UK to Ireland trips unaffected by new pet travel rules

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by Tom Lowenstein

While new rules surrounding taking pets abroad came into effect on January 1st, caravanners travelling between the UK and Ireland should not notice any changes.

As we reported last year, the new rules were brought into place to make it easier and cheaper for European citizens to take their pets abroad with them, taking modern medical advances into consideration and reducing the quarantine period.

Under the changes, all pets need their own passport, a microchip and rabies vaccination to travel within the EU.

However, while the rule change will simplify travel, no changes should take place for holidaymakers heading across the Irish Sea.

The Caravan Club reported that because neither the Republic of Ireland nor the UK have had indigenous rabies for decades, enforcement of the new rules will not be implemented and no pet documentation will be required.

Irish Ferries have revealed that it will not be making any amendments to its procedure following the rule change, though Stena Line and P&O Irish have not yet announced their position.

VIDEO: First look inside the Bailey Retreat Willow luxury leisure home

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by Chris Jefferies
One of the biggest draws at next week’s NCC Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show, the brand new Bailey Retreat is the most hotly-anticipated new launch of 2012 so far.
Thanks to its super-large bodyshell, this so-called ‘leisure home’ is a cut above the rest in terms of interior space and luxury specification.
CaravanTimes has been to Bristol to take a behind-the-scenes look at this exciting new model, which represents a completely new type of caravanning.
The Bailey Retreat will be publically unveiled at the Excel Centre as part of the London caravan show, which runs from February 14th to 19th.

Haulfryn Anniversary: Inside the UK’s most expensive static caravan

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by Chris Jefferies
We at CaravanTimes don’t normally pay much attention to static caravans, as they are a completely different type of beast to a trusty touring caravan.
But since the launch of the Bailey Retreat earlier this week, we kept hearing the same question: If you’re after that much space and luxury, then why not just buy a static caravan?
Well if you really want to push the boat out on permanently-sited luxury, then this seems to be the answer – the Anniversary Lodge from static caravan manufacturer Haulfryn.
Sited in the Welsh resort of The Warren, near Abersoch, this three-bedroom model was built last year to commemorate the family business’s 75th birthday.
The Italian-designed interior is certainly highly desirable, with an opulent bathroom and wide open living room, while many of the lodge’s facilities can be controlled remotely via iPhone.

Located on the Gwynedd coast, the surroundings certainly add to this caravan’s appeal, as it is within striking distance of Snowdonia National Park and Bala Lake, the largest stretch of open water in Wales.
Jim Gandon, Sales and Marketing Director of Haulfryn Group, said: “I can confidently state that nothing quite like this has ever been sold before. It takes beach side holiday homes to a new level.”
The catch, as you may have guessed, is the astronomical price tag of £550,000.
To put that into context, that’s enough to buy 24 Bailey Retreats and have them sited all across the country*. It’s also three times the average price of a house in the UK.
Haulfryn are quick to point out that they offer several more affordable static caravans starting at around £40,000, but it just goes to show that when you start looking for more and more luxury, the sky’s the limit.

*Based on an anticipated list price of £22,500 for the Bailey Retreat



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Sterling owner dies outside home while fixing caravan brakes

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by Tom Lowenstein

A caravan owner in Southampton has died in an accident while carrying out repairs to the vehicle outside his home.

After jacking up his Sterling caravan outside his house on Testlands Avenue in Nursling, 65-year-old Douglas Pearce was repairing the brakes with the tourer supported by an axle stand.

The caravan slipped off its support, crushing Mr Pearce. He died in hospital days later from irreversible brain damage after the caravan caused severe chest injuries that prevented him from breathing, the Southern Daily Echo reported.

In a statement, Mrs Pearce’s wife of 44-years told Central Hampshire Coroners Court that she was ironing with the radio on and was unaware of the accident until there was a knock at the door and a neighbour told her to call an ambulance.

Stephen Angel, who witnessed the accident while walking his dog, told the local newspaper: “I did not see anything happen as I was about 30-40 yards away but I heard a crash and a groan and I knew something was up.”

A verdict of accidental death was recorded by Grahame Short, Coroner for Central Hampshire, who said that it was a tragic incident and added: “It’s unclear precisely what happened as to why the caravan moved off its axle stand. I believe there was insufficient support for the van and it twisted and fell onto him as he carried out work.”

Bailey Retreat dealer and delivery network announced

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by Chris Jefferies and Tom Lowenstein

Bailey Caravans has announced the exclusive retail network that will be responsible for selling its brand new Retreat leisure homes.

