tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32969847332838639632024-03-05T03:29:04.232-08:00BEST WESTERN Abbots Barton Hotel - CanterburyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11620307221471002969noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-64160097301844736442014-06-25T02:43:00.000-07:002014-06-25T02:43:03.399-07:00Supporting Local – Why we do it and why you should to!<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJGxJWFsSvSh2og9BwAfubRMtm7KYqmkizC718MX-e7InbT8lxg7c7P7gwzSjZ5Sttb9ED9A5eczoUl_5MoW6jXYX8aa8SWMAJa32u0u94OzWg76WdU2hqacKH0kRp1dbHtow3qjUbUg/s1600/Chegworth+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJGxJWFsSvSh2og9BwAfubRMtm7KYqmkizC718MX-e7InbT8lxg7c7P7gwzSjZ5Sttb9ED9A5eczoUl_5MoW6jXYX8aa8SWMAJa32u0u94OzWg76WdU2hqacKH0kRp1dbHtow3qjUbUg/s1600/Chegworth+1.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One
of the things we are most proud of, is the fact that our menus are
created using seasonality as the theme. Locally and ethically sourced
produce also plays a big part and we are passionate about it.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Because
of our passion for local, we like to visit those producers who supply
us daily with all the wonderful ingredients that are used in our
menus. Last Summer we took a trip to <a href="http://www.brogdalecollections.co.uk/" target="_blank">Brogdale</a> with the team and just
recently we have returned from visiting one of our other suppliers,
<a href="http://www.chegworthvalley.com/" target="_blank">Chegworth Valley</a>.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Many
of you will associate them to the </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">award winning single variety and
blended fruit juices they create – all of which are pressed on the
farm using hand selected orchard ripe fruit, more often than not,
within hours of being picked. The range includes pure apple and pear
juices along with special blends using their own raspberries,
strawberries, blackcurrants and rhubarb to name a few. These juices
are all unique in flavour and are all lovingly pressed and gently
pasteurised to retain the flavour and nutritional properties of the
fruit.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmtg60yFam5J5HN7LPCitpce2W2PvaxtK7gGg3mvl36bYtxn1eKmH4WjGU8j7YLkOfV0UgvWFP6KyxhQ9Yu6TuWK92RXhyphenhyphenP0uDofm6C3Ug5kXwrd7HLpWDtfofQNcWTWEFPToCiVHdpI/s1600/Chegworth+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmtg60yFam5J5HN7LPCitpce2W2PvaxtK7gGg3mvl36bYtxn1eKmH4WjGU8j7YLkOfV0UgvWFP6KyxhQ9Yu6TuWK92RXhyphenhyphenP0uDofm6C3Ug5kXwrd7HLpWDtfofQNcWTWEFPToCiVHdpI/s1600/Chegworth+14.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">There
is another side to Chegworth however, one that tenderly nurtures the
growth of all kinds of salad leaves, tomatoes, beetroot, cucumbers,
aubergines, squash, peppers, runner beans, fennel and much more, not
to mention the large selection of fruits, all of which are picked by
hand and carefully sorted and bagged for selling at the various
market stalls and farmers markets across the county and into London.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Chegworth
Valley is a family owned and run fruit farm. It was established in
1983 when David and his wife decided to give up work and start a
farm. The site had previously been a dairy farm forming part of the
Leeds Castle Estate. In the beginning, apple and pear trees were
planted, which were followed by strawberries, other soft fruits and
eventually salads and vegetables.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp0UyUyVeVWxYubt3OepEXHul4rVnUoQFhYhp5NuHAbvbC8-NnMj-duw8gaecAQHJ42lJ67kkldGEe2Bqmp8QhcDl_Jh1KMNz0ABtHaZ8bYXZ7WC0QanWwbOsExT_tcRkTUSIuhsrNT0/s1600/Chegworth+37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp0UyUyVeVWxYubt3OepEXHul4rVnUoQFhYhp5NuHAbvbC8-NnMj-duw8gaecAQHJ42lJ67kkldGEe2Bqmp8QhcDl_Jh1KMNz0ABtHaZ8bYXZ7WC0QanWwbOsExT_tcRkTUSIuhsrNT0/s1600/Chegworth+37.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In
the very beginning, the farm supplied fruit to supermarkets and large
wholesalers, but it was soon clear that their interest was in the
shape and size of the fruit only, not in the way it had been grown it
or how it smelt and tasted. David and his family are passionate about
producing real fruit with the best possible taste and smell that
isn't full of harmful chemicals. They also wanted to deal with
customers directly who had a passion for real food and drink and
would prefer to support smaller produces than the big food
manufacturers and supermarkets who some feel have devalued the great
produce available here in the UK.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmCDs1I_l0IIx2ceNowHAfCFzHYqgalLgDUYXpf4cAX0b6cNrCII4M1L6lr-_aGynxqMCxtSrd9HGod-gNYYCkUbatuxT5jyzBvVAxOKmpIP4swfOFF7LetzT2ZVtCWTV49UBeIyZMOE/s1600/Chegworth+47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmCDs1I_l0IIx2ceNowHAfCFzHYqgalLgDUYXpf4cAX0b6cNrCII4M1L6lr-_aGynxqMCxtSrd9HGod-gNYYCkUbatuxT5jyzBvVAxOKmpIP4swfOFF7LetzT2ZVtCWTV49UBeIyZMOE/s1600/Chegworth+47.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Their
passion for the produce they supply to us is something our Head Chef
sets out to capture and echo in all of the menus he creates, whilst
adding in his own passion for food and Kentish produce. Our Chefs
work with the farms on a seasonal basis so we know we are getting the
produce at its very best, where it has been grown in the best
conditions and will have the best flavour. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_ZfiOZ4YmFlxWUNeLnA_GyeEC7VDQ1xPJxnHbCjrhBGruNQrKOmfL4rjhN7oFqRq3AGfuaQp3QfzYL9076yE9Ob5nBBBAQwiy3hQdCiLHpZaJIO-2zru6Q0erY7FPUTIf4YFnZyC-A4/s1600/Chegworth+38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_ZfiOZ4YmFlxWUNeLnA_GyeEC7VDQ1xPJxnHbCjrhBGruNQrKOmfL4rjhN7oFqRq3AGfuaQp3QfzYL9076yE9Ob5nBBBAQwiy3hQdCiLHpZaJIO-2zru6Q0erY7FPUTIf4YFnZyC-A4/s1600/Chegworth+38.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If
you are, as we can all be, guilty of the convenience of the
supermarket, then we suggest you give your local farmers market a go.
Use your local butcher and talk to them, find out exactly where your
meat is coming from. Talk to the local fishmonger and make sure you
are getting the best of the catch. Everyone of these specialists in
local food will love nothing more than to talk to you about their
passion – the produce they work with. Create your own passion for
the produce grown and reared in Kent and off of the coast and cook
with it, you will be amazed by the difference in quality and flavour.
If you want to see for yourself, just how amazing this local produce
is once it has been cooked, then come and visit us at <a href="http://www.bw-abbotsbartonhotel.co.uk/dining/">The Fountain Restaurant</a> and let our Chefs turn these wonderful, local, raw ingredients
into an experience to be remembered.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>To see more photos from our visit and learn a little more about the workings of the farm, come and find us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AbbotsBartonHotel" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and have a look at our album <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152214172711169.1073741836.71705156168&type=1" target="_blank">Supplier Visit - Chegworth Valley</a></b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
Castlewood Hotelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13435006830372896499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-71162109298924540292014-05-28T03:15:00.000-07:002014-05-28T03:15:12.144-07:00A Trip to the Tales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeZYttez9fP3w-1aR8Tsg5C1ohiTrD0wLSzkaqTYRx57yqf0rmtW5MXI1GwBSk0AnzNzlfk9nxN23QM_rhIWHswCAaRHaR0H7X1DBIW9pG-ERsABMqUKOvB1UR8qH5M5rLHBetDGGc5Q/s1600/10420034_10152474599090420_3153697554414130763_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeZYttez9fP3w-1aR8Tsg5C1ohiTrD0wLSzkaqTYRx57yqf0rmtW5MXI1GwBSk0AnzNzlfk9nxN23QM_rhIWHswCAaRHaR0H7X1DBIW9pG-ERsABMqUKOvB1UR8qH5M5rLHBetDGGc5Q/s1600/10420034_10152474599090420_3153697554414130763_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Canterbury is full of history and there are plenty of places in the city where you can learn more about it.One of these places is <a href="http://canterburytales.org.uk/">The Canterbury Tales</a>, a visitor attraction based around the famous stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Widely referred to as the</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> Father of </span>English literature<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">, Geoffrey Chaucer is considered to be the greatest English poet of the </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Middle Ages</span>. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">While he achieved fame during his lifetime as an author, philosopher, </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">alchemist</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> and </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">astronomer</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Chaucer also maintained an active career in the civil service as a bureaucrat, </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">courtier</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> and diplomat. Among his many works,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> he is best known today for </span><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The Canterbury Tales</span></i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5hdRoR7qEsxCNnjvs-avJyz4RV9dH4QMU04D_K2hK0__vmDfleK5dRSOLqMtK_bSU13GuQPDzSwRltA3vHh665zJ8gosQSHQA95-cokduPg43yRpQ3q_oq-692BgbS6mX0Ra__vI-Kk/s1600/10383681_10152474599235420_7890404525427772199_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5hdRoR7qEsxCNnjvs-avJyz4RV9dH4QMU04D_K2hK0__vmDfleK5dRSOLqMtK_bSU13GuQPDzSwRltA3vHh665zJ8gosQSHQA95-cokduPg43yRpQ3q_oq-692BgbS6mX0Ra__vI-Kk/s1600/10383681_10152474599235420_7890404525427772199_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the centuries thousands have ventured on a pilgrimage to Canterbury and this is brought to life as your pilgrimage from London to our famous <a href="http://www.canterbury.co.uk/">Cathedral City</a> places you in the midst of a story-telling contest as five of Chaucer's most entertaining tales of love, romance, jealousy and trickery are brought vividly to life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Your adventure will begin as mine did at the Tabard Inn where I met the first of the costumed guides who will prepare you for your pilgrimage.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> The </span>first story on your journey is The Knights Tale. A chivalrous tale of two knights who fall in love with a fair lady. The two men begin to duel, but who will win her heart?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiJ_u1SE23crIonyPKdqLa0FzFBeD-Yldl_ZNok08qK28yL-lf1BVxY2JNpGgEPDEMG7aznOjspl33ZK8DDFdChSt4X6voG-kwWh6mDPqG9CKeudJnRKZPEhMt3IiQP_Dfv_pVRiV-cw/s1600/10366039_10152474600980420_7398462540328299416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiJ_u1SE23crIonyPKdqLa0FzFBeD-Yldl_ZNok08qK28yL-lf1BVxY2JNpGgEPDEMG7aznOjspl33ZK8DDFdChSt4X6voG-kwWh6mDPqG9CKeudJnRKZPEhMt3IiQP_Dfv_pVRiV-cw/s1600/10366039_10152474600980420_7398462540328299416_n.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As you move on with your journey you will be told The Millers Tale, a story of a carpenter called John and his wife Alisoun and two clerks called Nicholas and Absolon. The two clerks fall in love with Alisoun and both try to win her affections and her bed. Each of them hatch a plan to try and get their wicked way... but will they get their just desserts instead?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Continuing on foot through this merry band of pilgrims you will hear of The Nun's Priest's Tale, a farmyard fable. A handsome cock called Chanticleer dreams of his death by a cunning old fox. He confides his fears with his </span>favorite<span style="font-family: inherit;"> hen wife who tells him it is caused by indigestion and not to pay attention to silly dreams. His dreams however seem to have some truth to them. Will the cock outwit the cunning old fox or will he become his next meal?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83VLnJPv0ug4JD7BvXsMswyBF8bfnEIKdlxL4MIVe4B0XkJfJ0sn9rEMNIGwDbZvPtdaSgrysU1JVwK3yQ8I8XaR-5rgTWjQDopOSEW9td9L-etDbNrjRTfUXfW0t_xGi3pLMFOVZc58/s1600/1510370_10152474599770420_658783973189244313_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83VLnJPv0ug4JD7BvXsMswyBF8bfnEIKdlxL4MIVe4B0XkJfJ0sn9rEMNIGwDbZvPtdaSgrysU1JVwK3yQ8I8XaR-5rgTWjQDopOSEW9td9L-etDbNrjRTfUXfW0t_xGi3pLMFOVZc58/s1600/1510370_10152474599770420_658783973189244313_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">My favorite tale and I think you will enjoy this one also is The Wife of Bath's Tale. A Knight in King </span>Arthur's<span style="font-family: inherit;"> time raped a young maiden. He is captured and sentenced to death, however Queen Guinevere steps in and asks the King to allow her to pass judgement upon him. The Queen sets the Knight a task to discover what it is that women most desire. After a year of searching, the Knight who has struggled to find an answer that will please the Queen sees an old hag who promises to to give him the correct answer if he promises to grant her any favor she might ask of him in return.... Can she save his life, and if so, what will the old hag request as payment for it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The final story on your j<span style="font-family: inherit;">ourney is that of The Pardeners Tale set in Flanders. Rioters hear a bell to signal the burial of a friend who has been kill</span>ed by a thief known as Death. The men set out to avenge him and kill Death. An old man they meet on their way tells them they can find Death at the foot of an oak tree. When they get there they find a large amount of gold coin but will their greed cause their downfall?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhOmIbrrsOp3soo8CljwUr_ERg0o-WKkkQd7scN_0SIWklk0wj6A2pTzXHKomNxWp4mx5t6jKsLic4tQHdlexWuPt6pU5if4-NGdF0ir1go-nea1ZfEAdb8ZXGGiWex0zyFTJP4o_lNk/s1600/1959260_10152474600655420_579333644633965006_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhOmIbrrsOp3soo8CljwUr_ERg0o-WKkkQd7scN_0SIWklk0wj6A2pTzXHKomNxWp4mx5t6jKsLic4tQHdlexWuPt6pU5if4-NGdF0ir1go-nea1ZfEAdb8ZXGGiWex0zyFTJP4o_lNk/s1600/1959260_10152474600655420_579333644633965006_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">These five stories culminate with a second guide at<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> the shrine of St Thomas Becket, who tells the true story of the Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered in 1170 by command of the King.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I would highly recommend you visit The Canterbury Tales and hear the stories in all their splendor, this really is a great way to spend a couple of hours learning and living the stories and lives of days gone by.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Castlewood Hotelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13435006830372896499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-18773291487040029702014-04-04T05:54:00.003-07:002014-04-04T05:59:11.886-07:00The Joys of Creating a Menu<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Our Head Chef, William
Britton has been working here at the <a href="http://www.abbotsbartonhotel.com/" target="_blank">Abbots Barton</a> now for 7 months,
and during this time he has created a new <a href="http://download.bw-isite.co.uk/83796/docs/DPpvr9NblI/ABBO%20Bar%20Snacks%202014%20H1%20SPRING-SUMMER.pdf" target="_blank">bar snack menu</a> which offers
a great selection of sandwiches and baguettes along with hot dishes
such as slow cooked old spot Gloucester Ribs and a trio of mini
burgers. You also have options of cheese or seafood platters which
are great for sharing and much more.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
William has also worked
with his brigade to create our seasonal dinner menus, and has most
recently been putting the finishing touches to the Spring menu. We
thought it might be nice to give you an insight into the creation of
one of the new dishes...</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b>Pan seared King
Scallops</b> with curried cauliflower purée, crispy shallot rings
and tomato salad.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_RcZDb6jGbUppP78t5Z8tngmH2M6F1-TcZBBwxXWdILFimNwtyTlbn3ruZGwfKa4jWp-Pm_aUcAOHlLqfFeG3hyphenhyphentMU7rN4hEInMbgrk39lKzLAiG-QLMNb6SGxdDA9q5pw3htlD0Vmdo/s1600/Attempt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_RcZDb6jGbUppP78t5Z8tngmH2M6F1-TcZBBwxXWdILFimNwtyTlbn3ruZGwfKa4jWp-Pm_aUcAOHlLqfFeG3hyphenhyphentMU7rN4hEInMbgrk39lKzLAiG-QLMNb6SGxdDA9q5pw3htlD0Vmdo/s1600/Attempt+2.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good start, needs work...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
The whole process
starts with William getting all the chefs together and sitting down
