Staff are reunited at the Lodore Falls Hotel …

Posted on 31/08/2010 by admin

Staff are reunited at the Lodore Falls Hotel …

The Lodore Falls Hotel in Borrowdale valley played host to past members of staff during a weekend reunion in Keswick. Over 60 ex staff and several current employees got together to renew friendships and memories.

The reunion attracted past employees from all over the world including Peter Dixon and his wife who travelled especially from Australia for the occasion and stayed on to see friends in the Lake District. Also present was Kurt Hartmann and his wife who travelled from Germany. Kurt was Head Chef at the Lodore Falls Hotel for 27 years and it was he who taught current Head Chef Mike Ward. 

The reunion began with afternoon tea at the hotel, followed by an evening trip into Keswick for drinks and a friendly pub catch up. On Sunday everyone gathered again at the Lodore Falls for Sunday lunch and a group picture before departing home or on holiday.

Organised by Head Chef Mike Ward, Sales Manager Tanya Sentance, and past employee Vikki Brier, they all agreed the effort of finding everyone was worth it. Finding staff was made easier by using social media sites like Facebook and friends reunited. Mike said “Social media has made an impact on being able to keep in close touch with friends across the world. It made finding everyone and keeping them informed so much easier. It was a monumental occasion and great to meet people who worked here years ago.

Mike really enjoyed catching up with his Head Chef mentor and it was especially important that lunch was perfect. Having over 60 people at the event shows how much people fondly remember their time working here. It was also nice for our current team to catch up with old friends.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about organising reunion events at the Lodore Falls Hotel should contact Tanya Sentance on 017687 77285 or visit www.lakedistricthotels.net

Posted in Lake District Hotels News, Lodore Falls Hotel News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Head Chef Mike Ward on BBC Radio Cumbria with Liz Rhodes

Posted on 25/08/2010 by admin

The Head Chef at Lodore Falls Hotel, Mike Ward has been on BBC Radio Cumbria again discribing his Triple Chocolate Delice Berry and Portwine Compote.

Listen to Mike by clicking the the link and scrolling along to 2hours 28minutes – BBC RADIO CUMBRIA LISTEN AGAIN (available until 12:02 Tuesday 31st August) or if you want to give the his dish a try why not download the recipe HERE

Posted in Lake District Hotels News, Lodore Falls Hotel News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

There’s a very dapper new bar at the George Hotel

Posted on 18/08/2010 by admin

After a competition to find a new name for the George Hotel’s refurbished bar, the name is revealed this week as DAPPERS BAR. It was chosen from over 270 entries ranging from the very traditional to the very modern and quirky. John Fisk from Shap entered the winning name. He thought the many sided 400 year old history of the hotel could tie in to the new look and feel of the new bar. 

The hotel was a buzz during the 1700’s, Bonnie Prince Charlie came to stay and King George II was on the throne. Noted for being smart and well dressed in his fine clothing, King George II was nick named Dapper King George. Now the bar is modern and distinctive, it too feels like a dapper place to be. 

Justin Wales, General Manager at the George Hotel said “Finding a name has been very difficult because there were so many to choose from and everyone has a different idea what it should be. John was really pleased when we told him that we had decided on Dapper’s Bar because of the link to King George II. He reigned during an important part of the hotel’s history and it was his forebears that the George Hotel was named after.”

John and his wife Sue called in to the bar this week to collect their £60 dinner vouchers and were impressed with the welcoming ambiance, comfy sofas and the fine detail like the gold leaf light fittings. They also shared some of their research on the dapper king and his life with Justin who has already commissioned a special plaque to commemorate the new name.  It is being crafted to sit at the entrance of the bar and will recount the famous words that Queen Caroline allegedly uttered about King George II: “You may strut, dapper George, but ’twill all be in vain, We all know ’tis Queen Caroline, not you, that reign.”

As well as refurbishing the bar, improvements have also been made to the rear entrance with the entrance dressed in a new coat of paint and a new barrier entrance to control the car park. It means guests will have much easier access to car park and a pleasant entrance to the rear of the hotel.

