Our Winter Sun Touring Tips

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By William Coleman

As I look outside the office window I gaze across London which is blanketed in grey clouds and being drenched in wind, rain, thunder and lightning. I think it is safe to say that this year’s “season” is officially over unless you’re winter tourer, but that doesn’t mean the caravan or motorhome has to go into hibernation. Just across the pond is a limitless supply of winter sun. Here are some of our main tips before you set off.

If you are on the hunt for a winter get away with the warmth of summer time you are more than likely to head south in search of the sun. Why not make the travel down south part of the holiday stopping along the way? This way you really do make the most of both your leisure time, vehicle and the continent of Europe, Turn that touring holiday it an actual tour.

First things first though, what do you need before you head to the European Continent?

Top 5 Things You Need Before Heading Abroad

1. Paperwork

This may seem like an obvious one but more often than not the simplest details can sometimes get overlooked. There have been a few times in the past where I have been left looking a bit silly because I did not have the right details for the vehicles, border staff are not a fan of lack of paperwork. So before heading out make sure you have all your vehicle documents, insurance forms, international driving permit and passports. Have them to hand too.

When going through places like France, Italy, Spain or other forward thinking EU countries there are not that many checks, for now at least due to the freedom of movement we currently benefit from pre Brexit.

It is the non EU countries where papers and documents can be an issue. Due to not being in the European Union some non EU countries have their own border crossing rules, most of which consists of you paying for a separate insurance and driving permit for these countries. It is here where paperwork is heavily scrutinise so being prepared will save a lot of time and hassle and possibly money.

2. Satellite Navigation

Invest in a good Sat Nav, I can’t stress that enough. These really can be worth their weight in gold when travelling in unfamiliar territory. With a lot of companies now recognising the needs of the caravan and motorhome world there are now more options than ever. TomTom have even released a Sat Nav designed specifically for leisure vehicles, the TomTom GO Camper.

Another great option would be an Avtex. I spoke to the Avtex team at October’s NEC show about their systems and to be honest I feel that they are the best value for money currently on the market. So if you are going to opt for an Avtex I strongly suggest looking at the Avtex Tourer One Caravan & Motorhome Club Sat Nav which is avaliable through Prima Leisure. This Sat Nav comes loaded with 45 European maps as well as free map updates for life meaning that this item should never become obsolete like so many other models out there.

3. Change, Cash & Local Currency.

One thing I was 100% totally unaware of was the toll systems on the motorways across Europe. I was covering up to 350 miles per day when I towed across the continent and ended up spending quite a lot per day on toll crossings. With a good Sat Nav you can program a route to avoid tolls, but you can add a lot of extra miles to a journey, so it is a bit of a trade off.

Thankfully a lot of the more modern tolls take card but not every single one has this facility, cash is king after all. One thing I would advice is buying a toll token that you pop into your windscreen which is automatically scanned when approaching the toll. This will also save a few Euros too during your trip.

4. Know Your Route & Have A Plan.

Travelling all day can be a little bit tiring and you do run the risk of become quite tired while still having a fair distance to go until you arrive on site. So while planning where you’re going make sure you factor in stopping times and locations.

I thought that I would make it up as I went along because I knew where I was going. Silly me! What was planned to be a normal stop ended up taking a lot longer than planned because I was having to find locations on the fly which just added even more time and made me more tired and frustrated.

Any good navigation system will have a feature to add stops along the way so I strongly advise letting the Sat Nav do all the hard work for you. It also removed the element of human error when which can occur when you start to get tired.

5. The Creature Comforts.

Driving for 6+ hours from country to country can work up quite the hunger. I cannot express enough just how important it is to have snack and supplies on hand when driving these distances. Not only does it save time and money but it makes for a much more enjoyable experience, especially if there are children on board. Make sure there are plenty of fun and healthy nibbles on board for the journey.

Being sure to stay hydrated makes you more alert but it is also very important for many different health reasons. Driving for hours on end can sometimes take the focus off of drinking water but after a while you will start to feel the difference.

Also make sure you are dressed comfortably. 10 hour drives are no place for a fashion show, something I have to keep reminding myself. Get that baggy jumper and questionable jogging bottoms as they are going to make a world of difference while touring from place to place.

I am sure there a thousand more things to add to this list, we haven’t even gotten started on the van prep, but I am pretty sure most of our reader probably know more than me.

One thing I will say though is do your research as there are different driving rules, regulations and standards from one country to the other. Like I said it is sometimes the minutest details that can bring a trip to a standstill.

