Shop till you drop in Bawtry!!

If, like half the nation, you have a shopping list that could strike terror into the cheeriest of Christmas elves, it is just possible that the elegant town of Bawtry near Doncaster has the answer to your prayers.
Thursday 2nd December sees retailers in the town, together with an array of supporters and willing helpers, welcome Christmas 2010 to the town with a superb evening of shopping, entertaining and Christmas treats. Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s occasion promises to be even more spectacular.
Over 50 shops, bars and restaurants will be opening late amidst a wonderful atmosphere, an official ‘switch on’ of the Christmas trees lights in The Courtyard will take place at 6pm - ably conducted by Gareth Evans, former BBC Radio Sheffield presenter - who will also keep you up to date during the evening with all that is occurring so you don’t miss a thing! Fireworks, sponsored by designer boutique Robinsons, will also mark the occasion.
A jolly ‘Ho-ho-ho’ will be ringing around the market place, as Santa takes residence in his grotto courtesy of Tickhill Lions, and local schools will be serenading you as you shop with your favourite carols. Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice charity, will also be in attendance on the night to continue their worthwhile fundraising work.
The event is being arranged by ‘Community 4 Bawtry’ a group of volunteers including Ruth Worsman from Limited 2 Art and Ian Atherfold from Mainly Wine and Whisky.
“Without the support of Ruth, Ian and all the volunteers this event would never take place,” commented Russell Jones proprietor Robinsons Boutique. “We, as a business and social community, appreciate what they all do and are all looking forward to the evening and to welcoming you to a special Christmas event that will really get you into the festive spirit.”
The festivities commence at 5pm and conclude at 8pm with free parking from 5pm. But, do remember that the superb bars and restaurants of Bawtry will be open late into the night – a great excuse for some seasonal socialising!

Crown Hotel Shortlisted for Chamber Awards!

The Crown hotel is delighted to learn that they have been shortlisted for 3 Doncaster Chamber Awards 2010!!

Following on from winning 2 awards in 2008, the hotel applied for 3 awards - Business Innovation, Performance through Partnership and the Doncaster Chamber Business of the Year. The hotel was so happy to hear that the chamber had shortlisted them for all 3 catagories - and are now awaiting the judges to visit the hotel for further discussions!

Katey Dent Sales Manager commented "We are really thrilled and are keeping our fingers and toes crossed!!! We really do work hard not only to bring more business into our hotel, but also into the Doncaster area. Winning any of these awards would be the icing on the cake! Being an independent hotel, we do whatever we wish - if an idea works then great, if not, then we put it down to experience and move on. We are also looking forward to taking the team for a great evening out, with a few beers too of course!"

Scouting in Bawtry!

Pictured Above: Scouting for Girls with restaurant manager Amanda Pashley


Where else would they have stayed? Chart topping Scouting for Girls played an amazing gig at the Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday evening, and then headed back to the Crown hotel in Bawtry to stay!

Band members Roy, Peter and Greg arrived the hotel and hung out in the Crown bar, chatting to guests and having photos taken with fans that were unaware that the band were staying. Amanda Pashley restaurant manager said “As soon as they checked in, guests who were at the hotel dining and also attending the wedding spotted them straight away! We asked if they would like to be in a quite area of the hotel, but they declined and were happy to chat with our guests and have photos taken. After such a great gig earlier, they just wanted to relax and have a few beers and were really lovely guys!”

The band that has had hits with ‘Heartbeat’, ‘she’s so lovely’ and ‘this ain’t a love song’ then relaxed and stayed over in the hotels luxurious executive bedrooms.

Katey Dent Sales Manager for the hotel arranged for the boys to have some treatments with Harringtons of Bawtry, who the hotel works closely with for guests, and who offer massages and cut throat shaves. Katey said “The guys loved the treatments, and it was a great way for them to relax before they headed off in the morning. Before they left the hotel, they even had a chat with the bride and groom from the wedding the day before, who were fans of the group!”

She added “Guests at the hotel really do not know who they are going to bump into which is really exciting. We have many celebrities who stay at the hotel – they love our product and service and also love being in Bawtry which is busy and lively. We have many more juicy famous guests to come too, so watch this space!”

