C&CC cancels National Feast of Lanterns after heavy rainfall

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by Arash Hekmat

A national rally hosted every year by the Camping and Caravanning Club has been cancelled due to the continued adverse weather conditions that have been plaguing parts of the UK this summer.

The National Feast of Lanterns (NFoL) had been due to take place at Stockton-on-Tees, in the north-east of England, from August 16th to 20th.

However, heavy rainfall has waterlogged the temporary campsite that was going to be used, meaning none of the entertainment or campsite infrastructure has been installed.

As a result, the NFoL organising committee has reluctantly decided that it has no choice but to cancel the event, despite all of the work that has gone into planning it.

Stuart Inness, chair of the team, said: “We’ve dedicated four years towards planning this event and we’re absolutely devastated, however we’ve got to consider the safety of members.”

Those who have pre-booked a pitch will be given a full refund. Mr Inness said it was better to cancel now so people had as much time as possible to change their holiday plans for the summer, instead of putting off the decision until closer to the time.

This is not the first such event to fall foul of the damp weather this summer. Back in May, the Caravan Club took the difficult decision to cancel their National Rally at Eastnor Castle.

Coachman Caravans reveals smart new Amara, Laser and Pastiche models

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by Chris Jefferies
The annual Coachman Caravans trade show has revealed some exciting new developments in the company’s popular range of touring caravans for the upcoming season.
New for 2013, the company has launched four new layouts in the form of the Amara 565/4 and 580/5, the Laser 620/4 and the all-new Pastiche 525/4, which is the first family layout in this range.
The panoramic window that was launched on the Coachman Pastiche, VIP and Laser collections last summer has been retained, while the entry-level Amara models have received a stylish new exterior makeover (see right).

Nine models across the four ranges were on display and the dealers and industry experts in attendance praised the quality of the fixtures and fittings, while the light, airy feel of these new caravans was also widely noted.
The precise specs and details are being kept under wraps for now, but the Coachman team have achieved a simple but stylish look, including a centrally-located oven unit.
Coachman anticipates that these ranges will be equally popular among families and grandparents, and the company claims that there is something to suit all tastes.
The public will get their first chance to take a close look at these new models on 1 September at the Lawns caravan show in Hull, with deliveries to dealer forecourts expected soon after.


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New Honda CR-V revealed: Photos and specs for new towcar contender

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by Chris Jefferies
Honda has relaunched its popular SUV for 2012, with the new CR-V getting a stylish new exterior as well as added storage space – ideal for family holidays.
With 17 years as one of the UK’s most popular 4x4s, the latest Honda CR-V has a big billing to live up to, as Honda designer Manabu Konaka admits:
“To develop the latest version of a model that has sold over five million examples is a big responsibility, but we have enjoyed the challenge.”
Luckily for him, the 2012 version of the CR-V doesn’t disappoint.
The muscular front end and sloping rear profile give this sturdy towcar a sporty look, while the reduced length and height will make it easier to park.

Described as “a car for every occasion”, this versatile SUV promises to be kinder on your wallet, as the improved aerodynamics will help it slip through the air, reducing the drag and helping to bring down fuel consumption.
All these improvements haven’t compromised the practicality, however, as the CR-V still boasts an impressive amount of boot space, with 1.57m of load length possible when the rear seats are folded down.
Loading has also been made easier, thanks to the lowered load lip and keyless entry, while the tailgate now comes with the clever kick-to-open sensor that is becoming a popular feature on cars in this class.
Other big plus points include improved sound insulation and clever front seats that are meant to reduce the chances of getting whiplash.
Power and precision
In terms of engines, there is a straight choice between a 2.0-litre petrol or a 2.2-litre diesel version, with the former offering an extra 5bhp of power. Despite this, the CO2 emissions have been trimmed down to 174g/km.
As you would expect from Honda, there is also plenty of technical wizardy going on, including motion adaptive power steering, hill-start assist and hill descent control, which should all help with off-road driving.
Meanwhile, for added safety, there’s a new assisted braking system to limit the damage caused by crashes, and there’s a sensor that will alert you if you drift out of your lane on a motorway.
Prices and weights for this range will be confirmed closer to the October arrival date, but if they’re anything like they we’d expect then the new CR-V will prove to be a big hit with caravanners looking for a tough new towcar.


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Caravan Club ‘can bring tourism boost to Stonehaven’

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by Arash Hekmat

New management at the Queen Elizabeth Caravan Park in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, will lead to a tourism boom for the town of Stonehaven.

That is according to Frank Budd, of the Stonehaven Town Partnership (STP), who has welcomed the Caravan Club taking over the running of the caravan park.

According to the Mearns Leader, he said that the move will create a bright future for tourism in the region, thanks to the pull that the national caravan body has with its hundreds of thousands of members and other holidaymakers right across Britain.

The council announced its intention to stop running the site itself at the start of the year and there was a danger that it could had been sold off if no one had stepped in to run it.

However, Mr Budd explained: “Things took a turn for the better when tourism expert Elma McMenemy spoke to the Caravan Club and now they have agreed to take the site over.

