Travel Trade News - January 2008

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Visit the Great Days Out Fair 2008

Great Days Out Fair is the largest one day group travel organiser's event in the UK, bringing over 200 attractions and destinations together and provides the perfect opportunity for you to plan your group visits for the year ahead.

With a host of fabulous prizes and an array of exciting entertainment Great Days Out Fair 2008 will not only be a vital source of information but will also be a 'Great Day Out'!

At the 2008 show, you can expect to look forward to;

Free entry to the Fair for all group travel organisers
Arrange your group visits in one day - saving you time, effort and money
1000's of inspiring ideas and special offers to help you plan your next group or school trip
Find out about new group offers
Meet exhibitors who specialise in educational visits
Reinforce links with existing contacts
Plan successful and enjoyable outings
Many exhibitors offer special discounts and some even offer free admission
Some exhibitors offer educational facilities and literature linked to the national curriculum
Free tea & biscuits for all visitors!!
Enjoy culinary delights from a regional celebrity chef
Superb entertainment throughout the day
Exciting one off performances from a star of the West End Musical, The Sound of Music
Fantastic prize draws, from luxury food hampers to weekend breaks
Free parking at the Fair for all visitors

With all this under one roof can you afford to miss the Great Days Out Fair 2008?

Pre-register yourself and a friend now at http://www.greatdaysout.com/ or call 01706 827 946 and you will automatically be entered into the fabulous Grand Prize Draw*

(*entrants must be at the show to claim their prize)

Yorkshire is pleased to be exhibiting once again at Great Days Out so please come and visit us on the Yorkshire stand (242) along with the many other Yorkshire attractions and destinations who are exhibiting at the show. We look forward to welcoming you and assisting you in planning your next group visit to Yorkshire and also don't miss the chance to win a short break in Hull!

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York Pass - Enjoy the attractions of an award winning city at a reduced price

With world class attractions, 2000 years of heritage to explore and a year round calender of events, festivals and markets York is the prefect destination for your group visit.

The city was recently crowned 'The UK's Best City' in November 2007 at the prestigious annual Telegraph Travel Awards. These awards highlight the best that travel can offer and emerge from the biggest independent survey in the UK of the British traveling public.

This award also comes hot on the heels of a win in Europe where York gained the accolade, European Tourism City of the Year, proving that York is a world class destination to take your group to.

Buy York passes for your group visit and get up to 20% discount on group orders.

If you are planning your next group visit to York, see more for less with a York Pass offering great savings. York Pass could be your key to unlocking the treasures of York. Discover over 2000 years of history as well as the best in entertainment, the arts and shopping. The York Pass gives you FREE entry to 28 favourite attractions, offering great value and convenience in one easy to use package.

Attractions offering FREE entry with the York Pass include:

• Aldborough Roman Site
• Barley Hall
• Black Sheep Brewery
• Byland Abbey
• Castle Howard
• Clifford's Tower
• Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum
• Fairfax House
• Helmsley Castle
• Kirkham Priory
• Merchant Adventurers Hall
• Micklegate Bar Museum
• Pickering Castle
• Regimental Museum
• Richard III Museum
• Rievaulx Abbey
• Roman Bath
• Treasurers House
• World of James Herriot
• Yorkboat Guided River Trips
• York Brewery Tour
• York Dungeon
• Yorkshire Air Museum
• York Castle Museum
• Yorkshire Museum
• York Minster
• York Model Railway
• York Walk

Prices for adult passes:

1 day pass £21
2 day pass £27
3 day pass £34

For a list of additional discounts, special offers and individual opening dates, times, locations and descriptions of attractions, please visit http://www.yorkpass.com/

For further information on bringing your group to York, visit www.yorkshire.com/grouptravel or call the Groups Desk on 01904 554 653 where they will assist with all aspects of planning your visit to York including accommodation, itinerary planning and coach parking.

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Yorkshire Lavender

Yorkshire has some specatacular landscape and garden displays all over the region each with individual character. I bet you didnt expect lavender to be grown in the middle of the North York Moors!

Visitor Attraction Gold Winner 2007. Lavender Farm, Specialist Lavender and Herb Nursery, Themed Gardens, Deer Park, Gift Shop and Tea Room. Set in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty with spectacular panoramic views over the Vale of York and beyond.

