There Has Been a Murder at The Shireburn!!!!

There has been a murder at The Shireburn... so we hired the professionals to investigate!

It all took place on a cold, windy night on the 1st of November, and everyone was asking the same questions....what has happened and who has done it?? All possible suspects and the investigators were gathered to the dining room to discuss the situation.

But not to worry, everything was under control as the After Dark Murder Company sorted everything out, gave clues and answered questions.

The cast did scenes of the murder in between every course of a 4 course dinner, until the whole murder was re-enacted. At the end of the meal, during coffee, there was a quiz which, if you took notice of things throughout the night, you would have known who the guilty party was. Then... after a few guesses the murderer was announced. Only one person out of the whole room had been wise enough to know who it was! It was tricky but an overall great experience

Fancy solving a murder yourself, whilst having a fantastic 4 course dinner? All for only £30 per person. Well our next murder mystery night is on Saturday 3rd October!! It is really worth the wait.

A Successful Wedding Fayre

The Shireburn Arms hosted a very successful Wedding Fayre On Sunday 5th October, 2008. Bridal suites were available for viewing along with over 14 exhibitors presenting their wedding services in the main function suite to all the potential Bride & Grooms. Dreamaker of Read & Cosgroves of Rimmington were responsible for the exciting Bridal Show, which highlighted the new season of Bridal Gowns as well as menswear and Mother of the Bride outfits. The amateur bridal models did an excellent job and all agreed the day was exceptionally well presented, informative and professional.

The following stalls exhibited on the day :

Dreamaker

Carolines Celebration Cakes

RVP Wedding Videos

Wedding Carriages

Nick Clarke Studio

Barbara Kay Shoes

All Track Promotions

The Chocolate House

Proctors Cheese Ltd

Creative Cover Hire

Celebration Balloons

Chocolate Indulgence

Deannamic Designs

Crystal Eternity

Manchester String Quartet

Chapels Spa

Garlands Florist

Stuart Bell - featuring vocalist Lauren

More information can be obtained from The Shireburn Arms Hotel direct on 01254 826518 for further information on The Shireburn as a wedding venue or information/leaflets on any of the above exhibitors.

The next scheduled Wedding fayre, which I'm sure will be equally as successful is on Sunday 1st February, 2009. Don't miss out on the chance to view the hotel, its facilities and the wide range of highly specialised exhibitors.

Please enjoy the photographs capturing the whole day, from stalls to the bridal show.

Dreamaker & Cosgrove Bridal Fashion Show

A big Thank You to all the exhibitors for their continued support, and Thanks as always to all who attended on the day. Hope to see you all again on the 1st February, 2009

A New Face at The Shireburn

A new face at The Shireburn.

We would like to introduce a new member to our kitchen brigade junior sous Chef Robert Walls who recently joined us.

Having worked at The Castle at Taunton and the Duke of York Inn Grindleton he has added The Shireburn to his CV and is cooking up a storm in our kitchen. Those who dine here will have noticed the change as Robert has made his mark on our sweet menu, his own creations such as, Assiette of orange including blood orange champagne, blood orange jelly with orange chocolate truffle.

Also he’s bringing back the classics such as Apple charlotte with clotted cream.

Our chief taste tester and manager Steven Alcock is quite pleased with his new signing commented,

“A refreshing new talent to the Shireburn who will have a big impression not only in the kitchen but my waist line as well”

Welcome to the team Robert.

Recipe of the month

For all those budding Gordon Ramsey`s, we thought it would be a good idea if you could take a piece of the Shireburn into your own home and treat your nearest and dearest. So every month we will be featuring a dish off our ala carte, bar snack or dessert menu to recreate in your own kitchen.

