Nov/Dec 2016

News to Hang Your Hat On

December 2016

Editor’s Note: There was no November sign-up. However, it was all voluntary and no one,
Issue due to the Editor’s horrendous whatever their circumstances, was expected to join.
November schedule.
Even more problematical was publicity to the forces
Thanking our Forces – and to the outside world. I will list those who did
What did we achieve? nothing or just ignored us.
First, the BBC, despite their newsroom being
By Roy McGregor contacted twice at a national level.
Second, all national newspapers, who were all
Despite almost no bookings resulting from ToF, tweeted and emailed, to no avail.
(only a couple that we know of for sure), I now Third, British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS),
believe that we achieved quite a lot in this first year who refused any publicity for the scheme because 1)
of the scheme. So let's look back. as card details are required to make a booking this
discriminated against any homeless or PTSD
The Club committee, with the involvement of sufferers with no job and 2) their Ofcom license
Internet Results, had been engaged in preparing the prohibited it as it would have amounted to
way for ToF over the last six months. Even the advertising.
name took some weeks to decide! Once Kathleen Basically, BFBS just had to have excuses not to help
Panek over in West Virginia, founder of America's and would not look for a way to help - to be fair (!),
B&BsForVets scheme, got us started on the project they did say if we were to take a bookings with no
there was no turning back. CC details, and potentially no address, then that
would be ok as no money could be involved.
With the practical help of John Gooding, the
mechanics of having a web page plus list of At almost the last minute, there was some
participants with contact details and availability publicity. A local paper in Lancashire ran the story
were soon sorted, along with an excellent logo. The about Alison & Ray Levi meeting their local MP to
hard part was publicity, first to accommodation promote ToF. Then within the next few days local
providers other than those on BedPosts, second to papers in Gloucestershire and Cornwall ran similar
forces both serving and retired. Publicity to APs
was boosted by articles in print and online using
both Luxury B&B Magazine and Hotel Owner. Not
many, but around four or five APs who were not
BedPosts members signed-up and two have also
joined the forum. It's fair to say that we hoped for a
good number more from the forum membership to

pieces and BBC Radio Gloucestershire broadcast a From the Kitchen of Miv Hughes
live 5-minute interview with Sarah Bent to promote
the scheme and her involvement. Ultimately, it was With Christmas in mind, this is THE most yummy,
all too late, even though all of this was posted and irresistible trifle! It serves 8-10 unless you're greedy
re-tweeted online. like me!

Thanking our Friends. Yes, that's ToF as well! Panettone Trifle
We are all so grateful to all of you who have joined
and supported the scheme. What is truly heartening 12oz/300g Panettone (Italian Christmas sponge
has been the immediate response from some as cake) in 3/4 inch /2cm slices
Remembrance weekend came and went, along the 8oz/225g good quality apricot jam
lines of "we'll get it right, learn our lessons and do 5fl oz/ 150ml amaretto liqueur
better next year". It has been rather dispiriting in the 30fl.oz. /900ml good custard (thick cream
last couple of weeks before Remembrance week, as consistency)
the clock ticked down and we could see how little 16fl.oz/450ml heavy/double cream whipped until
was being achieved. But - we have actually stiff
achieved a lot. We have a core of people who Toasted flaked almonds to finish.
supported the scheme and it looks as if many will
come back for more next year. That really helps to 1. Spread panettone with the apricot jam, cut into
make it all worthwhile. Thank YOU, all of triangles. Arrange in glass bowl jam side up and
you. Also, thanks to John Gooding, it's fair to say pour the amaretto over it.
that this would not have happened without you and
your expertise. Lastly, a BIG thank you to Kathleen 2. Pour the cooled custard into the bowl, prodding it
Panek. She inspired the scheme and then took a gently so the custard seeps down through the
large part in helping to get it started and to run it; panettone. Chill to set.
she gave of a lot of her time. Plus, Kathleen also
hosted two service couples for two nights in 3. Cover with the whipped cream and scatter with
Remembrance week - well done you! the toasted flaked almonds.