The Christmas Festivities Have Begun

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By William Coleman

There are times where you do think to yourself, “Do we need Christmas stuff on shelves on shelves at the end of September?”. As we enter mid November I feel we are close enough to Christmas to start spreading the festive cheer. Oxon Hall Touring Park feel exactly the same as they prepare for a weekend of Christmas fun and more importantly a charity fundraising effort for a very worthwhile cause.

Tis the season of giving at Oxon Hall Touring Park and Oxon Pool Holiday Home Park this week as they prepare for their annual switching on off their Christmas lights. The site is based in Shrewsbury which has long been known for impressive Christmas light displays and Oxon Hall have been bitten by the Christmas light bug.

The 2018 switch-on will be celebrated with a hog roast on November 17, which is free for holiday home owners on the park and people staying on the touring park. In return, the managers will ask for a donation to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the charity chosen by parks owner Morris Leisure and sister company Morris Lubricants in 2018.

The 2017 event raised a staggering £2,865 for The Alzheimer’s Society. The success and popularity of the annual event had lead to the touring park bring fully booked for this coming weekend since January. Being booked up almost 12 months in advance is a sign of a fantastic caravan park.

“The lights will remain switched on until the New Year, so there will be plenty of opportunities for touring caravan and motorhome owners to come and see them,” said Edward Goddard, managing director of Morris Leisure.

“Every year, the park managers make a huge effort with the Christmas lights and everybody visiting or staying on the park is very supportive in helping us raise money for our chosen charity”.

“It’s a fantastic time of year to visit Shrewsbury to do your Christmas shopping in the town centre and the award-winning Market Hall.

“The park is located adjacent to Shrewsbury’s Park and Ride which quickly transport you into the town centre where there’s always a spectacular Christmas lights display over the festive season.”.

Christmas is the season giving and this fundraising event clearly demonstrates that Oxon Hall Touring Park and Oxon Pool Holiday Home Park truly believe that . At this time of year there are a lot of people, places and organisations that could all benefit from a little holiday spirit and cheer. Keep an eye out as you never know, you could make all the difference for someone this Christmas.

A Public Statement From A Shunned Holiday Maker

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By William Coleman

Recently there has been a slight ground swell of negativity toward the touring community. Some areas have actually gone as far as to impose bans and parking restrictions for motorhomes in certain coastal areas. One member who feels directly, and wrongfully, impacted by these wave of changes wrote into the Dorset Echo. The publication felt so strongly they actually published the letter. I too feel like this letter needs to be shared.

I love the unspoiled sea side area that hasn’t got thousands of betting shops and arcades, and I travel there at least every couple of months.

I am also a motor home owner. I am responsible, and don’t leave a trace of having been in an area, and I abide by rules in regard to parking.

However, I fail to see why residents are so hesitant to have us in West Bay. Currently I use a site for overnight sleeping and pay the £2 for day-time parking at Station car park.

Why don’t you charge £10 a night and allow overnight parking? Use the money to pay for a ‘warden’ and the extra generated can be put to use in the community.

We shop in your town, we eat in your restaurants and bring money in all year round – not just in the summer.

Rather than tarnish us all with the same brush – understand us. Learn how to maximise the potential to support us to support your community!

Speak to your shop owners. We have! They want our trade. As of November 1 each year all the campsites are closed – so we have no where to stay.

Station car park is ideal – and we are happy to pay or don’t – and accept that you are losing money.

I accept that some people take the mick and stay for weeks on end and use noisy generators etc, so have a warden who could monitor this and keep the few in check.

Don’t stop West Bay being accessible!

Myself and the CaravanTimes team feel very passionate about this topic, see our previous article here regarding the negative backlash our tourism made by caravan holidays has faced this past season. Having travelled the world over in caravans and motorhomes we can say that the revenue provided by all touring folk is vital and if diminished it will be irreplaceable.

Scams In The Leisure Industry And What To Look Out For

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By William Coleman

The caravan holiday is one of the most relaxing holiday types one can take. From the freedom to go wherever you like to having new neighbours every time you pitch up. But underneath all the fun is a side of the industry I hope you never face. The holiday scam.

The Unfortunate Side Of Touring

Scams and crimes to do with holiday homes, caravans, dealers and sites come in many different forms and can be very hard to spot until it is too late. Maybe the caravan world is targeted due to having a larger amount of older people who are seen as being “vulnerable”, not my world but that of current speculative reports on fraud crimes toward caravan folk.

With the rise of so many web based sales outlets and the current boom within the caravan world it seems as though the leisure industry has become “easy pickings” for the undesirables. So here are a list of scams to keep an eye out for.

