May 2017 Wins

26th May:- I received an e-mail from Bown of London to say I'd won their Facebook competition to win a luxury Salcome velour towel gown, worth £79.95!

April 2017 wins

5th April: A pair of tickets to see a production of 'Hysteria' at Preston Guild Hall.  It wasn't really our cup of tea, but it made for an interesting evening out.

6th April: Three tickets to the ELO Experience.  I took daughter and granddaughter and a good night was had by all.

12th April: I received an e-mail from Bespoke Hotels which read  - "Congratulations, you are our Caption Competition winner for February and March 2017!  I hope you enjoy your stay at Cotswold House Hotel".

The prize is an overnight stay for two people including dinner, bed and breakfast at the Cotswold House Hotel and Spa in Chipping Campden.

26th April: Two tickets to see Markm Padcliffe in Preston.  Very enjoyable night out.

26th April: A copy of 'The One Man' from Jazz FM

A better month than a few of those of late.

Seaham Hall Prize write up.

You feel special the minute you drive through the well maintained grounds up to the beautiful Georgian mansion with its unique vortex water feature.

It’s a luxurious experience from the moment you arrive at Seaham Hall.  We arrived around noon with the rooms not being ready until 3.00.  With no fuss our luggage was whisked away, to be transported to our room for when we arrived there later in the day.  Meanwhile, we were escorted to the doors of the serenity Spa for our first meal and treatments. 

The spa is approached from the hotel by means of an underground tunnel – very James Bond.  The tunnel features a suspended walkway with a trickling brook on each side, relaxing music and subtle lighting.  At the end of the tunnel is a large elephant sculpture.  At the Spa reception we were dealt with efficiently and with friendliness and were even treated to raspberry tea whilst we completed our forms.  We were then given the guided tour of the facilities – which included a 20 metre pool, various sauna and steam rooms, a hammam, an enormous Jacuzzi, ice plunge pools, outdoor hot tubs, etc., etc.  A robe and slippers were available in our lockers (though the robe awaiting us in our room was much fluffier and heavier). 

After enjoying the spa facilities we were ready for the lunch we had booked in the Ozone Restaurant.  We had a two course Thai inspired meal – the food was tasty and plentiful with lots of choices, the service was friendly and efficient.  Being part of the spa most guest dined in their robes, which helped maintain the relaxed vibe. 

After further enjoying the spa facilities we went for the first of our two treatments – an hour long massage – the lady was friendly, informative and judging by how relaxed I was at the end of the treatment very good at her job.  After the treatment we were shown to a relaxation lounge with large glass windows overlooking the grounds, here we were given raspberry sorbet and iced water whilst we lay on heated loungers, to aid our recovery.  

We returned to the hotel reception from where we were escorted to our room and all the room’s facilities were explained to us.  We had booked into a junior suite, which was large, with a corner aspect; one huge window looked towards the coast, the other over the grounds.  The bed was large and extremely comfortable – it was also turned down during dinner and a relaxing pillow spray left.  The carpet had a thick pile which felt luxurious underfoot.  There was a large TV, an iPad, a desk, a table, a couch, etc.  and was decorated quirkily yet tastefully (which seems to be a hotel theme – someone has a very good eye).  The fridge was stocked with bottle water and soft drinks (all free of charge) and there was fresh fruit on the table.  There was also a pod coffee maker and a plentiful supply of tea (with fresh milk in the fridge). The wardrobe was large with plenty of hanging and shelf space.  The bathroom was large, with both separate bath and shower, and spotlessly clean.  We had breakfast in bed the following morning and everything we had requested was delivered and everything seemed freshly cooked and brewed. 

Once settled in we explored the grounds which are extremely well manicured and once it started getting dark, well lit.  I imagine in the summer the terraces provide the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail.  

Before our evening meal we tried out the sports bar which is very atmospheric with subdued lighting, huge TV and best of all a purple covered full sized American pool table.  Here the quirky furnishing continued with Rhino head lamps and angel wing door handles.

In the evening we enjoyed a lovely seven course tasting menu with matched wines in the Byron Restaurant.  The food was varied and delicious.  My only slight complaint of the whole break was at times the wine pouring got out of sync – we were given a robust red wine which was intended to be consumed with the ox cheek while enjoying our light sweet dessert (we were given everything we should have been, just not necessarily at the right time).  

The following day we enjoyed more of the spa until we were ready for our next treatment, an hour long facial.  The process was very much like that for our massages – explanation, treatment and recovery.  

Our break was completed with a lovely afternoon tea in the Byron Restaurant.  We were seated in the window overlooking ‘The Vortex’ water feature.  The tea featured unlimited teas from a long list of various teas, we were each given a smoked salmon wrap, three finger sandwiches, two scones (one fruit, one plain) with jam and cream and 4 individual cakes.  As we’d enjoyed the seven course menu the evening before and a hearty breakfast we were relieved when we were offered a box to take the remaining cakes home with us.  

January, February and March 2017 wins

The only win for three months was a year's subscription to Northern Life Magazine.

December 2016 wins

The year was brought to a close with 3 Amaryllis bulbs and a play we could not attend.

November 2016 wins

2nd November – I won two tickets to Wind in the Willows at the Lowry Theatre, Salford.

I took my granddaughter Lucy to the performance of the new musical ‘Wind in the Willows’ I’m always worried by this sort of thing – will it be too grown up for her or will it be too childish for me. Well the good news is they got the balance about right.

Although the book is very popular I’m not sure there is enough of a story to it for a full theatrical production.  Also I didn’t think there were any really standout songs; I didn’t come away singing anything.

