Christian Guild Christian Guild
HOTELS • HOLIDAYS • CONFERENCES
n e ws le t te r : M ay 2013
WELCOME
HEAD OFFICE SET TO MOVE
I'm lucky enough to regularly visit all five of our magnificent hotels across the UK – and I’m always impressed by just how dedicated our staff are. Their mission is to help you get the most out of your stay with us, and to ensure we always keep quality at the core of our organisation. Our chefs and kitchen staff are always keen to use local produce whenever possible to ensure the superb quality food gives you get a real flavour of the area you’re visiting. If you want to explore some of the most scenic areas of Britain, then a Christian Guild hotel is a great place to stay. Every hotel offers themed breaks and holidays, or if you just need a base for a few days to visit an area you’ve always wanted to see, then we’re ready to welcome you. We’re flexible and always want to meet the needs of all our guests – it’s why more than 20,000 people chose to stay with us last year! Next year we are working with Robinson Holidays of Blackburn to bring you a variety of holidays at each of our locations as well as visiting them at their Isle of Wight Hotel. Robinson Holidays have also kindly offered the complimentary use of an executive coach for 3 days. We are asking you as our customers to suggest a goodwill cause of up to 50 people who would benefit from a short break away at one of our hotels. Martin Ellis (Chair) and myself will select one proposal from those submitted. Please send us your suggestions either by post or by emailing sarah@christianguild.co.uk before the 1st June. Kevin Mantle, Managing Director
Thank you to all our guests We are delighted to report that our guests helped us raise almost £6,500 for the Nigeria Health Care Project last year. And Christian Guild has decided to continue to raise money for the project as well as continuing to support Goodwill Holidays. The NHCP was launched in 1992 after the Wesley Guild decided to re-establish support for primary health care in Nigeria. Donations such as those raised by Christian Guild help support the NHCP in connection with the Methodist Church of Nigeria to provide and monitor funding for new and existing projects to some of the poorest people in the world. Thank you to all those who have supported our fundraising. We hope you can help us continue this great work this year.
Christian Guild’s head office has long been based at Derwent House, in the grounds of Willersley Castle. But Derwent House has been sold as part of investment plans, and the sale was completed earlier this month. Our new head office will be at Cromford Mills – the centre-piece of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site – which was built by Sir Richard Arkwright and was the world’s first waterpowered spinning mill. Sir Richard started building our own Willersley Castle in 1790, but, sadly, never saw the building completed. The new address for Christian Guild Head Office will be: 2nd Floor, Building 10, Cromford Mills, Cromford, Derbyshire, DE4 3RQ. All emails and the web address will remain the same – however, please note the new telephone number will be 01629 826531.
BUYING SHARES IN CHRISTIAN GUILD Christian Guild is proud of its heritage and its desire to involve as many of our guests as possible in the future of the organisation. We would be delighted to hear from people who are interested in the purchase of shares in Christian Guild. Shareholders enjoy a variety of benefits, including discounts on breaks and holidays of up to 10%. Also, Christian Guild offers a range of exclusive shareholder breaks and weekends at our five fabulous hotels.
Something for all the
family
Summer is just around the corner! We are always ready to welcome every generation of your family, and our five charming hotels have fabulous grounds and offer fantastic activities to ensure we meet all your needs. Four of our hotels boast excellent heated indoor swimming pools, so even if the weather isn’t great there’s always something to do. Whether you want to keep your youngest generation occupied or prefer more peaceful pursuits for your older generation, then a Christian Guild Summer Holiday is ideal. Meal times are a family affair with great food for all ages served in a family friendly way. Our sociable dining is an opportunity for children and adults to mix and share their day’s experiences. It’s all part of the Christian family values that are the roots of our organisation – that’s why Christian Guild is the perfect choice for your summer family holiday.