Yorkshire Lavender is the perfect place for a group visit whether you wish to stop all day or just spend a couple of hours.

Yorkshire Lavender is located 3 miles west of Castle Howard and 14 miles north east of York and has been featured on National TV and Radio and is one of England's Premier Lavender Farm, Gardens and Herb Nursery.

There are hundreds of varieties of lavender and herbs for sale together with border perennials, biennials, annuals, grasses, alpines and wildflowers. Expert advice is also available from the knowledgeable team on site.

Walk amongst the lavenders, with their stunning array of different colours - white, pinks, blues, lilacs to magnificent deep purples with a range of distinct and heady scents. And enjoy the freshly baked lavender scones, and locally made lavender ice-cream in the award winning EJ's Licensed Tea Room / Restaurant.
Here is what is on offer for groups at Yorkshire Lavender:

• FREE Admission and FREE Coach Parking
• FREE Garden Plan for each member of the Group
• FREE Daytime Group talks on lavender and its many uses (15+)
• Groups can enjoy morning coffees, light lunches and afternoon teas and sandwiches from a full and varied menu in the award winning EJs Licensed Tea Room and Restaurant.
• FREE refreshments for Coach Driver/Courier
• A FREE tea/coffee and lavender scone is available to all group leaders, organisers and members of the travel trade who make a familiarisation visit.

To book a Group/Coach visit or if you require any further information including a copy of our full and varied menu or details of evening group visits please contact Karen on 01653 648008 or email : lavenderworld@btconnect.com.

Open daily 10am to 5pm 1 March - 21 December 2008

For further information please visit http://www.yorkshirelavender.com/

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What's NEW in Bridlington?

A group visit to Bridlington is sure to be fun filled as this traditional seaside resort offers something old and something new. Groups visiting Bridlington will find a bustling fishing town and seaside resort with golden sands and award winning promenades. Combine a wander in the Old Town with a ride on the NEW observation wheel on the edwardian waterfront.

New for 2008

Eye on the Bay - Bridlington's observation wheel.
This state of the art observation wheel is the first of its type anywhere along the coast and is a major coup for the town of Bridlington.

Located on the Bayside Leisure Complex this towering wheel (40m) allows you to sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery which Bridlington and the surrounding area has to offer. The 'Eye' is complete with 24 state of the art gondolas all fully equipped seating up to a maximum of 6 people.

For further information regarding a group visit please call 01262 438 203 or visit http://www.yorkshirecarousel.co.uk/

Bridlington Spa due to re-open Summer 2008 after a multi-million pound redevelopment.

Bridlington Spa is the Yorkshire Coasts Premier venue. With an Edwardian theatre and a 1930's ballroom it offers a wide range of facilities and is able to host almost anything. Its sea front location gives an added dimension to a visit with many patrons combining a day on the coast, something to eat and drink in the Tilly Morrison bar and an evening in the theatre. Through the year we present some of Britain's best comedians, musicians, dancers, actors and even sportsmen.

A multi million pound redevelopment programme with external improvements to the building is currently taking place at the spa to include:
- New main entrance and associated alterations to the South Marine Drive elevation
- Remodelling the North end of the building, involving the removal of the single storey offices and construction of a more compact two-storey conference suite
- Addition of new glazed bays to the Promenade elevation (including replacement of the yellow brick section)
- New infill to the facade of the Royal Hall
- Wholesale repair, refurbishment and renewal of the external element of the building including doors and windows

For further information please visit http://www.bridlington-spa.co.uk/ regularly for updates and when the spa is to re-open. Once complete groups will be able to enjoy the splendour of one of Yorkshires premier venues once again!

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Yorkshire's finest food and drink celebrated at Deliciouslyorkshire Awards

Yorkshire is renowned for and proud of its food and drink heritage and you will find plenty of places to visit if your group is particularly interested in locally sourced Yorkshire ingredients or just food and drink in general.

Why not add in a few treats to your group itinerary, maybe a trip to one of the local farmshops or farmers markets in the region? Attractions such as the Blacksheep Brewery in Masham, the Wensleydale Creamery and Yorkshire Country Wines offer fantastic tours for groups where you will experience how these famous local products are made. There are also plenty of places to source Yorkshire ingredients and take a piece of Yorkshire home with you.

The region's finest food and drink was celebrated recently at the annual Deliciouslyorkshire Awards dinner held at York's historic Merchant Adventurers' Hall.

