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February 2014
ORCHID MONTHLY GOSSIP
O-LAND’S CRÈME
oF 2013?
ORCHID DONATES
£30,000 TO THAI
ORPHANAGE!
DE LA CRÈME! Page 12
A A W LO AR 201
4
VALENTINE’S WHAT ’S YOUR B EST CHAT-UP LINE ?
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TIPS & IDEAS!
Page 11 All Finalists & Winners on pages 8, 9 & 10!
AREYOU READY FOR A NEW CHALLENGE?
Orchid’s award-winning Apprenticeship Courses details on Pages 6 & 7!
Facebook Top Posts Page 13
2 OMG! February 2014
Message from the editor... memory and ristmas a distant Ch ith W . ry ua br Fe having Year’s Resolutions le, it’s most of our New ho red down the plug utine. ro already disappea settling back into usually a month of Not at Orchid. Awards y saw our HALO The end of Januar in this edition you can find d 2014 ceremony an winners from the evening d an s nity to all the nominee I take this opportu ok time n Ca . 9) to (Pages 8 & o in the business wh nominees thank everybody e th r fo ly rewarding to vote… it’s huge for their been recognised ’ve ey th at th e se uldn’t to t your votes this co hard-work. Withou ve yourselves a collective gi have happened so . ck ba e th on pat
0 about our £30,00 You can also read rphanage, how to sign O donation to a Thai eship Courses, how to tic en pr Ap r ou r up fo ve Pancake’ for Shro make ‘The Perfect and much more. ch) Tuesday (4th Mar member y the read and re So sit back, enjo u could Yo e. rs uld be wo your February co ore years for your ‘real’ m have to wait three ck round like some of ba e m co to y birthda us…
Pa u l H.
pa ul .h ol m an @
OMG! SHOUT OUTS! Andy
e Pot ,
Send your shout out to paul.holman@orchidgroup.co.uk
Team
Deput y Warw icksh
Sawye
Sam L awless ire Porrid ge Pot – Deputy Ma nager “I’d lik @ e Stone to give a sho who is ut out to And one of leaders y th Since here at the P e team Septe o rr id ge Pot. mber progre he h ss the mo ed really w as ell and st relia is b team. He’s a le members one of lso o up-sell er amo the continu f the e Well d n one An gst the team d top dy!” .
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s Manch ester Debbie Quigg – Holding Arms Manag er @ Sa “Decem wyers ber was month b y fa r our mo of 2013 st succ . Averag beating essfu ing sa £19,381 les budget by £26k per week l , £7,387 better th with pro without an last fit year… a Mana th g you to a er! I’d li is was a ke to sa ll ll y over the of the staff for the sup a big thank festive port the season togethe yg .T r and w e also h he whole team ave ad som pulled e great fun!”
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Janice Blacklo ck – M “This a ana mazing lady ha ger @ Anso Anson n s work since 1 e 997! A cleane nn is o d at the rs ne of o our pu and not only ur b imma does s he cu the kitc hen an late, she also keep do w lovely w oman w n the floor. S orks in h highly respec ho is very we e is a ted by ll liked like to her and sa staff fo y a big thank colleagues. I’ r their s d you to all o upp We had some g ort and team f the work. reat fun !”
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Super impressed with a team member? Think they deserve some recognition?
Stone
@ Po rridg
or ch id gr ou p. co
February 2014 OMG!
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OMG! PAGE 3
“Quickly, grab a pair!” 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
Penny Treadwell (Halfway House, Clwyd) has found a sure-fire way to boost sales – serve Corona topless!
Page 3
winner
2013
“A few drinks in the sun can make anyone feel like the Incredible Hulk!” Congratulations to Darren Traynor!
AS VOTED FOR BY YOU!
Darren Traynor Divisional Director
How to Make‘the Perfect Pancake’ by Chef Vinnie O’Neill @ Fiveways, Ormskirk
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Vinnie’s Vid will go live on Monday 3rd March – keep a look out!
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Orchid and d pubs ining
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Shrove Tuesday is just around the corner so if you want to learn how to make the perfect pancake, look no further than Chef Vinnie’s online tutorial!
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OMG! WHAT ARE YOU
SHOUTING ABOUT! Our very own happy news stories from across Orchid s a m X y s u B the Stags Head! @
ry n had a ve Dumbarto Wacky gs Head, as ta tm S is e hr th at eir ‘C The team ng with th re home tmas. Alo d local ca busy Chris event which offere ra fo n ow ed ay’ Wednesd nity to com e opportu ny Board’ th en ts ‘P a en d resi vided picked a ey also pro as Eve; customers boogie, th nt of tm is ou hr am on C d the competition 1-500 and then pai . om to fr ed art number amount D HD Sm e number 32” inch LE a on pennies th w ) (pictured Paul! Paul Allen ay’s work !! A fine d TV for 40p
ANSON’S JUMPER S!
Here’s a at the A photo from X m n Janice son, Wallsen as morning & o d Christm Paul’s grand along with M f the staff k on Chri as jumpers w ids and son-i anagers e n s got the tmas Day wh re a must – a -law. The ny custo ir first d o wore rink fre a Chris e! tmas ju mer mper
ON… I T C E R I D ONE -LAND! TO O
e l t s a C r Walme
d right by tle, situate s a C g Hill, held r e lm on’s Nottin aturday d The Wa n o L in Road Party on S Portobello t migration Im r la ham migh u p avid Beck D a very po , s e w th o t n a Who k pearance 11th Jan. nother ap a e d a m even have isguise! WC… in d
BEST BA R NONE!
Triump h who ac for the Outsid hieved the ‘Be Black A e Inn, Larbert s 19th Ja t Bar None’ A ccreditation a t w n gold sta 2014. They’l ards on the l be aim tu s th is to the te in am on year. Congratu g for a fine a chievem lations ent! OMG OMG
es, it s carveri d famou fore the rich rl o w ’s hid be e With Orc a matter of time g in. Liam Payn in was only us started flock on made an ti o and fam and One Direc down Farm, y-b le o b b m u m T o e fr much to nce at th s Day… appeara ck on Christma f the female ht o ur Canno the delig contingent of o staff!
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CHARITY ALE METER!
WE FOLLOW ORCHID PUBS WHO REALLY KNOW HOW TO DO THEIR BIT FOR CHARITY!
Frogshole Farm, Crawley
£2298
The fan the Frogtastic charity w as the te shole Farm co ork at for St C am raise more ntinues Their Matherine’s Hosp money £2000 onday Night Q ice. their Chthroughout 201uiz raised £297.60arity Ale garne 3 and re . Great w ork onc d e more t eam!
£1000
Grays Inn, Aberdeen Holly Cr a to raise fuig decided to get her head nds in m Shirley w emory of her A shaved unt ho age of 40 sadly passed awa .S ya excess o he managed to r t the f £1000 aise in pr CLAN C ancer Su oceeds to pp fantastic effort by ort. A Holly.
Outside Inn, Larbert Here’s a the Outs photo of Rebecc Deputy Hide Inn handing a McSween from Larbert ead Mrs Willox over £270 to School. TVillage Primary at raised th he money was Andrew’srough the pub’s events. W and Burn’s Nig St h ell done team! t
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£270
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g thing amazinxt e m o s e n o d b e Has your puTell us about it and be n ! ? r for charity OMG!’s Charity Mete to feature in
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The girls a Halfway Ht the all in a ph ouse bared for their ‘Coto-shoot Girls 2014 alendar money for ’ to raise cancer. Th breast (along wit e calendar Takeover h the Apprentice raised £10event ‘Ladies Night’ ) 00! Aweso me!
£1000
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HALFWAY HOUSE, DEESIDE
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NATIONALAPPRE Do to p youwan r t your ogress you new e r i care n A or a ? f er? dy lenge a e r al
Well look no further than Orchid’s brilliant Apprenticeship Courses!
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You’ll enjoy a hands-on, fun, exciting, enjoyable, vibrant course jam-packed with fantastic educational teaching by our award-winning trainers! Can you think of a better way to further your career??? Take a look at some of the fun activities that our courses involve…
These courses are also part of the Orchid Career Ladder! With 150 Apprentices signed up so far, you’d be crazy to miss this opportunity!
ORCHID CAREER LADDER DEADLINE EXTENSION – 21st FEB 2014! ASK YOUR MANAGER FOR A NOMINATION FORM OR PHONE SAM BECKWITH ON 07584 392659!
