_8_685x460.jpg\" class=\"card-img-mobile\" alt=\"\"\/>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"col-md-6\">\r\n                        <div class=\"content-description-left\">\r\n                            <h2>Safeguarding<\/h2>\n<p>Safeguarding is everyone\u2019s responsibility and The Pony Club take Safeguarding very seriously. The Safeguarding Policy signposts a range of documents, provides guidance and key contacts to support those who may have concerns about a vulnerable child, young person or adult. The Branch Safeguarding Officer is available to discuss immediate concerns and you can visit the Resource Hub to find all the relevant documents.<\/p>\n                                                            <div class=\"btn-repeater\">\r\n                                                                                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/pcuk.org\/safeguarding\/\" class=\"btn btn-default purple text-white\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n                                                Safeguarding                                                <span class=\"arrow\">\r\n                                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" version=\"1.1\" id=\"Layer_1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 69.32 46.51\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 69.32 46.51;\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\r\n                                                        <path d=\"M43.79,2l-3.55,3.81l15.97,14.85H5.27c-1.44,0-2.6,1.16-2.6,2.6s1.16,2.6,2.6,2.6h50.97L40.25,40.7l3.55,3.81l22.86-21.25  L43.79,2z\" fill=\"white\"><\/path>\r\n                                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                                <\/span>\r\n                                            <\/a>\r\n                                                                                                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from Useful Information<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":370,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/blank.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-526","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Useful Information - North Down<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Useful Information - North Down\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"[...]Read More... from Useful Information\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"North Down\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-09T16:24:53+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/General_Image_5_685x460.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"685\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"460\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/\",\"name\":\"Useful Information - North Down\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/General_Image_5_685x460.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-29T14:48:33+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-09T16:24:53+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/General_Image_5_685x460.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/General_Image_5_685x460.jpg\",\"width\":685,\"height\":460},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Useful Information\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/\",\"name\":\"North Down\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Useful Information - North Down","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Useful Information - North Down","og_description":"[...]Read More... from Useful Information","og_url":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/","og_site_name":"North Down","article_modified_time":"2026-02-09T16:24:53+00:00","og_image":[{"width":685,"height":460,"url":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/General_Image_5_685x460.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Estimated reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/","url":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/","name":"Useful Information - North Down","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/General_Image_5_685x460.jpg","datePublished":"2023-11-29T14:48:33+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-09T16:24:53+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/General_Image_5_685x460.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/455\/2023\/11\/General_Image_5_685x460.jpg","width":685,"height":460},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/useful-information\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Useful Information"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/#website","url":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/","name":"North Down","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/526","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=526"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/526\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1275,"href":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/526\/revisions\/1275"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/northdown\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}