The Making of a Christmas Card
Posted: Wed 14 December 2011 at 16:40
The idea began in 2009, with an eye on world events and a dread of signing hundreds of Christmas cards, we decided to donate our budget for printing corporate cards to charity and send out an E-card instead. Together with the girls in the office, we donned our sparkliest outfits and popped open some bubbly. Charles Nicholls – friend, Landlord and keen photographer volunteered to come and take the pics for us.
The following year we asked the Housekeeping Team to join in with the photo, even dressing up Ruby with a big red ribbon. This year, the team has grown again and some of our Landlords managed to gatecrash the photoshoot too. We decided to host at our home as a way of saying Thank You to the Team for all their hard efforts throughout the year.
Add in some nibbles and fizzy stuff and the evening took on quite a lively flavour.
As is becoming the trend when we all get together, the Team are keen to share their unique party tricks with their colleagues. Who knew Rosie (an ex-gymnast and trampolinist) could pick up a Champagne cork from the floor using only her mouth? Or that several of her colleagues would then be inspired to see if they could too… Or that together, with Nigel leading on the drums, we would so enjoy “performing” (and I use this term loosely) Stevie Wonder tracks in Nigel’s new music studio, despite none of us being able to sing or play any instruments. (Video footage of this event is currently on lockdown!!)
So the donation we are making this year is to El Rohi Community School in Uganda (the school name comes from the Hebrew for Good Shepherd). We hope that our small contribution will make a difference to the lives of children much less fortunate than our own. A friend at our daughter’s school is an airline pilot and she has become involved with the school over in Kampala, dropping off spare clothing and stationery each time she visits. Food is exhorbitantly expensive in Uganda and it is a constant dilemma for the Headmistress there to juggle the finances and provide a nutritious meal for the pupils – often the only meal that they will have each day. We would like to support the school on an ongoing basis so more info to follow in the New Year.
We hope you enjoy our Christmas e-card and approve of our nominated charity. We’ve had a lot of fun putting it together and feel proud to have contributed in some small way to help others.
We would like to wish all our Friends, Customers, Landlords and Suppliers the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years! Visit our Facebook page to see more pics of our photoshoot.
“Windsor as a Destination” Video Competition
Posted: Mon 5 December 2011 at 14:46
Accommodation Windsor Limited is proud to announce Sam Taylor as the winner of our “Windsor as a Destination” video competition. The competition was launched back in September to the BTEC media students at East Berkshire College to provide a 90 second video representing Windsor and everything it has to offer. We launched the project in partnership with the College in the hope of finding some raw talent to showcase Accommodation Windsor Ltd, our Executive short-let Properties and Windsor to its best advantage on film. The idea was initially thought up by Managing Director Nigel Holder, recognising the benefits of video footage on various social media, he thought it would be great to invite local cinematographers to enter our competition; a great experience for the students and what fantastic results! The videos were judged by a team at AWL who were blown away by the level of talent on their doorstep.
After vigorous viewing of all the submissions, it quickly became apparent that Sam’s video was the clear favourite, but the standard of entries was so high that we ended up creating two runners’ up prizes for Cory Thompson and Jack Smith to recognise their efforts.
Sam wins £250 together with a contract worth £2000 with Accommodation Windsor Limited to produce further videos of our short-let apartments and houses. This week Sam has completed filming the first video “Meet the Team” and a photoshoot for our Xmas Charity E-card. The video in itself has been a great team-building exercise and we are all really excited to see the results… more details to follow.
Sam shared his thoughts about winning first prize, “Nigel from Accommodation Windsor approached my college to produce a ninety second video entitled Windsor as a Destination. It was a fantastic opportunity for me and my peers as aspiring videographers to enter this competition and extremely beneficial to be given a chance at a corporate brief from a real client.
I was extremely nervous on the day Nigel came to announce the winner. I wanted to win so badly as the possibility of working on similar professional briefs was just too great a prize to miss out on. When Nigel announced that I had won I could barely speak! It was such a mixture of emotions; I was happy, excited, nervous and relieved all at the same time. Im so excited about working with Accommodation Windsor in the future and really thankful for the opportunity that they have given me.”
