Thatcher's permanent residence.
23 Apr 2013
Mrs Thatcher has passed away. Official. You're probably fed up with hearing about it. But as a hotelier I found it fascinating that she spent her last months at the Ritz.
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We do give, privately and through our business. Most people I know are very generous. Some just don't like to be overt about their giving, but don't want to appear mean when they say no.
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America Part 3: Riding with Charlie's Angels (apparently!)
07 Mar 2013
Not many people get the chance to ride with Charlie's Angels but that's what people tell me I'm doing. Third day on the tour of USA selling to the agents, trying to persuade them to send their clients to the UK.
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America Part 2: They say things happen in threes.
05 Mar 2013
Now a lot of people would say I'm a lucky chap travelling with three really lovely ladies, but I wouldn't want to sit next to me especially as we were in the small seats at the back of the plane. Anyway in the end it was decided democratically that I'd have the aisle. Big mistake.
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America Part 1: Day two on the USA sales mission to Atlanta, Naples, Raleigh, and New York.
03 Mar 2013
I love getting cabs in the USA. They always seem to be driven by characters and if you can connect it's very rewarding. This time after a long day travelling from the Lakes via Heathrow to Atlanta on a very good new plane, a 777 operated by BA, the radio was tuned to an AM station and I couldn't believe my ears...
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If your hotel was a band which one would it be?
12 Feb 2013
What if music or bands were hotels? Which would your favourites be?
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An award for Innovation and Excellence
14 Nov 2012
As I sat waiting through the long dinner and ceremony, our name came up as a contender for the Service Award, but we didn't win. Oh well, that's it I thought. Then the last award was being presented by Knight Frank. As the speech progressed, someone nudged me hard in the back. The man from Knight Frank was apparently talking about me and Linthwaite.
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Eating out with my Mum.
10 Oct 2012
I recently had my dear old Mum to stay, both at home and at the hotel. One of the other things she loves to do when she comes up is to potter round the Lakes and enjoy the beauty.
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Eating Out in Cumbria
13 Sep 2012
It's that time of year again. Thanks to Steven Doherty of the wonderful Lakeland Cafe, I got roped in to help with the judging of the Cumbria Life Food and Drink Awards this time last year. Now it's time for a repeat performance.
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The Show’s Here
24 Aug 2012
Haven’t you ever seen a grown man with his underpants over his tights? I don’t mean Superman either. No, it’s time for Westmorland & Cumberland wrestling. This is the time if year when you can go to the Sports days held all over the Lake District. You can also often see them at what some term as agricultural shows. The Westmorland Show in September is one of the best in the country. I don’t know how many acres it takes up but it will take you all day to do it justice.
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Relationships and Hotels
23 Jul 2012
I've always wanted to believe hotels do people good. They make people feel better don't they? But some people take it a bit too far. Whilst we might make people feel rested by giving them a break, what we can't be are marriage problem solvers.
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Makes you open your mind to accessibility
09 Jul 2012
My mother-in-law is up at the moment from deepest Devon. She's 87, has most of her faculties but is finding it difficult to walk and her sight is limited. She doesn't complain though. The wheelchair has to go everywhere, and it changes your view about things.
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NEWS: May 2012
23 May 2012
On Sunday 20th May 2012 we are extremely proud to have some of Linthwaite’s team venturing slightly south to take part in the Bupa Great Manchester Run.
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Gone for a burton
23 May 2012
So to those under 50 it's probably not very impressive for me to say my claim to fame is that I tried to prevent Burton and Sophia Loren (sharp intake of breath for those over 50's again) from dining in the hotel's restaurant I was responsible for.
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NEWS: April 2012
12 Apr 2012
Eternal optimists as we are we have just opened the new Residents' Only lower terrace.
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NEWS: March 2012
13 Mar 2012
STOP PRESS! An exclusive evening with Henry Blofeld at Linthwaite House Hotel.
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NEWS: February 2012
08 Feb 2012
As the snowdrops peak we await the yellow blast of the daffodils....enough already. I am not Wordsworth and do not aspire to be. So instead of poetry (was that what it was? - Ed) let's tell you what's been going on.
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Ronnie Barker in drag
25 Jan 2012
Champagne service with a leery smile
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Back to school, Knott
25 Jan 2012
A walk with the professor of @BestLovedHotels
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When I was a schoolboy I was encouraged to play lost of hearty games such as rugby in the winter and cricket in the summer. I loved it. But we also had to take part in some (to my mind) very boring athletics. Bad performance was incentivised by being whacked with a plimsoll. I mean, if you aren't built for running, what fun can there be in it unless it's to fetch a football.
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