‘<' . strtolower('Array')>The Dodgy Dealer

The phrase too good to be true rarely ends with someone walking away with the deal of the century. When buying a leisure vehicle this phrase is extremely relevant and should be at the forefront of your mind when you “stumble” across the offer of a lifetime.

While doing some research I did find a few potential wolves in sheeps clothing. I thought my dream had come true last week as I found a 2010 Swift Challenger 625 twin axle 6 berth for £7999 ONO. Anyone in their right mind would snatch this bargain up and never look back.

As I dove deeper the deal got better; after market deluxe awning, recent service with new air con and a full history, oh and only 1 previous owner. Not wanting to “miss out” I messaged the seller right away. After a few messages back and forth I was asked to make a bank transfer for a holding deposit. I had not seen the caravan and only sent a handful of messages before being asked for money.

This may sound like something only a fool would fall for buy this is just one example of an online add that may not be all it seems. Some of these scammers have very complex and convincing methods. Some even invite you to view the vehicle and then want a deposit once you’ve fallen in love, only to never been ever again.

Sites such as eBay, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace or even reputable sites like Autotrader are places where you can find every type of leisure vehicles at rock bottom prices. The issue here is the fact that these are private sellers who may just want to shift a vehicle for a quick buck or scam an honest buyer.

The warning signs for bad ad or scam listings are:

  • Limited photos of the vehicle
  • Photos not showing key parts of the vehicle, interior, facilities, dash, mileage etc
  • Very brief product description
  • Seller having little to no feedback from previous sales
  • Private sellers randomly listing a vehicle with no previous vehicle sales
  • Low price for a high ticket item

Online can be a minefield to navigate through when making a purchase and especially one as extravagant as a motorhome, camper or caravan.

They are not all out to get your hard earned cash but it is a lot more common than what you’d think. So my tip top advice would be find a local dealer, buy used and approved and get to know who and where you are buying from. I was taught the hard way that if you buy cheap you buy twice.

The Misleading Review

Have you ever been in the unfortunate situation where you’ve decided visit totally new location for your holiday only to arrive to something which is the total opposite of what you’d seen or read online? The CaravanTimes team have, more than we’d like to admit too.

The internet can be a wonderful place when it comes to doing your holiday research, but can you trust what you are seeing?

My better half has made it her mission to not only use but also contribute to TripAdvisor every time we want to or have visited somewhere new, so much so she is in the top 15 reviewers in London! From all the holiday review sites you can use TripAdvisor is the one I truly trust as it has so many users it’s hard to find a misleading reviewer.

One such place where you can find a bit of an misleading breakdown of a site or location is Google Reviews or sometimes the companies whose campsite you visit.

When doing your research be weary of:

  • Short reviews with little to no detail such as “great site, 5 stars”
  • Reviews from people with the same surname, family run sites get relatives to go online and review to build up the numbers of online reviews
  • The same review multiple times, nothing worse than a copy and past job
  • Reviews that do not match photos used online

Always use a third party review website and always try to see as many images as possible before committing to a booking. You do not want to turn up to a waterlogged field with a portable toilet posing as a 5 star site with washroom facilities.

The Mis-Selling Sales Guys

Having spoken with, visited and dealt with a lot of dealers all across the UK I can say, hand on heart, that the lying salesman is not very easy to come across when you use well known dealerships or buy direct from the manufacturer.

With companies such as Marquis Leisure, Lowdhams, Broadlanes and Salop Leisure, to name a few, you can trust that when you visit them you will get an honest opinion from trusted sales reps as well as onsite management. Companies who have spent decades building up a positive reputation are not going to risk everything by employing cowboy on the forecourt.

There a lot of smaller dealerships who are just a trustworthy that have been in operation for as long as, if not longer, than some of the major ones so do not shy away from them whatever you do as these are where some fantastic deals can be had.

The second hand market for motorhomes, campers and caravans is gargantuan. According to NCC there are 555,000 touring caravan, 365,000 caravan holiday homes and 225,000 motorhomes in circulation throughout the UK. So over 100,000,000 leisure vehicles are owned by the general public and more than half of which has had a previous owners.

A lot of second hand sales are made via dealers but not all second hand vans meet the standard requirements for resale. So make sure before you buy you get all your questions answered and you are provided with whatever paperwork you require to do your checks. Also if you buy private avoid online marketplaces as a rule as you really do have no idea what you are buying.

If you are in the market for a new or used motorhome caravan keep an eye out for the following:

  • Sales agents who dance around your questions
  • Non direct answers
  • Overuse of jargon/technical speak
  • Being shown vans they want to sell you and not the van you actually want buy
  • The phrase “we’ve got someone else coming to look at this van today”
  • Pushy sales people who force a decision to be made there and then
  • Deposit requests without confirmation of interest from buyer
  • Deposits without paperwork stating you’ve paid
  • Refusal to show vehicle history or other paperwork
  • Massive price reductions to make the sale, as the van may not even be worth that if they drop 25-30% right away
  • Extortionate finance offers

The Risky Rental

Now for the last part of our rogues gallery of fraudsters and scamming scallywags. The rental scam may be the oldest trick in the holiday book but it seems to be the one that has the most victims. The rise of the World Wide Web has lead to thousands of holidaymakers being left out of pocket and nowhere to go on their holidays as it has removed the face to face or over the phone aspect of bookings.

Why is this form so popular amongst scam artists? Well to put it bluntly they prey on the people who have a smaller budget and are out looking for a bargain. Some people cannot afford the thousands to stay at a Haven Holiday park or get a 4-6 berth static on a 5 start site.

Naturally those on a budget still want to get away and give the kids nice holiday memories, and this is where the sharks start to circle. A lot of private ads all bare similar marks that are clear warning signs that indicate this could be a bad idea.

Just like buying leisure vehicles you really do want to avoid using social media sites or market place style ads. If something has a certain value and you find it well under that price the alarm bells should start to ring.

One clear sign, which if ever mentioned you should immediately log off and look elsewhere, is the mention of PayPal. If someone asks for any form of payment for your holiday using PayPal only ever send it as a payment for goods or services. A seller will ask you to send the payment as a gift or payment to friend or family to avoid paying PayPal’s commission. I am all for avoiding commission but you will pretty much waive for right of PayPal’s protection leaving you well and truly in the deep end.

So you’ve paid your deposit, which usually is a high one, turn up on site with the family and a car full of kit to find that the caravan is either not there and totally not what was advertised. At this point you are up the river without paddle. You’ve sent it as a non protected payment and now the holiday is all but ruined with you being very much out of pocket.

If you are going to rent a van, motorhome or static holiday home from an online ad head these points:

  • Avoid Facebook or other online market ads, Gumtree in particular
  • Seller asking for high up front deposits
  • PayPal payments
  • Professional photography pictures if its an older/used van or static, you are going to want up to date images
  • Use a reputable and well known booking agent as they offer protection and up to date site/van info
  • If you do book a site with a van call the site and make sure it is actually there and in good shape

This list is just the tip of the iceberg of horror stories that a lot of people in the UK have come across. These issues have been reported all over the web, radio shows, BBC’s Watchdog and Rogue Trader as well. Make sure that you do the research and do not rush in as you may live to regret it.

Top Pup Friendly Site Officially Recognised

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By William Coleman

When planning your next adventure one thing always needs to be considered, where will the pest go while we are away? Many sites across the UK do not welcome our four legged friends with open arms which always leaves us feeling guilty if we leave them behind. This Lancashire park is doing quite the opposite and are being recognised for keeping the love of pets on tour alive.

Being a pet friendly site is an option that is not as widely available as it used to be, which is odd considering the rise in sales of dogs in the last 5 years. I fully understand why a site may choose to have a no pet rule, much like adult only sites, but I also feel a lot of this is made up from stereotypes of dogs on sites which can sometimes be held as fact and not opinion.

With that in mind Moss Wood, in Cockerham near Lancaster, have been named on of Britain’s top three places for caravanners to take their dogs on holiday and they are now up for a major national accolade.

Having beaten more than 3,000 other UK parks that were eligible for the award Moss Wood have seen off all other competition to show their pedigree to become finalists in the 2018 Dog Friendly Awards.

Now the family-run business must wait until the championship finals later this year to discover if it has the overall Rex factor in the caravan sites category.

Moss Wood was taken into the awards by votes from its customers who decided that the park’s canine credentials made it one of the UK’s most four-legged friendly sites.

Its grounds took the lead in a number of different ways, including the putting aside of a four-acre pooch playing field where Bonzos can fetch their balls.

Also getting tails wagging are a raft of refreshment points and poop bins around the grounds, and information provided to pet owners on nearby dog-friendly attractions and pubs.

The organisers of the Dog Friendly Awards, whose sponsors include Eurotunnel, say their aim is to recognise businesses which go the extra mile for Britain’s 9.4 million dogs and their owners.

Henry Wild, whose family has owned Moss Wood for over 40 years, said the park had a long tradition of welcoming responsible families and their furry companions: “Dogs benefit as much as humans from a change of scenery, and nobody likes to fret that their pets are pining for them in expensive boarding kennels far away,” he said.

