Dun cow 1 star food hygiene
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kennyrobinson
New member
1* is actually pretty good for the Dun Cow !!!!!
Having organised meetings all over the North East with work I will say that there are very few venues that will provide a meeting room for 50 people month in month out free of charge - especially one with such good transport links to the region.
As as far as I understand it, the rating was less to do with what we all perceive as hygienic and more to do with an understanding of the regulations and paperwork.
The Dun Cow have supported us as a club for many years and its important that we support them where possible too. The last thing we want is to be spending the majority of our annual R3 budget on meeting room hire as some regions do - I'd rather the money be spent on regional activities.
Consider this, The Dun Cow gives us a free room and makes us welcome, they have a large quiet car park so no coming back to dinted doors or no spaces to start with and when I have eaten there the food has always been good and reasonably priced. Whilst many members do get food there, that's not the reason we use the venue and I would encourage anyone to look objectively at what another venue does or doesn't provide before suggesting it.
Perhaps it it would be better to allow our RO to speak to Roger directly rather than casting aspersions online?
As as far as I understand it, the rating was less to do with what we all perceive as hygienic and more to do with an understanding of the regulations and paperwork.
The Dun Cow have supported us as a club for many years and its important that we support them where possible too. The last thing we want is to be spending the majority of our annual R3 budget on meeting room hire as some regions do - I'd rather the money be spent on regional activities.
Consider this, The Dun Cow gives us a free room and makes us welcome, they have a large quiet car park so no coming back to dinted doors or no spaces to start with and when I have eaten there the food has always been good and reasonably priced. Whilst many members do get food there, that's not the reason we use the venue and I would encourage anyone to look objectively at what another venue does or doesn't provide before suggesting it.
Perhaps it it would be better to allow our RO to speak to Roger directly rather than casting aspersions online?
I have been watching this post with interest over the past 24 hours. I decided not to comment as I was intrigued to see what the response was from our R3 members. I am always stressing that this is your club and Deb & I strongly believe that all members should feel comfortable enough to share their views, discuss new ideas and voice opinions.
David has spoken with clarity and reason and I personally agree with his comments; they also seem to make good economic sense.
As a region we are spread over a large area and although we can't keep everyone happy the Dun Cow has offered us stabilty for a number of years now, unlike some other regions that are always looking for that perfect place. I don't feel in such a large area as ours, with members spread as far apart as Berwick & Richmond, that this will ever be achieved and sacrifices will always have to made regarding location.
It would not be fair to comment regarding the hygiene rating until I have had chance to speak with Janice & Rodger at the Dun Cow who are on holiday until later in the week, however as they have supported us for so many years I ask that you will allow me the time to discuss this further with them. I am sure they will appreciate our show of support for them.
I promised when stepping up as Regional Organiser to always listen and support our members views and as such took the time to investigate the potential of the suggested venue (a repeat of a process carried out Ashley Wayman, one of my predessors). I spoke with the manager of the Church Mouse. I was informed that while they do have a couple of car clubs regularly meet there they are unquestionably an eatery with no meeting areas available, smaller clubs prebook a table and just sit in the main restaurant and meet for a bite to eat. They are keen to point out that they would struggle with a club of our size and other patrons would not be over excited to have to listen to us discuss club matters, although in the summer months we could sit outside.
I then contacted Ramside Hall (which I know has been an R3 meeting point in the past, well before my time). They have plenty of meeting rooms, no problem - they could do you a great deal for only £175.00 per month!
It is unjust to say that previous Regional Organisers have not looked at this time and time again, spending a lot of time exploring other avenues only to realise that what we already have in place is probably the closest we will ever get to ticking all the boxes: a large meeting room free of charge, a large car park, central location close to major routes, and also wheelchair accessible.
If anyone has any other suggestions of venues that fit all of the above criteria I'd be happy to hear them.
David has spoken with clarity and reason and I personally agree with his comments; they also seem to make good economic sense.
As a region we are spread over a large area and although we can't keep everyone happy the Dun Cow has offered us stabilty for a number of years now, unlike some other regions that are always looking for that perfect place. I don't feel in such a large area as ours, with members spread as far apart as Berwick & Richmond, that this will ever be achieved and sacrifices will always have to made regarding location.
