Thurnham Hall

[missizippi]

Hi, My name is Pippa and I am one of the web team on the Thurnham Owners web site.

I live in Windermere, Cumbria UK , am married and have three children, currently 10, 7 and 4. My husband and I purchased a fixed red week 1 bed unit at Thurnham back in 1998 when we were 'DINKY's'. (that's Dual Income, No Kids Yet for those who were wondering!) I was a project manager specialising in implementation of manufacturing system software. I wound my company up in 1999 when I found far more job satisfaction from staying at home and being a full time mum. 7 years later I have just gone back to work part time doing a spot of computer engineering, just to bring myself back up to speed with technology. My husband, Richard is a steeplejack by trade but current position is a project engineer on the railways.

We had some great exchanges with RCI and a couple of nights stays at Thurnham. We joined TVC in 2001 as we had been persuaded that was the way forward but the overseas TVC resorts never materialised. As our family increased in size we were glad the we had the option with Interval International of paying extra for a larger unit when exchanging. When Sunterra took over we no longer had this option.

When our family finally exceeded our unit size we looked at our options and in 2005 decided to cede our week to RCI points and so had to cancel our membership of TVC. Due to the high value of our Thurnham week we have found that we can now have more choice and flexibility over our week. 2 weeks in a 2 bed unit at a cheaper resort or 1 week in a 2 bed unit at a Gold Crown resort with car hire included, for example.

We have no regrets at buying at Thurnham Hall, Not sure about 'value for money' but certainly have had much better quality holidays than we otherwise would have taken, especially since the kids came along. We occasionally use the leisure club facilities and restaurant and as the kids get older would like to go there more for special events.

I look forward to reading more about other Thurnham users and finding out your views and timeshare history.

Cheers
Pippa
_________________
Pippa Wilson
Forum & web admin
e-mail: pippa@thurnhamhall.com
skype name: missizippi

[Sid]

I'm Sid Jenkinson. I have lived in Blackburn, Lancashire since 1969 but originally came from Sheffield and lived in the West Riding of Yorkshire (remember that?) till 1969. Married my lovely wife, Valerie, in 1967. Student of Sheffield University. Worked 24 years for Mullard (Philips) Simonstone. Then worked 8 years as IT Manager for ELTEC (The East Lancashire Training and Enterprise Council - remember them?). When they got shut down in 2001 I left the wonderful world of work and joined the even more wonderful world of those folk who no longer work. How about that. Brilliant.

Big, big fan of Thurnham Hall. hence my involvement. Not a weeks owner but a Sunterra Points owner. Would have been a weeks owner. Nearly bought a week, but the maintenance fee is ridiculous. But that's something we can discuss on the forum. Right.

Cheers

Sid

[Lorie]

Hi, our names are Lorie and Brian and we live in Seattle, WA USA. A bit further away then most who visit/own at Thurnham Hall. It's just the two of us, no children, but 3 cats. We are in the "fortysomething gang"

We found Thurnham on a dark, cold and misty Fall night in 1999. Having never travelled over the "pond", and not really knowing what to expect, I think we did a fine job with all the challenges we faced, especially when we sat down in the car...looked at each other and realized something was terribly wrong..we laughed so hard (from lack of sleep..it was a long flight over) we cried and laughed even harder...so we traded places and off we went.

Thurnham, is our "home away from home", if we could, we would own all summer weeks 22-32, but we are not the typical Americans who can just throw thier funds "willy nilly". My hubby works 60 hours a week as a civil servant, for the Seattle Police Dept.,(21 years now) and I am disabled, but not on disability (no help from our govt.)That is by my choice, there are people out there worse off who can use it..anyhow....we saved our pennies for the past 6 years..waiting and watching until we found the "right unit" the "right week" and the "price" with a seller who would be willing to work with us. We found all this, this year. Our June week, in the manor house and a wonderful seller who made it possible (to fit our budget) should close in the next week or so. We are just waiting for everything to be recorded.

We love to do many things while visiting Thurnham, from taking in wonderful lunches onsite, to packing up a picnic lunch and going up to the Lake Dist. or going to Blackpool to ride the rollercoasters and eat alot of "junk food". We visit castles, manor houses, gardens, farms, or any strange things that we can find on the map. In summer 2005, we went out on a journey to find my family parish and cemetary from the early 1800's and earlier. All I had was the town and a name of a Great great great grandmother, and we were blessed to find it. So, I have a family connection there now, and I feel even more at home.

We are very pleased by all the warm welcomes we have received from other owners and by other Thurnham visitors. Everyone we have met, have become good friends. We look forward to meeting even more of you next summer. Week 24, June 16-23.

