English Lakes Blog

£45,000 Fundraising Target Reached!

Congratulations and thanks to everybody that helped raise an incredible £45,000 in 2010 which will build and equip an orphan home in the Open Arms village in Eldoret, Kenya.  This has been a tremendous effort by all and the results will undoubtedly, and in a very real way, improve the lives of dozens of children for years to come.

The Open Arms fundraising project has clearly shown the dedication and care of the staff at English Lakes who have risen to the challenge with their usual enthusiasm and commitment. The list of activities undertaken this year demonstrates the creative energy that we have within the group:

Sponsored swimmers, face painting, aerobathon, boxing dinner, raffle, salary giving, learn-to-sail scheme, jumble sale, 3 peaks challenge, 5-aside football competition, sponsored walkers, country and western evening, cellar tours at Storrs, guess the baby’s weight, cake baking, cross bay walk, sponsored runners, Christmas gift fair, silent auction, staff raffle, pyjama party, beauty evening, Land’s End to John o’ Groats static bike ride,  photo competition, car washing, Morrison’s collection, pub quiz, tuck shop … the list is long and impressive!

We hope that the building work on the orphan home will start in Spring 2011 – watch this space for more details.

Orphan Home Fundraising Project Update

I’m pleased to say that the fundraising team here at English Lakes have pulled out all the stops in their challenge to build and equip a home which will dramatically improve the lives of 16 Kenyan orphans. To date, we have raised £40,000 through a whole host of activities including aerobathon, boxing dinner, Land’s End to John ‘O Groats cycle challenge, sale of cakes, photography competition, three peaks mountaineering, a staff learn-to-sail course, sponsored walks and many other events. 

In a final push to reach our £45,000 target we are organizing a Christmas Gift Fair at Low Wood Bay this Sunday.

Charity Christmas Gift Fair 
Sunday 14th November
Low Wood Bay
11.15am – 4.00pm

FREE ENTRY

Many local suppliers will be exhibiting Christmas gifts, pampering products, cakes, jewellery, bags, decorations and cards! Also enjoy Coffee & Mince pies, a book stall and raffle.

Staff Photography Competition: Results

Recently English Lakes Hotels ran a Staff Photography competition to raise money for Open Arms International. Throughout a two week period we receive over 125 high quality entries from staff and mange to raise a total of £305.80 towards the company target of £45,000 by the end of the year.

Chris Lord and Karen Martin from Lord Martin Photography kindly judged the competition and donated the winning photograph as a canvas along with Champagne and Chocolates donated by English Lakes Hotels. Chris Lord said “it was a pleasure to be invited to judge the ELH photographic competition. With such high standards and several close contenders, choosing an outright winner was a challenge.  We are pleased to contribute towards the Open Arms International Charity by donating a canvas reproduction of the winning image, which was chosen based upon its creativity, colour, texture and form.”

The winner and runners up photos are displayed below and all entries can be seen here.

Winner

Rydal Cave - Russell Lewington

Chris Lord selected this photograph from a selection of over 125 entries because it shows the creative ability to see a picture which many people would overlook or pass-by. The image has interesting colours and textures which together with the chosen placement of the reflection line near the bottom of the frame gives a beautiful abstract effect. Also, by filling the frame with a continuous pattern adds a sense of enquiry about the scale of the picture and the actual size of the rock.

 

Rydal Cave is a disused slate mine set in the mountains over looking Rydal water in the Lake District. Russell captured this photograph from within the mouth of the cave. Without a tripod he used a stay hand and rocks on the ground to take the shot while setting a high shutter speed to capture the reflection of the rock face in the water.

Runners Up

Sheep - Martin Pospisil

The image gives a good sense of depth through the use of narrow depth of field throwing the background out of focus. Definition is also added by the sun backlighting the sheep’s wool. Careful exposure control has been used to prevent the face and body of the sheep becoming a silhouette whilst shooting into the sun.

This photo was taken in February on the meadow just above Low Wood. Martin said "he was sitting waiting for the sheep to come closer, but it was the closest distance I could get. Then it went in a fast pace toward me with an angry look and I realised it was the right time to get out before it would charge me. Not sure if sheep can attack you but it wasn't worthy of trying!".

