Celebrating Steve's 25 year's

On one day 25 years ago an old friend, Ashley came round for a family barbeque. Talking about the young Ashley & Newey he nearly choked on his burger, I thought I better help this guy out and wacked him across the back.

The next day I made my first call to Bernie Miles at Galloway Travel and followed up with an appointment. He said I like what you are doing, its different, a complete package, as I call it Oven Ready.

From that day forward I have never looked back helping Ashley & Newey grow to be noticed in the market place and making it into the last three for individual Professional of the Year at the trade awards. It has to be said that when I read the testimonials from my peers said about me brought a tear to my eye.

In my view it is all about building up relationships, phoning people, talking things through. Arriving at decisions that give our partners guests the best experience we can. It’s a joint thing with our customers being more friends than customers.

The recent pandemic was so upsetting not being able to say goodbye to all the people that I had dealt with over the years as so many were lost to redundancy, so sad and cruel.

One of the highlights is the reunion and shared holidays that have become a hallmark of Ashley & Newey. It is so rewarding after these events when, as the coaches leave homeward bound and all the guests wave goodbye with a smile on their faces. You just cant help saying to yourself well done.

To highlight how important relationships are, it was on one such event some years ago we had a reunion at The Windermere Hydro one cold January. The owner came to see me to advise that the weather was closing in and we should ask the coaches to arrive earlier. I immediately called the organiser who replied that they were all enjoying shopping and thought they would stick to the original plan. The weather did close in, the snow was deep and the coaches couldn’t get to the hotel even with snow chains! I looked at the owner and the owner looked at me. Don’t worry he said, and pointed to a fleet of his friends Land Rovers coming down the hill to collect the guests from the coaches to deliver them safely to the Hotel. Thank you Ken.

Another time we had arranged a medieval banquet at Hatfield House. The organiser wanted us to dress up for the occasion. The operations manager at the hotel said she knew the costume manager at close by Elstree Studios. I have never seen so many clothes and the director and her assistant from the coach company had a field day. I found my costume – Sir Lancelot complete with a suit of chain mail, sword and shield – you can imagine how long it took to put on. I turned round to find them still stood in their bra and pants still trying all the outfits on. Then Ashley came round the corner dressed as Fryer Tuck, so much fun as part of a demanding job.

It was so sad in this year to lose two very dear friends who we have worked with for so many year's, Dawn at Blackwell Grange Hotel and Alison at The Ivy Bush Royal – I have dealt with them as long as I have been with the Company. So to them I say thankyou and to all the other lovely people in this industry of ours who have put their trust in me.

Steve