Hollyoaks Stars crash at The Crown

Pictured Above: The boys from Hollyoaks (Characters Gilly and Warren) with the Crown hotel Bawtry girls Zoe Pask, Carly Freeman, Antonia Dowie, Alisha Frazell , Laura Sanderson, Verity Marriott, Sarah Hamilton and hotel Sales Manager Katey Dent.


Where else would the crew of Hollyoaks crash down during their recent successful charity football match at the Keepmoat Stadium – The Crown hotel in Bawtry of course!

Following a massive list of celebrities to stay recently at the famous four star hotel, the Hollyoaks guys were well behaved and of course caused a stir in Bawtry with the locals!

The Crown was the main sponsor of the Charity match which took place between Hallam FM All-stars v Hollyoaks. The Hollyoaks boys won 3-2 in the exciting match which raised £14,000 for the Cash for Kids charity.

Katey Dent Sales Manager for the hotel said “The day was fantastic, all for a great cause and as the main sponsors; we had the pleasure of picking Newt from Hollyoaks as man of the match!”

After the match the celebrities headed back to the hotel to freshen up and then headed into Doncaster for a night on the town.

Katey added “Locals in Bawtry are now starting to get used to being surprised by various famous faces around the hotel and the area. The hollyoaks guys were happy to chat to regulars and locals in the bar, and also enjoyed a few drinks in the process!! Other recent recent celebrities include Peter Andre, The X Factor stars and Boyzone”.

CROWN SIGNS UP TOP GIRL JOCKEY

The Crown Hotel at Bawtry has backed another big winner! They’re sponsoring leading girl jockey Kelly Harrison in her quest to become the top female rider in the sport.
Kelly, 25, has already ridden over 80 winners as an apprentice and will become a fully-fledged professional when she makes it 95 – hopefully later this season.
She aims to emulate the achievements of celebrated female rider Hayley Turner, who has now established herself among the most successful jockeys in the world.
Craig Dowie, The Crown’s Managing Director, is delighted to be backing the Yorkshire-born starlet for the rest of the season. “Our agreement with Kelly enhances our reputation as the region’s leading racing hotel.

“Kelly is already one of the best female jockeys in the business and has the potential to achieve success at the highest level. The team at The Crown is looking forward to helping her to make that next step.”
Middleham-born Kelly lives in Newmarket with her boyfriend, jockey Jean-Pierre (JP) Guillambert, and is apprentice to trainer Bill Ratcliffe. Her father Alan, a former trainer, is her agent.
Her biggest win so far came on leading northern handicapper Collateral Damage at the Boddingtons Straight-mile Championship at Redcar. She is a regular at The Crown’s local track, Doncaster.
As an ambassador for The Crown, Kelly will make a number of personal appearances this season giving guests a unique insight into life as a rising racing star. She will also promote The Crown around Britain’s racing community.
She added: “I race more in the North than the South and I’m looking forward to talking to lots of keen Yorkshire racegoers at The Crown, and at their local course Doncaster, where they are regular sponsors,” she says.
Ends.

The Crown ‘Four’ Weddings’!

Pictured Above: Darren and Jody Knight – The happy couple!

A big congratulations to local couple Jody and Darren who this week won her battle of the brides on Living TV’s cult programme Four Weddings.

Jody and Darren from Gainsborough battled it out with 3 other brides to mark each others weddings, and won the honeymoon of a lifetime to Cuba.

The happy couple held their Classical, shabby chic style wedding at the Crown hotel in Bawtry – one of the top wedding venues in South Yorkshire. Jody looked amazing, and after Champagne and canapés after the ceremony, the wedding guests tucked into a starter of Yorkshire pudding followed by fish, chips and peas!

Katey Dent Sales Manager said “They partied on into the early hours, and guests were entertained by a mixologist with funky cocktails and a magician”.

The brides marked the wedding based on the dress, the food, the venue and the overall experience. In competition with Jody were brides Stephanie with a classic French theme and Georgina who had a wacky Star Wars theme followed by bowling! The shock to the episode was however bride Emma who postponed the wedding during filming – leaving the 3 brides to battle it out!

Good luck to Jody and Darren in their married life together.

X Fact ‘hair’!

