News
Herald 19th August 2010
- Keeping in Touch -
A letter to the Customers & Guests of The Grand
From The General Manager
Late Summer 2010
“As has become the practice since I took over at The Grand, last November, I would like to take the opportunity to update as to what is happening within the property.”
Dear Guest of The Grand,
I find it amazing how fast my first full year at The Grand is going, our charity event “Syn at The Grand”, our successful Spring Wedding Fair, Live Cooking in The Palm Court and of course our hugely successful overhaul of our bars and restaurants and seems a life time ago (Not to mention Germanys triumph over England in the world cup!), certainly with that and many, many more events, initiatives and ideas we’ve hit 2010 running, providing a venue frequented by all and with something for everyone, and with all this and our successful licence review under our belts my attention (in August) turns to Christmas and making it the grandest Christmas we can!
Your Grand Memories………..
You will maybe remember that in my last letter I rather cryptically mentioned that “Grand Memories” is ready and waiting, and just around the corner, well all can finally be revealed……..
To celebrate the launch of The Grand’s 2010 Christmas and New Year’s Brochure and in conjunction with The Folkestone Herald Newspaper, I am opening up the biggest Christmas promotion for the local community of Folkestone, ever undertaken by the Management, past and present, of The Grand.As published by The Folkestone Herald (Thursday 12th August edition) I would dearly love to be given something very special this Christmas, your memories.
In my mind, with over a century of history, art and experiences held within our walls, The Grand holds a special place in Folkestone. Every son or daughter, parent or grandparent has visited us at one time or another, or at least knows somebody who has spent time with us, started a life with us or enjoyed a special moment with us, and I am asking you to share them with me.
The rules are simple, write a short account, no more than 350 words, in whatever form you would prefer and send it to myself, either by email info@grand-uk.com or by letter, headed as “Grand Memories” by 1st September, to be entered. All entries will be displayed on our website, and a few will also find themselves in to print within The Folkestone Herald. The winning entry will be selected by myself and The Herald and will be welcomed, as my personnel guests, to make another “Grand Memory” with us, this Christmas Day, with an all expenses paid Christmas Gala Lunch for four persons, which is valued at about £300.00.I look forward to reading Folkestone’s memories of The Grand over the years, hearing what the place was like in the past and hopefully what memories you have of the now as well. This aside, The Grand really is a magical place at Christmas, brimming with 15ft Christmas Trees, the smells of Mulled Wine and Mince Pies and maybe this year, Santa will be joining us for a little visit as well.
But, we have a long way to go before we get to Christmas, and before we get there we have one or two further reasons to bring you through our doors.
This August we are proud to bring you “North & South”, The Art of Andy Holyer, between August 27th and 30th. Mr. Holyer has worked with me to bring The Grand a unique retrospective exhibition showcasing 25 years of his work highlighting Yorkshire and the mysterious and romantic Romney Marsh. Samples of Mr. Holyer’s work (in collaboration with Niko Miaoulis, Landlord of the home of Dr. Syn, The Ship Inn at Dymchurch) are already on sale within The Grand’s all new gift shop, located in our Tudor Lounge. August ends with the now traditional “Classic Car Rally” on the Leas, and I am reliably informed that we have a great turnout this year and I’m very much looking forward to attending my first rally at the Grand.
I would like to add, that this August, you can help us support the East Kent Child Witness Service, our chosen charity for our area, every time you purchase a pint of our exclusively brewed & Kentish “(The) Grand Ale”. As reported by The Folkestone Herald, I am donating ten pence from every pint sold this month, directly to our charity. So, by enjoying a pint of The Grand you can in turn do your bit for charity too………
We then spring straight in to September with the heavily publicised H.G. Wells Festival between the 17th & 19th. Again, having heard so much about this since joining I am very much looking forward to seeing it in real life, so to speak. But, as soon as the doors close on the 2010 Wells Festival there’s no time to rest as we jump straight in to a magical night at The Grand. On Friday 24th September I invite you to join us, dining with our specially selected magic menu, to the sounds of our talented in-house pianist whilst enjoying intimate magic, performed right at your table. Tickets are available at main reception, so book fast.
With all this and more let us, at The Grand, help you create your own “Grand Memory”.
And do keep your eyes open, as on November 6th it becomes 1932 as the Wilmington-Smythes are giving a dinner party at The Grand, and murder is suspected…….
“Murder at The Grand”
06.11.2010
Robert Richardson MIH
General Manager
The Grand, Late Summer 2010