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.
introducing Jill DuRnfoRd – Blue badge guide for Abbot Hall When you’re enjoying the sights and steeping yourself in the history of your holiday destination, it’s always best to have a well informed guide. Jill Durnford is a Blue Badge Guide for Cumbria who will lead Abbot Hall Hotel guests. She introduces herself here: “Having spent many years in education, I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to train as a Blue Badge Guide for Cumbria. It seemed to be the perfect job, combining my love of talking to people with my many and varied interests. I like to think that I am following the example of Cumbrian resident John Ruskin who was interested in art, architecture, the environment and society (amongst many other interests). Sadly, I am not the expert that he was! “When I’m not planning, researching or carrying out tours, I may be out walking in the fells or gardening (if dry) or indulging in my latest craft passion (if wet). I love anything to do with textiles and have recently learnt the ancient art of felt-making. “Now that my two children are almost grown up I hope to be able to take advantage of the increased flexibility to do a little more travelling. I love exploring Britain, particularly homes, gardens and archaeological or historical sites. “I’m very lucky to be able to do a job which I thoroughly enjoy and which enables me to live in such a wonderful part of the country. I do hope you will join me on one of my tours and I look forward to sharing my love of Cumbria with you.” Each of these tours includes full-board in a Superior Room and all transport and admission fees.
Abbot Hall Hotel
south lakes, cumbria. 015395 32896
bird-watching & country strolls 8 – 15 June (7 nights) • £475 per person Join Tim and Richard Preston at Abbot Hall for this week. This fantastic break will entertain both walkers and twitchers alike on a half board basis.
great 3 for 2 offer Sun 23 – Wed 26 June & Wed 3 – Sat 6 July Abbot Hall Hotel has a great offer if you’re after a short break. Book your 3-night stay at the hotel for either of these dates and you'll only have to pay for 2 of the nights!
abbot hall
Summer Family Breaks
HOMES AND GARDENS OF THE LAKES 21–26 July (6 nights) • £594 per person Tour some of the best stately homes and private gardens in Cumbria. From wild, rocky Lakeland style to understated elegance, you will explore a rich diversity of homes and gardens over the five days.
HIDDEN GARDENS 7–9 Jul & 11–13 Aug (3 nights) • £245 per person Explore the wonderful private gardens of the southern Lake District. You will meet the gardens’ owners and discover how they have created such stunning spaces, enhanced by the beauty of their surroundings. Light lunches are provided by the owners and there are further opportunities to ask questions.
QUIRKY CUMBRIA 14–16 August (3 nights) • £245 per person This tour seeks out places which are off the normal tourist trail. Explore unusual buildings, discover quirky facts and visit places you might otherwise miss. This is very much a tour with a difference and a great way to spend a short summer break.
more fantastic tours later in the year... • Thinkers, Writers & Artists. 8–10 September • From Stone Age to Shipyards. 29 September – 1 October Please check www.christianguild.co.uk for further details.
There is still some availability on our Family Breaks at Abbot Hall this summer. Each of the breaks includes a Summer Garden Party with barbecue and free ice creams, with games on the lawn and in the pool. Not only that, but every child will also get a goodie bag! • 20 – 27 July: Gladiator Galore • 27 July – 3 Aug: Pirates of the Bay • 3 – 10 August: Animal Adventure Week • 10 – 17 August: Wild West Week • 23 – 31 August: Sport For All And now you can take an even longer g n i z break! Extend your Family a am ons summer Break by 3 to 7 nights and get 25% off i e x tenser all additional accommodation costs! of f
Willersley Castle Hotel derbyshire dales
01629 582270
SUPER SUNDAY-ROAST stop-over 2 June (1 night) • £25 per person This special one-night break at Willersley Castle is perfect if you’d like to explore the delights that the Derbyshire Dales have to offer. Enjoy dinner, bed and breakfast at the hotel, including a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings. Be sure you’re quick to book to avoid disappointment. And remember to quote code WCR.
MEWS WALKS WITH VALUE 14–19 July & 8–13 Sept (5 nights) • £180 per person People who love walking will have to be quick to enjoy a super five-night break at a super price. Mews Walk Weeks take place in July and September for just £180 per person, with full-board accommodation at Willersley Castle’s Mews.
