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Mark Pilgrim - Managing Director or Sailor ?

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Born just six months before Meudon opened as an hotel in May 1966, my first day at work in the family business was handing out Christmas presents from the tree with my sister Bridget. I was three and she six, now 38 years later I continue the tradition. All my four sisters and I have worked here at various times, I started full time in 1985 and in August 1994 I became Managing Director. I am the fifth generation 'Pilgrim Hotelier' and this is our fourth hotel around the village of Mawnan Smith. Budock Vean 1929-1935 Nansidwell 1938-1987 Trelawne 1956-1966. The tradition goes even further back as my Great Grandmother managed her father's Bath Hotel in Felixstow.

I have the best job in the world; I lead a super team who already know the way! When you live 'over the shop' as I do it is difficult to quantify free time, however sailing is my passion and safety release valve! I am fortunate to skipper the hotel's yacht "Valhalla" {I am always asked - Why the name? Our previous boat was "Valkyrie" so there was some logical progression and more importantly it is a mixture of my parents names Val & Harry}

I have always sailed with blind and disabled sailors, taking over a tradition started with my farther half a century ago. Now I spend all my holidays and much of my 'free' time teaching and passing on my love affair with the sea. Along the way I help a growing number of disabled sailing groups; Falmouth Sailability - Vice Chairman, BATS (Blind at Sea) - Committee member, WFT (Winged Fellowship Trust) Holidays, Helford River Children's Sailing Trust and RYAS (Royal Yachting Association Sailability) "Blind Week". I am the RYAS Disability Awareness Training Co-ordinator for the South West.

Mark Pilgrim - Managing Director