Bumper year predicted for Caravan and Motorhome Club

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by Tom Leaning

The newly renamed Caravan and Motorhome Club has recorded its best performance ever in 2016 in terms of retaining and attracting new members. The Club has also reported an encouraging start to 2017 with a record number of occupied pitches in the first quarter, up 8 per cent from 2016.

According to the Caravan and Motorhome Club, 2016 Club membership performance was the best since 2009 in terms of both retention and acquisition, with 87 per cent of members remaining with the Club and 52,000 new members joining. This trend in new members joining the Club seems to be continuing into 2017.

With four out of ten of its new members being motorhomers, it is clear this area of the market is having a significant impact on membership numbers. With the record pitch occupancy in January, February, March and April swiftly following the very high number of nights stayed on Club sites for November and December last year, caravanning and motorhoming is now a year-round pursuit.

Interest in motorhome holidays is at an all-time high and Harvey Alexander, Caravan and Motorhome Club director of marketing said: “Having recently returned from a Just Go motorhome re-location holiday, driving a motorhome from Italy to the UK, I’m well placed to extol the virtues of this type of holiday and recommend it as a great and cost effective introduction to touring holidays. There is nothing better than having the freedom of being able to travel when you want, have a break when you want and experience the great outdoors, particularly when you have a young family like I do.

“It is no surprise that our latest figures are recording a bumper year, fuelled by the growth of motorhome members. These figures are backed up by our recent research released in The Inspiring Adventure Report, which states that touring holidays are set to enjoy a boom over the next decade with spending increasing by more than a third. We know that our million members are becoming increasingly varied and motorhomes play an important role – all share a passion for the freedom of exploring and enjoying adventures. As a trusted membership organisation with 110 years’ experience, we are proud to offer caravanners and motorhomers alike great value and high quality sites with fabulous facilities for all the family to enjoy.”

In its recent Inspiring Adventure Report, the Caravan and Motorhome Club also predicts that more than 16 million caravan, motorhome and camping trips will be made next year – the highest since 2006 and in the next five years the number of trips taken will increase by 400,000.

The Club is also expecting the number of caravans and motorhomes in the UK to rise from 755,000 touring today to top more than 800,000 for the first time by 2022. Brits are forecast to spend some £3.6 billion on touring holidays by 2030 – a rise of 37 per cent per cent on current levels.

Radio announcer perfectly sums up family camping trips from callers box

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by Tom Leaning

Australian radio announcer Jon Vertigan has tapped into the heart of Easter family camping and caravanning trips with an epic horse racing commentary that all caravanners, motorhomers and campers can relate to.

We’ve all been there: While you’re trying to figure out how to properly close the caravan door, there’s kids that won’t keep quiet, annoying flies, an awning that is impossible to put together and window blinds that just won’t completely go all the way down. So here’s a wonderful little video that sums it all up for us poor parents, right down to the crap wifi, uncomfortable mattresses and wearing flip-flops in the public showers.

“We say we’ll never do it again but no doubt, we’ll be back again next year,” he said from the callers box.

Credit: ACE ONLINE via One News Page

So how was YOUR Easter caravanning, motorhoming and camping trips? Did you experience any of the holiday pitfalls mentioned in the video? Please let us know…

#ArcticAdventure: In Pursuit of the Arctic: Part 1

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by Tom Leaning

The previews and highlights have been and gone, and now the first instalment of Bailey of Bristol’s #ArcticAdventure documentary is here for your viewing pleasure.

In this first part, the #ArcticAdventure team, including Lee Davey, Simon Howard and Martin Dorey set off from Millbrook Proving Ground in Northampton, across the English Channel and through continental Europe, travelling hundreds of miles each day.

Highlights include Martin Dorey’s delicious cooking, the team passing through the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and arriving at the Latvian coast before taking a ferry over to the Finnish mainland.

Please let us know what you think of this first installment before we release the second next week.

Easter Memories Part 2: We hear more of your unforgettable stories from Easter breaks past

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by Tom Leaning

Easter 2017 is finally here and everyone at CaravanTimes wishes you all a memorable Easter break with your family and friends. But before you go, we’d like to share some more Easter memories with you from our friends at Salop Leisure and our very own Editor.