HORRIBLE HISTORIES BREAK 31 Jul – 2 Aug, 2013 (2 nights) • £99 per person ‘Horrible Histories’ is a favourite of children and adults alike, and there’s an excellent break on offer that gives guests the chance to see the humorous stories of the past live on stage. On your first evening Willersley Castle Hotel has organised free admission to the live Horrible Histories Barmy Britain event at Chatsworth House in the evening of 31 July. Direct from the West End, the show promises to leave in all the gory bits of bygone eras. We will be taking a picnic tea to the event, please bring picnic blankets and chairs.
willersley castle
Summer Family Breaks • 28 July – 2 Aug: Superheroes & Villains • 4 – 9 August: Pirates Week • 11 – 16 August: Family Fun Week
family t discouns r ate
Don’t forget our great family discounts*: 0-4 years: FREE 5-10: 75% off 11-15: 50% off 16 & 17: 25% off 18-21 in full-time education: 25% off
if holiday taken with parents
*One child per paying adult.
CELEBRATE PRIDE & PREJUDICE bicentennial ANNIVERSARY 18–23 August (5 nights) • £315 per person Fans of Jane Austen won’t want to miss a wonderful fivenight break to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride & Prejudice. Willersley Castle Hotel has organised a fascinating holiday that takes in the area where the book is said to be based. Some even believe that Willersley Castle was the inspiration for Austen’s Pemberley rather than Chatsworth House. On arrival, guests will receive a copy of the book as a special gift to help you get to grips with Austen’s masterpiece. As well as a brilliant break, the price includes dinner, bed and breakfast in en-suite rooms, a themed meal on the last night, as well as three full-day excursions including admission costs, evening entertainment and a captivating talk from a Jane Austen expert.
CAR AND CARE FREE IN DERBYSHIRE 25–30 August (5 nights) • £275 per person The Derbyshire Dales are breathtaking, so it’s no wonder TV and film makers – such as current BBC One series ‘The Village’ – use their stunning scenery as backdrops! At Willersley you can experience the magnificent countryside with this fantastic five-night Car Free & Care Free break. With three superb excursions, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the rolling peaks and dales from the comfort of your coach. You’ll be taken to visit wonderful villages and awesome attractions. The art of Well Dressing will be explored, and you’ll also get the chance to visit historic Chatsworth House, Bakewell – where you can sample tasty Bakewell Puddings – and Buxton. Christian Guild is delighted to offer this fabulous break for £275 – which includes dinner, bed and breakfast, en-suite accommodation and admission during three excursions.
Roof RENOVATION WORK CONTINUES Willersley Castle Hotel is a remarkable, imposing, historic building. It has been part of Christian Guild for 84 years, and we have invested in this 18th century castle to ensure it remains a wonderful place for a holiday. Most recently, we’ve completed the roof refurbishment of the East Wing of the castle, whilst the second phase of the Central Wing should be completed by the end of May, in plenty of time for the summer holiday season. And we’re also planning to complete the West Wing by Christmas! Such work proves our commitment to bringing Christians the best holiday experience where you can share in fun and fellowship with all members of your family!
Sidholme Hotel sidmouth, devon. 01395 515104
TEASHOP WALKS A TREAT
GREAT SIDHOLME ANNEXE DISCOUNTS!
16–21 June (5 nights) • Package price: £395 per person There’s nothing better than breaking up a summer stroll with a visit to a teashop. The Teashop Walks break includes transport for each excursion to a Devon teashop either before or after a three to five mile walk. The super price includes dinner, bed and breakfast and light refreshments in each tearoom. It’s a great way to enjoy exercise with a special treat each day in this gorgeous part of the country!
Enjoy the stunning sights of Devon with a wallet-pleasing bed and breakfast price at Sidholme during June and July. Book a non-ensuite room in the Annexe and receive a 40% discount! With the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site on its doorstep, Sidholme is the perfect base for exploring the Devon coast and countryside. And if you prefer to wind down in the hotel after a packed day, the restaurant offers a mouth-watering dinner menu. Contact Sidholme for more information.
HOP ON BOARD FOR A GREAT BREAK
STEP OUT FOR JAW-DROPPING WALKS 2–7 June (5 nights) • Package price: £390 per person Experience the jaw-dropping views of the Jurassic Coast as part of a five-night break at Sidholme Hotel. Four days of guided walks of about eight miles will take in awe-inspiring views across the historic Devon coastline. As well as visits to Exmouth, Branscombe and Ladram Bay, the price of your stay includes dinner, bed and breakfast and transport at the start or end of the walks where required. The holiday also includes a packed lunch on walking days.