“Moss Wood is a great place to exercise a dog as the grounds are virtually traffic-free, and we’ve sensible rules in place to ensure that everyone stays on friendly terms.

“We’re also on the cusp of many footpaths and trails both through the countryside and along the coast where legs can be stretched in gorgeous surroundings.

“If there’s a formula for being dog friendly, then I like to think we’ve got it off pat,” added Henry.

An Honest Opinion On Pets On Site

This is a topic that can get some holiday makers really fired up, both fore and against, and sometimes lead to a bit of an argument. What is the issue with dogs being on site?

Here are some of the reason I have heard for not wanting dogs on site: Too noisy when they bark, they will cause a mess when they go to the toilet, they run out into the path of cars, they smell, they interfere with other people.

I can safely say that no dog owners I know who take their dog on site is guilty of any of the above. That is not to say it doesn’t happen as yes of course there are some inconsiderate and poor dog owners out there. Dogs will bark and dogs will have a wonder, if left alone to their own devices but does it actually cause any real issues?

So it is just a stigma, much like children on site, that makes people not want pets on site? I welcome pets of all shapes and sizes to mooch over to me if I am outside my caravan setting up, cooking or relaxing. If anything I try to get them to come over and say hello. You’ve got to love thy neighbour after all.

One important factor that people gloss over is the pet may be the only thing in a person’s life. It is not uncommon for someone to spend a few days or a week on site by themselves because they may not have anyone else. I certainly would not want not want to deny them the company of a pet just because I think the dog may bark at some point during my stay.

In my opinion if you come across an unruly pet you will find an unruly owner, which is much worse if you ask this caravan lover. But the great thing about the caravan holiday is the amount of choice and variety of sites you can choose from. We really so have something for everyone.

The Rise Of The Static Caravan Holiday

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By William Coleman

The static caravan was a massive part of my childhood and one of the first holidays I ever went on. It now seems as though the static holiday home is making a resurgence and there are now many different forms of “static” holiday homes you can use for your getaways and escapes.

Haven Holiday parks where where I first fell in love with the static caravan and 30 years on the static caravan seems to be as popular as ever. 2-3 bedrooms, large living room/kitchen, separate full size washroom and bunk beds. It was such an adventure just getting inside the caravan. But where did it all begin?

A Brief History Of The Static Caravan’<' . strtolower('Array')>

The caravan, both touring and static, are a huge part of British culture and have been for well over a hundred years, well a 101 years to be precise. Way back when in 1947 the world was introduced to the very first static caravan. The designs of the first generation were somewhat crude and built using materials such as hardboard and were not the most sturdy of structures. Not only were they not too solid they also had trouble standing the test of time and after a few seasons they were all but done for.

Fast forward a century and we’ve moved far away from from gas lights and burning cole to keep warm during the colder times of the year. Nowadays static vans are more like luxury flats than sheds with gas and coal utilities, oh and now they have toilets and running water too! Modcons we’ve all become quite accustomed too in our caravans. As times change the static caravan became the dominant holiday type for UK residents, especially in coastal areas such as Devon and parts of the South Coast.

Why The Rise?

A lot younger people who do not have the right license to tow larger set ups and may not want to drive a motorhome down country roads are opting for the static which has had a direct impact on the amount of glamping or staycations holidays being taken. They want to freedom and adventure but are put off by the driving side of it.

In the past 2 year we have seen the masses flocking to sites all around the UK in seek of the perfect “staycation” holiday, we’ve also seen people from all round to world visiting our shores for caravan holidays. After seeing all the new caravan holiday options it is easy to see why the caravan is now the go to holiday accommodation type. The poor GBP to Euro has also meant that a lot more people are staying at home for the holidays.

Nowadays sites and holiday parks are adding static caravans to their portfolio to meet the growing demand of UK holidaymakers. With a lot more adding glamping facilities such as pods, yurts and the American Airstream. Now seems to be the best time to pick a static van for a getaway.

With post 1997 licence changes the newer generation of caravan holiday makers are limited to what weight they can tow, without taking further tests to upgrade to a B+E driving licence. So the next obvious types of touring accommodation are the motorhome, camper or, my secret favourite, the static. A lot of people I speak to who are entering the caravan world seem worried about driving a larger vehicle and do not want to buy a caravan or motorhome straight away. So for them the static is the perfect entry point. Rent one for a few weeks a year and go from there, just like I did.

One of the best things about the static holiday is that they really do give you the bug. Once you’ve used a static and seen what the caravan holiday is all about you want to see what else is out there and add you personal touch to your set up.

