Merry Christmas

 25 December 2011
December has been quite quiet on the B&B front but we have been busy putting together the produce orders; we hope everyone is enjoying the jams, chutneys, puddings, etc today!

There has been a lot going on within the village with the Christmas quiz followed by the Woodhurst Pensioners Christmas lunch. Our poor kitchen was a full tilt producing bangers and mash for 75 on quiz night and roasting turkeys and steaming puddings and vegetables the following morning. Luckily others took care of roasting potatoes, parsnips, soup and mulled wine. There was a great turnout of helpers and pensioners and everyone seemed to enjoy the afternoon. 

Spike and I wandered past the church last night at dusk and paused to hear the organist having a quick practice of the carols to be sung at midnight mass. It was a very festive moment. There was a great turnout for the service later on and a good singsong had by all.



Spike in the mean time doesn't look too impressed that his Christmas outfit has come out again! At thirteen and a half years old I suspect he thinks dressing up is for young pups rather than senior canines.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Green Tourism Award

1 December 2011
Following our assessment in October we have just received notification from the Green Tourism Business Scheme that we have been awarded a Gold rating. The scheme is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK, validated by Visit Britain. Businesses opting to join the scheme are assessed by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of 150 criteria covering a range of areas such as energy, water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more. Due to the limitations of an old house such as ours we were aiming for a Silver award but are absolutely delighted to have been given Gold. Our thanks go to Andy Notman for setting up and his ongoing help with our website, through which we are able to communicate so much of what guests can expect when staying, let people know what is happening on the farm and how we make the most of local produce, communication is a key part of the assessment process.

The shooting season has also got into full swing, these cock birds seem to have worked out that breakfasting in the garden or the grassfield keeps them out of harms way!