DELVE INTO DEVON’S PAST 24–28 June (4 nights) • Package price: £310 per person Historic Devon is packed with fascinating museums and this break gives you a chance to visit a host of them and gain an intriguing insight into the area’s past. The newly re-opened Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter is just one of the places you’ll visit; a guided tour of Exeter Cathedral is also included during this break; and on one evening, you can visit the Norman Lockyer Observatory for a planetarium show. The price of the package includes dinner, lunch, bed and breakfast and all entry and transport.
20–27 July (7 nights) • Package price: £570 per person Sit back and relax during this sensational seven-night holiday at Sidholme Hotel. A luxury coach will be picking up holidaymakers from points in Portsmouth, Portchester, Fareham, Southampton and Bournemouth. There is a packed itinerary during the week, include two full-day and two half-day coach trips to exciting destinations including Tiverton Canal Barge, Exeter Cathedral and Seaton Heritage Tramway. It’s a great way to see the sights without worrying about traffic and finding your way around this beautiful part of Britain.
LEAVE THE CAR BEHIND! 22–26 July (4 nights) • Package price: £342 per person Discover the delights of Devon without the worry of finding a parking space during a first-class Car and Care Free break. Once you arrive at Sidholme Hotel, you can relax with two full-day and one half-day coach trips, including a visit to Exeter and a tour and lunch at the city’s Cathedral as well as visits to Seaton Heritage Tramway and Montacute House. You’ll enjoy ensuite accommodation and dinner, bed and breakfast as part of this fabulous package. And you can also book extra nights if you want to stay on to explore the Regency town of Sidmouth.
SEE SPECTACULAR SIGHTS
DON’T MISS SUPER DEALS
13–20 July (7 nights) • £510 per person Pull on your walking boots for a fantastic seven-night Summer Walking break that will take in some spectacular sights during guided walks of between four and eight miles. Your package price includes dinner, bed and breakfast in ensuite accommodation, packed lunch for the four walking days, guides and a super Sunday stroll.
Two great deals are being offered at Sidholme Hotel during August Bank Holiday. The first gives you the chance to have two free nights at the pretty hotel in Sidmouth. If you pay for five nights, you can stay for seven in en-suite rooms. Or you can enjoy 25% off your stay if you book a non en-suite room in the Annexe. Contact Sidholme to book.
Lindors Country House Hotel wye valley. 01594 530283
lindors diamond jubilee
GARDENERS HANG UP their SPADES Lindors Country House Hotel is known for its gorgeous gardens and grounds, and much of that stunning setting is thanks to Steve Williams and Jim Gent. But the gardeners are hanging up their trowels after more than 20 years of service between them. The pair have rebuilt the bridges in the grounds, developed a woodland way and maintained the bowling green. Lindors General Manager Neil Heaven said: “On behalf of Lindors, I would like to thank Steve and Jim for their long and committed service to the hotel, and wish them a long and happy retirement. It’s going to be tough to fill those wellies!”
MAKE SENSE OF BREAK!
2–7 June (5 nights) • £385 per person - limited rooms remaining! This June, Lindors will celebrate its diamond jubilee under the ownership of Christian Guild. It will be a celebration not to be missed with a full programme of entertainment, guest speakers, garden party, thanksgiving service and a gala celebration dinner. The week will also see the official opening of Woodland Way by BBC Radio Gloucester’s Rev. Richard Atkins. Talking about the 60th Anniversary, General Manager Neil Heaven said “It’s a great privilege to be part of the team at Lindors and only the 17th General Manager since the purchase of Lindors by Wesley Guild Holidays, which in June 1953 was under the chairmanship of Mr T S Starkie. As you would imagine, lots has changed over the years, but I wish I was around when the guests used to make their own beds and wash their own dishes. It would make staffing and my life so much easier! “However there are four managers who started their Christian Guild careers at Lindors still with the company today, which shows that a good balance of guests, colleagues and fellowship will always remain at the heart of what Lindors has become and what Lindors will continue to be in the future.”