with them to discuss ideas. He will give the team an insight into the
types of meats and fish he would like to see on the menu, taking into
account the season we are coming into. Ideas will be brainstormed
over the course of a week and an outline of a menu will be formed. As
with all these things, the ultimate decision of what gets trialled to
go on the menu will be down to the Head Chef, but all ideas and
suggestions from his team are considered. Where there is a good base
for a dish, William will work with his team to develop the initial
idea and turn it into something that they are confident our diners
will enjoy.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As with any new idea,
it's not always straight forward when it comes down to the cooking
and plating of the dish. Like all things, sometimes what you see in
your minds eye doesn't always transfer well in reality. William will
work on the dish to make any changes to ingredients or presentation
and experiment with different serving plates keeping the team
involved during the whole process.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This particular dish
took 4 attempts and a lot of washing up before they got it just
right.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjY-ocT0WrNPfB0d2hBBpAflZqJEoMe108Rqa-69oayQ7f0tMvLQhcqR1-bGG5eUlIMtHk8fN-0QruLQ2awWw5VEkTkXGRf5vZIT54b4Q_OuOXMfWb61K3_4h1aT6hzVSEnaQVyz65mTZX/s1600/Attempt+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjY-ocT0WrNPfB0d2hBBpAflZqJEoMe108Rqa-69oayQ7f0tMvLQhcqR1-bGG5eUlIMtHk8fN-0QruLQ2awWw5VEkTkXGRf5vZIT54b4Q_OuOXMfWb61K3_4h1aT6hzVSEnaQVyz65mTZX/s1600/Attempt+3.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still missing something...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
The scallops and the
cauliflower curried purée went really well together and the tomato
salad added texture, colour and a sweetness to the dish, however
William and the team agreed something was missing. Just a little
added extra was needed to bring the dish in flavour and presentation
together. So after some thought another cauliflower was produced and
William pickled some small florettes. A tiny addition they may be,
but what a difference it made to the dish and saved Chef from going
grey to soon!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once this stage is
reached, then comes the costing and writing of the menu. The aim is
for the menu to explain clearly what each dish contains and what its
local connections are, for instance it might contain local Ashmore
Cheddar or be a cut of local lamb.</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Once the Head Chef is
happy with the menus and all the new dishes a copy is sent to the
directors</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
for finalisation.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
At long last, the
launch day of the new menu arrives and the restaurant team, kitchen
team and head of departments are gathered for a tasting of all
dishes. This is such an important part of the final process as it's a
chance for the whole team to see how each dish must be presented to
ensure consistency. It is also key as staff need to know what they
taste like, so when asked by a customer they can answer honestly and
with confidence.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWhMF88B78ctdaqkJJZNCeY2y6kh65bXF2kHrookmyafeWtz2JNdOS5a2hkQ4yTMGbyqU2KxpRfF2-y6Szb8SnPKAzfzUegLzW17gIZoAl6wymu6lK1DNFcCKG9jt2Pz0b1DryUuaua8j/s1600/Attempt+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWhMF88B78ctdaqkJJZNCeY2y6kh65bXF2kHrookmyafeWtz2JNdOS5a2hkQ4yTMGbyqU2KxpRfF2-y6Szb8SnPKAzfzUegLzW17gIZoAl6wymu6lK1DNFcCKG9jt2Pz0b1DryUuaua8j/s1600/Attempt+4.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At long last the dish is complete!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think you will appreciate that the process of creating a new menu can be time consuming and
isn't just a case of throwing some ingredients together. William and
his team strive to provide you with a delicious menu, serving local
and ethically sourced produce wherever possible and their passion for
food is unquestionable. We hope you will stop in and try the latest
menu out for yourselves.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
With thanks to Willam Britton, Head Chef, for his help in creating this post.</div>
BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-74717832458769043492014-01-31T01:38:00.003-08:002014-01-31T01:38:47.217-08:00The Pet Friendly Hotel in Canterbury!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aS3DnTOT728X2qYkI2tUsk5Mjnukzx3lXBFcZDvW3FXu4v5ZOMW7uomk5QUUnO5nloI5xojeTLTYMFXz6T84oxHHLFK1Z71ADES_EWznp3l10ult0wxaxjhYJ_Bg8UzfmrJGQHe9YgO3/s1600/Pig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aS3DnTOT728X2qYkI2tUsk5Mjnukzx3lXBFcZDvW3FXu4v5ZOMW7uomk5QUUnO5nloI5xojeTLTYMFXz6T84oxHHLFK1Z71ADES_EWznp3l10ult0wxaxjhYJ_Bg8UzfmrJGQHe9YgO3/s1600/Pig.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #383838; line-height: 1.3;">We have seen many people walk through our doors over the years, mostly of the human variety, but over the years we have more and more people enquiring about bringing their pets with them, and being a pet friendly hotel, we do tend to favour our four legged friends! It's not just dogs that we cater for either, we have had cats, snakes, rabbits and parrots in the past so we are not new in appreciating the love you have for your animals. A fellow Best Western Hotel even agreed to give a pet pig a bed for the night!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #383838; line-height: 1.3;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJMGSsxTu-aqr9NnvlyEgnPO4XiWGYp-4wro7wm5C1rCWPfen6No5NjjzGB2tBvMMbtemcTU2ujPKD8BjfQqcAY9xWqTvhhQRY1jzv4liS0b4NoIsp2x9ws82PMSHvljGDsAvvS2lS0V0/s1600/puppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJMGSsxTu-aqr9NnvlyEgnPO4XiWGYp-4wro7wm5C1rCWPfen6No5NjjzGB2tBvMMbtemcTU2ujPKD8BjfQqcAY9xWqTvhhQRY1jzv4liS0b4NoIsp2x9ws82PMSHvljGDsAvvS2lS0V0/s1600/puppy.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #383838; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;">Most of our staff have their own furry friends and it brightens their day when they see you bringing your pets on holiday with you. Our receptionist has a sausage dog called Bruce, Christine our General Manager in Canterbury has a cat called Princess Sophie and Daniel our director has a Cocker Spaniel called Monte and a King Charles Spaniel called Carlo. The General Manager of the York House Hotel even used to breed German Shepherds!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #383838; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 0.21cm; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; text-align: justify; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, be sure that when you arrive, if you have your furry friend with you, all our staff will make as much fuss over them as they will over you!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 0.21cm; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; text-align: justify; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r3G_K6hrN80PoHkz_dame5Wko0dwgCKFbOtbzYiFDeL4z5QUxwX0z2aKLoII1gA2pO1uwEK7C5sO1sBNMinf0-zXagUqyOH3ql0FbR_m7czm80hvxMJUq7G_4jFX7_Fus7EsakRCcDUV/s1600/Meat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #383838; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r3G_K6hrN80PoHkz_dame5Wko0dwgCKFbOtbzYiFDeL4z5QUxwX0z2aKLoII1gA2pO1uwEK7C5sO1sBNMinf0-zXagUqyOH3ql0FbR_m7czm80hvxMJUq7G_4jFX7_Fus7EsakRCcDUV/s1600/Meat.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #383838; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We have specially designed rooms that are only allocated to guests bringing pets, and they are large enough for us to be able to provide them with a bed of their own and water bowl. We also offered over Christmas back in 2012 a Doggie Gourmet Christmas Dinner which consisted of Kobe Beef, (generally considered to be a delicacy, renowned for its flavour, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture) Fillet Mignon, (a tender steak cut of beef taken from the smaller end of the tenderloin) and Porterhouse, (cut from the rear end of the short loin and includes more tenderloin) now what other hotels can claim they will do that?!</span><span style="color: #383838; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /><br />We allow pets into most areas of the hotel, the only places we have limits is in the pool at our sister hotel, BEST WESTERN York House Hotel and in the restaurants, I am sure you can appreciate the reasons behind this, BUT we will set you up a table in the bar or lounge if you don't want room service and will happily serve you our restaurant menu there so you don't miss out.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /><br /><span style="color: #383838;">We have invested in large vacuums that are specifically designed to cope with pet hairs to ensure the rooms and public areas appear as if we have never had an animal in the building and you can be assured that your rooms will be as clean as those that have never had a pet in them.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /><br /><br />So you know, the last four legged friend we had in was a Guinea Pig called George who stayed </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY3WkjOTwq3EEfD26dtc6lnG7yXSHhiUsT7d2YmvJT9T4z15OV6wtqJQH9zWmQFqW5YKcknHhkVDEZsj0_n5PUIBLaAk2SRlVl2dgK5TLWI4ODam4XBAaI1o8pgOhFLlsIyxEEApxR0uE/s1600/Guinea+Pig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY3WkjOTwq3EEfD26dtc6lnG7yXSHhiUsT7d2YmvJT9T4z15OV6wtqJQH9zWmQFqW5YKcknHhkVDEZsj0_n5PUIBLaAk2SRlVl2dgK5TLWI4ODam4XBAaI1o8pgOhFLlsIyxEEApxR0uE/s1600/Guinea+Pig.jpg" height="171" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;">with us last week. His owner called to see if our pet charge of £10 per night would apply, it did of course and he slept in a pet tent in his owners room and had access to all the pet friendly areas of the hotel on his harness (he is small so this was just a precaution, we didn't want him getting stuck anywhere!) He even made friends with some of the other pets staying that week including the visiting Great Dane, Dolly!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /><br />Finally the latest addition to the Pet Friendly Service we offer at the Abbots Barton is the 5 new bird boxes we have had fitted around the garden for the local blue tits. We are hoping that come the Spring we have a few nesting with us.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5JQax5TFLlo9_T6nUKQ-R3L5NXSD4_tsIA4e3iZATaJ6nVlxwx35n9hqSdhLawaKSoB7x23U9kUaA74o720404qxiu5D0mBQbMupizQ4Fjn86z4oFgNL_s5npHl4e9QlFvJzVunKFLnz/s1600/Bird+Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5JQax5TFLlo9_T6nUKQ-R3L5NXSD4_tsIA4e3iZATaJ6nVlxwx35n9hqSdhLawaKSoB7x23U9kUaA74o720404qxiu5D0mBQbMupizQ4Fjn86z4oFgNL_s5npHl4e9QlFvJzVunKFLnz/s1600/Bird+Box.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; display: inline !important; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-i1Cg-8MBLDA%2FUutsDlhBYgI%2FAAAAAAAAAN0%2FbAy8bTN9rZI%2Fs1600%2FPig.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aS3DnTOT728X2qYkI2tUsk5Mjnukzx3lXBFcZDvW3FXu4v5ZOMW7uomk5QUUnO5nloI5xojeTLTYMFXz6T84oxHHLFK1Z71ADES_EWznp3l10ult0wxaxjhYJ_Bg8UzfmrJGQHe9YgO3/s1600/Pig.jpg" -->BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-54365874299750871102013-08-01T07:31:00.002-07:002013-08-01T07:32:12.989-07:00Dealing with the Difficlut and Demanding!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99AC8NbnidYOAoKwpVooD91Hbp4xrgFo1gUh3wKrgsvCENCHHd11ndo42uZdYdbv35RNAfAY2_eLosdezdrg5dU-Lg29MUfjknpzQAvAXTYhjURq9tqYK_OVEhk7-Nl54-T0JCdzK7e5K/s1600/Keys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99AC8NbnidYOAoKwpVooD91Hbp4xrgFo1gUh3wKrgsvCENCHHd11ndo42uZdYdbv35RNAfAY2_eLosdezdrg5dU-Lg29MUfjknpzQAvAXTYhjURq9tqYK_OVEhk7-Nl54-T0JCdzK7e5K/s1600/Keys.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dealing with difficult
and demanding guests after the initial thought of 'where is the
cellar key!'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the many
challenging roles of being a General Manager or indeed a Duty Manager
of a hotel, and unfortunately or maybe fortunately in my case I/ we
are not on duty 365 days 24/7 hours of the day, is dealing with the
demanding.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You must also realise
that in our industry we command little 'respect' amongst
professionals however you must also understand that we do deal with
humans, children, alcohol, families and a few other subjectives that
may not be appropriate to mention – oh and by the way we have to be
experts in the fields of nutrition, health and safety, sleep
patterns, psychology and what colour the duvet needs to be!<br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could tell you a
story or two of 'professionals' when they are clocked off but I
better not.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully they tend to
be few and far between but there is always one or two.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A challenging guest
could be a celebrity or a VIP, they could just be an ordinary person
like you and me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, how do we deal with
guests like this? Well, it helps to remember that challenging guests
are easily stressed or have eclectic or unreasonable expectations. It
is key to stay calm in such a situation and try to understand exactly
what point the customer is trying to make so we can do our best to
resolve the situation if we can. On the other hand however, the guest
may take your calmness as an indication you don't care as much as
they do, so serious people reading skills are required. Politicians
note 'conflict resolution' come to us for advice! Ultimately you need
to make them see and feel you are taking their issues seriously. By
doing what you can to help, it will with any luck turn their
unfriendly and challenging behaviour around and in turn their
experience will become a more positive one. Sadly however the
'unhinged' guest sometimes just have to be put up with until they
leave but look on the bright side it gives the staff something to
bemoan instead of me! More often than not in our case they then
continue to return, mumble and grumble, but still refuse to stay
elsewhere even if we offer to assist them out!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QjUCwcQaQ2_KwzCKPHncQf9NCm3cuagG_VhL0hJaTlYBEZvKeOh_7ZiEloYisL8E3dVhCoVOAgOTv_Np-zOeN2A-8ckOAQAqtFt-EQVdntFq0Da26B7-aNhHKEZRJ9opratzbp97ipTg/s1600/Frustrated+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QjUCwcQaQ2_KwzCKPHncQf9NCm3cuagG_VhL0hJaTlYBEZvKeOh_7ZiEloYisL8E3dVhCoVOAgOTv_Np-zOeN2A-8ckOAQAqtFt-EQVdntFq0Da26B7-aNhHKEZRJ9opratzbp97ipTg/s1600/Frustrated+Man.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
We can occasionally be
our own worst enemy and so it is important to manage our guests
expectation where we can. People handling is not for the feint
hearted and it is therefore possible that you misread. For example,
we use the BRA theory (Best Room Available) which means, if we have a
better room available when you check in, we will upgrade you
automatically which should put you in a good mood. This goes down
well and helps create advocates for us, however there are those that
then expect it to happen on all future visits, and of course if we
can't the guest can turn into a bit of a sulker. This is where the
unrealistic bit steps in. We have in the past had an offer that the
guest would be happy to let the situation drop if we turn their room
in to a deluxe whilst they wait. Quite a serious suggestion that took
us all by surprise! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulvhJmJ0Gmb6OKR-b-QDZYjIoUDHnScBJRi7JJ1TZMv_3uXY1sIn88H6z3lulZBTThzidPWX9cPg-iWMQJgBRR6l39gSbe9OHEPbfqFIgSdd4-rFKhf-FE-WO62LgKyqVKkEtkgaoOBnf/s1600/Basil+Fawlty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulvhJmJ0Gmb6OKR-b-QDZYjIoUDHnScBJRi7JJ1TZMv_3uXY1sIn88H6z3lulZBTThzidPWX9cPg-iWMQJgBRR6l39gSbe9OHEPbfqFIgSdd4-rFKhf-FE-WO62LgKyqVKkEtkgaoOBnf/s1600/Basil+Fawlty.jpg" height="200" width="119" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of our hotel
managers and the staff will always do their best to accommodate and
make your stay as pleasant, comfortable and enjoyable as they can and
we do our best to rectify or find alternative solutions for you
wherever possible. Ultimately we want all of our guests to leave us
happy and planing their return visit! What is the point of us
'deliberately' going out of our way to annoy you? Sometimes contrary
to suggestion we are not 'Basil'.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-24479897749370036092013-06-14T02:45:00.001-07:002013-06-14T02:46:23.209-07:00When In Canterbury...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">What
will you do? Even more importantly why should you visit us here and
not go somewhere else? Well we can help answer that for you as we
have a list of the 10 top attractions to visit whilst you are here,
all perfectly suitable for couples, individuals, groups and families!