Now that the companies like Swift are building static caravans that are more like luxury lodges you can see why they are becoming so popular. Last month at the NEC I had a look round their new Toronto and Champagne lodges I would live in one let alone use it for a holiday home.

More Than Just A Holiday Home

There are also people who have chosen a static caravan to live in once they reach retirement. Residential sites are filling up with static homes from companies like Willerby who also specialise in pet friendly statics. Not only are they becoming one of the most rented holiday homes but they are also growing in popularity for retired folk.

I see why a lot of people would rather have a touring caravan or motorhome, you can’t quite hook up the static and head to another location. But some of us are creatures of habit and fall in love with a certain location and some families buy one for friends and families to use all year round.

From my many holidays spent in the static vans the the world class models being designed now I see sites all across the UK adding more and more across the next 2 years. What are your thoughts? Is the touring van slowly being replaced by the 100 year old static?

Caravan Guard Award Win

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By William Coleman

There really is nothing worse than having to shop around to find the right insurance provider to make sure the price matches the cover, something that seems be becoming increasingly hard to find. All hope is not lost though as one company who solely cover leisure vehicles goes from strength to strength following a recent customer service award win.

The caravan and motorhome insurance specialists, Caravan Guard, are cheering their most recent success following a top award win for their consistently high levels of customer service and satisfaction. And if you know anything about sorting insurance a little customer service really does go a very long way.

The Halifax-based company collected the Customer Service Award at the 2018 UK Broker Awards – the leading platform for national recognition within the insurance broker sector.
Judges said Caravan Guard was always to looking to improve and had the desire to provide genuine customer service.

Managing Director, Ryan Wilby, said he was absolutely thrilled the company had been recognised in the industry for delivering excellent customer service and satisfaction.

“Brilliant customer experiences is one of our company values and our whole team is absolutely passionate about delivering exceptional service to all of our caravan and motorhome customers,” he said. “It’s fantastic to have everyone’s efforts and excellence recognised with this accolade and we thank all those customers who take the time to rate our service.

“Our claimants are extremely satisfied, rating their overall experience of our service nine out of ten on average, and a very high number of customers renew with us year after year, as well as regularly rewarding us with positive feedback and satisfaction.”

Having a company such as Caravan Guard who specialise in protecting touring vehicles brings a whole level of trust and safeness. Being able to deal with someone who knows exactly what the market is and who their customer base is means you are speaking to one of you own who fully understand your needs. Something you can sometimes struggle with when talking to your normal high street insurance provider.

The Caravan Guard and Leisuredays teams also made the shortlist for the Claims Team Awards, Schemes Broker of the Year and Insurance Broker of the Year. Whilst they didn’t win it was a fantastic achievement for their customer-focused Claims Liaison Team and growth to be recognised.

To find out more about Caravan Guard and their great value, highly rated caravan or motorhome insurance visit www.caravanguard.co.uk/.

Want To Turn Your Dream Into a Job?

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By William Coleman

As a kid who didn’t think ahead about what dream job they would have when they were older? Astronaut, cowboy, fireman or even a football player. Well now you can make your dream job a reality as the Camping and Caravan Club publicly advertise Site Assistant job roles.

The UK based holiday industry is going through such a revival and the demand is almost too much to keep up with, especially with an uncertain Brexit on its way. Clubs, sites, dealers and manufacturers all across England, Scotland and Wales are starting to recruit for th 2019 season to ensure they maintain the consistent quality to keep the customers coming back.

Applications for Holiday Site Assistants (HSAs) at more than 100 Camping and Caravanning Club Sites and 15 Camping in the Forest Sites are now open for next year’s camping season, following the launch of a recruitment drive. The Club has 121 campsites across the UK, with teams comprising two to 18 people with ages ranging from 19-70.

It goes without saying that holiday park staff are a vital part of any site and can make the difference between a good trip full of relaxation or an awul stay with loud neighbours and untidy setting, whether is be unkempt surroundings or bad pitching. Making sure the right staff on hand can make or break a site.

Nigel Wakefield, Holiday Site Assistant at Keswick Club Site on the shores of Derwentwater, said: “I had to hit the ground running when I joined the Club last year, but I really enjoy my job, from meeting campers to saying goodbye, I enjoy it all.

Nigel, a caravanner of 40 years who ran his own pub and building company, added: “In my earlier working life I had busy jobs, sometimes seven days a week, but I’ve always been customer-focussed and this has stood me in good stead for this role. I knew I’d retire to this cracking job, meeting people, greeting people – it’s a way of life now and doesn’t feel like a job.”