Orrest Head - Ayako Suzuki

The people and the bench add interest to what would otherwise be a standard “postcard” type shot and adds a sense of enquiry as to why a bench should be out there in what otherwise seems a desolate landscape; why are the people there and how did they get there and what are they sitting thinking about? Composition is good with the people and bench well placed so you can see what they are looking at in the distance.

Sent in on behalf of Ayako by Colin Fox this photograph was taken at Orrest Head above the town of Windermere is considered by many to be the best viewpoint over Lake Windermere. At 784 feet, some excellent views over the surrounding area can be had from its summit.

Morning at Lanty’s Tarn - Paul Ray

Good composition with foreground hills balanced both sides and triangular shapes leading the viewer into the centre of the picture and towards the distant hills. Pleasing mixture of saturated foreground colour offsetting the chill of the snow covered distant hills.



Paul took this on his introduction to Fell Walking. “Stefan at Low Wood told me it was only a small hill, we were out for about 7 hours walking!”

“The photo was taken at mid morning on 24th January 2010, at Lanty's Tarn on the foot path leading to 'Hole in Wall'. Looking at the photo you can see St.Sundays Crag on the left, moving right - Dolly Wagon Pike, wind was blowing East to West. The temperature was 2 degrees dropping to -4/5 on Helvellyn.”

Low Wood Jetty - Stephen Slater

A popular shot, but in this case done with especially good composition. The photographer has clearly gone to some effort to ensure a level horizon and to get the pier and canon geometrically in the centre of the picture.  The snow and slightly misty lake add emphasis to the wooden pillars highlighting the two lead-in lines guiding the viewer to the canon as the point of interest.

Stephen took this photo late morning while staying at the Low Wood Hotel. "When I saw the frost, and the mist over the lake I knew it would make a good photo as it was so beautiful. I'm not a photographer by any means but I always try to get my target right in the centre of the shot and as level as possible, ie the horizon etc, and I think this helped with the perspective of the jetty".

The Midland – Tammy Wilkinson

Although this photograph is not strictly “Lake District” it was chosen because of a good composition, using the wall and path as lead-lines to guide the viewer into the picture and to add perspective. It is an interesting arrangement of geometric lines with the curves of the wall flowing into the curvature of the building. The parallel lines of the steps also mimic the parallel lines of the balconies.

Tammy took this photograph from the stone pier behind the Midland on quite a blustery day in May. “My husband and I were there on a day out to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary. I had been talking shots of the boats and the lifeboat centre when I turned around and took a quick shot of the hotel. When I got home I noticed how all the clouds were swirling in above the hotel”.

About the Judges

Lord Martin Photography is Chris Lord and Karen Martin who specialize in Wedding and Lifestyle Portrait photography for the discerning client. Based in Cumbria, their style is to capture stunning images of people incorporating the Lakeland landscapes. For further information visit their web site and blog at http://www.lordmartin.com

Charity 3 Peaks Challenge: I don't care what the weatherman says...

English Lakes Hotels Charity 3 Peaks Challenge  The fith in a series of guest blog posts from Tim Bell (General Manager of Lancaster House Hotel) and his team as they prepare for the ultimate British Mountain Challenge - Ben Nevis, Sca Fell Pike & Snowdon in 24 hours in aid of English Lakes Hotels sponsored charities Open Arms International and the Primrose House Trust. Follow the teams progress here and on Facebook. Sponsor the team via the JustGiving Open Arms International page, with a JustGiving Primrose House Trust page soon to follow.

I have a theory, and whether there's an ounce of truth in it or not, I'm going to share it with you.

The weather - that most commonly used of subjects guaranteed to break the ice in any potentially awkward silence when, let's face it, you've got naff all else to say, and the only thing you have in common with the people in your immediate vicinity is that you've all got heads. (Well, you might have something on the tip of your tongue worth sharing, but exposing your inner-most thoughts has got me in to a lot of trouble in the past, particularly with traffic wardens and vegetarians, so let's stick to moaning about the rain....again!)

