COMPETITION: Manchester caravan show ticket winners revealed

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by Chris Jefferies
Next week the doors will open at Event City and thousands of caravan lovers will flood in to see the best tourers on offer this year at the Manchester Caravan and Motorhome Show.
And to mark the first major event in the 2012 caravan diary, CaravanTimes has pairs of 50 tickets to give away.
Our latest monthly competition attracted hundreds of responses, with almost everyone correctly telling us that answer was (b) Event City.
Without further ado, the winners are as follows:

    Ron Brown, John Shepherd, David Cuff, Mary Percival, Jenny O’Shea, David Preston, Peter Clipstone, Vicky Maguire, Fred Bunn, Michael Hanson, Steve Lovell, Alan Bloomfield, Paul Renshaw, Ian Grant, Mike Norris, Iain MacDonald, John Mosele, Andrew Nicholson, David Cann, Lynn Arnold, Paul Forsythe, Elaine Gardiner, Sue Scot, Andrew Ingham, Sue Langto, Julie Aspin, Jenny Fitton, W Fletcher, Mike Curtis, Bryn Jones, Chris Randall, Niall Love, Alan Norton, Paul Geeve, Christopher Beeching, Robert Dobson, Rob Calderbank, Andrea Tunstall, Robert William, Chris Underwood, Keith McCorkindale, Dawn Daniel, Michael Wild, David Green, Susan Day, Lydia Bryan, Keith Roberts, David Saul, Andrew Harriman and Nigel Perry.

We will be in touch with all the winners individually via e-mail to arrange delivery of the tickets.
If you missed out, then don’t worry as you can still get £2 off the on-the-door price with the following discount code: DST1
Also, be sure to keep checking back with CaravanTimes over the next few weeks as we have several more exciting competitions coming up.

Clarkson in trouble over Isle of Sheppey caravan park comments

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by Tom Lowenstein

Top Gear presenter and perennial caravan abuser Jeremy Clarkson has landed himself in hot water once again after 31,000 people made complaints to the BBC over his latest offensive comments.

Appearing on BBC1’s The One Show, Clarkson described the Isle of Sheppey in Kent as a giant caravan site, the BBC reported.

Matters were made worse for the presenter after the current issue of Top Gear magazine was published in which he wrote: “Mostly, the Isle of Sheppey is a caravan site.”

In response to his supposedly “tongue-in-cheek” comments, Isle of Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson offered to give Clarkson a tour of the area to show him what it’s really like.

Mr Henderson told the news provider that this was another case of Clarkson just being Clarkson.

“He’s quite right in many ways,” the Conservative MP said.

“We have got lots of caravans and that is one of its attractions and I wish more people would come down and use the caravans.”

Should Clarkson take up the unlikely offer, he may well get to check out the award-winning four-star Warden Springs Holiday Park, which has a David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award in recognition of its positive work preserving the local environment.

Eterniti Caravans reveals prices and pictures of new slide-out range

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by Chris Jefferies
‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/eterniti/">Eterniti Caravans have broken cover at last, nearly two months after the initial details of this slide-out range were first revealed on CaravanTimes.
This brand new luxury range will include four different layouts, ranging from four to six berths, we can now confirm, and prices will start at £21,995.

Eterniti is the second slide-out range of caravans to be launched in the UK in the past 12 months, following in the footsteps of the Welsh-made Fifth Wheel Inos.
But unlike the Inos, these new tourers fall into broadly the same price bracket as the Buccaneer Caravans range from Elddis and the flagship Swift Conqueror models.
Unlike the Conqueror and the Buccaneer, however, the Eterniti range will include an electric-powered slide-out section, which will greatly expand the living space in less than a minute when owners are all pitched up.
Other premium features included are electric powered sun awnings, air conditioning, keyless entry, a built-in bathtub and a super-king sized front dinette in all models.
The Eterniti range has been built in the Goshen, Indiana in the USA, using the German-made BPW chassis, but the resulting tourer will still be road legal for towing in the UK.
Furthermore, Eterniti plan to move all production to the UK as soon as possible, in order to keep their costs down.
Four to choose from
At launch, there will be four different layouts, with fairly cumbersome names it must be said: the single-axle EC1-22-FB4 features a front dinette and a king-size futon in the slideout, as well as a nearside kitchen area and a spacious end bathroom.
Moving up the range and the single-axle EC1-22-BB5 features a bunk bed arrangement, while the twin-axle EC1-26-IB4 boasts a king-size transverse island bed, which slides out from the offside area.
Finally, the six-berth twin-axle EC2-26-BB6 includes an offside dinette as well as a rear triple bunk, which is tucked in at the end behind the large bathroom.
The EC1 range comes with a fully-equipped kitchen including a microwave, which can be upgraded to a convectional microwave for an extra £295.
Other optional extras include the Tracker recovery system (£450), IDC trailer stability control (£895) and leather interiors (£795).
In terms of prices, the single-axle models are priced at £21,995 and the twin-axle tourers come in at £24,995. What’s more, each caravan will be backed up by a full three-year warranty.
The only weight yet to be announced is the BB6, which will tip the scales at a very reasonable 1,587kgs (MiRO) and Eterniti claims that the rest of EC1 range is “easily towable by many larger sized family vehicles”.
Visitors to next week’s Manchester Caravan & Motorhome Show will be the first to see this exciting new range up close, before Eterniti moves onto the Glasgow and London shows over the coming weeks.
Once the launch tour is completed, the Eterniti indoor showroom is due to open in Cheshire on 1st March, but advance viewings can be arranged by appointment.


