In their advertising and brochures many providers talk about their ‘exclusive’ venues.

But what do they mean by ‘exclusive’? Mostly they mean that they are expensive and thus exclude the people who cannot afford the fees. It is a term that assures people that they will not be rubbing shoulders with the less-well-off.

At High Trenhouse ‘exclusive’ means something different. It means your group is the only customer! Not only will you avoid rubbing shoulders with anyone but your own group, but also you have the whole place to yourself. A place of your own with your own workspace, your own dining room for every meal, your own bar and your own amenities. Of course, quality and comfort are yours, with no other customer competing for service. More than anything, it means you have privacy, so the confidentiality of your interactions is assured. It means you can expand into the space, run your programme in your own time, not confined to only a conference room and have our undivided attention when needed. These factors add enormous value to your event.

We invite you to experience this alternative kind of ‘exclusive’.

What is exclusive? — Bennett's Lounge at High Trenhouse

High Trenhouse signs up to 10:10 Initiative

If you are already carbon efficient why do more? We have always tried to be eco-friendly at High Trenhouse – after all our local environment can sometimes challenge our very survival. Now we have signed up to 10:10 and are challenging ourselves to invent the eco-standards we will need in the next decade

High Trenhouse has signed up to the Guardian’s 10:10 programme and undertaken to reduce carbon emissions by 10% by the end of 2010. For those new to reducing their carbon footprint, this is a modest challenge. At High Trenhouse we have been eco-friendly ever since we were founded and long ago insulated our lofts, double glazed our windows, diversified our fuels, switched to low energy light bulbs and planted trees.

So now how do we reduce a further 10%? This is an exciting challenge as all our team will be thinking creatively to come up with second-order initiatives. We are aware that transport is a big factor and although we schedule work time to reduce unnecessary travel and team members often share cars, we think there must be some good opportunities here. We will also be working with clients to help them reduce their carbon in using High Trenhouse. We will keep you posted.

David Noton Photography Returns to High Trenhouse

For the second year in succession renowned landscape and travel photographer David Noton ran a weekend photographic workshop based at High Trenhouse at the end of October.

David was impressed by the flexibility offered and the friendliness of the staff. He said that all the participants enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the stunning photographic locations nearby, and a similar weekend is scheduled for the 8th, 9th and 10th October 2010. High Trenhouse offers non-photographic partners an ideal base to explore the Dales, and all the participants commented on the brilliant catering with the homemade cakes warmly received after a photographic shoot.

Full details of workshop dates and locations for 2010 can be found at www.davidnoton.com with the opportunity to pre-register your interest as places are strictly limited. The accompanying image was shot on a dawn session above Arncliffe by David’s colleague and fellow professional photographer, Jonathan Gooding.

David Noton Photography Returns to High Trenhouse — The View Above Arncliffe

Green Shoots Perhaps?

Is it a sign of an upturn or a release of pent up pressure? Whatever the cause, it is cheering to note that some organisations, who not long ago told us they had no budget or were constrained by a travel embargo, are now booking team events. This is a very encouraging trend.

Clearly, in challenging economic conditions, senior teams need to step back and do some strategic thinking. After all, it is they who have to pull their organisations out of this recession. It is their confidence in the future that will allow the markets to function well and get the whole economy onto a sound footing.

To step back means to make space between them and the pressures of daily business, which otherwise locks them into reactive thinking. They should spend at least one night away together in ideal surrounding and have a well-facilitated process for their strategic thinking. Because High Trenhouse is the perfect venue for such work, we expect the green shoots to grow.

For the health of the economy, let’s hope the trend continues.

“Puddings A Plenty at High Trenhouse”

High Trenhouse was delighted to play host for a second year to Country Adventures for their acclaimed “Pudding Weekend”

Country Adventures prides itself on organising fun and exciting adventure activity holidays that offer the best experience in the great outdoors with something for everyone to enjoy.

The weekend combined guided walks in the fantastic Yorkshire Dales countryside, with an interest in traditional food and particularly some of your favourite English puddings. The weekend turned out to be yet another success for Country Adventures and High Trenhouse.

“I have just returned from one of the best weekends ever – puddings, walking, great company and many laughs. What more could you want? Thanks to Joe and all those at High Trenhouse for a lovely weekend.” Elaine, Wirral August 2009

Puddings A Plenty at High Trenhouse — Pudding Weekend at High Trenhouse

Dedicated Venues- Do they make a difference?

