What a special time we had on our Centenary Reunion tour this week – at the perfect hotel, with far too much delicious food and a wonderful group of customers and friends!
Farmer Copleys at Featherstone set us up with a tasty soup and sandwich lunch on our journey to St. Annes, where we got the warmest of welcomes from the team at the Best Western Glendower Hotel, part of their Signature Collection. We operated our first tour to this hotel in 1986 and it just gets better and better. Stylish rooms and Christmas decorations in the lounge areas added a lovely festive feel to our party. Dinner was served early so that we could step back on board the coaches to take a drive along Blackpool's prom to view the world's greatest free light show before returning to the hotel for hot chocolate, homemade shortbread and a lighthearted quiz, put together by Steph and Carl. Who knew that the microwave oven was invented in 1947? Or that the first mobile phone was available in 1973?
Monday morning and we were treated to a delicious, freshly cooked breakfast, choosing from tempting dishes like Eggs Benedict, Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon and, of course, a Full English. Then it was 'all aboard' for a trip down memory lane on one of Blackpool's Heritage Trams - a double-decked streamliner 'Baloon' Tram - to be precise! Lunch was at the fabulous White Tower Restaurant at the Pleasure Beach, where Alison and her lovely team had laid on a simply delicious afternoon tea. Panoramic views along the prom with the Tower in the distance, as well as a pianist, added to the relaxed and decadent ambience. What a treat that proved to be.
We returned to St. Annes for a relaxing afternoon and, in some cases, a stroll into the nearby town centre - and just another slice of homemade cake. Then it was time to head upstairs and change for the evening's Gala Dinner. The team at the hotel had done a superb job laying out the room, the kitchen brigade provided an excellent 4 course meal and the waiting staff made sure that it arrived promptly. As it was such a special occasion for us, we were delighted to have the opportunity to present gifts to some of our best travelled customers (and friends) and to our lovely Les, the longest serving member of our driving team. Entertainment followed and it wasn't long before many of us were on the dance floor, showing off our best Motown moves to the sounds of three talented girls, The Angelettes. Ably assisted by Alan, Carl jumped at the chance to entertain us with a couple of games of ‘Carlingo’ which is becoming somewhat of a tradition on our Reunion tours!
Tuesday morning dawned fine and sunny, perfect for a brisk stroll along the beachfront to blow away the last of the cobwebs, before we set off for home. We called into Oswaldtwisle Mills where most of us indulged in a little retail therapy before enjoying some spectacular scenery as we made our way back across the Pennines to our final 'watering hole' - the Wetherby Whaler at Guiseley - for super fresh fish & chips - a traditional ending to a trip to the seaside!
Our team had a fantastic time with all of our customers, many of whom have become good friends over the years and we can't thank the team at the Glendower Hotel enough for all that they did for us to make our Centenary Reunion such a success. Thank you to everyone else who played a part in what is one of our best ever Reunions, particularly the members of our team who accompanied the tour but not forgetting the team members who helped to set it up and who held the fort whilst we were away - but most of all thank you to our amazing customers.