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Top towcars for 2012: Vauxhall Mokka and new Toyota Land Cruiser

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by Chris Jefferies
Choosing your towcar is never an easy decision, with so many attractive options on the market. And with a flurry of new launches being planned in 2012, that decision is likely to become even harder.
For this reason, CaravanTimes has run the rule over two of the more exciting new launches heading your way in the next 12 months – the exciting new Vauxhall Mokka and the revamped Toyota Land Cruiser V8.

Make mine a Mokka
Continuing one of the key themes from 2011, Vauxhall is moving into the compact SUV market with its latest offering, the Mokka (pictured above).
Its sporty styling is instantly reminiscent of the Nissan Juke, the Range Rover Evoque and the Kia Sportage, but it also has the respectable pulling power of up to 300Nm to back this up.
Towcar buyers will surely be tempted to plump for the All-Wheel Drive version, which Vauxhall claim ensures “high levels of stability and safety” and will provide plenty of grip, even in “more rugged environments”.
In terms of engines, there are two petrol options (1.4 and 1.6 litre) as well as a 1.7-litre turbo diesel version, all of which come with a six-speed manual gearbox. Automatic drivers will have a straight choice between the 1.4 and the 1.7 litre power plant.
Prices, weights and towing limits will be announced closer to the Mokka’s March launch date, but with its impressive looks, this is certainly a tempting prospect.
A tough new Toyota
For those who prefer a more traditional look for their 4×4, there’s a new version of the Toyota Land Cruiser on the way, as the Japanese carmakers are adding a V8 to its range.
With a 4.5-litre turbo diesel engine that generates a massive 650Nm of torque, this is certainly a very powerful contender that should be able to easily shift even the heaviest of twin-axle caravans.
Despite the new Land Cruiser’s impressive engine size, Toyota has managed to bring it within the Euro 5 emissions standards, which should shave off a few pounds at the pumps.
Aesthetically there have been a few changes too, with a new over-sized front bumper and integrated fog-lights, which give the Land Cruiser a distinctly heavy-duty look.
In terms of optional extras, Toyota will be offering a new heated steering wheel, a cool box in the centre console and a power-assisted tailgate.
With a March release date in the diary, they are holding back on the rest of the details for now, but it Toyota can keep the prices down, this ultimate Land Cruiser could prove to be a very popular option for new towcar buyers.


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Family caravan business to buy former Discover Leisure site

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by Tom Lowenstein

A family-run caravan company has bought a renowned former dealership that closed when Discover Leisure went into administration.

Now, Kimberley Caravans & Motorhomes are hoping to return the dealership at Burtree Gate in Darlington to its former glory when it had 100 members of staff, the Northern Echo reported.

The amount paid by Kimberley to acquire the old Barrons site from administrators remains undisclosed, but it marks the first expansion to a new site for the Nottingham-based company.

Run by father and son team Michael and Chris Lowe, Kimberley Caravans & Motorhomes was founded in 1970s and has an annual turnover of some £5 million from their current dealership, which is situated close to the M1.

With contracts exchanged before Christmas, they plan to reopen the site in February with the deal to buy the site expected to be tied up next week.

Chris Lowe, managing director of Kimberley, said the company has been looking to expand for a couple of years and the former Discover Leisure offered the perfect opportunity.

“We were aware of its history,” he told the newspaper.

“Before it was Discover Leisure it was Barrons and when it was Barrons it had a brilliant reputation and it was very busy.

“We are looking to recover that atmosphere and level of customer service.”

