Lincolnshire holiday park proposes facelift to reverse fortunes

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

Bosses at a holiday park in Lincolnshire are planning a major site renovation as declining visitor numbers threaten to turn it into another “statistic” of the recession.

Visitor numbers have been steadily falling at Short Ferry Caravan Park near Fiskerton, but its owners have come out fighting with a bid to give the park a face lift and bring holidaymakers back to the once popular destination.

Short Ferry has submitted a planning application to renovate its swimming pool and holiday accommodation while providing improved disabled facilities and landscaping the site, thisislincolnshire.co.uk reported.

Rob Hardman, a partner in the business, told the website: “We need to change things. The facilities have been upgraded over the years but it’s time to have a big go at it.

“We want to make the place special.”

Currently in the second phase of application, the proposals make the case that without upgrading the facilities the site cannot compete with other nearby sites.

West Lindsey District Council is currently conducting a public consultation of the plans.

Caravan set on fire as riot police begin Dale Farm eviction

Posted by

by Marcus Dubois

A burning caravan has been used as the centrepiece of a barricade by protestors challenging the eviction of travellers from Dale Farm in Essex.

According to the Press Association, riot police entered the UK’s largest travellers’ site at 0700 after breaking down a fence at the rear of the farm. The move followed earlier discussions at the front with residents, described by supporters as a diversionary tactic by police. Officers used axes to hack through fences and gain entrance, prompting clashes between police and protestors in which bricks and bottles were thrown.

Caravan barricade

The caravan was said to have been set ablaze in order to stall a line of riot police moving forward. One angry protestor stood in front of the burning caravan bearing a cross, and compared Dale Farm to the Gaza settlements in Israel. Speaking to broadcast media, she claimed both groups had faced “persecution and ethnic cleansing”.

The caravan itself belongs to a 72 year old resident Mary Flynn, a severely ill traveller who applied for an injunction in August to stop her eviction from the site.

Reports from the Guardian suggest that a second caravan painted with the words “Lady with difficulty breathing” was also set ablaze around 09.30 this morning.

The Dale Farm eviction

Fifty-one illegal pitches are said to be home to up to 400 people on the Dale Farm site. On Monday residents were denied the right to appeal against a High Court ruling which allowed Basildon Council to evict them.

Leader of Basildon Council Tony Bale was outspoken about the protests. “The pre-meditated and organised scenes of violence that we have already seen with protestors throwing rocks and bricks, threatening police with iron bars and setting fire to a caravan, are shocking”.

Meanwhile the Dale Farm Solidarity Campaign issued a statement earlier this morning explaining the reasoning behind their actions. “Residents and supporters remain inside the site, many locked onto blockades and caravans together in order to resist the eviction. Police breached the perimeter to initiate the eviction”.

At the time of writing, police and bailiffs were engaged in a standoff with protestors, with several being forcibly removed from scaffolding and buildings.

Caravan reversing accidents shoot up by 24 per cent in a year

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

Caravan owners have been warned to take extra care when reversing with their caravans coupled to the car, as the number of accidents is on the increase.

According to specialist caravan insurance company, Caravan Guard, the numbers of owners making insurance claims following a reversing accident has surged by a staggering 24 per cent in the past year alone.

The cost of repairing the damage can be astronomical too, with some reversing accidents costing well over £5,000 and the average claim coming in at a substantial £1,500.

People accidentally reversing their caravans into walls, fences, gateposts and trees have all made claims this year, with the increase in accidents set to top 30 per cent by the end of the year.

Advising caravan owners to take out appropriate insurance cover, Teresa Eastwood, claims liaison manager at Caravan Guard, warned drivers that “a significant proportion of reversing accidents occur when caravans are being put back into storage.”

She added that cameras and sensors are available to help make reversing caravans that bit easier.

