Cornwall caravan site wins Visit England holiday park of the year

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

The eagerly anticipated results from this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence were announced this week during a prestigious ceremony, and one lucky caravan park has scooped a top prize.

Staff at the five-star Gwel an Mor in Cornwall are currently celebrating after being named the best in their category, winning Caravan Holiday Park/Holiday Village of the Year.

2012 marked the 23rd year of the annual awards, and this year they were the biggest-ever with more than 400 entrants.

Considered by many to be the English travel industry’s version of the Oscars, the awards celebrate the very best of tourism in England and picking up one of the 19 prizes is a major accolade for any provider.

The tourist board’s chief executive James Berresford said that they represent the highest accolade in the industry, championing quality and helping raise standards.

“All our finalists are to be warmly congratulated for their success – particularly our Gold Award winners, whose passion and commitment to excellence is outstanding,” he added.

Other notable winners included the English Garden, which picked up the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism gong, and Beamish Museum in County Durham, which was named Large Tourism Attraction of the Year.

VIDEO: Designing the new 2012 Elddis Crusader range of luxury caravans

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies

CaravanTimes has travelled to Durham to meet with Angela Robson, one of the chief designers for the new Elddis Crusader range to find out what has been added to this top-of-the-range caravan.

In this video we hear how every aspect of the caravan has been considered in the design process and the result is a complete overhaul.

The front shelf now has sockets and USB points, the microwaves have been lowered. Other extra touches include wine storage and an adjustable television.

These new features all make for a more comfortable caravanning experience but Elddis have paid just as much attention to ensuring the caravan is still durable.

The exterior has also had some changes made to it, and despite the sharper angles on the front of the vehicle, it remains aerodynamic.

Prices for the Crusader range start at £18,999 and MTPLMs range from 1500kgs to 1900kgs.

Hundreds face job axe at Hull caravan company as tax talk bites

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

A caravan company in Hull appears to be the first to suffer ahead of the imminent caravan tax, after it warned staff that as many as 350 could be made redundant.

Willerby Holiday Homes could be forced to shed around half of its 688 employees if the 20 per cent VAT rate is added to its static caravans because of the impact on business.

Though a petition calling for the overturn of the tax is gathering momentum, as things stand the tax will come into effect on October 1st.

“We believe that this is a prudent and responsible measure reflecting the current economic environment, proposed VAT changes and consumer confidence levels,” the company said in a statement.

Karl Turner, the Labour MP for Hull East who is backing the Early Day Motion to scrap the policy, said that the company has not yet issued any redundancy notices but has taken the first step as a precaution ahead of the tax’s proposed implementation.

“It is the wrong tax at the wrong time,” he said.

“The government can now see the very real impact of this policy. They still have an opportunity to reconsider this tax and I ask them to do this.”

No Comments

filed under: News

Tags:

James Cracknell and The Ramblers Get Walking for the Games

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

If you’re on a caravan trip this weekend (May 26th-27th) and looking for a nice way to enjoy the countryside, The Ramblers’ Get Walking Weekend could be just the ticket.

With the Olympics on the horizon and many people looking to get outdoors and improve their fitness, the UK’s walking charity is once again organising an annual weekend of free family walking events.

Under the theme of ‘Get Walking for the Games’, the Ramblers will lead a range of beginner-friendly guided walks across the country on Saturday May 26th and Sunday May 27th.

The organisation is hoping that the events will help encourage more people to get active and help combat the rising obesity problems blighting the nation – with just one-third of Brits doing enough exercise every week.

Sticking his oar in in support of the event, double Olympic Gold Medal rower and London 2012’s sustainability ambassador, James Cracknell, said that doing more exercise is essential to avoid the obesity time bomb.

“People need to be more physically active, more into their health,” he said.

“Exercise is not about people running around in lycra: the bigger picture is to make us a healthier society, so that we get more out of our lives, more out of our families.”

Visit The Ramblers website to find a list of the walks taking place in your area.

VIDEO: Safer towing with the lightweight new Sprite range

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies

The new lightweight range of Sprite caravans aim to make towing simpler with lower weights meaning a normal family car can tow these tourers with ease.

CaravanTimes has met the design team behind the newest models to find out more about the changes that have been made.

The main consideration was keeping the weight down, whilst making the caravans more stable and secure, and this has been achieved with an update to the hitching system.

In this video, we take a look at the revised Quattro FB 6-berth model, which is the most popular layout in the Sprite range. This version includes a fixed double bed with ample storage and a new oven.

Prices for the new Sprite range start at £12,031 and the MTPLMs go from 1160kg to 1409kg.

York caravan thief given 15-month prison sentence

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

A man who acted as the getaway driver in a caravan theft has been jailed for 15 months at York Crown Court.

Adam Roughton helped tow away one of two caravans worth a total of £30,000 that were stolen from a farm in York, the court heard.