He suggested that this is a “fantastic opportunity” for Stonehaven, particularly as the organisation intends to transform the infrastructure at Queen Elizabeth Caravan Park through the investment of £1.7 million in facilities including an all-weather pitch.

The STP member, who is chair of the Business Association Tourism sub-group, told the news provider: “The Caravan Club bring with them 380,000 members and a fantastic marketing organisation. They took over a site at Forfar two years ago and bookings soared and I am sure the same thing will happen at Stonehaven.”

“Stonehaven is in a stunning situation and I am sure the site will be packed bringing a lot of business to Stonehaven.”

At present, the caravan park has 55 seasonal and 39 touring pitches and with electricity, and a further 20 tent and touring pitches without. It also has on-site recycling facilities, fitted toilet facilities and a laundry with hot water.

Dogs are welcome on site and there are shower and dish washing facilities with free hot water.

To get an idea of the kind of improvements that could end up taking place at Stonehaven, click here to read our review of the Caravan Club’s Lochside park at Forfar

Nissan and IAM survey reveals lack of towing knowledge

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by Jack Beresford

Drivers towing caravans this summer have been advised to brush up on their knowledge of road safety rules, following the publication of new research from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

A new study of more than 3,000 UK adults, as conducted by Nissan, revealed the lack of knowledge and experience many motorists have when it comes to towing caravans.

The research found that 40 per cent of towers surveyed had never had training on how to do it safely.

This lack of knowledge also translates into a failure to understand vehicle towing capabilities, with many motorists buying and running a caravan that their car is unable to tow.

Commenting on the findings, IAM head of technical policy Tim Shallcross said:”With more ‘towers’ than ever hitting the roads this summer, it is essential drivers are up to speed with road safety.”

The IAM and Nissan offered five tips to towcar owners planning trips this summer.

These include keeping to motorway speed limits, allowing more time between vehicles when accelerating and braking, along with checking you are legally allowed to tow, which will depend on when your license was issued.

Licenses issued after 1997 are limited to a maximum train weight (car and caravan combined) of 3,500kg.

Other advice includes selecting a low gear when approaching an incline, to reduce the stress on your breaks and knowing the towing limit of your vehicle.

Cheshire town set for new 43-pitch touring caravan site

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by Jack Beresford

Caravan dealer Leisure Sales could be celebrating a major planning coup later this week, amid rumours that its proposal for a 43-pitch site in the Cheshire town of Brereton will be given the go-ahead.

According to a report from the Crewe Chronicle, the Cheshire East Council’s Southern Planning Committee is set to rule in favour of the proposal for the touring caravans site this week.

It comes after the news provider published extracts from the planning officer’s report, which concluded that the proposal was “acceptable” and “would not cause harm to the visual amenity of the surrounding area”.

The approval represents a significant development for the Caravan dealer, which also faced opposition from the Brereton Parish Council, amid fears over the development of the site on protected green fields and concerns at a potential increase in traffic volumes.

Previous applications from other firms were rejected on three separate occasions between 1974 and 1985, but it appears on this time the plans will be met with approval.

This success comes in the same week that proposals for a 59-pitch caravan park in the village of Llanberis, in Gwynedd were submitted to the Welsh authorities.

Caravan tax and wet summer put Normandy Holiday Homes at risk

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by Jack Beresford

Normandy Holiday Homes Ltd, a company synonymous with the manufacture of static caravans, has become the latest firm within the industry to suffer from serious financial hardship after it was announced that the company had been placed into administration.

The move comes after the business, which is based in Hull, experienced a notable slump in export orders from across Europe, with the decline linked to the ongoing eurozone crisis, which has broadly affected spending in the region.

This combined with financial difficulties for other caravan component manufacturers and reduced supplier demands to create a set of economic conditions that made it difficult for Normandy Holiday Homes to operate in, resulting in a steep 40 per cent drop-off in sales.

Last week, the firm was forced to make 19 redundancies and as many as 25 more jobs could now also be under threat, with joint administrators Andrew Mackenzie and Bob Maxwell of Begbies Traynor admitting job losses were likely.

“We are actively marketing the business for sale, however the reality of the situation is that further redundancies are inevitable as the business simply can’t pay the wages of the staff at present,” Mr Mackenzie said.

“Our focus now is to recover as much of the creditors’ funds as we can, as well as ensuring as many of the workforce as possible remain employed.”

The story echoes that of another Hull-based caravan maker, Willerby Holiday Homes, which earlier this month was forced to cut 193 jobs from a workforce of almost 700 amid growing economic gloom for the UK industry.

Both firms have suffered in the wake of a dreadful summer for the UK holiday park and caravan retailer industry, with unit sales proving weak in the face of poor weather conditions, which have seen some sites close for the season amid waterlogged conditions.

Next year could prove equally tough, with plans afoot to introduce a standard five per cent rate of VAT on static caravans from April 2013.

While a step down from the previously proposed rate of 20 per cent, Hull MP Diana Johnson has already warned that the charge will put the industry and the jobs within it at further risk.