It would not be fair to comment regarding the hygiene rating until I have had chance to speak with Janice & Rodger at the Dun Cow who are on holiday until later in the week, however as they have supported us for so many years I ask that you will allow me the time to discuss this further with them. I am sure they will appreciate our show of support for them.
I promised when stepping up as Regional Organiser to always listen and support our members views and as such took the time to investigate the potential of the suggested venue (a repeat of a process carried out Ashley Wayman, one of my predessors). I spoke with the manager of the Church Mouse. I was informed that while they do have a couple of car clubs regularly meet there they are unquestionably an eatery with no meeting areas available, smaller clubs prebook a table and just sit in the main restaurant and meet for a bite to eat. They are keen to point out that they would struggle with a club of our size and other patrons would not be over excited to have to listen to us discuss club matters, although in the summer months we could sit outside.
I then contacted Ramside Hall (which I know has been an R3 meeting point in the past, well before my time). They have plenty of meeting rooms, no problem - they could do you a great deal for only £175.00 per month!
It is unjust to say that previous Regional Organisers have not looked at this time and time again, spending a lot of time exploring other avenues only to realise that what we already have in place is probably the closest we will ever get to ticking all the boxes: a large meeting room free of charge, a large car park, central location close to major routes, and also wheelchair accessible.
If anyone has any other suggestions of venues that fit all of the above criteria I'd be happy to hear them.
I think it's mostly all been said above but I agree that we can't turn our back on people who have supported the club for so long. The function room is totally free and in this day and age that's quite a lot in itself.
I do believe that other venues may be out there but doubtful as flexible and cost effective (well free). Surely we don't want to become the kind of club that meets in car parks revving engines and generally being a nuisance.
PS ..... 1* or otherwise, chips there are pretty darn good.
I do believe that other venues may be out there but doubtful as flexible and cost effective (well free). Surely we don't want to become the kind of club that meets in car parks revving engines and generally being a nuisance.
PS ..... 1* or otherwise, chips there are pretty darn good.
I know from past experience as an RO that you can never please all of the people all of the time.
Don't some of the members regularly come up early and have a meal before the meeting starts?
I've never heard any complaints about anyone feeling ill afterwards.
I certainly think that paying for a venue would be a waste of our membership fees when we can have one with a private room for free and I wouldn't fancy paying a fee to come to the meeting each month, but then I am a tight Yorkshireman from the far south of the region!
Don't some of the members regularly come up early and have a meal before the meeting starts?
I've never heard any complaints about anyone feeling ill afterwards.
I certainly think that paying for a venue would be a waste of our membership fees when we can have one with a private room for free and I wouldn't fancy paying a fee to come to the meeting each month, but then I am a tight Yorkshireman from the far south of the region!
theboxoftricks
New member
All very good points made, but the fact of the matter is the club has really outgrown the Dun Cow. The room just isn't big enough - membership has increased and will likely continue to do so (consequence of having a great club!) there just isn't enough space. This could actually deter members from attending meetings. No one is keen on paying for a room, but there could be ways to raise funds to help offset the cost (for example a monthly raffle of donated items). To us, the room size is more of an issue than the 1 star (and as a former food company professional, I find that pretty fricking scary!)
Just another point to consider.
Julie (& Darren)
Just another point to consider.
Julie (& Darren)
lesliemurray
New member
We agree with your comments Greg
Les and Alison
Les and Alison
After speaking with Janice at the Dun Cow today and relaying the concerns some of you have expressed, she assures me that she was shocked by their one star rating. They immediately set about an action plan to ensure all items of concern where corrected and is very keen to point out that none of the concerns related to the cleanliness of the kitchen. They are disgusted that the Evening Chronicle has shared these finding from October now without regard to their business and would also like to point out that they are currently awaiting reassessment.
Rederz
New member
All interesting stuff and so far a mixed bag of comments. In the round I guess The Dun Cow has more positives than negatives and if the Tenants are going to up their game in the Hygiene department then this issue should soon be history. The location I feel is just about bang on for all R3 members and has, as previously stated a huge Car park. The Private room aspect at no charge to the members is also a major plus and we've always felt very at Home their when we go. Unless there is a like for like alternate venue then I believe we should perhaps stick with the DC.
Cheers
Dave & Karen
Cheers
Dave & Karen
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