Next month, I hope to provide some information on
the B&B Show near Bristol, 22nd/23rd February,
with details of BedPosts involvement there as part of
our annual Breakaway. Kathleen will be there,
again, via video-link, so please try and come along
to say Hello!

KOP HILL CLIMB – Princes
Risborough, Buckinghamshire

By Miv Hughes

Follow up to Kop Hill climb event.
The event this year has made £140,000 to give to
local charities!!

Caramel Apple Sponge Bake A Recent Experience –
Check the Rates
3.5 oz/ 100g granulated sugar
4Tbs water By Miv Hughes
2 cooking apples, peeled and sliced
7oz.200g self raising flour We booked a ‘luxury’ B&B for a two - night stay
1/2 tsp baking powder for three people, single occupancy for my sister, and
1tsp ground cinnamon a double room for myself and husband. I did email
7oz/200g caster sugar them first to see which rooms would be best for us,
7oz/200g softened butter but got no reply. The booking was via freetobook,
3 eggs beaten, so I booked two rooms, both ensuite, for the two
3-5Tbs milk or water nights.
icing sugar, to dust
The confirmation email, when it came showed a
Heat oven to 350F/180C/160 fan/Gas 4. different price to that on the website, plus the
addition of VAT, which was not indicated on the
Prepare and line a 9"/23cm square shallow pan, website at all. It was not signed by anyone, so I
leaving two sides long (to use as 'handles' to remove emailed back querying the discrepancy which gave
cake from tin) them the opportunity to amend the price to match
the one shown on the website. Instead the reply I got
Make the caramel with the sugar and water, boiling explained that the website was being renewed so the
until a golden colour. Pour into prepared tin. static one showing could not show a change in costs.
(I am led to believe this is incorrect)
Arrange the apple slices over the caramel (it doesn't
matter if the caramel has set) "Hello,

Sift flour, baking powder and cinnamon into large Thank you for your email and for booking with us
bowl and add caster sugar, butter and eggs. at ………………………………...
Beat for 2-3minutes until smooth and creamy.
Whisk in enough milk or water to give a soft Sorry for the confusion. The prices of the rooms
dropping consistency. Pour over the apples and level vary. Your have booked Room 6 (single person
the surface. occupancy) which is £50 plus vat ...i.e. £60 (this was
clearly indicated on the website as single occupancy
Bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes until golden and £45, no mention of VAT)
springy to the touch and a skewer inserted into the
middle comes out clean. We do have rooms at £45 plus vat...i.e. £54 but these
are not en-suite.
Leave in tin 10-15 minutes, then lift out using the
'handles'. If you would like me to alter your booking
Dust with icing sugar and cut into 9 squares, serve accordingly, please let me know.
warm or cold.
For a dessert, top with a scoop of ice cream. If you have any other queries, please do not hesitate
to contact me."

I emailed back thanking them for the clarification.

We arrived, parking was very difficult with a big car residents as well, although we did not eat there, nor
as there are only 4 spaces, and access is very tight. saw anyone else dine.