Now open daily from 11am, the Dapper’s Bar is enjoying increased popularity, attracting new diners at lunchtime and early evening guests looking to try the cocktails and sample the new tapas menu.

Posted in Lake District Hotels News, The George Hotel News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Taste Cumbria Food Festival …

Posted on 17/08/2010 by admin

Taste Cumbria Food Festival … 25th & 26th September 2010

Whether you’re with us for the whole weekend, or just a few short hours, you can expect a feast of all things foodie at the first Taste Cumbria Food Festival. From small producers’ markets to celebrity chef demonstrations and masterclasses, if you love regional food and drink, Cockermouth is the place to be this September, as the county joins together in this large-scale culinary celebration.

Saturday 25th September
Saturday is all about feeding the senses, with the ‘Open Dining’ event at the heart of today’s activities. Full of sights, sounds, tastes and aromas, for one day only, Cockermouth will be transformed into a huge, open-air food court! Encouraged to use Cumbrian-sourced produce, a wide variety of different restaurant outlets have prepared a special festival menu of dishes which can be purchased in-venue or from on-street stalls. While you eat and drink your way around the town,why not look in at the Taste Cumbria Chef’s theatre where big name chefs including Antony Worrall Thompson, Aldo Zilli and John Torode will be cooking live on stage.

With new dishes to try, and experts to meet – you’ll pick up plenty of hints, tips and recipe ideas from the Pros, before hitting the tempting stalls groaning under the weight of delicious produce in the Small Producers Market located on Main Street. Take home a variety of Cumbrian favourites, from authentic Cumberland sausages to pickles and preserves to recreate dishes and inspire you to try out your own ideas.

Sunday 26th September 2010
If you need to unwind from all the foodie fun and frolics of the day before, then our chilled out Sunday is  the day for you.

Today we’ve a smorgasbord of events which won’t put too much of a strain on the brain… (or on your waistband) as venues across Cockermouth and the surrounding district throw open their doors to Taste Cumbria visitors, with a programme that includes masterclasses, toursand demonstrations.

Follow the festival trail to discover new delicacies hidden away in the town’s pretty backstreets or the more energetic of you may fancy heading out of town and further afield for more regional rural food delights.

Of course, if you simply want to while away an hour or two before enjoying a lazy Sunday roast, take your seat at a culinary Masterclass where local chefs and cooks will be passing on their knowledge, giving festival-goers a better understanding of home-grown food and the importance of buying local

If you want more information about this local event visit www.tastecumbria.com

Posted in Lake District Hotels News, Local Events | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Silloth Music & Beer Festival

Posted on 16/08/2010 by admin

2010 will be Silloth Music & Beer Festival’s TENTH Anniversary and it is shaping up to be the biggest and best ever! 
The four day event runs from Thursday 9th until Sunday 12th September.

As ever there will be a delicious, and varied, selection of ales and ciders and the line up is full of variety with something for everyone.  As well as acts who haven’t played in Cumbria before we are delighted that there are some fantastic local acts playing.

Tickets are now on sale and a four day Festival Ticket is just £35 or individual night tickets are available.  Tickets are available locally from Winters Newsagents in Silloth (cash only) and The Carnegie in Workington, or online at www.ticketweb.co.uk  For further information on prices, and how to buy, please click here to go to the tickets page

Posted in Local Events | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ladies night at Carlisle Races …

Posted on 13/08/2010 by admin

Ladies night at the races was a fantastic evening. Kit Graves from Lake District Hotels and Tracey Errington enjoyed the hospitality of Carlisle Living at the Carlisle Racecourse. With so many well turned out horses, hats and hen parties, the night was truly spectacular.

Thanks must go to the team at Carlisle Living for inviting us. It was a great opportunity to meet other business owners and find out what is happening in Cumbria. It was also a great opportunity to promote a few things coming up in our hotels. October is a busy month for the Lodore Falls Hotel because we have just put the finishing touches to a special promotion with Carlisle Living magazine. Cupcakes, cocktails and a pamper afternoon for the ladies the day – 14th October from 1.30pm. Look out for information in the next issue of Carlisle Living out 24th August.