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">(This
list I should point out has been voted for by you the public... the
visitors who come to Canterbury and post their comments on
Trip Advisor.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU8fRK2XRAA4Hky2LEkYbJ9iQeNf8DDv0Mp6Gm6kSJRMq1izBzZvp5i7t3WUaWR7nGzEnG3jP-h0gMk-Q8b7GzFHGuAYSmumjjDdrsB4r6Amr34ua049M4IVdgib_P30ABGaZhzqMHiFS/s1600/378742_10150472815645420_612235419_10966064_1721339087_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU8fRK2XRAA4Hky2LEkYbJ9iQeNf8DDv0Mp6Gm6kSJRMq1izBzZvp5i7t3WUaWR7nGzEnG3jP-h0gMk-Q8b7GzFHGuAYSmumjjDdrsB4r6Amr34ua049M4IVdgib_P30ABGaZhzqMHiFS/s1600/378742_10150472815645420_612235419_10966064_1721339087_n.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Attraction
Number 10 – <a href="http://www.canterburywestgatetowers.com/" target="_blank">Westgate Towers Museum</a>. Already written about in a
previous blog, myself and our general manager Christine Cooper went
for a visit to this fabulous museum. Now open in the Summer months,
it is certainly worth a visit. Find out about the lives of the
jailers and the prisoners from way back when. Make sure you head to
the top of the towers to take in the roof top view of Canterbury!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Attraction
Number 9 – <a href="http://www.canterbury.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=3030423" target="_blank">St Martins Church</a>. This is the oldest church in the
English speaking world and still has its doors open for worship. It
was at this very church that St Augustine set up his mission to
convert the English when he arrived from Rome in 597 AD.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Attraction
Number 8 – <a href="http://www.eastbridgehospital.org.uk/canterbury/greyfriars-introduction.htm" target="_blank">Greyfriars Chapel and Franciscan Gardens</a>. This chapel is
the only building now remaining of the first English Franciscan
Friary built in 1224. Entry to this attraction is free, however
donations are appreciated to help with the up-keep of the building. </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGHaWogWWgn3tMuBf23tCa22DibiKiXje3845w0oXxR3BxxfzY8lOAdX7HulzecRl2XHUL8ktH-DBnxxLkkN-S-0qhYVYPLe2VjAuGP9TUzxvoFN74FcSyth_h4qKAsMciA4JkCnxxzLC/s1600/Butterflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGHaWogWWgn3tMuBf23tCa22DibiKiXje3845w0oXxR3BxxfzY8lOAdX7HulzecRl2XHUL8ktH-DBnxxLkkN-S-0qhYVYPLe2VjAuGP9TUzxvoFN74FcSyth_h4qKAsMciA4JkCnxxzLC/s1600/Butterflies.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Attraction
Number 7 – <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/bleanwoods/" target="_blank">RSPB Reserve Blean Woods</a>. This is a fabulous place to go
for quiet walks in ancient woodland, with 5 trails up to eight miles
long. In the summer keep your eyes peeled for damselflies,
dragonflies and butterflies. If you are lucky you might spot the
fritillary butterfly and perhaps some nightjars, woodpeckers and
nightingales.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Attraction
Number 6 – <a href="http://www.kent.ac.uk/gulbenkian/cinema/month.html" target="_blank">Gulbenkian Cinema</a>. Located up at the University of Kent,
this cinema offers a unique viewing experience. With a whole
selection of films showing regularly, some in 3D, you can be sure
there will be something on for everyone. We at the hotel can even
offer you a reduced ticket price for certain films if you are staying
with us, simply enquire at reception when you are checking in :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Attraction
Number 5 – <a href="http://www.canterbury.co.uk/Canterbury-Westgate-Gardens/details/?dms=13&venue=3030588" target="_blank">Westgate Gardens</a>. The gardens can be found close to the
City centre, next to West Gate Tower. These 11 acres of public
gardens provide an ideal setting for a stroll along the banks of the
River Stour. If you would rather sit back and relax, there are plenty
of places to sit and watch the world go by as well as take in the
beauty of the garden and its wildlife. Look out for swans, ducks and
the moorhens!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Attraction
Number 4 – <a href="http://www.canterbury.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=3030489" target="_blank">Canterbury Heritage Museum</a>. This is a must visit
attraction especially for the families! The museum has over 30 hands
on activities including being able to write your name in Viking
Ruins, sniff medieval poo, investigate like an archaeologist, try on
Elizabethan costume and listen to wartime memories!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeeI1g-nRjV1vLkJTZLJkAcVtoCWBZaYQiZJctZolKl77mT4jAta4WuIpokVtdaTIM-B8pCXFfWakICrshXCeOc3z5BaAp7nrwNwkSQDlkoN4RUZh4LTDNzZsr_vjUUf5Z8-NN4nh3KjY/s1600/Tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeeI1g-nRjV1vLkJTZLJkAcVtoCWBZaYQiZJctZolKl77mT4jAta4WuIpokVtdaTIM-B8pCXFfWakICrshXCeOc3z5BaAp7nrwNwkSQDlkoN4RUZh4LTDNzZsr_vjUUf5Z8-NN4nh3KjY/s1600/Tiger.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Attraction
Number 3 – <a href="http://www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts" target="_blank">Howletts Wild Animal Park</a> – Howletts is a 90 acre
adventure located in ancient parkland, perfect for great days out
with the whole family. Keep your eyes peeled for the Siberian Tiger,
Snow Leopard, Sumatran Tiger, Elephants, Gorillas, Black Rhino,
Brazilian tapir and much much more. (I can't possibly list them all,
this blog will be far too long!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Attraction
Number 2 – <a href="http://www.eastbridgehospital.org.uk/" target="_blank">Eastbridge Hospital</a>. A hospital in the old sense of the
word, a place of hospitality. Since its foundation in the 12<sup>th</sup>
Century, the Archbishop of Canterbury has been the patron. The
Eastbridge Hospital welcomes visitors and offers tours of the Chantry
Chapel, the Undercroft with Gothic Arches, the Refectory with an
early 13<sup>th</sup> Century mural and the Pilgrims Chapel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigZ3XLSpjo3FEFp2TI63HkHRQwrIyN5c0J6hFZ44ZSZoHBSRUWELmmsJPvAiV9ClBWKaOvzwn2inLMbKkdn0BeN5KkgJWYKjTGSYGcEwFewuxvOhHvRgjyBkAGLz_c1Y2boZL6oxRmzxe/s1600/Cropped+Cant+Cathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigZ3XLSpjo3FEFp2TI63HkHRQwrIyN5c0J6hFZ44ZSZoHBSRUWELmmsJPvAiV9ClBWKaOvzwn2inLMbKkdn0BeN5KkgJWYKjTGSYGcEwFewuxvOhHvRgjyBkAGLz_c1Y2boZL6oxRmzxe/s1600/Cropped+Cant+Cathedral.jpg" height="98" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Attraction
Number 1 – It was only ever going to be <a href="http://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/" target="_blank">Canterbury Cathedral</a>!
Pilgrims and visitors have made their way to the Cathedral since the
Middle Ages and is still one of the most visited places in the
country. Visitors are always welcome and a trip to this famous
Cathedral is highly recommended!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.abbotsbartonhotel.com/" target="_blank">So, still need convincing...?</a></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-40306513963636001662013-05-14T05:06:00.000-07:002013-05-14T05:06:08.260-07:00Lost Property<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ3qCgqs5Ik2BWKmKO0P-Cvf-z6I3Or4zobG4Xv1ToUPD2YaX1fUDCDZVZh5sURSdm9E3_nYzri-GPpREcMn2FOvy3AoKGU84CvHpwZNu_YaCRCppv3rJiu_eVccAQHn_CBf5mzQTZuWk/s1600/Keys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ3qCgqs5Ik2BWKmKO0P-Cvf-z6I3Or4zobG4Xv1ToUPD2YaX1fUDCDZVZh5sURSdm9E3_nYzri-GPpREcMn2FOvy3AoKGU84CvHpwZNu_YaCRCppv3rJiu_eVccAQHn_CBf5mzQTZuWk/s1600/Keys.jpg" height="200" pua="true" width="143" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Managing lost property is an interesting one at a hotel. When something is found it is logged in our lost property book, with the date, time, where it was found and by whom. We will then wait for the phone call from the owner who has forgotten to pack or mislaid their item, be it keys, a phone charger (quite a lot of those), make-up, perfume and other such items. We then take a description, make sure it's definitely theirs and then we will arrange for the item to be returned... </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the years we have had a lot of the usual suspects, some of which have already been mentioned, but I want to share with you some of the other, more 'unique' items should I say, that get left behind. Some of which get claimed and some that don't. As you can imagine, the items that remain lost are usually a bit too embarrassing to ring and ask for.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBXzNM1X3rljQ_Xvyk_Ae5U9sk8spD8kua0p1kyJdOzNO-WJAC80S_Rrx7Ijqbsvqu9QkBa2Jl3cND_p2MoFe2FNh0PYP72z2h_Q0K804AVDvCAu5HgUZ_U55VTbtVXYzf7gYIkYmMFsT/s1600/Teddy+Bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBXzNM1X3rljQ_Xvyk_Ae5U9sk8spD8kua0p1kyJdOzNO-WJAC80S_Rrx7Ijqbsvqu9QkBa2Jl3cND_p2MoFe2FNh0PYP72z2h_Q0K804AVDvCAu5HgUZ_U55VTbtVXYzf7gYIkYmMFsT/s1600/Teddy+Bear.jpg" height="133" pua="true" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The normal lost property items...</span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Books, phones, laptops, chargers, house keys, clothing, radios, soft toys, suitcase, fancy dress costumes, photo albums, and toothbrushes.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The more memorable ones... </span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">False teeth, glass eye, bicycle wheel, artificial limb, inflatable sheep, wig, toupee, underwear, handcuffs, rampant rabbits and other such cheeky items! Use your imaginations!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have also discovered over the years...</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pet stick insects, a wedding dress, life size skeleton, a single shoe, and how about this one... A portable douche complete with rubber tube!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PV9UB5zBUyEAhKFSqMln8KibNrUItNIvrq8nte4Tvx9RmJECG-0AcgMOenrDhCrAJvYj5D5SbIpJ9WttnbRUBTxHBCOkrCAq-vZwVGfydmVNsysyt5gh4g9wJ6PYhIn3eMVLmHlz72rM/s1600/Kitten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PV9UB5zBUyEAhKFSqMln8KibNrUItNIvrq8nte4Tvx9RmJECG-0AcgMOenrDhCrAJvYj5D5SbIpJ9WttnbRUBTxHBCOkrCAq-vZwVGfydmVNsysyt5gh4g9wJ6PYhIn3eMVLmHlz72rM/s1600/Kitten.jpg" height="132" pua="true" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having searched the internet for other hotels stories about lost property, here are a few more things that you managed to leave behind recently...</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breast implants, pilots manual, pet python, 200 Queen Elizabeth masks, Persian kitten, diamond encrusted dentures, £50k Rolex watch, £10k engagement ring, stamp collection worth £250k, winning Euro millions ticket, pop up spray tanning booth and keys to a Bugatti.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would like to confirm that all of these items were returned to their rightful owners, but how on earth do you manage to leave this all behind? Perhaps it's because you are too busy squeezing our towels in to your suitcase?? ;o) </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</span><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-50373041224820294142013-04-29T03:37:00.000-07:002013-04-29T03:37:00.536-07:00What do you like to take home when you have stayed at a hotel?<br />
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">According to the latest survey by MyVoucherCodes.com not all of us Brits are as honest and trustworthy as we make out. In fact a huge 69% of you admitted to stealing items from hotels when staying away!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This survey does represent the most popular items to be taken and I thought I would share it with you. So here it is... the top ten things that you like to smuggle out when staying with us.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJo9k1Gj0dxzDohFjg6LbSMJKEzHHTYQSBNX4C4-X8IDWH05i2mTigCRSDoSSjeudXGUeN-otCEVqTkcYldJyvwZ5QrRphu6earG9huYRwoPst56boAjx5DPlyY_t1iAicLFfSB3P2Cb4/s1600/Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJo9k1Gj0dxzDohFjg6LbSMJKEzHHTYQSBNX4C4-X8IDWH05i2mTigCRSDoSSjeudXGUeN-otCEVqTkcYldJyvwZ5QrRphu6earG9huYRwoPst56boAjx5DPlyY_t1iAicLFfSB3P2Cb4/s1600/Bible.png" height="91" lua="true" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At number 10, it's The Bible! Now then, what does the 8<sup>th</sup> Commandment say... “Thou shalt not steal.”</span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming in at number 9, it's the books from our library...15% of you do this and that's all very well, but perhaps to keep it fair you might consider in future leaving the one behind, just to even it up...</span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At number 8, it's the kettle. I hope you emptied the water out before you tucked it into your suit case. 19% of you admitted to this one!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In at number 7... The curtains! Apparently 27% of Britons admitted to this. We are flattered you like how we have dressed the rooms, but surely they will be too big or too small? How on earth did you get them out without being noticed?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOQU53dxAVqZngIkbIRbqui9JO2gNixPEUDANpf7SPTq8BrwnPi-irNT3-xk7is27ULog9VF7w9VjTd4pYP5OCOq95a8ROJi5pkIIkj4m4Wopo0pzj5MbpsuiRJrbcpcr-G4U-uEhTHS6/s1600/Frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOQU53dxAVqZngIkbIRbqui9JO2gNixPEUDANpf7SPTq8BrwnPi-irNT3-xk7is27ULog9VF7w9VjTd4pYP5OCOq95a8ROJi5pkIIkj4m4Wopo0pzj5MbpsuiRJrbcpcr-G4U-uEhTHS6/s1600/Frame.jpg" height="150" lua="true" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Number 6 is the artwork. People wonder why we started screwing our paintings to the wall and nailing the sculptures down. No longer can we make use of the traditional picture rails, you simply can't be trusted ;o)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Number 5 is slightly more concerning...It's the picture frames. A little bit strange, but hey, who are we to judge! </span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over half way through the list and number 4 is the cutlery. 45% of you admit to taking the cutlery from the hotel you are staying in. I want to know, did you manage to pinch a whole 8 piece set before you got caught?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafaY4Y8kf4VPMVuVH53pOfEgENOLwfch4v0207BM41kwuZFo4lOmUNAwi4hsOuM5yoqul8wwu8fvR4RT7eVKNIBBbiAL4hyphenhyphentfZRxkDAh7DPGDU0sWD_SLInso64K0nTTXfS43lGC_dr3M/s1600/Batteries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafaY4Y8kf4VPMVuVH53pOfEgENOLwfch4v0207BM41kwuZFo4lOmUNAwi4hsOuM5yoqul8wwu8fvR4RT7eVKNIBBbiAL4hyphenhyphentfZRxkDAh7DPGDU0sWD_SLInso64K0nTTXfS43lGC_dr3M/s1600/Batteries.jpg" height="133" lua="true" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming in at 3<sup>rd</sup> place is food and drink. Over 51% of you admitted to stealing from the buffets, mini bars and stocking up in case you got hungry before lunch.