Cherry Hinton: The Caravan Club offers the perfect way to visit Cambridge

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by Chris Jefferies
Cambridge has a reputation for many things: historical university colleges, relaxing punting trips down the river, and a lack of parking facilities.
What’s more, with the city streets overrun my fearless cyclists and largely pedestrianised, it quickly becomes apparent that driving into town is not a particularly wise choice.
So when visiting the University City, Caravan Club membership is one of the most useful things you can take with you, as The Club has a fantastic little site just over three miles outside of Cambridge, which is perfect to use as your base camp.
With a local bus service offering regular trips into the town centre, it makes sense to leave your towcar behind at the site.
Named after the city and the nearby village, Cambridge Cherry Hinton is set in a historic lime quarry, which offers secluded shady pitches in a series of cul-de-sacs, as well as a few open spaces for mingling with fellow caravanners.

The reason caravanners flock here, according to the site’s wardens Barry and Diana Covey, is partly down to the allure of Cambridge itself, with its historic quads, peaceful chapels, and wide range of museums and galleries.
What’s more, Barry says that the site often welcomes parents of new undergraduates, who like to stay close by for the first few weeks, just in case the laundry needs doing.

But that’s only telling half of the story, as the local countryside is also a big draw, with nature walks, cycle trails, 18-hole golf courses, and stately National Trust properties all within striking distance.
Alternatively, it’s very tempting to just relax on site, as Cambridge Cherry Hinton boasts an abundance of wildlife, from rabbits to squirrels and from deer to foxes, while a peregrine falcon has also recently been spotted overhead.
Absolutely spotless
Walking round the site, it’s plain to see that Barry and Diana take great pride in their work, as the site is kept up to an exceptionally high standard.
Despite the recent torrents of early summer rain that have been lashing the area, the pitches and verges are kept in pristine condition, while the toilet blocks are something of a crowning glory.
“The first thing people always say to us is: ‘The toilets and showers are absolutely spotless!'” Diana says, “We take pride in them, because they’re the first thing you notice, aren’t they?”
With a major refurbishment completed two years ago, she has good reason to be proud, and the laundry and washing-up areas are kept to a similar standard.
So it’s no great surprise to hear that this site proudly exhibits a five-star rating from VisitEngland, and has done so for many years.
Modern conveniences
Another big plus point that Cambridge Cherry Hinton can boast is Wi-Fi internet access, something that has proved particularly popular, while the TV aerial booster system allows for excellent Freeview reception on each and every pitch.

Or if you prefer a more old-fashioned form of evening entertainment, the Robin Hood pub is just a quick stroll down the road.
The warden’s lodge sells a selection of conveniences, including toilet chemicals, TV leads and ice creams, and it’s only a short walk into the village of Cherry Hinton for bread, milk and newspapers.
The only real limitation is the 8.5m pitch length, meaning mammoth RVs or huge European twin-axle caravans cannot always be accommodated.
However, for the vast majority of caravanners, Cambridge Cherry Hinton works perfectly as a convenient base for exploring the city, the countryside, and beyond.
Site Fact File:

  • 60 pitches in total (including 49 hardstanding and tent pitches)
  • Pitches available from just £5.55 per night (excluding per capita charges, starting at £5.55 per adult per night)
  • Open to non-members, with a £10/night surcharge
  • Local village within a ten-minute walk
  • Open all year round

*For more details see the Caravan Club website.


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Government’s 5% static caravan tax could still damage industry

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by Tom Lowenstein

The caravan industry may have celebrated when a red-faced George Osborne was forced to announce another u-turn over the caravan tax back in May, but there are fears that the industry will still be damaged by his decision.

Instead of the standard 20 per cent rate of VAT, the Treasury decided to cut the caravan tax to five per cent, which could still have dangerous consequences for businesses.

Last week (June 28th), the Government announced that the new tax on static caravans would come into effect from April 2013, and Hull MP Diana Johnson is concerned that this will still hurt the industry and put jobs at risk.

As many as 2,500 businesses will be hit by the tax, and while it will raise just £5 million for the Treasury, the impact could be wide reaching, the Hull Daily Mail reported.

“The Government is admitting even five per cent VAT on static caravans will still do some damage to demand in the caravan industry and their suppliers,” Ms Johnson told the newspaper.

