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... the children loved the woods and animals. Variety of beautiful landscapes and lots of good walking countryside around. Lovely relaxed atmosphere. Fantastic break for mum - especially having packed lunches provided. Very clean. Pig Pen beautifully appointed.
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... we were unclear about whether towels/bedding would be provided in the Pig Pens, as this information was only on the form that had to be returned. |
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... "It was no big deal that I'm a vicar!" (Daddy) Nothing seemed to be too much trouble. I liked going on the bouncy castle (but only once or twice).
I would have found my stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... if there were a big and a little trampoline (Joanna, 4). It would be a great boon if the pot holes on the road could be filled in! An extra day would really help - I only just relaxed by the time we left. Failing that, a later start on the last morning. |
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~ so relaxing - no cooking or clearing away
~ outstanding food and amazing packed lunches
~ children made good friends and explored grounds, leaving us to make friends/relax in adult company
~ excellent level of cleanliness in accommodation
~ we couldn't believe all the extra touches - milk in our fridge, biscuits in the tin etc
~ community members and volunteers going out of their way to make the holiday perfect
~ evening activities great fun for us and the children. They loved the paddling pool too. None of us wanted to leave - can we stay longer next time? It was perfect - we can't think of how it could be improved! |
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... the burden of catering and housework was taken off us. Our children (aged 5 - 20) without exception enjoyed the evening activities and felt included and valued. The volunteers and staff were very caring. Having been through a rough year as a family, we felt loved and cared for and it restored our faith in Christian people. The site was so well looked after and clean and in such peaceful surroundings that we all felt de-stressed.
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... couldn't really improve on it from our point of view generally, but as a mum with five children, I would have found easy access to a washing machine/laundry room very helpful!! I still had to do a bit of hand washing in the sink and it was hard to dry! Having said that, if that was all I had to complain about, then I was still very blessed! |
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... all the food was prepared, especially packed lunches which are a nuisance to make on holiday. I enjoyed the bouncy castle and swimming pool. The food was very good. The children all enjoyed playing together with the other children.
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... there were duvets on the beds in the Long Barn. We brought bottom sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases for the children. Not sure if you've discussed midweek changeovers eg. Tues - Mon, as this is more convenient to avoid travelling on holiday Saturdays. |
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| ... we were so well cared for and everyone had a good time which isn't always easy when you have children aged from 7 to 15! |
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| ... the welcome we received, the lively fellowship and interaction with other families, the great food and a beautiful setting. Thank you for facilitating a lovely week. |
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| We like Sheldon because ... it means you can socialise with other people in the same position as you, the food is yummy and the staff are lovely. |
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| We like Sheldon because ... you meet lots of cool new friends and all the people who work here are kind, hardworking and dedicated to make sure everyone has a great time. |
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| We like Sheldon because ... we met lots of new friends and the paddling pool is fun to play in. |
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| We like Sheldon because ... we meet new friends, there are lots of activities, the theatre is great, we get lots of really nice food and the bar is really good. |
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| We like Sheldon because ... on the bouncy castle Aiden slipped in a wet patch and his trousers and underwear got soaked through! The open air theatre was super and the woods and animals bring their sense of freedom. |
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| ... as before, the setting and your generous hospitality enabled us all to have a relaxing holiday. Not having to cook, wash up or even make packed lunches just makes such a difference in facilitating an actual holiday for parents. It was lovely that the children all got on so well together. A special thank you to Lucy and Simon for running the bouncy castle, paddling pool, treasure hunt and quiz. All much appreciated. As ever, lovely food, very clean rooms etc, the ensuite shower room was gratefully received with a wandering two-year old! We'd like to come back again if you don't mind. |
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| ... our children did not want to leave! It feels like home, but better !! (children's comments). Every minute of it was fun! (children's comments). We met new people that we will miss! It came just at the right time as I was feeling exhausted at the end of term! Food was really good. |
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... it was excellent as always! As we arrived I feel the stresses melting away with the warm welcomes. Thank you for catering for James eating needs too!