The prestigious awards, which were established by The Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber three years ago to showcase outstanding produce and celebrate the achievements of producers and suppliers of the very best food and drink in the region, attracted a record number of entries this year. The team of expert, independent judges, chaired by Yorkshire Life food and drink editor Elaine Lemm, had the unenviable task of whittling down more than 100 entries from companies throughout the region to just 11 winners in a list that reads like a who's who in Yorkshire produce.

Awards included Most Innovative Product, Most Innovative Company, Farm Shop Retailer of the Year, Small and Large Producer, Independent Retailer, Best Use of Regional Produce on the Menu and Deliciouslyorkshire Breakfast Member. For a full list of Breakfast members, please click here.

Here are some of the winners:

Farm Shop Retailer of the Year
Sponsored by Fosters Bakery Ltd
Winner: The Balloon Tree Farm Shop and Cafe
http://www.theballoontree.co.uk/

Independent Retailer of the Year
Sponsored by Yorkshire Life
Winner: Lewis & Cooper
http://www.lewisandcooper.co.uk/

Large Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Yorkshire Forward
Winner: Stuart's Foods
http://www.stuartsfoods.co.uk/

Best Use of Regional Produce on a Menu
Sponsored by Yorkshire Agricultural Society
Winner: The General Tarleton
http://www.generaltarleton.co.uk/

Deliciouslyorkshire Breakfast Member
Sponsored by Stuart's Foods
Winner: Stoney End Holidays
http://www.stoneyend.co.uk/

Deliciouslyorkshire Champion 2007-08
Awarded to Janet Oldroyd Hulme of E Oldroyd and Sons for her unstinting and enduring commitment to her product and to the region
http://www.yorkshirerhubarb.co.uk/

Says Jonathan Knight: "These hard-won awards are a deserved recognition of the craft and passion the 11 Deliciouslyorkshire winners have shown in the making and serving of superb food and drink. These awards help set them apart and demonstrate what we in Yorkshire already know - our food and drink really is top class."

A New award for 2007-08 is the Deliciouslyorkshire Champion Award - presented to Janet Oldroyd Hulme of Rothwell-based rhubarb producers E Oldroyd and Sons for her unstinting and enduring commitment to her product and to the region.

Dubbed 'The High Priestess of Rhubarb' by the national media, Janet Oldroyd Hulme has almost single-handedly transformed the reputation of rhubarb, moving it up the food agenda from a school dinner staple in apparently terminal decline, to highly trendy healthy nosha.

If you are looking to create a food and drink itinerary for your group to include providers who traditionally source ingredients locally, find out more by visiting http://www.delicouslyorkshire.co.uk/

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Concert Season all year round in Leeds

Yorkshire has to be the northern capital of world-class performance. With leading regional theatres and arts organisations, ballet and opera, world-class dance acts and award winning productions you can take your deal and indulge your imagination whilst enjoying performances on one of Yorkshire's legendary stages. Here are just some of the performances you can expect to see coming up:

Spring highlights at West Yorkshire Playhouse

The West Yorkshire Playhouse, has established a reputation both nationally and internationally as one of Britain's most exciting producing theatres, winning awards for everything from its productions to its customer service. It is now able to offer you some great discounts on its new and exciting productions.

Group Ticket Prices
Groups of 10 or more can buy tickets for the discount price of £2 off any ticket for the following performances, and for every 15 tickets you buy you are entitled to a 16th ticket free. Groups of 40 or more get an additional £1.50 off every ticket - a total saving of £3.50 a ticket - subject to availability.

Year of the Rat
7 March to 5 April
Courtyard Theatre
By Roy Smiles

Fast Labour
19 April to 17 May
Courtyard Theatre
By Steve Waters

For more information or to book any performances please contact the Box Office on 0113 213 7700 or book online at http://www.wyp.org.uk/

Great discounts at The Grand

The Grand Theatre in Leeds has always attracted top names and performances, set in a newly refurbished and stunning setting. The Grand is proud to present the following performances, all of which have group discounts.

Cats
11 March 2008 - 29 March 2008
Parties of 10+ are eligible for a 20% discount. Please contact the Box Office on 0870 121 4901 to claim.

