by Chris Jefferies
As announced last month, there are plenty of changes in the pipeline at CaravanTimes and we are now ready to unveil the first of them – the Caravan Layout Finder.
Choosing a new caravan can be a challenge, with so many makes, ranges and models to pick from, but getting the layout right is one of the most important decisions.
That’s where the CaravanTimes Caravan Layout Finder comes in – this handy tool will recommend your ideal caravan layout, based on a series of questions about your needs and your choice of towcar.
By using data from our archives, the Layout Finder trawls through more than 300 different new and used caravan layouts to come up with the ideal configuration to suit your needs.
You can specify the number of berths, weight range, bathroom type, and bed type. You can even say if you want extra room for guests or not.
Once you have found the caravan that’s fits the bill, you can click through and see all the specifications and dimensions, and read reviews from people who have actually lived with that exact model.
To get started and use the Caravan Layout Finder to pick your ideal caravan, click here.
New Managing Director behind the wheel at Swift Group
The Swift Group has a new man at the helm in the shape of James Turner, who has been appointed managing director after 18 years with the caravan maker.
Having joined the East Yorkshire manufacturer in 1994, James has helped the company become the largest caravan, motorhome and holiday home maker in the UK.
The father-of-two started out as a production engineer and has held various positions throughout the company over the last two decades but has now been asked to take the reigns at the firm behind both the Sterling and Sprite caravan brands.
Swift also announced that Amy Archer has been promoted to deputy managing director, with both she and James benefiting from the company’s policy of promoting from within.
“Both James and Amy have considerable experience in key areas of the Swift business and this will provide them with a tremendous grounding with which to help lead the company through the next phase of development,” commented Peter Smith, the Group’s chairman.
“In these testing economic times it is also satisfying to see people who have been involved in various roles in the company’s recent development progress into these key roles.”
Government’s 5% caravan tax is ‘crazy economics’, says MP
A five per cent VAT on static caravans is set to come into effect in April 2013 after the government’s Finance Bill was given the green light by the House of Commons.
It follows a concerted campaign which forced the Government to perform a u-turn over a rate of 20 per cent, but opponents argue that even a five per cent levy is going to have a major impact on the industry.
In the hours before MPs were set to vote on the revised Bill, Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North, branded the caravan tax “crazy economics” and urged fellow MPs to vote against it, arguing that it would cost jobs while ultimately raising a paltry sum for the Treasury.
With many caravan manufacturers based in East Yorkshire, Ms Johnson has become a leading campaigner against the caravan tax – which was predicted to cause up to 7,000 job losses when it was proposed in its original form.
“The Government which promised to ‘rebalance the economy’ is targeting a damaging new tax on small manufacturers in one of the poorest areas of the country,” she told the Hull Daily Mail.
Ms Johnson argued that overall the tax will cost the Government money, with the £10 million a year generated by the tax not enough to warrant the decrease in demand and subsequent job losses it will cause.
“This is a tiny amount, especially given the millions found in the budget to give millionaires a tax cut,” she added. “This is crazy economics.”
VIDEO: Space-saving bathrooms on the Elddis Autoquest motorhomes
by Chris Jefferies
Bathroom space is at a premium in caravans and motorhomes, and so the design team at Elddis has been looking at ways to free up more space in their Autoquest range.
In this video we meet Angela Robson, one of the chief designers at Elddis, to learn about the clever new fold-out sink design that the company has introduced to its entry-level motorhomes.
We hear how Angela picked up several ideas at last year’s Dusseldorf Salon – one of the largest exhibitions of caravans and motorhomes in Europe.
Also, she explains how the Whale underfloor-mounted heating system saves space inside the motorhome as well.
Prices in the Elddis Autoquest range start at £32,599 and there is a wide range of two, four and six-berth layouts to choose from
Mazda CX-5 towcar named best SUV by Auto Express awards
A popular caravan towcar has picked up a major car industry award in recognition of its class-leading performance.
The Mazda CX-5 has been named ‘Best Crossover’ at this year’s Auto Express New Car Awards, with judges praising the compact sports utility vehicle for its style, space, drive quality and fuel efficiency.
It was also commended for its affordability, with the vehicle coming in new at between £21,395 and £28,795 on the road. The towcar beat off competition from the likes of the new Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, VW Tiguan and Peugeot 3008.
“The CX-5 has set a new benchmark for crossovers,” said Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief at Auto Express.
“It’s rare that you can get all that in one affordable package that won’t cost the earth to run – this is a car that can make you smile and keep you smiling.”
