The Bildeston Crown News Archive 2009
The Bildeston Crown – first Gold member of the St Elizabeth Hospice corporate membership scheme “Businesses in Action”
16 December 2008
The Bildeston Crown, owned by Suffolk farmer and businessman James Buckle, has become the first to sign up to the Gold level corporate membership scheme supporting St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich.
Hospice Corporate Fundraiser Jeni White was delighted with the latest addition to the recently launched scheme which operates on three tiers – Gold, Silver and Bronze. As a Gold member, the award winning hotel and restaurant is donating £2,000 to the Hospice.
The scheme, however, is not just about money as Jeni further explains: “The membership fee is very welcome and needed but there is also real value in harnessing the strengths of these businesses to enhance further and more constant fundraising. We have already started discussions with The Bildeston Crown about hosting networking events including business breakfasts and a regular series of themed “Ladies Lunches.” Chef Chris Lee has agreed to cook at home for the highest bidder at an auction to take place at our Golf Day and the hotel is also offering the use of its private room facilities as a benefit to other members. We believe there are significant opportunities in working with businesses such as The Bildeston Crown and these will increase as the corporate membership scheme grows”
James Buckle is delighted to be able to support the Hospice: “I have been an admirer of the work of the Hospice for some time and am more than happy to make our support more formal by becoming a Gold member of its corporate membership scheme. Hayley, Chris and the rest of the team at the Bildeston Crown look forward to working with the Hospice in its fundraising efforts ”
For more information about “Businesses in Action”, contact Jeni White on 01473 707029 or email her at: jeni.white@stelizabethhospice.org
The Bildeston Crown proves small is beautiful by winning “Best Small Suffolk Hotel” award
10 October 2008
The Suffolk tourism industry gathered last night for a black tie gala dinner and awards ceremony at Ipswich’s Trinity Park to celebrate the best of Suffolk tourism.
There were twelve awards in total presented at the event, which is now in its third year and which aims to showcase the professionalism and expertise of the county’s top tourist destinations. The Bildeston Crown, was short listed and then won the award for Best small Suffolk hotel/townhouse which is aimed at all Hotels, Small Hotels, Town Houses, Country House Hotels and Metro Hotels with under 35 bedrooms.
Chef Chris Lee and wife Manager Hayley Lee were absolutely delighted with the award: “This is just amazing but especially when you consider who we were up against in this category. We have great respect for the other two finalists and are not complacent about this win at all as we know it must have been a very difficult decision for the judges. But it most certainly does feel really good to be recognised in this way.”
Local businessman and farmer James Buckle and his mother Jill Buckle, owners of The Bildeston Crown, were also at the ceremony: “We are extremely proud of The Bildeston Crown and the achievements of Chris and Hayley. When we bought and refurbished The Bildeston Crown, we had the dream of seeing local produce, including that from our own farm, showcased in a welcoming country hotel setting. Tonight’s award confirms the reality of that vision and we are simply thrilled.”
As the winner, The Bildeston Crown automatically goes through to the East of England Awards to represent Suffolk in this category and the winners will be announced at the Regional Enjoy England Awards for Excellence on the 23rd October 2008 to be held at Ickworth House. The regional winners in each category will automatically be entered for the National Awards, which will be presented in April 2009.
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