by Chris Jefferies
There’s only two days left to vote in the only poll which lets you pick your favourite caravan, camp site, dealership and towcar of 2011.
So far the response to our annual Readers Poll has been amazing – we’ve had hundreds of you getting in touch to tell us what you think was the best of the best from the past twelve months.
Despite this flurry of voting many of the awards remain very finely balanced, with just seven votes separating the two front-runners for the overall Caravan of the Year 2011.
Similarly, the Best Newcomer category is far from decided, with only nine votes making up the difference between first and second.
What’s more, the Dealer of the Year Poll has resulted in an outsider nomination, Reads Caravans of Blackburn, storming into the lead.
However, with just four per cent of the vote separating them and their nearest competitor, everything could change in the next 48 hours.
If you still haven’t registered your vote yet, then make sure to click here before midday on Friday 16th December.
The winners will be announced in our Friday evening newsletter – so keep an eye on your inbox to be the first to find out who’s won what.
Portsmouth council threatens to destroy parked caravans
Caravan owners in Portsmouth face having their caravan removed and destroyed by the City Council if they leave their tourers parked by the side of the road.
In a bid to ease parking congestion in the city, Portsmouth City Council have decided that non-motorised vehicles left on roads for extended periods of times should be classed as an unreasonable use of the public highway, Portsmouth.co.uk reported.
As a result, some 50 caravans, horseboxes, trailers and boats have been identified by the council and will now find notices issued to them demanding their removal within four weeks.
If the vehicles are not removed within that time the council will take them away and they will be destroyed after two weeks in council possession.
Supporting the decision, councillor Frank Jonas told the newspaper that he had experience of the problem in his own ward.
“It is a good idea. At the moment there is nothing to stop me just parking my caravan outside your house indefinitely.
“This will hopefully free up some much-needed parking spaces.”
In a statement explaining the policy, the council says that providing it has followed the correct procedure it will not be responsible for reimbursing owners if their caravan is destroyed.
Planning officer recommends scrap yard caravan park plans
Plans to build a six pitch caravan and camping park on an old scrap yard in East Lancashire have been recommended for approval by the local planning officer, despite being met with objections from nearby residents.
Supporters of the planning proposal argue that the caravan park would bring invaluable tourism to the area, helping the nearby valley and businesses flourish from increased visitor numbers.
But neighbours have raised fears that the site would turn into a destination for travellers, while bringing with it an unbearable level of traffic to the site on Blackwood Road in Stacksteads, the Lancashire Telegraph reported.
Ben Edmondson, a planning agent involved in the application, believes that the local area will benefit from the site as the wonderful local hills and quarries which make up the nearby Adrenaline Gateway draw lots of visitors to its ruggedly beautiful terrain.
The natural habitat, which is used for a range of adrenaline-fuelled outdoor sports, is a popular tourist destination, but Mr Edmonson argues that there is little affordable accommodation nearby which prevents local businesses benefitting from tourism.
“There are no affordable sites to camp or stay close to these hills and quarries. They are not using or spending money in local shops and businesses,” he told the newspaper.
With the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board confirming the lack of accommodation in the area, it appears that the complainant’s fears will go unheard.
The local planning manager Stephen Stray has recommended that the application be passed, stating that traffic will not be an issue because its former use as a scrap yard generated large traffic volumes.
Mr Stray said: “The site will contain a relatively small number of pitches for touring caravans and the anticipated use of the road is not likely to increase over that associated with the previous use,” the local newspaper quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, the application has been amended to move the toilet park to an area of the plot where it will be shielded by trees.
Isle of Wight Campers founder scoops top women’s business award
An Inspirational entrepreneur who sold her car to set up her camper van hire company on the Isle of Wight has been awarded a NatWest Everywoman Award in recognition of her successful business, Isle of Wight Camper Cans.
The everywoman organisation exists to challenge attitudes to women in business, and Sarah Guy was presented with the Hestia Award which celebrates inspirational women who run a community spirited rural-based business.
Isle of Wight Camper Vans has a fleet of 12 fully-equipped camper vans which can be hired by tourists to travel around the island.