This month we have chosen one of our most popular starters from our ala carte menu

Roasted Scallops with a fennel and ginger cream. (Serves 2)

You will need -

* 8 Medium size scallops with the coral (orange fleshy part) taken off.
(A good fish monger will advise you and prepare them for you)
* 1/2 Bulb of fennel
* Grated fresh ginger to taste
* 200ml fresh cream
* 100 ml dry white wine
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 teaspoon Olive oil
* A drizzle of balsamic vinegar
* Julienne of leeks (fine strips)

To make the fennel and ginger cream – finely grate the fennel and add into a pan with the ginger and the white wine. Allow to reduce slightly, then add the cream and reduce again until it thickens, pass through a sieve and keep it warm to one side.

To cook the scallops – season the scallops with salt and pepper and place in a lightly oiled hot frying pan, cook until lightly coloured on one side and turn them over using a palate knife or spatula and cook for a further 1 or 2 minutes. Gently pan fry the leeks until crispy.

To assemble the dish – in the centre of the plate place the crispy fried leeks and then the scallops around the leeks. A dessert spoon of the fennel and ginger cream over each scallop and finely drizzle a little balsamic vinegar to garnish.

A starter that Mr Ramsey would be pleased to call his own.

Julys employee of the month winner is ........

Time sure flys by here at The Shireburn, another month gone and time to decide who should be the next star of the Shireburn.

Its employee of the month time yet again and rather than having a short listed 3 we thought it would be better to just anounce a winner for the month of July.

Its been a hard desicion to make yet again with a lot of budding hopefulls to receive a much sought after prize.

So drum roll please..............................................

And the winner is-

Andrew Armstrong

(Chef)

Well done Andrew and thankyou for all your hard work.

Elvis came, he sang and has now left the building.....

Saturday 12th July, was a complete success, as Elvis Presley performed Live in front of The Shireburn Arms Audience. Singing and dancing to all the well known tracks, Carl Miller AKA Elvis had the audience in the palm of his hands as he belted out "Hound Dog, Suspicious Minds and Jail House Rock plus many more.


Speaking with some of the diners on the evening, all were very impressed with the food and service and of course the entertainment. Many were asking for the next Tribute Night. Not to disappoint any of those requests, we are now busily organising the next Tribute Night. Possibly Elton John, Tina Turner or even the Abbarettes - You will just have to wait and see which celebrity will perform next at The Shireburn Arms Hotel.


A few pictures below of the Elvis Night.

DON'T MISS OUT ON THE NEXT TRIBUTE NIGHT.

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION.

Employee of the Month : June

And the winner of The shireburn Arms Hotel,

Employee of the Month for June was ...........

Samantha Leach

Well Done Samantha for all your hard work. Here we see last months winner, Suzanne Bailey presenting Samantha with her certificate, badge and bottle of champagne.

Keep up the good work for next month!!

It's going to be a change at the top!!!!!!!!

The nominations for July’s employee of the month are in. Unfortunate for our reigning employee of the month champion now known as Super Suzanne, it’s not going to be a seventh wins in a row which would have been a Shireburn Arms record.

Speaking to Suzanne yesterday after the nominations were announced she said

“I am really happy for all the nominees and do not mind who gets employee of the month as they have all worked so hard ”

So who are the chosen 3 who are going to battle it out for such a prestigious award?

Our 1st nominee is Samantha Leach. A new face to the Shireburn who shows great promise.
Our 2nd is Sally Rowland always smiling and efficient.
Our 3rd and pretty much a wild card is Oliver Jeffery’s a much liked member of the kitchen porter brigade.

The final decision will be made very soon, so good luck to all three of you.
At the end of the day you are all winners!

And the winner is...........

The Management & Staff at The Shireburn Arms Hotel are celebrating

being awarded the trophy from

The Lancashire & Blackpool Toursim Board for

Small Hotel of the Year 2008.

Congratulations to all staff who have all contributed to the Shireburn winning such a prestigious award. It makes all the hard work worthwhile, when the hotel is recognised for its food, service, accommodation and hospitality.

Well Done Everyone. The drinks are on Steve!!!!

Thank You Card

A lovely Thank You card arrived today from the recent May wedding. It is always nice receive a Thank You card, knowing that you have contributed in making someones wedding, one to remember.

Introducing the Legendary ginger beer kid

(The Ginger nut himself with his case of Bundaberg ginger beer)

Oliver aka Chucky one of our kitchen porters whilst working at the Shireburn has developed a taste for one of Australia's finest exports Bundaberg ginger beer. He likes it so much that he asked us to fly a case all the way from down under. Its all we could do for him and of course our customers who risked drinking what is now known as Chuckys tipple.

Proud of his purchase he says "I cant get enough of the tangy gingery taste".

http://www.bundaberg-brew.com.au/

The rebirth of the Shireburn Arms employee of the month award

Its getting near to the time where management and chefs decide who will win the much sought after accolade of :

Employee of the Month here at The Shireburn for June

The question is, will Suzanne retain her title for the seventh month running or are we going to have a change at the top!

Still all to play for as a shortlist of 3 members of staff will be decided in the coming weeks, the winner will be announced at the end of June. The hard working individual will be presented with a certificate, a specially selected price and a big yellow star badge to be worn with pride.

Our former winner Suzanne speaks exclusively to me, "Its a great idea to have an award like this, it gives you focus and something to work towards and installs healthy competition between fellow work colleagues"

Who will shine this month?

Watch this space!!!!!!!!!!

The Shireburn does its bit for Charity.

Charity plays in an important part at The Shireburn Arms, as the Manager and staff support local charity golf days, as well as the football and cricket teams in Hurst Green. Here's a lovely e-mail from the organisor of the May Charity Golf Day thanking the supporters who donated so generously that day.

Dear All

Thanks to everyone for yesterday and for the support and advice, extended to me over the past few months, since taking over as chairman of the charity committee for 2008.

Although I understand we are slightly down on last year for reasons, we can discuss at our de-briefing meeting on the 19th I still view yesterday a great success.

'good weather, great atmosphere, excellent golf and a good helping of laughter'. SPGC at its best pulling together for the benefit of others less fortunate than ourselves.

In my opinion yesterday there were no losers, only winners, thanks to the continued generosity of the sponsors and hard work of a charity committee committed, to making a difference.

I have to tell you, last night I was extremely proud to be associated with corporate/charity day and I know you all must have felt the same.

Once again thank you and have an enjoyable bank holiday weekend and I look forward to seeing you on the 19th.

Best regards

Peter Dowdy

Nominations are announced..........

Congratulations to the Management & Staff at

The Shireburn Arms Hotel.

Nominations have been announced and we are pleased to confirm that The Shireburn Arms Hotel has been nominated for a second year running, for Small Hotel of the Year. Last year we achieved a Highly Commended Award but this year we want to WIN!!

May 2008
Tourism Awards shortlist announced

We are delighted to report that a record 87 businesses have entered this year’s Tourism Awards. This is an increase of 10 on last year. And now these entries have been turned in to a shortlist that will compete across 13 Awards categories at the lunchtime ceremony on Wednesday June 18 at Blackburn Rovers Football Club.


Shortlist for the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards 2008/09


Small Hotel of the Year:
· Bartle Hall Country Hotel, Nr Preston
· Crofters Hotel, Garstang
· The Shireburn Hotel, Hurst Green

Good Luck Shireburn Arms.

A word of Thanks

Look what dropped into my Inbox this morning !! A lovely letter of thanks from the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club. It is always nice to be appreciated for the hard work that all my staff endeavour to provide. Well Done to all staff concerned.

Hello Mr Alcock

A belated note of thanks for taking such good care of the XK8 Forum members of the JEC last weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed your hospitality, and for the way your staff looked after us so well, both for those who stayed overnight on Saturday and those that joined us on Sunday morning!