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NTICESHIPWEEK AALRO DS
AW
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3RD– 7TH Marc h! We asked our three ‘Apprentice of the Year’ HALO Awards 2014 Finalists what they thought of Orchid’s Apprenticeship Courses. Read their responses below!
WINNER - Ellie Peake (Bucket & Spade, Avon) How did you find out about the Apprenticeship Courses? “My manager Tina came down to the Funhouse and told me all about it. It sounded like an exciting challenge!”
llie Peake Winner - E ) pade, Avon (Bucket & S
Why did you do the Apprenticeship Courses? “I’ve worked for Orchid for 12 years now and really wanted to have a new, fresh challenge to push myself. As they say, you should make the most of every day and having found out
FINALIST - Thomas Doran (Fiveways, Ormskirk) How did you find out about the Apprenticeship Courses? “I approached my Manager to ask if there were any training opportunities within the company and she recommended the Apprenticeship Courses.” Why did you do the Apprenticeship Courses? “The key goal for me was to progress with Orchid, go further and learn and develop my skills. I also had the future goal of completing Steps to Excellence and Steps to Success courses.” How did you feel about getting nominated for a HALO Award? “The letter came through my door. When I opened it I was over the moon. I mean, it’s a great achievement in a people-orientated company like ours.”
FINALIST - Sophie Yates (Hobby Horse, Chesterfield) How did you find out about the Apprenticeship Courses? “My Manager actually signed me up for it! Funnily enough we didn’t have a Deputy Manager whilst I was on the course and halfway through completion I was promoted to the position!” Why did you do the Apprenticeship Courses? “My goal was to learn more about the business and improve my Front of House skills. There’s nothing like challenging yourself to achieve greater things.”
s Sophie Yate Finalist ld) ie rf se, Cheste (Hobby Hor
about the course, it seemed only right to jump right in!” How did you feel about getting nominated for a HALO Award? “I cried! I opened the letter and I cried! It was a complete shock, I didn’t expect it at all! I was even more overwhelmed on the night when I was announced the winner. I was shaking but somehow managed to compose myself!” What was your highlight of the course? “The best part for me was the role-playing where we acted as children to see the pub from a child’s point of view. Also learning more about the company was an eye-opener.” What’s next for you? “For me I wouldn’t mind becoming a trainer for Fuzzy Ed’s in the future and training people. That would be quality!”
What was your highlight of the course? “There were many great moments but for me the cook-off for the last course was the most enjoyable. We got to bring in our own ingredients and create our own dish. Brilliant!” What’s next for you? “As mentioned before, Orchid’s Steps to Excellence and Steps to Success courses are the next plan. My longer term goals are to one day join the training team and then eventually owning my own pub!”
Finali st (Fivew Thomas Do r ays, O rmski an rk)
How did you feel about getting nominated for a HALO Award? “I brought the letter into the pub and showed my boss. I asked if it was a joke. I was convinced it couldn’t have been real! It was totally out of the blue. With over 200 people on the course, it was a real honour to have even been considered for a nomination, let alone to get one.” What was your highlight of the course? “The girls who ran the course, definitely. Sam Beckwith and Lucy Craig were absolutely fantastic. Their style of training is non-formal and completely interactive. They make you want to learn as the delivery is so fun and engaging!” What’s next for you? “I’m actually moving to another site (Treble Bob, Chesterfield) to be Deputy Manager! I’m going to be asking my new Manager if I can go on the Steps to Excellence Course to further my development.”
8 OMG! February October 2013 2014
HALO AWARDS 2014 ALO
AWA R D S
On Tuesday 21st January Orchid hosted the HALO Awards 2014 Ceremony! Read below the Top 3 Finalists and winners of each category…
2014
Manager of the Year
sponsored by Greene King This award goes to a Manager who is pivotal to their business, someone who has a deep passion for their pubs and their people, ensures fantastic customer service and lives the Orchid values every day. • Ruth Benton (Crown Point, Sevenoaks) • Kevin ‘KD’ Daley (Lock Keeper, Manchester) • Tracy Marper (Old Ball, Leeds)
winner: Tracy Marper & Steve Worley (Old Ball, Leeds)
Hero of Hospitality
sponsored by Cellar Trends This award is all about the customer – someone who shows an extensive knowledge of their job and their business, displays great skills, and has a passion about what they do. A positive manner and attentiveness is key to this award ensuring their customers have a great experience. • Coral Baxter (Young Pretender, Kings Langley) • Rebecca Chapman (George, Harpenden) • Sarah Ralph (Red Lion Hotel, Cosham)
winner: Coral Baxter
(Young Pretender, Kings Langley)
Chef of the Year sponsored by Brakes The Chef of the Year award goes to someone who has a real passion for food and cares about their business and their team. This person is also passion about their cooking, its presentation, and who also provides great food to their customers.