Inspired by a similar business in Australia, Sarah sold her car to buy the first camper van and has expanded rapidly in less than five years since she began.
Now, her fleet is double what she had forecast at this stage.
Very community minded, Sarah uses the travel company to help promote other local businesses on the Isle of Wight, offering her customers laundry services, tourist activities and locally-sourced food among other things.
Commenting on this year’s Everywoman Award-winners, the organisation’s co-founder, Karen Gill MBE said: “Yet again we have uncovered a host of role models who are testament that vision and determination equal success and that Britain remains a strong breeding ground for enterprise.”
County Durham pub’s caravan park plans facing rejection
A landlord’s plan to create a caravan park on the land of his pub in County Durham has divided its rural village, leading to the submission of 25 objections from nearby residents.
The Countryman in Bolam has submitted a planning proposal for a 30-pitch caravan and camping site with a toilet and shower block as well as a water treatment plant in a field behind the pub.
Currently, the field is an all-year Camping and Caravanning Club site, which can host five tourers, but the pub’s owner Paul Stabler wishes to expand after the site proved popular with tourists, the Northern Echo reported.
In his planning application, Mr Stabler said that the extended site would help his pub succeed while also bringing vistors, trade and employment to the village.
“The site is very popular and attracts many tourists from all over,” the local newspaper quoted him as saying.
“I do know, from working with Visit County Durham, how important tourism is and I know I have their full support with this application.”
However, local residents have objected, claiming that the proposed site is too large for the village to cope with as the population of Bolam is just 60 and there are no other services or facilities other than the pub.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential for noise from the site, with some objectors arguing that the historic nature of the village will be damaged by the site, as parking issues and the increased traffic would be detrimental to its character.
Meanwhile, five letters have been written to Durham County Council in support of Mr Stabler’s application, the newspaper reported.
Those in support of the application have argued that without it the village may lose the pub.
The plans have been recommended for refusal but a decision will be made on Thursday (December 15th) at the county council’s next planning meeting.
Discover Leisure had debts of £35 million, administrators reveal
Administrators called in to deal with the stricken caravan and motorhome retail Discover Leisure have revealed that unsecured creditors who lent to the company are likely to miss out on nearly £35 million in claims.
A report from the company’s creditors has shown that East Yorkshire company owes millions of pounds to NatWest and Black Horse, Insider Media said.
Former employees of the company, meanwhile, are claiming more than £250,000 after the business went bust in October, leaving around 240 people unemployed.
The KPMG report has revealed that Discover has debt with NatWest to the tune of £10.3 million, while Black Horse, the lender which financed Discover’s vehicle stock, is owed a further £7.1 million.
Now, administrators Paul Flint and Mark Firmin have said that repayments are “highly dependent upon the realisations from the freehold properties and land”, the news provider reported.
The administrators themselves, who sold off the last £1 million of Discover Leisure stock in a fire sale last month, are still owed over £230,000 in costs and expenses.
Meanwhile, four former Discover Leisure employees have set up their own caravan servicing business in a bid to get themselves back to work after their employer shut up shop.
Caravan Club fast-forwards £1.25m investment in Scottish park
Builders have begun work at the Lochside Caravan Park in Forfar, Scotland, after The Caravan Club decided to bring forward planned upgrades to the site by three years.
Now, the £1.25 million investment programme is set to take place this winter in a bid to minimise disruption to caravans by carrying out the work in the off-season, the Forfar Dispatch reported.
While minor improvements to the park were made last year, The Caravan Club decided to bring forward the refurbishment plans as its bids to bring Lochside up to meet its high standards.
Work is taking place to significantly improve the park’s pitches and services while the reception and amenities area, which is housed in a single building, will undergo major renovation.
The Caravan Club expects to reach the 25,000 visitors per year milestone for 2011 at the site which is leased from Angus Council.
It is estimated that these visitors provide a £2.5 million boost per year to the local economy, the local newspaper added.
The Lochside Caravan Park will re-open to caravanners on April 6th next year.
Is this 1954 Airstream Flying Cloud the world’s most beautiful caravan?
by Chris Jefferies
For more than half a century, Airstream Caravans has been the make to aspire to for many caravanners worldwide, and this fantastically restored gem from the 1950s wonderfully captures why the brand remains so desirable.