The Shaw Family – Min Y Don Caravan Park, Snowdonia National Park:

We have been visiting Min Y Don caravan park for a number of years now as a family of four staying in our Sprite Alpine touring Caravan “Maisie”. Last Easter, we decided to take the caravan out earlier in the season than we normally do and visited Min Y Don. As a family we always enjoy spending time playing and walking along the magnificent beach and settling next to the BBQ in the evening to cook some sausages from the local deli in the town of Harlech, which always has to include a quick visit to the Y Branwen for a swift pint.

On Easter Sunday the park hold their annual Easter egg hunt and bonnet parade around the park. Credit to the staff as the girls loved this and came back with an extra big smile on their face..naturally covered in chocolate. We returned after the weekend feeling refreshed and dreaming of our return visit.

CaravanTimes Editor – Woolacombe Bay, Devon:

My absolute favourite place to go to during Easter is Woolacombe Bay in North Devon. It’s such a fun seaside town, full of friendly locals, varied beaches, wonderful walks and incredible scenery.

There are over a dozen campsites and caravan parks in the Bay area, one of which (Putsborough Sands Caravan Park) is just yards from the southern end of Woolacombe Beach.

Growing up, I had many happy memories waking up to a spectacular sea view, then going for a fun walk either to Baggy Point or Morte Point at opposite ends of the Bay after breakfast. Afterwards, depending on what time the tide was at its lowest point in the day, my Aunt would take me prawning around the rocks of Combesgate Beach, and after going for a swim in the sea (wearing a wetsuit of course!), we’d dry off on the picturesque shell beach, Barricane, while munching on hotdogs.

Glorious memories, that last forever.

Have a fantastic Easter everybody, and please get onto the CaravanTimes website before, during and after your trip and tell us all about it!

Have you taken delivery of a new caravan or motorhome in the last 6 months?

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by Tom Leaning

Mindset Research is looking for participants to take part in their online panel.

Please click here to complete the survey!

www.snapsurveys.com

How can you participate?

As a member of the panel, you will take part in three short questionnaires about your experiences of your new leisure vehicle. The first survey will be shortly after purchase (link to first survey below), the second in 12 months and the third in 30 months.

Are there any rewards?

Other than being instrumental in future caravans and motorhomes design, and as a way of saying thank-you for your participation, we will be entering you into prize draws after each survey (with prizes including £100 John Lewis vouchers). The surveys will give you opportunities to tell us what you like about your vehicle and what you feel could be improved.

What is the purpose of the research panel?

The Caravan and Motorhome Research Panel is being run and administered by Mindset Research, an independent research company. Bailey have commissioned Mindset to conduct some research amongst new owners of caravans and motorhomes to hear about their experiences. We are talking to a large sample of both Bailey owners and new owners of other brands of caravans and motorhomes.

Is your data secure?

Your answers will be treated in the strictest confidence and will be used for statistical purposes only. This is guaranteed by Mindset Research’s strict adherence to The Market Research Society Code of Conduct.

Please click here to complete the survey!

www.snapsurveys.com

Thank you for supporting this survey and Mindset Research

Auto-Trail announce official sponsorship of Tyco BMW British Superbike Team

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by Tom Leaning

Auto-Trail, one of the UK’s largest motorhome manufacturers, has announced its support of the Tyco BMW British Superbike Team for the 2017 season, supplying the BMW factory team with a bespoke motorhome for use throughout the year.

Motorhomes are a popular mode of transport and accommodation for motorsport teams and fans, providing the management, riders or support crew a relaxing and comfortable space to conduct meetings, give interviews or just unwind after a long day’s racing.

The Tyco BMW team consists of three top level riders for 2017 – young talent, Christian Iddon; TT legend, Ian Hutchinson and new arrival for the season Davide Giugliano.

Russell Hensman, Auto-Trail’s Marketing Manager, commented: “We are thrilled to have teamed up with such a force in the British Superbike roster, Tyco and BMW are two fantastic brands and Philip’s team is one of the most recognisable and popular on the circuit; we look forward to working with them further in the coming seasons.”

The team have chosen a 2017 Frontier Serrano, which features a fixed rear bed, a luxury bathroom and a lounge area towards the cab; all trimmed in leather. Storage space has been further increased by raising the height of the bed, creating sufficient space for a paddock scooter under the rear bed with easy access. The exterior of the motorhome has been adorned with the team branding ensuring the relationship is prominent both beside the track and on the road.

