Halsway Manor Reviews 4

Halsway Manor is a fabulous place for lovers of folk music. The course tutors are knowledgeable, professional, patient and fun. It's also a joy to meet like-minded individuals on the courses. The staff are pleasant and efficient. The manor, several centuries old, is gorgeous, as is the surrounding countryside. The cost of the courses and full-board accommodation is reasonable. I've been to Halsway Manor at least ten times in the last seven years (since 2018) and will continue going there. Thank you.

The Fiefdom Of The Parking Attendant

I should be attending the Halsway Folk Summer School this week for which I paid £460. This was one of three, fully paid in advance, that have had to be refunded - making a cumulative total of £1,180.00. However I was prevented from attending this course (with the others) due to being banned by the parking attendant (****FOR LIFE!****) on a previous D/G Melodeon weekend. The reasons for refusing to consider my security concerns - before the banning (****FOR LIFE!****) - were ludicrous!

With no greeting or welcome, I was rudely ordered to move the car from the parking area of the Cabins to apparently make way for a 'Motorhome' which allegedly couldn't navigate the usual gate to the camping area (but later on did!) - with no notices warning you of this or prior briefing. If you want to know the full details of this confrontation - then please read previous one-star reviews on Trust Pilot. In essence I wanted a parking space where I could keep an eye on the car - you will understand more fully if you read the reviews; and when you realise how Halsway is in an isolated and vulnerable position which has experienced burglary and looting from cars. The cabins at the bottom of the estate are especially vulnerable, hence wanting to keep an eye on the car.

(Just a reminder if you do attend Halsway to bring a rake to straighten the grass if you make the mistake of straying onto the grass frontages of the cabins. You'll obstruct (your!) view - (which is also very limited!) and you mustn't park close to the cabins to unload heavy stuff - depending whether it's Summer or Winter. If you have a handy crystal ball to tune into these unwritten rules - it depends on who is playing parking attendant - then bring it along!)

For a charity to have to refund £1,180.00 is a considerable sum in these cost-of-living times and is a high price to pay for a hissy fit - where petty rules have a higher priority over your security and safety. In addition the income stream from a very (previous) loyal 'customer' makes the losses even more considerable. Especially when the Parking Attendant doubles down on making no effort at an apology - and is willing to go down with his ship.

It's even more incredible when, as I believe, the Parking Attendant is a member of senior management.

In having to rearrange my 'musical development' I made alternative arrangements that turned out to be an amazing compensation. They made me realise how 'same old, same old' unchanging attendance at these refunded courses at Halsway are of limited 'progression' value. I can recommend looking further afield for more challenging courses in other establishments.

However do keep your security and safety of your instruments in the forefront when deciding to attend Halsway - proper insurance cover is essential.

Because of 'Halsway-Manner' practices - which I believe are driven by the Parking Attendant - my application for a Subject Access Request (SAR) under the Data Protection legislation was refused. I believe too that it took a long time to be refused to ensure any useful data would be overwritten (including the CCTV data). I don't believe the reasons for refusal are valid - and breach the DP Act. I am considering a reference to the Information Commissioner's Office.

I believe too that Halsway's 'complaint's procedure' is not fit for purpose - and not up to the required Charity Commission standard - especially when dealing with a 'conflict of interest'. The Parking Attendant appears to be in total control.

On seeking their (The Charity Commission's) advice I was advised to write to the Board of Trustees. Having written to the Chair of the Board of Trustees - I have received no response. I believe this has been caught by Halsway's manipulation of their communication and IT systems - (which is the reason I made the original SAR reference in the first place).

In the absence of a response from the Board of Director's - and having satisfied the Charity Commission's prerequisites, they now require a reference to be made by me. Halsway's 'Manner' in this regard may pay off. The Charity Commission's resources are very limited in managing the charity universe.

However I believe that Halsway's own auditors need to be more diligent. From my experience in business it's normal for them to ask for the complaints file - which will be non existent if the 'Halsway manner' is systemic - which I believe it is. And its operation and construction, I too believe, are not fit for purpose.

I believe charity 247230 is operated as the fiefdom of the Parking Attendant. The board of Trustees appear to be asleep in the depths of Somerset - or may have been 'captured' by the Parking Attendant.

Postscript: (This space reserved for response response or developments.)