NEWS The latest news from around both counties HEYTHROP HOTEL IN OXFORDSHIRE SET TO REOPEN AFTER INVESTMENT A Chipping Norton venue is set to undergo a £40million investment after being acquired by a national leisure and hospitality group. Heythrop Park Resort was purchased by Bourne Leisure in 2018, building on its already impressive portfolio. It will now become the latest hotel for the Warner Leisure Hotels family, renowned for its adult-only breaks. Heythrop will be the fifteenth hotel in the Warner portfolio and is set to become the biggest and best. The multi-million-pound investment will transform the current space into a stunning country haven for those looking for a short break away without children. The transformation will see the creation of 337 bedrooms, allowing 18th-century opulence to meet modern luxury and retaining the property’s historic feel alongside a host of contemporary facilities. Guests can expect chic lounges, vibrant bars and outdoor terraces plus a ballroom theatre. Live music and exquisite dining will be provided across three restaurants. The grounds will provide acres of exploration for guests, who can spend their days strolling through parkland or enjoying scenic cycle routes. The hotel’s spa will house an indoor pool, a new thermal and sensory suite and beauty and wellness treatments. Warner will also be retaining the 18-hole Bainbridge Championship Course, which Heythrop is famous for. Taking to the helm as general manager, Dean Saunders joined the Warner family as a lifeguard at one of its coastal hotels and progressively worked his way up to managing the group’s flagship property, Studley Castle in Warwickshire. Bringing more than 30 years of experience to the role, Dean’s main mission is to provide guests with the perfect place to unwind. Managing director of Warner Leisure Hotels, Simon Thompson, said, “We’re delighted to have acquired such an impressive property in what is a beautiful part of the UK. It’s our first property in Oxfordshire and is set to be our biggest and best - we look forward to bringing even more tourism to the area.” Dean Saunders added, “Heythrop brings together the best of both worlds – inside and out. Guests will have a unique sense of space here, with the option to explore, relax or be entertained without ever having to leave the stunning surroundings. When the opportunity to manage such an amazing place came up, I jumped at it. I can’t wait to greet new guests and begin our exciting journey here in the summer.” Heythrop Park is set to open this summer. The estate covers more than 440 acres of land and will be the largest Warner property to date. To book, visit www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk DE VERE BEAUMONT ESTATE ANNOUNCES AWARD WIN Jon Luca Keane, senior chef de partie at De Vere Beaumont Estate located in Old Windsor was recently crowned Junior Chef Champion in the IACC UK Copper Skillet competition. Jon Luca now progresses to the next stage, where he will travel to Las Vegas, representing the UK to compete for the title of the Global Copper Skillet Champion which will take place in May 2022. During the competition, participating chefs were tasked with creating a dish using basic pantry items and a mystery basket of proteins and other fresh, dairy and grocery produce. They were given 30 minutes to prepare, create, and present their dishes to the judges. Jon Luca’s winning dish was crispy-fried pork tenderloin medallions, warm niçoise salad and Bearnaise sauce. Commenting on Jon Luca’s win, Bruce McDowell, De Vere’s group food and beverage manager, said, “We’re thrilled for Jon Luca on his win at the UK Copper Skillet. This is a testament to his culinary excellence, and of course, we’re also immensely proud of his work at De Vere Beaumont Estate. We wish him the best of luck for the finals in Las Vegas later this year.” Mark Cooper, CEO of IACC said, “I am very impressed by the skills that Jon Luca showcased at the UK Copper Skillet competition. De Vere has a fantastic track record of producing young culinary talent, with four of their chefs now having gone on to compete at the Global Copper Skillet competition. I wish Jon Luca the best of luck and I look forward to seeing what he creates in the final at IACC Americas Connect in May.” In other news at the property, in celebration of World Book Day that took place on 3rd March 2022, the De Vere hotel group has announced a partnership with British publishing house Bloomsbury to launch a new book club that will mean guests can loan a choice of four titles during their stay that will be refreshed on a bi-monthly basis to include a variety of recent launches, topical reads, and modern classics. The first selection includes Greenwich Park by author Katherine Faulkner, Sunday Times bestseller A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende, Somebody I Used to Know, a powerful memoir by Wendy Mitchell and In Control: Dangerous Relationships and How They End in Murder, by Professor Jane Monckton-Smith. The book club is available De Vere Beaumont Estate as well as De Vere Latimer Estate in Buckinghamshire and De Vere Wokefield Estate near Reading. To book, call 01753 640 000 or visit www.devere.co.uk/beaumont-estate #DeVerexBloomsbury Nearlywed 9 LOCAL NEWS
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