So if this sounds like something you would be interested in doing do not hesitate to contact the team. Typical duties for a Holiday Site Assistant include running the site office and carrying out administration tasks, using the Club’s computerised booking service, maintaining the grounds and cleaning on-site facilities.

One couple I know had the good fortune of taking a very early retirement and decided to become wardens on a local site where they live and have never looked back. So this could be an ideal opportunity to spend as much leisure time as possible during your “working” hours. Win win if you ask me, where do I sign up?

To find out more or enquire about each role, including application forms and full job descriptions can be found at www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/jobs.

Swift Announce Industry First Partnerships

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William Coleman

On the Monday before this year’s NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show Swift Group made two major announcements that made waves at the show and will surely get the masses talking about the Swift brand when it comes to buying a new leisure vehicle.

The leading leisure vehicle manufacturer announced their strategic partnership with Caravan Guard and Black Horse to deliver industry-first insurance and finance initiatives – Swift Advance and Supersure Insurance.

Unveiled at the prestigious Motorhome and Caravan Show 2018, Birmingham NEC, the ventures are designed to offer customers the utmost convenience when purchasing a leisure vehicle, while ensuring their investments are protected.

Nick Page, Swift Group Commercial Director, said “With Swift Advance and Supersure Insurance, we are making leisure vehicle ownership as straightforward as possible.

“Partnering with the best of the best, we have engaged tried and tested providers who truly understand our customers’ needs in order to create market-leading services. These strategic partnerships are central to increasing business and, more importantly, enabling customers to make the most of their leisure time. We are thrilled to share these exclusive launches at the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2018.”

The caravan and motorhome world seems to be an ever growing market, but getting into it can be costly. At one point it seemed that the caravanning world was mostly made up off older couples who own homes and have children who’ve flown the nest, thus provider less responsibility are potentially less outgoings. But with new finance options like this it does help bring fresh blood to the market and will reach a larger audience.

Enabling a wider audience to access caravan and motorhome ownership, Swift Advance presents a transparent range of funding options to help customers finance their leisure vehicles. In partnership with Black Horse, it spreads the cost of purchase and can be tailored to individual needs. Visitors to the show can access low-rate finance, in advance of further offers to be unveiled in the coming months.

Now onto what waves Swift are making in the insurance world. The world of leisure vehicle can be, at times, a bit of a complicated one and Swift want to simplify the whole thing. Supersure Insurance has been created in partnership with specialist insurer, Caravan Guard, to provide Swift owners with the utmost peace of mind and value, with half-price coverage available. Half price coverage is something not to be sniffed at! Be sure to check beforehand as there is criteria that needs to be met to get the half price cover.

Nick Page adds “Swift Advance and Supersure Insurance represent the company’s commitment to adapting to the changing market while tuning into consumer needs. We have worked hard to bring our customers bespoke insurance policies and finance options that serve their requirements and offer the highest possible level of protection and value, helping more people to own their dream leisure vehicle.”

So if this is something that you are interested in buying a Swift Supersure Insurance or even a new Swift vehicle in here a few need to know points:

  • Half-price Supersure Insurance rate applies after discounts. Available on new or < 3 year-old vehicles purchased from an approved Swift dealer.

    • All Swift vehicles are supplied with the following assurance benefits:

  • 10-year manufacturer bodyshell warranty
  • Selected models benefit from a lifetime water ingress warranty
  • Swift Command: an innovation in onboard system monitoring designed to make touring as hassle-free as possible
  • Swift Command Tracker: pre-installed Thatcham Category 6 approved proactive vehicle tracking technology
  • Swift Connect Direct: direct access to customer service support, also providing reporting, recording and notification facilities

£7.5M Winter Investments And Improvements with C&CC

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By William Coleman

For a lot of people the winter is a chance to slow down a bit, relax, star winter prep or even in some cases totally close until March the following year. This is not the case for the Camping and Caravanning Club as they use the “quiet” time to invest in sites and get some early works done ahead of the upcoming season.

The Camping and Caravanning Club will invest £7.5 million into its network of 106 UK Club Sites in the coming months, with large-scale capital works taking place at seven sites, including Wyeside near Rhyader in the Cambrian mountains of mid-Wales and West Runton on the north Norfolk coast.

