Christian Guild Christian Guild
HOTELS • HOLIDAYS • CONFERENCES
january 2012
WELCOME
SUPERB TOURS STEEPED IN METHODIST HISTORY
Welcome to the first Christian Guild newsletter of 2012! May I take this opportunity to wish all our guests and readers a very happy New Year! If you have stayed with us in the past, we look forward to welcoming you again this year. If you’ve never stayed at a Christian Guild hotel, then now’s the time to take advantage of some excellent offers at our five classic hotels. Financial experts appear to believe that this year will continue to be tough on the economic front – which is why we at Christian Guild believe we should do all we can to help make your stay with us even more affordable. To help you, we will continue to offer our superb Redundancy Cover – where if you are made redundant after booking and paying for your holiday, we will give you a complete refund if you need to cancel. We also offer 4% early payment discount and we’ve frozen our half-board tariff at 2011 rates. Throughout the year we offer fantastic Theme Breaks – which give you chance to meet new people, visit great places and learn new skills – but remember, if you prefer to take your holiday at your own pace, you don’t have to book for those packages. Instead, you can book the half-board tariff and enjoy a Your Choice Holiday – where you can pick and choose whether to get involved in any of the additional activities or just do your own thing. Our five hotels are open every day of the year to welcome you for an overnight stay, a weekend break or a holiday of your choice. We’re here for you, and we look forward to welcoming you. Kevin Mantle, Managing Director
There are many important places around the country that played a vital part in the Methodist Church that exists today: the UK has a rich heritage of the Methodist Movement. Visiting those places can take detective work and meticulous planning, but Christian Guild – itself an important part of Methodist history – has put together two heritage tours that visit some of the best historic sites of the movement. the south west The first tour takes place from the 14–21 July and takes in important sites in the south west of England. Included in it are visits to Camelford – where John Wesley was stoned and hounded out of town before later becoming a welcome visitor – and the Wesley Cottage in Trewint, now a museum containing Methodist artifacts. The seven-night stay at Treloyhan Manor Hotel includes a host of visits to places of interest including Gwithian Chapel, Gwennap Pit and Zennor. Prices start at £515. central and northern england For those who want to take in the sites of the first days of the movement, a second tour takes places from 2–9 September. This seven-night tour will cost £550 and will take in Lincoln College, Oxford and the birthplace of the Wesley brothers, Epworth in North Lincolnshire. During the visit to Epworth, there will be chance to see the childhood home of John and Charles and visit the tomb of their father, Samuel.
MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO LINDORS Lindors Country House Hotel has been recognised by having a tune named after it in the new Methodist hymn book, Singing the Faith. Musician David Lee had written a tune for the hymn Day By Day, and when the book’s editors approached him for a name for the tune, he decided to call it Lindors. David said: “Over the years we have had some good family holidays at Lindors. So I broke with tradition of naming my tunes after places in Durham – where we had lived until recently – and chose the name Lindors instead.” If you want to check out the tune, it is number 444 in the new hymn book. contact details Derwent House (Head Office) ������������������� 01629 580550 Abbot Hall Hotel ��������������������������������������������� 015395 32896 Lindors Country House Hotel ��������������������� 01594 530283
Whether you are new to the Methodist Church or fascinated by its history, both tours should give a valuable insight into its roots and early history. For more information, contact Derwent House on 01629 580550 or visit our website at www.christianguild.co.uk
Sidholme Hotel ������������������������������������������������� 01395 515104 Treloyhan Manor Hotel ��������������������������������� 01736 796240 Willersley Castle Hotel ����������������������������������� 01629 582270
www.christianguild.co.uk
All offers in this publication are applicable to new bookings only and subject to availability. Full balances must be paid at the time of booking. Terms & conditions apply. Excursions and some entertainment may incur additional costs.
February
dancing
luxurious VALENTINE’S OFFER
Add a luxurious note to Valentine’s by treating the one you love to a sumptuous hotel stay and top-class dinner for a fantastic price. For just £99 per person, you can stay at Treloyhan Manor Hotel for three nights between 12 and 18 February and enjoy dinner, bed and breakfast. And to add that little extra touch, the hotel will also ensure there are chocolates in your room on arrival!
