Grapevine SEPTEMBER
2008
Welcome to the latest edition of the Christian Guild Grapevine which includes many items from around the hotels keeping you up to date with all that is happening, together with a few selected holidays that you may be interested in. We celebrated 60 years at Treloyhan Manor Hotel in June and 80 years at Willersley Castle Hotel in September. In this year of celebration at Treloyhan and Willersley let us not forget to give thanks for the work and ministry that continues at all of our hotels. The summer is almost over and our plans for 2009 are well under way. I do hope that the enclosed 2009 Holidays and Short Break brochure includes that special holiday or short break just for you. We continue to develop our European holidays. All details of our holidays for 2009 and the coach and flying alternatives for Oberammergau in 2010 are now available online or from Derwent House and bookings are being taken. I hope you enjoy this edition of Grapevine and that we have the pleasure of welcoming you to one of our hotels in the not too distant future. Kevin Mantle, Managing Director BLACK FOREST COACH HOLIDAY 2008 Martin & Rita Williams reports back on the Black Forest Coach Holiday - Christian Guild’s first venture in continental Europe.
There was a great sense of excitement in the air early that midsummer morning when an intrepid group of coach travellers set out from Willersley Castle Hotel. We made our way first to Reims, with its glorious cathedral, and then on to Freudenstadt in Germany’s Black Forest where we were based at the Methodist run Hotel Teuchelwald for the main part of our stay.
The days that followed found us visiting everything from a towering waterfall to the world’s biggest cuckoo clock and exploring attractions as diverse as a fascinating open air farm museum and the lovely city of Freiburg, with its beautiful old minster and its delicious ice creams. There were all sorts of delightful surprises, too, as when our hotel’s expert chef added to the social programme by making a Black Forest Gateau before our very eyes, talking us through its history and the process of making it as he went. And even when many of us thought the holiday was all
but at an end Reims thrilled us with its exuberant carnival in honour of Joan of Arc, a spectacle so vibrant and colourful it took your breath away. Christian Guild Abroad got off to a great start. Further holidays are already set up for Ireland and Italy, and with a number of groups gathering for Oberammergau’s ten yearly passion play - the holiday of a lifetime for many people - the future is looking good.
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK UPDATED We updated our feedback form at the beginning of this year to a format that is more easily identified and user friendly. Since the launch of this new form we have seen a 15% increase in the forms returned to date which ensures we keep improving the service we provide for everyone.
Please keep completing the forms, your feedback is very important to us. Managing Director Kevin Mantle says ‘The feedback forms from the hotels give me a real insight into what is happening on a weekly basis at each of our hotels. Thank you to everyone who has completed a form.’
DERWENT HOUSE The team at Derwent House work tirelessly behind the scenes to support the work of the hotels in ensuring your enjoyment whilst staying with us. We are delighted to announce that Vanessa
Moloney has joined the accounts team as assistant accountant. We all wish Vanessa every success in this new role and look forward to working with her.
ABBOT HALL HOTEL INVESTORS IN PEOPLE We are please to announce that in April the Abbot Hall team were once again recognised as Investors in People. INSPECTOR OPENS PLAY TRAIL The new play trail provided and installed by ‘Play Force’ replaces our old playground, which was dismantled earlier this year for safety reasons.
Unfortunately the hard work didn’t stop there. The Abbot Hall maintenance team assisted by other unsuspecting members of the team filled the eight metre square bark pit with over twenty ton-sized bags of play bark. Thursday 21 August marked the official opening when guests gathered for a photo call and Host for the week Steve Hubbard, who is an inspector of playgrounds, did us the honour of cutting the ribbon. MEMORIAL TREE The dedication of a tree planted in Abbot Hall Hotel grounds took place on Wednesday 21st May 2008; when friends gathered to commemorate the life and work of Miss Florence Marshall who had been Manageress of Abbot Hall for many years. The picture shows Amanda Fogg, General Manager with Rev. Geoffrey Pratt and his sister, Shirley Rivers. After the short dedication service
refreshments were served in the Coffee Shop for which all were very grateful. WELCOME TO DEBBIE We would like to welcome Debbie Towler to the team. Debbie joined us at the beginning of July in the role of Restaurant Supervisor. She previously studied for four years and has a degree in genetics but wishes to take a year out before continuing to study towards a PhD. Debbie’s family live in Grange and are active members of the Bay Christian Church.