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... a miniscule request, to be able to order a newspaper!!! [Webeditor: rural life - not easy!] |
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~ children loved the new paddling pool
~ best part for me (mum) was not having to make the packed lunches!
~ very easy camping - good field close to good clean toilets/showers
~ food great with lots of choice, even coco pops for the children (or adults).
We especially appreciated the love and care demonstrated by staff and volunteers.
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... difficult to think how it could be improved as so much thought and care has already been invested in Sheldon. |
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| ... of the care and attention given to us by the staff and family. We felt very much cared for and loved. It was great that all the children got on and played together. We all felt very relaxed. Sheldon is a place of space and beauty. Thank you. |
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... of the freedom from the need to shop, cook and wash-up. Our four children all agree that it was the best holiday they have ever had. Thank you for a great week.
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... breakfast was served half-an-hour later and the bar stayed open half-an-hour longer! |
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~ the catering was done for us, and having a special needs (food) coordinator was good. Packed lunches good too
~ children enjoyed bouncy castle and pool
~ snack facilities in the Long Barn
~ the cost was very reasonable
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... cannot think of anything ourselves, but wondered if some clergy (and spouses) might have found it helpful to have someone to talk to about their parish/church, since they seemed to find the no 'shop talk' rule difficult! P.S. What is/what is not 'shop talk'?? |
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... the welcome was excellent; the Quiet Room was quiet and comfortable; community/volunteers were loving; there were no name tags; the site is beautiful and accommodation spotless and comfortable; there were food supplies outside meal times for teenagers; the Fat Pigeon was relaxing. Being able to mix camping and a room really helped the comfort/cost balance. The library (inc jigsaws!) was great. We've had a lovely week. Thank you.
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... the seats in the Fat Pigeon and main lounge were more conducive to conversation. (We were rather lining the walls.) ... there had been other teenagers - not under your control, I know - but maybe thoughts for the future might include advertising one week specifically for families with teenagers ...? Table tennis, pool (as in snooker, not swimming!). Croquet? |
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~ warm welcome, friendly staff
~ thoughtfully appointed accommodation
~ lovely location on site and wider afield
~ great concerts in the open air theatre
~ space to spend quality time together
Thanks to everyone for a lovely stay.
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... the windows had had net curtains. Stephen's Lodge, being on the ground floor, privacy was compromised if curtains/windows open. |
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| ... We all found Sheldon absolutely wonderful and since returning home have appreciated even more the time and space and peace that Sheldon offered. [guest name] described the Family Holiday Week as 'perfect' and is keen to return next year. Thank you for being just what we needed and may God bless you richly in your ministry. |
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... we were catered for and well looked after. Thank you for catering for a difficult diet! I am sure that I go home heavier! Our 6 year old said, after only 3 days here, that he wants to come back next year! He especially liked the woods.
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... I think the children could have done with specific evening activities for them (at the start), to help them gel as a group. (One of our children is reluctant to push herself into friendship groups and would have valued perhaps craft activity/problem solving with other children to help break the ice.) |
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~ Showing kindness
~ Homemade food
~ Everyone is made welcome
~ Lovely views
~ Deluxe picnics
~ Open air theatre
~ Nothing is too much trouble
~Thank you so much for [child's name] birthday cake!
~Staff's local knowledge helped us plan days out.
~ Walks folder was useful.
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ...
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There should be a massive sleep over in the Long Barn for all the children.
~ Develop adventure playground.
~ Cycle routes locally could compliment the walks folder. |
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~ We felt cared for in an unobtrusive way.
~ The food was superb.
~ The children made friends and could wander about safely.
~ The picnic lunches made life much easier.
~ The attention to detail in the accommodation was outstanding.
Thank you for a lovely holiday! |
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~ It is like a hotel!
~ Thank you for all the cooking, washing up and cleaning up after us.
~ The packed lunches are great.
~ We enjoyed all the evening activities, including the bouncy castle.
~ Our children really enjoy having the other children to play with.
~ The standard of the accommodation is very high, and it is really appreciated.