The vehicle was handed over to Philip Neill, Team Managing Director, at the first race of the season at Donington Park, where the team achieved two hard-earned podium finishes.

Bailey of Bristol complete their #ArcticAdventure

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by Tom Leaning

As part of our continuing #ArcticAdventure coverage, Bailey of Bristol give their own account of their latest marathon product endurance test, taking two caravans and a motorhome to the Arctic Circle and back. The UK leisure vehicle manufacturer, in association with the Caravan and Motorhome Club, took two caravans (a Pursuit 530-4 and 550-4) and one motorhome (an Autograph 75-2) on an epic 5,000 mile journey to the Arctic Circle.

The Bailey #ArcticAdventure set off from the world renowned Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire on 2nd March, travelled through Europe across the Arctic Circle to the Millbrook Winter Test Centre in Ivalo, Northern Finland and then back. The journey took 16 days to complete and the team visited 12 countries in the process taking in some of Europe’s most iconic locations including the Brandenburg Gate, the official home town of Santa Claus at Rovaniemi in Finland, and the Oresund Bridge linking Sweden to Denmark on the way.

Road and weather conditions at this time of year in Scandinavia were challenging to say the least. With temperatures dropping below freezing and with plenty of snow and ice on an already harsh terrain, driving became potentially hazardous as the team navigated across Europe. To combat this, the Pursuit 530-4 & 550-4 caravans were matched to a pair of powerful Volvo XC90s, while the 2.0 Blue Hdi 160 BHP engine of the Autograph 75-2 was able to take the journey in its stride. All vehicles were fully winterized, and fitted with winter tyres and supplied with snow chains.

As with all Bailey leisure vehicles the #ArcticAdventure caravans and motorhome are built using the company’s patented Alu-Tech body shell construction system. This award winning technology creates vehicles that are more robust, more durable and yet lighter than those manufactured using conventional methods to keep owners comfortable, safe and secure all year round. To date over 40,000 Bailey caravans and motorhomes have been built using this method and are currently being enjoyed all over the world.

This adventure was in stark contrast to the West 2 East Challenge, undertaken by Bailey Australia in 2015, in which two locally built Alu-Tech caravans travelled 3,700 miles the breath of the country through some of the most remote parts of the Australian Outback in temperatures at times in excess of 35 degrees on a mixture of dirt, gravel and corrugated roads.

This time round the vehicles were driven by, among others: Simon Howard (Marketing Director, Bailey of Bristol & W2E Challenge Veteran); John Rawlings (Freelance Journalist & Seasoned Arctic Traveller); Martin Dorey (Celebrity Chef & Television Personality) Lee Davey (Freelance Journalist & Bailey Brand Ambassador) & Bernie Jones (Caravan and Motorhome Club Tow Course Instructor). Throughout the journey, the team were joined by representatives from the Outdoor Leisure, Travel and Motoring media.

Talking about the successful completion of the #ArcticAdventure Bailey Marketing Director and a member of the team Simon Howard, said: “This has been the most extreme real-life endurance test we’ve ever undertaken and for the caravans and motorhome to cope in the way they have is further testimony to the unrivalled strength and durability of the Alu-Tech construction system. Hopefully we’ve demonstrated that if you put your mind to it you really can go anywhere and do anything in a modern leisure vehicle.”

“Since the introduction of Alu-Tech we have put our leisure vehicles through their paces on the leading test-tracks in the UK and Europe and as far afield as the Australian Outback and now the Arctic Circle. In all instances they have stood up to everything both the terrain and the weather has thrown at them, meaning you can be confident of going where and when you want in a Bailey Alu-Tech caravan or motorhome.

“In addition to providing a thorough examination of our products the ‘Arctic Adventure’ has also taken us through some of the most remote and spectacular parts of the planet, proof, if needed, that caravans really do allow you to visit the places that other holidays cannot reach” he added.

Easter Memories: We hear your unforgettable stories from Easter breaks past

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by Tom Leaning

And just like that, Easter is almost upon us. The school holidays are already underway, which has prompted the CaravanTimes office to reminisce of memorable Easter Hols gone by. So we’ve asked both our readers and the team from Broad Lane Leisure to share their favourite Easter memories with us.

