Caravan Club introduces rally listings on website

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by Gemma Roskell

Keen caravanners can find out about rallies happening across the UK thanks to a new section on the Caravan Club’s website.

The What’s On area features details of more than 2,600 events organised by Caravan Club Centres over the coming year.

Both members and non-members can view the information online, allowing caravanners to plan for weekend breaks and longer holidays.

“The rally location can be viewed on an interactive map so nearby club sites and certificated locations are shown, making it easy to extend your trip,” explained the Caravan Club’s ecommerce executive, Mark Solomon.

“We’re very excited by the possibilities the centre events and rallies section of the website will open up for our members.”

Caravan Club Centres are groups of members who organised regular rallies in their area, many of which coincide with local or national events, such as food festivals, music gigs or sporting events.

Plage de Meneham in France voted best beach for caravanners

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by Gemma Roskell

Taking your caravan to France? On the lookout for some stunning stretches of coastline to pitch up your mobile home?

Then head to the Plage de Meneham in Brittany, which has been voted the best beach for motor homes and campervans by experts in the Guardian.

In the newspaper’s list of the best coastal stretches in France, Meli George, editor of All the Aires France, said the single-track road north of Kerlouan between the hamlets of Meneham and Neis Vran is home to some fine white sand beaches.

“Every turn offers a vista of another stunning cove with rocky outcrops and deserted sandy shores,” the writer claimed, pointing out that motor homes and campervans are welcome to park overnight for free all year round.

Some of the other beaches listed in the Guardian’s countdown include Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera, which was voted best beach for children, and the Cote Sauvage in Poitou-Charentes, which was named best wild beach.

Matthew McConaughey ‘proud’ of his caravan renovation

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by Gemma Roskell

Actor Matthew McConaughey has spoken of his love for caravans and the pride he feels having renovated one of his beloved mobile homes.

According to Musicrooms.net, the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days star told the Kyle and Jackie O radio show in Australia that he owns three caravans in total.

Two of these are kept in the grounds of his family home and he takes the third on location whenever he’s filming a new movie.

The 41-year-old claimed he “broke a little bit of a sweat” improving the latter, which he now affectionately calls the Smithsonian.

“I worked on the interior for three years,” he revealed. “I did most of the design.”

Matthew believes the dining area is the part that really stands out, as it allows him to host dinner parties for friends and family.

“I put a 7ft by 4ft window that opens up over the galley to the outside and outside I put a bar that raises up,” he explained.

The star’s other film roles have included A Time to Kill, The Wedding Planner, Fool’s Gold and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.

Bailey Caravans confirm production of first motorhome range

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by Holly Tribe

Following the launch of their new entry level Orion range last month, Bailey Caravans aren’t letting the grass grow under their feet.

As one of the UK’s leading caravan manufacturers, there has been widespread industry speculation that it was only a matter of time before the Bristol based firm made a move into the motorhome market.

And that time has now arrived. Bailey has just confirmed to us they have a range of motorhomes currently in development, with two models already off the production line undergoing tests at an undisclosed location.

Bailey’s marketing director, Simon Howard, expects the range to be ready in time for the Birmingham NEC show in October, and has indicated there will be a variety of layouts suitable for both couples and families.

Details of the design and platform have not yet been made available, but we have established the base chassis will be provided by a market leader and the bodyshell will be constructed using Bailey’s patented Alu-Tech construction system.

Why now?

The Alu-Tech bodyshell construction method was introduced in 2009 and has since been rolled out across Bailey’s entire range of touring caravans to widespread market approval.

Simon explained that up until now Bailey hasn’t been able to develop a range of motorhomes that was capable of offering customers a unique selling point – however Alu-Tech has changed that.

Alu-Tech

The Alu-Tech system makes use of an interlocking aluminium shell which does away with external fixing points. It creates an incredibly strong bonded shell which reduces the number of access points for leaks thus dramatically reducing the threat of water ingress.

It shares many similarities with the monocoque production design used in the automotive industry, lending itself well to motorhome design.

Bailey has been offering an industry leading 10 year integrity guarantee across the four touring ranges which carry the technology and this is expected to be offered with the new motorhomes.

Layouts and spec details are still a closely guarded secret – but we’ll be the first to bring news as soon as it becomes available.

As one Caravan Times reader, Ann Foote from Reading, recently commented: “Bailey Motorhome. Happy times!”

Britain’s newest beach at Allhallows Haven Holidays proving popular with caravanners

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners have been enjoying the newest sandy beach in the UK since it was opened at a Haven Holidays resort last week.

The attraction is located on the Thames estuary at Allhallows Leisure Park near Rochester and is the closest stretch of sand to central London.

Once a popular destination for day trippers and holidaymakers, the beach became overgrown with weeds and shingle covered much of the sand.

But Haven Holidays has been working hard to restore it to its former glory, bringing in diggers to clear 60 tonnes of rubble and clear up the area.

The beach opened to the public on March 18th when Allhallows Leisure Park’s summer season began.

