The kids have done a bit to help the blog but now the tables have turned and its the guests turn to ask the manager!

Why buy another site? Why not continue working at Crow’s Nest?


Oooh tough one to start with! I was in the final year of a European Languages and Business degree at Leeds Met. Uni. I don’t remember the details of how dad approached the subject and I don’t know how long he was thinking about buying another park. My Grandpa passed away about 18 months earlier and he founded Crow’s Nest so maybe my dad was thinking of the things he had achieved and his legacy. Dad also likes “a project” and at the time there was nothing to knock down and rebuild at Crow’s Nest so maybe he just wanted to play with mini-diggers so much he needed another park.

I loved working at Crow’s Nest. Firstly, I worked in the shop, then in the snack bar and swimming pool before finally going into reception with some shifts in the bar. I enjoyed meeting the different people and the challenges they each brought. I grew up with some many people at Crow’s Nest and still see many of them when I go up there. And, Of course, I met Damian at Crow’s Nest – sure my Dad was horrified at me marrying a guest! Note to my children – don’t even think about it!!

When did you take over Robin Hood Caravan Park?

We moved into Robin Hood on 6th November 1999 – the first anniversary of my Grandpa’s death. I often wonder if he would be proud of what we’ve achieved but I know Nanna and Grandpa will have a smile on their face as we carry on their legacy. Indeed, the day we got our 5 stars I just sobbed with the inspector because I knew they, and my dad, would be so proud of us.

What was it like managing a park at 22?

I loved it – and still do! It was nice to get my teeth into something new. Some guests didn’t like it – if they had a problem they would ask to speak to my mum and dad. I would say “I am really sorry but my Mum and Dad don’t live here.” Then they would ask to speak to the manager – their face was always a picture when I explained I was the boss.

What has been the worst moment?

Waking up to see gas bottles floating in the Autumn 2000 wasn’t great but we learnt from it. We were in the middle of developing the site so we were able to build everything higher than the water table – which was the problem – and we’ve put loads of extra drainage in so it won’t happen again.

Foot and Mouth hit the tourism industry hard the following year so our opening two years weren’t great.

What has been the best moment?

Apart from closing day each year? Hahaha. Seriously, I have had loads of great moments. The day we got five stars for the first time was a very special day. The day I sold my first caravan was great especially since those people are still here. The awards we have won and others we have been nominated for are always great particularly the ones which are down to guest nominations. I have loads of best moments – and although it’s really cheesy to say so I love meeting the guests – particularly the ones that come back year after year. They have watched us grow up, they have watched our kids grow up and they pull me out of any bad times we’ve had. Can I go now before I get tearful please?

Ok, but tell us what you will be doing immediately after we've finished?

I'll be checking the answerphone and then sorting out our new environmental board so guests are aware of things around them and how they can help us conserve those things.

Thank-you
If you have any other questions that you want answering leave us a message!

Why should we blog?

It’s been so long since I’ve sat down and wrote a blog piece – I’m sorry! A customer came in earlier and said he enjoyed reading it and was looking forward to the next bit. Our chat got me thinking about what it should be about so I asked him why he had read it:


“To find out what the people are like” said the customer.

“Which people?” I replied (in my defence of asking a silly question I was hungover).

“The people that run it” By this stage I must have looked a tad confused as he went on to explain. “When we look at the various sites we read all the reviews we can to make sure it’s a nice site and if there is a blog attached you can work out the personality of the wardens/owners to see if it’s going to be a war-camp regime with loads of rules or if we can just relax”

I’m hoping that we come across as a friendly, relaxed park where our main rules are to use a bit of common sense and respect the people staying around you. I wouldn’t like to go on holiday and be told what I should and shouldn’t be doing and hopefully that comes across to our guests. That customer hopefully thought that – I’m sure a message will be left if that isn’t the case.

Through the other child's eyes.....

I'm sure every family is the same - one child is a lot different to the other? What one child gets the other one wants? Ours is the same. Our youngest child wanted to answer the same questions as her older sister but answers are a little shorter(!)

Do you like living in a house in the middle of a caravan park?


Yes

Why?

Because I do

Is it nice meeting lots of new people?

Yes

Whats the best bit about living here?

Playing on the park

Whats the worst thing about living here?

Don’t know

Do Mummy and Daddy let you work with them?

No

Is it good having Mummy and Daddy to yourselves in the winter?

No

Do you want to run a caravan park when you are older?

Yeah. Is that is now because Peppa Pig is starting?