What is it about dedicated facilities for management events that adds value for clients? The value of a venue depends on your purpose. If it is a training event for staff, then any venue with light and well-equipped workspace, adjoining breakout and dining facilities may well do the job. If you want to impress clients or reward people for work well done, then luxury hotels in exotic locations may be the answer.

However, if you are taking a team away to learn or to re-think your organisation’s future, you will need to be more discerning. There is huge added value in the fact that a dedicated venue offers fewer distractions, people can get on with the job rather than being tempted to indulge themselves.

More than this, on those occasions when you need to step back from daily business to think anew, remember that in times of crisis, great leaders have traditionally ‘gone up into the mountains’. They have deliberately sought out conditions that enable them to reflect deeply, to think new thoughts, to return with new insights – to refresh the soul, the heart and the mind.

It would be foolish to bow to the idea that going away may be ‘sending the wrong message’ if what is needed is clarity of purpose and direction, a guiding vision that will inspire people to excel or sound strategies to feed into your business plan. In these circumstances, going away to think is exactly what you need to do. It is in this regard that the right venue can do half the job for you – and a poor choice may unconsciously impoverish your outcomes.

The ideal venue will be dedicated to your group and your process. Quality matters, you need to be comfortable but not indulgent. You need professional workspace, responsive service and good wholesome food and drink. You need a place that flexes to the changing needs of your group as your work progresses. More important, you need a place where people feel safe and secure, so that they can be comfortable letting go and taking risks in mental and emotional domains.

If you can find it, you need a place of your own in beautiful surroundings; secure exclusivity with properly set up work spaces, suitably flexible support and comfort without opulence. The right venue works wonders! This is what has evolved over the years at High Trenhouse.

This specially converted former farmstead is off the beaten track in beautiful unspoiled surroundings and yet easy enough to reach. It has been shaped for its purpose by feedback from countless groups. The hospitality team personally welcomes you and looks after your needs throughout your stay. The office team supports you and handles every detail of your event. Whatever activities you may need are arranged for you. High Trenhouse only ever gives clients exclusive use. Here is a place to which you can return again and again, enjoying dedicated service in wonderful seclusion.

Venue Checklist – Useful?

How do you assess if a venue is suitable for your management retreat, business planning meeting or training and development event?

Different kinds of event need different kinds of venue so don’t assume that one will fit all needs.

High Trenhouse has designed a venue checklist to help you discern what’s matters most to your off site residential event.

Request a free copy of the offsite venue checklist

High Fashion Favours The Dales

American designer label Anthropologie came to Malhamdale in August for their winter season photoshoot, having been searching for that authentic “flagstones and Aga” warmth coupled with a rugged landscape that the Yorkshire Dales so excellently provides.

With the help of staff at High Trenhouse, where the team of photographers, make-up artists and models based themselves, Location Manager Nigel Swann of Swann Production selected locations around the local area, including interiors in a number of houses in Malhamdale.

Keen to support communities in the locations they use, Nigel was put in touch with Kirkby Malham parish council to help him select the best locations, and in return the Parish will receive a generous contribution to the church restoration fund.

Anthropologie is also making donations to the National Trust and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

A representative from High Trenhouse, said “Its great to be hosting Anthropologie and we were delighted to assist Nigel in finding appropriate locations, especially as they were so keen to donate to the local community. Everyone is benefiting, one way or another.”

For further information, appointments or images please contact High Trenhouse, tel 01729 830322

Outdoor Development at High Trenhouse

Outdoor learning has the advantage of providing first hand experience as the basis of learning and development. Exercises provide unambiguous feedback in situations where there is no risk that your company will disrupt processes, upset customers or lose sales – on the contrary, outdoor development experiences enable people to learn fast and avoid errors at work.

Given its location, High Trenhouse is one of the best venues in the country for outdoor experiential learning. Apart from having grounds designed to accommodate simple exercises and reflective learning, you are surrounded by wonderful open upland countryside with caves, crags, moorland and features like Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and the Three Peaks on your doorstep.

If you don’t have your own outdoor providers then use ours. Since 1982 we have designed and run outdoor development exercises for team development and leadership. From team tasks and treasure hunts to major simulations we have a range to suit all needs – and the equipment and instructors to enable you to take part safely.