Cheers and Kind Regards,
Lorie and Brian in Seattle

[Mavis]

Hi everyone, I'm Mavis Bond and I am lucky to be one of the closest members to Thurnham Hall, unlike Lorie & Brian, as I am only 20 mins by car.

First of all I want to say big "Thank you" to Pippa and the team who have started this new web site and forum. I am sure it will be an invaluable way for us to keep abreast of "happenings" re the Hall and also in supporting each other.

I was one of the original owners of the Hall and have seen it through good times and bad. I worked with the original group who fought to save T.H. from falling into the greedy hands of the bank!! Some years ago I would never have dreamed that we would have the wonderful facilities that we enjoy today and will hopefully enjoy for many years to come.

I have 2 fixed weeks, weeks 25 & 26, which is 24/06/07-01/07/07 & 29/06/07-06/07/07 so if Lorie & Brian would like to stay an extra week I am sure something can be arranged!! We also own a week at Madeira Beach club where we go every February. In fact our whole family are Timeshare addicts. My daughters both enjoyed my timeshare and the quality holidays it provides and they have now bought their own weeks both in Madeira and Scotland for their own families. I think we have 7 weeks between us.Since then, my husband has developed a rare form of cancer and we find that we have been so tied to hospital visits etc that we have been unable to use all our weeks. Luckily last year we let our Thurnham weeks and hopefully we will do so again this year. We still have some banked weeks to use up.

We have truly benefited, since Sunterra bought Thurnham, as we live only 5 mins from Pine Lake resort, which means we are able to also use the facilities there. This is especially useful when the grandchildren come to stay. I am keeping my fingers crossed now that Sunterra Europe is for sale.

We have never stayed at Thurnham, being that we live so close, but we have spent so many happy hours and special occasions there. I never went down the TVC road as I had a "funny feeling" about FF from the very beginning. I also didn't get lured into the points situation, which I will agree for some people may be the best choice. I have always loved feeling that I owned a part ( although very small) of this wonderful and historic hall. The moment I walk down the pathway I feel relaxed and "on holiday" The fact that there are so many long term staff means that it is always lovely to visit and be amongst old friends.

On the personal front, I am a retired school teacher, having taught in London, Cheshire, Nigeria and Westmorland, which became Cumbria. I was lucky to have such a wonderful profession. I love being retired and also having my online business where, believe it or not, I show people how they can play the UK & Euro lotteries for free. All totally legal and our company is sanctioned by the lotteries council. It is great fun and has opened up a whole new world and also contacts from around the world. It is especially good as I can do just as much or as little as I like, the perfect business.

My husband Mike is a retired joiner. If anyone wants to knock the internet it would not be Mike as it saved his life. He was given months to live in 2001 and due to our research on the www he is still here and, as importantly, enjoying life.

All good wishes to everyone and I look forward to meeting you either on line or at T.H.
_________________
Mavis
Have fun, try to win £1,000
http://www.gograbagrand.info
Skype: Mentormaisie

[ianhollins]

Hi, I've met a few of you already but for those of you I haven't spoken to yet. I'm Ian Im 36 yeas old am Managing Director of Insurance Quoteline Ltd and live in Manchester City Centre with my partner.

I am now one of the three committee members elected by the Thurnham Hall Owners Club to represent their interests, and I first setup this site in 2004 shorty after the Sunterra acquisition.

With the help of the fantastic Sid & Pippa - we became the self named "Thurnham 3" and share the work of improving this site for all Thurnham Users (BIG thanks to you both It wouldnt be here without you!)

My Thurnham history goes like this: I first bought a bi-annual studio week at Thurnham back in 1997 I was just amazed that THIS was timeshare - I'd only ever heard the negatives and it was all a world away from what I was seeing (I'd even briefed my other half in the car to keep quiet and not agree to anything!).

We ceded that week into TVC later and enjoyed the flexibility of the odd night stays as the major benefit for us. On a later weeks holiday we were introduced to Club Sunterra's points system and as at the time Thurnham was with RCI and Sunterra was with Interval this seemed to give maximum flexibility. So I was already a points owner and aware of Sunterra at the time they took over following the demise of Thurnham Leisure.

I later withdrew that week from TVC and resturned it to a standard fixed week which is now ceded to RCI points (the points value they gave me in return is great and a bi-annual week gives enough points to get a good holiday EVERY year because points last 2 years).

I've also since bought a resale week that falls around Christmas / New Year and although I havent actually stayed there yet my plan is to do Xmas at Thurnham one year.

