Boat festival organisers set sights on Portsoy caravan park lease

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by Chris Jefferies

As part of the ongoing sell-off of caravan parks in Aberdeenshire, the organisers of a major local boat festival are aiming to take over the lease of Portsoy.

The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival group has said that its members are in talks with Aberdeenshire Council, with a view to obtaining the lease, the Aberdeen Press & Journal reports.

Portsoy is just one of 11 sites in the region that the council is looking to sell off by the end of the summer in order to save money.

Roger Goodyear, chairman of the boat festival, said that meetings with council representatives have already begun.

“These meetings have been productive and we are now developing a business plan. We have looked at the figures for the site, done some calculations and we are confident this site can more than wash its face,” he said.

Other caravan sites in Aberdeenshire include include Huntly Castle, Silverbank and Invercauld, all of which are certified Caravan Club destinations.

Local charities given boost by caravan site company Park Resorts

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by Chris Jefferies

Park Resorts, the UK’s second-largest holiday company, has launched a programme to support fundraising efforts at local Hemel Hempstead charities. As part of the scheme, local charities and good causes can apply for a free holiday at any one of the company’s 39 parks across the UK.

These holidays can then be used as prizes, auctioned off to help the charity boost its funds, or used as a reward for volunteers. The programme is open to any charity or volunteers’ group within 30 miles of Hemel Hempstead and one winner will be drawn every month.

Beverley Murphy, head of human resources at Park Resorts, said that charity volunteering was already something that many of the company’s employees did to give back to the local area.

“We have set aside a fund of holidays which we hope will both bring really good breaks for families and raise well-deserved funds for local causes,” she added.

Park Resorts offers a wide range of coastal destinations in the UK, ideal for caravan holidays and self-catering breaks.

Used Caravan of the Week: Freedom Jetstream

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by Holly Tribe

In times of financial constraint, tightening the belt without sacrificing the things that make you happy can prove challenging. The vast majority of modern ‘vans now come fully loaded with all the mod cons and weights and prices have been slowly creeping up. This week, we’ve been keeping an eye out for a lightweight touring caravan that can deliver the same sense of ‘Freedom’ afforded by premium tourers, but at a rock bottom price.

So, for this week’s Used Caravan of the Week, we present to you the Jetstream micro tourer from Freedom Caravans.

Click here to see an image gallery of the Freedom Jetstream

With a miniscule laden mass of 750kg this is a great starter caravan for two and an ideal match for smaller fuel efficient towcars. Inside, fittings are basic but the stripped out interior helps to keep the van’s weight to a minimum and makes it far less fuel hungry than many modern rigs.

This is an older model and the entrance door is located on the European side; but Freedom gives these vans an average 25 year life expectancy, thanks in part to the durable GRP bodyshell.

There’s a cavernous front gas locker and a decent sized kitchen for the size of the ‘van. The U-shaped seating area pulls out into two single beds but the seller recommends lengthening the table with some plywood to convert the two single beds into a comfortable double.

History

There is no mention of paperwork in the listing, but the sellers have noted that the previous owners replaced the curtains and cushions and laid new wood-effect flooring. They also recommend getting the mains electrics and gas checked out by a professional before taking the caravan out for the first time.

Kit & Caboodle

A 12v transformer powers a recently replaced 12v battery, and there’s a 12v solar ‘trickle’ charger included to keep the battery topped up during the winter months. Nearly-new commercial tyres, including spare, along with a gas bottle (empty) and electric hook-up cables are all included in the price, as is a full caravan awning listed ‘in very good condition’.

The kitchen area comes with an electric Whale pump with a ten litre reservoir, twin gas hobs and a 12v electric fridge. In the washroom, there’s a Thetford 165 portable cartridge toilet and lighting runs on 12v electric throughout.

  • Current Bid: £621
  • Laden Mass: 750kg
  • Width: approx 1.03m
  • Length: 3.10m
  • Berth: 2
  • Axle: Single

Get it while it’s hot on ebay


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Camping & Caravanning Club site bookings on the up for 2011

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by Chris Jefferies

With the new caravan site season underway, outdoor enthusiasts can expect more company at their favourite spots this year, with the ‘Holidaying at home’ trend expected to rise. The Camping and Caravanning Club has announced that its advanced bookings are up 12 per cent compared with this time last year.