CONGRATULATIONS DANIEL Daniel England has worked at Abbot Hall for the last six year, starting at the tender age of fourteen. After studying music for five years – two at college and three at Hull University he graduated this year with 2:1 Bachelor of Music with Honours degree and now leave us to pursue a career in the Leeds area. He has played drums at the Edinburgh Festival every year with the university Big Band; you never know in time, he maybe our claim to fame. All the best Dan – we wish you well.
LINDORS COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL PUMP ROOM RENOVATION COMPLETE We are proud to announce the former Table Tennis Room has now been refurbished and renamed the Pump Room. This bright and fresh room is perfect for conferences and small private dinners for family gatherings as well as being open for special occasions such as Easter and Christmas Day Lunch.
RUBY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AT LINDORS Jill & Dave Walker got married 40 Years ago and had their honeymoon at Lindors. So when they were looking for a venue for their ruby wedding celebration Lindors was first choice. The day started with a blessing in the Music Room conducted by their son followed by a sumptuous 3 course lunch
including local Wye Valley Salmon. The room was decorated by Helen’s flowers which gave the finishing touch. Following a champagne toast and lunch they held a ceiliegh dance in the Music Room. The day was enjoyed by everyone and Jill and Dave would like me to extend their gratitude to everyone at Lindors for making their day so special. INVESTORS IN PEOPLE Following our re-assessment in June we are pleased to announce that Lindors Country House Hotel is a recognised Investor in People for a further 3 years. This is a well deserved accomplishment for the team who has worked hard to achieve this accolade.
WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING! Richard Burnham, Head Chef at Lindors Country House Hotel has announced his engagement to Helen Reed. Richard and Helen have known each other for many years and are a perfectly suited couple, all the team at Lindors wish them a long and happy life together.
MOORLANDS HOTEL
SUMMER IN WHITBY There is always something of interest happening. Moorlands Hotel has a varied programme, and lots of interesting activities take place in the town and surrounding villages. With the open top bus stopping outside the hotel, you don’t have to worry about how to get around the town. Whitby Regatta, one of the highlights in the summer, was once again a big success. Around 10,000 people flocked in to enjoy Whitby Regatta!
The town and West Cliff have been bustling with people enjoying the attractions on the West Cliff, the Regatta Parade, stalls and fun fair which arrived late on Sunday night. As usual, the three day event finished with a spectacular fire works display. For the guests of all ages at Moorlands, the fun continued with a beach party. This included sand castle building and was a fun event. The beach, with the wide expanse of sea and sand right in front of the hotel, is fascinating in every season. Fossil hunting was another family event. The Whitby area is a good place to find fossils.
FAIRTRADE The Borough of Scarborough, including Whitby, is now a Fairtrade Borough! The Borough of Scarborough has become a Fairtrade Borough after a successful campaign to encourage consumers to make more ethical choices about the goods they purchase. Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. Moorlands, together with a
growing number of outlets – both local businesses and workplaces – in the town are supporting fairtrade by stocking a number of fairtrade items. With this achievement for the borough, the next challenge is to go further and see what the next step is going to be. Whitby is a facinating town whatever the season. The whole year round you will find something of interest in this fine historic town.
SIDHOLME HOTEL BOARD MEETING A recent Board meeting at Sidholme Hotel gave the company Directors chance to see first hand the improvements that have been made at the hotel and to congratulate the team on raising customer service levels in all areas. NEW LINES BALLROOM DANCING IN THE MUSIC ROOM The Sidmouth Ballroom Dancing Club held a tea dance at Sidholme Hotel with all proceeds going to the Kennaway House Restoration Fund. Sonia and John Davies recently revived the ballroom club’s series of tea dances in Sidmouth, now running every two weeks, alternating between Sidholme Hotel and St Francis Hall, Woolbrook, up to the end of November.