Money has been spent as part of the Club site investment programme which improves facilities for the future enjoyment of campers; both members of the Club and non-members.
Proceeds raised by the Club through camping on Club Sites over the course of the year are invested into the site network annually as part of the programme.
Bob Hill, Sites Director, said: “With a growth in membership the Club’s work to improve our UK Club Sites is of key importance.
“We now have more campers wanting to camp with us than at any other time in our history, and by investing so much in our facilities we’re helping to provide the best and most memorable holiday experiences we can.”
Small-scale works are taking place at many Club Sites; however larger works will be completed at seven sites:

The refurbishment of two facilities blocks, a motorhome service point, service area and widening of some site roads at Clitheroe Club Site, Lancashire
Improvements to reception building plus facilities block, service areas and motorhome service point at Kessingland, Suffolk
Upgrades to two facility blocks and resurfacing of some site roads plus new hardstandings and service areas will be added at St. Neots in Cambridgeshire
Full refurbishment of two facility blocks at West Runton, Norfolk
Site electric upgrade plus a new motorhome service point, improved facilities block and new site roads at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire
30 new hardstanding pitches as part of redevelopment of touring field plus refurbishment of facility block and site reception at Wyeside near Rhyader, mid-Wales

Bob added: “The site investment programme has been running in its current form since 2010 and in the last five years alone we’ve increased the number of hardstandings on our Club Sites by 7%, helping more members to enjoy camping year-round – plenty to keep us busy.”

Caravan Storage Expansion at Salop

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By William Coleman

A lot of caravan and motorhome owners, or any leisure vehicle for that matter, may not have the space at home to store the home away from home. Some do but simply want a safer place to store the van while it is not in use. One of the UK’s leading caravan and motorhome dealerships has started work on expanding its secure storage facility in Shrewsbury to cater for customer demand.

Eight years ago Salop Leisure opened their original storage facility, which has since achieved a gold award from the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA), is full with 250 touring caravans and motorhomes.

The new extended storage facility will be monitored by CCTV surveillance, an alarmed fence line security beams and be governed by an electronic entry system.

The site, which has an early November open date, will offer customers the opportunity to store their vehicles on dedicated pitches with improved services for existing customers, daylight hours access, on-site servicing of touring caravans and motorhomes and power washing, tyre repair and pressure checking and waste disposal point services.

“We are aiming to offer the most modern, secure storage facility for touring caravans and motorhomes in the UK,” said Mark Bebb, Salop Leisure’s managing director. “Our existing storage facility is full and we are having to expand it to keep up with demand.

“We provide a one stop shop for caravan and motorhome owners. By storing their touring caravans and motorhomes at Salop Leisure, owners can have them serviced on-site and use the award-winning facilities at our Love2Stay resort.

“Increasingly popular is ‘store and tow’ whereby we are able to tow a touring caravan to the neighbouring Love2Stay resort when the owners wish to stay there overnight.

“Owners can come and go as they wish in the knowledge that their caravan will be safe and secure when not in use. The storage facility is conveniently located alongside Shrewsbury bypass and there is an accessory shop onsite just in case owners need anything.”

I would not wait around as early booking numbers indicate that the facility will soon fill up due to the growing demand for touring caravans and motorhomes from British staycationers who no longer travel abroad for holidays.

Mr Bebb believes this year’s hot summer weather persuaded many people to staycation. With predictions of more hot summers to follow in the future due to climate change, he expects demand for caravans and motorhomes to increase.

“We have seen 25 per cent more first-time buyers this year because owning a caravan and motorhome is now considered to be cool,” he added.

Extended Easi Slide Exterior Sockets From Whale

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By William Coleman

Last week at the NEC the product launches were the highlight of the show, for many people it is the sole reason for visiting the Motorhome and Caravan Show. Whale made a big splash at the show by announcing their new Easi-Slide Mains Electric In Exterior Utilities Socket.

This new handy mains electric in socks allows holiday makers to safely hook up 230V/16amp mains power to their caravan, motorhome or campervan while on site. So this should stop the kids bickering over who’s charging what and when and also allows a lot more choice of what electrical good you can use outside the van. TV in the sun anyone?

All nine sockets in the range incorporate the unique Whale Easi-Slide Lid with its streamlined design. The use of a sliding lid guarantees no more lid flapping noise or damage to your vehicle. Comfortable to use, the sockets provide a smooth easy slide open and close motion with a secure click feature to protect the internal parts when the socket is not in use. As well as being UV stabilised to prevent damage from the sun, all sockets are waterproof and rated to IP45 and IP55.

Mark Walmsley, RV Commercial Director for Whale, said: “We are really pleased with this new addition to the Easi-Slide range. It means we now have one of the widest range of utilities sockets in the industry. Manufacturers love the improvement to vehicle aesthetics, providing uniformity to exterior walls, and end users prefer the sliding lid instead of the more traditional hinged lid.”