An all-new take on the traditional touring caravan, the luxurious Retreat models make no concession to weight and as such are designed for semi-permanent residence in their owner’s favourite caravan park.

This means that they cannot be easily towed, so more that 30 retailers have been chosen by Bailey for the Retreat retail network and they will be responsible for transporting them to the caravan site of choice.

In a statement confirming the new retail network, the caravan maker said: “Bailey has carefully chosen selected approved agents from its existing touring caravan network, many of whom already have previous experience of siting tourers in this manner, to stock this new product range.”

Included in the sales agreement, retailers will take the newly-bought Retreat caravan to any site in mainland UK as well as providing mobile servicing and warranty coverage.

Meanwhile, the Retreat has passed European Whole Vehicle Type Approval, so owners can be reassured that it meets all the stringent safety measures that come with this accolade.

What’s more, Coast Insurance has given Bailey fans an idea of how much it will cost to insure a Retreat, with a provisional quote of £324.75 per year published on their website.

Caravanners wanting to cast an eye over the Retreat models for the first time will get the chance to do so at next week’s Motorhome, Caravan & Camping Show at the Excel Centre in London (February 14th to 19th).

Free Midlands caravan shows offer alternative to London show

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by Tom Lowenstein

When it was announced last year that the National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Show at the Birmingham NEC had been cancelled, many caravanners were left disappointed.

The direct replacement is the inaugural NCC Motorhome, Camping and Caravan Show, which has many big-name launches confirmed, although the prospect of a trip down to the London Excel Centre may prove off-putting for some Midlanders.

With this in mind, two leading dealers have stepped in to fill this gap by putting on their own free shows.

Shrewsbury-based Salop Leisure has organised its own Early Spring Caravan Show to run from 18th-26th February, with many of the industry’s top caravans, motorhomes and luxury lodges on display at the company’s sales centre.

Tony Bywater, Chairman of Salop Leisure, said that the company was aware that thousands of people were looking forward to seeing the latest industry developments in Birmingham and were upset that the show had been cancelled.

“That’s why we have arranged the Spring Caravan Show, which is free to attend and is within easy reach of Birmingham,” he said.

Visitors to Salop Leisure’s show will be able to take in over 200 brand new and pre-owned caravans made by Swift Caravans, Sterling and Sprite, with experts on hand to answer any questions you might have.

East Midlands alternative

Meanwhile, Lowdhams in Nottingham will be putting on The East Midlands Caravan Show between 17th-19th February, and there is plenty going on to keep avid caravanners entertained.

Some 200 new and used touring caravans will be on display at Lowdhams’ 25-acre sales centre in Nottinghamshire, with special deals exclusive to the show running throughout the weekend.

New and used caravan customers can look at a wide range of UK models from Bailey Caravans, Swift and Sterling, as well as continental ‘vans from Dethleffs and Adria.

Competition draws will be made throughout the show with some great prizes on offer, while free refreshments are on offer, as well as a cheese and wine event on the Saturday evening.

The whole event is free, including entrance and parking – you just have to register online for a Show Pack – and there is even a ‘wild’ campsite next to the sales centre for those who book early and register.

For more information about these shows, visit the Lowdhams website and the Salop Leisure website.

Coachman Caravans offers tips on how to use Truma Combi heater

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By Ash Hekmat

Coachman Caravans has published a short guide on the Truma Combi system it has fitted in its 2012 Pastiche and VIP caravan ranges.

The manufacturer said it had created the guide because a number of customers have been getting in touch to ask for more information.

The system, which was originally developed for motorhomes, aims to offer a lightweight, compact and efficient solution for heating and hot water.

It can run on gas, electricity or both and provides heat and hot water on demand, while also prioritising quietness.

Unlike other types of heating systems, the Truma Combi is designed to offer heat almost instantly and it can be controlled from a simple panel similar to those found on central heating systems in your home.

“With two timers and a thermostat, you can set the hot water or heating to come on whenever you want it, at a temperature of your choice,” Coachman said in the guide.

“This means that if you are out for the day, you can set it to come on just before your return and come back to a warm caravan, without wasting power.”

For more advice on using this caravan heating system, click here.

Friendly Club awards celebrate wealth that money can’t buy

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by Tom Lowenstein

Research has proven that people who go camping or caravanning are happier, healthier and less stressed that those who don’t – and now a new competition has been launched to celebrate the fact.

With a new season on the horizon, The Camping and Caravanning Club today (February 7th) unveiled its new ‘Real Richness – The Awards’ scheme.