HOTEL STAGES A GREAT DEAL
Fans of the theatre are in for a special treat thanks to a special deal at Willersley Castle Hotel. Anyone who books for the entire week during the traditional fellowship weeks packages below will be treated to a night at the theatre in Derby. Those staying from 19–24 February will be taken by coach to the Guildhall Theatre in Derby to see Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore or The Witches' Curse. If you book from 27 February – 2 March, you will be taken to Derby Assembly Rooms to see that Agatha Christie classic Murder on the Nile. The deal includes superb prices: just £30 per person per night for dinner, bed and breakfast for the first week; and just £35 per person per night for dinner, bed and breakfast for the second week.
Taking steps for a brilliant dance break
st. david’s day
Strictly Come Dancing may have finished for another season, but why not learn some steps yourself so you can be your own judge when the BBC show starts again this autumn? Abbot Hall Hotel is hosting a wonderful four-night dancing break from 20–24 February that will teach you all you need to know, regardless of your experience or ability. For just £230, you get to stay in the beautiful Cumbrian hotel, learn to dance from a brilliant tutor and enjoy lunch and morning tea or coffee on three days.
WELSH WEEK WILL BE WONDERFUL Situated right on English - Welsh border, Lindors Country House Hotel is the perfect place to celebrate St David’s Day. The Wye Valley hotel is marking this year’s special day with a full week of Welsh-themed activities. The five-day break, from 26 February – 2 March, includes the chance to learn how to speak a little of the language, day trips to St Fagan’s and Cardiff on St David’s Day and a visit to the National Mining Museum of Wales. Also included in the price (which is just £345 per person) are guest speakers and a fabulous St David’s Day Gala Dinner.
working with willow Sidholme Hotel was the venue for a brilliant week of willowworking that resulted in guests enjoying the chance to build a willow tepee in the grounds. For those who want to work with willow again, the leader Richard Kershaw is back from 26 February – 1 March to build a live willow fence – and guests are invited to learn more about the art of willow weaving. The week includes indoor sessions where Richard will teach you how to make sculptures and baskets from willow, and the package price for the week-long holiday starts at just £335 for an annexe non-ensuite room. The cost includes all the materials you need, as well as ALL meals, tea and coffee each day. Contact the hotel today to book now.
CASH RAISED FOR CHARITY Homeless charity StreetSmart was given a cash boost after Treloyhan Manor Hotel collected funds. Guests were asked to help raise the cash for the organisation in the south-west during last November and December. General Manager Kieran Lynch said: “We would like to thank everyone who contributed as we continue to help those in need at this giving time of year.”
hotel has the ‘X Factor’ Abbot Hall Hotel proved it had the ‘X factor’ when it staged an event to uncover Christian singing stars of the future. The hotel played host to regional auditions of Gospel Rock – a talent show similar to TV shows The X Factor and American Idol, set up in 2009 to discover, encourage and promote Christian singers. A grand final takes place every year. Open to people of all ages and denominations, the organisers encourage people who can sing in a variety of styles – pop, rock, R&B, gospel etc – to take part in Gospel Rock. A spokesman for the organisation said: “We want to reach out directly to those individuals who believe that they have a God-given talent to realise ‘professional’ status or just to showcase their work and abilities to a large Christian audience. We strive to involve a significant percentage of church congregations in the UK and any other Christian organisations willing to partner with us.” Plans are now under way for Gospel Rock to return to Abbot Hall in the future.
willow-craft
theatre
st. valentine’s
Breaks you'll love this
Brilliant day trips with packed lunches included are just part of a wonderful five-night break from 18–23 March at Abbot Hall Hotel. The Fun & Fellowship special offer package of just £295 per person was announced just as this Newsletter was going to press. For details, contact Abbot Hall on 015395 32896.
STEP OUT FOR ‘CRAFTY WEEK’
If you like both walking and crafting, then you will love this five-night break from 4–9 March at Abbot Hall Hotel. Jeanette and Paul Spencer will be leading this break which gives you the opportunity to enjoy the great outside as well as learn new craft skills. Prices for the week, which include free tea and coffee every morning, start at just £315 for a standard ensuite room.
give your mum A break!
Mothering Sunday is the chance to show your mum just how much you care, so give her a break she will never forget. From 18–23 March you can treat your mum to a stay at the beautiful Sidholme Hotel. The special five-night break is being offered for the price of four nights – just £244. Contact the staff at Sidholme and they’ll also arrange to have flowers and chocolates in the room on arrival! Be quick to take advantage of this brilliant offer by calling Sidholme Hotel on 01395 515104.