Should you wish you can see some pictures taken during our very wet day out on the web site address below:

http://www.johnbrennand.co.uk/2008_lancashire_hot_pot.htm

Thanks again, and if you will have us we would very much like to repeat the experience sometime in the future.


Bye for now

A Successful Hot Shot Night.

Congratulations are in order for Lee Unthank, our Junior Sous chef at the Shireburn Arms Hotel who successfully hosted his very own Hot Shots Evening and ran his own brigade as a Head Chef for a night.

Well Done Lee!! The night was a complete success and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Mr Mike Wilkinson from the Lancashire & Blackpool Tourist Board was also on hand to present a very special memento to Lee in recognition of his hard work and enthusiasm towards the evening.

A sample of some of the tasty treats Lee's menu had to offer.

What an excellent evening, and a credit to a young and talented chef. Well Done again.

John & Sybilla Painting Class

The Shireburn Arms Hotel Proudly Presents our regular customers

John & Sybilla, who host monthly painting classes.

John & Sybilla have been hosting painting classes for beginners through to amateurs here at the Shireburn Arms Hotel for a number of years. The groups are very well attended and the painting skills of John & Sybilla are excellent. They pass their wisdom onto all who attend and they certainly brighten the room with their creative paintings. Here's to many more classes.

( Sample paintings) (Regular class attendees)

(Expertise Tuition from John) (More sample paintings)

For future dates of John & Sybilla's painting classes, please contact the hotel direct on

01254 826518.

What's on Guide ........

Forthcoming Events

Don't miss out on your chance to enjoy a fantastic Theme Night at

The Shireburn Arms

Book Early to avoid disappoinment.

ELVIS PRESLEY TRIBUTE NIGHT - Saturday 12th July, 08

4 course choice menu with Elvis tribute and dancing 'till 1am
Only - £25.00 per person

MURDER MYSTERY EVENING - Saturday 1st November, 08
4 course choice menu, murder included!
Only - £25.00 per person

Hot Shot Chefs

Shireburn Arms Hotel, Hurst Green

The second of our young Hot Shot Chefs for this year is junior sous chef Lee Unthank of the Shireburn Arms Hotel, Hurst Green, Clitheroe and at only nineteen years old, Lee is one of our youngest ever Hot Shot chefs.

Lee has been employed at the Shireburn Arms for just over six months after completing his NVQ’s upto Level 2 at Nelson & Colne College, and is already making his mark in the kitchen with his passion and enthusiasm.

With a creative mind that constantly strives to achieve new and exciting dishes, Lee cites Marco Pierre White as his favourite chef and inspiration behind both his menu for the evening and his favourite dish – Pan fried Seabass.

“I have the best of both worlds here” says Lee. “I am surrounded not only by fantastic local produce, but I work in the fabulous location of the Ribble Valley – how can anyone not be inspired to create a memorable dining experience for our customers?”

Lee will be cooking his menu on Wednesday 30th April, priced £15 per person. To book call the restaurant direct on 01254 826518

Hot Shots Menu

Andrew Irelands Bury Black Pudding, Brendan’s Farmhouse Sausage and Bacon Tart
With a wholegrain mustard dressing

Lancaster Smoked Salmon and Prawn Parcel
With a lemon infused dill dressing

Tasty Lancashire Cheese and Potato Terrine
With red onion and sun-blushed tomato compote
……………………………………………………….

Roast Rump of Bowland Lamb
On a bed of roasted root vegetables and natural oven juices

Reg Johnsons Goosnargh Corn-Fed Chicken Breast
Stuffed with Dewley Garstang blue cheese, baby spinach and wrapped in smoked bacon with a creamy thyme sauce

Grilled Fleetwood Trout Fillets
With an almond and chive sauce
………………………………………………………….

Grandma Singletons Cheese Cheesecake
With an apple and grape compote

Homemade Jelly of Red Fruits
With raspberry coulis

White Chocolate and Whiskey Bread and Butter Pudding
With crème anglaise