Speeding pensioner clocked doing 170km/h in dash to caravan showroom

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by Holly Tribe

Do you love caravanning enough to risk a high speed accident with oncoming traffic whilst being chased by the police?

No? Well, a 70-year-old was caught doing just that last October in his home country of Sweden when he was clocked doing speeds approaching 170km/h – more than double the local speed limit.

His excuse? To get to a caravan showroom before it closed for the day.

In his haste to get to the shop, the 70-year-old sped past a minibus full of police officers who were unsuccessfully trying to overtake him and set up a road block.

According to The Local, an English speaking Swedish news provider, ‘the man was seen overtaking cars into oncoming traffic and around blind corners’ before eventually being stopped by a second police unit.

The man was arrested for aggravated reckless driving and driving without a licence when it was discovered he had previously had his license revoked on the grounds of poor health.

In his defence during the trial at BorÃ¥s district court, the man explained he was ‘desperate to get to the caravan showroom in Fritsla before it closed for the day’.

Lunar Caravans expands retailer network in South Wales

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by Holly Tribe

Lunar Caravans is set to grow its dealer network when a new retail outlet opens in South Wales next month.

Stowford Caravan Centre will open its doors to the public with a new five acre site in April and will stock a wide range of Lunar caravans, along with caravan storage and workshop facilities.

The new centre, situated in Coedely, Llantrisant is the second to open under the Stowford banner. The firm already runs an established caravan business in North Devon, and hopes to continue its success with the new South Wales site.

Andrew Noall of Stowford commented: “Strategically, this is such a great location, and it is a move we’ve been planning for over a year now. There are already plans in place for top-quality caravan storage and full workshops, and we are contributing with a full caravan retail set-up.”

Lunar has just launched two new family friendly models to their portfolio of touring caravans and is looking forward to showcasing their collection at the new centre.

Martin Henderson, Lunar sales and marketing director added: “Stowford Caravan Centre (South Wales) is a fantastic addition to our retailer network. Since 1978, Stowford Farm Meadows has been a family run business committed to delivering excellence and customer satisfaction.

“Their new retail outlet in South Wales will carry this trademark forwards. We are therefore really excited about the expertise and care that Stowford Caravan Centre (South Wales) will be offering to Lunar customers.”

Enjoy a ‘wee dram’ on a caravan break in Scotland

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners planning breaks in Scotland this spring may be planning to enjoy a wee dram during their time away.

With several whisky festivals and tours being planned in the coming months, there will be plenty of ways to get into the spirit of things.

In April, the Inverness Whisky Festival kicks off, with live music and plenty of tasting sessions with local distilleries.

This will be followed by the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and the Islay Festival of Music and Malt in May. And if that’s not enough, there are whisky tours available in many of Scotland’s cities.

For example, in Glasgow, there’s a new bus tour taking passengers around the city’s whisky bars for informal tastings.

And in Edinburgh, the Scotch Whisky Experience shows foodies how to pair whisky with certain dishes.

There are numerous camping and caravan sites across Scotland providing basic and luxury touring accommodation.

The Caravan Club has ten sites across the region, from the Balbirnie Park site in Glenrothes to the Bunree site in Fort William.

How Prince William and Kate Middleton could only afford a caravan if living on salaries

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by Marcus Dubois

With only weeks to go until the big date, the talk around the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton has recently turned to life after the wedding. And unlike many couples about to marry across the UK, Will and Kate have the enviable choice of the finest palaces and houses in the realm.

Yet a recent study by Santander Mortages makes mischief by theorising just how the royal couple would survive if they depended solely on their salaries, with no Royal allowances. The results indicate that in today’s tough housing market, a likely option would be a static caravan.

Less than regal

Although Prince William is more accustomed to the opulence of St James’s Palace, he would be forced to set his sights lower if circumstances were changed. His RAF salary of £37,170 is the couple’s only job-based income, as Miss Middleton ceased working for her parent’s party planning company earlier in 2011.

According to Santander this means the couple could only afford a mortgage of £142,246. And a quick scout around the country revealed a range of properties that were described as “less than regal” by the firm.

The Royal Caravan

If the Royal couple stayed in the Windsor area, then a rebuilt static caravan measuring just 50 square feet would be one of the only affordable choices. The caravan has now been turned into a two-bedroom bungalow but space would still be at a premium despite the asking price of £138,000.