THE ONLY WAY’S FROM ESSEX!
Single & Mingle at Abbot Hall You have the chance to make new friends and enjoy five wonderful nights during a special Single and Mingle Week at Abbot Hall Hotel from 25–30 March. As well as the chance to enjoy walks, entertainment and Aquacise, this fun week will also include a trip to the Lakes. The break costs £295 per person and will be hosted by Colin Braithwaite and Ruth East.
HOTEL looks pretty perfect
www.gelco.de/en
getting ready for the summer
Get a spring in your step and join Willersley Castle’s fantastic Spring Walking Week (25–30 March). With walks from four to eight miles led by experienced local leaders, there is something for everyone to enjoy. This superb package is just £360 and includes breakfast, packed lunch and dinner as well as transport to and from the walks. Exclusively for this week, Willersley Castle is offering free tea and coffee throughout your holiday too! Contact the hotel to book before all the places are taken.
walking
BEST FOOT FORWARD FOR SPRING
German fashion brand Gelco headed to Treloyhan Manor when it chose the pretty hotel and its surroundings for its latest photoshoot. The St Ives hotel provided the perfect backdrop for the company’s brochure.
new friends
Leave your car at home and take advantage of a fabulous coach holiday to Lindors Country House Hotel from 11–16 March, picking up from Chelmsford, Stansted Services, South Mims Services, Reading Services and Swindon Football Club. The fantastic five-night break includes transport to and from the hotel from the pick-up points; packed lunch on day trips; trips to Bath, St Fagan’s, Berrington Hall and Ross-on-Wye and evening entertainment and fellowship. At just £385 per person for the break, it’s great value for money. But if you book by 8 February, you will receive a 5% discount on the price PLUS a free upgrade! Book now to avoid disappointment and to take advantage of the great deal.
mothering sunday
coach holiday
crafts & walking
BREAK WITH FUN & FELLOWSHIP
fun & fellowship
pring breaks: March, S
Treloyhan Manor Hotel will shortly be recruiting their summer staff to take on a variety of roles around the hotel over the summer months. If you would like to be considered to be part of the team please contact the hotel on 01736 796240.
Abbot Hall Hotel Lindors Country House Hotel Sidholme Hotel
015395 32896 01594 530283 01395 515104
Treloyhan Manor Hotel 01736 796240 Willersley Castle Hotel 01629 582270 www.christianguild.co.uk
music painting
GARDeNERS’ WORLD
Sidholme Hotel’s historic music room will be the setting for fabulous entertainment during this five-night break for music lovers. Sidmouth Gospel Choir and a host of other musical treats are being lined up for the Music Week at the Devon hotel between April 15–20. For more details or to book your place, contact the hotel today on 01395 515104
Take advantage of our return coach travel to Treloyhan Manor Hotel for seven nights half-board accommodation in non-ensuite rooms from 6-13 May. Pick-ups from Willersley Castle Hotel in Derbyshire, Hopwood (M42 J2), Bristol Gordano (M5 J19) and Exeter Services (M5 J30). Price for the week is £260 perperson. Contact Derwent House on 01629 580550 to make your booking.
Budding Lowrys and Monets can learn to paint with expert Ron Bailey during a fabulous theme break at Trelyohan Manor Hotel. Whether you’re a novice or want to develop your artistry skills, Ron will be on hand throughout the seven-night break from 21–28 April. Prices start at just £356 per person, which includes five lunches at the hotel as well as expert tuition.
Take the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking scenery around Treloyhan Manor on our Early Summer Walks package from 19–26 May. Prices start at just £412 per person, and include five day trips (with packed lunches) that take in some stunning coastal walks, including a variety of easy and moderate walks from Land’s End to Porthcurno and St Merryn to Padstow.
SIZZLING SUMMER STROLLS Enjoy the stunning views around the Cornish coast on the special Mid-Summer Strolls week at Treloyhan Manor Hotel from 24–30 June. This seven-day break includes five day trips (with packed lunches) to places such as Truro Cathedral, Marazion Ludgvan and St Just. Package prices is just £435 per person in ensuite accommodation.
cornish gardens coach week
painting
Enjoy Cornwall’s beautiful gardens on this coach holiday from 30 June – 7 July, hosted by Derek and Ann Rees. The luxury coach will pick up in Wadebridge, Bristol, Taunton and Exeter and transport you to the hotel in picturesque St Ives. Gardens visited will include Trebah, Caerhays, Trengwainton and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Package price for this amazing break is £495 per person in ensuite accommodation.