Judge Guy Kearl QC said that the 22-year-old was part of a gang of “professional” thieves with a “colossal record” for dishonesty who had driven from Leicestershire to steal caravans in the area, the York Press reported.

He was caught by a police dog after he abandoned the vehicle on foot following a high-speed chase along the A63 near Selby.

During the escape attempt, he attempted to outrun police while driving at speeds in excess of 60mph, almost overturning the caravan and causing it so much damage that it had to be written off.

The thief had recently been released from prison on parole and his defence barrister Andrew Conboy told the court that he had a history of mental illness and was prescribed anti-depressant and anti-psychotic drugs.

Mr Conboy said that he had been recruited by the gang of travellers to act as the driver during a time in which he was not taking his medication and his judgment was impaired.

Proud owners drive off with the first Venus Caravan

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

A Venus Caravan was hitched up and driven away for the first time last week, when the proud owners of the new brand’s debut model collected their tourer three months after ordering it.

The latest brand from Lunar Caravans has been eagerly-awaited since its launch was first announced by the Lancashire-based manufacturer, and Mr and Mrs Newman can now say they were the first to own a Venus Caravan.

After receiving a tour around the four Venus models while at the Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at ExCel in February, the couple decided to order the chic, four-berth 490/4 model.

And while it may have taken three months for it to be ready, with the summer holidays on the horizon the wait has surely been worth it.

Grantham Caravans’ Paul Cottingham, who gave them the first tour around the fixed-bed vehicle at the London show, said he was delighted to have helped them pick out their brand new tourer.

“The collection of the Venus 490/4 was a very special day as this was the first ever hand-over of a Venus Caravan to a customer which we were very proud to be involved with,” he explained.

“We would like to wish Mr and Mrs Newman many happy holidays.”

Caravan Club makes dazzling debut at the Chelsea Flower Show

Posted by

by Maeve O’Donnell

The Chelsea Flower Show showcases the best garden designs from around the world each year and for 2012 a lovingly-restored 1950s caravan is one of the main attractions.

To celebrate its 105th anniversary, The Caravan Club has teamed up with well known garden designer Jo Thompson to present ‘A Celebration of Caravanning’.

The garden will be on display all this week in Chelsea (May 22nd to 26th) and is the first in the history of the show to feature a caravan.

The garden is a celebration, not just of caravans, but of all things British and hails ‘staycations’ and traditional pastimes.

Click here to see more images of the garden

The aim behind the garden is to highlight the fun and freedom that a caravan holiday can offer, but also to show what else caravans can be used for.

Whilst on a caravan holiday on the Isle of Wight last year with her family, Jo was enthralled by the vintage caravans she spotted and liked a particular one so much she brought it home with her.

The 60-year-old aluminium caravan, which has been named Doris, is now the star attraction of Jo’s third Chelsea Flower Show appearance.

And fittingly, the caravan will also be celebrating its Diamond Anniversary this year, since it was built in 1952 – the same year that the Queen was coronated.

A celebration of staycations

So many people have grown up holidaying in the UK and Jo has tried to capture the memories people have of the simple activities caravanning brings and allow people to fully relive past experiences.

Jo and her team began working on the garden on the 4th May and until today, she says, they have been “knee deep in mud”, it has been non-stop work to get everything ready for the highly anticipated show.

The design is an insight into the idyllic world of classic touring holidays and the retro caravan is homage to years gone by, but it also provides a perfect example of how a caravan can work in anyone’s garden.

It could be a playhouse for children, an office, extra accommodation or simply part of the garden’s design.

Jo explained:”It is designed as a real garden and to show caravans can be multi-use, they’re not just for towing.”

Alongside Doris the caravan is a beautiful mix of pink, purple and cream flowers with Jo’s signature naturalistic woodland style which makes it feel slightly wild and is reminiscent of the countryside that caravanners have been touring for decades.

Geraniums, irises and roses mix with Chinese birches, which give the otherwise traditional garden a modern twist. A patchwork hammock, dog kennel and stream complete the design and are also included as a reminder of how a caravan can be a home-from-home.

CaravanTimes went along to the show to catch up with Jo and she was overwhelmed by the positive response from the public, “It’s bonkers, so many people are looking at it” she said.

The garden has already been awarded a Silver Gilt but you can still vote for it to win the People’s Choice at www.rhs.org.uk


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Tory MP admits the Government has ‘got it wrong’ on caravan tax

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

The government’s decision to impose the controversial caravan tax is wrong and will damage the tourism industry in Wales, an MP has said.

Camarthenshire West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart, a member of the Conservative Party, has added his voice to the growing calls to abandon the reform, saying that the government “got it wrong”.

Holiday parks in Wales contribute £727 million to the national economy each year according to Visit Wales, and caravan park owners claim that the tax could cost as much as £16 million, the BBC reported.