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The runner up and in 2<sup>nd</sup> place is the batteries and light bulbs...57% of you like to nab these. Question...Did you get the bulbs back in one piece? </span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihX3KcXcUpQbmOqqZvwv_50DdrDmd7ThliyIZtW5PaeYXOLkxikLFGI_6oO9YKCAZbZxrvuvBGpw_SlUHKvh94DVhAdROGB_MosAm4Q1p9FkOHFUOtvOdpcNyGN74evdmhXoUYlHlTV4hF/s1600/AbbotsBartonfourposterSuite1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihX3KcXcUpQbmOqqZvwv_50DdrDmd7ThliyIZtW5PaeYXOLkxikLFGI_6oO9YKCAZbZxrvuvBGpw_SlUHKvh94DVhAdROGB_MosAm4Q1p9FkOHFUOtvOdpcNyGN74evdmhXoUYlHlTV4hF/s1600/AbbotsBartonfourposterSuite1-2.jpg" height="133" lua="true" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The winner however at number 1 is the towels and the linen...Fluffy dressing gowns, slippers, fluffy bath towels, bed sheets, cushions and blankets. A whopping 68% of you openly admit to taking these! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something to bare in mind, if you come to us, and we notice these things have gone walk about once you have checked out of your room... You will be charged. </span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-NYhRuLkIV74%2FUX5LMQpZsYI%2FAAAAAAAAAJo%2Frvs7r6M2bZg%2Fs1600%2FBible.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJo9k1Gj0dxzDohFjg6LbSMJKEzHHTYQSBNX4C4-X8IDWH05i2mTigCRSDoSSjeudXGUeN-otCEVqTkcYldJyvwZ5QrRphu6earG9huYRwoPst56boAjx5DPlyY_t1iAicLFfSB3P2Cb4/s1600/Bible.png" -->BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-10216417251297194642013-04-03T04:00:00.001-07:002013-04-03T04:06:51.725-07:00It's the little things...<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mLSud2y8xMFhFOUg4_F-wQdHoXG9S8k5hUqbvayOn_o95LAzsgrt0oSAzlq_wM830i4zbnDb-iJFSuF_vrM5ORFhmNS0RcfuhpuhHRRnPeR6op8IGukqftsakiIFKpGF4cUaNwolQG5-/s1600/Main+Entrance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mLSud2y8xMFhFOUg4_F-wQdHoXG9S8k5hUqbvayOn_o95LAzsgrt0oSAzlq_wM830i4zbnDb-iJFSuF_vrM5ORFhmNS0RcfuhpuhHRRnPeR6op8IGukqftsakiIFKpGF4cUaNwolQG5-/s1600/Main+Entrance.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Working in a <a href="http://www.abbotsbartonhotel.com/" target="_blank">hotel</a> can be hard work but we love it and it is a pleasure for us to meet and greet all of the new people that walk through our doors. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Every guest that visits our hotel has different needs and expectations. Our job is to ensure that they have a great first impression from the moment they check in and that everything runs smoothly until they check out.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You see it's the little things that we need to look at. Yes the big things are hugely important from the décor of the <a href="http://www.bw-abbotsbartonhotel.co.uk/hotel-info/bedrooms/" target="_blank">bedrooms</a>, bathrooms, lounges, <a href="http://www.bw-abbotsbartonhotel.co.uk/dining/" target="_blank">bars</a> and <a href="http://www.bw-abbotsbartonhotel.co.uk/dining/" target="_blank">restaurant</a> to the sofas, comfort of the beds and the table cloths but it's the little things that in the long run can give our guests a great first impression and a lasting one when they leave.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xIJDXAPmiGbbxZTgFbLVXAYKVu4OmBan2RVMj2kka55BiMtga8gbD9lSAWjFXIKBjPSeM9DBv2F1y37Bg1bDac7CQg8ibl4py6K_PIUAv0H6g94alB4uG1WWwEAeJi16htyAodacVEMf/s1600/Four+Poster+Suite+Honeymoon+Package.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xIJDXAPmiGbbxZTgFbLVXAYKVu4OmBan2RVMj2kka55BiMtga8gbD9lSAWjFXIKBjPSeM9DBv2F1y37Bg1bDac7CQg8ibl4py6K_PIUAv0H6g94alB4uG1WWwEAeJi16htyAodacVEMf/s1600/Four+Poster+Suite+Honeymoon+Package.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We all do housework and we know how frustrating cobwebs are, there is always a build-up of dust behind the lights, the cushions forever need plumping and those wet footprints that leave a mark by the front door when it's been raining... These are the little things.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The picture that isn't quite hanging straight, the <a href="http://www.bw-abbotsbartonhotel.co.uk/weddings/wedding-gallery/" target="_blank">wedding photos</a> of couples who have chosen to get married with us that need to be in just the right place, the curtains that need to be gathered just so around the windows and the way the towels are folded in the bathroom. It's the folded toilet paper and the way the tea tray is presented, the location of the remote and the way the decorative cushions are placed just so on your bed.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The salt and pepper pots that are always full in the restaurant </span><span style="color: black;">and the way the napkin is folded. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3scAshYDPN9MSnpcEC3RMwQB3Vbf7LWGekH8fh-s6-s9sMuYYHf9W_IwAwq3NwlcAw2CPYidvW6DDmCpy74HwWTeWtrluQtRi0O32CLEe5dYSoUVPoEfAbL4q01Qlm50pGu-AkawCzFb/s1600/AbbotsBartonreception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3scAshYDPN9MSnpcEC3RMwQB3Vbf7LWGekH8fh-s6-s9sMuYYHf9W_IwAwq3NwlcAw2CPYidvW6DDmCpy74HwWTeWtrluQtRi0O32CLEe5dYSoUVPoEfAbL4q01Qlm50pGu-AkawCzFb/s1600/AbbotsBartonreception.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3scAshYDPN9MSnpcEC3RMwQB3Vbf7LWGekH8fh-s6-s9sMuYYHf9W_IwAwq3NwlcAw2CPYidvW6DDmCpy74HwWTeWtrluQtRi0O32CLEe5dYSoUVPoEfAbL4q01Qlm50pGu-AkawCzFb/s1600/AbbotsBartonreception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The smile from the waiter and warm welcome from the receptionist. It's the offer of help with your luggage and when you are a regular, remembering what you always like to drink with dinner.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These small things end up being one large memory that we strive to deliver for all our guests. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is a large team working hard to serve you and whilst you won’t meet all of them during your stay, they are there and they are working every day to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-50535902243610696582013-02-27T06:59:00.004-08:002013-02-27T07:01:14.120-08:00Wedding Saving Tips<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are engaged! Congratulations, what great news! Now all the planning can begin... </span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx7l-9LCXftdGSPf__BCPpRxDO1lfQT6iL96FWZpXUhv2hvRl8loUgOj9Su_f57qJsXk07VYGQrw1nUaxdEOx168JSpF3w4XiLLHnW7p_6GPO0qOZxNV6vv_-SLjVbJyCFY6C_K-B4wE2/s1600/58694_291125127669614_1935208693_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx7l-9LCXftdGSPf__BCPpRxDO1lfQT6iL96FWZpXUhv2hvRl8loUgOj9Su_f57qJsXk07VYGQrw1nUaxdEOx168JSpF3w4XiLLHnW7p_6GPO0qOZxNV6vv_-SLjVbJyCFY6C_K-B4wE2/s1600/58694_291125127669614_1935208693_n.jpg" gsa="true" height="133" title="http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/lipstickpowderandlace/gallery2/21301/" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx7l-9LCXftdGSPf__BCPpRxDO1lfQT6iL96FWZpXUhv2hvRl8loUgOj9Su_f57qJsXk07VYGQrw1nUaxdEOx168JSpF3w4XiLLHnW7p_6GPO0qOZxNV6vv_-SLjVbJyCFY6C_K-B4wE2/s1600/58694_291125127669614_1935208693_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Think of all the fun you will have finding that dream wedding venue, booking the Church or the Civil Ceremony, buying all the wedding magazines you can lay your hands on that will help inspire your big day. Imagine all those wonderful looking wedding invitations, the beautiful flowers, the fabulous dress and the perfect shoes to match. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, have you thought of the cost for all this...Do you have the budget for your dream wedding?</span></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Planning the dream wedding can spiral out of control and before you know it you have a wedding that could set you back over £25,000. Therefore it is so important that you sit down and work out what you can afford. If you are lucky enough to have family offering to help with the cost of the day, it is important that you know how much they are looking at giving you.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6ETdUv0DF32p-iwOWd3jAebtT4ZoaK7-1HjE8q-p0mA14J0W1D292QzfZLbyMeL1ZGgF3u-r81T9BwvpH8vOAYLMM_ccmQaIA-PVcaebXOKP8bU0PIVrVQs2_WdOz1jXxf4ufxYS4uES/s1600/money+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6ETdUv0DF32p-iwOWd3jAebtT4ZoaK7-1HjE8q-p0mA14J0W1D292QzfZLbyMeL1ZGgF3u-r81T9BwvpH8vOAYLMM_ccmQaIA-PVcaebXOKP8bU0PIVrVQs2_WdOz1jXxf4ufxYS4uES/s1600/money+photo.jpg" gsa="true" height="132" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6ETdUv0DF32p-iwOWd3jAebtT4ZoaK7-1HjE8q-p0mA14J0W1D292QzfZLbyMeL1ZGgF3u-r81T9BwvpH8vOAYLMM_ccmQaIA-PVcaebXOKP8bU0PIVrVQs2_WdOz1jXxf4ufxYS4uES/s1600/money+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6ETdUv0DF32p-iwOWd3jAebtT4ZoaK7-1HjE8q-p0mA14J0W1D292QzfZLbyMeL1ZGgF3u-r81T9BwvpH8vOAYLMM_ccmQaIA-PVcaebXOKP8bU0PIVrVQs2_WdOz1jXxf4ufxYS4uES/s1600/money+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are not so lucky and haven't saved or don't have family that are in a position to help you pay for the wedding, have you considered getting a loan? I think everyone would agree that if you can avoid borrowing you should. A huge amount of marital problems and break ups are over financial hardship. Do you really want to start married life owing thousands to the bank that could take you up to 10 years to pay back, all for one day? Unlike property or a financial investment, your special day will only give you a return of memories (all be it fabulous ones!). Weddings are expensive so if you do need to take out a loan to cover your costs, you might want to make sure that you won’t still be paying it off in 5 years’ time. Ultimately, wherever your cash is coming from to pay for the day, work out your budget before you do anything else and whatever you do, stick to it!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Write a “must have” list. A list of all the things that you definitely need to spend money on, for instance the church, the venue, the rings, insurance, the registry fees, (remember the venue can take around a third or even up to half of your budget). Write another list, alongside the “must haves” of additional things you want that are important to you both. You may both have your hearts set on a string quartet or feel you must have an oversized chocolate fountain and a professional wedding photographer followed by a two week African Safari Honeymoon. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkMCSmlc-j5MtFt-wp_d2L1Al1CRLHvaql8gmfvZFVJownQSc0F-yaCCfQI4QapYc4r0gQ_lz7JzQtIE0y-AWlIg7UM5E4NOkvrITDthAx3IDw1ozwVJIuiAnyAAKOkIAkeLhTU3QUW2j/s1600/DougHarman-Abbots-pic-00011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkMCSmlc-j5MtFt-wp_d2L1Al1CRLHvaql8gmfvZFVJownQSc0F-yaCCfQI4QapYc4r0gQ_lz7JzQtIE0y-AWlIg7UM5E4NOkvrITDthAx3IDw1ozwVJIuiAnyAAKOkIAkeLhTU3QUW2j/s1600/DougHarman-Abbots-pic-00011.jpg" gsa="true" height="200" title="http://www.dougharmanphotography.com/" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkMCSmlc-j5MtFt-wp_d2L1Al1CRLHvaql8gmfvZFVJownQSc0F-yaCCfQI4QapYc4r0gQ_lz7JzQtIE0y-AWlIg7UM5E4NOkvrITDthAx3IDw1ozwVJIuiAnyAAKOkIAkeLhTU3QUW2j/s1600/DougHarman-Abbots-pic-00011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkMCSmlc-j5MtFt-wp_d2L1Al1CRLHvaql8gmfvZFVJownQSc0F-yaCCfQI4QapYc4r0gQ_lz7JzQtIE0y-AWlIg7UM5E4NOkvrITDthAx3IDw1ozwVJIuiAnyAAKOkIAkeLhTU3QUW2j/s1600/DougHarman-Abbots-pic-00011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just because it’s the “in” thing, doesn’t mean there aren’t better options out there for you. Some years ago, it was fashionable to get married in a marquee on a field, nowadays converted barns are all the rage. These options often come with venue hire fees followed by higher costs from a separate outside caterer and other hidden extras that you and your guests might not be expecting. A barn which may be miles away from a town with hotels could mean that all of your guests have to pay for an expensive taxi journey to and from the venue on top of the cost of their hotel which can put some people off given the current economic climate. Why not consider holding your wedding in a fully serviced hotel instead? Many hotels will waver the venue hire fee if you’re spending with them for food and drink already and add value by offering your guests a discounted rate to stay which also means that they could stay up celebrating with you until the early hours (if you haven’t collapsed exhausted in your honeymoon room already by then)! Hotels are a great way to still have that luxury experience for your wedding day, dealing with one person to organise your venue, food, drink, service, accommodation and all without breaking the bank. You can even cut out the cost of the church and get married in the hotel holding your entire day under the same roof!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> <br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTmrAEOhWuzy2Eck1E5JvgFE5bHB45nl6ISh2p4Gg_1lwXxEU038ORWN7OSQ9qwQmjTAXqYekGCAJmh8eqCCd1ZC4yxmAJ5DxnJ4wdIrRMG6aLEeFq52TsFIBB0c1U8a25QBF4MCM_8m2/s1600/Cake+Sally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTmrAEOhWuzy2Eck1E5JvgFE5bHB45nl6ISh2p4Gg_1lwXxEU038ORWN7OSQ9qwQmjTAXqYekGCAJmh8eqCCd1ZC4yxmAJ5DxnJ4wdIrRMG6aLEeFq52TsFIBB0c1U8a25QBF4MCM_8m2/s1600/Cake+Sally.jpg" gsa="true" height="200" title="http://www.sally4cakes.co.uk/" width="139" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTmrAEOhWuzy2Eck1E5JvgFE5bHB45nl6ISh2p4Gg_1lwXxEU038ORWN7OSQ9qwQmjTAXqYekGCAJmh8eqCCd1ZC4yxmAJ5DxnJ4wdIrRMG6aLEeFq52TsFIBB0c1U8a25QBF4MCM_8m2/s1600/Cake+Sally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following some of these tips will help you see how far your budget will stretch, it also shows you where you may need to make compromises. Perhaps that live band could be a disco instead? Alter your wedding to match your budget, don't increase your spending amount.</span> </div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’ve also seen a great suggestion to help you increase your wedding budget by cutting out something you buy every day that you could do without. An example if you cut out spending £2 each day at the work vending machine on a soft drink and snack you could potentially save £520 over the year.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now you know what you want and what you can afford, the fun can begin! Time to get to some </span><a href="http://www.castlewoodhotels.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">venues</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and some </span><a href="http://www.bw-abbotsbartonhotel.co.uk/weddings/wedding-fayre/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wedding fayres</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">With thanks to <a href="http://www.dougharmanphotography.com/" target="_blank">Doug Harman</a>, <a href="http://www.sally4cakes.