“It’s a wonderful stretch of beach,” said Richard Bradford, general manager at the site. “Already it’s been very popular with families going there to make sandcastles and enjoy the spring sunshine.

“It’s another amenity for people to enjoy and it’s great to see it being used again.”

REVIEW: 2011 Swift Charisma 565, pictures, prices and layout

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by Holly Tribe

Last year the Swift Charisma 565 underwent a makeover and re-joined Swift’s entry level range as a better configured, more practical member of the Charisma family.

The original rear kid’s room which features a fixed triple/ side bunk configuration has been re-jigged to house two fixed, and two convertible bunks providing much better headroom for growing teens. The other major development is a new separate shower cubicle in the washroom which endows the 565 with a really decent family bathroom.

Swift has designed this six berth family van on a single axle chassis, so while it may not come equipped with all the kit included in higher end ranges, the compromise in spec should be a good one for customers looking for a good value, lighter weight, family van.

Space & Practicality

The kitchen and washroom are set over the axle with the front dinette and rear ‘kids room’ leading off on either side. Up front the full length settees can be used either as single beds, or be pulled out into a full double.

There’s a cupboard located between the rear settee and the fixed bunks with a TV connection and two power sockets – making it well positioned for a TV or video console for the kids.

Under counter storage in the kitchen is limited to a cutlery drawer and a small slide-out cupboard, but there is plenty of overhead storage as well as a large compartment underneath the bottom rear bunk for larger items.

Equipment & Comfort

The kitchen is well equipped with a 107 litre fridge, dual fuel hob and electric hotplate, combination oven grill and there’s an inbuilt microwave located above the sink.

The washroom has come on in leaps and bounds from the previous model – with a separate shower cubicle next to the wash basin and toilet which should make a big difference for larger families. There’s a large skylight in the front dinette and a smaller one towards the rear, while two TV aerial outlets mean the kids can have their own TV in the back.

Furnishings

Extra durable cream vinyl floor coverings are tough and scratch resistant, overlaid with removable beige carpets. Two large front corner lights provide good illumination when the sun goes down, a fluorescent strip light in the kitchen helps light the prep area when preparing food on dull days.

Safety & Security

As with the entire Charisma range, the 565 is built on top of a single axle AL-KO chassis, AKS 3004 stabiliser and shock absorbers for smoother towing. In 2011, new higher rated Hankook tyres were added to the kit list and there’s also a high security entrance lock, smoke alarm and a hidden security chip concealed within the caravan. An Al-Ko Secure wheel lock is available as a cost option.

  • Berth: 6
  • Axle: Single
  • MTPLM: 1,576kg
  • Length: 5.83m
  • Headroom: 1.95m

Scottish caravan owners ‘devastated’ by fire

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by Gemma Roskell

The owners of a caravan have been left devastated after their beloved vehicle was destroyed in a blaze on the road outside their home in the Scottish town of Elgin.

According to the Press and Journal newspaper, Gary and Kelly McPherson woke in the early hours of Monday March 23rd to find the vehicle alight.

An elderly neighbour’s home was damaged in the fire, along with three cars.

Police are treating the incident as suspicious and have launched an investigation to track down those responsible.

Mr McPherson, who has two young children with his wife Kelly, said the caravan was used regularly for summer holidays.

“We go all over Scotland in the caravan,” he remarked. “We were planning ahead for the Easter holiday. The kids are devastated.”

Another caravan on a nearby street had its windows broken on the same night, although police have not confirmed whether the two incidents are linked.

Caravan park praised by David Bellamy for eco-friendly projects

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by Gemma Roskell

A caravan park in Berkshire has been praised by a leading environmental campaigner for its eco-friendly projects.

Hurley Riverside Park, on the south bank of the River Thames, won the 2011 David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award and also received special distinction for its efforts in protecting the environment.

Professor Bellamy described the site as a “wildlife wonderland” and applauded its seeding of wild flowers, which have attracted numerous butterfly species.

He also commended the park’s owners on their upkeep of the banks and moorings on the River Thames.

Other projects to catch the famous botanist’s eye were the timber recycling scheme at the site and the opening of a new nature trail, which encourages guests to learn more about the local wildlife.

Hurley Riverside Park is located between Henley-on-Thames and Marlow and boasts a tree-lined touring park covering 15 acres of grassland.

Facilities include shower blocks, a laundrette, washing up sinks, water points and WiFi internet access.

Caravans come to the rescue for cyclone victims in Australia

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by Gemma Roskell

Around 30 refurbished caravans could be donated to families left homeless by Cyclone Yasi as part of a charity project.

According to ABC Local, a community group in Queensland is hoping to renovate the unwanted mobile homes to give to victims of the natural disaster.

Graham Riley, a spokesman for the Childers Lions Club, said most of the caravans need “a fair bit of work” to bring them up to a liveable standard.

But he and his colleagues are determined to carry out the work and are now seeking more caravans to help those affected by the cyclone.

He urged mobile home owners about to trade in their vehicles to consider donating them to the project.