The doorbell didn't work but we caught sight of When I came to pay, I queried the discrepancy in the
another guest inside who opened the door for us and room cost and vat as they didn't tally. (Reviews by
told us the code to get in. There was a magnetic lock others said a similar thing.) I was told the computer
on the doors. Then a young woman -a daughter I was set so they couldn't change anything, then the
assume, appeared who showed us to our rooms, -one owner phoned her daughter, who was in an office
which was not the room booked, (it was explained elsewhere. I was handed the phone and I think it
so we would all be on the ground floor-if they had took some 8 minutes for me to get across to her
replied to my first email this could have been sorted what the problem was. 'The webmaster was away
then) but anyway, we took it. The webmaster is and they couldn't do anything but charge what was
apparently away, so they said. (I'll come to that shown'. I was told I could have phoned up when I
later.) got the confirmation of the cost to say I didn't want
it after all!
It is marketed as “Luxury Accommodation”. The
blurb boasts about 100% cotton bedding (poly Anyway, to cut a long story short, eventually, after I
cotton) the pillows polyester and a heavy duvet, and repeated the double room cost was correct, and fine,
we had to ask for a lighter duvet for the second it was just the difference between the advertised
night, which itself had seen better days! I said we cost and what the invoice quoted before vat for the
were too hot as we were not used to sleeping in a single occupancy that I had the issue with. I was
4'6" bed. I was advised I could have had a king- finally given the original cost on the website (I had
sized bed on the first floor (probably what I had printed it out at home to take with me) and they also
booked originally!) reduced the cost of the double room! I don't
know why the double room was reduced unless it
The bed was 4'6" wide, not luxury in my thinking- was to shut me up!
we didn't sleep well at all, the mattress was hard and
certainly not top quality,(we are used to 2x3' beds IT did not seem a homely place, a sort of detached
together, making a super king and I usually take my air about it, but all the twee stuff didn't work for me!
own pillow, but forgot it on this occasion) There is a guest lounge apparently, maybe it is
upstairs but we never saw it downstairs. It is very
Breakfast in the dining room was ok, very fancy busy all the time- but there is no competition!
knickknacks everywhere with ‘Love', ‘happiness,' (They won Four in a Bed in April this year).
‘friendship’ etc., pictures and signs, and it had lost
any similarity to a chapel long ago on the inside, Buying a Bed & Breakfast
although from outside it was quite attractive, but
right on the street. Even with all the bits and pieces, By Kim Wilson
and piped music it seemed to lack warmth.
I was asked to write an article for the newsletter
No tissues or water in rooms, packet jams, butter about buying a Bed and Breakfast to provide some
and sliced bread at breakfast. Dining room was nice, insight for people thinking of entering the industry.
set out well, with red placemats and napkins (2-ply) Having been in the enviable position (or not,
There was a selection of croissants and pain au depending on your point of view) of having done it
chocolate, and brioche, but a croissant was heated in twice in different circumstances, to share any hints
the m/wave, even though the request was for it to be and tips I have gained along the way.
done under a grill or in the oven to maintain
crispness! The usual yogurt etc., and cooked items
on offer. They apparently also offer dinner for non-

We bought our existing Bed and Breakfast in 2006 were all for giving it up as a bad job and buying
which was, to be blunt a very different market to something else – but we got it in the end.
today, and frankly, If it was the same circumstances
today - I doubt they would have lent us the money. So my advice to any buyer is don’t get particularly
But then Banks were literally throwing it at you with attached to any one property, have a few options on
only the most basic of business plans. the go and do keep looking around it’s a buyer’s
market if you have your finances in order - I will tell
However how it used to be is not useful to new you why.
buyers and in buying our second bed and breakfast, I
have learned many new survival skills. Most banks, and we even used a broker as well as
asking around for advice, want either 40% deposit
The property next door to us was taken by the or equivalent equity. We were lucky as we had the
receivers for various infractions on the terms of the Camberley as equity as well as a buy-to-let house to
mortgage first and foremost and buyers should be sell and even so we struggled to finance due to the
aware of this – you must run the business in a legal repossession, ie their logic was if one went bust, I
manner ie infractions on your food hygiene won’t also might.
get you out on the street, but trips to court in which
you are found guilty of food hygiene offences on a Write a detailed but structured business plan, don’t
grand scale will. There was also a great deal of non- make them read every tiny detail but have it in the
payment in addition to that which was the final back in case they want to. The bank will want
straw that broke the camel’s back – I will say though average room rates for your area and occupancy
in the bank’s defence they did give her 2 years to get figures which are available from your local tourist
her act together which may provide reassurance that information and prices can be found on the online
they do try their best to be reasonable. travel agents relatively easily. The bank wants to
feel confident you have thoroughly researched what
I would however make you aware that the process of you are doing and that the numbers add up to where
buying the next door property has dragged on for you can realistically make those mortgage payments.
two years and that buying a receivership property, We asked and got 12 months interest only to start
though potentially the way to get a good deal, does and if you are making considerable changes I would
often come with an alternative price tag. For those advise you do the same. If you can avoid it, you
of you who have never dealt with receivers they are don’t want to be in a position where you are
appointed by the Bank to get the best price for the working yourself into the ground for every scrap of
repossessed assets which in this case were 4 bed and money to make payments. We were also offered and
breakfasts and they are legally bound to do so. They took, extra money for renovations on a 3 drawdown
also don’t get paid until all the assets are disposed of option. However, never assume anyone actually has
and they get a percentage of the money brought in any clue what they are doing, you will be sadly
so they also have a personal incentive to push for the mistaken.
best price.
We had to use a solicitor chosen by the building
This, though, does not make for a straightforward society and it cost £3000 which is a massive chunk
process. For example, he accepted our offer, then of cash if you aren’t expecting it. This was in the
pulled out for someone else, then went to last best main caused by general problems caused by the
and final offers (we didn’t get it), accepted the best receiver and his legal team, but make sure whoever
offer, then another offer came in and he took that. 4 you use tells you the projected cost before you start
weeks in, the buyer pulled out and he came back to so there are no nasty surprises. I was also asked for a
us. We went through a period of about 2 months of Fire Certificate by the building society – these were
on again, off again on again to the point where we stopped in 2005 so it would have been a miracle.
What they actually wanted was a current Fire Risk

