Cheers to 40 Years!
Today marks a very special day for us here at Thornley Leisure Parks. Ann Grimshaw celebrates working for the company for 40 years – an amazing acheivement and a career which i’m sure has as many colourful stories as the characters met over the decades! We thought we’d ask Ann a few questions so you can get to know the lady and the legend a little better!
Name: Ann Grimshaw
Park: Thornley Leisure Parks Head Office, Colwyn Bay
Position: Secetary, Administrator, Agony Aunt amongst others
How long have you worked for Thornley Leisure? 40 years today!
What initially drew you to wanting to work for the company? I saw an advert for a part time position in the North Wales Weekly News which was exactly what i was looking for at the time.
What do you enjoy most about your role? The variety – no two days are the same. The customers, many of whom i have known for many years and the great camarardarie among the staff across all of the 9 Holiday Parks.
Ann in the early days based at Craiglwyd Hall Caravan Park
I can most likely be found… AT MY DESK! Most recently working from home but thankfully back in Colwyn Bay this week.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Family time/Walking locally/Gardening/Baking/Reading/Tinkling on a keyboard
My favourite placed to visit in the local area…. Anywhere in North Wales! There is beauty in every direction, coast or countryside – we are truly spoilt to live here.
I enjoy working in the Holiday Park industry because… we are basically a team working for the good of others, – it gives a sense of the freedom enjoyed by those using the parks and of satisfaction knowing you are at the end of a phone to answer all manner of questions appertaining to our caravans and parks.
What are you looking forward to doing after the current restrictions ease? : Travelling to see family – Going to the pub – FREEDOM!!
Which is your favourite park? : Has to be Craiglwyd Hall Caravan Park, the flagship park where Thornley Leisure Parks story began and where I worked for 23 years commencing 1981 until our Head Office relocated to Colwyn Bay in 2004.
Do you have any advice to anyone thinking of owning a holiday home?
If you can afford the luxury choose your Holiday Park, (Thornley Leisure have 9 parks to choose from) and Holiday Home wisely and make the most of owning a perfect bolt hole for your free time in any one of our perfect 9 locations! Has to be a Thornley Park!
Any Parting words………… Hard to believe that 40 years have zipped by since I first began with Thornley Leisure Parks in February 1981 at Head Office based at Craiglwyd Hall Caravan Park, Penmaenmawr. Working alongside the founder of Thornley Leisure Parks, Mr W S Thornley and his two sons David & Andrew. Initially a part time position but after almost a year that changed to full time. I doubt I would still be at my desk after all these years had I not enjoyed my time to date with Thornley Leisure Parks. So many people I have met over the years both staff and customers and so many telephone conversations from the length and breadth of the UK and beyond for a variety of reasons. Lots of memories made along the way – it has often been mentioned that we should have written a book or made a soap opera from all the interesting little things which can happen and do happen, on a daily basis, when dealing with people. I feel fortunate to have seen the ad in the ‘Situations Vacant’ column of the North Wales Weekly News that day in February 1981. I wasn’t particularly looking for a job but once seen I felt that it was tailor made for me due to the part time element and the fact that I lived only a 10 minute or so walk from home. Imagine my surprise when the phone call arrived offering me the position following my interview!! Little did I know then it would take me on a 40 year journey. It has always been a pleasure to arrive each day to support an ever- growing company and seeing it flourish year on year. All staff enjoy a happy working environment at Thornley Leisure Parks which is testament to all the director’s and to each other. I hope all those staff who are here now will enjoy their journey with Thornley Leisure Parks as much as I have and still do today.
