Daffodils in January! What‘s that all about? If the seasons keep changing like this It makes my record of the Priston Mill Gardens through the year seem rather irrelevant as a guide....
It’s been decision time recently as the Tythe Barn Parlour nears completion. Different options, for example, on wall colours, style of doors, type of window frame, range of furniture and model of wood burning stove, for this new reception and seating area, have been mulled over at length. One excellent choice made so far has been the rather amazing lighting....
Many people think that January must be a quiet time of year for us. On the contrary, although there are fewer weddings there are many more enquiries and viewings for the marketing team to follow up. The hospitality team is also busy with planning meetings. During these meetings the event managers ensure all the necessary areas and individual requirements are covered; from choosing the menus, table layout, timings etc down to the small but personal details - including which way the napkins should be folded…
January, as it's quieter with fewer events, is the perfect month to have a party for the chefs, waiting team and Event Managers from Priston Mill and Coombe Lodge. Everyone seemed to have a good time on Wednesday evening – they couldn’t fail to really with Andy taking over the kitchen and creating a tasty supper and Neil Carter of Dizzy Feet working his magic on the dance floor. It was great that so many were able to join the party and especially Paul & Kate, who took the opportunity to introduce their beautiful two week old baby daughter to us.
"Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but looking outward together in the same direction." Antoine de Saint-Exupery This saying seems especially apt as we step into a New Year, with so many newly engaged couples making enquiries and those already booked for 2012 contacting us to organise their now imminent celebrations. Exciting times for one and all at Priston Mill.
It’s chilly yet bright and sunny - perfect for a winter wedding. However, no one has taken advantage of the special winter offer so it is uncharacteristically quiet here today. Without a wedding though it has given us time to focus on next year and copies of the new menus have already been posted to couples marrying in 2012.
Behind the scenes there is always some refurbishment or maintenance going on at Priston Mill. It may not look it but the latest project is well underway - to create additional space in the Tythe Barn for drinks receptions etc. It will be completed by the end of January, if not before. In addition to that the new floor being laid in the entrance area will be ready for the next wedding! As soon as the new parlour is completed photos will be posted and invitations to view will be sent out....
It’s feeling festive at Priston Mill now with the Christmas trees in place and couples decorating the venues with seasonal arrangements and favours. The few carols Mark Archer, of BlowoutSax, slipped into his repertoire during the drinks reception added to the spirit of Saturday's December wedding.
There has been a surfeit of enthusiasm from chefs this week and not only from Priston Mill. At the Rotary Young Chef competition held at Bath College on Wednesday the students competing had a brief to prepare a 3 course healthy meal for two. It was great to see such a high standard from these young students. They had planned their dishes well and been very creative - which is exactly what our chefs have been this week with our 2012 menus - creative. It wont be long before we can check out their new dishes. In fact it has been an enthusiastic week all round. At the Filling Station, held in the Tythe Barn this Wednesday, the guest speaker Simon Ponsonby attracted the largest number of people to the Priston Mill meetings to date.... (competitors pictured - Ellie Hockings, Alfie Lewis, Elsie Newby Vincent, April Fortune)