I stood for the committee because i think its really important that the lines of communication between the Management Committee and owners are improved - a lot of people are confused, frustrated and generally unhappy at what they bought (Or perhaps were told what they were buying) and just want to jump ship.

I think that this site can give them an unbiased range of options that they can investigate and see if one of those options works better for them.

Its also important to be able to get quick updates out to people of events or big decisions rather than just a once a year AGM, and from a committee point of view it will be invaluable in gauging opinion so we can be SURE we're representing the membership as a whole.

Plus we can all share the gossip and generally keep in touch with other people with whom we have something in common - Thurnham Hall.

Please say hello if you see me in the hall and my contact details for contacting me with any issues or suggestions are on my profile and below.
_________________
Ian
Ian Hollins

Thurnham Hall Fixed Week Owner
Thurnham Hall RCI Points Member
Diamond Resorts "The Club" Member

[Tom_StephRevely]

Hi, we're Tom and Stephanie Revely, originally from North Yorkshire, now living in upstate New York, USA with our two border collies and no children. We left England last year for better economic opportunities in the USA.

We now live in a much bigger home in the Adirondacks than we had in England.

We're still Thurnham Owners, have been since 1999, although the turmoil of the last 6 or so years has made us rethink our ownership and we are currently offering our red fixed week for sale.

We loved Thurnham when we first purchased, but from the time we purchased we've been fed nothing but mistruths by the management and customer service so that we now have a really bad taste for timeshares in general.

We're signing onto this forum to keep an eye on what the other members think about what is happening with their investment.

We haven't used our Thurnham week in years so now that we live in NY we might start using it for visits back to the UK until we are able to sell.

We're pretty easy going people.. we like to travel when we can and we enjoy the outdoors and spending time with each other.

[Mo]

Hi Ya

I am Mo and live is a beautiful area of Scotland in a seaside town called Lossiemouth in the Costa del MOray, so count myself as ever so lucky as can see the sea from my living room window, my hubbie "Nick" works on the oil rigs Offshore and goes away for 3 weeks at a time so I spend a lot of time alone which in turn means that i tend to pester my mates 'oer' the border while he is away and go and visit them.

I have 2 grown up sons aged 27 and 25 the eldest Kev lives and works in London he designs mood lighting and is lucky enough to go all over Europe with his work, my youngest is a Chef in a posh hotel in Nottingham called The Lace Market and he is a 'wee' bit wayward so lets just call him a loveable rogue.
Have had my profile piccie airbrushed as am in denial bout my age!!

As for hobbies I love loads of stuff and admit to having an addictive personality. My Favs are "Reality TV Shows" have just been watching the X Factor, and I tape Strictly Come Dancing to watch later they are both ACE am addicted already, and cant wait for I.me a Celebrity Get me Out of Here which starts real soon.

I just love meeting folk and hearing about their lives am a real people's person and enjoy having loads of laughs, Oh and I also enjoy reading soppy novels, going to the movies and Sci Fi (am a trekkie fan)
Have been told by my mates that I have charisma, spread joy and make others laugh am not sure if I do but lovely that they think so.

My faults well I have way too many to mention but mainly I take everything said to heart, am over sensitive and over emotional as care way to much what others think of me even those I dont know and words do hurt me, my hubbie says i am naive and gullible, as believe everyone to be lovely and end up getting hurt when they arn't.
I am in the 2nd year of a BA (thought it would do my confidence good to go back to College at the age of 49 as left school with zilch) think i must have been a 'wee' bit crazy when i made that decision as most of the time i feel as if i am swimming against the tide with the added penalty of not being able to swim, meanwhile my mates do their best to keep me afloat by throwing me a lifejacket and reminding me how much they love me.
I love going on hols and shall copy and paste my holiday reports which i have done for sunterra and put them on the holiday site.

I hope to meet up with some of you when I am on one of my raids 'oer' the border, I already know a few of the members from meeting them through sunterra and often go and stay with Ron and Jenny in Cumbria they both have a wicked sense of humour and i love them to bits, same as sid and val ( I mean its impossible not to love them) and as for Dennis well he is a real 'scally' so watch 'oot' for his cheek.

Think thats all for now don't want to be sending you to sleep.
Lots of Love Mo xxx :lol:xxx

[Anonymous]

[color=black][b][i]
Hello! I'm Dennis and although I'm not a Thurnham owner, I am a Club Sunterra points member and we're looking forward to our next visit to
Thurnham. We joined LSI in January 1989 at Los Amigos and have subsequently become members of GVC and Sunterra Europe and now DRI.......next?.....well watch this space!!