Having been exempt from VAT since the 70s, chancellor George Osborne chose to reverse the policy in his April budget, adding 20% to the price of every static caravan, a move which the National Caravan Council says could result in the loss of more than 7,000 jobs when it comes into force in October.

“It looks good on a piece of paper if you’re sitting in the Treasury,” Mr Hart told the broadcaster.

“But if you’re trying to operate in the real world, out there trying to run a business, I think this will have a significant effect.”

The MP added the rapid speed at which the government intends to introduce the fiscal policy will make its consequences even more devastating.

A petition to scrap the caravan tax has been set up on the Prime Minister’s official website and so far it has attracted 10,667 signatories. To add your support to this campaign, click here before the deadline on Friday May 25th.

Gravesham hoping for Olympics win with Kent campsite plan

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

A council in Kent is looking to make the most of the Olympics this summer, by turning a rugby field into a whopping 500-pitch camp site.

With visitors set to flock to the UK in their millions for the Games and many hotels expected to ramp up their rates to exploit tourists, Gravesham Council has decided to make the most of the opportunity by creating the temporary site.

Campers and caravanners will be able to book plots for a minimum of three nights at the park in Culverstone at a cost of £30 per night, Kent News reported.

The site is likely to be all the more popular because of its proximity to the port at Dover and the international train station at Ebbsfleet.

Councillor David Turner said that he hopes the site will help make Gravesham a destination for tourists during the landmark event.

“People coming to stay with us will hopefully go away and say to themselves that Gravesham is a great place to stay,” he told the news provider.

“This really is a good base from which anyone can see the whole of the south of England.”

Camp Cooks add a touch of sparkle to caravan cooking this summer

Posted by

by Maeve O’Donnell

Here at CaravanTimes we have come across some weird and wonderful caravan related businesses in our time but now we bring you something entirely new; the fabulous world of Camp Cooks.

Dig out your feather boa and sequinned shoes because this summer a small group of 1950s-style drag queens are touring the country in their Airstream travel trailer and cooking up a culinary storm.

A different dining experience

Caravans have long been a setting for food on the move and are often found at festivals, outdoor events and even road-sides but Camp Cooks is a long way from a burger van. They are looking to cater for both health-conscious foodies and anyone with a sweet tooth across the UK with their innovative menu.

Camp Cooks aim to provide a unique catering experience and add a touch of glamour to any event. As well as making appearances at festivals and other outdoor events, the Camp Cooks can be hired for any occasion you want to add a touch of tackiness (in a good way of course).

An iconic, all-American Airstream trailer has been transformed into the campest kitchen around to bring festival goers an exciting and memorable al fresco dining experience.

Sweet treats

The menu is based on Anglo-American cuisine and features a range of light bites, belly busters, vegan options, and deserts. Using fresh and seasonal ingredients these drag queens turned chefs have created something which works perfectly for any event by catering for all taste buds.

BBQ ribs, pumpkin soup, smoked salmon, and sausages and mash are just some of the dishes served up by the queens, alongside American-inspired tempting treats including blueberry muffins, flapjacks, pancakes with maple syrup and Mississippi mud pie

Queens of cooking

Lila, Martyne, and Wynnie La Freak are the brains behind this unusual catering business. Wynnie has been ruling the North West cabaret circuit for years but is now focusing her talents on cooking.

Having been a finalist on Channel 5’s Breaking into Tesco competition with a double baked cheesecake, Wynnie is no stranger to the culinary world and as well as serving up the food, her group also offers demonstrations and taste tests for customers.

With tons of food sampling and a side helping of tongue-in-cheek humour, Camp Cooks is the ultimate in guilty pleasures and could add an unusual touch to any event.

To find out more visit Wynnie and the girls, visit their website.

Administrators sell Discover Leisure dealerships for £5m

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

The administrators dealing with the sale of failed caravan dealership Discover Leisure have announced that more than £5 million has so far been raised by selling its former assets.

Paul Flint and Mark Firmin of KPMG LLP are jointly handling the process alongside Sanderson Weatherall, and so far they have found new owners for four of the firm’s dealerships.

Negotiations regarding a fifth site are well underway.

Mark Lord, a partner at Sanderson Weatherall’s Manchester officer, said: “Whilst we obviously regret the demise of a business and consequent loss of jobs, we’re delighted to have secured the sale of four of the five dealerships and remain confident of being able to conclude a successful sale of the Coppull location.

Around 250 jobs were lost when the company and its trading subsidiary Signlease Limited entered administration in October last year, though some of these former staff have since been re-employed by the new owners.

Catterick Caravans has taken over Flaxton Moor site in York, as well as the Birtley dealership in Tyne and Wear. Kimberley Caravans, meanwhile, bought the Burtree Gate premises in Darlington.

The final outlet in Oakmere, Cheshire, was acquired by motorcycle firm J&S Accessories.

No Comments

filed under: News