Celebrating 50 Years of Family Holidays at The Olde House, Cornwall
This year marks a very special milestone for The Olde House as we celebrate our 50th anniversary at our North Cornwall holiday cottages in Chapel Amble, near Wadebridge! To mark the occasion, we hosted a week of celebrations with some of the wonderful guests who have helped make the last five decades so memorable.
We held a ballot for guests who have stayed with us at least five times over the years. As part of their entry, they shared photographs and memories from their holidays at The Olde House. Those selected were invited to stay in one of our cottages during our special Celebration Week.
Reading through everyone's stories was an absolute pleasure. We loved hearing about so many treasured family holidays and seeing the wonderful photographs, many of which showed generations of the same families returning to stay with us over the years. We didn't just enjoy them ourselves either – we created a beautiful Celebration Board and Memory Book featuring the best photographs, memories and comments, which are now proudly displayed in our reception for future guests to enjoy.
Sunday: Kickstarting the Week with our 50th Anniversary Party
The celebrations began on Sunday with our 50th Anniversary Party. With over 300 people attending, three fantastic live music acts, speeches, and plenty of delicious food and drink, it was an incredible day from start to finish. The atmosphere was fantastic, with many guests dancing well into the evening. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces celebrating together and making even more happy memories.
Monday: Unwinding in Peaceful Countryside Surroundings
Monday was a slightly quieter day after Sunday's festivities, giving everyone a chance to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of our Cornish working farm.
Tuesday: Raising £1,350 at Our Annual Charity BBQ
On Tuesday, we hosted our annual charity BBQ for all guests staying with us. This year we were raising money for Neuroblastoma UK, Padstow 1st Brownies and Camhayle Theatre Club. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended, we raised an amazing £1,350 over the course of the week. Thank you to everyone who supported these fantastic causes.
Wednesday Morning: Friendly Competition on the Clay Shooting Range
Wednesday morning saw three enthusiastic groups of guests trying their hand at clay pigeon shooting. After some expert tuition, each group took part in a friendly competition to find their champion. Amazingly, each group produced a joint winner, leading to an exciting shoot-off to determine the overall champion! It was all taken in great spirits, with plenty of laughs and excellent sportsmanship throughout.
Wednesday Afternoon: Exploring Penpont Farm on the Tractor Ride
Later that afternoon, guests enjoyed our ever-popular Farm Ride, travelling around Penpont Farm on a trailer pulled by one of our Massey Ferguson tractors. Jaime gave everyone an informative and entertaining insight into life on the farm, covering everything from the sheep and cattle to the crops and daily farming activities. We hope everyone returned with a little more farming knowledge than when they set off!
Wednesday Evening: "Stack a Burger" Night at The Maltsters
The celebrations continued on Wednesday evening when the Hawkey family invited guests to join them at The Maltsters in Chapel Amble for a relaxed "Stack a Burger" night. It was a lovely opportunity for the family to spend time chatting with guests away from the usual day-to-day work, and everyone enjoyed a relaxed evening together.
Thursday & Beyond: Soaking Up Sunshine Across North Cornwall
With the organised events complete, guests spent the remainder of the week making the most of our facilities and exploring North Cornwall, from the Camel Estuary to nearby Padstow and Polzeath, which was blessed with beautiful sunshine throughout the celebrations.
As the week drew to a close, we couldn't help but feel a little sad that it was all over. We received so many thoughtful cards, gifts and sweet treats from our guests, which truly showed just how much The Olde House means to so many families. Seeing generations return year after year is something we never take for granted, and we feel incredibly lucky to have shared so many special memories over the past 50 years.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of The Olde House story. Here's to the next 50 years of family holidays, laughter, friendship and unforgettable memories!
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