The One with all the Personalities
…let’s go behind the scenes and make a few introductions!
(published December 2020)
At Thicket Priory we ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work towards the goal of the perfect wedding or event for anyone who chooses Thicket Priory to host their family, friends, or work colleagues.
At Thicket Priory, we build a team encompassing:
❖ People who love Thicket Priory as much as we do.
❖ People who understand what we are trying to achieve as a brand.
❖ People who are multi-skilled and willing to muck in. This is a small team, we are here to support each other, no matter the task!
❖ People who are accepting and accommodating – there is no place for discrimination.
❖ People who are willing to learn – we value and encourage training to grow within the company.
❖ People with energy – there are a lot of stairs!
~
Bruce Owner
As a team at Thicket Priory, it is rare we go more than a day or two without seeing Bruce visit. From planting roses and creating fairy doors in the garden, to tweaking interiors and generally adding his finishing touches to the building.
Bruce has really added his signature to Thicket Priory, with a wonderful balance of showcasing the incredible past, but also, it’s exciting future!
I always say that Bruce missed a vocation in interior design as he has effortlessly created a venue for all to enjoy! (although there has been blood, sweat and tears put into the project)
Anna Winkworth General Manager
Anna lives and breathes wedding and events, and has worked in the hospitality business for over 10 years. She has an exceptional eye for detail and won’t let anything get past her!
Anna has been with Thicket Priory from the very start and oversees the wedding and events team. Anna is always on the go, a cat lover, who likes walking and the outdoors.
As our social media queen, there isn’t much liking and sharing that gets past her. Excitable, yet unflappable, she’s exactly the kind of person you want to bounce your wedding ideas with!
Who inspires you?
David Attenborough
What was the best concert you ever attended?
Fleetwood Mac in Berlin in an outdoor amphitheatre during a Thunderstorm.
‘Thunder only happens when it’s raining!’
Rebecca Barningham Creative Events Manager
Becca is totally committed to working with her amazing team and supporting them in their mission to make sure you have the Best Day Ever!
She’s an all-round super star, charming and sophisticated. Becca will put your guests at ease and ensure your wedding day runs smoothly.
Becca loves hearing your wedding plans and excels at making helpful suggestions about how to make those wedding day dreams come true!
Becca has been with Thicket Priory since the early days and is our social butterfly who loves to spend time with her friends and family.
What was the best concert you ever attended?
The 2012 London Olympic Closing ceremony
Where’s your favourite place in the world?
I have 3, (in no particular order)
1. Thailand
2. My Mums Kitchen
3. Columbia Road flower market
Sarah Pagan Operations Manager
From showing people around Thicket Priory, running the bar, to looking after you and your guests on your wedding day, Sarah is our Operations Manager who likes to keep everything in check.
Sarah joined the team in late 2019 and has a background in hospitality. She has an eye for detail and will only except the very best to ensure every wedding is run as perfectly as the last.
When Sarah isn’t found at Thicket Priory, you can generally find her with her husband and son walking their two French bulldogs. Sarah has a degree in Business Management and has the knowledge and experiences to match. A true work horse who keeps the cogs turning within both the team and our operation.
Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?
Beyoncé – we all have the same hours in the day as Beyoncé.
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
The Tasting Menu at Heston Blumenthals Fat Duck.
Katie Eustuce Wedding and Events Coordinator
Katie is a delight, upbeat and always ready with a smile, she’s a consummate wedding professional. Her fun-loving personality will put you at ease from the first moment you meet her. Katie has loads of ideas for our couples and offers some great advice and tips on how to make the most of the venue’s stunning features without spending a fortune. Besides weddings, Katie likes to travel and has huge love for Horses.
Which four individuals, living or dead, would you like to eat dinner with the most?
Jennifer Aniston, AP McCoy, Kate Middleton & Conor McGregor
What is your favourite family tradition?
Eating Yorkshire Puddings first as a starter for a Sunday Lunch. Honorary Yorkshire Lass!
By no means are these the only faces behind the scenes at Thicket Priory as we also have the wonderful Vicky who has been cleaning Thicket Priory before any of the above team members even started working here! Vicky was part of the original cleaning team battling through the spider webs, dust and rubble to ensure it could then be read as a blank canvas for the furnishings! She can be seen in the image below at our last wedding of 2020, alongside Sarah.
…and of course we cannot talk about the personalities and people at Thicket Priory without talking about the team of boys keeping the building standing! Andy & Debby who have been working alongside Bruce since day of, and then Alex our gardener. The Thicket Priory team are then joined by John, Andy and Luke, who keep our plumbing and electrics all functioning!
From all the faces front of house to all the faces back of house, we could not do it without the support of each other!
We very much look forward to working together to deliver your dream weddings and events in our home-from-home exclusive use venue in the heart of the North Yorkshire Countryside.
Lots of Love
Anna & Sarah
xXx
