Welcome to the April edition of the Fairford & Lechlade Business Club newsletter; spring is around the corner and the roll out of the Covid vaccine continues apace, so there is reason to be cheerful.
Within each newsletter we take the opportunity to introduce ourselves as Steering Committee Members and tell you a little about our respective businesses.
During the winter of 1989, my husband Tim built an 18 hole golf course at Wrag Barn near Highworth on land that had previously grown cereals and grazed cattle. Over the next 30 years we built a clubhouse, driving range and a six hole academy course. The club opened for golf membership in 1990 and the business has developed into a strong community of members with a section for Seniors, Men, Ladies and Juniors. There is an opportunity to compete on a friendly and more serious level either at home or against surrounding clubs.
Every summer we hold a Junior Golf Week, when priority on the course is given to the Junior section and a series of competitions are held with the Ladies and Seniors culminating in a match against the Men who always lose! I have an abiding memory of being stuck in a bunker when playing in a competition with an 8 year old Junior: “Just pretend you’re hitting a £5 note out from under the ball” – sage advice indeed.
We pride ourselves on the family ethos and have signed up to the R&A Women in Golf Charter which promotes the inclusion of ladies and family golf. The sight of a Junior playing with their parents and grandparents is really special, although I have to admit it’s not always entirely harmonious.
In the clubhouse we have a Spike Bar and changing rooms downstairs and 2 party rooms upstairs where we celebrate life events and hold conferences for up to 140 people. The best thing about our venue is the most wonderful views towards the Marlborough Downs – you can waste many hours on the balcony watching golfers on the 18th green on a summer’s day.
My main role is marketing; I trained in social media with Digital Mums graduating in September 2016 and from September ’18 to January ’20 I hosted a radio show every Thursday on Swindon 105.5FM, I’m now a roving reporter and sometimes drive the desk for Girls About Town on a Wednesday.
During the past 12 months, golf has seen a resurgence and our business model has completely changed. We have taken this opportunity to restructure our staff and streamline the Food and Beverage department with new menus and an emphasis on local suppliers. On the course we’ve taken the opportunity to carry out maintenance work such as drainage and tree work while there are no golfers.
We’re thrilled to welcome our members back from 29th March and look forward to a season of social and competitive golf with our friends.
If you haven’t heard of us and would like to know more: www.wragbarn.com
Best wishes
Verity Manners
FLBC Steering Group