Swan Lake
01 April 2008 - 06 April 2008

For further information please call the Box Office on 0870 121 4901 or visit http://www.leedsgrandtheatre.com/

Leeds International Concert Season

Leeds International Concert Season is run by Leeds City Council and is the largest local authority music programme in the UK. It programmes more than 200 concerts a year in the Leeds area.

The highlight of each season is the International Orchestral Series which sees national and international orchestras visit Leeds Town Hall on Saturday nights.
The season also includes the UK's finest brass band series at Morley and Yeadon Town Halls, international chamber music and concerts for children at Leeds College of Music, plus a programme of jazz, world and rock at Leeds Town Hall.

The International Concert season features music for all tastes and includes many discounts for groups.

Spring Highlights

Saturday 23 February 2008
7.30pm
Leeds Town Hall
The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AD

LEEDS PHILHARMONIC CHORUS & MANCHESTER CAMERATA CONCERT ORCHESTRA

Tickets: £12 - £25 (discounts available)
Box Office: 0113 224 3801 / Book online http://www.leedsconcertseason.com/

Saturday 8 March 2008
7.30pm
Leeds Town Hall
The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AD

WARSAW PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Tickets: £9.50 - £27.50 (discounts available)
Box Office: 0113 224 3801 / Book online http://www.leedsconcertseason.com/

Sunday 16 March 2008
7.30pm
Leeds Town Hall
The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AD

MANCHESTER CAMERATA
BROADWAY CLASSICS: SONGS FROM THE SHOWS

Tickets: £12.50 - £25.50 (discounts available)
Box Office: 0113 224 3801 / Book online http://www.leedsconcertseason.com/

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Take a look at South Yorkshire for inspiring and fresh new places to visit

Add to the mix sports and live music along with traditional rural villages, market towns and England's fourth largest city and you'll soon see why there really is something for everyone.

For a couple of hours or a couple of days there's no chance of your group being at a loose end. You'll find restored gardens and palatial country houses; live music and intriguing exhibitions in abundance; attractions from major galleries to those hidden gems groups love to treasure.

With itineraries full of adventure or total relaxation your group could be ice-skating at The Dome or flying Birds of Prey at a Tropical Butterfly House, on local Brewery Trails or having a laugh at some of the best comedy clubs around.

For pure indulgence choose luxury spas to shopping centres with everything under one roof.

The range of accommodation offers great choices for every budget, with great deals and added value packages for every group. And when everyone needs feeding, refreshment stops offer cream teas to connoisseur cookery. Your group will never go hungry.

Central to the motorway network, the region has excellent access from the M1, M18, M62 and A1 (M). With Eurostar at St Pancras providing a direct link via London, five international airports, including the newest at Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield, and Hull's international ferry port within 60 minutes travelling, wherever your group is travelling from, Yorkshire South is never far away.

For help planning your next group visit to South Yorkshire contact Yorkshire South Tourism for a copy of the Group Travel guide. It's packed full of great ideas. Contact Yorkshire South Tourism on 0114 281 4048, email us at groups@yorkshiresouth.com or take a look at both www.yorkshire.com/grouptravel and http://www.yorkshiresouth.com/

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Events

Rotherham Oakwood 2008 Real Ale & Music Festival 13th - 16th February 2008

Come and try out over 200 varieties of British Real Ales, featuring legendary ales, real British Ciders, Fine Wines, Great Food, Sheep, and Four live entertainment stages!
There will be eleven bars serving more than 250 real ales from all over the United Kingdom, as well as a range of European beers.

Or perhaps wine is more to your taste? From exquisite reds to popular whites, they're all personally selected by our very own wine expert. No wonder our wine sales double each year!

Forget big-brand cider - come and experience the taste of real English cider on draught. Some of our ciders are hard to find anywhere else, and they always sell out!
Oakwood is renowned for the quality and variety of the music. Rock, folk, pop, jazz, blues - there is something for everyone. There will be a host of professional entertainers at this year's festival. Up to five different acts each evening in four separate venues.

For further information, a list of the Real Ale on offer or to purchase a ticket please call 01709 512 222 or visit www.realale-oakwoodtc.org/contact.htm Beverley and East Riding Folk Festival 20th - 22nd June 2008

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JORVIK Viking Festival, York 13th - 17th February 2008

Yorkshire has a jam packed calender of festivals all year round. Make a visit to the Jorvik Viking Festival in York as a highlight with your group.