Pictured Above: X Factor finalist Jamie Archer with Crown hotel housekeepers Kerry, Julie, Pam and Angie

Where else would the X factor finalists stay during their recent gig at the Doncaster Racecourse – it would have to be the regular haunt to many recent celebrities – the Crown hotel in Bawtry of course!

Jamie Archer, Olly Murs, Lucie Jones and Danyl Johnson all stayed at the hotel last Saturday evening after their amazing performance at the Doncaster Racecourse X Factor music night.

They caused a stir in the hotel bar later in the evening which was heaving with race goers and a wedding at the hotel – the guys all having photographs and chatting with the hotel customers. Katey Dent of the hotel said “They were all lovely people! Jamie Archer’s hair was as big in real life as on the TV! The best part though was our bride from the wedding at the hotel was a massive Danyl Johnson fan, and they surprised her by taking Danyl into the evening wedding reception! She loved it!”

The X Factor finalists are just a few of the many celebrities recently hanging out at the four star hotel located in Bawtry, including Peter Andre, Rav from Crimewatch, Kasabian and the Prodigy.

Katey added “The hotel has become a great place for the celebrities to stay. They love the fact that the hotel is independent and has its own personality. They stay in hotels week in, week out and the chains are all the same. They also love the modern style of the hotel and the staff who really make them welcome”.

Jamie Archer commented on check out that is would be worth coming back to Doncaster just to stay at hotel on a leisure basis. He loved it and thought the bedrooms were amazing!

Watch this space…..

Hitch or Ditch??!!

Pictured Above: Hirsty, Danny and Jo Jo from the breakfast team.

Calling all couples who are looking to get married but have just not got round to setting a date!!

Fancy something a little different, and not a ‘traditional’ affair? Fancy doing it in May – THIS YEAR?!

Then two top sister hotels in South Yorkshire are offering the chance not only to win an entire wedding, but also one which will be hosted by Galaxy Radio breakfast team Danny, Hirsty and Jo Jo!!

Sales Manager Katey Dent said “Following on from two previous radio wedding promotions, we were looking to try something different, and this is certainly it! All couples who are interested in the wedding have to do, it to come along to our wedding open days at both hotels on Sunday 9th May 11am to 4pm to register”.

Galaxy Radio will be setting up ‘Love lounges’ at both hotels, and the couples will be videoed explaining why they deserve to win the wedding! Radio listeners will then decide who wins!

All plans for the big day are still to be revealed, but there will be lots of twists and turns during the promotion.

Katey added “Weddings are a big part of our business plan at both hotels, and being independent, we have to think of quirky and interesting ways to raise the profile of our hotels. This promotion is going to be bigger and better than ever!”.

The open days are also a chance to view both hotels set up for a wedding, view the wedding menus, chat to our wedding coordinators and also have a glass of bubbly with us!

The open days are also a chance to view both hotels set up for a wedding, view the wedding menus, chat to our wedding coordinators and also have a glass of bubbly with us!

Room service Mr Andre?

Pictured Above: The Housekeeping Team at The Crown Hotel Bawtry with Peter Andre

Bawtry was buzzing with the excitement of Mr Peter Andre staying at the Crown Hotel Bawtry!

Peter was on his ‘The Revelation Tour’, at the Doncaster Dome, and stayed of course at the number one hotel in Doncaster – The Crown!

Katey Dent Sales Manager of the hotel said “Pete’s brothers arrived the day before and hung out in Bawtry, having coffee and working out at Bawtry Health and Fitness. Pete arrived the following day after a fabulous performance at the Dome, and the staff attended to his every need. What a genuinely lovely guy! They all were. They were even joking around – Peter was knocking on his brother’s door saying “room service!””.

The tour has seen Peter performing live with his band and the audience treated to tracks from his new album including top five single 'Behind closed doors'as well a number of his previous classic hits. Peter's album has shown how he has developed as an artist and has really shown a more musically mature approach to his lyrics. The his lyrics. The tour will give Peter the chance to prove to everyone that he is not only a brilliant studio artist but also a talented live vocalist and musician.
Katey added “The Crown is a regular hang out for many celebrities, including recently Dizzee Rascal, The Prodigy, Kasabian and Boyzone. They love the modern style of the hotel, and also the location”.