• Tony Hammond (White Swan, Southampton) • Damien Lawley (Grapes Inn, Shrewsbury) • Vinny O'Neil (Fiveways, Ormskirk)
winner: Tony Hammond
(White Swan, Southampton)
Orchid Idol of the Year
sponsored by Molson Coors It’s all about the team player for this award. A person who goes above and beyond the call of duty in every way, from helping other team members to providing great service. Someone who is an inspiration to the people they work with. • Sarah Jayne Plunkett (Outside Inn, Falkirk) • Caroline Wardle (Beaten Track, Shrewsbury) • Penny Wright (Royal Standard, London)
winner: Sarah Jayne Plunkett (Outside Inn, Falkirk)
Area Manager of the Year
sponsored by Printsearch Someone who is a motivator and coacher of people as well as someone who supports and inspires, thereby getting the very best out of their teams, ensuring a successful business within their Division.
• Bob Dawson (Free Houses) • Chris Jones (Carveries) • JP McKeown (Free Houses)
winner: JP McKeown (Free Houses)
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Orchid Support Idol of the Year
sponsored by AB InBev This award is for someone in the Orchid Office/Support teams who goes beyond the call of duty, proving to be a great asset to the business and a great ambassador for Orchid. • Josie Adams (HR) • Gordon Browne (Finance) • Faye Given (Property)
winner: Josie Adams (HR)
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Shine Award
sponsored by Bunzl This award recognises a great cleaning team who constantly maintain exceptional cleaning standards and who always go above and beyond their duties in providing a welcoming environment for our customers. • Buccaneer, Eastbourne • County Hotel, Lytham • Rayleigh Lodge, Essex
winner: Buccaneer, Eastbourne
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Year of Sport Business of the Year
sponsored by Carlsberg This award recognises a business that has taken the year of sport, made it a great success and taken the sport/pub relationship to the next level. • Albion, Blackpool • Cherry Tree, Warrington • Duck, Battersea
winner: Duck, Battersea
Steps to Excellence Graduate of the Year sponsored by Diversey This award is for the best Steps to Excellence Graduate of 2013; someone who displayed exceptional dedication to the course and excelled in their Dragon’s Den and overall performance.
• Paige Anderson (George, Gravesend) • Ben Charman (Oyster Catcher, Hull) • Matthew Stokes (Young Pretender, Kings Langley)
Divisional Director’s Outstanding Performance Award sponsored by Bibendum This special award is for a business in each of Darren and David’s Divisions which has shown true dedication and outstanding performance in 2013.
winner: Matthew Stokes
winner: (David
(Young Pretender, Kings Langley)
Campbell’s Division) Monkseaton Arms,
Apprentice of the Year
Monkseaton
winner: (Darren
sponsored by BOC This award is for someone who has really bought into the Orchid values and shown determination to grow within Orchid.
Traynor’s Division) Fiveways, Ormskirk
• Thomas Doran (Fiveways, Ormskirk) • Ellie Peake (Bucket & Spade, Avon) • Sophie Yates (Hobby Horse, Chesterfield)
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winner: Church View Inn,
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winner: Druids Head, Brighton
• Church View Inn, Widnes • Travellers Inn, Sheffield • Woodpecker, Waterlooville C
• Crown Point, Sevenoaks • Druids Head, Brighton • Red Lion Hotel, Cosham
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sponsored by Coca-Cola The Social Media Business of the Year award is for a team or an individual who embraces social media and dedicates their time to giving the business an online presence in order to attract, inform and engage with their customers.
sponsored by Britvic This award is for a pub that has the best sales growth over the past year and who continues to maintain this growth through brilliant initiatives and hard work.