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sally 4 Cakes</a> and <a href="http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/lipstickpowderandlace/gallery2/21301/" target="_blank">Lipstick, Powder & Lace</a> for their images.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-9mCAF-DNfBE%2FUS4LjfcgMCI%2FAAAAAAAAAIo%2FKtUMIsP17go%2Fs1600%2FDougHarman-Abbots-pic-00011.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkMCSmlc-j5MtFt-wp_d2L1Al1CRLHvaql8gmfvZFVJownQSc0F-yaCCfQI4QapYc4r0gQ_lz7JzQtIE0y-AWlIg7UM5E4NOkvrITDthAx3IDw1ozwVJIuiAnyAAKOkIAkeLhTU3QUW2j/s1600/DougHarman-Abbots-pic-00011.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-z1kaVz3lug0%2FUS4LBRhcdHI%2FAAAAAAAAAIg%2F3X7QrudMeQc%2Fs1600%2Fmoney%2Bphoto.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6ETdUv0DF32p-iwOWd3jAebtT4ZoaK7-1HjE8q-p0mA14J0W1D292QzfZLbyMeL1ZGgF3u-r81T9BwvpH8vOAYLMM_ccmQaIA-PVcaebXOKP8bU0PIVrVQs2_WdOz1jXxf4ufxYS4uES/s1600/money+photo.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-0-HLmBR2Nvk%2FUS4eU7ro-0I%2FAAAAAAAAAI4%2FZy3C9LvmUZo%2Fs1600%2FCake%2BSally.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTmrAEOhWuzy2Eck1E5JvgFE5bHB45nl6ISh2p4Gg_1lwXxEU038ORWN7OSQ9qwQmjTAXqYekGCAJmh8eqCCd1ZC4yxmAJ5DxnJ4wdIrRMG6aLEeFq52TsFIBB0c1U8a25QBF4MCM_8m2/s1600/Cake+Sally.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-eBy3y7DYJNM%2FUS4KTgPBd4I%2FAAAAAAAAAIY%2F3H_xuPhG2GY%2Fs1600%2F58694_291125127669614_1935208693_n.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx7l-9LCXftdGSPf__BCPpRxDO1lfQT6iL96FWZpXUhv2hvRl8loUgOj9Su_f57qJsXk07VYGQrw1nUaxdEOx168JSpF3w4XiLLHnW7p_6GPO0qOZxNV6vv_-SLjVbJyCFY6C_K-B4wE2/s1600/58694_291125127669614_1935208693_n.jpg" -->BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-22882964846790837542011-12-13T08:29:00.000-08:002011-12-16T08:22:18.692-08:00Our Spell in Gaol!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RLyfqOxf1vq9cxJtiDowSrm5NuBbbG52mzbM_rVUkxyoTeJpxZeEGKAw4-0St_N4GhvEkbT5K-mGx65PRpy1Nw1MVm8mwKA3aw3dxGWJXRIbPWVSqsVvY1zunkqamZPoTy1eK7h4aj9j/s1600/379098_10150472866675420_612235419_10966232_923782010_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RLyfqOxf1vq9cxJtiDowSrm5NuBbbG52mzbM_rVUkxyoTeJpxZeEGKAw4-0St_N4GhvEkbT5K-mGx65PRpy1Nw1MVm8mwKA3aw3dxGWJXRIbPWVSqsVvY1zunkqamZPoTy1eK7h4aj9j/s200/379098_10150472866675420_612235419_10966232_923782010_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not only is Canterbury a great City to visit because of all it's history and of course the local wild life parks, the shopping and the world famous Cathedral to name but a few. There are also some great little museums and quirky cafés where you can stop for a warming hot chocolate, a creamy latte and some delicious cakes! </span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was at a place just like this that I thought, people should be coming to Canterbury just for this one experience! I have to blog about it!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was invited to join a colleague for coffee one afternoon at the The Old City Gaol & Café which opened back on the 28th July 2011 after an extensive and painstaking restoration of the Old City Gaol. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZXmEhPFT-F5LKhJCrleGSF-UxvJ-l-hskjes0wUkDlZ-7nBea3a044WuxLk2TVhYSa2xhN5xwG8lJwAPfeHVIqlHom4W64t8SxxBs3scAw90g_E5K-Qx9tvpAxi5nyaUS1-SrI1mHl33/s1600/307173_10150472803525420_612235419_10965985_1017995962_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZXmEhPFT-F5LKhJCrleGSF-UxvJ-l-hskjes0wUkDlZ-7nBea3a044WuxLk2TVhYSa2xhN5xwG8lJwAPfeHVIqlHom4W64t8SxxBs3scAw90g_E5K-Qx9tvpAxi5nyaUS1-SrI1mHl33/s200/307173_10150472803525420_612235419_10965985_1017995962_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We picked a table and enjoyed a delicious coffee each and a white chocolate and raspberry muffin (they were ENORMOUS)! Sitting in this café, looking out over the river that runs by, under a roof of glass covering what used to be the old felons exercise yard, doing some people watching and just soaking up the atmosphere that Canterbury has this time of year was just what the doctor ordered. Being a busy period at the hotel for office Christmas parties, weddings, accommodation and various other events it was lovely to spend some time watching other people rush around!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The café looks amazing, with a Vivienne Westwood Union Jack on the wall and various other historic images from when the towers were a Gaol way back when. They show the officers that used to work there and keep the felons in check, along with maps of Canterbury and photos of how it used to be. One wall in fact is completely covered in what looks to be a modern wall paper, but upon closer inspection you find it is actually out takes from the wardens diary from back in the 1800's and makes such interesting reading! I could have stood for hours trying to get through it all!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PpadN0z5S3FBVSGfIshzmfYOJu0eCv_uz2v4cAD7W_C3xWlVOqNUnigNfR1DN0_VSE59ltnexYme6O0mndD8rY11dCeg-m7nI-K7F-fAJYb3K_QQY7EXmrtyR7JeMsewHeVd14rYLRXW/s1600/310892_10150472807030420_612235419_10966019_1663572324_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PpadN0z5S3FBVSGfIshzmfYOJu0eCv_uz2v4cAD7W_C3xWlVOqNUnigNfR1DN0_VSE59ltnexYme6O0mndD8rY11dCeg-m7nI-K7F-fAJYb3K_QQY7EXmrtyR7JeMsewHeVd14rYLRXW/s200/310892_10150472807030420_612235419_10966019_1663572324_n.jpg" width="149" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1UCCozmlxDhXjp7AnXZQGz3579Eg4yVOO8diUOCFq8BPQHDrt5yWTdYexKpf5xQmaKyxp9wle0dfHtkXcIaxkcwuM1FiTaCvJJ-Mpf8CDK2OWsFktNa0cKoSSPuwOB2-_C9k8oVPv27k/s1600/316484_10150472806435420_612235419_10966013_895801557_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1UCCozmlxDhXjp7AnXZQGz3579Eg4yVOO8diUOCFq8BPQHDrt5yWTdYexKpf5xQmaKyxp9wle0dfHtkXcIaxkcwuM1FiTaCvJJ-Mpf8CDK2OWsFktNa0cKoSSPuwOB2-_C9k8oVPv27k/s200/316484_10150472806435420_612235419_10966013_895801557_n.jpg" width="149" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMDD0RWVDlQW00RteCtbWyF5xy27SDHfxr6q-aIUsyfGxi4iynzYrU00X2TAET4SNOV9t_pzLX3hKw23Jm93qCb7-4BsuFsRM5LN7aTm5_mGvecnyg6pbFwHF682yFX8a4GNCjcrvWq1J/s1600/314605_10150472805835420_612235419_10966008_884762404_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="height: 201px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 150px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMDD0RWVDlQW00RteCtbWyF5xy27SDHfxr6q-aIUsyfGxi4iynzYrU00X2TAET4SNOV9t_pzLX3hKw23Jm93qCb7-4BsuFsRM5LN7aTm5_mGvecnyg6pbFwHF682yFX8a4GNCjcrvWq1J/s200/314605_10150472805835420_612235419_10966008_884762404_n.jpg" width="149" /></span></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We then ventured up to the museum, access to which is under the Towers (which in case you weren’t aware is the largest remaining medieval gateway in the UK), and up the stone spiral staircase. We arrive in the main part of the museum, which houses armours from the Civil War, and much more. Lots to read and look at and the staff really know their stuff!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FGYEqlV3GAX8XxMpHBBfWgK3hMrnomfE0D8A7KAUqSqEeywewXWpz_KKNqKdvdR_-Ca9HQ2ZYgjGLN4BpaFTGybJVVDS6Mo_bMA8mN8mCarUzQhOjXe0xtwPupGIYZ-BOAS5CAxrNrNl/s1600/385060_10150472817705420_612235419_10966069_497099361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FGYEqlV3GAX8XxMpHBBfWgK3hMrnomfE0D8A7KAUqSqEeywewXWpz_KKNqKdvdR_-Ca9HQ2ZYgjGLN4BpaFTGybJVVDS6Mo_bMA8mN8mCarUzQhOjXe0xtwPupGIYZ-BOAS5CAxrNrNl/s200/385060_10150472817705420_612235419_10966069_497099361_n.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42Y9vwO_rgLATWIaBGGRYxDsEiNxMLwl5Gnt59IOtGbEH6y3xB1HldrA8MiGFlemgSeBJqL15nnGXMnQJnOCgvWPgc81oEda-oRkjW2UghQ7iArRmCHRrJL6J6I5B6Xlgnwf9nxB7z2Bj/s1600/384290_10150472863615420_612235419_10966226_517063623_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42Y9vwO_rgLATWIaBGGRYxDsEiNxMLwl5Gnt59IOtGbEH6y3xB1HldrA8MiGFlemgSeBJqL15nnGXMnQJnOCgvWPgc81oEda-oRkjW2UghQ7iArRmCHRrJL6J6I5B6Xlgnwf9nxB7z2Bj/s200/384290_10150472863615420_612235419_10966226_517063623_n.jpg" width="149" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQrKOG06PK69tP_VfVReGkY17182nzO9Ly_uHLDh5LVLNpbZtd5FhJAECH34fT20mMe0205UkYvW_L-TMUEcsLJM5xR5UUaMR3J1rz9mzWBp9Vv9jcz3T0_PABrl9GTDWtkX2OTv5aKzX/s1600/298869_10150472862900420_612235419_10966224_903948790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQrKOG06PK69tP_VfVReGkY17182nzO9Ly_uHLDh5LVLNpbZtd5FhJAECH34fT20mMe0205UkYvW_L-TMUEcsLJM5xR5UUaMR3J1rz9mzWBp9Vv9jcz3T0_PABrl9GTDWtkX2OTv5aKzX/s200/298869_10150472862900420_612235419_10966224_903948790_n.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We then ventured through to the cells, meeting James, a felon who was only 15 or 16 when he was confined in the Gaol in 1793. According to the local newspaper the Kentish Gazette, he made ingenious efforts to escape from his cell. With his extraordinary strength he had repeatedly broken the iron manacles on his hands and legs. New and stronger shackles were put on his arms and legs and secured to the wall of the cell, but he remained defiant and would not give up his efforts to escape.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seeing this cell that James would have had to share with up to 8 others and then moving through to the Victorian cells it was amazing to see the difference, and to appreciate how lucky later felons were as the cells for them seemed much more civilised!!! They had a bed and a toilet each! (I have to say though, the bed didn't look comfortable!)</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIS1I2b8rCgkvCAHlLprz5pykRuRyHuhj8ry0U3u4jMEzmOA8H9fmbyYjbA0q9GqJMa3y397PCqfVExiien_D3dJG6VC7HVHIPbIaY44iu8Kzn5DZhnDrb_1E3-zxSoI0KvqpQkGn87dRJ/s1600/378742_10150472815645420_612235419_10966064_1721339087_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIS1I2b8rCgkvCAHlLprz5pykRuRyHuhj8ry0U3u4jMEzmOA8H9fmbyYjbA0q9GqJMa3y397PCqfVExiien_D3dJG6VC7HVHIPbIaY44iu8Kzn5DZhnDrb_1E3-zxSoI0KvqpQkGn87dRJ/s200/378742_10150472815645420_612235419_10966064_1721339087_n.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDc8dvfVrji9pzNlZVyKuMiIm6iQMtb46VZ_u2maRzVNQxnT69f4YeigPG-cO-Xa9GswtpMcPXaE5at_4-3u3M1bH1Zem3tvgT5eXmQfo7q2fDeK9PnHSyGt-YdBo4R7DdH37tXS3CwGjJ/s1600/392257_10150472820885420_612235419_10966079_17059206_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDc8dvfVrji9pzNlZVyKuMiIm6iQMtb46VZ_u2maRzVNQxnT69f4YeigPG-cO-Xa9GswtpMcPXaE5at_4-3u3M1bH1Zem3tvgT5eXmQfo7q2fDeK9PnHSyGt-YdBo4R7DdH37tXS3CwGjJ/s200/392257_10150472820885420_612235419_10966079_17059206_n.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatWt-uq-WBifdG4K5O0ZfQlShPvzFH9iIfbWc-fhgUGng2VudZbGeoLYav5G8kVkmBpRuukVJamcb2X6-wVGnESy_68jQcFlwjMM1_duGsXUtTE2FkrKS6G9oelD0GjztEq1FO6wfTM7w/s1600/308725_10150472816665420_612235419_10966066_551897179_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatWt-uq-WBifdG4K5O0ZfQlShPvzFH9iIfbWc-fhgUGng2VudZbGeoLYav5G8kVkmBpRuukVJamcb2X6-wVGnESy_68jQcFlwjMM1_duGsXUtTE2FkrKS6G9oelD0GjztEq1FO6wfTM7w/s200/308725_10150472816665420_612235419_10966066_551897179_n.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDc8dvfVrji9pzNlZVyKuMiIm6iQMtb46VZ_u2maRzVNQxnT69f4YeigPG-cO-Xa9GswtpMcPXaE5at_4-3u3M1bH1Zem3tvgT5eXmQfo7q2fDeK9PnHSyGt-YdBo4R7DdH37tXS3CwGjJ/s1600/392257_10150472820885420_612235419_10966079_17059206_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIS1I2b8rCgkvCAHlLprz5pykRuRyHuhj8ry0U3u4jMEzmOA8H9fmbyYjbA0q9GqJMa3y397PCqfVExiien_D3dJG6VC7HVHIPbIaY44iu8Kzn5DZhnDrb_1E3-zxSoI0KvqpQkGn87dRJ/s1600/378742_10150472815645420_612235419_10966064_1721339087_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finally up another flight of spiral stairs and we were on the roof, able to look around </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and take in the breathtaking views of Canterbury were you can see the New Marlowe Theatre clearly and the Cathedral. Some say it looks like the Marlowe is doffing its cap to the Cathedral, but you can make up your own mind!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The stairs from the roof brought our tour to an end and back in to the café! Such an interesting visit and just another of the many reasons why people need to come to this magical city and spend some time discovering hidden gems like this.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We are located within easy walking distance to all of Canterbury's major attractions in the town, so why not book yourself a short break in January or February to cheer yourself up and enjoy what Canterbury has to offer. We would love to see you!!!!</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>A Debtor's Despair.</strong></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A place there is, of ancient date</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Entering the city, called Westgate.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here felons lodge, and each poor debtor</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Who cannot pay for lodging better.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">To be in debt is sure a curse</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The fear it causes, ten times worse.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">How many honest men now rot</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In jails, for debts of trifling note?</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Denied the power to maintain</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Their helpless wives and infant train.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">No pity's show, but there must lie</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Perchance until the wretches die.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Thus vexed and fretted at my luck</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Some words I had with Master Ruck.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And he too falling in a rage</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Secured me safely in the cage.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">From whence, at nine, my tower mounted</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Some hundred steps I believe I counted.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">They ushered me into a room</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Whose countenance bore a dismal gloom.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When struck with wonder at the sight</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And siezed with terror and affright!</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I threw myself into a chair.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The only on sure ever there.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In all the horrors of despair!