February 2022

PEOPLE
LEE MAXWELL
events. Having a sole in-house caterer means we need one less staff
member on the books and we share overheads. I put out a tender
to several of the caterers on our preferred suppliers list and Nick
Collins from Cleverchefs took it.”
The pandemic period was challenging for the team, and it seems
not all customers appreciated the hard work going on behind the
scenes. “We had 25 weddings in August 2021 – five a week for five
weeks. We are far from a sausage factory venue but we were so
backed up and brides determined to get married that month were
prepared to take any day of the week.
“We were exhausted and there was concern surrounding more
possible lockdowns that Autumn, not to mention the worry of what
happens if any of us got Covid! The last thing a couple that has had
their wedding postponed three times wants is me calling them up to
say we were all in isolation!
“We had a few unpleasant people last year and even staff in tears.
I think some customers got so fed up with postponements, the
rules changing and not knowing whether they were allowed 15 or
30 people inside, six at a table, dancing/no dancing etc. They were
demanding, short tempered and sometimes just downright rude – it
was a big lesson for me.”
Keri called on her experience aged 24 working for Crystal Holidays
at a ski chalet. “Week after week, we would welcome 20 people and
there was no benchmark for managing their expectations – 20 could
love it and another 20 could hate every minute! I learned quickly
to always say sorry, even if it isn’t your fault! Saying sorry diffuses
a situation and that makes things easier to solve. It is something I
needed to help my younger part time event staff with as they often
believe saying sorry is the same as saying ‘it’s my fault, sue me’.
They are frightened to say it.
“You’ll always get one or two nasty people in a season but nine
out of 10 are a delight. I take huge comfort from the letters and
emails sent by those who take the time to thank us and tell us how
we made their day fantastic.
“In the past months or so, there has definitely been a rise
in confidence and the back log of weddings are finally coming
through. We have taken 20 bookings in February alone which is very
reassuring that recovery is just around the corner, and we must be
doing something right! Hyggee House is absolutely the new jewel in
our crown and couples cannot wait to come and stay there.”
Hyggee House is also available for holiday lets and short stays.
Should anyone fancy a long weekend in Wiltshire just get in touch!
DETAILS
LEE MAXWELL
Wellington Barn
Manor Farm, Calstone
Calne, SN11 8PY
www.wellingtonbarn.co.uk
14 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM