The Borrowdale Hotel steps back in time with an exhibition of old photographs depicting life in the Borrowdale valley hundreds of years ago. The exhibition is set to run until the end of October.

The display, by kind permission of Patricia Roscamp, is made up from historical photographs that have been hung in the Borrowdale Hotel bar. It is quite fitting that the photographic exhibition is being held at the Borrowdale hotel in the Lake District – built over 140 years ago it was the first purpose built hotel in the valley.

General Manager Stephen Wilcock is also marking the occasion by introducing a luncheon and dinner menu that is representative of the 1800’s. Dinner guests can choose from today’s a-la-carte menu, or choose dishes from a menu available to guests in the 19th century. The menu is as close to tradition as possible, but certainly doesn’t go as far as Heston Blumenthal’s Tudor feasts shown on TV last autumn. Diners can choose from two, three or four courses which includes Victorian favourites like ‘Ham Hock Terrine with pureed peas, roast goose and an old fashioned desert of Lemon Posset with almond brandy.

Head Chef Peter Starauscheck has tried to replicate 19th century dishes wherever possible, but knows tastes have changed! “Local ingredients and seasonality have always been important, but Chef’s in 1800 would have goose on the menu any time of the year – today geese are generally available around Christmas, so we had to place a special order to ensure we could include Goose on the menu. Once the Pheasant season begins we will be introducing a three bird roast of goose stuffed with a chicken and pheasant.”

Lunch time visitors to this Lake District hotel can sample the ‘Bygone Days two or three course luncheon’ while they peruse the photos and history of the valley; potted salmon with pink peppercorns, egg, lemon, peppers and a tomato vinaigrette, or chunky vegetable and bacon soup, followed by slow braised shoulder of mutton served upon stewed pearl barley and vegetables. Proper puddings were certainly fashionable in the early 1800’s and a rhubarb and Bramley apple crumble mixed with oats and nuts would be warmly welcomed – then and now.

Stephen Wilcock said “we have completed most of the hotel refurbishment and thought the exhibition would be a good opportunity for local people to come and have a look. We have mounted the old pictures and hung them in the bar so visitors can see how the valley used to look while they enjoy lunch afternoon tea or dinner. Adding a 19th century dinner menu certainly tested Chef – but like today, they would have used as many local lake District ingredients as possible and diners will be delighted when they see what we can offer.”

For more details on the exhibition and details of the 19th century dinner menu at the Borrowdale Hotel please contact the General Manager – Stephen Wilcock on 017687 77224, http://www.lakedistricthotels.net or http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/borrowdalehotel/index.htm.

The release of the latest ACT! by Sage CRM Software has been welcomed by DMC Software, ACT! by Sage Business Partner of the Year 2002-2008, who described it as “providing an array of new features that brings it up to date and in line with current business trends”. ACT! by Sage 2010 is available now on pre-order for shipping in September.

Attracting and retaining customers profitably is a key concern for all businesses, especially within the current economical climate. The new ACT! by Sage release however, makes managing and developing business relationships easier than ever with the e-marketing module, Web and Social Media integration and enhanced compatibility.

Nick Webster, DMC Software ACT! Project Manager said “The ACT! by Sage 2010 integrated E-marketing module means that businesses can target their client base in a cost effective way. E-communications can now be targeted and measured more effectively than ever and via the e-marketing tab in the contacts view all actions can be seen within ACT!- functionality normally only available in high end solutions.

Another great feature is the customisable opportunities, this means that the opportunities can be tailored to meet the individual businesses selling model. Both products and services can now be accommodated and personalised layouts can be incorporated so that the opportunities now work as the end user dictates and not the other way around.”

In addition to the new features ACT! by Sage 2010 offers it also builds on its solid foundations with small, time saving enhancements that can improve workforce efficiency. ACT! by Sage 2010 has improved navigation with large buttons for frequently used functions and a brand new welcome page that includes ACT! Tips and ACT! News.

DMC Software is a company that strive to provide their clients with extra, and where a business cannot afford ACT! by Sage DMC Software offer ACT! Software as a Service (SaaS). ACT! SaaS makes ACT! very affordable for the small business as it operates on a pay as you go monthly basis. The main advantage is that there is no upfront cost for software and hardware. For a small monthly fee users ACT! SaaS users receive fast deployment, free technical support, regular system maintenance, backups and upgrades.