We have been delighted with the feedback from Sam’s prize-winning video “Windsor as a Destination”, it really does show Windsor at its finest and amazingly was completed in just three days! Sam is 18 years old and has already won a Young Bafta Award, he hopes to attend University when he finishes his course in Windsor and we think that he has a very bright future ahead.
Visit our Website to view Sam’s video “Windsor as a Destination” https://accommodation-windsor.co.uk/Windsor-Berkshire-Destination-Video.htm and let us know your thoughts.
What’s on in Windsor this Christmas
Posted: Fri 11 November 2011 at 16:43
There is so much going on in Windsor this Winter here’s a list of the best events to add to your diaries.
Firstly the Windsor Contemporary Art Fair which is taking place at the Windsor Racecourse on 12th and 13th November. Here you can expect to see a wonderful range of artwork including paintings, photography and sculpture from both well established artists and new talents. Pieces start from just £40 so it’s the perfect place to kick start your Christmas shopping.
On Saturday 19th November you can make your way to Windsor Town Centre to watch the switching on of the Christmas Lights. The festivities start with a traditional handmade lantern procession followed by live music on the main stage in front of the Castle. This year the lights are to be switched on by the stars of the Theatre Royal’s magnificent pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. The production of Sleeping Beauty runs from 7th December until closing night on the 7th January and stars Tony Christie and Brit Ekland. Tickets are now on sale.
You can also take the children for a truly magical Christmas experience on the 3rd of December when Santa will be visiting complete with sleigh and real-live Reindeer! Enjoy the marching band while the children have their photo taken with Santa.
Finally, Alexander Gardens will once again be transformed into a Winter Wonderland this year with the arrival of the Christmas Ice Rink on 10th December until 2nd January. A gentle skate around this beautiful park is the perfect way to end a day of Christmas shopping in fabulous Windsor.
Whatever your plans, AWL wishes all of our customers a wonderful start to the Christmas season. www.accommodationwindsor.com.
Stretch
Posted: Thu 10 November 2011 at 14:32
Here’s another one for you – lovely shot of the swans by Bob the Binman!
Top Ten Things to do in Windsor for FREE
Posted: Tue 4 October 2011 at 14:15
Days out and weekends away can be expensive, especially with the kids in tow, so we thought we’d have a look at how much you can do in Windsor for FREE.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD & WINDSOR GUILDHALL
CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT WINDSOR
The Changing of the Guard is where the hustle and bustle is taking place late mornings (10.50 am). The parade which can include the Coldstream Guards, Grenadier Guards, Welsh Guards or occasionally the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment and accompanying band, is a real treat for visitors. Lots of information on the guard change can be found on this website: Guard Change at Windsor
Our pick for best view is the Windsor Guildhall in the centre of town. The site of many a famous wedding, including Prince Charles and Sir Elton John, the building has steps which will let you see over the crowds to get a good view. While there, spend some time looking round the impressive building, first built in 1687 and completed by Sir Christopher Wren. You will note that the four columns to the Guildhall do not touch the ceiling above – legend has it that Wren was told he needed to install supporting pillars but he did not agree – he had the last laugh by installing them but leaving a gap of a few inches above – so they do not support anything and are purely decorative!
THE LONG WALK TO THE COPPER HORSE
The 2.64 miles of stunning, Elm tree lined walk leads from the doorstep of the Castle to the top of Snow Hill, which has the most amazing views over Windsor. At the top of the hill is the copper statue of King George III on horseback. The legend has it that King Henry VIII sat at the top of this hill waiting for news of the execution of his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
This is a fantastic walk and is popular with tourists and locals alike. On the way back you can stop off for a glass of something cool at the wonderful Two Brewers pub located at the Castle gates on Park Street.