“We’ve actually got a six-berth heading off on Thursday,” he said.

“My wife and I are taking it up to Tully and hope to get there Friday afternoon to put it in the hands of a family with four little children who have got nowhere to live.”

Cyclone Yasi was a category five storm which hit the state of Queensland in north-eastern Australia early in February.

Caravan Club National Rally 2011 to be held at Sledmere House

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by Holly Tribe

The Caravan Club has announced its 84th National Rally will take place in the stunning grounds of Sledmere House in East Yorkshire.

The event is the Club’s largest annual event, held by its member for its members, and will run over the Spring Bank holiday from 27 – 31 May.

The event’s organisation team is headed by the Events sub-Committee who are charged with putting together a dynamic programme of activities and making sure the weekend runs without a ‘hitch’.

Previous rallies have attracted 3,000 outfits and up to 10,000 caravanners who enjoy a weekend packed full of competitions and sporting events designed to appeal to all ages.

Sledmere House is a spectacular 18th Century stately home set in extensive grounds which include landscaped gardens and a deer park.

Ralliers are encouraged to make the most the location and visit some of the surrounding attractions such as York Minster and the quintessentially English seaside resort of Scarborough.

For more information on how to book a place at The Caravan Club’s National Rally 2011 click here.

Used Caravan of the week: Knaus Sport & Fun

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by Holly Tribe

When Bailey Caravans recently launched the Orion, a new series of caravans designed to get the most from the outdoors, it got us thinking. Which other caravans have been built specifically for caravanners who might need to stash a lot bulky sporting equipment? After a quick rummage around the classifieds, we came across this rare and remarkable Knaus Sport & Fun.

These well built German vans are seldom seen on the second hand market, and their scarcity has led to great value retention. The Sport & Fun offers a unique layout and distinctive profile that will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts who like to turn heads on site.

Click here to see an image gallery of the Sport & Play

As the name suggests, the van was designed for fans of sports and outdoor living. Cavernous storage underneath the front end fixed double bed can be accessed via an external hatch. The seats of the dinette which create the third berth can be removed to create even more space inside and an extra wide doorway provides better access for bulkier items.

There’s a unique reinforced roof with bars attached which can act as a roof rack, perfect for transporting surf boards or skis. It’s a lighter weight caravan and good to tow, but comes with the minimum of kit. There’s a dedicated washroom which houses a Thetford cassette toilet, shower and wash basin, and a basic kitchen carries a two burner hob. But the owners of this particular ‘van are throwing in a camp kitchen for free.

History:
According to the listing, the current owner bought this model in 1992 and it carries all the original paperwork supplied by Knaus; the current seller is the 4th listed owner. It is being listed ‘in good condition for its age’, with some wear and tear to the interior including wear marks and a light cover coming adrift above the sink.

Kit & caboodle:

A gas fired Truma unit provides heating and a new water heater was fitted last year. The sellers are also throwing in a range of extras including poertable water tank, porch awning and larger awning, outdoor table and seating unit and a camp kitchen. Hitch and wheel locks are also included.

  • Price: £5,995
  • Gross vehicle weight: 765kg
  • Width: 2.17m
  • Length: 5.78m
  • Berth: 3
  • Axle: Single

Get it while it’s hot on ebay


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Why Katie Price wants a pink caravan

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by Marcus Dubois

We can safely say it’s not often that the likes of former glamour model Jordan graces the pages of Caravan Times. The businesswoman born Katie Price now considers herself to be another person entirely since the early days of photoshoots and life-changing surgery. Famous for outlandish purchases such as her pink VW Beetle, in a recent interview with The Sun’s Buzz magazine she revealed she would love her next purchase to be…a pink caravan.

Her inspiration came from the recent Channel 4 phenomenon “Big Fat Gypsy Weddings”, in which members of the traveller community are shown enjoying lavish weddings with fairytale appointments. Many of the brides filmed on the programme wore enormous pink dresses similar to Katie on her big day, while one couple even used the same Cinderella carriage she used in her wedding to Peter Andre.

Katie revealed to BBC Radio 5 Live that she found it “flattering” that the travelling community were adopting elements of her famous pink wedding with Andre. Yet she also appeared galvanised by seeing the programme and it’s participants.

A pink caravan for the collection

She revealed to the Sun that she knows exactly what the community could get her as a present. “They can get me a pink caravan if they like – to add to my pink collection. I’ve already got two pink horseboxes, and there’s another one coming this May with Swarovski crystals inside”.

Today the reality TV star revealed she would “marry 40 times if I have to” in order to find the right man. She said “I don’t care if I get married 9 times, 10 times or even 20 times until I find the right one”.

Katie Price’s first marriage to Australian singer Peter Andre ended after three and a half years. And she separated from second husband Alex Reid after only eleven months of marriage.

If Katie is serious in her intention to add a pink caravan to her roseate collection of vehicles, then Caravan Times recommends the custom colour program from Stealth Caravans where she can choose her perfect shade of pink.