We are pleased to announce that there are now several new lines available from the Sidholme Hotel shop including various locally produced gifts. The beautiful simplicity of the Willow Tree line of figurines has made them immensely popular and we are delighted that you will now be able to purchase these special miniature masterpieces here. The demand for the range of James Chocolates, handmade here in the south-west by a team of professionals
from a blend of french and belgian chocolate, has grown spectacularly in recent years and we are pleased to make them available to you. Hogs Bottom Garden Delights are a small cottage industry on the edge of Dartmoor based at the old market town of Tavistock. Their products are made as much as possible from local produce, including delicious fruit vinegars, unusually flavoured oils, typically English marmalades, jams, chutneys, pickles and savoury jellies - and their fantastic Dartmoor Dressing!
TEEN ZONE Sidholme Hotel recently held their annual Teen zone Week with a mixture of ages and participants (including some eager parents who joined in the fun and friendship) sharing games and activities. The weather was relatively kind as organised teams enjoyed duel style games, table tennis, bowls as well as energetic outdoor activities such as football and paint balling. The week was brought to a close by the Awards Ceremony followed by an enjoyable outside Hog Roast Barbecue.
TRELOYHAN MANOR HOTEL 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Treloyhan celebrated its 60 year diamond anniversary which included an elaborate evening banquet followed by An Ode to Treloyhan read by hosting secretary Doug Emms and a speech by our company Chairman, Mr David Clark. WEDDING BELLS AT TRELOYHAN MANOR We are delighted to announce the engagement of our Restaurant Supervisor Zoe Smith and Sous Chef Marc Rothman who got engaged at the end of August. Mark proposed to Zoe the beach traditionally one knee - there must something in the Cornish air!
on on be sea
NEW HEAD CHEF We are delighted to welcome Craig Tuxworth as our new Head Chef. Craig looks to drive the changes with the use of even more delicious fresh local Cornish produce as we continue the improvements.
GOLD AWARD Congratulations to the kitchen team in maintaining their high standards and achieving this award for the second consecutive year. FUNDRAISING EVENT RAISES OVER £1000 Alexis Sibley continued her charitable works following her recent trip to Ghana by taking over a venue in St Ives town and organising a fundraising day supported by colleagues and some guests from Christian Guild the proceeds of which will help fund their clean drinking water scheme.
ARRIVAL OF ANOTHER BISHOP Last issue we announced that a Bishop, namely Allan, had joined the team as Deputy Manager bringing his wife Julie and daughter Piper. However a fourth Bishop has arrived. Allan and Julie’s second daughter Jasmine Bethany Bishop was born on the 2nd May 2008, weighing 6lb 2oz, she is often being made a fuss over by the guests and staff alike! TRELOYHAN SUMMER FAMILY FUN Fun abounded again in Cornwall this summer with sandcastle competitions and football on the lawn. Pirates was this year’s theme with swashbucklers everywhere
you looked. Once again we pay tribute and thank all of our summer students who devoted their time and efforts during their break from studies, namely Mary Beth Aird, Emily Backhouse, Matthew Bodily, Heather Longstaff, Anna Richardson and Annie Rowan. FROM CHENOBYL TO CORNWALL Treloyhan again hosted a special luncheon for the children of Chenobyl who visit St. Ives annually to sample some of the everyday things the western world take for granted. They enjoyed games on the lawn, a bouncy castle and a luncheon consisting of the fresh local produce.