Furthermore, the Club’s 109 sites are all open for business as the spring camping season gets fully underway.

Robert Louden, director general at the Club, said: “Holidaying in Britain is more attractive than ever, allowing families to drop their stressful day-to-day routine and spend some quality time together.”

This news comes after tourism minister John Penrose announced a new government target to increase the popularity of domestic breaks.

Currently holidays within the UK account for 20 per cent of all breaks of four nights or more, but the government wants to increase this figure to 29 per cent.

New caravan & motorhome superstore opens in Bristol area

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by Holly Tribe

A new caravan and motorhome dealership on the outskirts of Bristol will formally open its doors to the public this weekend. The Lord Mayor of Bristol will officially launch the Family Travel Centre in Brislington on Saturday 9th April as part of a weekend-long programme of events and promotions.

Introductory offers include £2,000 off new Adria motorhomes and the chance to win a weekend away ‘with a difference’. There’s also an on-site kid’s area to keep the children entertained while parents take a look around the extensive range of leisure vehicles.

The two acre site will stock a large range of new and used caravans, motorhomes, campers and American RV’s alongside an outdoor leisure and accessory shop and service centre.

The Family Travel Centre is founded by three local fathers keen to provide a family friendly service in the local area. Matt Hunt, director of FTC, commented: “We are set up to really help people get the most out of their motorhome or caravan experience.

“We have a unique understanding of what the motorhome enthusiast needs because we have each all owned one for years. We’ve loved sharing the flexibility, freedom and adventure with our families and friends, which is why we started Family Travel Centre.”

Caravanners face competition with Britain set for another staycation summer

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan holidaymakers visiting sites in the UK this summer could find their pitches a little more crowded than usual, as a recent survey shows that the staycation is making a comeback. Research from Haven Holiday found that almost half of the UK population (48 per cent) are seriously considering a holiday within the country this year.

Furthermore, the staycation class of 2010 are likely to take a similar holiday this year, as 79 per cent of those who took their main holiday in the UK last year are planning to do so again in 2011.

British tourist attractions appear to be increasingly tempting, with 41 per cent saying that the staycation has increased in appeal over the past year.

Reasons cited include better accommodation, restaurants and service, as well as the obvious financial savings from not flying abroad or taking a ferry.

Tim Gibson, director of Haven Holidays, said that seaside trips are likely to be particularly popular this year.

“People have been enjoying holidays by the coast since the 18th century and all indications are that this will continue,” he said.

Telegraph offers caravan insurance tips

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by Chris Jefferies

Insuring your caravan can be a daunting process, with so many decisions to be made. For this reason, a national newspaper has issued its top tips for making the right choice.

The Daily Telegraph today published new advice on its website, telegraph.co.uk, which includes tips on how to weigh up the risk versus the cost.

Caravan insurance offers a lot more flexibility than other types of insurance. For example, caravan awnings are not automatically covered and so can cost extra.

Meanwhile, it’s important to consider where you will be using your caravan (in the UK or abroad), and whether you will want to lend it to a third-party driver.

The Telegraph’s top tips on reducing your premium include installing a locking gatepost at your home or joining a recognised caravan club.

Caravan insurance can be found through a variety of brokers, including CETA, which offers a range of policy options in conjunction with the Telegraph.

COMPETITION: Vote for your favourite ‘Dogs & Caravans’ photos

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Caravanning provides the opportunity for the whole family to get away together without having to pack your faithful canine friends off to the kennels. As one Caravan Times member, Jeff Allen, said: “One of the reasons we took up caravanning was so we could take our dog!”

Click here to vote for your favourite photos

In celebration of all your four legged friends, we’re launching a brand new competition to showcase your favourite ‘Dogs and Caravans’ photographs. The competition will run for the duration of National Pet Month (2 April – 2 May 2011) which aims to promote responsible pet ownership and raise awareness of the mutual benefits of living with pets.

Add your photos

We’ve chosen a few snaps to get you started below, but if you have a photo of your pet that you would like us to include in the running simply upload it into the photo section here and we’ll add it to the collection.

