Premier Cottages:

We are members of Premier Cottages, the outstanding collection of independent and award winning 4 & 5 Star self-catering holiday cottages in the UK. We joined Premier Cottages because it means that we have direct contact with our guests rather than receiving bookings through an agency. Alistair is now a Board Director of Premier Cottages and is responsible for the annual brochure amongst other duties.

Devon Farms:

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GTBS:

We are members of the Green Tourism Scheme and are working with both GTBS and Premier Cottages to assist in the roll out of this scheme nationally. GTBS really does help businesses run better, understanding where environmental options can in fact enhance guest stays within tourism.

DEBI:

We are now corporate sponsors of The Devon Environmental Business Initiative (DEBI). Like GTBS, DEBI helps businesses understand the environmental basis for improving business practice and has a distinctive local Devon bent. DEBI also covers all kinds of businesses, not just tourism in Devon. Alistair was asked to become a Director after Higher Wiscombe was the Debi Overall winner in 2007/8.

South West Tourism:

We have been members of South West Tourism (SWT) since we moved to Devon in 2003. We have taken advantage of training courses offered by them including the Welcome Host series as well as the more advanced Tourism skill programme. We were delighted to win the SWT Self Catering Holiday of The Year award in 2006/7 and were runners-up in the 2007/8 Sustainable Tourism Awards. In May 2009 Alistair became Chairman of South West Tourism.

NQAS: (National Quality Assurance Scheme):

This is the scheme that assesses and grades our business on an annual basis so that you the guest know what to expect. This is the de facto standard in self catering assessment. We are currently graded Five Star with Walking and Cycling accreditations.

EASCO: English Association of Self Catering Operators.

We are members of EASCO (English Association of Self Catering Operators), Alistair is a also committee member who along with other agency and cottage owners lobby on behalf of our business sector within the tourism industry and with the Government. We try and help members understand new legislation like the new fire assessment rules and keep them abreast of developments at Visit Britain.

CLA:

Visit Devon:

Visit Devon are our County DMO and marketing group. They promote Devon as a whole and have a website that covers all things Devon.



Devon Wildlife Trust: (DWT)

We are now Corporate Sponsors of DWT and you will find collection boxes in all the barns as well as information on their local reserves. We have been Family members since we came to Devon and recommend visiting their reserves where they carry out amazing work, with no Government help whatsoever. Higher Wiscombe guests have donated over £200 so far.

Cancer Research:

This is our number one charity that we support. We have lost both close Family and friends from this terrible disease. Through Relay for Life and Cancer Research Auctions we have raised over £3000 to date.

Devon Food and Drink:

This group focusses on the promotion of Devon Food and Drink both within and outside the county. Members vari in size from the large, sucha s Burts Crisps and Luscombes Organic Drinks, to the medium, Salcombe Dairy Ice Cream, to small organic tea blenders such as Teasme. Alistair is a director of the this voluntary group and is working on bringing wider distribution to small producers.

Vulcan to the Sky:

Alistair's "Uncle" flew these magnificent aircraft and Higher Wiscombe has so far helped raise over £400 to see this aircraft back into public ownership and the air.
RSPB:

We have been Family members of the RSPB for years and last year had a fantastic Farm Watch carried out at Higher Wiscombe which revealed several species that we had never spotted. We were also advised as to the best way to manage the habitat.
East Devon AONB: (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)

We have had a huge amount of support from the AONB since moving to Higher Wiscombe. They do a huge amount of work in the local area and we have had a scientific study of our County Wildlife Site carried out by them as well as many other activities.

FSB: Federation of Small Businesses

The Federation of Small Businesses is the leading business group in the UK for small businesses and helps lobby the Government on many issues affecting the small business sector. They also offer advice lines and negotiate collective deals on our behalf.