Dear members,

What a lovely feeling – Easter is behind us, the weather has been lovely already and we have the whole summer to look forward to!

Our hardworking gardeners and maintenance team, spurred on by the sunny weather, have already managed to open all of our outdoor facilities, this year a couple of weeks earlier than normal. New deck chairs for the front lawn are in place and the outdoor pool area, revamped last year, looks lush and inviting!

Following on from the refurbishment of the Dining Room (see pictures), there is extensive public area carpet replacement in progress along with a new updated look for the Inner Lobby and Quiet Room to come.

Please find attached an invitation to our Country Club Summer Social & Shopping Evening on Thursday 15

th May.

It is the ideal time to meet other members, enjoy some Ragdale hospitality and to browse the shops and skincare presentations, whilst enjoying some generous discounts on purchases! I look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible then.

Enjoy your membership and see you soon!

Paul McGregor - Country Club Manager

Membership Reminders

• Please be reminded that all treatments must be paid for by card when calling to book your treatment or, prior to your appointment time, at Reception

• Members are not permitted bring guests into the Hall (even to visit the shops or have a coffee) without booking them in as a ‘member’s guest’ in advance and paying the appropriate guest fee

Latest Awards

Ragdale voted:

• Best Spa 2014 in the Candis Awards (we also won this award in 2013)

• Highly commended in Natural Health Reader’s Beauty Awards 2014 Category - Best Hotel and Spa Experience

Hannah’s Back to the Floor Day

Senior Treatments Manager, Hannah Farrell Wall recently celebrated her 20 years service at Ragdale Hall. To mark the occasion Hannah decided to go back to the coalface and spend a day working as a Beauty Therapist.

This is what she had to say about it...

"I had an amazing time!

"I am passionate about beauty and feel, as a manager I should be up to date with what it is like working as a Beauty Therapist in the salon, which is why I decided to celebrate my 20 years at Ragdale Hall with a day back on the floor.

"Much has changed since my salon days which then often consisted of assisting clients on and off sun-beds, with three people in the same room, only separated by a curtain! The most notable change which, I feel is a major reason why the salon at Ragdale Hall is so successful is the development of a more hands-on treatment approach.

The bit I loved the most today is the interaction with the guests and giving 100% attention and client care to each of them. I can honestly say I didn't want my day to end!"

And about her ‘normal’ job…. "I love that each day is never the same. I have had lots of opportunities for progression over the years and have been allowed flexible working hours following having my first child. I currently job share with Zoe Heightley with whom I have worked closely with for 19 years. We have a fabulous kind and caring team within the Beauty Department and also in Ragdale as a whole. You really are made to feel as if you are an integral part in the business."

May Treatment of the Month – The Golden Touch

Special offer price: £65 (normally £72) Treatment time: 70 minutes – Created by Ragdale

This treatment begins with a full body exfoliation using a gold shimmering cane sugar scrub with caviar extracts; which will help to slow down the ageing process. Whilst you are cocooned in an anti-ageing full body wrap of champagne and grape extracts, a relaxing, lifting facial massage is performed. Gold dry body oil is applied, before concluding the treatment with a soothing back massage. A blissful treatment which will leave your skin glowing and healthy and your tension eased.

May Gift With Treatment - Elemis

Book two specialised Elemis treatments in May and receive an Elemis Revitalise Me Duo Hand Care Collection.

Treatments to be taken between 1st - 31st May 2014. Two treatments per person must be booked.

Ragdale Hall Country Club Newsletter April 2014

Elemis Biotec is here

On 1st April we launched Elemis Biotec - a new concept in machine-lead anti-ageing skincare.

Carol Smith was the first guest to experience this exciting new treatment, performed by Cat, Ragdale Hall's Elemis Expert and this is what she said about it...

"An amazing treatment. My skin feels and looks wonderful – and younger! Lovely therapist – the whole experience was wonderful"

Tracy Lawrence – Internet Marketing Manager was lucky enough to experience the Elemis BIOTEC for herself last weekend and was utterly thrilled with the results. “Due to my concerns with blocked pores and dull skin, I opted for the Sonic Skin-Resurfacing Facial which is 25 minutes and conducted in The Beauty Express.

