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Oh what a beautiful show! Oklahoma! storms into Kilworth
Five fantastic years - a look back at the first five years at Kilworth House ...more
Strike a deal with 'The Dragons' ...more
The Heart of England Air Ambulance chosen charity for 2008 ...more
Oh what a beautiful show! Oklahoma! storms into Kilworth
A high-kicking, fast-moving and exuberant performance of the classic musical ‘Oklahoma!’ took the first-night audience by storm when it opened the 2008 season at Kilworth House Theatre on June 5th.
Every evening since then enthusiastic audiences have been captivated by the exhilarating songs and music of Rodgers and Hammerstein and by the skill and vibrant talent of the young and gifted cast.
Well over 16,000 tickets have been sold for this unmissable experience – more than double the number in our inaugural season last year, a definite sign that Kilworth guests have really taken the theatre to their hearts.
The theatre season continues in July with our ‘Live at Kilworth!’ evenings including performances by The Manfreds, Barbara Dickson and The Glenn Miller Orchestra. For details call 01858 881939.
Five fantastic years - A look back at the first five years at Kilworth House
On April 7th 2008 we celebrated the fifth anniversary of the opening of Kilworth House Hotel, and what an exciting time it has been.
Owners Celia & Richard Mackay bought the house in November 1999 when it was still being used as a private residence and it took three and half years of painstaking work to convert it to the hotel you now see.
Richard comments “We wanted to restore the house to its original state when built in 1880. The Orangery alone took two years to repair and bring back to its present glory. All the work was intensive and expensive but we are very proud of the results”.
Once open our guests quickly took Kilworth to their hearts and supported everything we did. Celia says “We wanted to do things differently to try and distinguish us from other country house hotels. As my background is in theatre we introduced ‘Theatre in the Orangery’ where guests can enjoy dinner and top class entertainment”. it quickly took off and is now an essential part of our activities with nearly two thousand guests enjoying our Christmas show in 2007.
Over the years the hotel has won numerous awards for its quality and standards including ‘Small Hotel of the Year’ on two occasions, and currently enjoys an 84% AA rating – the highest possible for a four star hotel.
The hotel has been very active in charitable fund-raising organising events for a chosen charity each year. Over the past three years these events have raised over £300,000 for the charities – Cancer Research UK (£85k), Motor Neurone Disease Association (£120k) and Macmillan Cancer Support (£103k).
With a lifelong love of the theatre, Celia realised her dream when Kilworth House Theatre opened with a sell-out run of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ in June 2007. “The response to our theatre has exceeded all expectations. We seem to have created something which our guests have long been waiting for”.
Although Kilworth House has quickly developed its reputation for quality and standards there is no room for complacency. “Our staff are proud of working at the hotel and have contributed hugely to its success, but we all realise there is always room for improvement. The search for consistency and enhancement of the guest experience never ends” says Richard.
So thank you for your support over our first five years – without you we wouldn't be here.
Strike a deal with 'The Dragons'
Kilworth House in conjunction with Off limits Corporate events, invites you to try team building with a difference.
‘Enter the Dragons Lair’ is a new and exciting event that is already proving extremely popular. This dynamic event encourages you to put your entrepreneurial skills to the test. Have you got what it takes to design and build a unique invention that will prove a success with the Dragons?
‘Enter the Dragons Lair’ requires delegates to have a savvy mind, creative flair and of course the courage to present the final product to the Dragons!
Martin Stephens, Director at Off limits said “The event was initially created as a bespoke event for a major UK Bank. The client specifically requested for an activity to draw out creativity and presentation skills of the participants. The client described their experience as ‘Team Building disguised as fun with some inspiring results’. After the resounding success and the feedback from the clients, Off Limits incorporated ‘Enter the Dragons Lair’ as part of their ever-growing portfolio of activities offered.”
For more information on this event and other great team building ideas, please contact Off limits Corporate events on 01773 76605.
The Heart of England Air Ambulance chosen charity for 2008
The UK’s largest and fastest Air Ambulance started in October 2003 (known as the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance – WNAA) from its base at Coventry Airport.
Being a completely independent charity it relies solely on sponsorships and donations receiving no funding from the Government or National Lottery. In addition to the WNAA, it has been confirmed that the Air Ambulance will introduce a new helicopter to cover Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland (DRLAA) in 2008 operating from East Midlands Airport. The two air ambulances will currently be one of only a few charities to fly with a Doctor on board at all times being able, when necessary to work in tandem on major accidents. The Air Ambulance will play a huge part in the lives of many people in the five counties, attending on average 6 incidents a day – 50% of which are road traffic accidents. The crew fly seven days a week during daylight hours, however with continued support it is hoped to extend these flying hours. Each Air Ambulance needs in excess of £1.2m each year to keep the helicopter flying.
Jo Payne from The Heart of England Air Ambulance said “We are thrilled that Kilworth House Hotel have chosen the Air Ambulance as their nominated charity. The support from the hotel will really be appreciated. The introduction of the new Air Ambulance is a tremendous step forward for the people of the three counties who will now benefit from this much improved facility, mirroring the excellence in patient care achieved by the neighbouring service in Warwickshire & Northamptonshire”