“We now need to see more research from the industry about the effect on local jobs.”

With the majority of caravan industry jobs located in East Yorkshire, the Labour MP is worried that the region will suffer most as sales are impacted, an opinion backed up by Hull East MP Karl Turner.

Caravan Watch leads to 50% fall in crime at Weardale sites

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by Tom Lowenstein

Out of season crime at caravan sites in Weardale has been cut in half following the implementation of a police scheme.

Caravan Watch was introduced by local police in Weardale, County Durham, after a surge in incidents of criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and theft during the low season when few people occupy sites in the area.

As part of the scheme, local police teams visited all sites in the vicinity of Weardale, opening up a dialogue with park managers and looking to lay out a long-term strategy to combat the problem, the Northern Echo reported.

Based on the similar and successful Farm Watch introduced in the area, site owners and residents have signed up to the scheme and have committed to sharing information about criminal behaviour in a bid to help stamp it out.

Tracy Bilton, a police community support officer in Stanhope, told the news provider that the scheme is working because it is raising awareness of site security and fostering good links between owners and residents.

“The scheme has already proved its worth and is having a positive impact on tourism and the local community,” she added.

In addition to this, the scheme is seeing Caravan Watch signage put up at sites across Weardale, while door and window alarms are being rolled out and UV pens issued to mark items in case they are stolen.

Wireless reversing camera competition closed and winners revealed

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by Chris Jefferies
This month’s competition has proved to be immensely popular, with a record number of caravanners throwing their name in the hat to win an In-Car wireless reversing camera.
And who can blame them? This snazzy gadget, provided by the generous folks at Towergate Insurance, can be used for hitching up and reversing your caravan – you can even use it to keep an eye on the traffic behind you while you’re towing along the motorway.
We’ve got three of them to give away today, so without further ado the three lucky winners have been chosen at random, and they are:

  • Kathleen Winfield
  • Terry Buxton
  • and Bev Davis

Congratulations to you all, and bad luck to everyone else. If you’re still interested in getting yourself a wireless reversing camera, then have a read of Towergate’s top tips on safe caravan reversing and the best reversing cameras.
Finally, be sure to keep checking back with CaravanTimes as we will be running another competition next month, where you could win yourself a portable mini-fridge.

C&CC drops Lyme Regis caravan site plan amid traffic worries

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by Tom Lowenstein

Plans to turn a small caravan site at Haye Farm in Lyme Regis into a certified Camping and Caravanning Club destination have been scrapped, after local residents complained about the proposals.

The owners of Haye Farm had been hoping to join the Club and add five touring pitches and space for ten tents to their current five-star self-catered apartment offering, but neighbours objected because of concerns surrounding traffic.

West Dorset District Council had originally given the go-ahead, but passed the issue on to Dorset County Council when issues regarding traffic access were flagged up by locals, View From Publishing reported.

While the issue was still due to go before planners, the Club decided to withdraw its application in light of the numerous objections arguing that the site on Haye Lane was “inappropriate” for caravans.

Following the decision, councillor Anita Williams, told the news provider: “I’m not against the concept of sites of this type. I welcome anything that brings additional beds into Lyme Regis but it is clear that there are some real issues with putting additional, large traffic into Haye Lane.”

Earlier this week, the Camping and Caravanning Club announced that it was slashing 25 per cent off the cost of 25,000 pitches this summer.

Granddad’s lucky escape after tornado lifts up caravan

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by Tom Lowenstein

A granddad in Lincolnshire admits he is lucky to be alive after being inside a caravan when it was picked up and thrown around by a vicious tornado that tore through Long Sutton.

David Sinclair revealed he felt “like a tennis ball in a tumble dryer” when the storm hit his caravan, picking it up and flipping it through the air numerous times before coming to a stop inside the Buffalo paddock of a neighbouring wildlife park.

“I was just sitting in my caravan when I heard a sudden downpour of rain,” the 49-year-old security guard said.

“Then all of a sudden the wind started whipping around the caravan and all off a sudden the caravan lifted into the air.”

Despite the caravan’s violent acrobatics, Mr Sinclair escaped with just bruising and a cut to the head, though his injuries could have been much worse.

He was taken to nearby Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire, for a precaution because a fridge landed on him during the ordeal, but his unlucky caravan appears to have borne the brunt of the damage and is now a complete write-off.