WATERCOLOUR COURSES FOR ALL Sarah Bell is returning to Sidholme to offer watercolour classes again in 2012. Her first visit on 29 April – 4 May is for those who have never attempted to put brush to canvas. The package price is £405 for ensuite rooms. For those who have tried a bit of watercolour painting in the past, Sarah is offering a level two course from 18–23 November, at just £365 for an ensuite room. Package prices include tuition, tea and coffee, and lunch each day. Contact the hotel for more information.
GREAT SPEAKER HEADS FELLOWSHIP WEEK Dr Bill Davis, the former Principle of Cliff College and onetime president of the Methodist Conference, will be a guest speaker at Jean Long’s Fellowship Week at Lindors Country House Hotel from 30 September – 5 October. As well as the opportunity to hear Dr Davis, there’s a great chance to socialise during the week with a coach excursion, short walks, fellowship with speakers and fantastic evening entertainment. All the activities are included in the fivenight package price of £315.
gardens
Green-fingered volunteers can take part in a special project at Treloyhan Manor Hotel. If pottering about in the garden is your idea of a great break, then Green Gym Mornings from 28 April – 5 May is the perfect holiday for you. As well as learning from our gardening team, volunteers will receive free tea and coffee and five lunches during the break. Prices start from just £266 per person, and the scheme will be a great way of meeting new friends, getting lots of exercise and learning more about gardens.
STEP OUT FOR EARLY SUMMER WALKS
walking
BRUSH UP YOUR SKILLS
derbyshire to cornwall coach
walking
BREAK HITS THE RIGHT NOTES
gardening
April and beyond
Great offers for all the family three generations offer
half-term & easter
Children under the age of 10 stay free at Treloyhan Manor during the break from 12–25 February. Please note the offer only allows one child free per adult. The hotel is also repeating the deal during the Easter break too for bookings between 1 and 14 April.
KIDS GO FREE AROUND THE WORLD WITHOUT LEAVING SIDHOLME
Make a splash from 12–17 February and take part in Abbot Hall’s Underwater half-term week! With fancy dress, fishy tales, Aquacise classes and bag a beetle with a twist, the funfilled activities will keep your children busy all week, giving you time to enjoy the Cumbrian hotel’s beautiful setting. Or you could just spend time exploring the stunning countryside of the Lakes. Plus for every paying adult, one child under 10 can stay for FREE!
During half-term week (12–17 February) the Devon hotel is offering the chance to learn a lot in four fun-packed days with ‘trips’ to Spain to learn Salsa; Japan and China to learn origami and the game of Majhong; and France to learn how to make all the crepes you can eat! What’s more, children under 16 will be able to enjoy a FREE stay during the break, as long as they are accompanied by a full-paying adult! Contact the hotel for details – discounts are also available for those who stay for five nights!
ACCOLADE FOR TRELOYHAN
Abbot Hall Hotel Lindors Country House Hotel Sidholme Hotel
015395 32896 01594 530283 01395 515104
Book to stay at Sidholme Hotel from 1–5 April and quote the code GVE12 and you won’t just get a discounted package rate; you’ll also be given free entry to Exeter Cathedral and Bicton Park – and a packed lunch to take with you! Prices start at just £161 for an annexe non-ensuite room. For those who want to really treat themselves, the offer of an inhouse Superior room for just £241 is hard to refuse. From 5–10 April at Sidholme there will be reflective devotions, as well as an Easter egg hunt around the grounds. Guests will also be able to take part in Easter activities in the town, such as a walk of witness and hot-cross-bun giveaway. Prices for the week start at just £200, so book today to avoid missing out. And that’s not all... Children under 16 who accompany a full-paying adult during this whole Easter period stay for free at Sidholme too. This cracking deal is available to any adult who books a minimum of three nights between 1 and 10 April, which means you don’t have to shell out this Easter!
