Over at whatdotheyknow.com, what seems to have been a perfectly legitimate Freedom of Information request was asked of the NITB, which was why the Northern Ireland Tourist Board was condoning the serious misrepresentation actions of the National Trust Castle Ward Caravan Park?
To be fair, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board responded by saying: 'NITB does not condone ‘serious misrepresentation actions’ by any organisation and have not condoned the issue of a letter by Castleward Caravan Park claiming they had received their four star rating.'
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board then went on to say: 'NITB’s standard procedure and protocol, in relation to any tourist accommodation claiming they have a star rating which they don’t have, is to initially instruct the premises by telephone to remove all reference to this. If appropriate, NITB will follow this up in writing giving a deadline by which this must be done. If the premises refuses to do so, NITB will issue a final written warning and liaise with its legal team to discuss legal action. As soon as NITB was made aware that Castleward Caravan Park had issued a letter referring to a grading which they did not have, we investigated this matter by contacting both the independent assessor and Castleward Caravan Park directly. Castleward Caravan Park advised us that the letter they issued was incorrect and confirmed that this should not have contained any reference to the grading which they hope to achieve later this year. In this instance, NITB has determined that no further action is required at this time. However, as mentioned previously, NITB will monitor the situation and take appropriate action when necessary.'
The National Trust have just begun advertising for a 'Caravan and Accommodations Supervisor' for Castle Ward, and online under 'DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE' it would appear that amongst other duties, the successful applicant will be accountable for: 'Castle Ward caravan/ campsite (NITB 4 star) Castle Ward Base Camp, Castle Ward Holiday Cottages (Potters Cottage NITB 4 star, Downpatrick Gate Lodge NITB 3 star, Murlough Cottage, Murlough Gate Lodge)'
'However, as mentioned previously, NITB will monitor the situation and take appropriate action when necessary.'
Perhaps therefore, being aware of the repeated false claim of the National Trust, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board would now care to comment on this further act of blatant misrepresentaion by the National Trust or is it the case that the previous blog posting 'Why Do We Need The Northern Ireland Tourist Board When We Have The National Trust?' really does say it all? Who does need the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, certainly not the National Trust Tourist Board!
No, we are not going to raise the subject of the aforementioned Potters Cottage NITB 4 Star Rating, or the Downpatrick Gate Lodge NITB 3 Star Rating, preferring to assume, rightly or wrongly, that even the National Trust Senior Management are not that stupid.
To be fair, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board responded by saying: 'NITB does not condone ‘serious misrepresentation actions’ by any organisation and have not condoned the issue of a letter by Castleward Caravan Park claiming they had received their four star rating.'
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board then went on to say: 'NITB’s standard procedure and protocol, in relation to any tourist accommodation claiming they have a star rating which they don’t have, is to initially instruct the premises by telephone to remove all reference to this. If appropriate, NITB will follow this up in writing giving a deadline by which this must be done. If the premises refuses to do so, NITB will issue a final written warning and liaise with its legal team to discuss legal action. As soon as NITB was made aware that Castleward Caravan Park had issued a letter referring to a grading which they did not have, we investigated this matter by contacting both the independent assessor and Castleward Caravan Park directly. Castleward Caravan Park advised us that the letter they issued was incorrect and confirmed that this should not have contained any reference to the grading which they hope to achieve later this year. In this instance, NITB has determined that no further action is required at this time. However, as mentioned previously, NITB will monitor the situation and take appropriate action when necessary.'
The National Trust have just begun advertising for a 'Caravan and Accommodations Supervisor' for Castle Ward, and online under 'DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE' it would appear that amongst other duties, the successful applicant will be accountable for: 'Castle Ward caravan/ campsite (NITB 4 star) Castle Ward Base Camp, Castle Ward Holiday Cottages (Potters Cottage NITB 4 star, Downpatrick Gate Lodge NITB 3 star, Murlough Cottage, Murlough Gate Lodge)'
'However, as mentioned previously, NITB will monitor the situation and take appropriate action when necessary.'
Perhaps therefore, being aware of the repeated false claim of the National Trust, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board would now care to comment on this further act of blatant misrepresentaion by the National Trust or is it the case that the previous blog posting 'Why Do We Need The Northern Ireland Tourist Board When We Have The National Trust?' really does say it all? Who does need the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, certainly not the National Trust Tourist Board!
No, we are not going to raise the subject of the aforementioned Potters Cottage NITB 4 Star Rating, or the Downpatrick Gate Lodge NITB 3 Star Rating, preferring to assume, rightly or wrongly, that even the National Trust Senior Management are not that stupid.
Do these images represent the work of dilligent professional building contractors who know what they're doing, or the work of amateur volunteers who know not what they do? Gilbert-Ash N.I. Ltd the construction company awarded the contract to build a new visitors' centre at the North Coast Quarry Attraction presumably decided the Castle Ward Caravan Park new site updates were out of their league, therefore was rumoured to have refrained from tendering for the huge contract. When 'completed' will this new 'construction' pass an Inspection by Health and Safety Officials, and officials from Downpatrick Regional Planning Office? Would you as a responsible caring parent permit your child to enter the 'completed' construction?
Remember the December 2010 communication from the 