OMG! January 2014
ORCHID MONTHLY GOSSIP
whowas
your favourite page 3?
5th M ay
St Ma Geo y B rg e ’s D an k H 23rd Apariyl o liday
HER’s D MOT30th March AY
ring Ba S6p nk H 2 th May o
lid TER w E18tAh S a - 21st April eek en y d
VALENTINE’s DAY 14th February Day St Patrick’s 17th March
MAG 7 2014!
Pages 8 & 9
Orquídea va
mexicano!
(Orchid goes Mexican!)
Pages 6 & 7
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Details on page 11
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THE YEAR!
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ORCHID WINS EMPLOYER OF
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Message from the editor... of 2013 with the e finished the end W y! ar nu Ja ry er M rs In People Gold achieving Investo fantastic news of vement for ly remarkable achie accreditation! A tru lations tu ra in Orchid! Cong everyone involved everyone! result in you ristmas blues may Whilst the post-Ch arest bridge, ne e yourself off th ng wi ro th e lik g feelin read all about -page spread and re nt ce r ou to k flic If that doesn’t events and dates. our Magnificent 7 , nothing will... wn from the ledge get you to step do cember was the nd highlight in De My personal O-La kindly invited to ctor which I was brilliant Cymru Fa 12). You can the review on page attend (you’ll find ployer of the m ‘E victory as the r ou t ou ab ad re also ticeship Awards itality Guild Appren Year’ at the Hosp
idea on page 14 nding pub sales 2013, another bli aterlooville) and e Woodpecker, W (this time from th Trip on pages ive nt er Sales Ince m m Su ico ex M e th 6 and 7. strive to be the ge to all - always January’s messa one of Nelson th wi I’ll leave you . be n ca u yo st be quotes… Mandela’s finest mstances e above their circu ‘Everyone can ris ated to dic de e ess if they ar and achieve succ .’ do ey th out what and passionate ab one and all! Happy New Year pa ul .h ol m an @
OMG! SHOUT OUTS!
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Send your shout out to paul.holman@orchidgroup.co.uk
Val D risc
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or ch id gr ou p. co
Super impressed with a team member? Think they deserve some recognition?
Jayne
oll @ the Grape s Inn “My s
ho Kitche ut-out is for n ou “Damo Manager Da r mien ” Lawle our He y. He’s a years d Chef for fo been an u appoin d this year h r ted as e was House Trainin g C Ward’s hef for Sha ron area. H finishe e’s jus d t Excelle Steps to nce an the Ju d is als nio o on done D r Board. W ell amien !”
Pa u l H.
T
ilsley @ the Woodp ecker Water , looville “My sh ou Bennett t-out is for Tin a .A into the nyone who w alks Woodp ec see her awesom ker will display e backs, bar presen always brillian ted. Th tl anks Tin y a!!” Chris
Bry
ett @ the Ty Gla s, Car diff “M
y shou fantasti t-out is for ou c r Sharon employee Roberts been w who ha or s Glas fo king at the Ty r over 1 0 a pot w ash” S years as he’s ha workin rdg, an abs very reliable a olute p nd lea have a s part o sure to f our te am.”
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January 2014 OMG!
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Santa quality-checking his presents! G! M O ON
GET E 3! PAG
TY UGH D R NA URE YOU T S A U E F D SEN GET ’S H D T N A ON PICS NEXT M IN ION! EDIT
Santa and Tracy Read get to know each other on a night out. Well played Santa!
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OMG! WHAT ARE YOU
SHOUTING ABOUT! Our very own happy news stories from across Orchid ROCKING RUDOLPH!
Of all the char ity ales I’ve tri ed, this has to be on ‘Rocking Rudo e of the best! lph’ is a dark copper ale th at with a rich an has a fruity smell d mature taste . As Graham from th Hotel in Norw e Kings Head ich put it ‘this will soon have yo u rocking with Rudolph at 4. 2%!’ Lets hope yo u sampled som e before it went !
ST A F K A E BR ANTA!
CHRISTM AS CHEER AT THEWALT ON
WITH S
e me of th ur ok at soom a few of owith lo a e k fr t Ta s w fa lo k e a b photos ho hosted ‘Bre pubs wmornings! Santa’
RAISING MONEY FOR PROSTATE CANCER
TROY BETT AREA MANAGER
ARMS
The Wa lto festive c n Arms in Warr h in around oir singing som gton had a Christm as. If yo e carols u wan live that t to reC feeling, hristmas visit the ir Facebo ok and watc page h the choir in action!!
