MP visits Padstow Park to welcome Holidays for Heroes
Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park in Padstow welcomed MP Scott Mann this month (26 Nov) when he visited to greet key workers enjoying no-cost “holidays for heroes”.
Mr Mann, who is MP for North Cornwall, was accompanied by Stephen Rushworth, Cornwall councillor for Padstow – and both were met by park owner Patrick Langmaid.
Throughout November around 200 lockdown workers and their families have been enjoying free holidays at Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park – an award-winning Cornish holiday park.
Patrick Langmaid said offering the free holidays was a way he and his park team could say a very big “thank-you” to NHS front-line staff keeping Britain safe during the pandemic.
Free Holidays for Heroes
“The bravery and commitment of staff across the NHS working tirelessly and making sacrifices during the Covid crisis has been astounding, and these holidays are a small token of Mother Ivey’s gratitude,“ said Mr Langmaid.
The key workers enjoying the 200 holidays are staying in luxury holiday caravans and will be able to enjoy walks and time-out in the secluded sandy bay below the park.
During their tour of the private beach and grounds, Mr Mann and Mr Rushworth saw the welcome sign displayed by the park, and the many cards thanking the NHS and key worker guests for everything they had done.
In December last year, Mother Ivey’s sister site, Martha’s Orchard in Constantine, also provide key worker holidays – but plans for Mother Ivey’s to do the same a month earlier had been frustrated by the second lockdown.
Mr Langmaid said he is “over the moon” that those free holidays at Mother Ivey’s Bay are now finally taking place this month.
Thank-you NHS Key Workers
During their holidays for heroes, the key workers are also enjoying the benefits of the array of improvements undertaken at the park during the months it had been closed due to lockdowns.
Electric vehicle charging points have been installed to help protect the natural environment, and broadband fibre optic has been hardwired into every holiday home which Mother Ivey’s believes is a first for a UK holiday park.
Impressed with the environmental improvements to the park during his tour, Mr Mann said, “This past couple of years has been a very challenging period for Cornwall’s hospitality industry, and many other businesses which rely on visitor spending have also suffered.
“However, it is fantastic to see the wonderful experiences provided by Mother Ivey’s, and to see key workers enjoying some much needed respite here,” he added.
Mr Langmaid said: “It was wonderful for our two visitors to be able to see Mother Ivey’s giving key workers and their families the holidays they need.
First class holidays in Cornwall
“It was also a great opportunity for them to meet valued members of our team who have also shown great commitment and dedication to ensuring all of our guests have had a first class holiday experience during what has been a challenging period for all,” he added.
Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park has been run by the Langmaid family for over 30 years and they have a long tradition of supporting West Country charities and good causes.
Patrick Langmaid is also a campaigner for the Living Wage Foundation which has presented him with a special award for his tireless efforts to promote the benefits of fair pay in hospitality.