The festival commemorates the city's Viking heritage as Vikings from around the world unite to fight and trade once again! Enjoy a step back in time in this Viking settlement with arts, music, drama and action, plus contributions from a host of special guests.

Take the opportunity to visit some of York's fascinating architectural heritage and stunning locations where some special events are taking place such as the Mansion House, Barley Hall, Guild Hall and Museum Gardens. Why not also visit some of York's most famous pubs on the Viking Walk.

The festival outline is as follows:

Wednesday 13th February: Invasion Day
Thursday 14th February: Arts Day
Friday 15th February: Combat Day
Saturday 16th February: Battle Day
Sunday 17th February: International Day

You will find 5 fun packed days at the festival with something for everyone. Visit the Viking market, try your hand at a variety of Viking-era crafts, including rune writing and working with wicker and corn.
Watch the Vikings demonstrate their replica boats, ancient crafts, cooking, life skills and weaponry and listen to the tales of their journeys!

Under 5's can enjoy activities at the DIG, take part in the 'Design a Warrior Competition', 'Sword Combat' and 'Stories Galore' with children's authors.

For those looking for a unique Valentines treat, enjoy a special candle lit evening of Scandinavian food and drink and Viking entertainment.

For further information on individual events happening on each day, please call 01904 543 402 or visit http://www.vikingjorvik.com/

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Beverley and East Riding Folk Festival 20th - 22nd June 2008

Beverley Folk Festival is a small friendly festival that is big enough to attract top national and international artists. The main festival concert hall is located at Beverley Leisure Complex on the same site as the camping facilities. Other concerts and some workshops are held at the Friary, Minster and Memorial Hall in the centre of Beverley, just a short walk away. The venues host a full programme of performances & workshops in music, dance, comedy, poetry & music craft.

Beverley Festival offers a chance for you to learn a new skill or improve an existing one; whether it be singing, dancing or playing an instrument! Examples of previous workshops include: Harmony Singing, Story Telling and percussion.

Beverley is a historic market town situated some 5 miles north of Hull filled with little narrow streets and a market square. There are many attractions around the town besides the Folk Festival including the gothic Minster founded in the eighth century, the Museum of Army Transport, the racecourse, a plethera of excellent pubs and beautiful surrounding countryside. During the festival weekend many of the pubs host various sessions, entertaining locals and visitors alike.

The Festival Village outside the Beverley Leisure complex hosts a wide range of marquees offering craft stalls, food tents, face painting, children's' activities, performances & workshops.

Take a break from the concerts and workshops by popping into the fringe. The festival fringe sets the town alive with music in many of Beverley's famous pubs such as Hodsgons, The Tiger, The Monk's Walk, The Foresters and the Syntan bage at Beverley Beck. For further information on Fringe events please visit http://www.beverleyfestival.com/

For more information on tickets please call 01377 217 569 or email info@beverleyfestival.com. For accommodation, call the Beverley Tourist Information Centre on 01482 867 430.

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Bradford International Film Festival 29th February - 15th March 2008

In keeping with its history Bradford Film Festival will once again present an array of new and classic titles while celebrating the talents of the people who help make cinema great.

Since its inception in 1995, Bradford International Film Festival (BIFF) has attracted some of the very best in new cinema while presenting an array of vintage classics from the vaults. The Festival includes the annual Shine Award, highlighting the work of new and up-and-coming filmmakers as well as the perennially popular Widescreen Weekend which draws large format film aficionados from all around the world with the National Media Museum's ability to show every film format up to and including 3-strip Cinerama and IMAX.

Bradford International Film Festival gives film lovers the chance to see previews, premieres, retrospectives and interviews featuring leading talents from the world of film, both on and off the camera. Enjoy new and classic films from around the world along with fantastic master classes!

For those of you in the filmmaking industry there is an opportunity to attend the Widescreen weekend and Industry weekend, providing an opportunity for you to expand and broaden your knowledge of the different aspects of filmmaking through key figures in the industry. Covering a wide variety of different aspects of getting your film from conception to distribution with guidance and advice on funding, distribution, working with actors and how to interact with a film crew.

Festival venues include the pictureville cinema, Cubby Broccoli Cinema and the IMAX Cinema.

For further information on the film festival please call 0870 701 0200 or visit http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org/

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Registered Office: Yorkshire Tourist Board, 312 Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1GS, United Kingdom
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