1 January 2011

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

A BUSY year on the town’s tourist desk has thrown up some odd requests over the past 12 months, but tourism officer Simon Kerr prides himself on being able to deal with whatever visitors throw at him – however unusual.

Neither is he a man afraid to go the extra mile when it comes to customer service, as one couple in Berlin found out.

"Our most intriguing questions this year both revolve around Sackville House, the property in the High Street which belongs to the Landmark Trust.

"Our first request was from a family who were coming to stay and wanted us to find them a chef to come in and cook them their final meal on their last evening, so that they could enjoy eating in the house without all the hassle of preparation and washing up.

"We did indeed find them a suitable chef and received a lovely letter from the family full of praise for their stay.

"The second memorable tourist question came in an email from Berlin also wanting information about Sackville House.

"A brother and sister were bringing the rest of their family including their father who couldnt walk very far, so we arranged with the EG Access Group the free loan of a fold-up wheel chair for the duration of their stay.

"There was also a large pack of information that I was due to post them, but it just so happened that I was going on a city break to Berlin, a place I visit quite frequently, so I took the envelope and popped it in the letter box of the address they had given me, which was just around the corner from my hotel.

"This so impressed them that when they arrived here they came in with a huge box of marzipan chocolates and a bottle of Cherry Brandy."

The family also wrote Simon an appreciative note thanking him for going beyond the call of duty.

"When I sent my first email to you I was hoping for some help but did not expect in any way so much support and dedication. We all look very much forward to meeting you in October and to expressing our thanks personally.
With very best wishes from Berlin

Claudia Fritze