The very next day we are having an amazing Hollywood ball – quite a number of people at the races were interested in taking a table for the event already! It takes place 15th October and will have paparazzi and fantastic entertainment – the perfect chance to dust off the dazzling dress and dickey bow ties.

Posted in Lake District Hotels News, Local Events | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Westmorland County Show

Posted on 12/08/2010 by admin

Thursday 9 September 2010

This years Show will be held on Thursday 9th of September 2010 at Lane Farm, Crooklands, Kendal, Cumbria.

One of Britains Oldest and Cumbria’s Biggest Livestock Shows, All visitors welcome from 8.00am until 5.30pm.

Following their highly successful first visit last year, the Sheep Show are again to entertain and educate all our visitors, a truly entertaining show with fun on many levels.

Featuring Cattle, Sheep, pigs, Goats, also Horses, Poultry, Hounds, Dogs and Rare Breeds, together with Alpaca classes making their second appearance in 2009. Not forgetting Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling, W.I., Learning for Life and Craft Marquees, with over 350+ trade stands and the areas largest local products Food Hall with special demonstrators and Celebrity Chefs.

This year’s Show goes on from strength to strength. The Westmorland County Show is Cumbria’s premiere “shop window” for a “taste, try and buy” experience in a convivial and relaxing atmosphere.

The Show is a centre of excellence and a great place for people to meet and discuss current and future rural issues: bringing together people from all walks of life to meet, socialise and talk.Over 25,000 people can’t be wrong

To find out more about the Westmorland County Show CLICK HERE

Posted in Local Events | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Ullswater Outdoor Festival …

Posted on 12/08/2010 by admin

The Ullswater Outdoor Festival – Saturday 25th September – Sunday 3rd October 2010

Woodland trails, family stemer rides, romantic walks, lakeside activities from mountain biking to sailing and kayaking, waterfall walks, energetic hikes and remote peak ascents 

Come and join in the choice of more than 50 guidedwalks to suit everyone raging from gentle scenic strolls to more experienced mountaineering around Englans most beautiful lake.

For more information about events throughout the Festival CLICK HERE  or visit www.ullswater.com

Posted in Inn on the Lake News, Local Events, The George Hotel News | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Puma Lakeland Trails™ in Keswick

Posted on 12/08/2010 by admin

Sunday 5th September 2010

Now in it’s 5th year, the PUMA Derwentwater Trail Race and Puma Derwentwater Challenge is a 14km course through some of the most scenic and varied countryside in the Lake District. Last year’s event received a 96% overall approvals rating from the readers of Runnersworld magazine.

Starting and finishing in Keswick, the PUMA Derwentwater Trail Race and Puma Derwentwater Challenge is a 14km circuit along well marked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways takes in panoramic views of Lake Derwentwater and the surrounding peaks of the Skiddaw and Blencathra range and the northern lakeland fells.

Underfoot conditions are generally good for those used to trail running, but expect a bit of everything ! The course has no stiles, so there is nothing but the hills to break up your rhythm.

The start and finish areas will be quite a party with an exciting atmosphere and live music

The course has kilometre markers, there are some great prizes on offer for the PUMA Derwentwater Trail Race, and winners prizes in the veteran classes. All the finishers receive a quality, specially designed Lakeland Trails technical T shirt worth £20.00 and will have a chance of winning a spot prize donated by local businesses.

There are children’s Derwentwater Fun Trails too for under 12′s for all abilities. Every finisher gets a specially engraved medal.

A great family day out!

Posted in Borrowdale Hotel News, Kings Arms Hotel News, Local Events, Lodore Falls Hotel News, Skiddaw Hotel News | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We are on T.V.

Posted on 09/08/2010 by admin

Look out for the Inn on the Lake on ITV’s television series, THE LAKES, presented by comedian Rory McGrath and back on our screens in January 2011. The hotel is in the spotlight for a recent wedding, where a television crew shadows Gary and his team getting ready to welcome the happy couple arriving to the hotel’s private jetty by boat and afterwards enjoying their wedding breakfast in the Lake View Restaurant with family and friends.

Posted in Inn on the Lake News, Lake District Hotels News | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment