Ho! Ho! Ho!

Guess who visited the Shireburn this Christmas....we must be so special!

A fun time had by all the children on Boxing Day when Santa made a suprise visit and we even had a magic show to entertain all the children including the big kids as well...!!!



Turkey Out!

Here's a recipe you may love...

I tried this and it was delicious, just what we needed after all the Christmas dinner and used up all that leftover turkey too and went lovely with some homemade chips;

Ingredients

• 2 rashers streaky bacon
• 1/2 bunch of fresh thyme leaves
• olive oil
• a large knob of butter
• 2kg leeks chopped
• sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• 800g cooked white turkey cut into big chunks
• 2 heaped table spoons of white plain floor
• 2 pints of turkey, chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons of creme fraiche
• 1 x 500g packet of puff pastry
• 1 egg free range beaten

Method ~ serves 6-8

Preheat your oven to 190°C/375°F/gas 5. Put your bacon in a large pan on a medium heat and add your thyme leaves. Add a lug of olive oil and the butter and let it all fry off a few minutes. Add all of your prepped leeks and fry them off for about 3 minutes so they are well-coated in the butter. Add a pinch of salt and pepper then pop the lid on top, turn the heat down to medium and let them cook away gently for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes to make sure they don’t catch. There’s going to be enough moisture in the leeks to keep them happy in the pan so they should be soft and melt in your mouth once they’re done.

When your leeks are ready, add the turkey meat to them and stir. If you’ve got a bit of stuffing mixed in there you can put that in too. Add the flour, mix it in well then pour in your stock and stir again. Add the crème fraîche then turn the heat up and bring everything back up to the boil. Have a taste and add a bit more salt and pepper if it needs it then turn the heat off. Pour the mixture through a sieve over another large empty pan and let the wonderful gravy from the mixture drip into the pan while you roll out your pastry.

Get a deep baking dish roughly 22 x 30cm. Dust a clean surface and a rolling pin with a bit of flour and roll your pastry out so it’s about double the size of your dish. Spoon that thick leek mixture from your sieve into the pie dish and spread it out evenly. Lay your pastry on top, tuck the ends under then gently score the pastry diagonally with your knife. Add a pinch of salt to your beaten egg then paint this egg wash over the top of your pastry. Pop your pie in the oven for about 35 to 40 minutes or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown. When the pie is ready, re-heat the lovely gravy and serve with your pie and enjoy! 

Party Nights Alright!

A few words have to be given justice to our Christmas Party Nights!

My hat goes off to the many that made the functions without phase from the snowy scenery outside...it must be said that there really is something about the Ribble Valley that makes it so special.

The party definately went off with a bang! our evening entertainers went down a treat. Delicious food and party atmosphere. We just hope there were'nt too many suffering from the morning after symptoms.

There are certainly more next year...so keep your eyes peeled for our dates!!!

Its Christmas

One of the signs that Christmas is nearly upon us at the Shireburn apart the

lighting of our log fires and the subtle introduction of the first Christmas decorations.

Is that we dust off aunt Alcocks recipe book and turn straight to page 57 for

that much sought after secret recipe for mulled wine.

Now I decided not to be greedy and actually share our recipe so you can

make your own batch of secret number 57.

Just don’t tell anyone!

Mulled Wine (serves 10)

2 Bottle of red wine (we use chianti but use your favourite)
2 Cinnamon Sticks
1 Orange
1 Star Anise
1 bay leaf
4 Cloves
nutmeg
Brown sugar to taste or ½ litre fresh apple juice
Brandy

* Cut the orange in half and stud with the cloves
* In a large saucepan add the studded orange, bay leaf and cinnamon sticks and both bottles of red wine.
* Put on a low heat allow to simmer for 5 minutes (but not boil)
* Add the star anise and the sugar or apple juice (the apple juice adds a nice fruity flavour)
* Allow to simmer for 10 minutes
* Add a couple of glugs of brandy
* Taste and add more sugar if needed
* Ladle into glasses and grate a little fresh nutmeg on top
* Serve on its own or a generous piece of warm Parkin or a mince pie


Best enjoyed responsibly!

Now if you enjoyed our mulled wine recipe then watch this space for a classic Hot toddy recipe plus many more to come.

Halloween Ghost Walk

As the darkness descended on Hurst Green, Halloween beckoned and out of the darkness came a tall dark figure dressed in a black top hat & cape........

Simon Entwistle, popular historian and famous Ghost Walker conducted a Halloween Ghost Walk of the village. Who would have thought that Hurst Green would be host to so many haunted tales of bloody murders, scary tales and the famous Pendle Witches. Simon brought to life the stories of the area to a packed crowd of Halloween revellers. An hour tour of the village listening to Simons unique story telling was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

After a wonderful tour, ghost walkers were taken back to The Shireburn where they all enjoyed a hearty Hot Pot Supper and a glass of mulled wine. A perfect way to end the evening. A good time was had by all, even by the people who were scared!!

More Ghost Walks are planned for the future, so be sure to keep checking The Shireburn website.

Murder at Monster Mansion - Halloween Murder Mystery

Halloween brings the strangest of people to The Shireburn at Hurst Green for a spooktacular experience attending the Murder Mystery Extravanganza.

The cast from AfterDark Theatre Company performed another amazing night to a packed crowd. Whilst guests enjoyed their 4 course meal, the Murder at Monster Mansion unravelled during the evening. Only a few people managed to be clever enough to solve (or come close to solving) the murder.

The winners and losers both were awarded with a prize.

Speaking with Mrs Lancaster on the night, she said

"I have never been to a Murder Mystery Night before, hence being the Losers of the night!! It was an absolutely brilliant night that I would definately recommend. I will be coming to the Faulty Towers Murder Mystery here in March next year and hopefully I will be able to answer more questions next time. The meal, staff and entertainment were faultless.

Thank You for a superb night."

(Mrs Lancaster, with the Losers Trophy)

The winnners on the night, were also awarded with a trophy (below)

Well Done, you clever clogs!!

Don't forget to check the forthcoming events on our website page for Events for 2011. More Murder Mystery Nights and Theme Nights planned.

Listen very carefully I shall say this only once!

The Shireburn was transformed on Saturday night into Café Rene – the friendliest establishment in Nazi occupied France. Yes it was Murder Mystery night again here at the Shireburn with an Allo Allo theme.

With the After Dark theatre company provided us with a night to remember as all the favourite characters from the hit series was captured in an amazing night of fine wine and music.

The cast of The After Dark Company

For outside there was a war on – but in Café Rene all was at peace……or was it?

The evening started with a sing song of such greats as Roll out the Barrel, Knees up mother Brown and it’s a long way to Tipperary to get everyone in the mood. Then our guests enjoyed a four course meal and were given the opportunity to solve the murder by interrogating all the suspects and paying close attention throughout the evening.

The cast in perfect voice

The winners are........

In the end they were all winners...........

Now should you wish to be kept informed of similar events here at the Shireburn then please contact us on - 01254 826518 or http://www.shireburnamrshotel.com/

The Award Goes to.....

A member of our team hear at the Shireburn Arms Hotel and Restaurant was presented with a certificate to acknowledge the 13 years of service they have given to the Shireburn - out staying any other current employee! That person was our very own Beverley Scott from the housekeeping department.

Introducing Our Bev!

We thought it could make interesting reading to find out what has happened in all the time Bev has worked here so I asked her about some of the good times, the not so good times and if there are any funny tales she could tell. ……Read on to delve deep into the history of Bevs’ time at the Shireburn.

Q. When and why did you first join the Shireburn team?
A. I started work at the Shireburn in 1997, I had just moved to the Burnley area and was looking for work. I saw this job advertised in the local paper and when I came for the interview Steve took an instant liking to me and I have not looked back.

Q. Can you tell us a bit about how things have changed here at the Shireburn over the past thirteen years?
A. When I first started we had staff flats and some of the staff used to live in. Now the flats have been transformed into three executive rooms for the guests which are really modern and very stylish.

Q. What has been your happiest memory at the Shireburn?
A. Meeting all the lovely people I have worked with we are all like one big happy family and we have had a few romance and babies along the way.

Bev "I couldn't have done it without Henry"

Q. Do you have any bad memories at all?
A. We had a bad time when the foot and mouth outbreak hit the village; it hit the hotel really hard as I am sure it did everywhere.

Q. Ok, so any funny stories to cheer us up?
A. Oh yes we used to have a regular visitor at the hotel which was a chicken named Henrietta, she has attended quite a few of the weddings here; to the surprise of the bride and groom haha!

Q. Tell us about your typical working day and what it is that keep you going?
A. Well housekeeping is a very busy department, we have to make sure all downstairs areas are cleaned then it is onto the bedrooms, which we have to keep to a high standard. That keeps you on your toes and it is rewarding when we get the comment cards and see the guests and they are pleased with their stay. Only the other day did we have a lady in one of the rooms and she made a point of saying how nice the room was.

Bev Receiving her Reward for 13 years service

Q. Are there any changes you would like to see happen at the Shireburn?
A. No not really any I can think of as long as we keep serving the public and we survive the recession.

Q. What does the future hold for you?
A. RETIREMENT! Hahaha…..not just yet though- sorry about that Steve you will have to put up with me a bit longer!


So there you have it a short and sweet insight to life of our longest serving employee. Our managing director Steve Alcock said ‘look how I have changed in the 13 years…I have grey hair now!’

I aint afraid of no ghosts!

If some things seem strange and they don’t look good! Who did we call? Well North West Sprit Seekers of course.

North West Sprit Seekers are a Ghost hunting company who organise events not only in the North West but across the UK.

They had some remarkable experiences with in the walls of the Shireburn. In the early hours of Sunday morning the group descended into our cellar, using an Ouija board they had a good chat with our resident Ghost a young boy called Frankie who allegedly met his untimely end when a barrel of beer fell on him.

While another group set up camp in room 17 (Tolkien room) with similar Ghostly happenings having spoken to one of the Pendle witches.

Now if you think your brave enough and would like more information regards Ghost hunts then contact reception on 01254 826518 or www.northwestspritseekers.co.uk

Standing Room Only

Spring Night at The Proms

On Saturday the 27th March Clitheroe Town band played to a full house at our spring night of the proms event which was a night to remember.

Diners while enjoying a Traditional English 4 course meal were entertained by Clitheroe Town Band featuring local legend Mr Eddie McGarry.

All the proms favourites including The Dam Busters March, Jerusalem, Nessun Dorma and Land of Hope and Glory plus many many more.

Whilst taking coffee song sheets were given out and every body invited to sing along to all their favorite tunes.

Should you wish to be kept informed of future events then please contact reception 01254 826518 or http://www.shireburnamrshotel.com/

A Diamond Performance

Rob Leigh
is
NEIL DIAMOND


On Saturday the 30th January A full house of die hard Neil Diamond fans were quite simply stunned by the Diamond performance by Rob Leigh and his tribute to the legend that is

Neil Diamond.

Having enjoyed a 4 course meal dinners were treated as Rob performed the classics of Sweet Caroline and I am I said plus many many more. Having spoken to many of the Neil Diamond fans many commented how wonderful an evening it was.

Mr & Mrs Eccles of Hurst Green said –

What a wonder full evening wasn’t he good! Looking forward to seeing tom in April!

Mr Bradleys Party –

A cracking night, food, service and entertainment spot on!

Forthcoming Tributes include –

Tom Jones
17th April 2010

Elvis
25th June 2010

Rob Stuart
25th September 2010

For more information or to make a reservation then please contact reception
01254 826518 or visit www.shireburnarmshotel.com