The hotel in Lancashire A contemporary, luxury, country house hotel: Stanley House: weddings, functions, conferences, accommodation, fine dining

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New Ladies Lunch Dates Announced

12th June 2008 – Libby Purves
"Libby Purves is currently the presenter of Radio 4's Midweek. Libby had a varied journalistic career before joining the BBC in 1971 as a studio manager in Broadcasting House. She went on to become a studio manager for the World Service and then for Radio Oxford, where she presented and produced the morning programme. In 1974 Libby joined Radio 4's Today programme as a freelance reporter. She then went on to present Today from 1977 to 1981.

She became presenter of Midweek in 1983 and also presents The Learning Curve on Radio 4.
In addition to her Radio 4 work, Libby is a major columnist for the Times and has written widely for other publications.
She received the OBE for services to journalism in 1999 and was Columnist of the Year in the same year.
She has written books on childcare and family life which are translated worldwide, and has written eight bestselling novels for Hodder and Stoughton, most recently A Free Woman."

11th September – Christine Hamilton
"Christine Hamilton is an English secretary and lately a television personality and author, and the wife of former MP Neil Hamilton.
She is most famous for her defence of the allegations of corruption and 'cash for questions' made against her husband whilst he was an MP. After many years working as secretary to various MPs, first Wilfred Proudfoot, then Gerald Nabarro and latterly her husband – she came to wider public attention when she confronted her husband's opponent Martin Bell on Knutsford Heath during the 1997 general election campaign. After the election the Hamiltons appeared together on Have I Got News For You, an appearance that established her as a chat-show personality and she subsequently appeared on myriad programmes including "reality television" programme, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2002."

11th December – Gregg Wallace
"Gregg Wallace is a fruit and vegetable expert, writer and media presenter. He is probably best known for co-presenting Masterchef Goes Large and Celebrity Masterchef on BBC2 and BBC1 along with John Torode, where he is referred to as an "ingredients expert"
Wallace was born in Peckham and began his career selling vegetables at a stand in Covent Garden. He started George Allan’s Greengrocers in 1989, a company that built up to an eventual turnover of £7.5 million. Due to his success he was invited to co-present Veg Talk on BBC Radio 4 with Charlie Hicks for seven years. He writes regularly for Good Food and Olive magazine, and is managing director of a mail-order business, Secretts Direct, from Secretts Farm in Surrey."

To book your place call Emma on 01254 769200

It’s a snip for charity as 'Ladies Who Lunch' at Stanley House raises over £4000 for Stanley Grange

A glittering ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ event at Stanley House that featured internationally-renowned hairdresser Andrew Collinge has raised a magnificent £4,300 for a local charity. More than 200 ladies attended the event at the top hotel in Mellor to raise cash for Stanley Grange at Samlesbury, part of the national charity CARE.
The ladies were treated to an audience with North-West based Andrew, one of the most sought after hairdressers in the world and famed both for his television makeover work and as an international ambassador for his industry.
The afternoon, sponsored by Lancashire Life, also included a stunning fashion show organised by michelle b whose acclaimed designer store is based in Barrowford, Lancashire.
Models supplied by the Boss agency in Manchester, took to the catwalk at the event. They showed off Andrew’s styling and exclusive occasion wear from top British-based designers Ben de Lisi, whose clients include Kate Winslett, and Maria Grachvogel, who has provided dresses for stars including Scarlett Johansson.
Stanley House General Manager Oliver Cooke said: “This was a fantastic event and we are delighted to have helped raise so much cash for such a worthy cause.
“ Andrew Collinge's anecdotes and hair tips, coupled with the fabulous fashion by michelle b, all came together to produce a really enjoyable afternoon for all concerned.
“ Our thanks go out to everyone involved in making the event happen and of course our ladies who lunched and helped raise cash for the charity.”

michelle b said: "The event went incredibly well and it was great to see so many familiar faces! Stanley House is renowned for staging superb events and this was no exception - we were delighted to be involved and help support such a worthwhile local charity."
Stanley Grange, in Samlesbury, near Preston, is just one of eight communities that are part of the national charity CARE. It provides support through residential accommodation and day services for men and women with a learning disability.

November 2007:
Stanley House wins at LETs Awards

Ten awards were handed out during a glittering ceremony at the Paramount Imperial Hotel in Blackpool on Thursday 22 November.
Guest presenter was the Cleveleys born actress Hayley Tamaddon, who played Delilah Dingle in ITV's Emmerdale and has appeared in The Royal and Where the Heart Is.

Marketing Manager Liz Jones was Highly Commended in the Commitment to Industry award.

Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board leads on skills and training in the tourism industry for the whole of the North West. The tourist board's chief executive Mike Wilkinson said:
" While we still have some way to go in Lancashire, these awards show once again we can deliver world class service here. Everyone who entered this year's awards deserves to be praised. They are true ambassadors for our industry and I wish them well for the future."

Liz retired as Marketing Manager at Stanley House on January 10th. It was a well deserved retirement, after 51 years in the 'world of work. Our sincerest wishes go to Liz for a long and happy retirement.

Sales Team Wendy Hope, Sarah Delicata and Emma Ecclestone were also nominated for "Best Team"

NEW GENERAL MANAGER FOR UK’S TOP SMALL HOTEL
Stanley House has appointed a new General Manager as it continues to build its reputation as one of England’s finest country hotels.
Oliver Cooke, 49, has a wealth of senior management experience in the hospitality sector both in the UK and South Africa. He held a senior position at the exclusive five-star The Marine in Hermanus, set on cliffs 50 miles from Cape Town in South Africa, which gained an international reputation and was named one of the 20 "coolest hotels" in the world by top travel magazine Conde Nast.
Oliver moves to Stanley House in Mellor, near Blackburn, from his previous role running a hotel in the centre of the historic city of Lincoln.

He trained as a chef at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London before moving "front of house". During his career in the industry has held senior roles and been in charge of prestigious and award-winning establishments in Windsor, Stratford and Bath - including the five-star Bath Spa, which was twice named Hotel of the Year during his time there.

Oliver, who is married with two children, is delighted to be moving to Lancashire and to Stanley House. He said: "This is a fantastic opportunity. You simply cannot fail to be overwhelmed by the property, its location and its potential.
" The slightly 'off the wall' design of Stanley House suits me perfectly, and the quality and attention to detail are superlative.
“ I'm also looking forward to working with the fine team that is here and continuing Stanley House’s growth as a business and as a hotel with a reputation second to none."

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