Tag Archives: Wrekin

Spend a romantic Valentine’s Day break at Buckatree Hall

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January 2017 

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It’s that time of year again when everything seems to be about hearts, flowers and chocolates.

With the colours red and pink being unavoidable currently, there’s no excuse for forgetting about Valentine’s Day – especially if you’ve popped the question (or said yes!) over Christmas and New Year.

Last weekend, Emma, Kaya and Chantel were lucky enough to meet hundreds of loved up couples at the Telford Wedding Exhibition in Telford Shopping Centre where they started to help with the planning process ahead of the big day.

They joined more than 60 exhibitors who were also showcasing their services from flowers to dresses and suits to your transport – everything was covered!

Whether you made it along to our stand at the exhibition or you didn’t quite make it – don’t worry as you could still be in with the chance of winning a table for two on Valentine’s Day if you can pop along to our very own wedding fair on February 12th from 11am to 3pm.

Enjoy your own one-to-one discussion with our wedding planning experts in the very place you could tie the knot or celebrate your marriage.

Our show offers are also continuing until the end of the month and will be available at our wedding fair including deposit contributions, free chair covers and candy wheel or 15% off the final bill for all non-discounted packages.

This year we’re offering a two-night romantic break from just £74.50 per room per night – it includes accommodation in one of our superior double rooms with your own private balcony.

Rose petals sprinkled on the bed and a box of chocolates waiting when you arrive, and a full English breakfast is served on both mornings.

You can also choose which night to take advantage of the romantic dinner included within the deal which comes complete with a glass of chilled Prosecco – and a single red rose if you stay with us between February 10 and 15.

You could even upgrade to one of our feature rooms subject to availability.

If you’re not free over Valentine’s then you can still take advantage of the deal and book now for a romantic stay any time before November 30 – meaning you’ve both got something to look forward to throughout 2017.

To find out more and book today, simply visit https://goo.gl/0h93SG

A day in the life of a Hotel Manager

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December 2016

Basil Fawlty may be an extremely entertaining and comedic character but as a hotel manager he falls way short in the people skills needed to keep a successful business going.

Fortunately here at Buckatree Hall we have a general manager who continues to ensure our hotel maintains its position, high standards and professionalism among the very best.

We are a busy and hugely successful hotel – 2016 has been a record breaker for us – and we are always striving to ensure we maintain those goals for the good of our guests. This can’t be achieved without a highly committed and motivated workforce and here at Buckatree Hall we believe we have the best.

Part of the fun about being a hotel manager is meeting the countless number of people who come through our door – each one has a different experience of life and each has their own unique story to tell.

After taking on the challenge of running the independently owned hotel four years ago, we asked general manager Wayne Jenson to explain what continues to drive him on a daily basis:

“Ensuring everything is right day-to-day is truly a full-time job but it is also a hugely rewarding one and the thought each day that we have made the stay of our guests as good as we possibly can is very satisfying.

“To do this with the challenges any 24/7 business faces and still be able to maintain our very professional approach and high level of service is what it is all about.

“Whilst a lot of things are routine – two days are rarely the same. There is always something that needs addressing or requirements or requests by a guest that need sorting. Every day is different in some way or other.

“Some of the things we get asked or some things that happen are quite unusual but in the interests of guest confidentiality I don’t think I should relay them here.

“You always have to have an open mind and try to ensure the guests’ needs are dealt with in a professional and courteous manner.

“People visit us from all over the world and engaging them in conversation and hearing about their experiences is wonderful. So many from a wide diversity of backgrounds generate an interesting insight for us into their lives and places they come from. It can be a bit like going on holiday without ever leaving the hotel!

“Obviously I am responsible not only for the smooth running of the hotel and the welfare of the guests on a daily basis but also for the workforce. The hotel has 62 rooms and over 40 members of staff, so there’s enough to keep busy!

“We have an excellent staff base at Buckatree Hall and that helps me to keep things on track through the excellent structure we have in place.

“Things usually run well but there are always those instances that you can’t see coming and then it’s all hands to the pump to make sure every eventuality is catered for.

“Another great thing about working at Buckatree Hall is the wide range of events and services we have here. It is always busy and that’s good for me. Whether it’s weddings, functions or a host of meetings by various organisations, there is always something happening.

“It’s a real pleasure to do the job I do and I am so pleased to continue to be a part of such a huge success that is Buckatree Hall Hotel.”

Winter walking break deal at Buckatree Hall…

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November 2016

Winter walks at Buckatree Hall

There’s nothing better than coming inside from a crisp winter walk and relaxing in comfort – perhaps with a bite to eat or a drink or two to warm you up.

That’s why Buckatree Hall Hotel is the perfect location if you’re looking for a base from which to go out and explore the famous sights of Shropshire.

We know thousands of visitors flock to the county each year thanks to our popularity as a walking destination – and where could be better to stay than right at the base of the landmark Wrekin?

The subject of its very own folklore legend and having given its name to not only the saying ‘all around the Wrekin’ but also the Wrekin White cheese produced in nearby Newport, it’s not to be missed for keen walkers coming to Shropshire.

We’re also in prime position for The Ercall, part of The Wrekin and The Ercall Site of Special Scientific Interest with its ripple beds and lava flows dating back hundreds of millions of years and plenty of wildlife including many butterfly species.

Both of these walks are situated right next us literally – (it will take you two minutes to get to the bottom of the Wrekin but a little longer to get to the top – but it’s worth every step!) and there are plenty more you can access just a short while away.

Whether you want to walk the Shropshire Way, take a stroll through the historical site of Ironbridge or perhaps Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail takes your fancy.