We would have found our stay more useful/helpful/enjoyable if ... a small thing - I think a barn dance would have been easier for the young children - rather than line dancing. |
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| ... Thank you so much for giving us a wonderful holiday. We had a great time and the children are determined that we return next year! Thanks too for the use of the Pig Pen - we wouldn't have survived without it. Lastly, thanks to Jan for coping with my awkward diet (excellent food!) and to Sarah for your time and the knock out meditation tape! |
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~ There were things to do in the evenings (if you chose to join in)
~ Everyone was so helpful, gentle and friendly
~ Lots of variety of outings within easy reach
~ Comfortable accommodation and excellent food
My stay might have been more helpful/enjoyable if ...
~ There were some things organised/offered for older children as a group eg. art and craft, alongside the bouncy castle for younger ones.
Thank you for a great week! |
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... We had an excellent holiday week: The relaxed atmosphere; helpful, kind, attentive staff and volunteers; good food; brill packed lunches; evening activities; lovely surroundings. We were lucky with the weather: camping in the rain would have been a bit bleak ... but it is anyway! It's amazingly good value.
My stay might have been even more helpful/enjoyable if
... the barn dance really broke the ice, specially with the teenagers - early in the week? The bar/chat etc until 10pm? [Webed: team need their sleep, but will see what we can do.] We actually had 5 days and 2 days of travel - a bit brief, but I think two weeks might be too long. |
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... It was a relief not to have to cook and clean for a whole week and have the children entertained in the evenings. We enjoyed the atmosphere generated by the staff and volunteers and their care and consideration was much appreciated. Having lots of other children present made a big difference to all of us.
My stay might have been more helpful/enjoyable/productive if
... limiting some of the younger adults to less time in the shower!
(and remembering the tent poles next time!!) |
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... It is a beautiful area. It was good to meet other clergy families and to make friends, both ourselves and the children. The leisure/entertainment was good and I appreciated access to the chapel(s),
Only one criticism. Perhaps the bar could have stayed open until 10.00pm. |
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| ... The staff were very friendly and helpful. We have not had a catered holiday before, so it was like staying in a hotel! |
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... A fantastically enjoyable holiday - extremely relaxed atmosphere while being amazingly efficient. Many thanks to the hard working community and volunteers! It is hard to single out particular things, but the packed lunches being tailored to the tastes of teenagers was so helpful!
My stay might have been more helpful/enjoyable if
... it's hard to find anything, but having struggled all we can come up with is local farmhouse cider in the 'Fat Pigeon' please
Many thanks for a wonderful holiday! |
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... Careful thought had been put into all aspects of the holiday - especially the menu. Thank you for taking note of ideas for food and providing the sauces for ice-cream and small yogurts!
My stay might have been more helpful/enjoyable if
... we had known that the concert was to be held during the week. We felt vulnerable in our tent with young children and cars parked literally inches from where they were sleeping. Could it also be made clear whether camping cars needed to be moved. We moved our cars only to find others were told they didn't have to. [Webed: yes - comments noted, will make sure this is sorted next year] |
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| ... There was freedom to join in or not, everything had ben thoughtfully provided, everything was clean and attractive for us to enjoy. We particularly appreciate
Stephen's Lodge, as [guest name] can occupy himself with television and video, and those are provided there. He doesn't mix easily with other children, so his familiar entertainment helped to keep him content and allowed us to have a good rest - many thanks. |
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... We enjoyed the week because community, facilities, catering, company, setting etc. We each appreciated the friendships and activities; the children had providentially ideal friendship groups. The early curfew is a good idea. We couldn't have enjoyed the week more.
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... You cooked lovely food, and washed up after
You gave us designer packed lunches
It's a beautiful setting
Of the atmosphere of unobtrusive care, and attention to important detail
Of the evening activities - especially the pictures of Pooh and his friends
Of the good company, and lovely weather (we also liked saying good morning to the hens and the sheep)
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... of all the care
the catering (much appreciated)
the beautiful and peaceful surroundings
and a safe place for the children to make friends and play together |