Lunar Caravans reports £6.7m worth of sales from NEC show

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies
In a tough year for the leisure industry it will come as a great relief for many to be reminded that it’s not all doom and gloom in the caravan business.
Lightweight luxury expert Lunar Caravans has reported total sales of £6.7million from the NCC Motorhome & Caravan Show, which finished on Sunday (October 16th).
This highly impressive figure is largely down to the huge popularity of the recently upgraded Lunar Clubman / Delta range, which made up more than half of the company’s overall sales.
New layouts for 2012 include the twin-axle Delta FB, the Lexon 520, the Quasar 494 and the Lexon 420, although the single-axle Clubman SB was the biggest seller overall.
In the revamped range, which was launched just three months ago, there is a range of luxury features, from larger kitchens and showers to LED lighting throughout, while the weights have also been brought down once again.
Martin Henderson, sales and marketing director at Lunar, said: “This event really has exceeded our expectations. There was a great buzz of excitement throughout the whole show, proving that the UK caravanning industry is still standing resilient through these difficult economic times.”
Early reports suggest that the NCC Motorhome and Caravan Show attracted record levels of attendance, with around 100,000 visitors passing through the doors of the Birmingham NEC during the six days of the event.
Looking to the future and Lunar Caravans has already confirmed that its next major exhibition will be at the NCC Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show, which will take place from 14th to 19th February 2012 at the London ExCel.

Discover Leisure confirms 240 job losses as caravans are withheld

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies

Defunct caravan dealership Discover Leisure has announced that 240 of its 260 staff have been laid off, after the company entered administration last week.

Meanwhile, caravan owners are facing a frustrating wait to get their tourers back from Discover’s workshops across the North of England.

Mark Firmin, Northern head of restructuring at administrators KPMG, said: “Discover has faced a difficult market over an extended period of time, with persistently depressed consumer demand for high value discretionary items in particular.”

In response to the number of calls received from worried caravanners, the administrators have set up a dedicated hotline to help settle all outstanding issues. Discover customers are now advised to call 0845 617 1490.

Caravan Times readers have been getting in touch to express their frustration at the experience, with many raising fears that their upcoming holidays may be ruined by this sorry turn of events.

Nick Blakemore from Cheshire said: “My ‘van is at the Delamere site, it went in last Sunday for a warranty quote, the gates are shut and I can’t get it out. I am absolutely disgusted with the treatment!”

Meanwhile, Wayjac Stevens added: “My caravan is stuck at Darlington after having a service and some repairs under warranty and I’m not sure what to do? I’m going to Spain for winter on Sunday.”

Have you been affected by the collapse of Discover Leisure? Have you dealt with them in the past? Share your thoughts in our free community forum

Drayton Manor theme park to get its own Friendly Club caravan site

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

A new caravan park and campsite that is sure to be a big hit with the kids is set to open in Staffordshire next year.

In partnership with Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth, the Camping and Caravanning Club have announced the opening of a new 90-pitch site from March 29th 2012.

Within easy walking distance of the popular theme park, the full-facility site will be ideal for families looking for activities to keep them entertained during a caravan holiday.

Bound to have the kids bouncing with excitement, Drayton Manor has several thrilling rides and attractions including a Ben 10 rollercoaster, Thomas the Tank Engine Land and a 15-acre zoo.

Announcing the new partnership, Bob Hill, club sites director at the Friendly Club, said: “Drayton Manor Theme Park is one of the UK’s most popular family attractions and I am sure this new site will be a great addition to the network and for tourism within the area.”

The Club Site at Drayton Manor follows the success of two sites next to equally popular theme parks – Gulliver’s Milton Keynes at Gulliver’s and Alton, The Star adjacent to Alton Towers.

Caravanners finding Autumn blooming marvellous

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

The Caravan Club has seen a bloom in autumn holidays as caravanners flock to see the beautifully seasonal shades taking over the UK’s national parks and arboretums.

Forests up and down the country are witnessing an autumnal spectacle as colours change and fruits and berries come into season.

Holidaymakers can see autumn at its best in arboretums, with the National Arboretum at Westonbirt a great example.