3 OF THE TEAM AT THE KINGS HEAD HOTEL, NORWICH
HERE ARE A FEW MORE O-LANDERS WHO TOOK PART IN MOVEMBER…
MARK PLUMPTON @ GEORGE & DRAGON, BRADFORD
uk.movember.com/donate OMG OMG
January 2014 OMG!
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CHARITY ALE METER!
WE FOLLOW ORCHID PUBS WHO REALLY KNOW HOW TO DO THEIR BIT FOR CHARITY!
Has your pub d for charity? T one something amazing ell us about it an to feature in O MG!’s Charity d be next Meter!
Paraffin Lamp, Livingston The Par a Norther ffin Lamp team n Soul C hosted a Decemb h er. A fan arity Night in raised fo tastic £1 r Support Macmillan Ca 236 was n . calenda The pub still ha cer rs left o ve ve team an d order r so contact the one now .
£1236
£500
Bonnie Prince Charlie, Glasgow The custo generou mers at the Bonn sly recen ie gave tl excellen t £500 fo y by raising an r The Pe Party an n d Congratu Macmillan Canc sioners er lations to who won custome Support. th r Alan e T owe before C hristmas r of Treats – jus t came alo ng!
Wheatsheaf, Bognor Regis
£250
£250 was rais through ‘M ed for Sarcoma UK ovember’ and the m raffle at th eat e Wheatsh e af, Bognor Re gis. Congratula tions for a ll their hard work!
£131
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Priory, Wellingborough The Priory’s ‘Where’s W ally Raffle’, in a id of The H oney Pot Childre n’s Charity , raised £130 .50 in three days! Here are th e winners, Ethan and Samue l Bolton, ho lding Wally !
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A HOT & SPICY SUMMER INC
“My highlights on this awesome trip were… • Visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World • Swimming with dolphins • Swimming with turtles • Spotting jaguars • Being blessed with Steve and Dee • Kate having jewellery bought for her • Pool party! Lowlights… • All of us getting very drunk at the disco • Being stalked by ‘psycho man’!
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• Getting locked out of my room in only a dressing gown! • All the girls losing their bikini bottoms whilst swimming with dolphins! • Watching Jo, Kate and Nick being blessed! There’s no doubt that there were more highlights/lowlights than these but I was a bit pina colada’d up!!!”
Nina Marshall Head of HR
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NCENTIVE TRIP TO MEXICO!
The next day we went to Xcaret which was a huge park where we swam with dolphins and saw some giant turtles and jaguars amongst other animals. It was truly amazing and ‘Probert Tours’ scored perfect 10s from everyone – unlucky Nina! We feel very privileged to have gone on this holiday and to have been able to share it with six wonderful people who made it so special. A big thank you to Orchid for giving us this opportunity!”
Nick Mckernan @ Spyglass Inn, Weymouth
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We stayed at the Grand Sirenis Resort Riviera Maya which was an all inclusive resort in a beautiful setting on the beach. Whilst we were there, apart from eating and drinking too much, we went on a couple of excursions. Our hosts planned one each but the agent also gave us one free trip. One was to Mayan Village where a priest gave us all a blessing… Jo Pro managed to get struck in the eye with a branch of leaves whilst being blessed! On one of the other trips we swam in a cenote (a large lagoon in an underground well) then had a
lovely lunch before going to the brilliant Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
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“Kate and I were very fortunate to win the Summer Incentive and go on a trip to Mexico. We went with six fantastic people; Joanne Probert and Nina Marshall who were our amazing hosts, Sharon and Randy from the Hare & Hounds, Minworth and Steve and Dee from the White Swan, Southampton who were winners like us.
8 OMG! January October 2013 2014
Valentine’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day 17th March Now one of the most successful days in the pub calendar, St. Paddy’s Day is a must for your pub! This is your chance to turn your pub into Ireland for the day. Get out the four-leaf clovers, put on an Irish accent to get the customers in the mood, offer some appealing Guinness deals, show some rugby (if possible!) and have one big party! You’ll have a whale of a time!
Mother’s Day 30th March This is the chance for customers to get their mums out of the kitchen and provide them with some beautiful food in a relaxed atmosphere. In offering a welcoming experience, make sure you cater to the needs of the whole family who will most likely be in attendance. This day gives you a great chance to build on your long-term customer relationships. Make sure you provide a great day for all.
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HER MOT30th Ma
ring Ba S6p nk H 2 th May ol i
The Troggs sang ‘Love Is All Around’ in 1967 and it certainly will be on the 14th Feb 2014! Get your pubs ready for either couples or those who are single. Perhaps you could provide an evening of candle-lit dinners with meal deals or an opportunity for those that are single to meet someone else in the same boat! Whichever you decide it’ll be one busy evening!