</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(Dated at Mr Ruck's West-Gate, Canterbury, Saturday July 10th 1773)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-74614382970372719242011-12-01T04:42:00.001-08:002011-12-01T04:58:32.940-08:00The Battle of the Stars<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy1DhrW-XIGTocY-pIlQX8CdGiWNX6APEWdqhlDG-xTjr4bHI9hF25ZWn9X0aR01dwDidt3TOpo4JpqxwVLTVVL3F9XMbnxBlYjXTNKuQZO-FPOe6JVDvmjfE9JFfKATCIMUYqU2ClCQ_/s1600/STAR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy1DhrW-XIGTocY-pIlQX8CdGiWNX6APEWdqhlDG-xTjr4bHI9hF25ZWn9X0aR01dwDidt3TOpo4JpqxwVLTVVL3F9XMbnxBlYjXTNKuQZO-FPOe6JVDvmjfE9JFfKATCIMUYqU2ClCQ_/s200/STAR.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What images come to mind when someone tells you, that you are booked to stay in a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 star rated hotel? </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you imagine the 1 & 2 star hotels are dark, unclean, not refurbished and offers poor service and food? Do you imagine the 5 star can provide you bright, big, spacious rooms that are well furnished, with perfect service, gourmet food and a chocolate on your pillow? Do you feel that hotels without a star rating are not even worth considering? Do you even understand the star rating system? </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Perhaps another question to ask is, what is important to you when booking a hotel? Is it the location, the room size, how well furnished it is, or is it actually just a room to sleep in? People use the word quality, they want quality, so what does that mean? </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The general idea behind a star rating is this. The more stars, the higher the overall level of quality you can expect to find. However all properties have to meet an extensive list of minimum standards before they are even considered for a rating. </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some hotels choose not to participate in the rating system, it can be quite costly, yet actually the absence of a rating does not indicate poor quality of amenities or service. </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When it comes to trying to work your way through the hotel star rating system, it can be quite complicated. Star ratings vary from global region to global region, country to country and occasionally within countries. Within Europe, hotel stars are assigned if properties have leisure facilities and lifts, not always on when the last refurbishment was done and its current state. </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The UK star rating system dates back to 1912, when Automobile Association's Secretary, Stenson Cooke hit on the idea, and the 3 star classification system was born. Today in Great Britain, the AA works on a 5 star system and after years of confusing tourists and Britons, a standardised system was launched in 2007. </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqpjppg1y05kgTkbDe0629ZKnX1Y8PGRobRR24cENDJoQr5LoM0UklNyXkaAPrizqrLYqNl7eH9MquhVC_xZpu1fA_bLpzS-w8lawymzZFuwdlYGx4kyfBQ8Gw2p-XddukplQuIMRFdiy/s1600/Credit+cards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqpjppg1y05kgTkbDe0629ZKnX1Y8PGRobRR24cENDJoQr5LoM0UklNyXkaAPrizqrLYqNl7eH9MquhVC_xZpu1fA_bLpzS-w8lawymzZFuwdlYGx4kyfBQ8Gw2p-XddukplQuIMRFdiy/s200/Credit+cards.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cost comes into where you can afford to stay. If you are on a tight budget and need somewhere for less than £70 a night, you might consider the likes of a 2 star or lesser rated properties, perhaps if you can afford a little more you will find yourself looking at 3 & 4 star hotels. If you are the lucky ones who can afford the 5 star and deluxe hotels, you are in for a treat, but don't bank all your expectations on those shiny gold stars next to the hotel name, sometimes they disappoint and you are left wondering how they got it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bathroom size, a night porter, 24 hour hot room service, bed size and more all come into it. Sometimes you might surprise yourself and stay in a 3 star hotel that can offer you 5 star furnishings, and service, but because the bathrooms can't be increased in size they can't benefit from the higher rating. If you think a nice fluffy towel and slippers will guarantee a perfect stay, it might, but don't always bank on it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Many hotels nowadays are starting to move away from the star ratings, especially branded hotels such as Holiday Inns. They feel that the brand projects and guarantees what the customer can expect better than the star rating system. You may well find in the future, less and less hotels opt for a star rating for this exact reason. </span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Baring all the above in mind, try not to disregard a hotel purely because it lacks a pool, or because it is only rated 2 or 3 stars, or even if it doesn’t have a brand above the door. Brands certainly offer consistency so that a room in one branded UK hotel looks identical to a room in one of their Tokyo hotels, however some might argue that this also results in a lack of character compared to unbranded hotels that are unique in their own right. If you’re adamant that you want to stick to a brand though, my suggestion would be to choose one like Best Western, who don’t own any of their hotels. All <a href="http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/">Best Western</a> hotels are independently owned, so you can feel safe in the knowledge that you will experience consistency in the standards you would expect from the brand, whilst still having the unique experience that comes from a country house retreat or even a castle! Who said you can’t have your cake and eat it too ;o) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoFap41CCEWqZjGv7vCufz7fXU4ScVzi-2UH1DoT7xbTiyqYOvwA_xERQMLmW0j7SfnG8hA2koOR8h___rTcw5piZijtFjlfP9RBd_YSw-IfMkRe6z0zu4A_qYPgFRt1qzAt2pHAOCYc1/s1600/BW_strap_Landscape_RGB+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoFap41CCEWqZjGv7vCufz7fXU4ScVzi-2UH1DoT7xbTiyqYOvwA_xERQMLmW0j7SfnG8hA2koOR8h___rTcw5piZijtFjlfP9RBd_YSw-IfMkRe6z0zu4A_qYPgFRt1qzAt2pHAOCYc1/s400/BW_strap_Landscape_RGB+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-79773314263284524362011-10-25T05:42:00.000-07:002011-10-25T05:42:28.129-07:00Trip advisor....friend or foe?<br />
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhst5nan6EtWPbpEyKEb6EKPLTPMq8Z6C3wrNJA39KNHLhigc5-4krnyDZWVm_1DWHcVVz9Dz3EQaQx-tLN9W8fxLs9Go_oDYUZF5dPH4kC1gxmolZxQeXOn6-dU0HHrqm6xLemnmLn29NU/s1600/TripAdvisor.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667405144079899138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhst5nan6EtWPbpEyKEb6EKPLTPMq8Z6C3wrNJA39KNHLhigc5-4krnyDZWVm_1DWHcVVz9Dz3EQaQx-tLN9W8fxLs9Go_oDYUZF5dPH4kC1gxmolZxQeXOn6-dU0HHrqm6xLemnmLn29NU/s200/TripAdvisor.jpg" style="display: block; height: 118px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></span></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are so many articles, new reports and bad press surrounding Trip Advisor these days. Yet up until 9 months ago a lot of people wouldn’t ever have considered staying at a hotel before reading reviews left on the infamous site. You might find 30 or even 500 reviews left over a period of a couple of years and more. All a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly. Still I can quite confidently say that those hotels would have seen many more guests passing through their doors, sleeping in their beds and enjoying their breakfasts and dinners who did not leave a review and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few months ago hoteliers finally found their voice and have brought and continue to bring to the public and presses attention that actually Trip Advisor has no way of verifying that those people leaving reviews have ever stayed in the hotel they are commenting on at all. In fact the chances are that a good handful have had a disappointing stay, the other handful are competitors who want to do damage to their rivals or just simply vindictive people posting a negative comment purely for their own satisfaction (a disgruntled member of staff perhaps). Needless to say some of the positive reviews may well have been posted by staff members, family members or friends, however the majority will probably be good honest reviews.</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The point is people are finally starting to see it for what it is and what hoteliers have always known it to be but have muddled through because nobody seemed to be able to shout loudly enough about it...until recently.</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Companies such as Booking.com and Laterooms.com have however got it right. They can and do have the ability to post reviews, as you can only do so if you have stayed in that hotel and booked your stay via the aforementioned websites, this is the proof the stay actually took place and means the reviews are from true customers.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667405441017262066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORAzR5NEb6a8vfGJW0oRA7XNfmpXKF4Gi2NPMsKjSDeXzKAekjeXGBo2zMw4OGaq-eGrQeyWlMGf34iGsUM769L57b2FnH8N4bNyYaSqKazL05OtWe3EgIDpqItcwL0gq235c4vV8Ey3V/s200/ASA_Logo.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 134px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of months ago is was announced that the ASA had launched a formal investigation into TripAdvisor after receiving a complaint from a company called KwickChex.com. A Bournemouth based company that helps others manage their online reputations. They have been pursuing TripAdvisor since last year over what it claims are numerous misleading, fake and defamatory reviews posted about restaurants, hotels and bed & breakfasts. With the likes of Dragons Den entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne backing the campaign, this is certainly one investigation to keep your eye on!</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA7YtJSvTb3GOweXElYoflIPEjbW512uxyuCjdoCoAEmvqk0GZlP_NIZpvkuXERRHrOiMGuEobbZQaDToOfK5iNVvI8kcXaWGdT82qLw-ujTn9_HFJHqSbzkTO3giBMfA7KJVMO2Wjb2_/s1600/suitcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667405855458134770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA7YtJSvTb3GOweXElYoflIPEjbW512uxyuCjdoCoAEmvqk0GZlP_NIZpvkuXERRHrOiMGuEobbZQaDToOfK5iNVvI8kcXaWGdT82qLw-ujTn9_HFJHqSbzkTO3giBMfA7KJVMO2Wjb2_/s200/suitcase.jpg" style="display: block; height: 200px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 133px;" /></span></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think the point I want to make is this. Trip Advisor, love it or hate it has been part of the holiday makers booking process for many years, and yet should never be taken too seriously. We as a nation much prefer to grumble and moan after the occurrence than speak up at the time, this bad feeling then festers and those who don't perhaps want a resolution will complain to Trip Advisor and such like. Those who are serious will contact the hotel and voice their concerns at the time or write a letter once back at home, giving the hotel a serious chance to rectify any fault or make amends, hopefully to the customers satisfaction.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A warning to those who read reviews, remember if the site can not guarantee these reviews are genuine, don't let it effect your own judgement too much.</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4DJyS-km715_DkzpZmBj2GXnISsxUuYFhgFNeIk0SMnxvB4zyWvFyetd0FYBEemEBRvGSbrX4LclFZmN92cFV_dcR_VjujUmkQeBcF_GBp6EViykTyJeAVof472lM0QlXk_jRiDlk_j2/s1600/ABH-117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="130" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4DJyS-km715_DkzpZmBj2GXnISsxUuYFhgFNeIk0SMnxvB4zyWvFyetd0FYBEemEBRvGSbrX4LclFZmN92cFV_dcR_VjujUmkQeBcF_GBp6EViykTyJeAVof472lM0QlXk_jRiDlk_j2/s200/ABH-117.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope Trip Advisor can find away of verifying that past and new reviews are genuine. I also hope that since reading this and hearing about it in the press, those of you who have shunned hotels in the past due to a bad Trip Advisor review might reconsider visiting them. We don't bite. We are open to the public. <a href="http://www.castlewoodhotels.com/">We are here to serve you</a>. Pop in and see us, ask for a look around, and make up your own mind.</span></div>
</div>BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-81065222607292300952011-10-03T04:17:00.000-07:002011-10-05T09:44:47.032-07:00Get to the church on time!<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAun1GRYoUDljNcH0fzWmMq5xgWdTT9kzZZUwVUDN7O69k8Z4ns-7ya2s0lYv2GlrriOWivS-QVr9lT7MHSxeXbDRu6GTaB56B4Uo_2P3xN39QD2fnN9fLjsBYRVLvPtlZbvtknkN1qS6O/s1600/Wedding+Rings.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659228463352429074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAun1GRYoUDljNcH0fzWmMq5xgWdTT9kzZZUwVUDN7O69k8Z4ns-7ya2s0lYv2GlrriOWivS-QVr9lT7MHSxeXbDRu6GTaB56B4Uo_2P3xN39QD2fnN9fLjsBYRVLvPtlZbvtknkN1qS6O/s200/Wedding+Rings.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">So, he finally popped the question then?! Congratulations!! (That is if you said yes!)<br /><br />Now this is where the fun and games start. Telling your families & telling your friends. Deciding on “Do we have an engagement party or don't we?”<br /><br />Then it's a case of going out, buying all the wedding magazines you can lay your hands on and watching the colour drain from your husband to be's face as he realises the Bridezilla he has brought out in you and sticks a padlock on his wallet!<br /><br />It's all fun and games, but where do you actually start??<br /><br />Our advice....Fix a budget. This is key. If you are lucky enough to have parents who are able to help with costs, it's best to establish how much they are looking at putting your way. This means there are no crossed wires and will allow you to have a good idea of what you can afford.<br /><br />Budget decided then, is it a church wedding or a civil ceremony?<br /><br />Do you want a professional photographer?<br /><br />Do you want a cake from a professional company or is dear Aunt Mabel making it for you?<br /><br />Stationary, do you do it yourself or are you ordering it from a professional company? (If you are lucky enough to be crafty it can save you some money but me, well I'd glue my foot to my head!)