WILLERSLEY CASTLE HOTEL PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT Thomas Nicholls was a finalist in the Personal Achiever of the Year award at the East Midlands Apprenticeship Awards held in Nottingham. A short film of Thomas and Willersley Castle was shown to the audience of over 350 people and although he was not the eventual winner he received a certificate in recognition of his achievement. Thomas did however receive an award
from Chesterfield College as an outstanding student of the year. CELEBRATING CROMFORD Willersley Castle Hotel joined in Celebrating Cromford (a weekend of celebrating the village and the varied talents of its people) by organising a number of tours around the Castle and grounds. The Traction engine Tiger also made an appearance. SPONSORED WALKING In May Simon Chandler, Social Organiser and events co-ordinator, spent some of his holiday entitlement doing a sponsored walk from Coast to Coast (St. Bees to Robin Hood Bay) and raised over £400.00 for Cancer Research and a local charity, Tiny Tim.
CHARITY SWIMMING Willersley Castle Hotel provided the use of the swimming pool through the early summer for the local branch of the charity Children of Chernobyl which provides a recuperative holiday for children affected by the aftermath of the nuclear disaster in Russia.
SUMMER FUN The summer holidays have proved popular again at Willersley Castle Hotel with families enjoying the family fun and teen activities weeks, from mini Olympics to raft building and climbing a large range of activities have been taking place at the Castle.
INTEREST BREAKS & SPECIAL OFFERS ABBOT HALL
TRELOYHAN MANOR
For information or to book, call:
For information or to book, call:
015395 32896
01736 796240
OCT HALF TERM 19-24 OCT Join us on this family-oriented week with treasure huts, walks, full evening activities and a full-day excursion into the lakes. TURKEY & TINSEL 1-5 DEC PRE-CHRISTMAS BREAK 8-12 DEC Relax and enjoy a few days at Abbot Hall. During these weeks we will have a Christmas dinner, a banquet, excursions and also a day with Craft Workshops for you to enjoy. The cost for this holiday in an en-suite room will be £178.00 half-board. CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR We still have a few places available for Christmas. These include a couple of lodges for the five-day period. At New Year we also have limited availability for anybody that would like to join us in our end of year celebrations.
MOORLANDS HOTEL
COACH HOLIDAY
For information or to book, call:
01947 603584 MINISTERS & PREACHERS BREAK 2 - 7 NOV A unique opportunity to be together with serving and retired ministers in uplifting fun, faith and fellowship. WINTER CRAFTS 9 - 14 NOV Including silk painting, calligraphy and paper making. PRE-CHRISTMAS WEEKEND 5 - 7 DEC Enjoy good food with a Christmas banquet and visit Robin Hood’s Bay Victorian Christmas Weekend.
SIDHOLME HOTEL
LINDORS COUNTRY HOUSE
For information or to book, call:
For information or to book, call:
01395 515104
01594 530283 LAZY DAYS & LOG FIRES 14 - 19 NOV A calm week of suggested visits, relaxing in the lounge by the fire and evening socials. Perfect for unwinding before Christmas. SHORT WINTER WALKS 23 - 28 NOV A relaxing programme of short walks led by Kevin around the picturesque Wye Valley returning to a blazing log fire and complimentary afternoon Tea. Single guests welcomed. Special price: £40 per night half-board. That’s £200 per person for 5 nights dinner, bed and breakfast to include walks, evening activities and complimentary afternoon tea.