The Orvis Timeless Airstream, as it has been renamed, is a renovated Flying Cloud trailer from the 1950s, which retains much of the vintage charm but also includes several modern luxuries.
Restoration experts Timeless Travel Trailers have done a fantastic job of creating a design that is at once classic and modern – a truly fitting testament to this fine old Airstream.
On the exterior, the polished aluminium bodyshell is immediately striking but the interior design is, if anything, even more impressive.
A fine history
Originally built in 1954, this particular Flying Cloud was one of only 150 to be made that year at the Airstream factory in Los Angeles, California.
Over the past 57 years, it has been in almost constant use, including a spell as a hunting lodge near Goose Lake, Oregon.
Despite a thorough restoration job, the renovators have decided to leave some of the minor scratches, bumps and imperfections on the surface to retain some of its unique character.
What’s more, copper panelling on the interior and distressed oak flooring bring both warmth and retro style to the nose end of this distinctive tourer. As a result, we are told that this caravan is in “better-than-new” condition.
Marvellous modern touches
Despite the vintage feel, there was no holding back when it came to fitting the finest modern conveniences and technological wizardry on board.
A 19-inch Jensen flatscreen HDTV has been flush-fitted into the wall opposite the living room area, while a Blu Ray player has been hooked up as well. Electrics are provided by a 12V system, while LED lighting helps keep your overall battery consumption levels down.
The plush front-end sofa is finished in leather and complimented by a solid wood central table, and the interior doors are made out of solid hickory wood.
In terms of appliances, there is a Wedgewood hob, a Thetford toilet, a Norcold fridge/freezer, as well as Atwood water and central heating.
As you might expect, all this luxury adds quite a bit to the total weight, so something along the lines of an American-style pick-up truck will be needed to tow this 2,700kg tourer.
The online auction for this highly-desirable caravan will close on Sunday 11th December, and the highest bid currently stands at $88,000 (a little over 56 grand in British monies). But potential bidders should be aware that shipping it back to the UK from its current home in Colorado will be your own problem.
Have you ever seen a more beautiful caravan that this? What would your ideal tourer look like? Share your thoughts in our community forum
Vital Stats:
- Price: from £56,052 (reserve not yet met)
- MTPLM: 2,722kg
- Internal Width: 7’0″
- External Length: 22’3″
- Berth: 4
- Axle: Single
Update: This auction has now closed, with the winning bidder paying a staggering $157,000
Friendly Club predicts strong 2012 as membership continues to grow
The popularity of caravanning shows no sign of fading, with more and more people getting involved in the quintessential British pastime.
With the economy squeezing people’s pockets this is hardly surprising, and many people are now realising the hidden delights that exploring Britain in a caravan can reveal.
This is certainly the case at the Camping and Caravanning Club, where membership continues to grow year-on-year.
“Our membership base is continuously expanding and if the last three years are anything to go by, we don’t expect this positive trend to slow anytime soon,” Jon Dale, public relations manager at the Club, revealed.
As the economy continues to pinch from our pockets and people look for new, fun and cost-effective ways of getting away from it all, Jon let slip some of the Club’s most popular destinations.
The Lake District and the Peak District feature some of the most visited Camping and Caravanning Club sites are, he said, while the South West always proves popular during the school holidays.
Meanwhile, for those looking to hitch up and head overseas with their tourer, France is the number one European destination for caravanners looking for warmer climes, thanks to its many camping and caravan parks, Jon added.
Abbey Vogue caravan stolen from outside childrens’ activity centre
A Peterborough woman has been left devastated after “heartless” thieves stole her caravan from outside of her work.
Tracy Munnelly thought her £12,000 tourer would be safe when she parked it outside the Activity World children’s fun centre on Padholme Road East where she works as the general manager.
But on Saturday night (December 3rd) the uninsured Abbey Vogue was taken by thieves who cut through two metal gates using angle grinders before using a saw to cut off the caravan’s wheel clamps, the Peterborough Evening Telegraph reports.
