Camping and Caravanning Club acquire site next to Alton Towers

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners in Derbyshire are set to get a revamped site in their local area, after the Camping and Caravanning Club acquired Alton, The Star Club Site in Cotton.

This move was welcomed by Viscountess Cobham, chairman of national tourist board VisitEngland, who said that it would provide a boost for the local area.

The site boasts 195 pitches across two fields, as well as a large play area, ideal for families with small children, who can also explore the nearby Alton Towers theme park resort, which is just a five-minute drive away.

Lady Cobham, who officially opened the site last week (June 10th), said: “I am sure that Alton, The Star Club Site will be a great addition to The Camping and Caravanning Club’s network and for tourism within the area.”

She added that over half of all camping and caravanning site operators reported an increase in visitor figures this Easter, when compared with last year.

Caravan Times reader witnesses dramatic caravan meltdown

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by Holly Tribe

Hardly a week goes by without the Caravan Times newsdesk receiving reports about a caravan being destroyed by fire. And with the driest Spring on record, the threat of fire in the open countryside is an ever present worry for caravan owners.

Nothing illustrates this better than a post recently submitted in the Caravan Times forum by reader, Niel J.

As Niel left work yesterday afternoon travelling along in Southampton, he came across an abandoned caravan in a former school playing-field on the outskirts of Eastleigh. After noticing smoke rising from the vehicle he phoned the fire brigade and managed to photograph the ensuing destruction as the blaze tore through the caravan, burning it to the ground in a matter of minutes.

“I left work late [yesterday] afternoon, and stopping to photograph the rubbish left behind by some ‘caravan dwelling, fly tippers’ I spotted some wisps of smoke from a caravan left behind,” he explained.

Niel acted quickly to contact the fire brigade, who arrived in time to douse the remaining embers and stop the fire from spreading into the surrounding greenery: “It took about 7½ minutes from the first visible flame to total destruction and in less than ten minutes it was completely burnt out. The Fire Brigade arrived fairly quickly after my call but could only damp down the remains, and recover a gas cylinder left in the ‘van.”

These pictures, reprinted with the permission of NielJ, show the caravan before and after the blaze.

Caravans are constructed using a high ratio of combustible materials and the threat of contiguous fire between rigs at caravan parks poses a very real danger. This recent outbreak offers a stark reminder to caravanners to remain vigilant – turn off gas and electrical appliances when not in use and keep the caravan well ventilated.

Second time lucky for Bucks caravan thieves?

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by Chris Jefferies

A caravan was stolen in the Buckinghamshire village of Saunderton yesterday (June 8th), hours after a failed attempt to take a similar vehicle in the nearby area.

The thieves made off with a Burstner 445TS from the driveway of a home in the middle of the day, the Bucks Free Press reports.

Locals have been urged to keep a lookout for the stolen vehicle, which has a distinctive blue and yellow swirl on the side.

Earlier that same day, three men were disturbed when trying to steal another caravan from a house in the nearby village of Downley, the local paper adds.

The incident did result in a security lock being broken and damage being caused to a tow hitch.

It is estimated that the two incidents were less than two hours apart, but the local police did not say whether they are treating the two crimes as being connected.

Chrysler mocks up world’s first supercar motorhome

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by Chris Jefferies

Ever wondered what a motorhome would look like if the car it was based on was a bit more glamorous? US carmaker Chrysler clearly has, as this photo shows.

Petrolheads were alerted to a possible reincarnation of the popular Dodge Viper SRT-10 on the Chrysler Facebook page last night (June 9th).

With more than a hint of tongue-in-cheek, the Chrysler team behind the SRT-10 said: “We dodged death to sneak you this top-secret photo.”

The car this creation is based on is hardly what caravan owners would typically call a sensible tow car, as the Viper SRT-10 costs upwards of £50,000 when new.

Whilst it may do a top speed of 202 mph, the Viper was always renowned for its erratic handling, although the Chrysler team appear to have fixed that by adding an extra axle and two extra wheels.

Although they claim that this sketch is “a taste of what’s to come”, it’s hard to see this idea catching on in the UK’s camp sites.

British drivers oppose MOT test changes

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by Chris Jefferies

Almost two third of British drivers would oppose plans to make the MOT test a biannual event, a new motoring survey has found.

Under proposals laid out as part of the government’s Red Tape Challenge, it has been suggested that new cars should be exempt from the MOT test for their first four years on the road, and all other cars should be checked biannually.

Given the rising cost of driving, it would be reasonable to expect that caravan owners and other motorists would be in favour of reducing the frequency of this often costly test.

However, a survey of AA members found that 62 per cent had serious concerns that only forcing cars and towcars to be checked every other year would increase the number of unsafe vehicles on the UK’s roads.