October is Support Breast Cancer month. Any new booking with us for October ‘08, we ‘ll donate £5 to breast cancer research. www.cancerresearchuk.org/breastcancer EN-SUITE AT NON EN-SUITE RATES 16 - 21 NOV and 23 - 28 NOV Stay in a En-suite Room for the Price of a Non en-suite - reduction from £45.50 pppn to £39.50pppn. DECEMBER OFFER 1 - 20 DEC 5 nights for the price of 4 with free tickets to some local attractions. Contact the hotel for details. MURDER MYSTERY WEEKEND 5 - 6 DEC Come and join in the fun 01395 515104 and see if you can work out whodunnit? Christmas ‘08 Tea Dance
To make your booking, telephone:
Home made tomato and red lentil soup with a swirl of cream
Smoked mackerel paté with melba toast
Cheese tortellini in a leek and tarragon sauce topped with parmesan cheese
Traditional roast turkey, chipolata sausage, sage & cranberry cous cous and rich gravy Oven baked whole trout with toasted flaked almonds
CHRISTMAS DINNER / LUNCHEONS / TEAS DANCES Leaflet available. Please contact the hotel for your copy. Aubergine, beef tomato and Goats cheese stack drizzled with a pesto sauce
Brocolli Florets Carrot and parsnip mash Lyonnaise potatoes New minted potatoes
Rich Christmas Pudding topped with brandy butter
Hot chocolate fudge brownie served with Devon clotted cream
Strawberry fool accompanied by a shortbread biscuit. Selection of Cheeses and Biscuits Fruit or Plain Yoghurt
Selection of Dairy Ice-Creams
Freshly Brewed Fairtrade Coffee, Tea and Mints
Disclaimer: while we take care in the preparation of our dishes, please note that if you have an allergy or are likely to have an adverse reaction to a particular product or ingredient please inform the waiter
Sidholme Hotel, Elysian Fields, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8UJ
t: 01395 515104 e: sidholme@christianguild.co.uk w: www.christianguild.co.uk
Sidholme Hotel
&
New Year ‘09
22 - 29 NOV
Anyone living in the Mansfield area, or who could meet the coach en-route, please contact Edwin Tattershall on 01623 843504 to check for availability and prices. Tariffs include coach transport. NEW YEAR CELEBRATION COACH BREAK 28 DEC - 3 JAN 2009 Join us in Cornwall on our all inclusive coach leaving from Gainsborough to the mild climate of St. Ives. This is a full board package tour (including lunches) and return journey. For further details please contact Mr John Ram on 01427 615188. 60TH CELEBRATION DEAL UNTIL FEBRUARY 2009 Are you celebrating your 60th Wedding Anniversary or being 60 years young? Celebrate with us at Treloyhan Manor and receive a discount of £60 per person off your holiday of six or more nights. (Photocopy of Wedding / Birth certificate required.)
WILLERSLEY CASTLE For information or to book, call:
01629 582270 BANNER-MAKING & CALLIGRAPHY 5 - 7 DEC Jane Edwards and her team will help you with your banner, or join Gwilym Roberts and learn the art of Calligraphy. PRE-CHRISTMAS WEEKEND 12 - 14 DEC Enjoy a relaxing break prior to Christmas at the Castle. This break includes free entry to Chatsworth House and Gardens with its stunning Christmas displays. LATE AUTUMN BREAKS Willersley Castle Hotel has some limited availability to accommodate weekend short breaks throughout late autumn. Contact our reception team for specific dates and availability.
All offers are subject to availability and are for new bookings made in relation to this publication.
HOLIDAYS in EUROPE
JERSEY
Coach Holiday to
SOUTHERN IRELAND Join us for this coach holiday to Waterford, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry
by air
7 nights at the Biarritz Hotel overlooking St. Brelades Bay with private access to the promenade and one of the finest beaches in the Channel Islands
NEW - By air to
OBERAMMERGAU 7 days from £645 Depart: 9 May 2009
&
PASSION PLAY 2010
THE AUSTRIAN TYROL 8 days from £470 (ex. flights) Depart: 29 August 2009
7 nights holiday to
ROME
&
Join us for a 7 nights holiday to the Austrian Tyrol and the 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play, including one night’s overnight accommodation in Oberammergau and tickets to the Passion Play.
PALAZZOLA
8 days from £1199 Depart: 7 August 2010
Coach holiday to the
FRENCH VENDÉE
Flying from central UK airport. Staying 3 nights in Rome sight seeing, and 4 nights in Palazzola.
8 nights coach holiday staying at the Spring Harvest Holidays park in this beautiful part of Western France
8 days from £1080 Depart: 9 September 2009
9 days from £555 Depart: 22 June 2009
For more information and a full itinerary, or to book your place on any of the above holidays please contact Sarah Askew at Derwent House, Cromford, Matlock, DE4 5JG. Telephone 01629 580550. Detailed itineraries for each holiday can be downloaded from our website at www.christianguild.co.uk/europe