Whichever you opt for, Buckatree Hall makes the perfect base with our choice of 62 rooms providing an excellent place to rest for a busy walking day ahead, friendly staff on hand to advise you on the best locations to visit while you’re in Shropshire and we’ve even got a pet-friendly policy so you can bring along your dog to enjoy plenty of walkies too!

Enjoy delicious food in our restaurant or bar to fuel up for the walks you’ve chosen – and of course there’s the amazing views to enjoy too.

We love winter so much we’re offering a “Winter 2 for 1” deal – yes two nights dinner, bed and breakfast for the price of one in a superior double or twin bedded rooms with a two course dinner on both nights and a full English breakfast on both mornings.

And upon arrival we know you may have had a long journey or already enjoyed a walk so we’ll serve you a steaming bowl of homemade soup with half a round of cheese on toast at the side. So, prices are from £74.50 per room per night – but don’t forget it’s 2 for 1!

If a winter walking break at the base of the Wrekin sounds idyllic, then get in touch today to plan your break.

On yer bike!

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August 2016

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Hotel manager Wayne Jenson with riders Kasperi and Markku Reynolds

Even though the Olympics in Rio are now firmly behind us, the legacy is going to be with us for a while yet, and that’s why we here at the Buckatree wanted to do our bit to keep the excitement going.

With this in mind, we donated a brand new BMX bike to the Wrekin Riders BMX race club in Dawley.

As a Dawley resident myself, I’ve watched the talented youngsters in action, with the Buckatree even hosting many of the riders at the British BMX series a few months ago.

I recently read about the surge in riders since the BMX Olympic rounds in Rio, and this encouraged me to have a look at the facility which is right on our doorstep. It really is fantastic to have a National standard track right here in Telford.

It was brilliant to see such interest, but I knew that not every parent could afford to buy their child a race bike straight away.

With this in mind, I spoke to the club and discovered that whilst they do have bikes to hire to the novice riders, there are far more children than bikes.

The club provided business to us by bringing so many people to the area during the BMX championships, so I thought it was only fair to give something back to them.

I visited the track with my two daughters to hand over the bike, and it’s my hope they’ll start taking part in the novice sessions soon, and, once I’ve recovered from a recent ankle injury, I might even have a go myself!

When I spoke to club coach Kieran Edwards he told me: “We’ve had some fantastic novice and expert training sessions over the summer and we hope the weather will hold out so we can continue training as much as possible.

“There’s no doubt there’s some riders coming through who will certainly be ones to watch in the future.

“We would like to thank Wayne and all at the Buckatree for sponsoring a new club bike – it is generosity like this from the local community which makes it all worthwhile.

“It is exactly what we need – from businesses paying for a corporate trackside banner to donations of services and trades to generous purchases of bikes or equipment – every donation makes a difference.”

If you want to offer any services to the club, make sure you contact Wrekinriders@outlook.com. In the meantime, I’ll start practicing my riding, though we better warn A&E first…

Have you met our new receptionist?

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June 2016

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Liena Ergle has joined our team here at The Buckatree Hall Hotel after completing a course at Telford College of Arts and Technology.

Liena, 27, from Donnington is the second full time member of staff we’ve taken on as part of the continued partnership, as well as around a dozen casual staff.

We thought we’d share Liena’s thoughts with you:

“I have worked in shops, as a cleaner or in factories but I didn’t have any other experience so people wouldn’t give me any other jobs.

“I probably would have never got this job before, I really like it.

“I am learning everything – it’ll all new to me but it is easy to pick up.

“When you learn more about the company it is easier to do it, like knowing about the rooms and check in and check out systems for reservations.”

Liena has two children and speaks Latvian and Russian as a first language and despite speaking English for six years, decided to complete an evening course at Telford College of Arts and Technology to improve her English writing skills.

“You get to meet a lot of people here, it is nice getting to chat to them and find out where they are from,” Liena added.

“I make new friends as well.”

She landed the role after going to a CV writing workshop with Reed NCFE Senior Employment Broker Shelley Instone, based at Telford College of Arts and Technology, and being notified about the job.

The partnership between our hotel and the college sees 260 students, on 13 different courses, gain a realistic insight and experience the tourism industry.
Those studying business admin, event management, professional hospitality, and travel and tourism complete a traineeship involving one week working on reception, in the kitchen, behind the bar, in housekeeping and in the restaurant.

The aim is to work with professionals in order to make an informed decision about their future.

Mrs Instone said she is delighted to see the benefits of this continued partnership.

“This partnership has had a positive influence on many students.

“We are so proud to be able to work with this award winning hotel and offer a great opportunity for so many of our learners.

“For this to lead to employment for so many people, the latest of whom is Liena, just shows how effective it is and is a reflection of the strong working relationship we have built.
“Many employers may have been concerned at offering this role to someone with no recent experience, but Buckatree Hall Hotel has always been willing to consider the individual themselves and the transferable skills a person has to offer.

“The team are always willing to help others realise and achieve their potential. We are thrilled for Liena and wish her all the very best in her new role.”

Family-run Buckatree Hall Hotel won the travel, tourism and leisure category at the Shropshire Business Awards 2014.

It was also the highest ranking hotel in the BestOf Business of the Year 2016 awards across Telford & Wrekin and has been handed accolades from industry partners Laterooms, Booking.com and TripAdvisor®.

Our General Manager, Wayne Jenson, said: “Liena is a great addition to our reception team and has learnt the role quickly.

“She is efficient and I am pleased to have her on board.

“The partnership with TCAT is proving to be a real success.”