It started so well with a day at the Welcome to Yorkshire Tourism Conference. I met up with 6/7 twitterers on Malton Station platform - purely by chance - and they were a great bunch of people to travel through to Leeds with. Once at Leeds Station we then caught a shuttle bus up to the Theatre - it was really did feel like we were on a school outing with so much giggling going on - I was almost disappointed there wasn't a lollipop man to escort us across the road.
Y11 was fascinating with some great speakers. I'm not going to tell you anything that was mentioned - just keep an eye out so see exactly how far the brand will go around the world this year.
Tuesday and Wednesday were spent at Jasmine Park - a great couple of days at the park that my brother manages with the help of two wardens. It was just exhausting getting up at 6am to complete 3 hours of work on Robin Hood work and then a full day at Jasmine before working until 10pm getting things uptodate here. I look forward to spending time there again but may manage my time a little differently.
Yesterday was VAT, today was running around alot and now I just want to curl up in bed and sleep alot - instead I'll be sorting bedding, cleaning equipment etc for tomorrows check-ins - when the week will start again!
Robin Hood Caravan Park
Luxury Caravans for hire and sale
Friday, April 15
Saturday, April 2
Award Winners
I seem to have lost a week with my blogs - maybe its because I was a little hungover this time last week after a fantastic evening at The Old Lodge Hotel in Malton where we were named winners in the Pride Of Malton and Norton Awards for Customer Service.
The other nominees in our category were Malton Tourist Information Office and Ian Brown Tyres so we feel very lucky to have won.
The evening hadn't started too well as all our arrivals were late so we were both trying to get ready at the same time as serving in reception. I must warn those guests that I'm not normally so smartly dressed and I never work with such high heels.
We were given a lift to the awards evening and I did feel like I was arriving at the Oscars when the driver opened the door for me and I proceeded to walk up the red carpet. It wasn't quite champagne on arrival but the Bucks Fizz was just as gratefully received. We were then escorted through the hotel to a marquee in the grounds of the hotel. This is when I really did believe the evening was going to be a total disaster as we were on a table in the very back corner. Noone ever wins when seated in the back corner!
A three-course meal was served and then it was down to the awards evening proper. Luckily our award was first so we didn't have to wait too long. This is what was said about us:
Nominated for the genuine care and attention that they give each and every person that stays with them and always going the extra mile for their customers. Rebecca and Damian Palmer-Bunting, the owners of Robin Hood Caravan Park, Slingsby, are described as "kind, caring people" whose business is a way of life for them and whose primary concern is the needs of their visitors – whatever those may be and are always willing to provide extra support to families and those experiencing problems during their stay in the area. The passion they have for their business and their customers is described as ‘’exceptional.”
I couldn't say anything more other than "Thank-You!" as we were named winners in our category. I actually had to ask one of the organisers what was said about us as I was just too nervous to listen properly when it was said and then when our names were read out I shot up onto cloud nine and didn't really hear what was said then either.
After all the awards had been given out it was time for the raffle and we won in that as well. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at the Old Lodge in Malton so thats my wedding anniversary gift sorted.
As for the bad luck table in the back corner - it turned out not to be! Another couple on the table won an award in their category and between us all we won three raffle prizes so it was actually quite a lucky table.
The other nominees in our category were Malton Tourist Information Office and Ian Brown Tyres so we feel very lucky to have won.
The evening hadn't started too well as all our arrivals were late so we were both trying to get ready at the same time as serving in reception. I must warn those guests that I'm not normally so smartly dressed and I never work with such high heels.
We were given a lift to the awards evening and I did feel like I was arriving at the Oscars when the driver opened the door for me and I proceeded to walk up the red carpet. It wasn't quite champagne on arrival but the Bucks Fizz was just as gratefully received. We were then escorted through the hotel to a marquee in the grounds of the hotel. This is when I really did believe the evening was going to be a total disaster as we were on a table in the very back corner. Noone ever wins when seated in the back corner!
A three-course meal was served and then it was down to the awards evening proper. Luckily our award was first so we didn't have to wait too long. This is what was said about us:
Nominated for the genuine care and attention that they give each and every person that stays with them and always going the extra mile for their customers. Rebecca and Damian Palmer-Bunting, the owners of Robin Hood Caravan Park, Slingsby, are described as "kind, caring people" whose business is a way of life for them and whose primary concern is the needs of their visitors – whatever those may be and are always willing to provide extra support to families and those experiencing problems during their stay in the area. The passion they have for their business and their customers is described as ‘’exceptional.”