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><a href="http://www.abbotsbartonhotel.com/"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659225119784947810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P_Cr-m14Lq21CQJVeO7mKKLrJFKqMH9dOpMwTXDotETRRS7R-E5F19vhvHhkNW2U3d5ITxZ3wwowCH3G5_NdUkdnFxean_Do3D8v1GJsGaMqWfqe3o4wq2FlERThrSTks8OcjN-jwGHr/s200/Sand+Castle.JPG" /></a></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><a href="http://www.abbotsbartonhotel.com/">Venue</a>....big, small, traditional, contemporary, castle, marquee, barn or a hotel?? Bare in mind that sometimes booking at certain venues can bring the additional work of planning all the extras such as caterers, tables, crockery, linen, glassware, drinks supplier etc. Hotels and some other venues on the other hand can arrange all this for you and it should be included in the price. The easiest way to be sure however is ask these questions when viewing the places you are considering.<br /><br />All of the above are key questions to ask, make a decision on and book before your date and preferred choice is snapped up by someone else.<br /><br />Next then is to ask are you having a theme? Are you building your day around your favourite colours, flowers, a TV Show, countries you've visited, seaside towns, a hobby, cars, knots, the list of suggestions goes on. If you are I suggest you make the decision early and stick to it. Sometimes it's easy to get over excited, go over the top and end up with 3 different themes that don't quite gel, so pick out your favourites and then pick out the best. Less is more remember!<br /><br />Guest list....Are you both on the same page? When your husband to be suggests a small wedding is he thinking 10 people when you think small is 30 or vice versa.<br /><br />Children, another potentially tricky subject. Do you allow children or not. If not, are they band from the entire day or perhaps just the service and meal. Think of who on your list this will affect and bare in mind that this could ultimately end up with them not being able to come at all. You might consider arranging for a mobile crèche to attend so your nearest and dearest can be there on the day. You might choose to leave it to the individuals to arrange themselves, but it is something that can cause some issues and you need to be aware of them.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkxBw1phyphenhyphenQoA2BCRMnWXcZ6sPgIO2JGyU-9zq6R7TAMCoxUHgobW5PAaED5AXq_gHPCChCtaQ0dKdhKu2TAPe6nBue8vcqTYwCISuWiK27AYjYcG3ZeERMx8HrP8eb7xsqidA3D9RuetF/s1600/Food.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659226232300204434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkxBw1phyphenhyphenQoA2BCRMnWXcZ6sPgIO2JGyU-9zq6R7TAMCoxUHgobW5PAaED5AXq_gHPCChCtaQ0dKdhKu2TAPe6nBue8vcqTYwCISuWiK27AYjYcG3ZeERMx8HrP8eb7xsqidA3D9RuetF/s200/Food.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Food! Catering for any amount of people can be a challenge. You can't please everyone, but you can please most. Offering a vegetarian option is a must and asking for dietary requirements when guests RSVP is crucial to make sure there are no surprises on the day. If you are worried about picking a fixed menu, ask the caterers or venue if you can offer your guests a choice of two main courses and pre order in advance. This might help if you know you have an amount of fussy eaters as it means they can choose what they want. Just be organised if this is the road you take and on the place cards for the tables write the persons menu choice on the back or inside, this will avoid confusion as they never remember what they ordered and ultimately will help with service on the day.<br />You might depending on the caterers be able to offer a served buffet instead. This will create a more informal atmosphere and will mean there should be a good selection of food so guests can just help themselves to what they fancy. Whatever happens be sure that there will be lots of options where food is concerned so if you are unsure trust that your caterer will have had lots of experience and should be able to help you with your decisions.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhnRhgolYG_Xwpx2qUn-8qYftmh179R35XgWYy5FAlkcj18u3z-vT6OAutiB0e1SbETozHq7uqIB7qFH24KBOqQze8QfGXLaCpNlVvL2aobID43FrpG-ZPHk2k4HPePNmf2ARpFcT7yaL/s1600/AbbotsBartonfunctionroom.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659226989996334418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhnRhgolYG_Xwpx2qUn-8qYftmh179R35XgWYy5FAlkcj18u3z-vT6OAutiB0e1SbETozHq7uqIB7qFH24KBOqQze8QfGXLaCpNlVvL2aobID43FrpG-ZPHk2k4HPePNmf2ARpFcT7yaL/s200/AbbotsBartonfunctionroom.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Table plan....Now hoping there hasn't been a family feud since you got engaged, this is relatively easy to do too. Make sure you mix the families together, try not to sit any lone guests on a table where they don't know anyone and make sure there is a good ratio of quiet people to chatty people on the tables. As for the top table, tradition says it has to be long with parents, maid of honour and best man, but if your not traditional that doesn't matter, do it your way!<br /><br />Music, now here's another one to be seriously considered. If you are having an evening reception and want to include some music and dancing, then find the right band or <a href="http://www.whitesdiscokent.co.uk/">DJ</a> for you. Venues will have their own recommendations, these are worth considering as they will work with them all the time. Ask to see any testimonials and meet with them, perhaps go down and watch them perform. A nice touch is to ask your guests what songs they might like the DJ to play, or indeed the band (if they are good enough)<br /><br />There are plenty of extras you can consider having during your big day. Some examples are chocolate fountains, champagne fountains, ice sculptures, photo booths, casino tables, candy floss stands, pick'n'mix tables, video booths, wii entertainers, the list goes on. Things like this add some excitement to the day and evening but can be costly so again, keep on top of your budget.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8upHeEe70QZVgkTXunQEHsjPdHVKuZzy1Et9bVRmPtGtSK_DWaYvb94S31QfO6JQ8ZExbtDQh22X5CYpdWSAyu2-HglCEn-Ak2zqbnS6-CvA1mHKdmGN6akkbGCPucduuGL80-LhmW-xt/s1600/Flowers.JPG"><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659228138987898834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8upHeEe70QZVgkTXunQEHsjPdHVKuZzy1Et9bVRmPtGtSK_DWaYvb94S31QfO6JQ8ZExbtDQh22X5CYpdWSAyu2-HglCEn-Ak2zqbnS6-CvA1mHKdmGN6akkbGCPucduuGL80-LhmW-xt/s200/Flowers.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">There is still a lot more of course that needs to be considered, such as the drinks you serve, the transport, the flowers, favours, the weather, parking, accommodation etc. but if you manage to find a venue with a wedding coordinator, they will be able to help and guide you step by step through the process, and of course those wedding magazines will help!<br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;">Be organised with the planning, enjoy the build up and sparkle on the day! Just get to the Church on time!! </span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#333333;"></span></div>BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-6003845976174876132011-09-05T04:29:00.000-07:002011-09-05T05:11:42.177-07:00The Birth of the Brownies....<div align="justify"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648846104092369906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXUrLRcvQKhi2BZHHjp1jsGD83df9R7T1IcHLiLlck1Bhk1_5JT8s5sgfkQCsE4IpPai2PSkFYkCLMg4ZXxpAd9d57leURPgePpW3Y3LCcW0K6zrhma6VJdiTiqXLroxPs2NmiV_KCprh/s200/shoes.gif" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">Make sure you enjoy networking is the first major point to all this. If you don't enjoy walking up to a perfect stranger in a crowded room, towering over them (as I do being 6ft tall and 6ft 3” in heels) interrupting a conversation and simply saying “How do you do” I wouldn't suggest you try it....
<br />
<br />If you don't mind all of that however, and you like the idea, then all you need is a little push in the right direction. In our case it was another organiser of a networking event that let us down one to many times that gave us the push.....
<br />
<br />After the nightmare of dealing with a contact who wanted to set up their own meeting, but then cancel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSHeu_I6b4PKPPSgrEEiIAr1PCZqaXTncb9gUK_5DHZExWi3XrjeqwsocmF2iKeV3l8-DMVJYC2IqQxaQdJSJ7pATS4HC5v1lMpi9Knyh_QR3g6aWMJ__c-UaxNOiAmXQ2rB87B3PNdan/s1600/handshake.jpg"></a>ling last minute and letting lots of people down, Christine Cooper and I decided to go it alone.
<br />
<br />One day whilst doing a walk around of the businesses on the industrial estates around Canterbury letting everyone know how wonderful the Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel (<a href="http://www.abbotsbartonhotel.com/">http://www.abbotsbartonhotel.com/</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#666666;">) is Christine was telling me about a few things she used to do when in the Brownies. I was amazed, and also a little jealous as I was never allowed to be a Brownie due to my height. Apparently even producing your birth certificate back in those days to prove I was of the correct age wasn’t enough, my mum learned this as she was swiftly informed by the Brown Owl that “Your daughter is far to tall, and wont fit in, she will have to wait and join the Girl Guides.” Please don't feel too bad about it though, it only took me 28 years to get over ;)
<br />I did however explain this to Christine who did feel sorry for me, and we jokingly mentioned our networking breakfast should be called, The Brownies, but that was as far as it went....
<br />
<br />Finally by the end of our epic walk of <a href="http://www.canterbury.co.uk/">Canterbury</a> we had decided we would launch our own meeting. The facts were:
<br />
<br />It would take place at the end of every month.
<br />It would only cost £8 per person on a pay as you go basis.
<br />It would be open to everyone.
<br />It would be a healthy continental breakfast.
<br />It would be interesting and relevant to everyone who attends.
<br />It would have a great speaker at every meeting.
<br />It will be made up of what the businesses attending want and we can adapt and change freely as and when needed.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd78UYb3yV9inNFtKe9TVY2Z-iSBEDAmqY29Cdip0GxRh4ukejgfqa_ocqB_R84xxWmhL2uA0EZIhUNr6jNPPg-IqlOZswX0-YV3JbNF82oTReI1OKoLcgnroLCMwyK3zhwBM-yEKy2oBR/s1600/Brownies.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qWvAiUjneeZgQfnU5XXeDA5qS4PI49VWOQalFWL4eiQ8ttORHOvizsHbjzZj88xORoktxKMUuQhe1egsQFlysX_IwFoDBLxEdEuzIyw_JnR7hDfVx3HEFo4EtzZwNFunPdLTqrHEwR-w/s1600/Brownies.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648846195981241730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qWvAiUjneeZgQfnU5XXeDA5qS4PI49VWOQalFWL4eiQ8ttORHOvizsHbjzZj88xORoktxKMUuQhe1egsQFlysX_IwFoDBLxEdEuzIyw_JnR7hDfVx3HEFo4EtzZwNFunPdLTqrHEwR-w/s200/Brownies.jpg" /></a>As we arrived back at the hotel and made ourselves a cup of tea to get over the exercise we walked past the hotels chef, who politely asked if we would like to try a cake he had just taken out of the oven. Never people to turn down such an offer you can imagine the look that Christine & I gave each other when he produced us each with a delicious Chocolate Brownie! Well that was it, the networking group was born....Now to launch it!
<br />
<br />June, June would be the month we took our first steps into the exciting world of hosting our own Breakfast Networking Group. We spread the word, we booked a great speaker, we got the attendees and it happened! The first meeting was a success, and everyone enjoyed themselves.
<br />
<br />Our format is to start at 7am, chat and have a cup of tea until 7.25am. Everyone sits down then and tucks into their breakfast, a lovely continental and of course those now famous Chocolate Brownies. Everyone gets a chance to stand up and introduce themselves and their business, which is followed by a break and another chance to chat to those in the room and hopefully do some business! Around 8.15am we then settle down to a 20 minute talk from our speaker, they cover all topics and encourage debates, which are then followed by questions and the close of the meeting. Needless to say many stay behind after the meeting to continue networking!
<br />
<br />We are now over a year on the meeting is still running, and has a wide range of people attending. We have fun and we do some serious business. We help each other out and discuss issues and ideas.
<br />
<br />Due to the success of the meetings we have launched in Folkestone and in Eastbourne, and these too are going well.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBBIZmE6p6rOasfENsshod1DisuHCwkTn0nKummIL_8rkJs13E3YIDdO_mQJzbkqRPmucxwie0rw_D1gKWHLLvswaZL4d1DzEctQe3BoiVG2xE9I9uH1RxfOWL1NFlRu-a-ewVc_kMarZ/s1600/handshake.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSHeu_I6b4PKPPSgrEEiIAr1PCZqaXTncb9gUK_5DHZExWi3XrjeqwsocmF2iKeV3l8-DMVJYC2IqQxaQdJSJ7pATS4HC5v1lMpi9Knyh_QR3g6aWMJ__c-UaxNOiAmXQ2rB87B3PNdan/s1600/handshake.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mqn9HtxXteU618EmecWlj-GCU_o1PV_unjq_oHLExaOBRj3tiwElDymOJRQjUzoFCGZ9iFpcArHNmC5bGO1FHC0LVD3bsXtcPKJ7rr9ZyNmhNC9y4OUguUxhsIYvr7mUsJwmVmRvQVmb/s1600/handshake.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648846828625819746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mqn9HtxXteU618EmecWlj-GCU_o1PV_unjq_oHLExaOBRj3tiwElDymOJRQjUzoFCGZ9iFpcArHNmC5bGO1FHC0LVD3bsXtcPKJ7rr9ZyNmhNC9y4OUguUxhsIYvr7mUsJwmVmRvQVmb/s200/handshake.jpg" /></a>If you want to try networking, or have never been to such an event and would like to dip your toe in to test the water, feel free to come along. There is no annual fee, and you can come and go as you please and as your working schedule allows.
<br />
<br />The next Canterbury meetings will be taking place on:
<br />
<br />Wednesday 28th September 2011
<br />Thursday 27th October 2011
<br />Wednesday 30th November 2011
<br />
<br />All at 7am and with great speakers booked for all! We hope we might see you at one in the future!
<br />
<br />For more information email social@castlewoodhotels.com</span></div>BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-43100181702080500882011-08-22T05:50:00.000-07:002011-08-22T06:13:09.119-07:00Buy a wedding...on Ebay??<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3g9M7UJLZI3NKAsmAtXHe0iBz-L10x9ZXUGDGBctKKjR5p6Qy8kkL7XeSEZ8nqMxTxxqvNFsDFYXwfjE4lwlHeyrlZDC4qKEbFLTx_W0ku1BU78FxLs2V0OUcDHRlMm4nUEN1ykj4mzHz/s1600/Ebay.jpg"><span style="color:#666666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643665108429179906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3g9M7UJLZI3NKAsmAtXHe0iBz-L10x9ZXUGDGBctKKjR5p6Qy8kkL7XeSEZ8nqMxTxxqvNFsDFYXwfjE4lwlHeyrlZDC4qKEbFLTx_W0ku1BU78FxLs2V0OUcDHRlMm4nUEN1ykj4mzHz/s320/Ebay.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#666666;">We are now going to share with you the challenge we set ourselves that came about all because of the Royal Engagement....