VALENTINE’s DAY 14th February Day St Patrick’s 17th March
14th February
January
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First May Bank Holiday 5th May
Second May Bank Holiday 26th May
The day we celebrate the Roman solider who enjoyed a spot of dragon slaying! Put down that stiff upper lip and get out your St George’s Cross flags. Push traditional English dishes like fish and chips, steak and kidney pie and quality roasts. Don’t forget some old English pub games and perhaps an English quiz!
As we head out of winter, everyone is ready and rearing to get back into those pub gardens. Why not provide an Easter egg hunt for the kids in your garden with prizes! Early marketing is key to getting ahead of the game. Perhaps some face-painting for the kids and a live band over the weekend to get everyone in the mood!
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18th – 21st April
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Easter
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23rd April
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(England Only)
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Hol id T E R E18tAh S w e - 21st April ek ay
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These are the days customers love to come down to their local pub for a few drinks and a bite to eat. What better time to push platters and drink offers for groups of friends and families? Why not also throw in some live entertainment to personalise bank holiday dates in your pub!
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Outside Inn
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2013 ber er em b v m no ce th De 29 1st
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ORchid
wins
January 2014 OMG!
EMPLOYER
OF THEYEAR!
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The awards just won’t stop coming in for our fantastic training team! Orchid have now won the ‘Employer of the Year’ category at the Hospitality Guild’s Apprenticeship Awards! The awards recognise talented young people in the hospitality industry and the employers, providers and mentors that support them. The ceremony was held at the Tower of London on the 3rd December with Michel Roux Jr. as keynote speaker! Tracy Read, Head of Development & Communications said… “Our Apprenticeship programme started in the storm of the recession and it is steering us out. For Orchid to continue to be a success we need exceptional people and we’ve clearly identified those – winning this award really is down to a combination of our commitment to providing excellent apprenticeships and the fantastic apprentices we’ve employed.”
am looking e t r u o y r o u o Arey careers? ir e h t in s s e r to prog rd-winning a up for our aw Why not sign ront of House courses? Chef and F pen to all! O
2013
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Any questions please give Sam Beckwith a call on 07584 392 659 or email sam.beckwith@orchidgroup.co.uk Remember to stay updated with the Orchid Training and Development Facebook page!
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2) Orchid Apprenticeship Courses These will start in March 2014. If you do not qualify for the NVQ then you are still very welcome to join us for the Orchid Apprenticeship.
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Simply fill in the Apprenticeship nomination form (on the Intranet go to Personnel/Training / Training / Apprenticeships) and send to: admin@apprentice1st.co.uk The Orchid Apprenticeship is formed of two parts...
You can start the NVQ straight away; once you have emailed the nomination form to Apprentice 1st they will be in touch to get you started with the online course and the name of your assessor.
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If you would like to do a Chef, Front of House or Fuzzy Ed’s Apprenticeship then this is what to do:
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After the huge success of the Orchid Apprenticeship this year, we are set to do the twelve month courses again in 2014.
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Orchid Apprenticeship 2014 is coming…
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Stop the Press!
1) NVQ Level 2
• Chef Apprenticeship – Diploma in Food Processing and Cookery • Front of House Apprenticeship – Diploma in Food and Beverage Service • Fuzzy Ed’s Apprenticeship – Diploma in Hospitality Services
12 OMG! January 2014
Cymru Factor 2013 WHAT A NIGHT AT THE TY GLAS, IN CARDIFF! I was kindly invited to attend the Final of the Cymru Factor at the Ty Glas on Saturday 7th December. Having managed to convince one of my mates to come along, we headed west via the M4, took the Second Severn Crossing bridge to Wales (it’s now £6.20 to get across!) and headed south to the coast. Having reached the Ty Glas we pulled up and got out. The buzzing atmosphere was contagious from the car park! We walked in and the place was packed to the rafters. Manager Chris Bryett had asked me to judge the acts on the evening so, having met him, the fellow judges and gotten to grips with the judging procedure, it was time for the main event! 16 acts performed twice each from 7.30pm to around 11.30pm. The standard of singing was nothing short of outstanding. The acts were diverse and pretty much had everything from a Greek-duo performing an Elvis and Shaggy comedy mix of The Mavericks hit ‘Dance the Night Away’ to a suited and booted gentlemen rapping along to two Eminem classics.
Ty Gla s
Poster
lists a n i F The In the end there were two stand-out performers, one of which was Darren Edwa rd Br Spencer, a middleadfor d and aged guy who had the Craig Lee most unbelievable operatic voice – the fact that he nailed ‘Nessun Dorma’ to a pub full of punters says it all. As it turned out Darren ended up coming second, a decision that my mate called ‘a travesty’! The eventual winner was the superb Tasha Harvey, whose second piece (an acoustic version of ‘The House of the Rising Sun’, an old folk song made famous by the Animals) was an excellent piece of originality and creativity. Chris and the team should be rightly congratulated for what was a brilliant evening for everyone involved. There’s no doubt that an event like this comes with huge planning and organisation. The evening seemed to go off without a hitch and was warmly received by all in attendance.
is Bryett, nder, Chr ett a x le A i k Vik ccia Barn Anna Sca
Sher One o rianne W ill f the 16 co iams, ntest ants
Well don e to all our cont has been estants a brillian . It t compe hope you t it ion. We have enjo yed the journey with us? We hope you had a lovely we’ll see Christma you in t s and he New Year xxx OMG OMG
Thanks for the invite Chris! It was truly a fantastic event! Paul H. OMG! Editor
1 st y a Harve h s a T : r Winne
h! t on m e th f o s t s Po
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See who’s been saying what on their Facebook page this month…
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ent m e l pp u S s Sale
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Birthday Party Woodpecker,Waterlooville Idea “We had a birthday party last year to celebrate our first year at the pub so we’re doing the same again this year! We love what we do and all the new customers we have gained; we want to get the Woodpecker back to where it belongs!” “The event was hosted around the time of the Philippines disaster. As this was a current disaster, we decided to raise money for aid and link it to this event. We find that more money gets raised when using charities that are current and in people’s minds.”
pLAN
“Be a re al part of your com munity”
METHOD:
“The party fell around the time we were putting up our Christmas decorations so the team helped us put them up in time for the party. One of our regulars even helped with the outside lights!” “We booked an acoustic band for the night who also donated a free gig to the raffle prizes. On top of this they used their Facebook page to promote our raffle which really helped!”
COST:
“The party was free - we made homemade pies to sell on the carvery. The band cost £150 to hire”
PROMOTION:
event
“We always advertise an event at least three weeks in advance to spread interest. We use our pub newsletter and posters but Facebook is our best form of advertising. We are very careful about whom we share our events with on Facebook; we have some brilliant contacts including our Physic Night contacts, the local fancy dress shop and the community Facebook page. If we share our events on our page, these contacts will then share it on their own which means we can advertise to a much wider audience.”
TEAM INVOLVEMENT: “The team were fantastic in selling raffle tickets! We all dressed the same on the night which was brilliant!”
EVALUATION TOTAL SPEND: £150 for the band tOTAL SALES: £3,300 (with £657 raised for charity) ““The support we received from everyone was truly overwhelming. We always get everyone involved from Orchid staff to the customers. What we always say is if you don’t ask you don’t get and there is always a 50/50 chance of a yes!’’
Pub contact Details: Jayne Tilsley & Miles Teece (Woodpecker) 02392 251 012 OMG OMG
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JANUARY FIXTURES
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January 2014 OMG!
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Sport
GIVING OUR CUSTOMERS EVEN MORE
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ENGLAND’S
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Sport
GROUP OF
DEATH!
GIVING OUR CUSTOMERS EVEN MORE
URUGUAY FA Chairman Greg Dyke (pictured above with England Manager Roy Hodgson) seemed optimistic of England’s chances this summer… Unlike Greg, we’re keeping faith! Here are some important facts about our ‘Group of Death’ opponents:
Luis Suarez, Luis Suarez, Luis Suarez. That, in a nutshell, is England’s biggest problem. When Luiz performs well, defenders have a mare. Uruguay’s fourth place finish at the 2010 World Cup shows they’re no pushovers and, more over, Luis Suarez’s handball on the line against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup Quarter-Finals shows they’ll try absolutely anything to guarantee their qualification from the group.
ITALY Arguably the toughest of the group, Italy are never a country to shy away from using the ‘dark arts of the game’ to help them progress. The fact however is that the Italians are in possession of some real talent. The one area that could hold them back is in attack. Can Mario Balotelli sort himself out and realise his potential? Only time will tell.
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COSTA RICA The Costa Ricans are no Barnet Football Club. They can call upon the likes of Fulham's Bryan Ruiz and Arsenal's Joel Campbell (who is on loan at Olympiakos) to help them push for group qualification. Bryan Oviedo, who scored Everton's winner at Manchester United in December, will also be a danger man to watch out for.