The Japanese maples have started to change colour early this year, bucking the trend of transforming in late-October to shower visitors with flaming golds and oranges.

Batsford Arboretum is glowing much the same, with maples and cherries adorned with gorgeous golds.

The Forestry Commission’s Westonbirt Arboretum director Simon Toomer explained: “There are many reasons why this is happening.

“The over-riding reason is day length but a number of other climatic factors such as a dry spring make a big difference.”

Bolderwood in the New Forest is another striking example and visitors can enjoy a seasonal picnic during this unusually mild autumn while walking or cycling around the purpose-built routes and trying to spot the famous Fallow deer that inhabit the area.

Caravan thief jailed after motorway crash halts getaway

Posted by

by Tom Lowenstein

A man who stole a caravan and then towed it so fast down the motorway that it toppled over, has been sentenced to jail.

Preston Crown Court heard how Anthony Robert Clarke, 27, stole a Land Rover and caravan from a farm in Longridge, before speeding off down the M6.

The thief was spotted by witnesses driving in the second and third lanes of the motorway, overtaking other vehicles at such a speed that the caravan was wobbling around, the Lancashire Evening Post reported.

Prosecutor Robert Baldwin said: “The caravan started to shake and wobble from side to side to the extent each wheel was bouncing off the ground,” the newspaper quoted.

Witnesses had described the caravan appearing to ‘hop’ down the motorway, it was going so fast.

The court heard that the caravan then became detached from the car before hitting a barrier, whereupon the vehicle veered to the side and toppled over.

The witnesses went to give assistance, only to see Mr Clarke running off down the motorway embankment.

Clarke pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and theft of a caravan and was jailed for 69 weeks. He also received a two-year driving ban.

British Airstream pioneer talks of caravan obsession

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies

With its iconic silver bullet shape and long list of celebrity admirers, there’s no denying that the Airstream is the coolest caravan on the UK’s roads.

However, if it weren’t for one determined Brit, the retro tourer may never have reached our shores at all, the Yorkshire Post reports.

Michael Hold was the first man to bring the much-loved marque to our shores after convincing the American parent company to sell him the rights to create a version that would be legal on European roads.

It was eighty years ago that the original Airstream caravan captured the imagination of Stateside holidaymakers, but it wasn’t until 2004 that Mr Hold set about bringing them to the UK.

“It all started when I went to a caravan show in Kentucky and saw them there. I fell in love with them. They have that affect on you,” he told the local paper.

“I was so convinced, I gave up a comfortable corporate job to devote everything to my dream of getting them here,” he added.
After three years’ work, Airstream Europe completed its original mission and the company now sells a wide range of luxury Airstream caravans, starting at £33,000 for the two-berth Bambi 422.

These tourers are truly international, with a European chassis, British electrics, Swedish central heating and contemporary German furniture.

As well as having a lightweight aluminium bodyshell, Airstream caravans are up to 20 per cent more aerodynamic than a traditional ‘van due to their curved front end, which is based on an airplane’s fuselage.

What’s more, the trend is clearly catching on, as Mr Hold says he has sold 200 of the luxury tourers over the past five years.

Famous Airstream fans include Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, while Neil Armstrong and the rest of the crew of Apollo 11 stayed in one for a week in 1969 as part of their re-acclimatisation process after returning from the moon.

Discover Leisure enters administration leaving caravanners out of pocket

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies and Marcus Dubois

One of the UK’s biggest caravan retailers has entered administration, resulting in an uncertain financial future for many owners and recent buyers across the UK.

Discover Leisure, which has five retail centres across the North of England, appointed KPMG as its administrator late on Friday night (October 14th), the Press Association reports.

In an official statement the company said: “The directors and management will be working with the administrators to try and ensure that the business is saved in part or as a whole and as many of its employees as possible maintain their jobs within the business.”

This sorry turn of events will leave many recent caravan buyers, and indeed existing owners with outstanding Discover Leisure warranties, exposed to losing hundreds of pounds.