Having said that there are lots of plus points.  The real star of the show was the set. The sets was amazing! In the fast paced show they are constantly changing. We were treated to – the riverbank - Ratty’s rowing boat that moved around the stage - the outside of Toad Hall – the inside of Toad Hall – a gypsy caravan (with tap dancing horses) – a scene where they build a vintage car on stage – the creepy Wild Woods – badgers house – a court room –a prison - a full size steam train – a full size canal barge – etc. etc. etc. The team who designed and operate these sets deserve special praise.

Rufus Hound as the self-obsessed, bolshie Mr Toad was the acting star and thoroughly deserved his billing. Not the greatest singing voice, but his timing and energy really carried the production. I’d only previously seen him on panel shows and the like so I was impressed by his talent.

The overall cast were excellent, they managed through movement and posture to portray something of the character of the animals they were playing. They also deserve a pat on the back for the multiple costume changes and coping with the speed of the production.

The standout moment of the night was the hedgehog family singing the comic song ‘Crossing the Road can be Murder for an ‘edgehog’. Mother hedgehog singing with a broad Brumie accent. Really funny.

Julian Fellowes who wrote the stage adaption said – “I hope people who come to see it will be cheered by it, and will walk out of the theatre feeling warmer than they were when they walked in".  Well Julian, you and your colleagues certainly succeeded in that.

4th November -  I received an e-mail from Top Sante saying I had won a break at Seaham Hall near Durham.

A little bit of information and it turns out that it is the - ULTIMATE INDULGENCE break, which is described as follows:-

Immerse yourself in ultimate indulgence and experience a luxurious weekend of pampering. Take a journey through our wonderful hotel, on arrival your car will be valet parked for you and your luggage whisked up to your suite. After a leisurely check-in you can take a wander through our magical underground tunnel towards our award winning spa, where you can feast upon a delicious 2 course meal in our Ozone restaurant before a relaxing afternoon by the poolside and thermal suites which will prepare you for your mid-afternoon massages. Feeling fully relaxed retire to your suite where your king size bed awaits for an afternoon nap or a spot of reading then why not also enjoy pre-dinner drink in your suite before joining us in Byron’s Restaurant for a seven course evening meal. Enjoy a historic and atmospheric tour of our wine cellar to select your wine and drinks for the evening using your £100 voucher. Following your meal retire to one of our three lounges to round of your evening. Retire to your suite for the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had… Rise in the morning for a delicious breakfast in bed then leisurely make your way to the spa for your morning facial, relax and enjoy the spa. Finally finish you stay with an indulgent Afternoon Tea before you, reluctantly, leave our house for yours.

The Package includes:-

Two course lunch in The Ozone Restaurant

60 minute Serenity Signature Massage per person

60 minute Sundari Prescriptive Facial per person

Pre-dinner drinks with a seven Course Tasting Menu served in Byron’s Restaurant

£100 to spend in our wine cellar!

Leisurely Breakfast in Bed
Afternoon Tea on the day of your departure

October 2016 wins

1st Oct - Jack Daniels  t-shirt

6th October - Two tickets to BBC Philharmonic tickets at Bridgewater Hall for a programme which featured Walton, Elgar and Sibelius. Enjoyable night with the BBC Phil who were as professional as ever.  Some of the pieces were a little heavy, but some lovely moments too. 

7th October  – I won two tickets to the Ronnie Scott Story at the Charter Theatre, Preston.  

  .

The Ronnie Scott Story was an evening of dialogue, photographs, video and music presented by the house band from Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the Ronnie Scott Allstars. The concert told the story of both the man and the club. There was dialogue, pictures, video and lots of live jazz recreating some of the styles from the history of the club.  Really enjoyable night.

20th October - I won two tickets to Mozart by Candlelight at Charter Theatre,  Preston.  An evening featuring music and operatic pieces by Mozart in full period dress and by candlelight.

The band (sorry Ensemble) were all dressed in colourful period costume and powdered wigs; and were accompanied by three singers dressed similarly for the operatic pieces.

It was promoted as including excerpts from Mozart’s Operas such as: The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte, and many more beautifully sung moments from his world famous operas. Also some of his most memorable musical pieces including; Symphony no. 40, Lacrimosa (Requiem D minor), and Eine Kleine Nacht Musik.. I’m sure it did, but as I’m too mean to but a programme I can’t confirm that for certain.

The show was enjoyable throughout, even for those like me who are not fanatical about Mozart or the classical genre. It was littered with familiar pieces, which could be appreciated both by the expert and the less knowledgeable audience member. The only real disappointment for me was the setting –billed as “by candlelight,” the ambiance was largely drowned out by the stage lights. Say what you like but the Mozart chap wrote some really good tune

September 2016 wins

1st.Sept - Four tickets to Diva's of Soul Concert, this concert was eventually cancelled so this became a non-prize

25th September - The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler book

July and August 2016 wins

22nd July  – I received an e-mail from a local organisation to say I'd won four tickets to a concert by artists and bands in a disused church in Blackburn. 

10th August - an Edition of Positive News

22nd August a ladybird book

May and June 2016 wins

10th May 2016 – I Googled my name and found I’d won a large cuddly Silentnight hippo from the Carpetright Facebook page.  Apparently the original winner had failed to claim it on time, so it was re-awarded to me.  I just managed to claim it with hours to spare.

No wins at all in June.

APRIL 2016 wins

29th April – I won an Executive Toiletry Kit. Saw my name printed in Sunday Times Travel Magazine as a second runner-up with the prize arriving a couple of days later.