I'm originally from Anfield, Liverpool and now live in Warrington with my wife Val who comes from Manchester and so we're incompatible!
Even so our children are 2 boys and 2 girls. We have 7 grandchildren (3 boys & 4 girls,) so life and holidays can be quite exciting.
I am 72 and a retired Control/Electrical engineer from ICI, and amongst other jobs; which also included a period as a sea-going engineer. Since retiring I've worked for M&S and ASDA but holidays eventually took up too much time and I retired again. Val is some years younger!! and now a retired nurse.
We are generally happy members of Sunterra?? with some of the more general reservations held by other members. We intend to carry on enjoying a mixture of Timeshare and package holidays with & without our children and grandchildren.

[kazhugs]

Hi folks. I hope nobody minds me joining in. I am not a Thurnham owner, but did visit many moons ago.

I own a fixed week at Cromer country club after my original purchase at Club Brittania was bought out by sunterra. we now own floating weeks and because Sunterra won't allow us to have school holiday weeks we cede them to RCI and exchange.

On a personal note i am a spoecialist scial worker working in the field of child protection, so holidays are important in order to combat stress. I am married to Kev and have two children, Hannah who is currently 12 and Ben who is 10.

I hope that, despite owning at Thurnham i will be allowed to contribute.

Regards
Karen
_________________
Regards
Karen

[pjbenson]

I hope this works as my computer skills are legendery(not)My name is Phil Benson and my good lady wife (Shirley) and i first bought timeshare 15 years ago (Global)after a series of bad package holidays.Time has moved on and global was of course taken over by LSI which morfed into Sunterra eventually and we have ended up with 240 or is it 24000 points.We do at present have to holiday in school hols as Shirley works in a school but are looking forward to when she retires (about 3 years)I have retired once from the Fire Service but have recently gone back to work as i was fed up at home.We do really enjoy our holidays and have met some good friends whilst on them.Our main holidays are usually spent in Spain or TENERIFE but we are off to Woodford Bridge at the end of May next year for a change.I do hope this intro to us goes to the right section lol or it will look a bit strange.We have been to Thurnham its about 30 mins on the bike traffic police dont read this lol.

[colinmoss]

I am Colin Moss, and have joined out of interest in how your Forum develops.

I am the webmaster at a similar Forum, morps (www.morps.org/forum) which is run to support those interested in, or members of, RCI Points systems.

My wife and I have been in timeshare since 1984, and would hold our hands up to being very happy with the system. However, we are well aware of the pitfalls, and have worked to learn how to make the system work for us rather than be an expensive frustration.

Hope to join interesting discussions on here.
_________________
Webmaster of MORPS - the website and forum for Members of RCI Points Systems
Also owner of www.portroyale-apartment.com

[JessicaB]

Hello! My name is Jessica, from the midwest in the US, and I'm getting married on April 21st. One of my soon to be in-law's owns a timeshare, and generously gave us a week anywhere we like for a wedding present. Brian and I were both literature majors in college, and so we decided on England for our honeymoon. We'll be staying in lovely Thurnham Hall for the 15-22 of June.

This is our first international trip, and we're terribly excited. I'm trying to get as much information on the area as possible, and I happened across this site. The information I've found in just the past hour or so has been incredibly helpful- especially the pictures of the hall and the page of links to local attractions.

Thank you for all your work!

I have taken the welcome replies that Jessica received and moved them into the general chat topic - Just tidying up!! - Pippa (Admin)

[peggy]

hi my name is david pegg, my wife and i have been members of thurnham hall since oct 2001. we use our week N0 8 every year, reason being we like thurnham hall,the lakes and i play golf. We live in Glossop which is at the start of the snake pass. i am retired having been a bricklayer all my working life. i am 61 years old my wife is 52. i also do archery in my spare time.
we also own timeshares in tenerife during the winter months

[Kim Catherall]

Hello Pippa
We bought into TH in 1999 and 'converted' to sunterra when 'Fileas Fogg's' cart lost it's wheels.
It is our favourit resort within the sunterra portfolio. We've got the walking, wining & dining, pubs, bus times and of course my fishing, pretty well sussed out.
It is simply a case of get up there and enjoy.
I'm 52 and my wife reminds me when it's her birthday !
There is a modicum of interest regarding buying a fixed week at TH, but we will wait and see how the 'sunterra sale scenario' pans out.
If you want to know anything else, please feel free to contact me at your leisure.
best regards
Kim (mr) & Jill Catherall

[ericdan]

Hi, My name is eric potter I am a owner at Royal Sunset Beach Club Tenerife I have owned there for 15 years and before that at Sunset Bay for 5 years I run a website for timeshare owners to help them sell/rent their timeshare it is run by and for owners.
ERIC

www.royalsunsetmembersgroup.org