p28-29 Valentines Feb12 9/2/10 17:59 Page 29
ttglive.com
valentine’s special knowledge
LEE & HILARY.
HARRISON.
Time together:
22 years
Work: Select World
Travel, Malvern, Worces-
tershire; Aito member
I initially met Hilary through her brother.
Her family ran a restaurant where I helped
out – but it was only so that I could see
Hilary. At that point we drifted apart and
I moved to Greece with Medina Holidays.
However, when Hilary needed a holiday
later that year, she came to Kos and it was
love at second sight! When Medina decided
to expand into Kalymnos, I convinced the
managing director to hire Hilary. One night
at the Christos Bar, having sampled the
entire cocktail menu, I had the courage to
propose. Now we own Select World Travel
together. It’s hard work striking a work/life
balance. But it would be more difficult if we
didn’t enjoy what we do – and we make it
work. We celebrate our 22nd anniversary
on February 13.”
FRANCINE &.
RON FLEMING.
Time together:
PETER &. DAWN &.
30 years
LIBBY COOKSON. RICHARD FURLONG.
Work: Gates Travel,
Time together: Time together: 25 years Cumbria; Advantage
31 years Work: run Furlongs member
Work: Spear Travels, Travel, Kent “I was the manager of Mayco Travel in Tot-
Boroughbridge; “We have recently tenham Court Road when Ron came in to
Aito member celebrated our 25th put up a window display. He was a rep for
“Libby and I met while working in Corfu wedding anniversary, but before we got Bridge Travel Group and invited me on a
for Corfu Villas (which is now called CV married, I used to sell eggs to Dawn’s fam to Interlaken in Switzerland. We dated
Travel) in 1979. She was a villa cook and I family! Working in the same business for four years after that, got married in
was the rep/handyman. It was love over a means we can spend lots of time together. 1982 and had a daughter in 1985. We then
blocked sink! We were engaged that winter We made the decision some years ago to moved to the Lake District and bought
and married the following year. This year keep our portfolio small and lead every tour Abbey Travel, which we ran for 16 years.
is our 30th wedding anniversary. We ourselves, together. It works because when He would put the tours together, which we
returned to the UK when our first child we are away on tour Dawn is the loud one would both travel on, and advertise them,
was born and bought Spear Travels in 2007. that customers love, while I am a more while I sorted all the day-to-day admin.
We now have five branches and 35 home- behind-the-scenes organiser. We are also Sadly, Ron died 18 months ago. We made a
workers. The advantage of running a busi- both on absolutely the same wavelength, good team and I loved working with him.
ness together is that you see a lot more so we also make work decisions almost We never got under each other’s feet.”
of each other than if you had separate jobs. without talking. Any small business owner
The disadvantage? You never get away finds it hard to strike a work/life balance,
from it at home or at weekends. Our children and we’ve always worked seven days a week. ■ Are you a couple in travel who met in
banish any travel discussions during our But you don’t worry about it when you love hilarious circumstances? Email Olivia at
evening meals!” what you do.”
ohemmings@ttglive.com with your story
12.02.2010 29
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