Hello Louise and Andrea
Enjoy your retirement Alister
Big news at Deepdale. Alister is retiring and on 23rd February we are passing the reins of the business to Louise and Andrea. They’d like to take this opportunity to say hello to you all and introduce themselves. But first a quick word from Alister and Jason.
“Verily and I opened Deepdale Granary on 18th February 1991. We never thought for one moment the tourism side of the farm would grow to the size it is now, nor that it would become a business in its own right. What I do know is that none of this would have been possible without the support of all of you, so thank you. We hope you enjoy being looked after by Louise and Andrea, and I’m sure we’ll continue to say hello to many of you throughout the year. I’m looking forward to Verily and I spending lots more quality time with our three children and their ever extending families including four grandchildren. All the best, Alister”
“If you can’t use a Douglas Adams quote at a moment like this, then when can you? ‘So long and thanks for all the fish’ comes to mind. It will mean a lot to the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy fans amongst you and seem very odd to the rest of you. Anyway, it’s really just a big thank you for all your support over the last few years. I’m certainly not retiring and will continue to be involved in Deepdale, but from further afield. There are other plans in the making both at Deepdale and further afield, we’ll let you know how they develop. I raise a glass of real ale to you all and wish Louise and Andrea the best with their new lives at Deepdale. Cheers, Jason”
“We’re thrilled to be taking over the hostels and campsite at Deepdale Farm. We look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful part of the world and maintaining the high standards you have all come to expect from Deepdale.
All the facilities are open as usual throughout the year.
We are also planning for the future, developing programs and activities for you all to enjoy when you come to visit.
These include writer’s workshops and photography & artists retreats during the winter months. Why not take advantage of the atmospheric beauty surrounding us and use this to inspire great works of fiction, fact and fun!
We’ll be running guided cycling and walking tours for singles and groups, to help you get the most from the local area. Our expert guides will be on hand to show you the sites, tell you some of the history and help you fall even more in love with the area every time you visit!
We look forward to seeing you all very soon. Keep an eye on the website to find out what’s on – www.deepdalebackpackers.co.uk”
Louise and Andrea
(Read more about them both, further down this newsletter)
Sustainability Exhibition
The Environment, Countryside and Renewable Technologies
Deepdale Backpackers & Camping, Deepdale Farm,
Burnham Deepdale, north Norfolk coast
www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/earthday
North Norfolk Coast Earth Day is about the environment and sustainability. Exhibitors will be explaining their renewable technologies and environmental services. Advisors will be available to help you with your sustainability questions and offering presentations on a whole range of topics. Action groups will be explaining their schemes and activities.
FREE entry for visitors
Dalegate Market and Village News
Welcome to Norfolk Hideaways
Norfolk Hideaways specialise in providing self-catering coastal retreats along the beautiful Heritage coast in North Norfolk. They are open 7 days a week and always happy to chat, do please contact them with any questions or queries.
Tel: 01485 211022
www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk
All change at The Jolly Sailors
The team from The White Horse have taken on the lease of The Jolly Sailors and are giving the place more than a fresh coat of paint. The bar has reopened and the restaurant is due to reopen in the next few days. There will be the expected menu items, like fresh mussels, but new additions as they are adding a pizza oven.
Tel: 01485 210314
www.jollysailorsbrancaster.co.uk
Travel Survey
We’re helping Norfolk County Council get an idea of how people travel and more importantly would like to travel to and from Deepdale. Please could you enter our survey to help with this research. Just click on the link below and then enter the password – deepdale
www.worktravelplan.net/wsurvey/
A little about Louise
What did you do before coming to Deepdale?
I was working as the senior business manager for a global travel consortium, helping people set up their own travel businesses. I helped people to become travel agents, advised them on marketing and websites, helped them to secure funding, discussed future development options and requirements to create the business that they wanted.
How did you get into doing that?
I worked overseas for a number of years. First as a holiday rep, then eventually as resort manager. I loved the work, but eventually I grew tired of such a transient lifestyle and decided that it was time to put down some roots and settle down.
That must have been exciting
It was. I never knew what was going to happen from one day to the next. Flight delays, burst water mains in the hotels, skiing accidents during the winter seasons. Almost anything and everything you can imagine!
So why Deepdale?
I have always wanted to work for myself. I love the outdoor life and being able to combine that love with something I have a lot of experience and expertise in is a dream come true. Deepdale is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up and the first time I came here, I knew it was the right place for us to build a new life doing something we have always dreamed of doing.
A little about Andrea
Before coming to Deepdale I worked as a driving instructor and music teacher. I enjoyed it (most of the time!), but I couldn’t see myself doing that forever either. When Louise saw the listing for Deepdale on the internet I was curious, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up as we had looked at a few other opportunities along similar lines and we had always been disappointed.
On the way down, I was doing my best impression of a logical person (as opposed to the emotionally led arty type that I actually am!) and told Louise we would have to come several times to get a feel for the place, to see if it is really what we want before we can think about seriously pursuing it. Louise nodded her head and agreed with me.
Then we arrived at Deepdale and took our first look around. Jason was a wonderful host, giving us a guided tour and spent a considerable amount of time giving us lots to think about. After we said goodbye to Jason we decided to have a drink in the café before heading back up to Manchester.
So there I sat, sipping my coke, with Jasper (my Husky) and Jazz (our Border Collie) trying to eat some chips that had been dropped under the table, the sun shinning and Louise asked me if I wanted to organise another visit. I looked around me very slowly, watching people milling about, Jasper and Jazz still trying to get the last of the chips, and I shook my head. “I don’t need to. This is the life I want. Wouldn’t you?”
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Deepdale Farms – Farming on the beautiful north Norfolk coast with more than a hint of diversification
Deepdale Backpackers & Camping – Eco-friendly backpackers hostel, campsite, tipis, yurts and group hostel
Dalegate Market – Supermarket, fuel station, shops and cafe
Norwich Backpackers – Eco-friendly backpackers hostel, canoe hire, cycle hire, cafe and real ale shop
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Deepdale Christmas Market
