December 2011
Christmas Greetings from Budock Vean!
We've been extremely lucky to have enjoyed a warmer spell of weather than we're used to for this time of year. We're certainly hoping it stays around long enough for us not to have a "White Christmas" after the fun and games of last year!
The girls are well. Hannah started Truro School in September having gained an academic scholarship and is growing up fast - she loves pointing out how much taller she is going to be than Amanda. She is excelling at school - already she has won a merit for her form for some of her work and is enjoying the many new opportunities available to her including Fencing. She has found the early starts and piles of homework a bit of an eye opener!
Molly continues to do well at Mawnan School and won "Player of the Year" for football. She regularly appears at the school gate covered in mud which is apparently due to additional practice. Her literacy and artistic skills are great.
Last time we wrote, we were in the process of selling the Fleece Hotel in Cirencester. We are pleased to say the sale completed back in the summer. This has resulted in Martin having more time to concentrate on Budock Vean with Amanda continuing to be very much involved with marketing strategy.
Martin had a knee operation back in June and with some incredible results. It has meant he is feeling much fitter and is often found on a Wednesday evening at circuit training sessions led by local Personal Trainer, Heather Ferry. Not sure about the beer drinking afterwards though!
Amanda continues to be busy with Spiezia and Made for Life. It's been a fantastic year for the charity with a number of amazing events taking place. Any of you staying over the past three months will have seen the 2012 calendar which features some stunning photographs of beautiful Cornish ladies who have been touched by cancer. This truly inspirational calendar has received some fantastic press support which has resulted in us selling all the calendars by the end of 2011. Amanda even makes a ‘cheeky' appearance on the back cover (with a Made for Life Jute bag for modesty's sake!).
Mel helped Amanda organise the second Made for Life Charity Ball and auction in September which raised over £9000. A big thank you also to everyone who has ‘bought a brick' off Mo... we'll keep you updated but so far there is over £20,000 in the account which is used to support events.
Mo is in good form and continues to keep the restaurant, along with Restaurant Supervisor Charles, running smoothly. Head Housekeeper James, reporting into Mo, has improved housekeeping and the team are working well.
Some of you will have had the pleasure of meeting Samantha May if you stayed with us in the summer. Sam worked with us on a 6 months project through the Unlocking Cornish Potential programme alongside Mel our Marketing Manager to produce a valuable piece of market research. Thanks to everyone who met with Sam to discuss your views; completed the online survey or completed your room questionnaires. Every piece of feedback is extremely valuable to us and we always welcome a chance to sit and hear your thoughts.
In fact, many of your comments have already been put into place. You will see we now have flat screen televisions in all bedrooms plus new ‘hi-tech' docking stations for your iPods. The new digital TVs mean you also get lots of new channels to enjoy.
Many of you told us you would like to learn more about photography during your stay. If you take a look at this season's Cornish Escapes brochure you will see we have a break planned for March with photographer John Hillman, MA ARPS who has over 25 years experience as a photographer and lecturer.
Also, new for next year is our Gourmet Weekend with New Cornwall Opera. Those of you who have been on our Gourmet Weekends will know the food prepared by Head Chef Darren and his team is amazing! We serve a different glass of wine to complement each course and on Saturday 3rd March the Opera Company will entertain guests with their own unique style - it's going to be a spectacular evening. Take a flick through the brochure and you will see more new and exciting opportunities planned for 2012.
General Manager, Mark Streich or "Stretch" as Moreen affectionately calls him is making great "shakes" in his role. Particularly in the Cocktail Bar where he is quite the "Tom Cruise" introducing our new Cocktail of The Day. Our guests tell us they have never tasted a Margarita so good!
It's hard to believe a year has passed since we were awaiting the arrival of Vicky and Mark's baby Amelia. Mark and Vicky had a busy year with the new baby and a house move but in September it was great to welcome Vicky back in a new capacity in the Accounts Department and it is super to have her back in the fold.
Spa Manager, Kelly and her team are working on some exciting new treatments with Spiezia Organics. This year they have developed their Treatment of the Month which is available for a discounted price. Don't forget to find out what they are promoting during your next stay.
Thanks to all of you for your on-going support and custom here at Budock Vean and also your feedback which continues to help us strive to make improvements. If ever you get an opportunity to go onto Trip Advisor, your feedback posts would be really great.
The lucky prize draw winner this year is Mrs Truepenny from Torrington who has won a two night break for two at Budock Vean.
We send you our best wishes for a healthy, Happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing you again, back in one of the most beautiful parts of Cornwall.
Very best wishes
Martin and Amanda