Christian Guild Christian Guild
HOTELS • HOLIDAYS • CONFERENCES
january 2013
WELCOME
director honoured
With this first Newsletter of 2013 I’d like to wish all our guests, staff and readers a happy and peaceful new year.
John Moffoot, one of our Company Directors, who was awarded the MBE in the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, is pictured with his wife, Muriel, after receiving his honour from the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. John’s award is for ‘services to young people and the community of Milton Keynes’. He recently retired as an officer of Milton Keynes Council after 25 years’ service there, and a total of 44 years in local government. During that time, John has been responsible for managing a team of people who organised the Council’s meetings and major events. He says that the highlight was the visit of the Queen in 2007 to open the new football stadium in Milton Keynes – the culmination of 6 months of careful planning which John had led. John has also been involved in getting young people more involved in the democratic process, through visiting schools and youth events, and helping to establish the first Youth Cabinet in Milton Keynes, directly elected by the children and young people that it represents. Out of the office, John and Muriel have been foster carers and helped to establish the Milton Keynes Branch of the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children Charity, as well as being frequent hosts at Christian Guild Hotels.
Well, it’s official: 2012 was the second wettest year since records began. But the rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits at Christian Guild, where we continued to offer wonderful holidays at all of our hotels. If you’ve never visited one of our hotels, then you’re missing out. All accommodation is well appointed and each hotel boasts stunning grounds. You should have received your 2013 brochure by now, which highlights what each hotel offers. If you haven’t, then please let us know or visit our website. Christian Guild, Richmond Holidays and Spring Harvest Holidays all share a common vision for Quality Christian Holidays in the UK, Europe and further afield and have produced the enclosed leaflet as part of this new initiative.
We’re looking forward to spring with some great offers and exciting Themed Breaks. These breaks allow you to enjoy interesting activities in a packed itinerary.
Remember, if you want to holiday during a Themed Break week without taking part in the activities, you can do that! Wherever you choose to go, we’re looking forward to welcoming you to a Christian Guild holiday.
Enjoy a fabulous break this Easter and receive 50% saving on a half term holiday!
Kevin Mantle, Managing Director
responsible tourism At Christian Guild we are committed to acting as a responsible holiday provider, and we have been striving to adapt and improve in all areas. One such area is with the paper used in our brochures, leaflets and letters. We now source paper that meets the FSC responsible sources requirements and in 2012 we developed techniques that enabled us to email all newsletters, brochures and booking confirmations. However, to achieve this we need your assistance in providing us with your full name and address including postcode via email to mail@christianguild.co.uk Now we aim to minimise the amount of paper sent out to guests. The objective is to allow our guests to opt-out of printed material if not required – we will of course continue to post material in the usual way if needed.
Wave goodbye to winter and look sunny side up. The days are getting longer, the trees are turning green – and the Easter holidays 2013 are fast approaching. Easter is a special time of the year and what better way than spend this time with likeminded people at Christian Guild. There is something for everybody at our fabulous locations. Egg-cellent fun-packed programmes, church visits, egg hunts and decorating, organised walks, excursions, craft activities or simply just put your feet up and relax. Christian sociability throughout your stay with a full evening programme. Choose from one of our five hotels and book one of our Easter holidays. And to make you smile a little more, we are throwing in some great offers on our Easter Breaks! Including if you book on an Easter Themed Break in 2013 you will receive 50% off your half-term holiday in October 2013 or February 2014. Quote ‘Easter13’ when making your booking. Terms and conditions apply.
contact details Derwent House (Head Office) ������������������� 01629 580550 Abbot Hall Hotel ��������������������������������������������� 015395 32896 Lindors Country House Hotel ��������������������� 01594 530283
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 Unfortunately the ‘Valentines and Masterminds’ week at Willersley Castle Hotel from 10–15 February has been cancelled. However, we are replacing it with one of our popular Local History breaks. With local speakers and visits this factual week gives you the opportunity to learn a bit about the area whilst relaxing and enjoying the Derbyshire countryside. Only £50 pppn for an ensuite room, dinner, bed and breakfast, plus entrance fees, speakers and entertainment.