Other alternatives include a three-bedroom semi in North Wales with mountain views, or a four-bedroom house in Leeds with access to the M1 for those weekend trips to Buckingham Palace.

However our interest was piqued by another of the survey’s options, namely a parking space in Knightsbridge, Westminster – only a short hop away from the Queen. With an asking price of £135,000 this is clearly a tongue-in-cheek choice. However it does leave plenty of room in the budget for a used touring caravan…

David Coulthard on his ‘lifelong enjoyment’ of caravanning

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by Gemma Roskell

Former F1 racing driver David Coulthard has spoken of his love for touring holidays, which began in childhood and has continued into fatherhood.

The 39-year-old spoke to the Herald newspaper following his appearance at last month’s Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show.

“A lot of people might be surprised a grand prix driver is a fan of caravanning,” he acknowledged. “But this is a lifelong enjoyment I’ve had.”

David said he spent many a family holiday in a caravan and later depended on tourers to travel around the UK during the early part of his racing career.

He also revealed that many of his fellow grand prix drivers, including Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg, have developed an affection for caravanning.

“I’m just in the market to buy another motor caravan for my DTM career, which will see me in only one race in the UK but a number of races throughout Germany,” he remarked.

“So I can take my two-year-old along to the races and he can have the childhood experience, being with the family, that I had.”
David opened the Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show in Glasgow on February 2nd 2010.

Caravan enthusiast makes final journey in Volkswagen Type 2 campervan

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by Gemma Roskell

When caravan enthusiast George Edwards was taken to his final resting place, his last journey was made not in a traditional hearse, but in a VW campervan.

The grandfather of ten, who died of heart failure at the age of 54, was described by his family as a “free spirit” who loved travelling.

According to the Derby Evening Telegraph, relatives said journeying to his grave in a black car was “the last thing he would have wanted”.

Instead, his coffin was placed in a converted campervan and driven to St Philip’s Church in Chaddesden, Derby with a parade of VW Beetles following behind.

“Dad was always a hippy at heart and had a commer van before we were born,” said daughter Jenny

“Once he settled down with children, he always had caravans. I remember always having one on the driveway.”

A church service for Mr Edwards was held at St Philip’s Church and he was buried at a nearby cemetery.

Caravan owners to join Lake District birthday celebrations

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners heading to the Lake District this year can take part in a number of events being organised to celebrate the National Park’s 60th birthday.

A new pocket guide has been published listing all the activities on offer in the region in 2011, from the Kendal Mountain Festival to the Great North Swim.

Almost 500 events from now until the end of the year are listed in the 68-page booklet, meaning families will find something to do whatever time they visit.

“This 60th birthday year is a very special time for all of us and we hope many visitors and locals will want to celebrate with us in August,” said National Park events organiser Andrea Hills.

“But anyone picking up the guide, or viewing online, will quickly see there’s so much more to do all through the seasons.”

As well as listing events and activities, the guide also contains maps showing key tourist sites and transport routes. It is available from tourist information centres across the region, as well as libraries, hotels and motorway services.

Caravan Club launches new Discover Touring publication

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by Gemma Roskell

Whether you’re an experienced caravanner or a complete beginner, you could find something to pique your interest in the Caravan Club’s new bookazine.

The first edition of Discover Touring was launched at the Boat and Caravan Show in Birmingham last month. Designed to help caravanners make the most of their leisure time, it includes all the latest news from the world of touring.

It also contains expert views, practical advice and top ideas on where to go and what to do, as well as reader competitions.

The bookazine is on sale for £4.99 and is available from WHSmith and online at the Caravan Club’s website.

Director of marketing Lawrence Bate described Discover Touring as a “fantastic resource” for lifelong caravanners and those new to the pursuit.

“At the club we are all about providing helpful and friendly advice and supporting the caravan industry by encouraging people to try touring,” he remarked.

“We anticipate this bookazine will be hugely popular among the one million caravanners the club represents.”

Caravan Club cyclists raise £42k for the British Heart Foundation

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by Gemma Roskell

A group of cyclists from the Caravan Club have been praised by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for their efforts in raising money for the charity.

Several club members teamed up with staff and industry representatives last year to take part in the 2010 London to Brighton Bike Ride.

So far they have raised £42,000, which according to the BHF is the highest sum donated in sponsorship for the event.