Edmund King, president of the AA, dismissed the suggestion, saying: “It is a false saving which could lead to more expensive repairs later, and that’s before the safety argument.”

Richard Hammond of Top Gear discovers the joys of touring in a VW campervan

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by Holly Tribe

Top Gear’s terrible trio are well known for their derision of caravans, campers and, well, anything that might get in the way of flooring a Porsche 911 down the fast lane of a motorway.

But in an interesting turn of events, Richard Hammond and his family recently embarked on a touring holiday in Cornwall in a Volkswagen campervan, “And it was, without doubt, one of our most successful holidays ever and quite possibly my favourite of all time,” reported Hammond in the Daily Mirror.

The family hired the VW campervan from Danbury Motor Caravans in Bristol who import new models from a factory in Brazil. The base van was kitted out with all the mod cons, including cooker, fridge, TV and leather upholstery.

Hammond was keen to extol the virtues of the touring lifestyle, and take advantage of having a home from home out on the road: “Within half an hour of setting off I had found an excuse to pull over, pop the roof up and construct the first of a million cups of tea while Izzy, 10, and Willow, seven explored the roof bed – we called it the loft – and Mindy lay on the leather sofa.”

“As we dawdled about Cornwall I would keep an eye open for places to stop and enjoy the view. And make another cup of tea,” he said.

In fact, the family has been so enamoured with life on the road, they have sold the family car and bought their very own VW campervan; “It’s going to be pink – to keep the girls happy – it’ll be ready in three months and I shall spend the entire summer in it.”

Hammond, who has penned two books about caravanning; A Short History of Caravanning and Richard Hammond’s Caravan Confidential, has been more of a sympathiser to the Great British touring tradition than his colleagues, Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

Their previous tricks have included ploughing an airborne caravan into a field and ‘accidentally’ setting one alight. But whether this will bring an end to the caravan pranks often filmed on the popular BBC One motoring show Top Gear remains to be seen.

How to keep it cheap on a touring caravan holiday in Europe

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by Holly Tribe

Caravanning in Europe may seem like a daunting and expensive prospect to the uninitiated. But as anyone who has taken the leap across the Channel will tell you, if you do your homework and prepare well, guaranteed sunshine and the open road is just a short ride away.

Although the British pound has suffered a bit of a hammering in recent months, and a European touring holiday may seem uneconomical given the current exchange rate, there are still budget-friendly choices for the discerning traveller. Caravanners wishing to organise their finances before they leave British shores have a number of options to keep their spending in check.

ACSI Camping Card
ACSI members are entitled to bargain camping during the low season. There’s a total of 2,109 sites across 19 countries and card holders can receive discounted rates in the early or late seasons with pitches costing EUR 11,13 or 15/ night. The ACSI card costs £11.99 for one year and covers two people and their caravan/motorhome, 6 amp electric hook up, use of showers and a pet. The discount scheme generally excludes the last two weeks in July and all of August, so do check dates before you head off.

Camping Cheques
This scheme offers flat rate vouchers for use at European caravan sites. Caravan Cheques sell vouchers at a pre-determined price for use in up to 600 parks across 29 European countries. Cheques cost £13.95 each and cover the price of an overnight stay for two with electric hook-up.

Pet Passports
Just because you’re leaving the UK for you holidays, doesn’t mean you have to pay extortionate kennel fees to leave your pets at home. Since April 2000 dogs and cats have been allowed to travel to mainland Europe without quarantine restrictions. Owners need to get their pets’ micro chipped and obtain a pet passport. Dog owners are required to get their animals treated for tapeworms and ticks 24 – 48 hours before they return to the UK. For more information on pet passports visit the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.

European motoring kit

Keep safe on the road, and avoid unnecessary fines from the local gendarme. Halfords sell a car kit for around £30 which contains compulsory items for motoring in most European countries. The requirements differ from country to country, so it’s always best to check exactly what you need to carry in the car before you set off, but here’s a quick checklist to get you started:

  • GB stickers
  • Headlamp beam adaptors to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers
  • High Visibility Vest
  • Spare headlamp bulbs
  • First Aid Kit in a strong dirt proof box
  • Warning Triangle
  • Glasses – if you wear glasses or contact lenses it is a legal requirement in some countries to carry a spare pair

Check the road rule for each country you intend to visit before you set out to avoid getting caught out on any legal anomalies specific to individual countries.

Big Pitch leads to weekend boost for caravan sites

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners and campers were out in their droves last weekend (June 4th) to celebrate the Big Pitch, the climax of the National Camping and Caravanning Week 2011.

The Camping and Caravanning Club reports that its Forest Holidays sites saw a 25 per cent increase in bookings, while the number of campers on site rose by 44 per cent.

Robert Louden, director general of the club, said: “There was a real buzz on site during the Big Pitch weekend with the weather certainly helping. There seems to be a real enthusiasm for wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.”