<br />
<br />As we are a busy hotel, people tend to book rooms, conferences and weddings quite a way in advance, and on the 28th & 29th April 2011 we had a large conference booked in....until the Royal </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfoM12IBuPk_IuH8hEnY_sQSLAYx47naRIb_cDZfaUBGmCy6trn64cuAnHL0a8NgLu-7e48ULZaAhMl38iTN0Rl6JTiFCSrnbrkHUfomuBYuSrqgBirsrFj9gddcT2U5hXieAhX8zj-pG/s1600/ABH-117.jpg"></a><span style="color:#666666;">Household announced that Prince William and Catherine Middleton were to be married on the 29th April 2011 and this would be a public holiday! Unsuprisingly the phone rang and the conference got pushed back to a later date so the companies staff could make the most of it and we were left with an empty function room and some empty bedrooms. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643666007768687746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_p_e7eOm3iJwOVIeuU6Bslf7Iy6x00gmjfxOVXf5yFBnMn0rMNcswxAAYWmfA8nnxgxQneIWmi6DIbgYthhYVWx0ZhgFoFnQW5v3yoqxIyHV6TjB1rSzX-0vLs35GysWbu-R9d6Qf2lw/s320/ABH-117.jpg" />Not wanting to have an empty hotel and being far enough away to think up a plan, we decided to take a chance and auction our own Royal Wedding Reception on Ebay. We got a package together, all singing all dancing with arrival drinks, a three course dinner and wine for 50 people, a drink to toast during the speaches, an evening buffet and disco and accommodation for the bride and groom for the evening. The auction would run from Friday to Sunday and the lucky bidders would get to have their wedding on the same day as Great </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hTTQZx16dc9U8Q_pjhCXnAWuZL3UDDMws9JRjNUa9fcqp6Pfh1xvdlggVwYndgAAo7Q2Qo7chSopJ3lg_y4B1jxe1e1lSTtKaoGeJWS-pDznf1p1f_V_ugZ3HkbLjGxn0wXVMa498qGL/s1600/20100119-DSC_2362.jpg"></a><span style="color:#666666;">Britains modern royal couple.
<br />
<br />We opened the auction four weeks before the date and by the 4th day we had 27 people watching the item, with couples ringing in asking questions and popping in to have a look around and get a feel for the venue and the fantastic day that could soon be theirs.
<br />As the auction came to a close, the bidding started and the wedding (worth over £4000) went for the bargain price of £1999.
<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643666294697942194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZhTDAfipnRZbQvQcoC7XPZ_e2SrKlePSyQiJXTnCklQC8C0iVqICmFRHG-DCBpbvKEUkM5nGH1Ff6HYKFIWgZMYlWJnsLBIe7mniPIpyfC7OxsgeRRGdhcuYHsJv4Jf46moxvSH2JqLg/s320/20100119-DSC_2366.jpg" />We were over the moon, the wedding had sold, the idea had worked and a wonderful couple, Selina & Tim had just booked themselves a wedding! When we asked them, what had made them bid on the wedding, we discovered they had met online themselves several years ago. They had discussed marriage but nothing had ever really materialised and so when they heard about the auction via the local papers it seemed to make sense. “A new kitchen or get married....??” asked Tim. “Lets get married!” said Selina, and the rest as they say, is history.
<br />
<br />After a few meetings and adding the personnal touches that the happy couple required to make the day their own we were ready to go.
<br />
<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHntI6hFn3Pm_neuZRAPceGvuRvHIA8sVrgNpzkDT_pQ8WP1r5YNDgM5QGIATXtL0sKiV1ok9TJgb_Uj7UAEUrt05lxZbOZfYGKkpQ0-5rDAs3jTmJMOXGJGVsJuVZEym6zknTHs6ETuq/s1600/Main+Entrance.JPG"></a><span style="color:#666666;">The day itself was a beautiful dry day, the bride looked stunning and the groom had a grin like the cat who got the cream. The venue sparkled and the party went on into the small hours of the morning.</span></span>
<br /><span style="color:#666666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643667148366618978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuNigFoETdML6A0eUTZvx63DdI9oWRU_AGiLNRWoyzZcwBmUssRhWvJm2PcobpuzvJiWfEuJX32s2NUwAUPA10IXd6J3KmYpEmYkKGWQTStXMM-vEf59ouINg0Da7quEmAq_p6k4S9Mjn/s320/Main+Entrance.JPG" /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Safe to say a lovely day was had by all and just goes to show, sometimes you really can grab a 5 star bargain on Ebay, so keep your eyes open, you neve know what you might find!</span>
<br />
<br />BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-31106169387038167032011-08-08T04:56:00.000-07:002011-08-08T06:03:36.811-07:00The war of the Rosettes<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJh6fOuHNjXo9jsO1C-APzsMIk9UZ0a-648L6NWTYKlNLi5WEBjVWz2KOoxmZPuUYNTy7Gc5Bv0NuEe6IO5-8lvSOi9V8Ny-_CjhFwDIYQYQq04LNuorDdN1AHhE8lZzpjdrl4qR_7ERML/s1600/aa-rosette.jpg"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 104px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638457710240777106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJh6fOuHNjXo9jsO1C-APzsMIk9UZ0a-648L6NWTYKlNLi5WEBjVWz2KOoxmZPuUYNTy7Gc5Bv0NuEe6IO5-8lvSOi9V8Ny-_CjhFwDIYQYQq04LNuorDdN1AHhE8lZzpjdrl4qR_7ERML/s200/aa-rosette.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;">Now its no surprise that everyone, when given the chance loves to go out to dinner, whether it be to your local Indian restaurant or to a top rated restaurant like the Fat Duck owned by Heston Blumenthal. It does of course depend on what kind of occasion, how much you can afford and what you like to eat when you do venture out. If you like to splash out occasionally, restaurants with rosettes tend to be the ones people head towards, but do you really understand how they work, how they are awarded and how much work the restaurants have to put in to gain them?
<br />
<br />The rosette system has been established for a long time and recognises successful cooking at different levels across the UK. When an inspector visits the hotel or restaurant it is their chance to get a snap shot whereby the entire meal, including ancillary items (when served) is assessed. Around 10% of restaurants nationwide are of a standard worthy of one rosette and above. This is indeed a massive achievement, and something not to be underestimated.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuhyphenhyphenn-LtAyKkkEzSfyK0uUA4II-kvspjh_NSlVpqugB3VhyTUUplgPnPqLTNiGVpTHWsJV87DTRnNnuLzX6tramQ2NPjsPGkuYYcocZSFU5_vE-KktCVQcZCL9VM8GSUW9H5mUbvqswHH/s1600/Beans.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638457795117915234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuhyphenhyphenn-LtAyKkkEzSfyK0uUA4II-kvspjh_NSlVpqugB3VhyTUUplgPnPqLTNiGVpTHWsJV87DTRnNnuLzX6tramQ2NPjsPGkuYYcocZSFU5_vE-KktCVQcZCL9VM8GSUW9H5mUbvqswHH/s200/Beans.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#333333;">
<br />
<br />Restaurants with one or two rosettes gain these through achieving standards that stand out in their local area. Good quality ingredients are selected, food is prepared with care, understanding and great precision should be apparent in the cooking process.
<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">
<br /><span style="color:#333333;">Restaurants with three and four rosettes are</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNTg1WQVbtJ-BjO8wcZHiXgI_3EzguQY6vjg2bJbcr5Qs0mMBInEPtLOS6oUfLvsjNWY1AgUgJIi3IWtifFebWfBbq91bGlpWDuPCmL3w4LfVhUPlmCanJ7WnPXzTOngfxr2BReRPlqMd/s1600/Beans.JPG"></a><span style="color:#333333;"> gained when all of the above is finely tuned, seasoning and the judgement of flavour combinations will be consistently excellent. They also combine appreciation o</span><span style="color:#333333;">f culinary traditions with a passionate desire to explore and improve. These virtues are then supported by intuitive service and a well chosen wine list.
<br />
<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZHeTJKaRcqEe7bKAxnPrWUdY91Jwevjq7HgT8JD3b0SXCyDIh0oR53KVRllaIKR6uPa4CK2RIK6VWVrSJDq07wO_EBe5ULDHct-0i8w4fRKOMArjxMnBFPOq4OplUvPjHgK8ujuFPTNI/s1600/Oranges.JPG"></a><span style="color:#333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgFxa93RLLVLtk_q9qW62g-RtMVIDuBjBf0yAeU2-04Juqi5eRwmJJ8vMXnrcf-BNBcJF6KMCRp61FQSSDamTvx4a5y5GKbqsmOLlCwGhfx8h-0KwBFxISRfoiPaOlYtfLl-cnxqWKDaC/s1600/Oranges.JPG"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 178px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638458174183038066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgFxa93RLLVLtk_q9qW62g-RtMVIDuBjBf0yAeU2-04Juqi5eRwmJJ8vMXnrcf-BNBcJF6KMCRp61FQSSDamTvx4a5y5GKbqsmOLlCwGhfx8h-0KwBFxISRfoiPaOlYtfLl-cnxqWKDaC/s200/Oranges.JPG" /></span></a>A five star rating is extremely rare, and is the pinnacle, where cooking compares with the best in the world. These restaurants have set standards which others aspire to, yet very few achieve.
<br />
<br />So now you understand how they work, all that's left is to try a few when the occasion arises! </span></span><span style="color:#333333;">
<br /></div></span>
<br />
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">If you aren't too worried about the awards though, there are still so many restaurants out there waiting to be discovered. A lot of them can be found hidden in hotels and down side streets. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Don't ever be afraid to book a table and give them a go. You will be surprised and perhaps even delighted at what you find!</span></span></div>BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296984733283863963.post-3519459518376373882011-07-25T04:35:00.000-07:002011-07-25T05:16:51.199-07:00Canterbury and the Abbots Barton....<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;">Durovermum Cantiacorum gained its English name Canterbury, itself derived from the Old English Cantwareburh after it became the chief Jutish settlement in the 1st century AD. </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;">After The Kingdom of Kent's conversion to Christianity in 597, St Augustine founded an episcopa and became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. A position that now heads the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633261194666436306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVeaUVXTQIFjQ5ayaZkd_SPLVwYicDgoKu6CYkWa7Hx8eTdgyzH-jHSY8bgYIEDbWy_CF9hJeQaPgTs32iONf7hhZaEYOYS4XyXiLGepKIfhxUn2UpFJVhHmh7dV0-7E7fARo-o7eVQlL/s320/St-Augustine-of-Canterbury.jpg" />Thomas Beckets murder at Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 led to the cathedral becoming a place of pilgrimage for Christians worldwide. It is this pilgrimage that provided the theme for Geoffery Chaucer’s 14th Century literary classic The Canterbury Tales. The literary heritage continued with the birth of the playwright Christopher Marlowe in the city in the 16th Century.<br /><br />The Black Death hit Canterbury in 1348. At 10,000 Canterbury had the 10th largest population in England. By the early 16th Century the population had fallen to 3,000.<br /><br />During the dissolution of the monasteries, the city’s priory, nunnery and three friaries were closed. St Augustine’s Abbey was surrendered to the Crown and its church and cloister were levelled. Thomas Beckets shrine in the Cathedral was demolished and all the gold, silver and jewels were removed to the Tower of London, and Beckets images, name and feasts were obliterated throughout the kingdom, ending the pilgrimages.<br /><br />Bringing you more up to date, during the Second World War, 10,445 bombs were dropped during 135 separate raids destroying 731 homes and 296 other buildings in the city. The most devastating raid happened on the 1st June 1942 during the Baedecker Blitz.<br /><br />The 1980's saw visits from Pope John Paul II and Queen Elizabeth II, and the beginning of the annual Canterbury Festival. </span><br /><br /></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633254338573462226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgsQs2a4mCtOKjwCMzlq_rmchyphenhyphenxvBoCWQNGKxiBGHS5R0I6qFcNT3X_ZTwRPCPWCzadONHI3tLcuLNBddCztwJFdZCtGzoLhjGYvCPpw5iuY3dFqqQxXtJBwrVew9kR7czkbz95CQtBOr/s320/Kings+school.jpg" />Many historical structures remain in the city, including a city wall founded in Roman times and rebuilt in the 14th Century, the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey and a Norman Castle, and perhaps the oldest school in England, the Kings School. </span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">So where does the Abbots Barton fit into all of this history? Well, the original building was erected around the1830's as a private home on the site of the Barley Farm of St Augustine (previously known as Westfield House). It became a hotel in 1927 and has since expanded to its present size. </span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633255053506724674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzetKaZnFbMk4YUkqcTkNjiqt799ihMRiHOt80v7aTReAiMLYRgNIDS77KWOtVi4EBePjGn3CISzkkNFW48nWpIipfdrDcHHhncMVjNXlUEkEXFgPcHPn3DcSvvm9gZf4Xxkoh1m6qA64d/s320/Abbots+1.jpg" />Acquired in 1998 by the Sangiuseppe family and closed in 2000 for complete refurbishment for almost two years the hotel re-opened to a high-end 3 star standard under the Best Western brand in 2002. </span><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;">The hotel had been beautifully brought back to life, having taken care to keep the character of the building and its many original features.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;">The Cathedral Suite offers beautiful surroundings ideal for hosting any event or conference with views and access to the terrace and gardens.<br /><br />The Westfield Bar and lounges offer a relaxing place to enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat with friends, or business colleagues with free wifi throughout and a snack menu offering locally and ethically sourced seasonal produce.<br /><br />The Fountain Restaurant, a popular place to dine with residents and locals, also offers a menu reflecting the seasons that is modern British again using locally and ethically sourced produce where possible with a grill section with steaks from the award winning Butcher of Brogdale. It is the ideal setting for a romantic dinner for two or a get together with family, friends or business colleagues. </span><a href="http://www.abbotsbartonhotel.com/acrobat/restaurant/ABBO-Seasonal-Dinner-Menu.pdf"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#000099;"><strong>Why not have a look.....</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#333333;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633257902177996754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbS5P-l06rBpiJ3VKTzhjSQLKH9hMU2AHVUWEvuEpceeP0UUWAAqahAR4IOJukgsFr19UVPOumkEQo47jlOqna9dBN59vFuHrOOixp8_8AtyG7LkmL_i2MqMwQra6FepjC4W_sV2dgZAmw/s320/Main+Entrance.JPG" /></span><span style="color:#333333;">The plans for the hotel aren’t done quite yet however! The near future holds an expansion to the hotel which includes more function space, a private function bar, spa and leisure facilities along with additional accommodation at a 4 star standard making this Canterbury’s premier city hotel. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333333;">The Abbots Barton is an amazing venue, with our team ready and willing to give you a warm welcome and make you feel at home, whatever your reason for visiting us. We are open to non-residents too so feel free to take a stroll up our driveway and come and say hello. We are confident you'll be pleased you did. </span><br /></span></p>BW Abbots Barton Hotelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16977690710693133074noreply@blogger.com0