With the Club committed to making sure people are rich in spirit and health, they’ve coined the awards ‘Real Richness’ as a reminder of what we love about the great outdoors.

As part of the awards, members and non-members of the Club alike are being invited to post their favourite camping and caravanning stories online for the chance to win some great prizes.

Director General at the Club Robert Louden said: “At The Camping and Caravanning Club, we learned a long time ago that being rich isn’t only about money and have always advocated the richness money can’t buy.

“We’re therefore delighted to be able to reward our campers, with help from some of the industry’s leading experts, and we look forward to hearing about their real richness camping moments.”

With four categories to choose from, there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to get involved by posting a photograph with an accompanying caption and with the closing date on September 7th there is no excuse not to have a go.

The Real Richness competition starts on February 13th with the support of Elddis, Hi-Tec, Vango and Outwell. The website for entries can be found at www.realrichnesstheawards.co.uk.

Fancy owning your own woodland caravan pitch?

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by Tom Lowenstein

Have you ever dreamt of owning your own peaceful plot of land in the countryside to tow your caravan to? Well now you can!

A new scheme called the Woodland Bond is offering people the chance to buy their very own pitch in picturesque woodland at very affordable prices.

Where’s the catch, I hear you ask. Well, there isn’t one. Owners have a freehold so while you couldn’t build a house there, it still has value.

The only minor snag is that by law you can only spend 28 nights per year staying there and you have to abide by the Woodland Bond code, but other than that it’s pretty much catch-free.

Plot owners become members of the Woodland Bond and attain ownership of their very own plot. The pitch is then managed by the company and basic utilities such as water and waste disposal are provided by the Woodland Bond.

The plots are securely gated but unfenced and members are encouraged to share their plots with others, though this is not mandatory.

Furthermore, while you are only able to spend 28 nights a year on the plot, you can visit whenever you like for a day out.

If you’d like to find out more and see where plots are available, visit the Woodland Bond website.

Jeremy Clarkson turns down Isle of Sheppey caravan park tour

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By Ash Hekmat

Jeremy Clarkson has turned down the offer of a tour of the Isle of Sheppey, after he made disparaging remarks about the holiday destination in Kent.

The Top Gear presenter was offered a personal tour of the island by its MP Gordon Henderson after he wrote in the show’s magazine that Sheppey was one big caravan site and claimed that Kent is full of refugees from the French port of Calais.

However, the BBC reports that Clarkson’s representatives have been in touch to decline the offer, due to his filming commitments for the show.

Mr Henderson reportedly explained that Sheppey’s caravan sites are popular with tourists, telling the news provider: “I was not disappointed with Jeremy’s response as he may well take up the offer some time in the future.

“If he does, he will receive a warm welcome.”

After the controversy caused by Clarkson’s latest comments, a spokesperson for BBC Worldwide, which publishes the magazine, said that the column was intended to be “tongue-in-cheek”.

VIDEO: Saving weight in the lightweight Elddis Xplore

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by Chris Jefferies
From L-shaped lounges to underfloor heating, there’s a lot that you get in the Elddis Xplore range that can’t be found anywhere else on the UK market.
This lightweight collection of tourers has been winning over new and old caravanners alike for the best part of four years now, but the manufacturers are still keen to bring the weights down, while keeping the specification comprehensive.
And so, CaravanTimes has been to Elddis HQ in County Durham, to find out what has made this range so popular and take a look at what’s new for the 2012 season.
Prices in the Elddis Xplore range start at £10,799 for the two-berth 302, and this range will be on display at the Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show (London Excel Centre, 14th – 19th February)

Strictly stars tangoing their way to London caravan show

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by Ash Hekmat

Two of Strictly Come Dancing’s most sizzling stars will be performing an Argentine Tango to raise the temperature at the Motorhome, Caravan & Camping Show this month.

Due to take place from February 14th to 19th at the Excel Centre in London, the event promises a perfect Valentine’s Day treat for caravan lovers.

Couples coming to the show to plan a romantic getaway will be able to see Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace get pulses racing with a live performance on the opening day.

The first major show of its kind to take place in the south of England for a number of years, the Motorhome, Caravan & Camping Show is expected to attract more than 40,000 visitors in search of great deals on motorhomes, caravans, equipment and holidays.

Among the other events lined up for the event will be special cooking demonstrations by James Martin, star of BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen and proud owner of a Concorde Carver motorhome.

Tickets can be purchased online, with a day pass costing £8 for adults and £7 for over-60s, while under-16s go free.