The Caravan Club team was made up of 140 keen cyclists, all of whom completed the 54-mile route from the capital to the south coast in June.

Chairman Grenville Chamberlain said: “We are delighted to have this recognition of the Caravan Club’s dedication to supporting the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride.

“We are looking forward to taking part again this summer and continuing our support for the vital work of the BHF.”

The 2011 event will be taking place on Sunday June 19th and general registration is now open.

REVIEW: Pictures, prices and layout of the Bailey Orion 430/4

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by Holly Tribe

The Orion 430/4 is the lighter of the two four berth layouts in Bailey’s new entry level Alu Tech range. But it still manages to accommodate a fixed double bed and rear end washroom.

The near-symmetrical curved front and rear ends give the model a striking retro-inspired profile, which is somewhat reminiscent of the Adria Action. This has the added benefit of reducing drag when towing and improving the fuel efficiency of the towcar.

Space & Practicality

Space is always going to be at a premium when working with compact dimensions, but Bailey Caravans has managed to kit the 430/4 out with all the facilities you would expect without making it feel overcrowded. The new curved rear is seen but not felt in the rear washroom: there’s plenty of legroom in front of the Thetford swivel toilet and there’s more than enough headroom underneath the showerhead for the average height ‘vanner.


It’s a tad awkward getting things in and out of the oven which is positioned quite close to the end of the bed, and there’s not a huge amount of prep space in the kitchen. However, the front dinette feels spacious and there’s a decent amount of overhead locker storage.

Equipment & Comfort
For an entry level van there’s a decent amount of kit included in the price. In the kitchen there’s a combination oven/grill and three burner hob, along with the added bonus of an 800w microwave – a rarity in entry level ranges. Heat is distributed via the clever underfloor slung Whale blown air system, and plenty of daylight floods in through Heki rooflights and the large picture window in the nose end.

Furnishings

The dinette benches are covered in a simple, understated beige upholstery scheme and the cabinetry is finished in a light Walnut veneer. Contrasting beige locker doors in the kitchen and the front end overhead locker help to enhance the clean and simple lines that run throughout the caravan.

Safety & Security
As with all Orion models, the 430/4 is fitted with an AL-KO chassis, secure receiver with optional wheel lock and the AKS 3004 stabiliser. Better weight distribution is achieved by relocating the gas bottle locker from the front end to above the axle next to the entrance door.

  • Price: £12,995
  • MTPLM: 1,247kg
  • MRO: 1,100kg
  • Axle: single
  • Berth: 4
  • Overall width: 2.19
  • Internal height: 1.96m

Could caravanning be a budget friendly option for the Olympics?

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by Gemma Roskell

With tickets for the London 2012 Olympics now on sale, sports fans will be eager to book accommodation in the capital so they can be part of the action.

But according to the Financial Times, London’s hoteliers are looking to cash in by hiking room prices to more than five times their normal rate.

The newspaper claims that members of UKinbound, the trade organisation for tour organisers, are shocked by some of the prices being quoted.

“Hotels appear to be gripped by a frenzy of greed,” said the group’s general secretary Mario Bodini.

Caravanning could therefore be a much more affordable option for those hoping to attend the games, or simply visit London to soak up some of the atmosphere.

The Camping and Caravanning Club announced in January that it is planning to offer two event campsites during July and August 2012.

Other caravan parks in the Greater London area are also expecting strong demand from those with touring homes.

Click here for caravan parks in London: six sites within the M25.

Caravan Club adds new site in Yorkshire

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravan Club members will soon have another site to visit, as the group has added a new park to its network for 2011.

The Bridlington Caravan Club Site in the East Riding of Yorkshire will open in August with 70 hard standing pitches.

It will be available for use by members and non-members and will be open all year round, which is great news for those who enjoy winter caravanning.

Bridlington is a small seaside resort north of Hull, offering sandy beaches, family entertainment and fascinating wildlife.

Holidaymakers can visit the RSPB nature reserve at Bempton Cliffs or take in the impressive white cliffs at Flamborough Head.

Catherine Ford, head of sites marketing at the Caravan Club, said: “Bridlington Caravan Club Site will provide a relaxing retreat for visitors to this wonderful part of Yorkshire.

The site will boast many environmentally friendly features which will help it to exceed the minimum carbon reduction standards required by law. Biodiversity will also be a major priority for the park.