On Friday, a spokeswoman from the National Caravan Council advised worried customers to contact the company directly and confirmed that Discover had pulled their stand from the NCC Motorhome & Caravan Show.

This morning, a spokesperson for Discover Leisure said: “Customers are advised to contact the company on 01430 801562 if they have any outstanding issues. Discover Leisure is not able to fulfil any warranties due to being in administration.

“Any extended warranties bought direct from Discover Leisure are being passed to the administrator, where they will be processed. Discover Leisure is providing customers who hold manufacturer warranties a list of dealers in their area who can fulfil these.”

Have you been affected by the collapse of Discover Leisure? Have you dealt with them in the past? Share your thoughts in our free community forum

Sibling rivals recognised for top Yorkshire caravan parks

Posted by

by Aditi Charanji

A brother and sister are turning up the sibling rivalry as they aim to give caravan owners the best pitches in the whole of Yorkshire.

Both Rebecca Palmer-Bunting and her brother Nick Palmer made the shortlist for the annual White Rose Awards, a scheme aimed at celebrating the best accommodation and attractions in the county.

And, while both just missed out on the top spot, just being nominated is testament to their attention to detail and love of fine caravan accommodation, something that was highlighted by the fact Rebecca was also in the running for the prize for Outstanding Customer Service.

Welcoming the news, father Ian, who himself owns three caravan parks in Yorkshire, told the Yorkshire Post: “To have our efforts recognised by the industry as well as the guests is great.”

Rebecca runs the Robin Hood Caravan Park, close to the historic city of York, while Nick runs Jasmine Park, close to the popular seaside town of Scarborough.

Top ten things to see at the NCC Motorhome and Caravan Show 2011

Posted by

by Marcus Dubois

Entering the vast halls of Birmingham’s NEC during the Motorhome and Caravan Show can be quite a daunting experience. A sea of stands extends in each direction as far as the eye can see, with hundreds of exhibitors forming a visual feast. Whether a complete newcomer or a seasoned regular, the sheer range of things to see can be overwhelming.

Which is why the Caravan Times team sat down earlier to pick through our highlights from this week. It’s been a superb year for new caravan launches with fresh designs competing to catch the eye; while there are hidden attractions and experiences for those wanting to try something different. Take a look at our top ten tips for the NEC this weekend.

Get under the skin of Bailey’s first ever motorhome

You might know Bailey for their market-leading caravan ranges, but this year the Bristol-based manufacturer enters the motorhome world for the first time with the Approach SE. For the NEC, Bailey has peeled back the skin of a demonstrator model so visitors can see the secrets behind the Alu-Tech construction. Get up and close to Bailey’s first motorhome on Hall 19, Stand 19-29

Get free cookery demonstrations from celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo

Need some fresh ideas on what to cook during your next holiday? Pop down to the Cookery Theatre for some fantastic recipes and live demonstrations. On Saturday celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo will be showcasing his easy-to-cook Italian meals, while also signing copies of his latest cookbook. Catch him in Hall 9

See the “spaceship on wheels” from a brand new caravan manufacturer

It’s not often you get a new caravan manufacturer, yet alone one as daring and radical as IH Leisure. Known for their motorhomes, the British brand has launched their first caravan, filled with luxury appointments and with the look of a spaceship. Check out the Monopod 660 on Stand 8-33

Try towing with a Towcar of the Year winner

Each year the Caravan Club makes our job of choosing a towcar that much easier with their annual awards. Try one of the Towcars of the Year by towing a Bailey around the Club’s dedicated course with guidance from an expert. Visit Stand 20-79 to book your place.

Witness the return of historic brand Carlight Caravans

It’s been over a decade since one of Britain’s oldest caravan manufacturers ceased production. However the big news for 2012 is that Carlight Caravans are back – and you can see their full new range of tourers on Hall 18 Stand 25

Click here to continue reading