Summer Sunshine at Missenden Abbey

Around 1,200 people enjoyed the sunshine at the Summer Fair and Craft Market at Missenden Abbey Conference Centre, helping to raise about £1,500 for The Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund.

The ten-acre grounds of the 12th century Abbey, in London Road, Great Missenden, were filled with crafts and entertainment stalls, and people enjoyed live music and demonstrations of falconry and dog agility, as well as a beer tent, BBQ and raffle. The event was a great success and touched the hearts of the local community being that Thomas Ball was from the area. The Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund is Missenden Abbeys chosen charity for the year and will be continuing to fundraise over coming months.

Jessica Levett, Sales Executive at Missenden Abbey, was also interviewed on BBC Three Counties Radio on Saturday 29 June about the event and the station’s presenter, ‘Nifty Nia’, also stopped off at the summer fair as part of a treasure hunt around the area.

Missenden Abbey

From the moment you walk through the doors you will be won over by the Abbey’s beauty, history and tranquility.The purpose built training and accommodation wing ensures that guests have the modern conference facilities required to deliver exceptional training.

The beautiful 12th Century Abbey is surrounded by 10 acres of Chiltern grounds that provides a relaxing and informal environment.

Gold, Silver and Shiny Stars at the Manor House

It’s been a summer of success at the Manor House Conference Centre in Godalming which has accumulated gold, silver and shiny stars over the summer. 

At the start of the season, it achieved a VenueVerdict Gold Standard Accreditation from BDRC Continental for the second quarter 2013, which ended in June. 

BDRC Continental collect feedback to measure how likely the Manor House’s meetings customers are to recommend it. Of the nearly 375 hotels and venues nationally who took part in the scheme in the quarter, only 33 got the net promoter score of +70 or more necessary to win the Gold Standard Accreditation. The Manor House is the only venue to gain the accreditation in the Surrey area. 

In July, following an unannounced inspection from officers of Waverley Borough Council's Environmental Health Department, The Manor House’s five star food hygiene rating was re-confirmed.

The inspectors checked all aspects of the food production process from the delivery of raw ingredients to the time it is served to customers, giving it a big thumbs up. The official score will be recorded as part of Scores on the Doors, the national scheme that allows diners to see the ratings of every establishment that makes and sells food in the UK.

In August, the Manor House learned that it had retained its VisitEngland 4 star Guest Accommodation rating and Silver Award for quality. “This was really the icing on the cake,” remarks Centre Manager Howard Canning “as we had no inkling that a rating visit was due.”

“It’s been a great summer. We had our busiest month ever in July and we’ve accumulated all these plaudits as well!”  says Canning, who is also waiting to learn whether the Manor House will be shortlisted in the Beautiful South awards, run by Tourism South East. “For those staying, the 4 star Guest Accommodation rating is a real indication of quality and hospitality” he continues. “For diners, 5 star food hygiene means knowing that their meal has been safely produced, whilst the Gold Standard Accreditation is an indication that many others are happy to recommend the Manor House’s meetings facilities and services.”

For more information please call 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk

Burleigh Court retains silver standard for service

The multi-award winning team at imago’s international conference centre Burleigh Court has retained the prestigious VisitBritain Silver Award for the second year running.  

Awarded for exceptional standards of hospitality including customer service, catering, housekeeping and the quality of bedrooms, the Burleigh Court team achieved an impressively high rating of 83 per cent. This was a three per cent improvement overall on the previous year; with service up by 18 per cent, and housekeeping by 16 per cent. 

In addition to the Silver rating, VisitBritain again presented the ‘Breakfast Award’ to Burleigh Court. This accolade is given to venues which offer a high-quality and extensive breakfast, supported by service and hospitality that exceeds the requirements expected of a four star rating.

Guy Hodge, Operations Manager at Burleigh Court, said: “The whole Burleigh team is immensely proud to retain the prestigious Silver status, which couldn’t have happened without the support and enthusiasm of our expert staff. 

“As in previous years, positive comments about the team give me the greatest sense of satisfaction and pride. They reflect both their highly motivated and upbeat attitudes, which were highlighted by VisitBritain. We’re particularly pleased to have improved on our previous score and will strive to do the same next year.”  

Burleigh Court is located near to junction 23 of the M1 on Loughborough University campus. It has 26 air-conditioned meeting rooms and a total of 225 en-suite bedrooms, with a range of facilities to suit all needs. Other on site features include a well-equipped gym complete with swimming pool, sauna and a spa offering a range of relaxing treatments. 

For more information please call 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk

What's new at Kents Hill Park...

We are always looking at ways to improve the delegate experience at Kents Hill Park.  While everyone is getting ready for their summer breaks, we thought now would be a good time to recap everything we have been up to in the first part of the year and also give you a sneak peek of what we have planned for the rest of the year.

