'ARCHERS' STAR VISITS ALPINUS
Prior to attending the Institute of Sales Promotions Christmas lunch as their guest speaker last December, 'Archers' actor Charles Collingwood had never thought seriously about visiting Portugal.

However, during the event, the ISP held a charity auction for the Lords Taverners, of which Charles is a member, which raised more than £5,000 for the charity. Seasons Holidays donated a two week holiday at Alpinus, while LinkDirect paid for the airfares and Charles made a very generous bid for the holiday.

Charles and his wife Judy have two claims to fame for their Archers roles: (a) they play two of the leading roles in Britain's longest running radio serial - Brian Aldridge and Shula Hebden Lloyd and (b) they have amicably shared both the programme and their marriage for more than 25 years!

We understand that they hired a car and managed to see a lot of the Algarve, which they greatly enjoyed. During their holiday, Seasons helped Charles celebrate his birthday by arranging a dinner at the Pateo do Golfe restaurant near the resort, which the couple much appreciated.

While at Alpinus, Charles was also happy to present prizes to the two winners of the resort's prize draw, which was open to members who visited Guest Relations during their trip.  The Waltons from Brampton, Cumbria won €350, and the Williams of Pembroke, Wales won €150.

Our photo shows (left to right) Mark and Janet Williams, Charles Collingwood and Clive Walton and his wife.

CHANNEL 4 RACING GURU ON SEASONS WEBSITES

As part of a recent update to the clubseasons and Seasons Holidays websites, visitors to the welcome page are now greeted by a video of Derek Thompson, well-known racing commentator from Channel 4 and member of Seasons Holiday Club.

Derek also paid a visit to Clowance in June, when he tried his hand at playing golf for the first time, under the guidance of Clowance golf professional Barry Cookson.

Pictured above are (left to right) Derek Thompson, Barry and TV presenter Cat King.

Barry is a member of the World Golf Teaching Federation and is one of only 25 selected to retail Wilson goods from a total of some 2,000 professionals throughout Britain.

The course has 18 tees but only 9 holes and is a par 67, with a total length in excess of 5,000 yards.

NO SMOKING IN ACCOMMODATION AFTER JULY 1ST

Members are politely reminded that after July 1st, in terms of the new law in England and Wales, the smoking ban at all Seasons resorts also applies to the interiors of all accommodation.  Your co-operation is appreciated and from our feedback, it seems that the vast majority of Seasons members welcome the development.

'WONDERFUL TIME' AT IMPERIALAKES
Geoffrey Dawson from Manchester wrote to tell us how much they had enjoyed their recent holiday in Florida.  We seem to have received a number of letters about this resort and hope that the Dawson's hints will prove useful to other Seasons members:

ÖI would just like to drop a note about the wonderful time my family had in Florida at ImperiaLakes holiday villas. The accommodation was superb - a lovely villa in a beautiful location, very quiet and relaxing and all amenities were provided - although I have to admit, we didn't get time to try the swimming pool! It was an hour to Disney and Universal, a bit longer from Orlando airport and one and a half hours to Cape Canaveral - so an ideal place for a family trip. We would certainly consider it again in the future. Thanks for such a lovely time. A few practical points:

1. Arriving late on Saturday, we were worried about the shopping, especially as we had a baby. However, that worry was soon resolved - there are endless shops and restaurants on the approach to the complex on the route 37 and they seem to be open all hours, even on Sundays. Get a WinnieDixie discount card for lots of supermarket BOGOFs.

2. There are two shopping malls (retail outlets) in Lakeland - one just off the I4 exit 32 (route 98 north) and one just after the Mulberry turnoff on the Polk Parkway (route 570) - again ask for discount cards.

3. To get on Polk Parkway from the I4, it is now Exit 41 - renumbered from 20A - and shows it as Lakeland West (not South).
4. It costs three dollars in tolls on the 570 each way and is free on the I4 to Disney.

