From Glass Collector to Caravan Park Manager

As a company, Thornley Leisure Parks takes great pride in the career paths we offer to our staff and like to nurture talent to help people get where they want to go.

One member of staff who has gone from strength to strength since starting working for us is Chris Darbey, affectionately known to many as “Little Chris”. This month marks 20 years since Chris first started with the company, working as a Glass Collector in The Beachcomber at The Beach Caravan Park. He has worked in many positions across the business and is now our Park Manager at The Beach Caravan Park, a role which he has been training for now for 20 years!

We thought we’d ask Chris a few questions, so you can get to know our youngest but longest serving Park Manager!

Name: Chris Darbey

Park: The Beach Caravan Park, Llanddulas

Position: Park Manager

How long have you worked for Thornley Leisure? 20 years

A young Chris Darbey propping up the bar

What do you enjoy most about your role? Everyday is different and also getting to visit the different parks. I don’t get around as much as I used to when I was working as the Thornley Leisure Parks In House Plumber, but it’s always nice to get around and see what’s happening on the other Parks with in the group and get ideas on how to improve things here.

I can most likely be found… Trying to play snooker.

My favourite things about The Beach are: I think it’s hard to find a better location so close to the sea, it always looks great and the view is amazing. I love getting out on my bike and having the footpath on our doorstep makes getting out and about as a family so much easier!

My best tips for the surrounding area are: Go and visit Snowdonia as there are lots of things to do for both children and adults with amazing attractions as well as great places to eat out and drink!  Whilst we have a great bar and café here at The Beach – I would always recommend our customers also take advantage of the great places locally so they take in all that the surrounding area has to offer.

I enjoy working at The Beach because: I’ve really enjoyed seeing the park evolve over the 20 years I’ve been here and seeing how the caravans have developed. The biggest change has to be the Luxury Lodge development which was started about 7 years ago – it has made such a huge difference to the look and feel of the Park. Working in the Holiday Park industry gives you the opportunity to meet lots of nice people along the way as well and I’m sure I’ll meet many more.

My advice to people looking to own a caravan would be: Location, location, location.

If I could recommend one must see/do in the local area it would be: I enjoy water sports so I would say you have to visit Adventure Parc Snowdonia. There is a lot more than just surfing there.

In my spare time I’m usually… Riding my bike, playing snooker, wake surfing or in The Beachcomber  watching the football… (normally Everton losing).

Any parting words? Thanks to everyone who has made these 20 years an enjoyable journey. See you at The Beach or in The Beachcomber!