At the time that Discover Leisure went into administration around 60 people were employed at the site, and Mr Lowe believes that his company can easily surpass that level.

When it reopens next month just 25 people will be employed but once the business establishes itself they will be looking to expand that number rapidly.

“In terms of looking after customers you need more staff rather than fewer staff,” Mr Lowe said.

Last month it was revealed by the administrators acting on behalf of Discover Leisure that the dealership had amassed debts of around £35 million when it was forced to wind up.

Affordable tourers help drive popularity of caravan holidays, says Elddis

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by Tom Lowenstein

Now that the New Year is properly underway and everyone is back at work and attempting to keep up with their resolutions, the national obsession for holidays is beginning to roar back to life.

This year, with more people keeping an eye on the purse strings, inexpensive holidays are looking to be more popular than ever, and touring cararavan trips are the perfect solution.

The Caravan Club is witnessing record bookings across its network of Club sites and certified locations, and it is not hard to see the allure for touring holiday in the current climate.

Figures from Elddis Caravans reveal that British families typically spend between £2,000 and £3,000 on an annual family summer package holiday abroad, around one-quarter of the cost of some of the cheaper touring caravans on the market.

According to the Daily Mail, meanwhile, the hidden costs, airport taxes and baggage charges can add as much as £800 to the cost of flights for a family of four.

For those with pets, leaving them in kennels can cost as much as £70 per week and taking them abroad is even more expensive, despite recent legal changes that have made it a lot easier to take animals to other EU countries.

Meanwhile, caravan companies like Elddis are offering brand new family tourers from as little as £11,599.

All of this helps make the case for caravan holidays and indicates why they are proving a popular alternative for many Britons.

The VisitEngland tourism board have said that they expect 2012 to be an exceptional year for people ‘holidaying at home’, while events like the London 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee mean that those travelling abroad could miss out on what’s going on at home.

Jon Dale, PR manager at The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “Despite these tough economic times, camping and caravanning continues to be a popular pastime.

“We expect to build upon the success of 2011 by encouraging more people to enjoy the richer way of life by spending time with loved ones in the great outdoors.”

Speeding policeman blames broken down caravan for 150mph dash

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by Tom Lowenstein

A row has broken out in Scotland after a police car was clocked driving at nearly 150mph, more than twice the legal speed limit.

The Tayside Police force vehicle was caught travelling at 149mph on a stretch of the A90 between Dundee and Aberdeen.

However, what caused the driver to race to such a speed was not a traffic accident or an emergency crime call, but a broken-down caravan which was obstructing a single lane of a road in Brechin, Angus.

The incident came to light after figures were released as part of a Freedom of Information request and has now been blasted by road safety campaigners, the Express reported.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents told the news provider: “We do not know the exact circumstances of this particular incident, but we do not believe that speeds of around 150mph, as has been suggested in this case, can ever be justified on public roads.”

Numerous accidents have occurred on the same stretch of road in recent years.

Tayside Police are conducting an enquiry but as of this point the driver has not been disciplined.

Blaze destroys Staffordshire caravan after clothes catch fire

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by Tom Lowenstein

It was lucky nobody was seriously hurt when a caravan in Staffordshire was destroyed in a blaze after clothing fell onto its gas heater and caught fire last Thursday (January 5th) evening.

Firefighters from the nearby Stone and Longton fire stations responded to the emergency and worked to contain the flames.

The tourer, which was parked at a house in the hamlet of Meaford, was engulfed by the blaze and its insides and contents were completely gutted, the Staffordshire Newsletter reported.

Nearby trees were also damaged and the firemen had to cool down the caravan’s butane cylinders in an effort to prevent them exploding.

Station Manager, Ruth Watchorn-Rice told the news provider that the caravan’s owner discovered the fire at about 10pm.

“She opened the caravan door and pulled the burning clothing outside, however, in doing so caused other items in the caravan to catch fire which then spread,” she said.

Ms Watchorn-Rice advised caravan owners to park their tourers as far away from domestic residences as possible and to make sure that gas cylinders are properly and securely stored.

Cumbria tourism chief forecasts growth in caravan holidays

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by Tom Lowenstein

An increase in the number of holidaymakers heading to Cumbria for a caravan trip is expected to help the county’s tourism industry grow this year.

While some regions are worried that the London 2012 Olympics will be damaging for tourism outside the capital, the director of Cumbria Tourism Ian Stephens is forecasting growth for the county in the year ahead.

Last year the number of people taking caravan and camping holidays in the county remained constant, but Mr Stephens told the Cumbria News & Star that he believes the popularity for staycations will lead to a rise in visitor numbers in 2012.