5. If paying by credit card for petrol, you need to purchase your petrol first in the garage and they will refund any overpayment you make. You can't pay at the pump because it now asks for your postal Zip code of the billing address and the UK postal codes are not accepted.'

LINDA ROBSON OPENS NEW CLOWANCE LODGES

London-based actress Linda Robson paid a flying visit to the West Country on Thursday July 14th, when she opened the first five of 42 new luxury lodges scheduled to be constructed at Clowance Estate and Country Club.

The new accommodation at the award-winning holiday resort is currently being developed as part of Seasons' constant programme of improvement. The three bedroom detached properties, which have just been released for sale, offer investors an opportunity to own a holiday home, which they can enjoy for personal use for a chosen number of weeks each year, while enjoying a regular income by renting out the remaining weeks through Seasons Holiday Club to their members. Among many attractive and unusual features is a hot tub on the balcony.

A member of Seasons Holiday Club, Linda Robson commented: "My family and I love our Seasons holidays and Clowance is now one of our particular favourites, with its lovely grounds and superb leisure centre, which the kids love.  My husband is a keen golfer, so he enjoys playing on the private course, which means there's something here to keep all of us happy."

For further information contact Tony Halsall, Seasons Estates Limited

Telephone: 01768 483797
Email tonyhalsall@seasonsestates.co.uk
Web: www.seasonsestates.co.uk

Our picture above shows Linda Robson at the opening ceremony, with Leslie McCann, Group Marketing Manager, Seasons Holidays plc

£25 WINNING LETTER
FIFTH VISIT TO ÖSUPERB' FOREST HILLS

We were delighted to hear from Nigel and Bev Smith from Grimoldby, Lincs that they and their children Edward and Emily, together with Bev's mum, Pauline (affectionately known by Nigel as ÖMother') had enjoyed yet another holiday at their favourite Seasons resort in May:

 "I just had to tell members what a wonderful time myself and my family have just had yet again at Forest Hills.  This is our fifth time at the resort and with the staff so helpful and friendly, it's just like going home.  A big thank you goes out to Elaine and the bar staff, who are all so helpful, even down to splitting bar tabs to keep my mother-in-law's purse strings in check! Also a big, big Öthank you' should go to Ian the entertainer, who's fact-filled musical evenings kept us enthralled.  He also let my wife Bev give her vocal chords an airing after her thyroid operation.  That's not as bad as it sounds, as Bev is a semi-professional singer and on the road to recovery after her operation six weeks ago.  I think it went down well with the other guests too, as she was asked to sing on the following evening.

If members haven't been to Forest Hills, my advice is to get packing, because you don't know what you're missing. But we can't wait till our next trip and that's to Club Tahiti in September. I might be putting pen to paper again and letting you know how we got on. Thanks again."

Our picture shows (left to right): Nigel, Emily, Bev, Edward and Pauline.

Have YOU got a story about your Seasons holiday or short break that you would like to share? Simply email it to insight@seasonsholidays.com and you could win £25 if your entry is chosen as the winning letter in a future edition of Seasons eNews Update!  And remember that attaching a photograph will give you a much better chance of catching the Editor's eye!

NEWS ROUNDUP FROM CLOWANCE
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

When receptionist Marilyn Perry found out that Clowance planned to change all their linen and towels, she decided that it would have been a great waste not to find a good home for them.

With her help, ÖMission Moldova', was approached, which operates from a base only 10 miles from the resort. Resort Manager Michelle Kirk explained:  ìThroughout the year, they collect unwanted clothes and linen, raise funds and then, when they have enough, they hire a lorry and off they go.

ìWe have just received a letter from Jean Anderson-Archbold, Secretary Mission Moldova in which she thanks Marilyn and Seasons Holidays for the massive contribution we have made and to let us know that the linen is now on its way the poorest country in Europe.?
 
SEASONS NEW PUBLICITY FILM

There was great excitement at Clowance in mid June, when it became the first Seasons Resort to have the film crew descend on them, to start taking the initial footage for the Company's new publicity film.