I've never really been bothered about whether or not we should be expecting south-westerly prevailing winds, or there's a 40% chance of isolated showers. As long as the air was breathable and I wasn't going to be savagely attacked by a malnourished (and very lost) polar bear as I left the house, I was happy to step out in most conditions. However, ever since I decided that trundling up a mountain was no longer "an insane waste of oxygen", and that the climatic conditions at 3300ft can genuinely mean the difference between life and death, I now pay much closer attention to those forecasts as a means of deciding where, and indeed if I am going to venture out in to the fells that day.

Invariably, one found oneself looking to the oracle of truth, the BBC for the low down. All I wanted to know really was what temperature should I expect (i.e. will the brass monkey's be singing "Soprano" come nightfall) and is it likely to precipitate in some shape or form?

It wasn't until about my tenth solo walk that it finally hit home. Rob McElwee (the one whose tie never matches his suit) and all the other disciples of the "Fish" (that's Michael by the way) are talking complete and utter pigswill! Never, ever have they been right about the Lake District weather that day! "You can expect a dry and pleasant afternoon all round" they said - I got soaked and mild hypothermia! "Temperatures should be pretty mild for the time of year" - I got frostbite and considered joining the Ranulph Fiennes school of DIY surgery by sawing off my own fingers off to prevent the spread of gangrene!

So, what on earth is going wrong? Well, I reckon all the traditional forecast templates have been saved on a memory card and then left on a bus or something by a work-experience student. Or perhaps it's been poached by ITV! Either way, since then a selection of 7 pre-determined summaries must have been hurriedly drawn up by the BBC (enough to satisfy the Countryfile programme) and are then drawn out of a top hat.......by an ageing white rabbit called "Flopsy".........who has a scorching case of "mixi"........and cataracts!

Proof of this will be backed up by my fellow 3-peakers who have had on more than one occasion, justifiable reason to to fire endless sarcastic comments about me and my weather predictions! "Don't shoot the messenger" would seem an apt headstone statement should I drop down dead in the next few months!

And to prove my new theory, 3 weeks ago I headed out for a solo stroll in to the "High Street" range of mountains in NW lakeland. The forecast was one of doom and gloom, of heavy rain and impending nightmare conditions. The meteorological equivalent of Armageddon and the book of Revelations all rolled in to one Hellish pit of precipitation! And do you know what? It never happened! I had 3 and a half hours of mild conditions, perfect clarity and no need to dig deep into the rucksack and put on the waterproofs.

So, dare I put my neck on the line here and say to you all "Whatever the weatherman says, think the opposite?" Actually, no! Don't even go there, because that's just stupid! The weather up there will put a quick end to your life should you not respect it! It's the luck of the draw really, so my advice is always go prepared.....for the absolute worst, because at 3000ft in central Lakeland, there's a good chance you're likely to get it! Been there, done that, got lost!

Last Sunday however, my sister joined me for a stroll around the same aforementioned mountain range, but this time the weather forecast was actually right. "It's gonna be warm, humid and sticky out there today". And do you know what? For the first time, they hit the nail bang on the head! What a glorious advert for how magnificent our country can be! Blazing sunshine, wonderful views over England's roof and endless scope for thinking about how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world. But at the risk of being shot down by you all for being a Victor Meldrew, I will say that it was perhaps a little too warm for slogging up a fell side for 2 hours. I have sweat ducts in my head that would put the fountains in Trafalgar Square to shame. It starts somewhere in the scalp, then forms 2 main subsidiary rivers. The first one follows the traditional route of down the forehead then splits further again into 3 smaller streams. Two of them provide a salty, stinging acid solution for each eye, and the other makes its way relentlessly down the nose and eventually into the mouth whereby I get the pleasant aftertaste of Hair Gel and Ambre Solaire Factor 25.

The second torrent of perspiration follows a more direct route down the back of the neck, straight down the spine, and unless I'm wearing a plastic tutu, straight into the valley of Gluteus Maximus, which then doubles up as a huge, abrasive sponge. The knock on effect of this will be the complete erosion of one's skin, from the final vertebrae, due south right round to the......erm......you get the picture!

Ok, ok, enough about the strange water features of my body, let's get back to this Mountain challenge then shall we? Well, as I write, it's literally just a few days before the Big Off. Indeed, this may be my final blog, who knows? All the preparations have been made, every little last detail looked into and now all that's required to do is bring in the funds. So, I'm pleased to report that both justgiving websites are now up and running at  for Open Arms International and for Primrose House Trust.