summer!
image: www.fieldphotographic.com
e h t s e m o c e r He
Unwinding as the long winter days recede is a great idea, and at Treloyhan Manor you can take advantage of a brilliant deal. The Winter Non-Ensuite Rooms offer means you can enjoy a stay at the 19th century manor house for just £26 per person per night for dinner, bed and breakfast. For an extra £5 a night you can even secure a Sea View room, overlooking picturesque Carbis Bay. The offer ends on 28 February, so be quick!
Christian Guild is at its best during the school summer holidays. Watch your children learn to swim, discover new destinations together, then relax over a family meal and discuss all the things you can do tomorrow. During our Summer breaks, you’ll have access to everything that Christian Guild has to offer – like our four heated indoor swimming pools, arts and crafts, recreational facilities and plenty of themed breaks – as well as the perfect locations for the family to explore.
FAMILY DISCOUNTS We want everyone to enjoy their holiday, and we know that your family holiday can be costly. That’s why we offer special discounts for families: 0-4 years: FREE 5-10 years: 75% off 11-15 years: 50% off 16 & 17 years: 25% off 18-21 in full-time education: 25% off if holidaying with parents *One child per adult. For rates for additional children please contact the hotels. The general rule is that children share with accompanying adults. However, it may be possible to allocate separate rooms for older children, subject to availability.
A range of accommodation We know that no two families are the same so we offer a choice of accommodation to help our guests find the one that’s best for them. Whether you choose a comfy room in one of our five hotels or a well-equipped self-catering lodge at Abbot Hall or Lindors Country House Hotel we will ensure that you’ll feel welcome and relaxed in all our accommodation.
hotel offer
Super late winter deal
history
Interest Break Change
Half-Term Offers Under-10s go free!
February half term is the first school holiday of the new year and keeping your children occupied can be tricky, especially if the weather isn’t kind, but Christian Guild has the perfect package for you! Whether you fancy taking part in our sports, competition and activities, splashing around in our heated indoor swimming pools or a day trip out to places of interest, there’s plenty to choose from! Whilst it is a great feeling treating the children to the time of their lives, it’s even better when your holiday is affordable as well as exciting. That’s why we’ve made Free Child Places available on all our five night February Half Term holidays (8–24 February) for children aged up to 10 years. *Offer applies to one free child place per paying adult.
Free ticket at treloyhan
There’s fun for all the family during February half-term at Treloyhan Manor Hotel. As well as super activities for all ages, guests can also enjoy a free ticket to a local attraction! The fun week, from 16–23 February, is just £273 per person and includes a packed week of relaxing and entertaining activities.
hotel offer craft & chill-out
Deal puts a spring in your step
Lindors Country House has a fabulous offer for anyone who wants to visit the stunning, historic hotel at a fabulous price. All rooms, including ensuite, superior and garden rooms, are available for just £30 per person per night on 3–5 March – and that includes dinner, room and breakfast! At such a fantastic price, the rooms will be booked up quickly, so contact Lindors soon to make sure you don’t miss out.
All mum’s deserve a treat on Mothering Sunday – and there’s nothing better for your mum than a luxurious break at Abbot Hall Hotel. The Cumbrian hotel, on the southern edge of the beautiful Lake District, has arranged a special offer from Mother’s Day on March 10. You can book a stay for your mum from 10–15 March for just £40 per person per night, with a special dinner included. Treat mum to a night or a whole week, where she can relax in the fabulous grounds of the hotel, and unwind in the hotel’s heated indoor swimming pool.
Hone your craft skills and relax while enjoying brilliant discount rates at Abbot Hall Hotel in March. The hotel, which overlooks Morecambe Bay, is a superb place to take a break. From 3–7 March, Abbot Hall is offering special rates of just £50 per person per night for dinner, bed and breakfast. And if you’d like to join the Paper Craft & Chill Out break you can take part as and when you please for an additional £15 per person per day.