Assessment which was an additional cost as we had (7) Understand clearly that the “business” parts
to do one to complete when we were doing of your property are not your home and need
extensive building work which would require a new to be treated as business assets – they are to
one about five months later at a cost of £250 a time. be designed and used for the good of the
If we had been taking on an operating property it guest which in turn makes you a living, not
would have been simple for the previous owner to necessarily to your personal design and taste.
simply give us a copy of theirs, but ours had been Remember if you are going to clean
vacant for a year and fire offences was one of the bathrooms every day you don’t want it to be
things she was in trouble for. I would also strongly harder than it has to be.
recommend reading the
https://www.visitbritain.org/pink-book to get a good (8) Don’t assume people from the council are
grounding in what you need to do. Too many people either your enemy or your friend – for
get caught up in decorating and soft furnishings and example we have excellent relations with
let the nuts and bolts slide by. As someone who has Environmental Heath who I find super
renovated 11 bedrooms and is currently tackling 16 helpful and full of common sense advice,
more, I feel I have learned my lessons the hard way. Building Regs and Planning are a continuing
ongoing nightmare.
(1) Never assume anyone really knows what
they are doing – be it tradesmen, solicitors or All in all – Good luck with your Purchase!
customers.
Bedposts Business club is taking a stand
(2) No one is looking after your interests but you
- no matter what they say. Bedposts Business club is taking a stand at the Bed
& Breakfast show 2017, which is being held at:
(3) Take any and every bit of handover
information you can get whether you feel it Thornbury Leisure Centre
is relevant or not. Alveston Hill
Thornbury
(4) Take any advice with a pinch of salt but file Bristol
it away mentally for later. BS35 3JB

(5) At least initially take over any tradesmen It will be called Tea with Bedposts, and the plan is
they use – they will know where things are to have tables and chairs and some yummy cakes for
which saves a lot of hassle – you can always people to sample whilst enjoying a cup of tea or
change them later. coffee from the show’s caterers, and learn more
about Bedposts and the Business Club and hopefully
(6) Be as brutally honest about what you are as sign up on the spot!
possible. I personally hate the words
Boutique, Luxury, Executive etc., to me they There will be seminars to attend again, as last year,
mean nothing and a guest uses them to mean and a chance to meet other AP’s and put faces to
what they want not what it actually is. I names.
would also be wary of using the phrase
Private bathroom to mean bathroom for Make a date in your diary for Wed 22nd and/or
exclusive use for a particular bedroom but Thur23rd February, and come and meet up.
not in the room as guests tend to translate
this to ensuite. For me, “private external
bathroom” is a clearer description which
prevents scenes of unpleasantness with
guests who were expecting ensuite. It is not
your fault but it’s better to prevent the
problem than have an upset guest stand there
in front of you.

The Committee welcomes YOUR
articles, photos, and recipes for
future :

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