From the CaravanTimes Forum:

Caravan Bill:

“I remember the days Auntie Mary and I used to collect sequins. We made a wonderful dress whilst at the campsite, as the weather was very bad. I gave this dress to my niece, she loved it. Easter is great.”

Lesley Paterson:

“33 years ago, Easter found my husband and I en route to York with a caravan, borrowed from my parents. I was almost 6 months pregnant and I was driving. Our route took us through Edinburgh – right down Princes Street and turning right (south) past the North British (now the Balmoral) Hotel and the Scotsman building.

“We were nervous, it was our first time towing and we took turns driving.

“What a fabulous holiday we had… we stayed in the North York Moors, and the Rowntrees Park in York. We went for walks to Fountains Abbey; travelled on the steam train to Pickering; ate well in Whitby (fish and chips) and in York at the Judges Lodging.

“Now we are retired, the caravan has been upgraded and trips are even more frequent. We have spent Hogmanay at Grantown and Stonehaven, with friends… Yes, at least four of our friends have also bought caravans and we have great fun on sites together. This year we will all be going to the Edinburgh Festival again for the fourth time.

“We currently have a 2015 Elddis Avante 554. It has a fixed bed and a double can be made up in the front seating area. The layout is perfect for us, with excellent storage.”

From Dealers:

Darren Brown of Broad Lane Leisure:

“The memories that do stand out, and are still fresh in my mind, are those spent in Devon with my own children over the years as they grew-up.

“I remember our son Thomas, who is now 25, learning to ride his bike at Burrowhayes Farm in Porlock. (At one stage there was only one other caravan on the site and they asked me for a ‘word’! I was worried that Thomas may have been near their van with his bike and perhaps caused some damage. as it was they wanted to thank us for making their week. They loved watching me teach our little lad how to ride.. He could only go anti-clockwise around the van!

“We also took some caravanning friends to the same site a few years later and we lost their children and ours for five solid days building dams in the nearby stream in bare feet! They never once complained that the water was cold.

“Finally, I recall one time that my wife and I headed down to Shorefields, in the New Forest, in advance of the in-laws bringing the children down the next day. The plan was to set-up camp with the awning and annex and then head to the local pub. After a busy day, at about 5pm we headed to the shower block to get ready. I got back to the van first only to find that it was in the shade; after a quick phone-call to the reception, I arranged to move and after I pulled all the pegs-out and threw the awning on-top of the van I moved it about 50 yards along, into the sunshine. I watched a startled Claire, my wife, come-out of the shower-block in her dressing-gown, only to think either she’d gone mad – or I had gone home without her! It was so funny!

“We have been caravanning all over the UK, especially in Scotland and the Lakes, and absolutely loved everything about it. although not so much now, we still go, but without the children!”

Now we want to hear from you – please tell us about your memorable Easter Holidays and what you’re getting up to this year…

Caravanners be warned as Police operation cracks down on unfit leisure vehicles

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by Tom Leaning

Police in Essex have been sending out an early warning to leisure vehicle drivers ahead of the Easter holidays to make the necessary weight and safety checks before starting their journeys during a recent caravan and trailer operation.

According to the Chelmsford Weekly News, two drivers in overweight vehicles received £600 fines and 32 other drivers were stopped by police during the first vehicle towing operation of the season.

Working with the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service and Central Registration & Identification Scheme, officers ran the operation at Junction 19 of the A12 trunk road, Chelmsford, near Boreham Services Lorry Park.

During the day of action, 34 vehicles were stopped, 21 of which were towing trailers and 11 were towing caravans.

Of the vehicles stopped towing caravans and trailers, only 12 were clear of any faults.

Two overweight 3.5 tonnes vehicles were found to be 15 per cent over the maximum authorised mass when weighed and the drivers fined £600.

A number of vehicles’ tyres were also over the five year recommendation and a total of eight vehicles had breakaway cables that were incorrectly fitted, or none fitted at all.

Some vehicles towing caravans had no extendable mirrors.

The driver of a trailer with a seized braking system was given a £100 fine and 3 points on his licence for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Of the vehicles that were stopped, four drivers were issued with fines and three licence points after it was discovered they did not have the correct category BE licence.