Abbot Hall Hotel 015395 32896 Lindors Country House Hotel 01594 530283 Sidholme Hotel 01395 515104 Treloyhan Manor Hotel 01736 796240 Willersley Castle Hotel 01629 582270 www.christianguild.co.uk
You’ve heard of being as mad as a March hare! Well, there’s madness at Treloyhan Manor this March with a fabulous offer. The Cornish hotel has a great deal, where ensuite rooms are available for just £45 per person per night for dinner, bed and breakfast. That’s not all, because you can book five nights in a luxurious ensuite room for just £180 per person per night, halfboard. That’s a great deal! This amazing offer is only available from 10–16 March, and you can also upgrade to a Sea View Room for an extra £2 per person per night, or a Premier room for just £7 per person per night!
Mingle with like-minded people Being on your own can sometimes make you uneasy about taking a holiday. But Abbot Hall Hotel has the answer! The Cumbrian hotel’s Single and Mingle five-night break, from 17–21 March, is perfect if you want to meet likeminded people to share your time with. Abbot Hall has arranged a brilliant itinerary that includes a leisurely walk and visits to breathtaking places such as Coniston, Hawkshead, Bowness and Windermere. As well as excursions most days, there are also special social evenings, entertainment and a delectable buffet on the last night.
single & mingle
Spring in the seaside town of Sidmouth is a superb time for enjoying breathtaking scenery. Sidholme Hotel occupies a magnificent position in the Regency town overlooking the Jurassic Coast, and is the perfect place for spring. And with a special spring offer between 4–7 March you can enjoy the Georgian hotel for less! With discounts of almost 35%, the Spring at Sidholme break is a great way to enjoy the beautiful hotel at a great price – and perfect if you missed out on a Winter Warmer deal!
March madness
hotel offer
Crafty way to enjoy discounts
Mum’s the word for a great deal
mothering sunday
Value for money…
hotel offer
March
Celebrate in style with Christian Guild
Be it a christening, an anniversary or a wedding to remember, we can offer a truly memorable and enjoyable experience for yourself and all of your guests. Every aspect of your event has been taken into consideration when designing our Celebration Packages, with the intention to take the pressure off and ensure the smooth running of your special day. Our bedrooms will be available for your guests to book, and according to your needs you will have full use of the lounges, function room, dining room and our private grounds and gardens. Our dedicated teams will work with you to tailor your day to your absolute satisfaction and offer advice and support throughout the entire process. Call 01629 580550 or email celebrations@christianguild.co.uk to start the planning of an event to remember!
dancing
Pull on your dancing shoes because Ron Coxall is heading back to Sidholme Hotel with his popular break! The English Country Dancing Week provides expert tuition from Ron each morning and for an hour each afternoon. You can then put your lessons into practice with a dance party in the breathtaking Music Room every evening. The five-night break, from 17–22 March, includes dinner, bed and breakfast as well as lunch each day from Monday to Thursday.
Springtime in the rolling Cumbrian countryside is a great way of shaking off the winter blues. Situated in the pretty Edwardian town of Grange over Sands, Abbot Hall Hotel is the perfect place to enjoy the Splendours of Spring. The hotel has arranged a special three-night break at the valuefor-money price of just £105 per person per night for dinner, bed and breakfast from 14–17 April. The fun and fellowship programme includes excursions (at an additional cost) and a fantastic itinerary.
Mix and match craft week A packed week will inspire guests who want to learn more about watercolours and beading at Treloyhan Manor. The Painting & Beadwork Week is perfect for all levels and is a great way to start a new hobby or kick-start an old one. Guests can choose to mix and match the activities in any way that suits them when Ron and Barbara Bailey host the fascinating week from 16–23 March. The package price of just £324 per person includes ensuite accommodation, course fees and materials. If you prefer to stay without committing to activities, you can still choose to join in on any day you wish for an additional £30 per person per day.