Evicted family forced to live in caravan after bailiffs change their locks

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by Tom Lowenstein

A devastated family have had to move into a caravan because they have “nowhere else to go” after being evicted from their home when their landlord failed to keep up with mortgage repayments.

Mr and Mrs Trout from Ronkswood, Worcester, were forced to move out after Bailiffs acting on court orders changed the locks on their home.

The couple are now living in a caravan outside their home along with 22-year-old son Mark, Worcester News revealed.

Worcester County Court ordered the repossessions after Halifax made the application when landlord Noman Aziz fell £6,000 behind with repayments.

“We’ve got no other option other than to put a caravan near the front and sleep in it,” 51-year-old Margaret Tout told the newspaper. “We literally have nowhere else to go.”

They say that they have been unable to find another property to rent because of the upfront costs that new landlords are asking for.

Kind neighbours have meanwhile offered the family the use of their bathroom, but the Trouts expect to be removed from the land within a couple of weeks when another court order is issued.

Arsonists suspected after Buckinghamshire caravan fire

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by Tom Lowenstein

A suspected arson attack on a caravan in Buckinghamshire, almost had fatal consequences this week when the flames began to spread to a nearby block of flats.

Firefighters were called to George Road in the village of Stokenchurch at around 11pm on Tuesday (June 26th) and found the caravan engulfed in flames when they arrived, the Bucks Free Press reported.

Dousing the blaze with two hoses, the crew quickly put out the fire but said that the consequences could have been much worse had they not been called so soon after the fire was started.

“It was next to a block of five flats and some of the windows on the top floor had cracked due to the heat,” crew manager Luke Brown told the newspaper.

“If someone hadn’t noticed it and called us it would have spread to the roof of the flats within about five minutes.”

Mr Brown added that the caravan was standing on a former building site adjacent to the block of five flats and he believes that arsonists were responsible for the blaze.

Luckily nobody was hurt in the incident, but after extinguishing the flames the High Wycombe and Stokenchurch fire crews then visited the flats to ensure that all residents’ homes were fitted with smoke alarms.

CaravanTimes road tests the Volkswagen Tiguan towcar

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by Chris Jefferies
It’s been nearly four years now since Volkswagen joined the compact 4×4 party with the Tiguan, and the German giant’s urban crossover has become their fourth-best selling vehicle, proving particularly popular among caravanners.
So when CaravanTimes was presented with the opportunity of taking the latest version of the Tiguan for a road test, we jumped at the chance.
First impressions of the 2011 Tiguan were very strong – it certainly looks smart, with the front grille and the fin on the roof showing that it means business, in much the same way as its older brother the Touareg.
The cab layout is very appealing as well, with a series of smartly designed dials and buttons, while the SE version we borrowed came with black leather seats, which completed the look perfectly.

In the back, there’s plenty of room for up to three kids, as well there should be, given that the Tiguan is wider, longer and taller than the seven-seat VW Touran.
However, the tables that folded out of the seatbacks are rendered slightly pointless since they don’t go completely horizontal.
Getting started was something of a challenge, as the electronic handbrake took a lot of getting used to – the temptation is to ignore it and rely on the footbrake when waiting at traffic lights.
Moving onto the RNS-made satnav, and once you manage to switch off the irritating audio instructions, it’s quite a smart system. In particular, we loved the panel between the speedometer and the rev counter, which offers a handy summary of the next step of your directions.
Other highlights included the automatic rear parking sensor and the easy-to-use MP3 connector, which is handily positioned in the central arm rest.
Hitting the road
In order to give the Tiguan a chance to properly strut its stuff, we headed up the M11 to Cambridge, where the 2.0-litre TDi engine really proved its worth.
Controlled by a six-speed manual gearbox that generates 168bhp, this powerhouse provided more than enough mid-range poke to overtake with ease, while the noise levels were kept well in check even on a busy motorway.
Moving into the university town and the fairly rigid suspension set-up and 4Motion four-wheel drive system made for excellent handling (great for dodging fearless cyclists) while bodyroll was kept firmly in check, particularly considering the size and height of the vehicle.
What’s more, the fuel consumption was pretty impressive for a compact SUV – after a 200-mile round-trip there was still three-quarters of a tank left over, meaning the Tiguan easily delivers on its promise of 47mpg.
Sadly the version we borrowed did not come fitted with a towbar, but the 2,200kg towing capacity and the gutsy engine means that pretty much any family caravan will be well within the Tiguan’s means.
Verdict
With prices start at a princely £20,615, there are certainly cheaper towcars out there in the same category – but if you are looking for an exceptionally well-built mini-SUV that offers a smooth driving experience and truly classy looks, then look no further.
Fact File:

  • Model: VW Tiguan SE 2.0-litre TDi 4Motion 170PS
  • Price: £26,665
  • Fuel consumption: 47.1mpg
  • CO2 emissions: 158g/km
  • Top speed: 125mph
  • 0-62mph acceleration: 8.9 seconds
  • Torque: 350 Nm
  • Insurance group: 19E
  • Warranty: 3 years / 60,000 miles




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Police officers lock up Dorset holiday park for Olympics

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by Tom Lowenstein

Bookings at Haven holiday parks across the country are up this year, but families have been unable to reserve a space at one of the firm’s popular sites after it was block booked for two months – by police officers.

From July 7th, the Haven Seaview in Weymouth, Dorset, will be home to as many as 500 police for a two-month period over the Olympics.

With thousands of police being ferried to the south to take up their Olympic duty, the family campsite has been chosen as a destination to house some of them.

The sailing events at the London 2012 games are due to be held at in Weymouth, with the recently-built Portland National Sailing Academy set to host them.

Typically costing upwards of £1,500 for a fortnight in a static caravan, the police officers will be paid to share the six to eight-berth caravans.

For every night each officer spends in one of the site’s caravans they will receive £80 in allowances – £50 in expenses paid to cover the cost of living away from home, and a further £30 to cover the ‘hardship’ of sharing a bathroom with other officers.

All officers staying in the caravan park are being given a course in ‘integrity and professional standards’ before heading to the site.

Commenting on the use of the holiday site, a Dorset Police spokesperson said: “We will use the site in the most cost-effective way, with officers sharing caravans where appropriate and offering overnight accommodation where it will reduce costs.”

Earlier this month, Haven revealed that despite the poor weather and economic downturn, bookings for the summer holiday period were 26 per cent ahead of where they were last year.

Overall, holiday bookings are up 15 per cent, while the company saw breaks over the Jubilee weekend rise 12 per cent compared to the same period in 2011.

Camping and Caravanning Club slash 25% off summer pitch prices

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by Tom Lowenstein

With summer seemingly determined to be as wet as possible this year, the Camping and Caravanning Club have decided to brighten things up by knocking 25 per cent off the price of 25,000 pitches.

The deal starts this week and runs until July 19th, with anyone booking a pitch at one of 63 different Club Sites able to take advantage of the price cut.

The Club’s sites director Bob Hill said that the he is “delighted” to be able to make the offer and said that, even if it raining, there is still plenty of fun to be had with so many different activities on offer.

“We hope campers are inspired by this promotion and continue to enjoy the great British countryside by pitching up with the Club despite the wet start to the summer,” he remarked.

To make a booking, call the Club Contact Centre on 024 7767 1635 quoting the promotional code Club 25.

Police warn Lincolnshire caravanners about security after string of thefts

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by Tom Lowenstein

Police in Lincolnshire have urged caravanners to increase the security of their caravans after two tourers were stolen in a two-day period earlier this month.

As Caravan Times reported last week, a 2004 Elddis Avante 475 containing its owner’s treasured dog show prizes was stolen from Broadgate in Sutton St James in the early hours of Friday 15th June.

Thieves then struck in the Holbeach Bank area of the country on Sunday morning (June 24th), making off with an Abi Jubilee caravan. It is as yet unclear if the two incidents are related.

Following the thefts, police community support officer Ben Harrington warned caravan owners to be on their guard and increase security measures if possible.

He advised that caravans are fitted with a quality wheel clamp or a security post is installed at the front of the ‘A’ frame or the main body of the caravan.

PCSO Harrington also advised that caravanners “add an alarm, lock the coupling head into a cover using a good quality hitch lock or install a tracking device”.

Actor and comedian Ricky Tomlinson became the most high-profile victim of caravan thieves recently, when his six-berth Hobby 635 was taken from a field despite the fact that it had no wheels and was propped up on railway sleepers.