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A little healthy competition

Posted by Sarah on 26-08-2010

There was a distinct competitive streak visible yesterday when Mark, Nick and I went to the Warner Leisure Hotels supplier day at Thoresby Hall Hotel, Nottingham.

Despite the constant threat of rain and the fact we all had to get up between 4-30am and 5-30am, it was a great day. It gave us a rare opportunity to meet fellow suppliers and many of the Warner marketing team who we interact with every day, including Sharon Slade, Sarah Church, Anna Munford and Angela Fenocchi.

The day got underway with a scrummy breakfast and an overview of the new things Warner has got planned for the end of 2010 and the whole of 2011 - something that woke us all up and got us ready for the surprise group experience that lay ahead.

And what a surprise it was! While the group experience at the last supplier day was salsa dancing, this time we got to enjoy segways. For those who don't recognise the name, segways are those two-wheeled, self-balancing bikes that are huge in America and growing in popularity over here.

Despite a reputation as being difficult to control, they were quite easy once you got the hang of it - although I will admit to a fairly shaky start on mine as it threw me back and forth like a rodeo bull! After a quick practise, we split into teams and had a relay.

I was loyal and sided with Mark's team. Nick went elsewhere, so he had only himself to blame when his side lost (captain Mark is pictured storming over the finishing line)! The segways were great fun, and from there we went back to the house for a very unusual history tour.

Thoresby Hall has offered its guests live, interactive entertainment with costumed actors for just over a year now, and it is these performers who take the tour. Not only is it very funny being told the origins of the Great Hall's fireplace by someone playing a French lady or an eccentric from the post-war years, but it also means all the facts sink in a bit better because they are presented in an informal way - and I must say that both the actors were superb at interacting with the crowd and ad-libbing.

The afternoon saw more competition, with everyone heading down to the archery range to try to emulate local hero Robin Hood. Mark set the bar early with an arrow in the gold, but it took me and Nick a bit longer to warm up. In end, Mark came third with 33 points and Nick was just behind on 30 - I'd rather not say what score I got!

As we all said our goodbyes and headed off, it started pouring down - but luckily by then we'd had our fun racing round on segways and trying our hand at archery with all our friends at Warner!

Posted by Sarah on 26-08-2010 | 1 Comment | Leave a Comment…