It's all systems go for our new project

With great relief we got our planning permission for eight bedrooms, lounge area, private dining room and shop. The weight was really lifted off the old shoulders at the committee meeting with a unanimous show of hands.

I was starting to get a bit nervous as we'd basically bought a derelict building with no planning permission. Living in a small village we do have the odd person who seems to have the time, energy and inclination to object to anything. We've had it all recently, from noise objections to which side of a fence we are allowed to plant holly trees.

But we did feel quite confident as at a time when the rural economy is suffering we couldn't see how a business wishing to expand and promote tourism couldn't be supported.

We have benefited with the shop as there is no shop in the village at the moment and the fact that we want to use it as on outlet for local producers seems to fit in with the current trend for promoting and using regional produce.

We are aiming to have the shop open by Christmas. The builders have moved in, so it's all systems go.

I managed to sneak a day out last week after I was asked to take part in the judging of the Young Waiter of the Year regional final.

As usual the main topic of conversation was the constant battle to find and then keep good staff. I always find it disappointing yet strangely comforting that even the top places have the same problems as the rest of us.

The competition was very interesting. The task I was judging was clearing a table, giving dessert menus, taking the order and setting the table in preparation for dessert.

The competitors were all very good technically, but I felt the knowledge was lacking. I thought too much emphasis was put on being able to crumb down the table, which took forever, rather than thinking of the guests' comfort and requirements.

I was also amazed how many of the candidates couldn't remember an additional dessert I'd told them about 15 minutes previously.

At the end of the day we judges felt it was most important that we liked the personality of the person serving us.

JACQUIE PERN and husband Andrew own the Star Inn at Harome, North Yorkshire

Next diary from Jacquie Pern: 25 October