Gary Winfield, Roads Policing Constable from the Casualty Reduction Team, said: “This was a successful day and we can be satisfied that in all these cases, appropriate and robust action has been taken.

“There are a number of measures that people can take to ensure they are driving safely while towing caravans and trailers.

“If these measures are not taken, there can be serious and quite frankly tragic ramifications for all involved.

“We will be carrying out more of these checks, so please heed the warning and ensure you are being responsible on the road.”

Whale receives R&D funding from EU

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by Tom Leaning

Whale, a prominent waste pump supplier to the caravan and motorhome industry, has been successful in receiving support from Invest NI for the next 4 years. The project is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020. It aims to undertake research and development to improve the competitiveness of the business in its global markets.

Whale is a well-known brand with a reputation for design expertise. Whale supply the marine, caravan and motorhome, shower drainage and industrial markets around the world with innovative freshwater, bilge and waste pumps and water and space heating systems.

Richard Bovill, Whale’s Engineering Director, commented: “This investment is another exciting milestone in Whale’s plans for continued growth. Innovation remains at the heart of the company”.

Patrick Roberts, Managing Director, reinforced this by adding: “Our forward thinking approach is driven by a dedicated team who exude a passion for delivering the best possible product and service for our customers. Our team at Whale share a contagious enthusiasm for innovation”.

8-year wait finally over after NI motorhome, caravan and tent site gets approved

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by Tom Leaning

Planning approval has been granted for 20 new pitches for touring motorhomes in the Northern Irish city of Derry after an eight year battle with local councils.

According to the Northern Irish publication Derry Now, the decision was made at a recent meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee at the local Guildhall.

The site will also be suitable for caravans or tents and will include electric hook ups.

It will be located at farmland on the Upper Galliagh Road owned by the applicant Mr Paul Heaney.

The Council was told that there were no objections to the plans which had first been lodged in 2009.

The plans had been rejected on two previous occasions by the old Derry City Council.

Speaking at the meeting SDLP Councillor Angela Dobbins requested that a condition requiring the applicant to provide additional parking bays on land he does not own be removed because it was “unrealistic”.

Record-breaking lifesize lego caravan on show at Beaulieu

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by Tom Leaning

A life-size caravan which holds the Guinness World Record as “the largest caravan built with interlocking plastic bricks” has gone on display in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Built by 12 model makers using 215,158 Lego bricks, this astonishing creation may use plastic components from the toy box but does almost everything a real caravan can do, with electric lights, running water and even seats that fold into a bed.

The brick brilliance continues inside, with incredible details such as eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes cooking in a frying pan on the two-hob burner, a vase full of flowers on the table, toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste by the sink, a milk carton in the fridge and even a complete chess set.

Measuring 3.6 metres long, 2.2 metres tall and weighing in at 1200kg, the project took over two months to build and more than 1,000 man-hours. Layers of Lego bricks were built on top of a conventional caravan chassis, proving how strong and versatile the plastic pieces can be. Only standard off-the-shelf Lego pieces were used, with no custom-made components.

Visitors to the National Motor Museum can see up-close how this caravan stacks up. It was designed to mimic a classic T@B 320 teardrop-style caravan and created two years ago by LEGO building specialist Bright Bricks as part of the National Caravan Council’s Freedom to Go campaign.

The campaign aims to change the public perception of leisure vehicles, inspire and educate them about holidays in trailer tents, motorhomes, touring caravans, caravan holiday homes and lodges. It also provides inspiration and advice to decide what type of leisure vehicle to choose and to help plan a holiday adventure.

Following its appearance at this year’s Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at Birmingham’s NEC, the unique LEGO caravan is now on show next to the Caravan and Motorhome Club collection display in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Dan Connolly, the Freedom to Go Campaign Director, said: “Freedom to Go is delighted to have the LEGO caravan on display at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu until October. The LEGO caravan was built with the intention of building awareness of leisure vehicles and the great adventures you can have with them.”

Entrance to Beaulieu includes admission to the National Motor Museum, the World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and grounds and Palace House, which has been home to the Montagu family since 1538. Tickets can be bought in advance online or on the door. For tickets or more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.