The procedure begins with a thorough cleanse of the face which is a treat within itself (I just wish I had someone to do this for me every morning and evening) and then the application of toner. The BIOTEC machine is then switched on to perform the Ultra Sonic Peeling technique. This is done with a spatula type device that has a jagged head and vibrates 27,000 times a second. This device is gently scraped (not as harsh as it sounds) across your skin to unblock the pores and essentially peel off the top layer of your skin. Although the machine does sound a little like a dentist drill, (although a lot quieter) this treatment is a world apart from a trip to the dentist. Gemma cleansed my skin thoroughly whilst the peel was taking place, following the path of the 'scraper' with a toner soaked cotton pad.

The Resurfacing Activator, a serum that is ten times more active than any standard serum, was then applied followed by the Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Mask. Gemma advised me that my skin would start to feel quite tingly and it most certainly did, this is the Activator working on your skin and after about five minutes, my skin then went really cold. Light therapy is then used, first a red light for anti ageing and then for anti-bacteria and healing a blue light. The treatment concludes with the application of an eye cream and a day cream.

My skin was definitely brighter and more radiant and there were clear signs of reduced congestion on areas of my face. You really can see instant results with this treatment and I would urge anyone to try it”.

Look out for the great ‘course offers’ available only on the day and evening of 15th May – details will be sent to you shortly. Triple-Tec Anti-Wrinkle Facial 60 mins £75 Micro Firm-a-Lift Facial 60 mins £75 Sonic Skin-Resurfacing Facial 25 mins £38* Sonic Skin-Radiance Facial 25 mins £38* L.E.D. Blemish Control Facial 25 mins £38* *Available in The Beauty Express

Ragdale Runners!

Four members have just completed their first London Marathon! In their own words they were ‘old enough and allegedly sensible enough to know this was a task that bordered on the reckless’ but Andree Carter, David Hall, Jackie Howarth and Georgina Newcombe completed the challenge nonetheless! Having met at Ragdale, they were encouraged and ‘coached’ by Michelle Read, Senior Fitness Instructor and did all their gruelling training together. Congratulations to you all!

Beauty Shop News

New products:

Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster (£16.20 with discount). A made to measure facial self tan to create an even, radiant glow in a simple daily application combined with your regular day or night cream.

Elemis Pro Collagen Super System (£139.50 with discount). The ultimate anti ageing system using the iconic Pro Collagen range and the new Pro Collagen Super Serum. This system delivers dramatic results against fine lines and wrinkles.

Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion (£32.05 with discount). (available from May). A luxurious, gradual tan body lotion to instantly moisturise, condition and leave the skin velvety smooth with a beautiful golden glow. There is also a facial product.

Decleor have launched a brand new anti-ageing range that will be used in the Decleor Qi Booster Facial for guests wanting to target the first signs of ageing. The Aroma Lisse range contains the Aromessence and Balm Mandarine, the Dark Circle & Eye Wrinkle Eraser plus the Energising Smoothing Cream.

Boutique News � Spring Fashions arriving daily � Carlton Shoes – Ponyskin leopard print pumps £37.95 in tan, yellow and cerise – Diamante jelly sandals £23.95 � Moontide Australian reversible swimsuits, tankinis and bikinis £58.95 - £99.95 – enabling you to travel light but still change your poolside look! � New styles and summer bags from £22 � Funky Wellies – three styles to chose from. Perfect for the British summer or for fab, festival fun! – from £23.95. � Lejaby new Tanger range in cotton broderie anglaise � Fit Flops – new summer 2014 styles now in

Fitness News

Welcome to James who has recently joined the Fitness Team and already seems to be getting a good following to his classes.

Ragdale’s Fitness Consultant Dean Hodgkin writes:

SPRING INTO SHAPE Everyone's talking about HIIT, high intensity internal training, guaranteed to bring quick weight loss results and one way to achieve that is using plyometric (jumping) exercises. Here's an exercise you can try at home - with your feet hip-width apart, bend your knees to squat down and then power up and jump as high as you can, reaching your hands to the sky. 3 sets of 15 repetitions should do the trick and don't forget our HIIT class on Thursday evenings at 6.35pm.

FULLY FUNCTIONAL Fitness training has taken a turn recently, everyone is practising functional strength training, ie exercises designed to improve your core strength, reduce the risk of back problems and equip you to perform better at work, rest and play. This is why you may have noticed a few quirky pieces of equipment being added to the gym, notably the sandbells, Bulgarian bags, battle ropes and freeform. Don't miss out, on your next visit to the gym ask one of the instructors to show you how to get the most from these fun fitness tools.

If you have any questions regarding anything you have read in this newsletter or just generally, please do not hesitate to contact Paul

McGregor on 01664 433001 or email countryclub@ragdalehall.co.uk