easter family fun! Easter at Willersley Castle is going to be a lot of fun for all the family! The hotel will run the famous Castle Egg Hunt, where hundreds of eggs are hidden around the 60 acres of grounds. There will also be craft activities, mini-raft racing, visits to local sites of interest and Easter prizes. The Easter Fun break is just £224 per person from 1–5 April and £280 from 5–10 April. Both prices include dinner, bed and breakfast. Plus for eggstra value, if you book 3 nights or more on either break, for EVERY paying adult, 1 child under 16 goes FREE! (new bookings only)
easter
People are extremely important to Christian Guild and its hotels – whether that’s staff or guests – so it is with delight that Treloyhan Manor Hotel has picked up the prestigious Investors in People award. St Ives Mayor Ron Tulley (pictured) presented the team at the hotel in Cornwall with the official certificate. General Manager Kieran Lynch said: “Considering we chose the fast-track programme of only six months it was always going to be challenging, but our entire team rose to the occasion and did fantastically well in achieving this award for the first time." Operations Manager Janet Turner added: “This award has been brilliant to add to our company’s achievements this year.
A CRACKING easter at sidholme
easter
Dive in to a great half-term break
half-term
UNDER-10s FREE FOR SCHOOL BREAKS
half-term
If grandparents, parents and children all book their break together at Treloyhan Manor this spring, grandchildren can stay for FREE! The Three Generations Offer is available from 28 January – 21 July only. One grandchild free per paying adult.
Treloyhan Manor Hotel 01736 796240 Willersley Castle Hotel 01629 582270 www.christianguild.co.uk
Holidays further afield in 2012 he isles of sciLY 6 – 13 may. 7 nights
lly now fued b ook
MethodisT heritage coach tour:
St Ives & South-wesT EnglAnd 14 – 21 july. 7 nights. see front page for details.
AustRia walking holıday
4 – 11 aug. 7 nights from £847 incl. flights & transfers
MethodisT heritage coach tour:
centrAl & Northern EnglAnd
2 – 9 september. 7 nights. see front page for details.
floRiade & tHe belgian aRdeNEs 3 – 7 september. 4 nights from £489
For more information and a full itinerary, or to book your place on any of these holidays please contact: Derwent House, Cromford, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5JG Telephone 01629 580550 Web: www.christianguild.co.uk/further
‘VISIT TO HOLY LAND WAS THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME’ AS well as offering the best Christian hotels in the country, Christian Guild also arranges superb holidays further afield. Last November, we arranged a visit to the Holy Land, which was the trip of a lifetime for our guests. Two of those who joined our trip, Graham and Jill Daft, explain in their own words just what a moving and excellent time they had: “What a wonderful holiday we had in the Holy Land in November. This was the trip of a lifetime, taking in so many of the places that we had heard and read about from the Bible. “With about 30 fellow travellers in our group, and our hosts Martin and Rita Williams, we flew from Luton to Tel Aviv travelling on by coach to our first hotel in Nazareth. We met our guide, who was to accompany us for the whole holiday, and from there we visited many sites associated with the early years of the life of Jesus. “We also saw Cana, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, and the river Jordan among others, and climbed Mount Tabor (by minibus!) the site of the Transfiguration. “We transferred to Jerusalem for six nights at our new hotel, which was our base for visiting Bethlehem and the Shepherd’s Field, the Church of the Nativity, the Garden Tomb, Pool of Bethesda, Wailing Wall, Israel Museum, Holocaust Museum, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem Old City (including the Via Dolorosa), Mount of Olives, walking the Palm Sunday route to the Garden of Gethsemane. We also found time to take a day trip through the desert to Jericho, Masada and the Dead Sea, where some of our group took a dip but failed to swim! We also fitted a free day into the schedule somehow which most of us used to go back into Jerusalem to explore the city and also revisit some sites. “This was a wonderful experience, and we came back truly uplifted and inspired. It was also an opportunity to see the land that we see so much of on our televisions with all its religious and political issues for ourselves, including that Wall, to increase our understanding a little of the historical background to the situation that is now the modern Jerusalem, and to draw our own conclusions. “This was an experience that we loved, and which has led to our hunger for learning more not only about the biblical settings but also the current issues. We also thank Martin and Rita for their untiring help and guidance, and the readings, prayers and hymns that we shared in each location. “The highlight of the holiday? For us this has to be the boat trip on the Sea of Galilee, where we stopped in the middle, stopped the engine, and away from all the crowds drifted in the quiet of the late afternoon and the silence that has not changed in two thousand years.”