Hi Dave,
Got back today from a week at Rockley and thought I'd give you an update......
As per last year, things were pretty good! Service at the bar was OK with little queues to encounter. Food in the Oasis looked very good but we didn't get to sample it this year sadly. Reception were organised for the first time ever this year, managing not to lose our keys, charge us twice for entertainment passes or lose our booking altogether as in previous years.
Security on the park was very good again, politely but strictly enforced.
Funstars. Mmmm....... Sadly this years Funstars were rather poor in our opinion, seemingly lacking in numbers and enthusiasm. I know it was the end of the season but it was still holiday time for the guests. Bring back Nat, Magic Lisa etc. they were the best!
On the Saturday night there was one appalling event that was organised by the funstars, this being an auction in the showbar for a Character Visit' by Bradley Bear or one of the other characters to your caravan the following day. Goading kids to plead with their parents to keep bidding was quite disgusting. This was only a few minutes after getting the same children to part with £1 per raffle ticket for a draw to win a cuddly Anxious the Elephant with the funstars repeatedly announcing 'the more tickets you buy, the better chance you have of winning......'
Thankfully the Character visit auction wasn't repeated unlike the nightly raffle. I only hope that the £60 odd quid raised from this distasteful auction was put to good use?!?
There was some good entertainment from outside groups though. Cleanliness left a bit to be desired, probably worse this year than ever. The toilets were grim at best. Glass and plate collection in the Oasis was rare and on the two occasions during the week when I saw tables being wiped, scraps of food were just wiped onto the surrounding floor and chairs. Nice. Low point came on our last night in the showbar. Not wishing to sit at a table swimming in stale beer I unreeled a small amount of toilet roll from one of three rolls that were on the floor by the toilets. At which point an elderly man asked me 'what the bloody hell are you doing?' then said 'you bloody ask next time' This charmer was apparently a cleaner. Refusing to give me his name I reported him to staff there and have made a formal complaint to Rockley Park which I will back up in writing.
Generally all the same problems as last year that could so easily be addressed;
Get more staff to clear tables in the Oasis ~ the extra cost will be offset ten-fold by selling food to people who like me wouldn't ever consider sitting at a dirty table to eat a meal.
Educate those who do clean tables to understand that a cloth needs to be rinsed and left over food thrown away, not thrown on the floor.
Get cleaners who actually clean so I don't have to check the toilets myself each night before letting my children use them.
Not Rocket Science!