Material Girl!

Pictured Above: (Right) 2nd year student Faye Patterson who designed the dress BA (Hons) Fashion and Textiles, and (left) Laura Green Lecturer in Pattern cutting and Garment Manufacture, and Course Leader for Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Pattern-cutting.



Style has definitely arrived at The Crown Hotel in Bawtry!

The newly designed stylish hotel reception uniforms have been chosen, delicately designed and tailored by 2nd year student Faye Patterson of University Centre Doncaster College. Faye’s design was chosen over other students in the year by the hotel director Craig Dowie and Sales Manager Katey Dent.
“The hotel has good links with the college, and when we decided to look at a new uniform for the team, we thought this would be the only place to start looking! Most uniforms out there are too corporate, and we wanted something fun, stylish and comfortable for the team. All the students ideas were great, but Faye’s really caught our eye, and the proof if the sample garment!” says Katey.

Slate grey material matches the theme of the hotel’s reception area slate floor, while the purple edging and buttons match the internal walls of the hotel.

Laura Green commented “This has been a great opportunity for the University Centre Doncaster College to work closely with an established company within South Yorkshire.

The students have taken the brief from initial design work through to final garment manufacture, giving them a unique opportunity to understand the challenges of participating in a live brief.
The most exciting outcome for the students and the University Centre is that their talent will be showcased on a daily basis within the reception areas of both The Crown Hotel Bawtry and sister hotel The Rutland in Sheffield”.
Being such a huge success, the hotel is now looking to expand this by looking at uniforms for other areas of the hotel.

Rugby Stars ‘Try’ Local Gym

Guests at The Crown Hotel in Bawtry are feeling fitter, thanks to a new partnership with the local gym. An exclusive one-day pass is now available to all hotel guests to the Bawtry Health and Fitness Studio which is less than 100 meters from the hotel.

Gym owner Luke Walker adds: "We had pop group Boyzone using our facilities when they stayed at The Crown during their tour rehearsals earlier in the summer, and they loved it. Other guests are really enjoying using our equipment and we have an in-house personal trainer to help those who are more serious about their fitness."

When it comes to getting into top shape, the England rugby team is in a league of its own! The team, who stayed at The Crown in October, tried out the first class fitness facilities at Bawtry Health and Fitness Studio ahead of their 34-12 victory in the Four Nations clash against arch rivals France at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Luke says: ‘The team trained on the Friday morning and afternoon and I even opened the gym first thing on Saturday morning especially for them to be able to train before their big game.’

However Luke was delighted when in return they posed for photos and presented the Health and Fitness Studio with a signed shirt.

Picture caption:-
England Rugby League Team with Harriet James - a new member of the Gym staff and a goalkeeper for Doncaster Belles

Get Your Kit On, Boys!

Bawtry Town Football Club was re-established in 1992 and after several successful seasons in the Gainsborough Saturday League moved up to the Doncaster Senior League, being promoted to its Premier Division in 2001 .


In recent years participation in the club has increased and it has been
decided to set up a reserve team for 2009/10 season primarily to enable younger players to develop into open age football and this team will play in the Doncaster Senior League Division One.

The Crown is working in partnership with the local football club and as a result has agreed to sponsor the team kit, as well as hosting a monthly committee meeting for the club. The club also held a fundraising race night and end of season presentation evening at the hotel
Which helped towards the club improving its on the field performance and financial stability for future seasons.

Anyone For Chukkas?

Anyone can play polo! That’s the message The Crown is helping to get over following a sponsorship link-up with the Misson based Vale Of York Polo Club. They will now proudly wear the distinctive burgundy and gold colours of the hotel for future fixtures. The Club is currently enjoying the start of their Beach polo season with the first chukka starting around 2pm at Cleethorpes promenade every other Sunday.

From the start of the new 2010 season The Crown will be backing a new ‘Midweek Challenge’ to be played the last Wednesday of every month at Misson. Polo Manager Paul Piddington enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame when he appeared on the BBC’s ‘Ladettes To Ladies’ series, teaching a bunch of young tearaways the art of hunting!

Picture Caption:- Sales Manager Katey Dent, Hotel Director Craig Dowie with Polo Manager Paul Piddington