I couldn't say anything more other than "Thank-You!" as we were named winners in our category. I actually had to ask one of the organisers what was said about us as I was just too nervous to listen properly when it was said and then when our names were read out I shot up onto cloud nine and didn't really hear what was said then either.
After all the awards had been given out it was time for the raffle and we won in that as well. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at the Old Lodge in Malton so thats my wedding anniversary gift sorted.
As for the bad luck table in the back corner - it turned out not to be! Another couple on the table won an award in their category and between us all we won three raffle prizes so it was actually quite a lucky table.
Wednesday, March 16
Another finalist placing!
What a week it has been! Firstly the downs - its accounts time again and with two other parks to take in as well its a long process!
However, the huge up of the week came yesterday when we found out we were finalists in the Pride of Malton & Norton Awards for Customer Service - we have improved our customer service procedures massively over the last 12 months and the changes are obviously paying off. Firstly with a nomination in the Visit York Awards and now this, in our local awards. The finalist placings are certainly spurring us into thinking about entering this years White Rose Awards - the elite of the awards for tourism in our county.
Over the winter both of us took a course with Welcome to Yorkshire called Yorkshire Pride. Susie Brindley and Kim Broderick led the course all about welcoming our guests, how we could help ensure our guests had a great time and discussed ways of building lasting relationships with our guests - it was great, superbly delivered and it was great to meet other people within our industry.
However, the huge up of the week came yesterday when we found out we were finalists in the Pride of Malton & Norton Awards for Customer Service - we have improved our customer service procedures massively over the last 12 months and the changes are obviously paying off. Firstly with a nomination in the Visit York Awards and now this, in our local awards. The finalist placings are certainly spurring us into thinking about entering this years White Rose Awards - the elite of the awards for tourism in our county. The other bonus from the course is that we both received our little green Y badges. The larger Y badges which you may have seen are reserved for the Yorkshire Patrons - a group of approx. 300 influential business leaders and celebrities taking the Yorkshire message to a global audience. We are both immensely proud of being "Yorkshire Folk" so to be able to wear our little badges is a great honour.
Friday, March 11
What a couple of weeks it has been since my last blog and so much to tell you about!
The site is, of course, now open and we are currently waiting for our first guest to come into one of the static caravans. There is a definite buzz in the air as Damian and I get ready for the first set of guests. We have added a few new things into the static caravans this year so it was nice to be putting ideas into practise and we look forward to getting feedback from them.
The really exciting news is that once again we have been shortlisted as “Self-Catering/Caravan Park of the Year” in the Visit York awards. Sadly, the two categories have been combined once again this year – hoping that one year we can shine in our own category.
We have also been shortlisted in the “Outstanding Customer Service” category which to me is the one that would mean the most. Keep an eye on our twitter feed on the night of 6th April as that is where we will be breaking the news – whether positive or not our followers will find out first.
This blog isn’t going to be as long as I’d hoped as another car has come into view which means I’m needed in reception once again!
The site is, of course, now open and we are currently waiting for our first guest to come into one of the static caravans. There is a definite buzz in the air as Damian and I get ready for the first set of guests. We have added a few new things into the static caravans this year so it was nice to be putting ideas into practise and we look forward to getting feedback from them.
The really exciting news is that once again we have been shortlisted as “Self-Catering/Caravan Park of the Year” in the Visit York awards. Sadly, the two categories have been combined once again this year – hoping that one year we can shine in our own category.
We have also been shortlisted in the “Outstanding Customer Service” category which to me is the one that would mean the most. Keep an eye on our twitter feed on the night of 6th April as that is where we will be breaking the news – whether positive or not our followers will find out first.
This blog isn’t going to be as long as I’d hoped as another car has come into view which means I’m needed in reception once again!
Friday, February 25
Its nearly here!
Just 4 days before we open for a new season! Attraction leaflets are being delivered, the plumber is here ready to put water back onto the site, and the new welcome books are just about ready to go into the caravans so it is all systems go!
Even the kids are looking forward to opening the gates again – opening up always affects them more than we thought it would. We often have tears because they feel like we are abandoning them after having us all to themselves during the winter. I think they are old enough now to see the benefits of living on the park – they can whizz round on their bikes, meet new friends and they know exactly which guests to visit when they are on the lookout for biscuits (in several caravans they know exactly where they are kept!)
They also know the little traditions we have for them based around the park, particularly opening and closing. Immediately after those gates shut on the first Sunday in November we go to the cinema and have Frankie and Benny’s afterwards and we do exactly the same just before we open.
