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Mark's mission is to set poetry in motion

Mark Birchall has been appointed as Operations Manager for The Swan at Streatley, where he will oversee all areas of the hotel,
including the 46 bedrooms, Reflexions leisure club and Cygnetures restaurant.
Mark, who has worked at several high quality hotels including the Grosvenor House Hotel, London,The Francis Hotel in Bath,The Bath Spa Hotel and the Bear Hotel, Woodstock, is dear about how he would like the hotel to develop. He said: "My main goal is to lead a happy team which aims to exceed guests' expectations in all areas:' Mark cites his mission statement as being summed up by `A Haven of Rest', a poem about The Swan at Streatley, by H.D. Ellis, in August 1901 (see right). He explained: "I read the poem and decided that if every guest leaves feeling the way Ellis did, then my team and I have succeeded.'

Nailbiting finish for cricket team

The John Nike XI cricket team had a terrific summer - finishing second in the Bracknell and District league.
The team's final league position was not decided until the last match of the season, against ICL at Great Hollands. It turned out to be a real nailbiter, with the John Nike XI winning by just three runs. This was thanks to a great team performance, with Matt Gamble, from John Nike Leisuresport, Bracknell, batting well (scoring 49) and a bowling bonanza by John Nike himself, who took three wickets for just 26 runs.
Alan Connor, Team Captain and Manager of Leisuresport World, told Connections: "I am absolutely delighted with the way the team
performed this season and would like to thank all the players who gave up their time to take part.
"In particular, recognition must go to our star batsman, Matt Gamble, who performed well throughout the season, and three outstanding
bowlers - John Nike, Tim Newton from Bracknell Ice Rink, and Paul James, Thames Valley Tigers Coach."
The final outing for the cricketers is the annual match as the President's XI against Bracknell Cricket Club, of which John Nike is
President. The result of this game will be featured in the next edition of Connections.

The Nike Group in brief

As Connections went to press, the Bracknell Bees ice hockey team was winging its way to Bremerhaven in Germany to compete in a pre-season tournament.
Usually the Bees prepare for the new season by playing friendly matches against local sides but, this year, the team's management company -Arena Leisuresport Promotions (ALP) - felt that some tougher opposition could only help to kick start its Superleague campaign.
"The tournament in Germany is a great opportunity for the players to spend some time together before the season starts and play some valuable warm-up games too," said Jane McDougall ALP's Ice Hockey Co-ordinator.

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