Now, Ms Munnelly and her partner Malcolm Evans are hoping that police can trace their pride and joy which had just been bought this year following years of saving up for it.
“I left it at Activity World because it’s a massive site and I don’t have much room at my home,” she told the newspaper.
“I never envisaged that anything like this would happen and it’s really hit me for six.”
The Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association recommends that anyone looking for a place to store their caravan chooses a site which has excellent security as it will affect insurance premiums.
REVIEW: Is the Amazon Kindle an ideal caravan gadget?
by Chris Jefferies
For many, taking a caravan holiday is all about escaping the stresses and hassles that come with modern life, so laptops, televisions and other such technological fripperies are often left behind.
Yet despite this, there are many reasons why it might be worth ditching your bulky book collection and investing in an Amazon Kindle.
The Kindle is an e-reader, which means that you can read several books digitally from one device. Put simply – it is to books what an MP3 player is to CDs.
This month at Caravan Times we have been comparing the two most recent models to see if they could catch on with the hard-nosed caravanning public.
What’s it all about then?
The Amazon Kindle was launched in America four years ago, but only made it to the UK in 2009. Its success has lead to Amazon announcing last year that e-books are now more popular than paperback books.
One of the main reasons that Kindles have become so popular is their low-maintenance style. Unlike power-hungry smartphones, a Kindle only needs to be charged once per month.
This is made possible as the device uses electronic ink instead of a backlit screen, which also means less strain on your eyes and eliminates any glare than can be caused by direct sunlight.
All of these things obviously translate well into the context of a caravan holiday – you don’t need to take a charger with you and as it weighs in at just 247g, it is hardly going to make a dent on your payload limit.
There’s no monthly contract or download limit to have to worry about either, and there’s enough room to store more than 1,000 books on this little tablet.
The main thing we’ve noticed though is how unobtrusive the Kindle is to read. Just pick your novel and flick through the pages with your thumb on the side buttons and it feels just like reading a book.
You can easily forget that you’re using a space-age gadget – it’s just a seamless way of reading lots of books on the move and it feels as natural as anything.
Decisions, decisions
Amazon offers two different versions of the Kindle – the Wi-Fi and the 3G version – which can both serve a useful purpose, depending on what you want to use them for.
We would recommend the cheaper Wi-Fi only version, especially if you regularly stay on larger service camp sites, as it is lighter by a third, and it is small enough and thin enough to fit into your coat pocket.
Prices start at around £90 for the Kindle Wi-Fi, but if you want to get your hands on one for free, then be sure to cast your vote in the Caravan Times 2011 Readers’ Poll.
There are several runners-up prizes to be won as well, and the lucky winner will be announced on Friday 16th December.
AA Poll: Many drivers still not preparing for winter conditions
Winter has well and truly arrived in the UK this week, and with snow and ice incoming, the latest figures released by the AA suggest that caravanners may wish to take extra care if they’re taking their tourer away for a festive break.
The new Populus poll commissioned by the AA shows that more than one-third of drivers could be caught out by heavy snow this year, with 38 per cent having made no preparations for winter driving conditions.
This is an improvement on last year however, when 42 per cent confessed to having taken no action to get ready for winter driving.
The poll found that the number of people who have invested in measures including winter tyres, snow chains, shovels and blankets, has risen across the board, offering a degree of reassurance for caravan owners hitching up and heading out during winter.
Following the Arctic conditions of the last two years, the number of drivers buying snowchains or snow socks has quadrupled, while the number of drivers fitting their vehicles with all-season tyres has almost doubled from four per cent to seven per cent.
Offering drivers reassurance, Paul Watters, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “We know that highway authorities are starting this winter with significantly better grit stocks than the two previous winters and there are also reserve supplies should this winter turn unpleasant.
“Drivers too are doing their bit and have clearly learnt that being prepared is key – not only by putting winter essentials in the car but also making sure their vehicle is in good mechanical order.”
Drivers are also more optimistic about driving conditions this year, the poll revealed, with 39 per cent believing gritting will improve this year and 50 per cent expecting it to remain about the same.
This appears to be in good faith, as the AA revealed that highway authorities are coming into the winter season with far greater stocks of grit than in either of the last two winters.
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