The first phase of the refurbishment of Nightingale has been completed. We have transformed the ground floor meeting room area into a vibrant and engaging space.  We are now moving on to the first floor area to give it the same make over.   As with the ground floor, we will do the work over weekends and quiet times, so we never disturb our customers. 

Last month we increased the speed of our free high speed Wi-Fi again. As technology is moving so quickly and the demand on our systems keeps increasing, we plan to keep increasing the speed of our internet provisions. That way you can always be sure of a fast and reliable service. 

In the restaurant our new look deli bar and deserts counter have been getting rave reviews. Our contemporary twists on classic dishes keep delegates alert and energised all day. You will also see the GDA information for our dishes displayed in our restaurant along with information on our Eat Seasonably campaign and fair trade. Keep an eye out over the next few months for our new look hot counters.  

In accommodation we have replaced all the TV’s in Kingfisher House and by the end of the year; we will have replaced the TV sets in Heron House and moved all the rooms to free view.  This will leave us Lapwing to complete next year.  We will be continuing soft refurbishment of our accommodation in the autumn with new linen. We are shortlisting the designs this month and will post pictures on our Twitter and Facebook pages as soon as we have made our final decision. 

If you want to keep up-to-date with everything happening at Kents Hill Park, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  We post regular updates and also some exclusive behind the scenes photos.  

Upgrade to CEME Conference Centre's Executive Meeting Room

Whether you book our 'state-of-the-art'  POD theatre or one of our 17 meeting rooms or perhaps try our newly decorated luxury Executive room - our staff are always friendly and helpful. We like to ensure your event, whether a small round the table meeting or larger conference is well-organised. You will find our 'not-for-profit' regeneration charity venue a very cost-effective solution to all you meeting requirements.

We are the perfect venue being located in Rainham, Essex which is just 15 minutes from Canary Wharf and close to the City (C2C and District Line) and we understand your logistical challenges and can organise door-to-door pick-up in luxury coaches for large meetings to ensure your meeting time is productive and seamless from start to finish.   All this and a 5th of City prices! 

Installation of Wireless Apple Presentation system

As part of this upgrade to our Executive meeting room we have also through Savilles installed an ultra-modern Apple wireless presentation system and from January we will roll out this wireless presentation system in all our meeting rooms

CEME Conference Centre is a Gold accredited ultra-modern events and meetings venue offering innovative and flexible solutions for all your meetings requirements from high-tech conference auditorium – the POD Theatre to small meeting rooms, conference, exhibition and outdoor space.

CEME deliver hundreds of meetings and events each year with ‘state of the art’ meeting space from as little as £80.00 per day and can host product launches, presentations, award ceremonies, training seminars, conferences and exhibitions and cater for up to 600 delegates.

Keep your finger on the pulse with Weetwood Hall's August offers

Where learning happens…

… in one of the finest conference centres in the North of England. 

Keep your finger on the pulse this summer and make the most of Weetwood Hall’s discounted August room hire rates:

• Meeting room hire for up to 14 delegates with unlimited tea and coffee – £100*.
• Meeting room hire for up to 18 delegates with unlimited tea and coffee – £125*. 

Rates are available on bookings made for dates before 31 August 2013. 

*applicable to new meetings only, subject to availability. 

Weetwood Hall

Set within 9 acres of woodland and gardens the award winning Weetwood Hall is one of the finest conference centres in the North of England.

With 36 conference rooms it is one of the few Leeds hotels to offer extensive free parking and was the first conference centre in the north to be awarded AIM gold accreditation by the Meetings Industry Association for its facilities, services and customer care.

for full details visit our website

Edinburgh First Drums up Accommodation for the Military Tattoo

Edinburgh First is, once again, supporting one of the city’s most popular annual attractions at its Pollock Halls site.

More than 700 performers from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be looked after during the month of August by the accommodation specialists, who manage a portfolio of distinctive venues, catering and event services at the University of Edinburgh.

For the third year running, Pollock Halls will be full in the month of August and Edinburgh First will offer full-board accommodation for the visitors who provide entertainment at one of the world’s spectacular and iconic shows.

Chris Barnes of Edinburgh First, said: “The Military Tattoo is truly one of the highlights of Edinburgh’s calendar and we need to ensure all involved are taken care of to the highest level.

“It is a great privilege to host so many of the cast, who come from all corners of the world, and we want to make everyone feel at home, which is why we organise a huge welcome BBQ and support a range of other activities and social events for them.  After each performance, there is an after-show bar for the cast to relax and for younger members there is a film and games room. 

“We are more than happy to get involved as the show is not just important to Edinburgh, but to the whole of Scotland. It is great for the University to be able to demonstrate its support for the City and its major world-famous events.”

Edinburgh First offers event delivery, catering and accommodation at the University of Edinburgh and re-invests all its profits to support future generations of students. Not only does Edinburgh First provide year-round accommodation but it can also plan all the essentials of your event.

For more details call us on 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk