HIGHLANDS HOTEL - DECEMBER NEWSLETTER 2008

STARS OF WONDER

'Wonders' to a Jerseyman means food resembling ring doughnuts twisted into figures of eight. Late in October I was out at La Moye taking pictures of the Bowling Greens and at last discovered the location of Jersey's "Patrick Moore Observatory". Here enthusiastic locals search out through the clear night skies for new stars in unknown galaxies. If they even saw the Bethlehem Star, I wonder how many would think to follow up their observations and expect to find a new born Saviour? May you draw aside at this time of year and rediscover the source of our universe with awe.

Christmas postal mailing of 2009 calendars and greetings were delivered in November this year as the UK Customs did not impound them for a month as in 2006 and 2007! My apologies for starting the Christmas rush early. Let me know if you would like a desk 2009/10 calendar for yourselves or for friends – we have plenty left – also hard copy of the Speakers/Tariff leaflet or hotel business reply postcards.

Manuel and Alex are hard at work this winter as usual. Having begun the redecoration of many of our single rooms, they are awaiting electricians to arrive to put in more power points and more modern lighting. Meantime they are installing two more wet room showers for disabled folk in our ground floor twins and trying to tackle sloped access on our first floor by taking our part of a wall dating back to the hotel’s origins in the 1890s. (I hope a revised 'History of Highlands' book will be published very soon!)

Our sympathies are offered to Luz (Manuel's wife) and Isabel on the loss of their brother Joao in Madeira during October. He had worked in our kitchens for 17 years before succumbing to MND in 2007. To our staff back home in Poland and Madeira for the winter we send our warmest greetings – their high standards and willingness to help to make Highlands Hotel the place of quality that it is. "Two Stars" officially but "five stars" in the eyes of many who return so eagerly!

Many regular visiting speakers form the basis of our Christian Ministry at the beginning and end of the day in 2009. A full list is available on the website but bear in mind that some are very popular with accommodation being booked very early this season. Chris Leonard (chris-leonard-writing.co.uk) is holding another Writers Workshop at the end of May this time (especially to encourage teachers to join in) alongside Jenny Cooper (of Beauty From Ashes fame) who will be encouraging beginners in Watercolour. (A very small supplement to defray costs will apply to those attending each course).

Special speaker of the season is Ian Coffey who comes to Jersey at the end of August so even if you can't come then make sure your friends know about his visit. Congratulations to Ian for his new appointment at Moorlands College!

Always keen to improve our service to our guests we have teamed up in 2009 with Channel Islands Direct to arrange travel to Jersey. As well as being able to arrange air travel packages and reduced sea crossing prices they use Waverley Coaches to offer a more comfortable airport to hotel pickup service (and it's free to their clients!). Alternatively those hiring cars through Avis can get a discount voucher from CID to further reduce the costs. The insurance we can arrange through CI Direct is for those aged up to 84 inclusive, for those more senior we recommend the competitive policies of 'Help the Aged' and 'Age Concern.'

Flybe.com are last to announce their flight plans for 2009 but come 'on-line' in early December. It is great to know that Jet2.com who have done so well out of Leeds/Bradford are starting a Wednesday/Saturday service from Belfast on 23 May. This is expected to be particularly popular with our many Northern Irish friends who find 7 days just too short to be worthwhile and with Boeing 737s they are 30 minutes quicker than some of the Charter 'props'. Watch out for extra Flybe flights to Jersey from Luton (instead of Easyjet) and Norwich. As I write, flights from Coventry and Stansted are to be decided but internet users might like to keep their eye on aurigny.com the States of Guernsey Airline.

Events for 2009

My wife Sandra and I send you our warmest greetings as we approach the excitement that 2009 brings.

Sincerely

Alan Irving
Hotel Manager