Although my Dad ran a park it didn’t affect us in the same way – for a start we didn’t live there. It was somewhere to go to see Nanna and Grandpa as they lived in a house on the park but we didn’t have anyone knocking on our door at all times of the night needing our Mummy and Daddy.
I am also very aware that I want our kids to remember us as doing things with them during their childhood rather than working all the time. So, some people do get upset that we have a couple of hours off on a Sunday afternoon when they are wanting to buy ice cream from the shop but I hope that they appreciate there are times we need to be selfish and put our kids first – ice creams have to wait until we re-open the shop in the evening.
Even the kids are looking forward to opening the gates again – opening up always affects them more than we thought it would. We often have tears because they feel like we are abandoning them after having us all to themselves during the winter. I think they are old enough now to see the benefits of living on the park – they can whizz round on their bikes, meet new friends and they know exactly which guests to visit when they are on the lookout for biscuits (in several caravans they know exactly where they are kept!)
They also know the little traditions we have for them based around the park, particularly opening and closing. Immediately after those gates shut on the first Sunday in November we go to the cinema and have Frankie and Benny’s afterwards and we do exactly the same just before we open.
Although my Dad ran a park it didn’t affect us in the same way – for a start we didn’t live there. It was somewhere to go to see Nanna and Grandpa as they lived in a house on the park but we didn’t have anyone knocking on our door at all times of the night needing our Mummy and Daddy.
I am also very aware that I want our kids to remember us as doing things with them during their childhood rather than working all the time. So, some people do get upset that we have a couple of hours off on a Sunday afternoon when they are wanting to buy ice cream from the shop but I hope that they appreciate there are times we need to be selfish and put our kids first – ice creams have to wait until we re-open the shop in the evening.
Wednesday, February 23
Don't forget our new hashtag!
We want to be able to help our guests plan things to do or at least have some ideas about what to do in the area - particularly things that maybe don't get the coverage that our larger attractions have.
So, we've come up with a new hashtag for twitter - simply search for #family2follow and it will give some details about what previous guests have been upto.
So, we've come up with a new hashtag for twitter - simply search for #family2follow and it will give some details about what previous guests have been upto.
Tuesday, February 22
Its been a fun day!
Its school holiday time and despite opening in less than 7 days we have been spending some time with the kids before the site opens. We've been playing "guests" and have found loads of things to do that we can recommed to our guests in the summer.
The girls (aged 5 and 8) chose the one that they wanted to do first - Murder Mystery and off we went. We always advise our guests use the park and ride facility in York. It costs £2.30 per adult and upto two children travel free with each paying adult. Its much cheaper that the carparks in the city centre and saves the hassle of having to find a space.
The trails are suitable for all ages. We took our 5 year old and she only whined a couple of times - which is usual - if we'd had a younger child we could have used the pushchair/pram with no problems whatsover and the same could be said for wheelchair users - the Shambles is a cobbled street as are many of the old streets around the city so it could be a bumpy ride in a few areas but well worth it.
And the cost of this fab day out? £5 for the trail - not many places you can take a family of 4/5/6 (as many as you like) for only £5. We enjoyed it so much we are doing another one on Thursday!
Having attended a marketing course with Visit York a couple of weeks ago I met Chris and Tamsyn from Treasure Trails - York and Humber. They have created several trails around the region with three specific to York. I loved the sound of these trails and quickly ordered the three with a view to selling them on the site during the season.
We walked from the bus stop to the Minster picking up a hot chocolate and some treats along the way. I can't tell you much about the trail because I don't want to spoil it when you have a go but it took us all over - places that we have never been before.
The trail states that it will take 2 hours but I would advise that this is a minimum - we had a break for lunch but we could have had numerous other breaks at the various attractions that we passed along the way - some that we didn't know existed.
And, did we solve the murder? Yes we did - we found out who the murderer was and the weapon! The girls were very proud of themselves - when we came home we logged onto the treasure trails website to confirm our answer.
The trails are suitable for all ages. We took our 5 year old and she only whined a couple of times - which is usual - if we'd had a younger child we could have used the pushchair/pram with no problems whatsover and the same could be said for wheelchair users - the Shambles is a cobbled street as are many of the old streets around the city so it could be a bumpy ride in a few areas but well worth it.
And the cost of this fab day out? £5 for the trail - not many places you can take a family of 4/5/6 (as many as you like) for only £5. We enjoyed it so much we are doing another one on Thursday!
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