ROYAL WINDSOR (WINDOW) SHOPPING
The Royal Windsor shopping area is largely covered and built on the site of the 100 year old railway station right in the centre of town. It boasts an array of top retail brands and chic cafes for a great combination of shopping and relaxing. You can plan what to buy after pay day!
FULL SIZED REPLICAS
Windsor is home to two exquisite full-sized replicas in and around the town. First is the steam locomotive, set in Windsor and Eton Central train station. This is a full size replica of the steam engine that pulled the Royal Train of Queen Victoria between Windsor and London.
The other is the Hawker Hurricane, the legendary WWII Fighter plane – a memorial to Windsor resident Sir Sydney Camm. Both are impressive in their own right and are in great locations. The Hawker Hurricane is along Barry Avenue by the river near the mini golf at Alexandra Gardens.
VISIT ST JOHN’S CHURCH
St. Johns Parish Church is located in the centre of town just along the High Street from the Castle. Built in a medieval style in 1822 this grand church contains the Royal Borough’s war memorial to the fallen soldiers of the Second World War and a spectacular painting of the Last Supper. All are welcome to the parish church and it is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.
The church has a great 360 image of the inside on their website here: Parish Church Windsor
FEED THE SWANS
Feeding the swans is an activity which can be enjoyed by people of all ages and there is certainly no lack of swans to feed at Windsor Bridge. We strongly recommend that you purchase a bag of swan feed from the food stall located near the Bridge as opposed to feeding them bread. This is because swans and ducks don’t get any nutritional value from bread as much as they might love it! There is a safe area to feed the swans and this is usually a very popular spot for tourists with young children or for photo opportunities as the best place to feed them is by Windsor Bridge – a footbridge that takes you over to Eton. This bridge was closed to vehicles back in 1970 due to cracks in the ironwork that were caused by constant heavy traffic.
It is possible to drive to Eton from Windsor – you just have to take the long way round!
EXPLORE WINDSOR GREAT PARK
This beautiful and vast open space provides the perfect setting for picnics, ball games, kite flying and cycling – you can bring your dog too.
ALEXANDRA GARDENS
Take a picnic along to Alexandra Gardens where you can relax in a beautiful setting with a perfect view of the castle, kick-back and enjoy the Windsor Wheel gently revolving in the summer season or watch the ice-skaters throughout the winter months.
QUEENS WALKWAY
The Queens Walkway is a sixty-four-stop walking tour in and around Windsor. The route is marked by Gunmetal Plaques with the Queen’s Seal on. The tour will take you around some of the spots we have on our list and a whole lot more and includes a guide with interesting information about each of the stops.
http://media.wix.com/ugd/241361_156d2f735e6f4bb4b23569f22f2df206.pdf
(credit to The Outdoor Trust, Commonwealth walkways)
ETON WALKWAY AND MUSEUMS
Like the Queens Walkway, the Eton Walkway is a walking tour around the historic town, home to one of England’s most famous and prestigious school. This tour takes you through the town showing off the eclectic range of architecture, the remarkable individual pieces of the school
WALK ALONG THE WINDSOR TRAIL
Enjoy an easy stroll along the River Thames Path in either direction from the Castle to see some wonderful countryside and historic locks and towns. Walking from Windsor to Old Windsor offers wonderful views of the Castle and provides the opportunity to explore Datchet on the way. Keep going past Old Windsor to Runnymede to see where King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215.
WINDSOR CASTLE
Residents of Windsor can enjoy unlimited free entry to Windsor Castle with their Advantage Cards. Non-residents who don’t want to pay to enter can still enjoy walking around the outside of the Castle where it meets the High Street with lots of lovely photo opportunities.
If you are feeling flush and would like to buy Windsor Castle Tickets please click on the link! Although not free Windsor Castle is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK. We get a small commission from the sale of Windsor Castle tickets which helps us to maintain this and other free sites like Royal-Windsor.com where you can find suggestions on places to eat in Windsor and places to stay – from bed and breakfasts to Windsor Hotels.
Thanks for reading!