Resort Manager Michelle Kirk commented: 'Birds of a Feather' star Linda Robson and Channel 4's Racing guru Derek Thompson were here at the resort to offer support, which meant great excitement for all our guests! A prize draw was made on Monday evening for a fabulous day at Cheltenham Races, early next year, and the lucky winners of the first prize were Richard and Glorian Grimes, from Southmead, Bristol.
Our top picture shows Linda chatting to Seasons member Linda Prideaux on the golf course and the other shows Derek Thompson with the Grimes.

BURN PARK'S GENEROUS GESTURES

Manager Gill Kaye recently received two letters of appreciation to thank her for the resort's generosity, as follows:

STRATTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

ÖOn behalf of the school, I would like to thank Seasons Holidays for the *PSHE  Classroom Activity Handbooks that were delivered to the school. Their donation is very much appreciated and I thank you for considering the children's safety and wellbeing. 
Yours faithfully, Ian Alexander, Head Teacher.

(*PSHE stands for 'Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education' for teachers, parents and children.  The registered charity is the Children's Safety Education Foundation.)

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR THE PROTECTION OF HORSES

ÖThank you for the proceeds of your two collection tins totalling £79.90. We really do appreciate all your efforts on our behalf and your continued support is so valuable to us. As you know, the proceeds will go towards continuing the work of the ILPH in this country and abroad. This includes funding the 16 full time Field Officers that work around the clock to alleviate the suffering of horses and ponies in the UK.   Very many thanks on behalf of the ILPH.
Laura Gorbould, Fundraising Assistant'

BOOK EARLY AND AVOID THE RUSH!

Members are reminded that in order to avoid the usual January rush, you can book up to 12 months in advance (provided your annual fees are paid) or alternatively, you can pay in advance and book in advance for 2008.  Also please note that we still have some space available at Brunston Castle and Whitbarrow Village during September, October, November and December 2007.  Phone Reservations on 01994 426000 for bookings and availability.

NEW OTE BUYER'S GUIDE TO TIMESHARE

A recent publication from the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE) is designed to give those who are considering buying - whether as a valued investment in future holidays or an alternative to owning a second home a high level of consumer protection by explaining the wisdom of purchasing from Seasons Holidays, who are members of the OTE.

Currently six million families already enjoy timeshare holidays at more than 5,000 resorts in over 90 countries.  In key areas of the globe, timeshare ranks as the fastest growing segment of the travel and tourism industry, often registering double-digit growth on an annual basis.  And with around 1.5 million owner-families, Europe is second only to the United States as the largest timeshare market in the world.

Members of OTE adhere to a strict code of conduct that promotes the rights of the buyer, many of which are now enshrined in national and pan European laws.

The new publication 'Timeshare - A Buyer's Guide' details what a potential client can expect when purchasing from a member company, including details of sales contracts, disclosure statements, cooling off periods, legal obligations, accurate information and mechanisms to ensure proper, long-term maintenance and management of the holiday product, resort or club.

'Timeshare - A Buyer's Guide' is available from the OTE web site ñ www.ote-info.com Click on 'Consumer leaflet' to download a copy.

SEASONS IMPORTANT EMAIL ADDRESSES

To make bookings at any of Seasons owned or affiliated resorts, or to book value for money Seasons midweek or weekend breaks, and for any general enquiries about your membership, simply email reservations@seasonsholidays.com.

For unrivalled service and advice on getting to and from your holiday destination, including low cost carriers, charters, scheduled flights, car hire, ferries, please email travelclub@seasonsholidays.com or call 01253 299044. All tickets are fully protected through our association with Vacation Travel Seasons Travel Club.

The Travel Club online enquiry/booking service is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. For more details click here.

Generous offers are always available for friends and relations of members to come and experience Seasons for themselves - plus incentives for members! For the current special offers email referrals@seasonsholidays.com.

If any members wish to contact Seasons Owners Consultative Committee email mail@socc.org.uk.