Covid-19
We and our venues are constantly reviewing the covid-19 regulations and are satisfied we are still working within the required criteria and indeed our guests on recent holidays have been entirely satisfied with all our covid precautions. Our holidays are limited to 15 couples maximum and split into two groups of 8 couples on the floor to stay covid safe……
Evening dancing times
Regular guests will notice I have reduced the dancing time to two hours for Fri and Sat Night!? IF we were to have a holiday with only 15 couples in ‘normal times’ I would also reduce the dancing to 2 hours as holidays with reduced numbers of guests tend to run out of steam pretty quickly and as such, I prefer to set a time for finish to ensure guests don’t drift away tired later in the evening and the event ends like a damp squib because there are only a few dancers!!?? Given there are only 15 couples on this break and the dancing ambience will be ‘stilted’ as I will be splitting you into appropriate groups for the busier dances for safe social distancing, I also know from previous recent holidays that stamina levels will not be as high as normal with many of you not having danced for 5 or more months, and so have reduced the evenings to two hours.
Table plans
We have pre-asked you about shared dining preferences in the current climate and those who have indicated they are happy to share a table with others will have already been advised who they are sitting with pre arrival. Guests who have not specified will be seated in individual couples. If you want to change any of these arrangements, it is essential we know in advance to set up the restaurant with covid precautions..
Our hotels also provide their own guidance for guest. Here is an example
Example Hotel Guidance
Guests who have stayed with us during this period have expressed their support and confidence in the measures we are taking
I was always going to write to you regarding the weekend in Torquay. From my perspective it was a time of investigation on a number of levels. I was quite nervous about dancing again following the longest break I’ve had in 40 years of dancing. This hasn’t been helped by the conflicting and confusing guidance from our government and other professional bodies. It was reassuring to speak with you and learn you have studied all manner of Covid legislation and managed to pick the bones out of it and draw a common sense, compassionate and understanding approach which has allowed you to balance the uncertainty and fear people are feeling with an obvious desire they have to return to dancing. It leaves me with an unchanged opinion of you which I’ve had for a number of years. You have a desire to provide the public with the best possible service you can in giving them what they want. Not withstanding the gymnastics you’ve obviously had to endure with all sorts of (necessary) red tape, you managed it with a grace and elegance which belies the hard work which nobody gets to see. This last weekend in Torquay has been inspirational as I have observed you “listening” to and “observing” and then responding to a liquid and potentially volatile situation. I have nothing but sincere admiration and respect for how you are moving on and out of this pandemic while staying true to helping people see it is completely possible to create a new and better “normal” experience both on and off the dance floor. I have seen first hand it’s not always necessary to work hard however, working smart is the answer. In my opinion that’s exactly what you’ve done. Thank you for offering the opportunity to dance again and learn from observing you. Sincerely, I have come away from the weekend with more than I can tell you.
Marie & Paul
Firstly to say it was lovely to see you both albeit at a social distance . Elbows at the ready and kisses in the air !! Secondly, the holiday was a delight . Francis and I have not been on a dance floor since early March so we wondered if we could still dance at all. The floor space was a bonus….I mean ..really…. when have we ever been blessed with so much space ?! Your planning for the dancing was perfect, only seven couples on the floor for freestyle, no floor craft to worry about….we loved it !! And everyone was so considerate in the sequence dances….it felt safe and joyful. And finally to say THANK YOU. Because I know how much effort and planning goes into creating events even in normal times…..more than double the work for you in this strange period. The Grand Hotel was so well organised, completely safe. Yes – we missed your company and hilarity at dinner………but we also enjoyed our romantic table for two …..everything has its own gift. So please know you are much appreciated. Dancing is the best activity for Mind Body and Spirit…….so come on everyone…..get back on the floor !!!
Lynn and Francis
