Redecoration & Refurbishment

In January, the hotel was closed for 3 weeks to allow most of the staff to take a well-earned rest after the hectic Festive Season and also to refurbish and redecorate without disturbance.

The porch and the dining room have been redecorated and Room 9 has been refurbished, redecorated and has a brand new bathroom.

Room 8 too has a new bathroom - those of you who have stayed there in the past will remember the distinctive flower design on the bathroom furniture. When journalist Paddy Burt of the Daily Telegraph came to stay, we knew exactly which room she’d stayed in by her description: “In the bathroom, the deep cream fittings are decorated with garlands of flowers. ” (Daily Telegraph 21/03/2003). Not any more!

If you would like to read the complete Paddy Burt article, visit: www.telegraph.co.uk/travel and search for Rothay Manor.

This winter we have had hardly any frost or snow and it has probably been memorable for being wet and mild – certainly in November and December when we had 41 successive days with rain for at least part of each day. Since Christmas, the weather has been better, although still mild, and this year the daffodils and spring flowers have been superb. Hope you agree!!

Cumbria Tourism - Most Outstanding Customer Service Awards 2007

After the hotel’s success in the Small Hotel of the Year category last year, I thought it was about time Julia had some recognition for the sterling work she does and so I nominated her for the above award. I am delighted to tell you (and I’m sure it will come as no surprise to those of you who know her!) that she has been shortlisted in the top 3.

She recently went for an interview before the panel of judges and we have been invited to the Awards ceremony in Kendal on the 2nd May.

Unfortunately it will be too late to put the result in this newsletter but I'll let you know in the Autumn edition.

Stop Press: We are delighted to tell you that Julia is going forward to represent Cumbria in the North West for Excellence Awards in October

ROTHAY MANOR RECIPE - Chocolate Truffle Torte

Try this popular, simple dessert at home.

You will need:

4oz flour 4oz sugar
4oz butter 2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence 3 teaspoons brandy
13oz good quality dark, bitter chocolate

18oz whipping cream

N.B. Whipping cream must be left out of the fridge for 2 hours before use.

Cream sugar & butter till white.
Add eggs & flour a bit at a time.
Add vanilla essence last.

Place in greased small shallow tin & bake at 180 for 8 minutes.
When cooked, cut into circles, place in bottom of ring/mould. Brush brandy over sponge circles.

Warm the chocolate in a glass bowl over a pan of simmering hot water until melted.

Whisk the cream (should be at room temperature) until it ribbons.

Add the chocolate and continue whisking for at least 2 minutes until the mixture is completely combined.

Place into rings or moulds and refridgerate for at least 2 hours until set.

When ready to serve, run a warmed knife around the outside of the ring/mould, invert and turn out

onto a plate.

Decorate with mint sprigs and strawberry halves. Dust with icing sugar and cocoa powder.

Serves 10

AN INTERVIEW WITH .............. SHIRLEY TODD

Many of you comment on the beautiful flower arrangements around the hotel so here’s an opportunity to learn a little more about our ‘unsung heroine’.

Most of you will not have seen Shirley but if you are in the hotel on a Thursday morning you may be lucky enough to catch her at work in her office (aka the Ladies Powder Room) surrounded by the newly delivered fresh flowers. Shirley has been arranging flowers for the hotel for over 10 years now – both fresh and silk, and is also responsible, with a couple of ‘little helpers’, for decorating the hotel for the Festive Season.

For many years, Shirley owned her own floristry business in Ambleside but since 'retiring' she is very much in demand for weddings and special occasions. She is also responsible for the flowers at St. Mary's Parish Church, Ambleside.

In her spare time she enjoys photography and spending time with her family, as well as being quite a whizz on her computer.

A Star is Born

Did you know that our lovely Bear is now a star? He has a complete chapter to himself in the new book ‘The

House of Bears.’ Those of you who have visited us recently may have noticed the book for sale by reception at the very reasonable price of £4.99.

Written by one of our regular guests, the book also features other bears including ‘Harrods’ Bear (definitely a high class book!) so if you’ve got the bear,why not get the book! Take a look next time you come

Special Interest Holidays

The 2007-08 Special Interest Holiday Brochure is now available with all the old favourites and also a new theme to add to your choice! In March 2008 we are offering a 5-night ‘Dabble with Scrabble’ holiday run by Kathy Rush and her husband, Dave. As well as Scrabble, there will be the opportunity to play other word-related games such as Countdown and Upwords. As usual we provide individual leaflets for each subject - if you would like a specific one, you can download a copy by clicking on the link www.rothaymanor.co.uk/special or we will send it to you by post.

Our popular Gift Letter Service is ideal for that special treat. Choose from Lunch, Dinner, Afternoon Tea, Accommodation or simply a voucher -in fact whatever you require, we can offer a personalised Gift Letter to suit you. Payment can be accepted by Credit Card over the telephone. Just give us a call on 015394 33605 or e-mail us at: hotel@rothaymanor.co.uk

Website

For those of you interested in all things ‘internet’, you can now download our brochures directly from the website - whether it’s the normal hotel brochure and tariff; details of our wheelchair accessible rooms; Family Holidays; Bridge Holidays; the new Scrabble Holiday or any of the leaflets relating to the Special Interest Holidays. It’s also worth keeping an eye on for what’s new and any forthcoming ‘Special Offers’. We hope to have some details of forthcoming local events on there in the near future so look out for that too. www.rothaymanor.co.uk/offers