The week-long promotion comes after the Camping and Caravanning Club carried out a survey earlier this year, which proved that outdoor holidays do actually make you happier and more relaxed.

Caravan owners can also enjoy Forest Ranger activities, including nature walks and woodland excursions, when staying at any of Forest Holidays’ 20 sites across the UK.

Foodie treats for caravan owners at Exmoor festival

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by Chris Jefferies

Touring caravan owners have been advised to check out the Exmoor Food Festival this year, as it offers a combination of cooking courses, wine tasting and foraging tips.

The annual event, which runs from October 1st to 9th, looks set to tempt caravan owners on an autumn tour of the South West, as Streamcombe Cookery School is offering its top tips for aspiring chefs.

Rachel Kelly, organiser of the Exmoor Food Festival, said: “This year there are some fabulous cookery courses taking place in the heart of Exmoor.”

She added that the two-hour cookery demonstrations will include interesting ways to prepare “furred and feathered game”.

Furthermore, those with a sweet tooth can learn how to incorporate chocolate into savoury dishes at an informal supper hosted by Nutcombe Chocolates.

Popular caravan sites in the Exmoor area include Brook Lea and Damage Barton, both of which are accredited Caravan Club sites.

Outdoor enthusiasts warned of wasp invasion

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners and other outdoor types face a much higher risk of being stung by a wasp this year, due to the warmer than usual spring, the AA has said.

Over half a million Brits have already been stung by a wasp this year, the AA reports, while roughly 14 per cent of adults say they have noticed more wasps around than is usual for this time of year.

The pests are notorious for plaguing picnics, and the AA survey also found that they are the number one bug bear for garden owners in the UK, with 47 per cent saying that this is the main thing that ruins their enjoyment of the outdoors.

Other key gripes for outdoor types include ants (as cited by 20 per cent), traffic noise (14 per cent), spiders (12 per cent) and airplane noise (six per cent).

Caravan owners may also want to check their motorhomes for wasp infestations, as the survey found that 12 per cent of Brits have found the insects nesting in their garage.

Used Caravan of the Week: 1989 Avondale Firefly

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by Holly Tribe

With its somewhat gaudy colour scheme, there’s no getting away from the fact this 1989 4/5 berth Avondale Firefly is a patent throwback to the 1980’s.

However, of its time, this would have been a very well kitted out caravan. With a 3-way fridge, microwave, gas hob, combination oven/ grill and TV aerial, there’s plenty here that you would find in a modern, mid-range tourer, and at a fraction of the price – making it this week’s Used Caravan of the Week.

Click here to see more photos of the Avondale Firefly

The Avondale brand went into administration in 2008, and the outgoing 2009 season caravans were the last new models to hit the forecourts. But the Avondale name has remained a popular choice on the used and second hand market, with legacy models holding their value well. Customers can still pick up moulds, handbooks and spare parts from stockists Magnum Motorhomes.

History

The current owner has been in possession of this caravan for the last ten years, and is selling it in order to upgrade to a fixed bed model. The vehicle is listed as “dry, fresh and clean,” although one area of damp has been identified in the rear corner of the van, which the seller is confident can be “remedied by a bit of sealant and DIY know how”.

The running gear was serviced last year and a new 12v battery and new tyres were fitted. All the pumps and heaters are listed in good working order.

Kit & Caboodle

Fresh & waste water containers, unused porta-potti, gas bottle and a full sized Harrison awning are all included in the selling price, although the awning described as showing signs of wear and tear and is missing anchor pegs.

The seller will also consider selling a tow hitch padlock, Bulldog stabiliser bar and EHU cable for a nominal fee to the successful bidder. The original paperwork and instruction manuals are included in the sale.

  • Price: £460 (bidding not yet ended)
  • MTPLM: not listed
  • Length: 19 feet approx.
  • Berth: 4/5
  • Axle: Single

Click here to view more details of the Avondale FIrefly


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Luxury £650,000 caravan park opens in Cheshire

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners taking a touring holiday in the North West will have a new reason to stop off in Cheshire, as the county has just marked the official opening of a new luxury caravan park.

Lady Heyes Park at Kingsley near Frodsham was officially opened last weekend (June 3rd) by local MP Graham Evans, who praised owner Tony Faulkner’s work to complete this 15-year project.

The modern facilities on offer at the 85-caravan site include a laundry and shower block with under-floor heating, Click Liverpool reports.

“The site commands wonderful views of the Cheshire countryside bordering the River Weaver and offers guests easy access to Delamere Forest, Chester and the Wirral,” Mr Faulkner said at the opening.

Visitors can also enjoy a trip to the nearby Lady Heyes Craft and Antique Centre.

To draw in caravan owners, Lady Heyes Park is offering half-price pitches for the rest of 2011.