Please drop by and donate whatever you can for these 2 great charities. And remember, if you do leave us £5 or more, you get the opportunity to guess how long you think it will actually take us to complete the challenge in Hrs:Mins:Secs. Remember to leave your guess in the message box and the person who gets the closest to our actual completion time will win a one night stay for 2 people, inclusive of Dinner in any English Lakes Hotel. Tempted? You should be, because you can see the hotels here.

The Facebook page is being updated regularly with pictures and more details about the challenge so join us if you can. We'll also be updating the facebook page on the day with regular posts on where we are, how we're doing, and more importantly - how we're feeling! We've managed to secure a handy sized camcorder so expect a video with a difference shortly after the event!

Well, that's just about it for now. Wish us luck, drop a few quid in if you can and thanks for supporting us.

Tim & the 3-peakers

Directors Abducted in English Lakes Hotels’ Staff Kidnap Plot

UPDATE: Hostages were released from Island via powerboat at 4.45pm on Friday 28th May. After they negotiated £3,500 raised from pledges from company suppliers family and friends. English Lakes Hotels will match that figure to give a grand total of £7,000 to Open Arms International.

Directors of English Lakes Hotels are to be kidnapped immediately after a board meeting and held for ransom on an island in Windermere.

Bosses at English Lakes Hotels will be snatched after their meeting at the four-star Storrs Hall Hotel during the afternoon of Friday, May 28, by a team of insurgent staff members dressed in black. The directors, who are completely unaware of the plans, will be surrounded by masked abductors and bundled into a waiting boat moored at the hotel’s jetty, and marooned on nearby Ramp Holme island.

The only way the hostages can secure their release is by using mobile phones to convince friends and business contacts to donate money to English Lakes Hotels’ chosen charity – Open Arms International.

In exchange for securing donations the directors will be able to negotiate with their kidnappers for materials which can be used to build a raft. The greater the pledges, the more resources they will receive, increasing their chances of staying dry!

“They would normally enjoy a three-course meal at the end of the board meeting,” said Tina Taylor, manager of English Lakes Hotels’ Plus One staff scheme, and co-ordinator of the abduction plot. “Instead, they will be eating a packed lunch on the island, whilst they negotiate their release.

“They are going to have to negotiate themselves off the island by raising donations for the Open Arms International charity. So £200 may get them the first part of their raft. They will have to negotiate very hard for all the bits of the raft to get back to the mainland. However, if they are successful in raising a massive amount for the charity we may allow them to return in style by speedboat.”

Although Mrs Taylor has every faith in the director’s ability to raise a large amount – she warns that if they do not then they could be stuck on Ramp Holme overnight.

“We are anticipating that they will be able to get off the island before nightfall by getting lots of donations from their contacts – however, we are not guaranteeing it,” she said.

Directors targeted for abduction will be: Simon Berry, Chairman and Managing Director; Tim Berry, Buildings Director; David Neale, Commercial Director and Douglas Dale, Operations Director.

The captives will be allowed to have a colleague on the mainland to negotiate on their behalf – this will be the Finance Director Michael Doyle.

Mrs Taylor, who has been granted approval for the plot by the directors’ wives, said she expected them to react to their kidnapping with good humour.

“I think that they will fully enter into the spirit of the challenge and I’m fully confident that they can raise a lot of money for the charity,” she said.

You can keep up to date with how the English Lakes Hotels’ directors are getting on by following @lakeshotels on Twitter.

Money raised by the kidnap plot will go towards English Lakes Hotel’s target to raise £45,000 for Open Arms International by the end of October this year. The group’s employees have already managed to raise £17,500 for the cause so far.

Open Arms International is a humanitarian organisation dedicated to providing relief to orphans and destitute families in Kenya.

Open Arms International owns a village in Kenya, where they look after 28 children and 3 babies.  The charity has already built a number of orphan homes and wants to build an additional 8 homes, a school, a medical centre, guest homes and a restaurant. 

For more information about out work with Open Arms International visit the Corporate Social Responsibility Section.