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Social Media Business of the Year
Sales Growth Business of the Year M
(Bucket & Spade, Avon)
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winner: Ellie Peake
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Magnificent 7 Award
sponsored by Kopparberg This award goes to the business that threw themselves into every ‘Magnificent 7’ event with enthusiasm and energy, and excelled in enhancing these key dates. • Anson, Wallsend • Grapes Inn, Shrewsbury • Oyster Catcher, Hull
winner: Grapes Inn, Shrewsbury
Best in Bloom Award
sponsored by Bibendum The Best in Bloom Award goes to the pub that puts time, effort and hard work into the best looking garden, most colourful planting and upkeep of the cleanest outside areas. • Cock & Pheasant, Macclesfield • Frogshole Farm, Crawley • Hatfield Chase, Hatfield
winner: Hatfield Chase, Hatfield
ALO
AWA R D S 2014
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N I E T ’S D N E L AY A V WHAT’S YOUR BEST CHAT-UP LINE?
WE HOSTED A VERY SPECIAL VALENTINE’S DAY COMPETITION ON THE ORCHID PUBS AND DINING FACEBOOK PAGE RECENTLY. WE ASKED FOR PEOPLE’S FAVOURITE CHAT-UP LINE. AMONGST THE RUDE AND SUGGESTIVE REPLIES WE RECEIVED, WE PICKED A WINNER...
CONGRATULATIONS NICK MCKERNAN FROM THE SPYGLASS INN, WEYMOUTH! “I’LL BE BURGER KING, YOU BE MCDONALD’S. I’LL HAVE IT MY WAY AND YOU’LL BE LOVIN’ IT!” YOUR PRIZE IS ON ITS WAY TO YOU!
HERE ARE A FEW OF THE OTHERS WE RECEIVED...
‘IS YOUR NAME GILLETTE AS YOU’RE THE BEST A MAN CAN GET’
‘WHAT DOES A POLAR BEAR DO WHEN IT’S FISHING? NAH I DON’T KNOW EITHER BUT I HEAR IT BREAKS THE ICE’ SAM WILLIAMS
TOM BURNETT
‘I DON’T SUPPOSE YOU KNOW THE NUMBER FOR THE ORDNANCE SURVEY? I WANT TO TELL THEM I HAVE FOUND A SIGHT OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY’ LEANNE LUNN
‘I’LL BE BURGER KING, YOU BE MCDONALD’S. I’LL HAVE IT MY WAY AND YOU’LL BE LOVIN’ IT’ NICK MCKERNAN (SPYGLASS INN, WEYMOUTH)
‘DON’T BE SHY, YOUR MOTHER WASN’T’ KEVIN O’NEILL
‘IF YOU WERE A BOGEY, I’D PICK YOU FIRST!’ IAN H. DURRANT (RED LION HOTEL, PORTSMOUTH)
‘NICE TOP, IT WOULD LOOK BETTER ON MY BEDROOM FLOOR’ JONATHAN FRY (SHEPHERD & DOG, IPSWICH)
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ORCHID DONATES £30,000
TO THAI ORPHANAGE!
• The Plantation - the plantation, on land donated to the orphanage, has grown enormously. Having put in work clearing last year and more this year there is now 80 rai of workable land.
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All children are fed and clothed and given love and encouragement every single day from the staff. They get an education and are shown how to be good, self-supporting young adults. Angie Barclay (Manager @ Rose & Crown, Brentwood) has been to the orphanage three times. “It is a really special place. I’ve taken my children out to visit too and it is incredibly inspiring. I absolutely love
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• Craft Shop - our cleaning staff and one of our drivers are very skilled artisans. They work in the morning and spend the afternoon making crafts, which we sell in our shop. Many of the children also help, making batik paintings and cards.
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• Catfish Farm – the flooding in July resulted in many catfish escaping! The trench has now been made deeper and the farm restocked.
There are currently 85 children at the orphanage; the oldest is in his third year at university and the youngest is just four months old. Many were not born when the tsunami hit, but they have come to the orphanage as a result of their own tragedies.
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• Rice Field – growing rice, a staple part of the diet, for the kitchen.
• Other Activities - at the weekends a group of boys and one girl learn taekwondo. A music teacher comes in at the weekend to teach guitar, drums and ukulele.