KIDS STAY FREE FOR FAMILY FUN
27 May – 2 June (6 nights)• £305 per person You’ll be brought to your senses on this fascinating break at Lindors! The Wye Valley hotel is using a sensory theme for its packed programme of events during the holiday week. Events based on sight, taste, hearing and smell will fill your time with fun and games, including the legendary Lindors Duck Race. It’s the perfect break for all the family.
Lindors has a packed programme of fun and games for all the family during the summer holidays. With fun swims, movie nights, quizzes and evening competitions, there is plenty to do for even the most demanding little ones! And the seven-night Family Fun Weeks allow children under the age of 12 to stay for free when sharing a room with a fullpaying adult. The fabulous offer is available from 10–17 and 17–24 August. Book now to avoid disappointment.
VARIETY WILL SPICE UP STAY
self-catering LODGEs SPECIAL OFFER
22–27 July (5 nights)• £325 per person Variety is the spice of life – and Lindors Country House Hotel will prove that during a summer break with a super value price. The Lindors Variety Break is new for 2013 and includes varied entertainment and days out along with guided walks to explore the Wye Valley and evening fellowship. With a packed programme, it is the perfect break for people who want to try a host of activities.
Lindors boasts four 2-bedroom lodges and one 3-bedroom lodge in its grounds and they are the perfect places to stay if you want to cater for your family without being tied to restaurant times. For five nights in June, you can enjoy a break in one of the lodges for special prices. The 2-bedroom lodges cost just £400 for five nights between 23–28 June. Meanwhile, the three-bedroom lodge price is just £450. Contact Lindors for availability.
PHOTO COMPETITION WINNER We had dozens of pictures sent to us in our recent photo competition – and the winning entry shows just how perfect our hotels are for all ages. Sent in by John Hindson, from Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, it shows 84-year-old Mina Hemsley relaxing with three-month-old Emily Viner during a stay at Willersley Castle Hotel. John said: “We always have a great time at our family weekend and as you can see, young and old alike enjoy the fellowship.” His prize for the winning entry is a three-night, half-board break for two at any of our hotels. The runner-up was Peter Richardson, who won a £50 gift voucher with his beautiful photograph of the clear waters in St Ives harbour. Many thanks to all who took part.
Further Afield
2014
he Isles of SCIlly
4 – 13 may 2014, 9 nights. £1525
he isle of wight
13 – 20 september 2014, 7 nights. £595
3 further possible holidays for 2014:
he NoRwegiAn fjords, Krakow & he polish mouNtains, and he Rhine valleΥ please contact head office to register your interest in any of these holidays For more information about any of these holidays, please contact Head Office:
01629 826531
sarah@christianguild.co.uk www.christianguild.co.uk
Treloyhan Manor Hotel
st ives, cornwall. 01736 796240
DON’T MISS OUT ON SPRING BREAK 25 May – 1 June (7 nights) • £430 per person You’ll have to hurry to grab one of the few places left on Treloyhan’s Spring Bank Holiday break. The packed programme includes walks, sandcastle competition, rounders on the lawn and plenty of free time to relax and enjoy the fresh Cornish air. • You can beat the holiday traffic and extend your break at Treloyhan. If you book for the break, you can stay on Friday, 24 May for the reduced rate of £35 per person for dinner, bed and breakfast!
beat the rush 6–13 July (7 nights) • £345 per person ensuite (£299 non ensuite) If you don’t have children, or your children have flown the nest, then you may prefer to avoid school holidays for your summer getaway. At Treloyhan you can also enjoy the advantage of reduced rates on this special Beat the Rush seven-night break.
last FEW PLACES ON METHODIST TOUR 29 June – 6 July (7 nights) • £515 per person There are just a few places left on the Methodist Heritage Tour, so make sure you don’t miss out. A coach will travel from Willersley Castle and stop at the services area at Hopwood on the M42, Bristol Gordano and Exeter Services, both on the M5, as it makes its way to Treloyhan Manor Hotel. The fascinating itinerary includes visits to churches, chapels and buildings of importance to the Methodist movement, such as Wesley Cottage, Trewint. For more information contact Treloyhan Manor or check out the full details on the website.