From Childhood Sweethearts to Managing Lakeside Caravan Park: how our Park Managers Claire and Lee navigate park life (and marriage!)
Anyone who knows Claire and Lee will describe them as the most kind, caring and fun couple to be around! But for those of you who don’t know our Park Managers at Lakeside Caravan Park, here’s your chance to learn more. Not only do they jointly manage Lakeside, they also were childhood sweethearts. Read more about their story and how they joined the Thornley Leisure Family!
1. How did you meet and what were your first impressions of each other?
Claire: We met in Ferndale in the Rhodda Valleys, South Wales, when we were sweet 16! We’d known of each other for a while, but it wasn’t until I went to watch a football match in my local park (Darran Park) and Lee accidentally kicked a football onto the side of my face and knocked my earrings out that we first spoke, and there was an instant attraction. We’ve pretty much never left each other’s side since (around 1988!). Although we have to agree to disagree about who chased who! Lee is convinced I chased him, but I know he chased me!
2. When did you realise you wanted to start building a life together?
Claire: Lee’s career in football took off and we travelled around with his football, until we settled in the northwest in 2000 where Lee was goalkeeper for Stockport County and then Blackpool. We moved to Altrincham in Cheshire, before settling in Winsford for the majority of his football career, raising our children Christopher & Rebecca. Claire (as a very caring and thoughtful person with a funny sense of humour ) went into the care industry to look after the elderly and vulnerable. When Covid hit and as Lee’s football career as a goalkeeper and latterly a goalkeeper coach at Morecambe & Tranmere Rovers came to an end, they decided it was time for a change.
3. What inspired you to work in the holiday park industry, and how did you come to be at Lakeside Caravan Park?
Claire: We’d bought a holiday home at Lakeside a few years before and were spending as much time as we could there, as we have always loved caravan holidays North Wales – this was our favourite place to be. We loved (and still love) being part of a community. When our children were little, it was our holiday of choice as a family.
So when a housekeeping role become available, I jumped at the opportunity. Caring during Covid times had taken its toll and I needed something different. This led to a great relationship with the Thornley family and the then Managers, Mike and Sue, and as we worked together more and built trust my role evolved to running the office and Lee joined the maintenance team. It was in 2023 we both joined the management team.
4. Can you share some memorable experiences or challenges you’ve faced together while managing the park?
Claire: Sadly our beloved friend and colleague Sue, also our Park Manager, became ill so we took on more responsibility during this time before she sadly passed away and then we took over the reins. This was by far our biggest challenge, dealing with the loss and grief whilst still getting to grips with the new role and additional responsibility was hard, but with the support of one another along with the support from the Thornley family and all our lovely customers we are working through it. Sue is never far from our minds and we are looking forward to hosting a family fund raising day at Lakeside in honour of our lovely friend and colleague. It has been hard times to navigate and big void to fill.
On a more light-hearted note, the other challenge we face is who is the ‘real’ boss! Lee thinks its him and says he is park manager, but our holiday guests and owners all know the ‘real’ boss is! We love working together and make the best team!
5. What are some of the unique qualities that you bring to the park as a couple and as managers?
Claire: We are both very different in our styles. Lee loves the outdoors and being on site walking around the park, keeping it looking lovely and well kept and chatting to customers. It’s great to see the pride our owners have in keeping the park so tidy and gives Lee immense pride when showing new or potentially new owners around the park!
Lee: Claire is very warm, welcoming, caring and loves to help guests (and loves a good chat), with all types of enquires. Nothing gives her greater pleasure than helping and seeing the smiles on peoples faces. Claire says “If they are happy, then I am happy”
They make a perfect partnership, our very own Gin and Tonic, the perfect pairing!
6. How does being a family-run business influence the way you manage the park and interact with guests?
Claire: It’s about the community and family values. We feel like we are a part of the Thornley Family and that is how we want everyone on Lakeside Caravan Park to feel. We do all we can to treat our work and our home like it is our family too, a home from home with a warm and friendly welcome!
Working here and being part of a community and work family also gives us the family time we need with our own children and now grandchildren. They love coming to see us here and we love seeing them enjoy park! Our family is so special to us. Lakeside is a lovely environment for our own family time too.
7. What do you love most about the Winsford area, and what local attractions would you recommend to park visitors?
Location, location, location. Not many people in the local area are aware how beautiful a spot we have here at Lakeside, it really is something else to wake up to the views of the water. It feels like you have escaped to a little tranquil secret island, yet we are in the heart of the northwest, and can easily reach the hustle and bustle of nearby Chester, Liverpool or Manchester.
The town itself is undergoing development with lots of plans to enhance the shopping and dining experience and we are very lucky to have some fabulous restaurants and bars within reaching distance, such as the Plough Inn and Badger as well as the sailing club down the lane, and with access to the water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing (which are a must!). Along with lots of leisurely walks around Winsford, and Cheshire.
8. Can you describe a typical day in your life as park managers?
No two days are the same life as park Mangers is more than just a job it’s a passion for us . Welcoming new customers and guests, show rounds, enquires, maintaining the grounds, new homes arriving. Office duties, enquiries, keeping in touch with head office.
9. How do you create a welcoming and enjoyable environment for families and holiday home owners at the park?
We believe if you look after your team they will look after our clients. We work as a team to look out for another offering our clients the best possible experience, never too busy, approachable, welcoming smile, happy to help attitude. Welcome kits in the new owner vans and any holiday makers.
10. What are your future plans and dreams for the park, and how do you envision it growing/changing?
New vans, continual updating and developing the park, family fun days, best kept garden awards, dog of the week we have some lovely dogs on lakeside they always pop into reception to say hello, entertainment, bbq afternoons! We love to plan events and fun things for our owners, so there’s lot’s to look forward to the rest of this season and beyond!
Plan Your Visit
Ready to create your own memories at Lakeside? Discover more about our accommodations and facilities by visiting our website or contacting us directly. Join us at Lakeside Caravan Park and become part of our ever-growing family of happy holidaymakers.
