Shhh Don't tell the Boss!

Shhh Don’t tell the Boss!

I am not sure if any of you know but I actually breed and exhibit rabbits, in particular the breeds Ivory Satins and Sables. I have kept both breeds for many years with varying success. During the autumn and winter weekends I will be driving around the country visiting shows to exhibit my stock.

Sometimes I will get a Red Card which is a 1^st in the breed class and if I am very lucky the rabbit would go on to win Best Fur or even Best in Show. But it all starts from the breeding stock, early in spring I decide which pairings to make, based on the previous success I may have or not had.

The does have their litters approx 31 days later and the size of the litter can range from 1-14 but the average is about 6. The youngsters are left with their mums for approx 6-8 weeks until they are fully weaned and can then be taken to a new hutch of their own. I leave them together for approx 2-3 weeks and then separate them again buy this time I have probably got my eye on one or two show rabbits!

Last week though I had a disaster, a doe with 6 youngsters who were all doing well and about 10 days old, suddenly died leaving them as orphans. They would never survive on their own so I decided I had to try my utmost to save them. Never in all my years keeping rabbits had I attempted this before!! The outcome is usually bad as they are notoriously difficult to hand rear.

To be in with a chance they needed feeding 3 times a day but with working how could I manage that middle feed? What else could I do? Of course I had to bring them into work and feed them at lunch time, nobody would know!!

Well you guessed it everyone knew and they all wanted a peep, never had so many visitors to my office!! Lots of ohhing and ahhing going on. There is no guarantee they will live which is a shame but I will give it my best shot.

Here are the little blighters!

Tucked up in their make shift bed

Just been fed

Come back soon and see how we get on...if I haven’t had the sack!

Bee Friendly!

Illustration by Mark Burgess

Honey Bees in further decline!

This launch comes as further declines in the honey bee population have been announced. While the figures are falling it is encouraging to see that many people would like to help, but just don’t know how!!

With this in mind the Beekeepers Association has launched a campaign and hope that many of you will support it “Friends of the Honey Bee” focuses on what individuals can do to help the plight.

Illustration by Mark Burgess

This is a campaign close to my heart as my husband and I are avid beekeepers and look after 8 hives. There is no need for you to become a beekeeper (unless you want too) but there are many ways in which you can help. There is a Winnie-the- Pooh inspired pack which is available in a printed form and can be downloaded here http://www.friendsofthehoneybee.com/about/bee-friendly-with-winnie-the-pooh/. Or follow the 10 simple steps listed below.

Winnie-the-Pooh’s 10 simple steps to help save the honey bees

1. Plant your own window box

2. Create your own vegetable patch or tub

3. Plant a flowering tree in your garden

4. Make some ‘seed balls’ and throw them into the wild

5. Use arts and crafts to educate the younger generation on the importance of bees e.g. finger puppets, painting bee pictures, knitting bees etc

6. Learn to become a beekeeper yourself by attending a course through the British Beekeepers Association

7. Bake together at home using local honey

8. Build bee habitats

9. Volunteer for your local beekeeper association or visit your local apiary

10. Don’t panic, if you see a local honey bee swarm, contact your local beekeeping association

St Kilda is also doing their bit too! And already have their patio garden beds and tubs planted up

Let’s all do a little and help save the Honey Bee!!

Please send any photos of your bit!! To marketing@stkilda.co.uk and we will publish them on the blog.

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Group Travel Awards 2015

Having been crowned the Winner of the Best Individual Hotel for Groups, 6 years in succession 2009-2014 we proudly accepted the "Runner Up" trophy in 2015.
Competition gets harder each year and the awards are well earned by our dedicated team of staff so to be awarded runner up we would like to thank them all for their hard work throughout the year.
Our appreciation also goes to the group organisers who have voted for us once again!

Time now to re focus and get back in the ring, we have a fight on our hands to win back the crown in 2016.

Competition Time!!

Time for a little bit of fun!!
Did you know Llandudno has an Alice in Wonderland town trail? You can explore Llandudno whilst discovering the connections of Alice Liddell ( the real Alice in Wonderland who lived at the resort during the 1860's.

Question is who wrote the book Alice in Wonderland?

Answers by email please to marketing@stkilda.co.uk, please remember to add your name and contact details.

All emails will be put into a draw and 3 x random entries will be chosen.

Prize -One night stay FREE, including dinner bed & breakfast. Selected dates will be available for the winner to choose from. The prize does not have a monetary value. The judges descision is final.

Winners will be notified by email after the closing date.

Good Luck!!

Wish You Were Here!!

View of Llandudno Bay from the Great Orme



View of the Stone Circles and Llandudno Pier



GTO Winner Again!!

We Did it again!!!

For the 6th year in succession we have won the Best Individual Hotel for Groups Award which is run by the Group Travel Organiser magazine. We would like to thank all the Group Organisers and Coach Operators who voted for us. A special thanks also goes to our fabulous team of dedicated staff who are the backbone of the hotel. A BIG Well Done to each and everyone of them.

Happy Easter

The sun is shining on Llandudno and the skies are a wonderful shade of blue, the weather is warming up and there are people already in short sleeves and shorts! You really should be here!

What ever your plans are this Easter we hope you have a lovely time with family & friends and maybe we will see you later in the year.

Win a Weekend Break with the Travel Club!

If you would like to join our exclusive Travel Club and be kept informed of any special or last minute offers we have running, just give us a call to enrol or send us an email with your details.

Each Month the new members will be put into a draw to win a weekend break, as they say you have to be in it to win it !! you have nothing to lose!