1st Prize: The photo with the most votes at the end of the month will feature on the front page of Caravan Times accompanied by a full length write up from our features editor, we’ll also throw in a Carpet, more of which below.

Runners up: The nine runners up will each win a CarPet – a nifty gadget for getting rid of pet fur from the upholstery and carpets of your caravan.

How to vote

1. Click on your favourite photo below to be taken through to the voting page.

2. Click on the button underneath the image to register your vote.

Caravan Club ‘in talks’ over Stonehaven takeover

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by Chris Jefferies

Stonehaven caravan site in Aberdeenshire could be taken over by the Caravan Club, after a local paper revealed that talks were underway. The Mearns Leader reports that the national caravan organisation has been approached by a local tourist group, which suggested the takeover.

Aberdeenshire Council has recently approved selling off many of its caravan sites in the Scottish region as a result of cuts to its funding.

Frank Budd, chairman of the Stonehaven Tourism Group, said that his members fully support the proposed move.

“The Caravan Club is a professional organisation, they run sites all over the country which are considered to be the creme de la creme and are very well equipped,” he said.

Mr Budd pointed to the success of a nearby site at Forfar, which has received a £200,000 makeover, as evidence of the good work that the club can do for a caravan centre.

Other certified Caravan Club sites in Aberdeenshire include Huntly Castle, Silverbank and Invercauld.

Graffiti vandals ruin couple’s caravan holiday plans

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by Chris Jefferies

A caravan-owning couple have spoken of their shock at discovering that their “second home” had been vandalised with graffiti and had its windows broken.

Pensioners Doug and Beryl Musgrove from South Harrow told the Harrow Observer that they probably wouldn’t be able to afford the repairs in time for their normal holiday this year.

Mr Musgrove, 67, told the local newspaper: “We are absolutely devastated and clearly people don’t appreciate the consequences of actions like these. Judging by the graffiti we think it was done by bored school kids.”

He added that the couple had even put a sign in the caravan pointing out that it is their “second home”, but this did not deter the vandals, who smashed windows, pulled blinds down and daubed rude words all over the mobile home.

After the raid, the Musgroves found several items missing, including a Jenga game and three sleeping bags. Police are now investigating the incident.

Caravan Club teams up with Sally Gunnell to run temporary London campsite during 2012 Olympic Games

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Update: Sally Gunnell has since withdrawn her plans for an Olympic caravan site. For more information, click here

by Holly Tribe

The Caravan Club has teamed up with former Olympic champion Sally Gunnell to run a temporary campsite near the Olympic village next summer.

The site will be called ‘The Caravan Club Chigwell Temporary Site’ and is located near Chigwell tube station on the Central Line. Visitors will be able be able to travel to the main Olympic locations at Stratford in less than 15 minutes.

With space for around 1,300 outfits throughout the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games the campground will be open from 25 July to 11 September. It is located in the grounds of Sally Gunnell’s childhood home, Old Farm, where she trained to become a champion hurdler jumping over hay bales.

Sally Gunnell OBE said: “I’m delighted The Caravan Club is operating a temporary site for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on the site of my childhood home and training ground! Old Farm holds many happy memories for me and I am so glad I can share this with my fellow caravanners.”

Website bookings will be available on The Caravan Club website from the 5th May 2011. The site fees will be charged by pitch at £30 with electric hook up and £25 with no extra charge for extra people.

For more information on booking Caravan Club sites click here.

VIDEO: Inos caravan from 5th Wheel Co. revealed

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by Marcus Dubois

The new Inos is the first ‘traditional’ touring caravan to be added to the Fifth Wheel Company’s portfolio of leisure vehicles. It also lays claim to being the first British built caravan with a slide-out section.

This new model was launched at Boat & Caravan 2011, and is now one of the most luxurious fixed two berth caravans on the market. It comes with a long list of quality fixtures and fittings; underfloor heating, separate WC and shower facilities along with the extra three square metres of floorspace afforded by the slide-out section.

In our exclusive video interview, operations director Adrian Parry-Jones talk us through the some of the innovative design elements of Inos, and the firm’s senior designer, Gethin Whiteley, explains the technology behind the slide-out design.