Do Real People Ever Actually Win a Competition?

One never expects to win, and many of us may have wondered cynically whether a real person ever does. Does ‘ecstatic Mr B from John O’Groats’ really exist, or ‘Pensioner Mrs J from Land’s End’? Or have they been dreamt up by someone in some PR department?

Well, we can tell you ‘Competition-winner Sal C from Birmingham’ is no figment of the imagination of any (non-existent in our case) PR department. She really does exist. She and Andrew have just spent the weekend here with us in Douglas’s Barn.

To prove it here is a hurried photo taken by John when they came to say goodbye! We persuaded them back to Douglas’s Barn where they very good-naturedly sat on the sofa, still in their outdoor clothes poor things, as they were all set to leave.

Even Sal had not been too hopeful of any chance of success; after she had left we found this delightful and totally unsolicited entry in the visitors’ book:

“Last winter, I was sat on a delayed commuter train and saw a competition to win a weekend break in ‘Jane Eyre country’, in Stylist magazine. Having forgotten I had even entered I was very surprised when I received an email to say I’d won! I had four Premier Cottages to choose from and quickly chose Douglas’s Barn and am very glad I did! We’ve had a lovely relaxing and peaceful weekend in Douglas’s Barn. The barn is equipped with everything you could ever need! Thank you for a lovely stay!”

So, top marks to Premier Cottages, with their ‘unparalleled track record for excellence’! It looks as if we have all ended up winners: Sal and Andrew having had by all accounts a wonderful weekend, we having had some charming and grateful guests and Premier Cottages for once again providing unbeatable quality for their guests and owners.