“[We anticipate] an upturn in occupancy levels across all accommodation types with domestic visitors seeking an alternative to London and the surrounding counties,” he told the newspaper.

“We are confident that tourism in the Lake District and Cumbria will continue to grow steadily in 2012 and in the coming years.”

The main attractions to the region which the tourist chief believes will bring people flocking are its lush countryside and world-class arts and culture.

Caravan owners looking to stay in the Lake District this year can choose from several Caravan Club sites in the local area including Braithwaite Fold, Low Park Wood and Park Coppice Caravan Club Site.

COMPETITION: Win one of 50 pairs of tickets to Manchester caravan show

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by Chris Jefferies
Update: Thanks for all your entries, this competition is now closed
It’s competition time once again at CaravanTimes and for this month’s Manchester Caravan & Motorhome Show, we have more tickets to give away than ever before.
This massive event will be taking place at Event City from 19th to 22nd January and 50 lucky CaravanTimes readers will be able to visit for free.
The Manchester show offers caravan fans a chance to see several new tourers for the first time, including the new Bailey Unicorn Cadiz, the Majestic range from Elddis and Marquis and the Autocruise Quartet van from Swift Group.
Other exciting attractions include a chance to try towing for the first time with the Caravan Club, and there are also plenty of motorhome manufacturers who will be exhibiting, including Burstner, Auto-Trail and Adria.
This event is an ideal day out for all the family, with children’s entertainment experts Gullivers hosting the KidZone, which includes face painting, balloon modelling and a surfing simulator, to ensure the little ones are kept amused.
Tickets for the event are on sale now, priced at £7.95 per adult, but you can win yourself a free pair of tickets by just answering the simple question below.
The competition will close at midday on Friday 13th January and winners will be notified by e-mail soon after.
Update: Thanks for all your entries, this competition is now closed

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
1. To enter a Caravan Times competition you must be:
(a) UK resident; and
(b) 18 years old or over at the time of entry
(c) A Caravan Times member.
2. Competitions are not open to employees (or members of their immediate families) of Caravan Times, or any other subsidiary of Adfero.
3. No purchase necessary.
4. Only one entry per person.
5. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed, or which are not received for any reason.
6. The winner will be selected at random by the editor of Caravan Times, whose decision is final.
7. The closing date is as specified in each competition, and we reserve the right to amend the competition details at any time.
8. If you win a competition, we will notify you by e-mail. The organiser’s decision will be final, and no other correspondence will be entered into.
9. No part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize.
10. By entering the competition, you hereby give CaravanTimes permission to pass on your e-mail address to the event organisers.

Sir Ian Botham to host Caravan Club Celebration Ball in June

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by Tom Lowenstein

News that many touring enthusiasts have been waiting for was announced this week when the Caravan Club revealed the details of this year’s Celebration Ball.

The annual knees-up hosted by the Club is always great fun and this summer it is set to take place at Grosvenor House Hotel in London on June 15th.

Temporary caravan sites located near to London are being planned for the week of the ball and the Club will be running free transport to and from the venue.

The members-only event is one of the highlights of the season for member of the Caravan Club, and entertainment this year will be provided the Silks Aerial Ballet and the British Imperial Military Band.

The evening will be brought to a close by the Mixed Feelings dance band who will provide the tunes for a good old fashioned shindig.

What’s more, during the evening a charity auction will be held in aid of Leukaemia Lymphoma Research, and this will be hosted by the organisation’s president, none other than the legendary cricketer Sir Ian Botham.

Tickets for the Celebration Ball cost £85 per person and include a free half bottle of wine.

For more information visit the Caravan Club website.

Venus Caravans: Four layouts confirmed by Lunar for new lightweight offering

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by Chris Jefferies
Lunar Caravans has released further details about its upcoming project, Venus, which is due for launch at next month’s London caravan show.
We can now reveal that the Venus caravans collection will include four layouts at launch, including a compact two-berth (320/2), a traditional end-bathroom two-berth (380/2), a fixed double bed configuration (490/4) and a fixed double bed option (500/4).
These tourers have been designed from the ground-up to be four things: lightweight, compact, practical and affordable.
And lightweight they certainly are, as MTPLM weights due to stack up at less than 900kg for the Venus 320/2, less than 1000kg for the 380/2, and less than 1200kg for both the 490/4 and the 500/4.
With details, prices and photos still thin on the ground, we can only speculate as to how these impressive weight savings have been made.
But all will be revealed at the Excel Centre for the Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show (14th to 19th February), with a printed brochure also expected to be released next month.