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• Hydroponics Farm - producing vegetables for the kitchen to sell at market.
• Education - all of the children who are old enough are in school. Anyone over 18 months but under seven goes to the orphanage kindergarten. At the start of this school year, two more girls entered university so we now have five young people in further education.
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The money is used predominately to help reduce running costs at the Orphanage but has also been used to implement the following projects:
• Water System - there are now three large ponds for collecting and storing water. Pipework has been laid over half of the plantation to deliver water to the crops but work on the other half still has to be carried out.
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addition to a further £25,000 already gifted to the Orphanage over the last three years – taking the grand total raised by Orchid’s pubs to a staggering £55,000!!
Planting is now finished and the plantation has 1,700 trees of either rubber or palm oil. There are also durian, mango, banana, jackfruit and pineapple plants.
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This is truly We have many inspiring! A whopping Thai staff £30,000 has been raised by working in our Orchid’s Dragon pubs to guarantee Dragon pubs the sustainability of a Thai orphanage! and so the The money was raised from the sale of project is prawn crackers and customers opting to very close to their hearts, add a £1 donation to their bill over the and last year. The funds that were raised recognises were gifted to the Baan Tharn the culture Orphanage in Khao Lak, Thailand and heritage of marking the 9th anniversary of their pubs. The the 2004 Boxing Day £30,000 is in tsunami.
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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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CABARET NIGHT FIVEWAYS, ORMSKIRK
Idea
Plan
“First of all we asked our customers what they would like to see. We’d use a suggestion box to ask for their opinions.”
Method:
“We linked the event to a charity close to the customers’ and the team’s hearts (Group B Strep Support). One of our Front of House girls wanted to get involved to help their personal development which was brilliant.”
Event
“Customers paid £20 for a ticket and we sold 70 (£5 from each ticket went to charity). That £20 included a two course meal and a performance from the act. The two-course set menu was served at 7.30pm but we opened at 7.00pm so everyone could have a drink first.” “We held a raffle for the charity. We asked local businesses (inc. hairdressers and nail technicians) for prizes. We found them to be very generous and they were also talking and promoting our event with their customers.”
Cost: £315 for Bee Gees.
Promotion: “We used our FB page and the charity also put the event on their FB page which were viewed by 2,168 people.”
Team Involvment: “The team sold tickets for the night and dressed up for the occasion.”
Evaluation Total Spend: £315 Total Sales: £2000 brought in on the night “The event was absolutely wonderful. We have another one planned for January where we will ask who everyone would like to see in 2014!”
Chef Vinnie O’Neill & Sarah @ Fiveways, Ormskirk
Contact – 01695 579 755
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February 2014 OMG!
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GIVING OUR CUSTOMERS EVEN MORE
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Stan the Man!
Tennis’ first Grand Slam of 2014 was the hottest in many a year. The ‘extreme heat policy’ had to be implemented by the Aussie officials as temperatures rose over 40C in Melbourne. Giant fans were erected around the arena for players and spectators. Novak Djokovic even tweeted a picture of an egg that he ‘cooked’ on court.
Novak Djokovic tweeted a picture of an egg he ‘cooked’ on court
Roger Federer made a return to a Grand Slam Semi-Final under the gaze of new coach Stefan Edberg, after defeating the likes of Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Andy Murray by playing some incredible serve-volley tennis. In the other half of the
draw, Boris Becker had to watch his new protégée Novak Djokovic bow out in the Quarters to the eventual winner. It was the first time in four years that Djokovic had lost a match at the Aussie Open. In the end, Stanislas Wawrinka took the spoils by beating an injury-plagued Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. The fact that Nadal took a set in his condition was an extraordinary example of his warrior ‘never say die’ attitude. Unfortunately for him though it wasn’t enough and the Swiss Number One took his chance with both hands. Li Na Trends Around the World #funniestspeechever
Li Na’s name trended all around the the World on 25th Jan but not because of winning her second Grand Slam title with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 victory over Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova. It was instead for her victory speech, one of the funniest heard at a Grand Slam in the 21st Century. The speech included the fantastic quote below: “Max, agent, make me rich, thanks a lot”
20th Seed Jerzy Janowicz enjoys being cooled during the intense heat
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It certainly was a superb start to the tennis season. Up next, Roland Garros!