Don’t miss out on spring deal You’d be an April fool to miss out on a superb spring offer from Willersley Castle. The hotel is offering a two-night, half-board break for just £99 per person on 23–25 April. The imposing building oozes style and its stunning setting makes you feel like you’re worlds away from everyday life. But it’s actually close to the fascinating villages of Cromford and Matlock Bath in the Derbyshire Dales and within striking distance of top attractions such as Chatsworth House.
hotel offer
Spring into action for special deal
hotel offer
Be led on a merry dance!
craft & painting
April
Lindors Groups & conference offers Church group leaders and conference organisers can take advantage of some brilliant offers during the late winter and early spring. Lindors Country House Hotel has organised special prices for a variety of dates from February to May. The breathtaking grounds of the hotel and first-class accommodation mean you and your delegates will enjoy an inspiring setting for any conference. From 8–10 March, guests can stay for £100 per person in 17 bedrooms and all five of the well-appointed lodges. And approximately 20 guests in a group can stay at Lindors for £120 per person from 12–14 April.
Newlyweds celebrate at Willersley Four couples decided to celebrate their weddings in the imperial setting of Willersley Castle Hotel last year, with the Music Room providing the perfect venue for the wedding receptions. The last of the weddings took place on 15 December. Maureen, the bride’s mother, said: “It is a wonderful venue. We all had a marvellous time. Thank you so much to all the staff at Willersley Castle.” The bride and groom added: “Thank you all for making our day so perfect.”
It’s set to be another busy year of weddings at historic Willersley Castle in 2013, with another four wedding celebrations booked. If you are looking for the perfect wedding venue, contact Willersley Castle Hotel to discuss your requirements. For details, contact 01629 582270.
These remarkable prices includes hot and cold buffet served on the Friday evening and a full English breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. The hotel serves a soup and sandwich lunch, afternoon tea and a threecourse dinner on Saturdays. On Sundays, there is a twocourse Sunday lunch included in the amazing price. For full details contact Lindors on 01594 530283. • A special three-night offer has been made available to conference organisers and church group leaders at Lindors on 3–6 May. Up to 44 guests can stay full-board at the hotel for just £180 per person, with more time to explore the historic area with the days beginning to lengthen!
The perfect venue for a big day Treloyhan Manor proved to be the perfect venue for a happy couple. Claire and Matthew chose to spend their wedding day in the historic manor on the coastal resort of St Ives. As well as taking advantage of the hotel’s stunning grounds for photographs, the couple and their wedding party enjoyed a mouthwatering wedding breakfast and an evening buffet, where family and friends celebrated with a live band.
images: top - derbyshire wedding photographers and mr & mrs robinson. below - www.fieldphotographic.com
Chefs serve up gold standard food
groups are great! Six = Savings
Want to get away this year with friends from your club, group or church? With our Six = Savings offer you can take that break without breaking the bank. Book a group of six adults or more and save £150! Bookings must be between the 7th October 2013 and the 12th April 2014 and be for a minimum of 3 nights (excluding Christmas and New Year). Don’t forget, if your group size exceeds 20 people you will qualify for our standard group discounts as well as receiving the £150 discount. T&Cs apply. Your group can book on to one of our holidays featured in our brochure, on our website or mentioned in this newsletter; alternatively opt for a Leisure Break where you can use our accommodation and arrange your own walks, activities etc giving your group more freedom. After all, it’s your group’s holiday – why not plan it just how you like it? Over the years Christian Guild has catered for numerous groups and clubs, including bridge, dancing, mountaineering, birdwatching, walking, National Trust, craft and many more.
Book now for 2013/14 Many groups have already booked for 2013, but it’s not too late for your group - in fact it’s never too late. If we have availability your group can book at any time. If your group or club is thinking of going away together give our friendly reservation teams at the hotels a call.
EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT Christian Guild already offers superb value for money on its holidays and breaks. But if you can pay early, then you can take advantage of a super offer. If you pay in full at least six months before the start of your holiday, you will be given a 4% discount! Just another great idea from Christian Guild!
2013 2011 prices Take a break in still at
Staying at a Christian Guild hotel has always been magnificent value, and it will be even better in 2013 – because we’ve yet again frozen our brochure prices on half-board tariffs at their 2011 rates!
Chefs at Treloyhan Manor Hotel proved they can cook up a treat when they picked up a top award. Head Chef Kelly Kitching, Commis Chef Chris Parry and General Manager Kieran Lynch qualified for the Cornwall Healthier Eating & Food Safety Awards Gold Food Award. Malcolm Ball, the County Assessor who awarded the certificate, said: “This is a prestigious award and reflects extremely high levels of both food safety and standards, combined with offering a wide range of healthier food choices to the customer. “The team at Treloyhan Manor Hotel has worked tremendously hard to ensure it continues to meet all the criteria, and they should be very proud of this achievement. We have just over 100 premises that hold the award and when you consider the number of food premises in Cornwall it certainly puts the winners among the elite.” Kieran said: “This is a great achievement in recognition of our talented kitchen team, making a fantastic way to end to 2012, and start to 2013.”
Helping the homeless Guests at Treloyhan Manor will be helping the homeless in the South West again this year by raising money for the Street Smart charity. Money will be raised during the months of November and December. General Manager Kieran Lynch said “This is a worthy cause that we have supported over the last four years, helping the less fortunate in the South West and any contributions have been much appreciated.”
Roof renovation continues Renovation work continues at Willersley Castle ensuring we keep improving the historic hotel. The 200-year-old Grade II* listed building needed its roof replacing. The second stage of the roof revamp is underway and the third and final stage is anticipated to be finished by the end of the year. New skylights have been fitted in the Music Room and the main lobby. As well as work on the roof, Room 28 has also been revamped.
Santa stuns Sidholme guests Children who stayed at Sidholme Hotel last Christmas got a really big surprise – when Father Christmas dropped by with gifts. Guests staying at the hotel were just finishing their Christmas Day lunch when Santa appeared with gifts for all the youngsters. General Manager James Sharp said: “As everyone was finishing their lunch, a bell started to ring to announce the arrival of Father Christmas. Everyone was delighted to see him and it was a superb finishing touch to a very successful Christmas at Sidholme.”
Further Afield
2013
laKe garda, veRona & veNice
sightseeing and/or walking
19 may 2013, 8 days from £875
highNds of scotNd 2 june 2013, 6 days from £626
noRmandy, calvados countRY & he D-Day beaches 1 july 2013, 5 days from £555
There is still availability on these three breaks. Book now for 2013 and automatically be entered onto the Priority List for 2014.
lly now fued b o ok
The holidays to JeRseY (24 aug 2013) and he fOOtsTeps of sT. Paul (30 sept 2013) are both now fully booked. Please contact us if you wish to be added to the waiting lists.
potential holidays for 2014:
he Isles of SCIlly and he isle of wight
For more information about any of these holidays, please contact Derwent House:
please contact derwent house to register your interest in either of these holidays
01629 580550 mail@christianguild.co.uk www.christianguild.co.uk
photo competition Now that 2012 is over, we want to see where and how you spent your holidays over the past 12 months! Your holiday images can be anything from portraits to landscapes or even groups shots. They can be macro shots, or panorama. However, they should tie into the 'Christian Guild' theme of this contest. Just keep in mind that your photos may be uploaded to the Christian Guild website and by entering this competition you are accepting that your images may be used in future marketing literature. Please ensure that you have the consent of any person in the image to use the photos. First prize is a 3-night break on a half board basis for 2 people at any of the Christian Guild hotels. Second prize is a £50 Christian Guild gift voucher. To enter please email your images in JPG format with a description and your contact details – including full name, address and telephone number – to mail@christianguild.co.uk Closing date for entry is 1st April 2013.