About DMC Software

DMC Software is a company that is experienced in providing Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Accounts and integrated business solutions for businesses of all sizes, across a broad range of industries including ACT! by Sage, Sage CRM, Sage SalesLogix CRM and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. With advanced development abilities DMC can tailor a solution to meet the exact requirements of a business, providing the tools and supporting services to increase efficiency and profitability.

For more information on the CRM solutions and professional services available from DMC Software visit www.dmcsoftware.co.uk. Alternatively, email info@dmcsoftware.co.uk or call FREEPHONE 0800 6522 423 to speak to a member of the sales staff.

- ENDS –

For more information please contact Jade Dixon-Winters, Marketing Executive.
Email: jadewinters@dmcsoftware.co.uk
Tel: 01733 362120
Address: Churchill House, Isis Way, Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6QR

For the 4th successive year the Lodore Falls Hotel has taken an award at the Keswick Tourism Association ‘Keswick in Bloom’ Competition.

Results were announced earlier this week (Tuesday) and the hotel scooped Best Garden in the large hotel category.

The hotel has 40 acres of grounds to manicure and uniquely has the Lodore Falls situated in the grounds – which makes it an attractive and very audible garden. It also has its own pack horse bridge and lakeside frontage – popular settings for photographs.

General Manager Stephen Johnson said “This is the 4th year in succession that the hotel has been mentioned in the Keswick in Bloom Awards and we are pleased that the hard work put into our gardens is appreciated. They are a natural draw for visitors who enjoy seeing the planting bloom through different seasons. The gardens have been carefully planned to be naturally sympathetic to the local environment – and occasionally there is a Herdwick sheep who wanders through – very in keeping but not popular with our gardeners! The picturesque grounds provide a stunning backdrop for guests enjoying the outdoor hot tub and we also get some great comments from photographers and wedding guests”.

This imposing hotel, part of the luxury Lake District Hotels Ltd group, was built in traditional Lakeland slate has had a commanding presence in the Borrowdale Valley for over 200 years. Standing in 40 acres of grounds with lake frontage and the dramatic backdrop of the spectacular Lodore Falls and surrounding mountains, this Lake District hotel has one of the finest settings, with access to some of the most impressive walks in the area from the front door.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the gardens should contact Stephen Johnson at the Lodore Falls Hotel on 017687 77285 or visit http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/lodorefalls/

London, UK ( Fastpressreleaser ) August 7, 2009 – It’s certainly something lots of marketing experts are talking about, but just how small businesses should go about building an online community is harder to understand. Ben Dyer has built a 10,000 member community for his business and he shares the lessons he’s learned in a new article on Marketing Donut.

Dyer says that while a community is a powerful way to engage with your customers, building one requires patience and perseverance.

“For every community I have seen fail due to lack of traffic, two have the plug pulled because of a perceived lack of progress” he says.

Dyer says the other key ingredients of success are: leadership, ground rules, taking criticism on the chin, and making sure the community caters to everyone, not just the “fanatics”.

“Running a community is hard work, but it can be a fantastically rewarding experience for both you and your customers. The reality is that if you have a successful company, product or service, your customers will be talking about you anyway. What you need to decide is whether you are willing to facilitate the conversation.”

Backed by Google and Royal Mail, Marketing Donut is a free marketing resource that’s been developed specially for small business. Practical and no-nonsense, Marketing Donut covers all aspects of small business marketing, from branding through to internet marketing, from direct marketing through to generating PR for your business.

Further information:

* The Marketing Donut is at http://www.marketingdonut.co.uk

Contact details:
Mick Dickinson
BHP Information Solutions
tel: 0117 904 2224
info@marketingdonut.co.uk

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London, UK ( Fastpressreleaser ) July 17, 2009 – Making your most valuable customers feel valued with a carefully-selected gift could deliver the same return as a direct mail to 1000 people or an advert in the local newspaper, says a new expert article on free small business marketing resource Marketing Donut.

“Merchandising might seem like an unnecessary cost during the recession, but if you set clear objectives and select the right merchandise for your target audience, it can generate a valuable return on investment,” says the article on Marketing Donut.

The article says merchandising delivers benefits such as: connecting with customers, raising awareness of the business, and driving sales.

Marketing Donut expert Andy Preston says that with merchandising it’s important to be clear about what you want to achieve. “For example, do you want customers to sign up to your newsletter and communicate with you more, or to drive new customers to your website and increase online sales?”

It’s also important to choose an item of merchandise that’s appropriate for your business.

“So if you’re in financial services you could portray your reliability with something practical, and if you’re in the leisure sector, you should create something fun. For example, a go-kart business could distribute wind-up mini racers.”

The article also has advice about choosing suppliers and methods of distribution.

Marketing Donut is a free marketing resource that’s backed by Google and Royal Mail. It’s got thousands of expert tools and information covering all aspects of small business sales and marketing.

Further information:

* The Marketing Donut is at www.marketingdonut.co.uk

Contact details:
Mick Dickinson
BHP Information Solutions
tel: 0117 904 2224
info@marketingdonut.co.uk

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Grove Cottages, the Lake District cottages company with properties in Ambleside, announce the launch of their new website.
www.grovecottages.com has been refurbished and updated to fully promote the refurbishments and upgrades of the five properties on Grove Farm. The new website offers much clearer and informative details on each cottage, the environment, farm and location. An online booking system has been integrated allowing quick and easy real time availability and booking of each cottage. More images have been included which enlarge when clicked.

Grove Farmhouse is the latest addition to the four holiday cottage lets already on the farm. This new renovation comfortably accommodates 8 – 10 people. Grove Farmhouse has been finished to a very high standard and contains all the modern conveniences expected from a luxury holiday let without compromising the original features of the farmhouse. Grove Farmhouse has two lounges each with log burning stoves, wireless broadband access and in the kitchen, a traditional Rayburn cooking range. A total of three bathrooms make this property an excellent choice for a large group.

The luxury Lake District cottages lie in the beautiful Stock Valley in Ambleside. They are reached by a private drive from Ambleside, which runs past Stockghyll Falls and nature park, climbing to 700 feet to offer some of the finest Panoramic views in the Lake District. Each of the Cumbrian cottages has been lovingly converted from a traditional Lakeland barn. Guests are invited to relax in the secluded gardens, or explore the farm and its wildlife. The latest development on the farm is Grove Farmhouse which was released earlier this year. This new renovation comfortably accommodates 8 – 10 people. Grove Farmhouse has been finished to a very high standard and contains all the modern conveniences expected from a luxury holiday let without compromising the original features of the farmhouse.

Andrew Howard together with his brothers Max and Ross, took over the running of Grove Farm in the summer of 2008.Their family has been farming for over 150 years on the edge of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire. Grove is a typical Lakeland hill farm, running to some 160 acres of grass and woodland on the slopes of the Stock Valley. The pastures on the farm are home to the Howard’s herd of pedigree Dunn Galloway cattle. The cattle are sold to local speciality butchers.

For further information and to check availability go to http://www.grovecottages.com or telephone 015394 33074.

There are several new experiences at the Lodore Falls Hotel which are proving popular with visitors and locals too.

There’s the new ‘Café Culture’ at the Leisure Club, new treatments for men in the Beauty Salon, a new hot tub with stunning views across the lake and Cat Bells – and finally a new life enhancing club called ZEST!

The whole ambience at the Lodore Falls is one of relaxation and a chance to spoil yourself – and with a number of local people using the facilities, the ZEST experience was an obvious next step.

Zest is a new club that offers a schedule of treatments over 3, 6 or 12 months. It entitles you to a range of half hour or full hour treatments at greatly reduced prices and is very simple to use. The longer your membership the greater the discount on treatments.

It’s not just the ladies that are making use of Zest. Christine Bibby, Salon Manager said “treatments for men are now very popular. We wanted to make sure we can appeal to gentlemen too, so we have launched new facials as well as Turkish wet shaves and massages. It is important that we keep looking for new ideas and the new treatments for men are certainly a hit.”

Kit Graves, Managing Director of Lake District Hotels said “If you have ever thought ‘I would really like some me time’, then Zest is perfect for you and we are pleased to see that more and more local people are making use of the hotel facilities too.”

Leisure facilities at this luxury Lake District hotel are constantly being improved with two more new additions  -  the new Café Culture recently opened in the Leisure Club, providing morning coffee, light lunches or simply a cool drink after a workout in the gym, a swim in the indoor or outdoor pool. The second enticing addition to the facilities is the new outdoor Hot Tub!

The hot tub boasts stunning views across Derwentwater, and sits alongside the river running from the famous Lodore Falls. General Manager Stephen Johnson said “The tub is attracting a lot of attention and many Spa guests are enjoying the hot tub experience with a glass of chilled bubbly – so it’s no wonder our champagne sales have gone through the roof!”

Anyone interested in finding out more about Zest or any of the leisure and Beauty facilities should contact the Lodore Falls Hotel on 017687 87722 or visit http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/lodorefalls/