A total of 18 different model variants feature in the CX-5 line-up, with both 2WD and AWD versions available. It also boasts CO2 emissions of 119g/km and claims to do up to 61.4mpg.
Kerbweights range from 1,425kg to 1,620kg, making this towcar a good match for caravans weighing under 1,377kg MTPLM.
Whale boss ‘honoured’ by MBE for service to Northern Irish business
The boss of a leading caravan parts manufacturing firm has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his service to the Northern Irish business community.
Patrick Hurst, who is managing director of Whale, was presented with the prestigious title during the 2012 Queen’s Birthday honours list.
The innovative businessman is a co-owner of Whale, which specialises in making water pumps and space-saving underfloor caravan heating systems, and under his guidance the company has become one of the most highly-regarded brands in the industry.
Between 2009 and 2011, Patrick helped the company grow its workforce by 50 per cent as turnover increased by a similar 48 per cent.
His leadership skills have been further reinforced by the Sunday Times, which named Whale as one of the top 100 small business to work for three years in a row.
Patrick said that he was humbled to receive the “tremendous honour”, adding that it is extra special to be presented with the award during the Diamond Jubilee year.
“I have been so lucky to have worked with many great people in Northern Ireland and to have such a supportive workforce,” he said. “It is a real privilege to have been recognised for contributing to the business community.”
Fitting a caravan tracking system can stop thieves, says top insurer
by Chris Jefferies
A recent survey has shown that only 3% of stolen caravans are ever returned, but a major insurance broker has said that there is a way to drastically improve your chances of getting your tourer back.
Towergate Insurance has been explaining the benefits of caravan tracking systems, which come as standard with many luxury models.
These systems work by sending a text message to their owner if their caravan is moved unexpectedly, giving them all the information needed to launch a police investigation.
The effectiveness of trackers has been regularly demonstrated – thieves are often stopped within one hour of stealing the vehicle and in one case last year, it only took police ten-minutes to track down the culprit.
There are many caravan and motorhome tracking systems on the market, with prices starting at £399, plus an annual subscription of £99.
For more advice on choosing a tracking system that’s suitable for you, read Towergate Insurance’s original article: How tracking systems can increase the likelihood of retrieving your stolen caravan.
Static caravan song makes for unlikely YouTube hit
If you’ve ever been stuck inside your caravan when the weather outside was doing its ‘Typical British Summer’ routine, then you will surely be able to empathise with the inspiration for a hilarious new song that has appeared on YouTube.
Singer-songwriter Phil Ball, who goes by the name of Sillyplucker, wrote his Static Caravan Song on his ukulele while staying in his trusty holiday home, and his sideways look at the world of static holidaying is getting rave reviews.
With a chorus that goes “No matter where I roam/ from Dorset or to Bangor/ I’d like the world to know/ I’m a static caravanner”, it is clear that Phil is certainly proud of his hobby.
Despite singing “There ain’t enough room/ To swing a cat/ But I don’t think that/ I’ll be doing that”, his affection for all things caravanning shines through in his lyrics and the video has gone down a storm with the Static Caravan Club.
“This is absolute comedy gold! The Static Caravan Club team have been singing this all day,” SCC director Karl Metcalfe commented.
We challenge you to watch the video (below) and then not find yourself humming the catchy tune for the rest of the day!
Jessie J fans flock to Shrewsbury caravan park
Fresh from performing for the Queen at her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, pop icon Jessie J is heading to Shrewsbury to play another sell-out show at the Quarry – and one local caravan park is feeling the benefits.
With a crowd of 10,000 set to descend on the town for the concert on Friday (July 6th), Morris Leisure’s Oxon Hall Touring Park on the edge of the Shropshire town has seen a surge in bookings.
The five-star site has space for 100 touring pitches and offers a further 60 static holiday homes, and demand for accommodation has shot upwards since the last ticket for the gig was sold.
Edward Goddard, managing director of the Shrewsbury-based caravan park group, said her arrival in the historic town has brought a “massive boost” for many local businesses.
“Our bookings have certainly increased over that weekend, which we attribute to her many fans wishing to stay in the town,” he revealed.
With spaces going fast, Mr Goddard advised any fans still looking for accommodation to book quickly, remarking that it has great transport links into the town as it is just a short walk from the local park and ride scheme bus stop.
VIDEO: Exploring the forest with C&CC President David Bellamy
by Chris Jefferies
Over the past 45 years, David Bellamy has become a household name in the UK for his love of nature and wildlife, making several popular television programmes in the 1970s and 80s, and promoting the I-Spy books series.
But he is also an avid camper, and as the President of The Camping and Caravanning Club, he is keen to urge families to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.
In this video, CaravanTimes meets the world-renowned botanist to ask him how he came to get involved with The Club and where his love of camping and nature came from in the first place.
David also takes us on a nature walk through the woods of Sandringham to find out some little known facts about silver birch trees, nettles and much more…
Top 5 caravan-friendly and family-friendly music festivals
by Chris Jefferies
With the school holidays looming large, many families may be wondering what to do with the kids during the summer break.
Those lucky enough to own a caravan have plenty of opportunities open to them, but one that you might not have considered is taking your caravan to a music festival.
Not all festivals welcome caravan owners, and indeed not all of them are suitable for taking small children along to, so CaravanTimes has scoured the internet to bring you five of the best UK music festivals for caravanning families.
1. Larmer Tree Festival (11th-15th July)
An early date in the calendar and indeed before many schools break up, this festival in Dorset is well worth catching if you can. With a stellar line-up including Jools Holland, Paloma Faith and comedy from Tim Minchin, Larmer Tree is well-worth the entrance fee.
Prices start at £36 for a one-day adult ticket and go right up to £190 for a five-day pass. Children under five can come along for free and a caravan camping permit is included for free. More Info.
2. Truck Festival (20th-21st July)
So-called because the main stage is made up from two-articulated trucks parked end on end, this independent festival in Oxfordshire has been running for 15 years now. The 2012 festival boasts an enviable line-up, including The Temper Trap and The Mystery Jets, and tickets are available for a bargainous £74 each for the quiet family camping area.
Caravanners will need to pay an extra £27 per vehicle, but that’s a small price to pay for the added comfort of that first cup of tea in the morning. More Info.
3. Deer Shed Festival (20th-22nd July)
A lesser-known event in North Yorkshire – this festival offers and eclectic mix of music and arts exhibits from the nearby Teesside University, including an insight into stop-frame animation. The big names to look out for on the bill are Los Campesinos! and Field Music, and weekend tickets are available for £74 (including booking fee).
Those taking a caravan will be asked to pay an extra £16 per vehicle on top of that. More Info.
4. Shambala Festival (23rd-27th August)
A perfect festival for would-be hippies and eco-lovers, Shambala is vibrant family-friendly festival in the Northamptonshire countryside. This year’s line-up includes folk legend Billy Bragg (right) as well as Roots Manuva, and there is a dedicated Kids’ Field to keep the little ones happy.
Adult tickets cost £125 (including booking fee), while caravans are welcome for £33 each. More Info.
5. End Of The Road Festival (31st August – 2nd September)
As its name would suggest, this festival is one of the last in the UK calendar, and its North Dorset location often benefits from the so-called Indian summer. The organisers have pulled together a great line-up for this year, including Graham Coxon and Patti Smith, while there are special kids’ art and craft workshops.
The only drawback is that tickets are a little on the pricey side at £150 each for adults, while caravans are charged at £50 each. More Info.
Have you ever taken your caravan to a music festival? What are your top-tips for taking the family along with you? Share your stories in our community forum
Caravan Club to build 82-pitch site on former RAF airfield
The Caravan Club is set to add another holiday destination to its portfolio of Club Sites after Charnwood Borough Council in Loughborough, Leicestershire, gave it the go-ahead to build an 82-pitch park at Wymeswold Airfield.
Objections had been lodged by the parish council of Hoton and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, and local residents submitted a petition with 59 signatures, but the borough council ruled that the tourism boost was more important.
The Club is now set to begin work on the site, which will feature a reception building, amenity block and a unit for the park warden. Storage space for 80 tourers is also included in the planning application, the Loughborough Echo reported.
Concerns were raised about the potentially damaging impact of the increased traffic for the local environment and worries about noise and pollution.
Hoton Paris Council spokesman Stuart Ibister also questioned the Club’s prediction that it would generate £600,000 per year for the local economy and said the plans would create an “unsightly spot on the nose” of the village.
“Despite the A60 running through, Hoton is a small, relatively quiet, village with 110 houses,” he told the news provider. “The proposal will seek to alter that overnight.”
However, national planning guidelines are written in favour of promoting tourism and councillors were advised to support the application, with 12 out of 13 giving it their approval.
Speaking to the newspaper, head of estates at the Club Tony Barnett said: “The Caravan Club is delighted with this decision and that Charnwood has acknowledged the merits of this project and benefits it will bring to local businesses.”
The new site will be open all year round and it will be situated on the site of RAF Wymeswold, which was built in 1942 as a base for Wellington bombers.
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