Caravan Club invites Wi-Fi users to buy credit online

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by Jack Beresford

The Caravan Club has stepped up its efforts to provide caravanners with an easy-to-access Wi-Fi service, after introducing a new facility allowing users to purchase credit online.

Previously, visitors were required to purchase time-limited use of the internet via Club site reception services. However, the new system means that this service can be purchased at any time, though internet access will only be available whilst on site.

The change brings an end to the previous regime in which internet cards were bought by holidaymakers in order to enable time-limited access on site. These cards can still be used, though they will no longer be sold through reception areas.

As part of the changes the expiry period attached to these purchases has been increased to 12 months, with this change applying to all cards already bought.

The Wi-Fi purchasing service will be made available across the Caravan Club’s nationwide portfolio of sites, including the soon-to-be-built 82-pitch park planned for Wymeswold Airfield in Leicestershire, which was announced earlier this month.

Rain forces C&CC to cancel Windsor campsite plans

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by Jack Beresford

The Camping and Caravanning Club and the Crown Estate have been forced to close their Windsor Great Park campsite for the summer, due to waterlogged ground conditions.

It follows a period of intense rainfall in the UK, with last month seeing the wettest June on record since 1910. This heavy rain has left much of the Windsor campsite location inaccessible to vehicles.

Worse still, the team behind the site believe that the conditions also make it virtually impossible to put the infrastructure in place that is required to run a safe operation.

Camping and Caravanning Club director general Robert Louden said that the public’s health and safety had been of “paramount concern” in the decision and to carry on regardless would have been “irresponsible”.

“We are extremely disappointed that the temporary event site has had to be cancelled especially as it was due to provide campers with a unique holiday experience of camping in Windsor Great Park during the period of the Games,” he said.

Any campers who have pre-booked will be offered a full refund, or help in finding an alternative location.

Pack carefully before a European caravan holiday, insurer warns

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by Chris Jefferies
For many, taking a European caravan holiday is the most exciting way to enjoy their tourer, with an entire continent opened up for exploring, not to mention the promise of sunnier weather.
However, with so many local and regional road rules to bear in mind, planning such an excursion can be a logistical minefield.
With this in mind, Towergate Insurance has come up with a helpful guide to all the essential kit you need to pack for a continental touring holiday.
The insurance experts advise packing breathalysers if you are travelling through France and even fire extinguishers if you are heading into Scandinavia.
Other valuable advice includes adjusting your headlights to make sure you aren’t dazzling oncoming drivers.
Perhaps most importantly of all, caravan owners should make sure that they are properly covered in the event of an accident – and this means arranging sufficient overseas caravan insurance.
For more tips from Towergate on how to plan a stress-free continental adventure, read their original article: Essential gear for taking a European caravan holiday.

Welsh authorities ponder 59-pitch Snowdon caravan park

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by Arash Hekmat

Proposals have been submitted for a new caravan park in the village of Llanberis, in Gwynedd, North Wales.

According to the Caernarfon Herald, the plans involve building a 59-pitch site for caravans and tourers on Glyn Rhonwy, with reception area and shower blocks also set to be constructed.

Local resident Eric Baylis, who submitted the plans, said that they will bring important trade into the village, which is attractive to visitors as a result of its proximity to Snowdon and location in one of Wales’ most popular national parks.

He told the newspaper: “It’s going to benefit the businesses in the village. It will be of benefit to climbers that come over for the weekend.

“I fully believe Llanberis is really short of this kind of facility, it’s at the right end of the village, so it’ll get tourists to walk through the town.”

Before caravannes start booking off their next holiday to check out the park, it is worth pointing out that not everyone is as enthusiastic, with some residents concerned that a holiday park could harm local wildlife.

The council’s planning authority will look over the plans and come to a decision later this year.

If this does go ahead, the new park will provide a convenient way for caravanners to see the tallest mountain in Wales, since the village of Llanberis boasts a train service that takes you to within yards of the summit.

Carbon Monoxide ‘poses danger to unprepared caravan owners’

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by Arash Hekmat

As children finish school for the summer and families prepare for their holidays, caravanners have been urged to protect themselves from the threat of carbon monoxide (CO).

The deadly gas, which is colourless and odourless, can be released by faulty appliances such as gas powered fridges, heaters and cookers.

So it is vital that you are sure your equipment is up to scratch if you and your family are going to be sleeping in a caravan, according to insurance provider Safeguard UK.

The company cited statistics from CO Gas Safety indicating that carbon monoxide is responsible for killing 40 people a year, as well as causing harm to a further 300.

To mitigate the risks, caravanners should make sure their tourer is equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm and check the batteries are working. It is also important to check appliances regularly as alarms will only detect large quantities of the gas.

Andy Leech, head of Safeguard UK, said: “Carbon monoxide can be lethal so it is vital that caravanners check their appliances thoroughly before heading away this summer. Investing in a carbon monoxide alarm ensures that any poisonous gas is detected before it is too late.”