Northern Irish caravanners face common problem

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Today we look at news of a common problem facing caravan owners in Northern Ireland.

According to a report from the BBC, many caravanners face expulsion from their favourite sites unless they invest in new models purchased from the park owners.

The sites claim that older models are “an eyesore” and are also susceptible to storm damage, making them a danger to caravans in the surrounding area.

However, caravan owners feel that they are being forced to pay top dollar for new models from the sites, rather than being able to purchase them cheaper elsewhere.

They also believe that they are being unfairly asked to renew their mobile home when their old one is still perfectly serviceable.

According to the National Caravan Council, site owners often rely on income from vehicle purchases as they are unable to turn a decent profit from the “low” pitch rental fees being charged to customers.

To combat the problem, Ulster Unionist MLA John McAllister has proposed new regulations that would make the rights of both parties clearer and require a written agreement set out at the start of any business relationship.

Caravan park threatens legal action over eviction

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A Scottish caravan park is threatening legal action if a family of six fails to move out of their mobile home by Friday.

Robert Williamson’s family of six faces having their utilities cut off by the end of the working week, the Press & Journal reported.

The retired prison officer claims he owns the caravan, but a fraud investigation is currently underway at the Silver Sands Holiday Complex in Lossiemouth over claims that mobile homes had been sold to multiple owners.

Hand-written receipts were given to a number of people who thought they had bought caravans at the site, only to find that their holiday homes had also been sold to others in a similar fashion.

“The directors are saying I cannot prove I own the caravan until a court case is over,” Mr Williamson told the newspaper.

“But they cannot prove that I do not own the caravan.”

The 61-year-old explained that he and his family will remain at the site until it is proven that they are not the owners.

Meanwhile, we report on how an agent representing a gypsy community in the area has called fears over a proposed static caravan site “irrational”.

Caravan site fears branded as irrational

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Objections to a proposed static caravan site for travellers in Wokingham have been branded “irrational” by the agent representing the potential developer.

Green Planning Solutions’ Matthew Green told the Wokingham Times that the plans to site eight caravans and communal facilities on the derelict land on Bearwood Road adhere to local regulations.

He suggested that locals voicing concerns about the presence of gypsies in the area are simply causing “irrational fear”.

“It would be foolish of the council to object to this development because of concerns it might cause problems with anything but the local landscaping,” he told the newspaper.

More than 200 local residents have expressed their opinions on the site in the past few weeks, but it will ultimately be Wokingham Borough Council’s decision whether applicant Felix Cash has his plans approved.

Meanwhile, the Press & Journal has revealed that a family of six are being threatened with legal action after refusing to move from the caravan they claim to own.

VIDEO: Interview with designer of Stealth Caravan (Part One)

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Ask anyone to describe what a modern caravan looks like, and you often hear the phrase “white box on wheels”. Design firm Dunster House took note of this when producing their first caravan offering last year, and the result was the rather radical looking Stealth caravan.

Sporting a gloss-black front which resembles he nosecone of a stealth fighter plane, the caravan looks like nothing else on the market today. We spoke to its creator Alex Murphy who revealed how the world of penthouses and yachts inspired him to create his first caravan.

Caravan park water pollution to be investigated

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A Scottish council is to investigate whether the groundwater at a Brechin caravan park is contaminated by waste that was dumped at the site before it was converted.

Angus Council will send inspectors to Eastmill Road, which was filled with waste from a battery manufacturer before the caravan site was founded, the Press & Journal reported.

The job is expected to cost in the region of £25,000 and a council spokesperson told the newspaper that the tests are part of routine inspections of areas where there is a possibility of the land having been contaminated.

“In this case, the land at Eastmill caravan park, Brechin, is currently a residential and touring caravan park but was in the past used as a waste repository by local industry,” she explained.

The spokesperson added that while there have been studies carried out at the site in the past, the aim of this research will be to establish the extent of contamination to the nearby River South Esk.

Locals have not raised any health concerns about the site and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is monitoring the situation as it develops.

Meanwhile, the Press & Journal also revealed that problems continue to occur at Lossiemouth’s Silver Sands Caravan Park, where a fraud investigation is underway

Success for Caravan Club at Boat and Caravan

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The Caravan Club has hailed last month’s Boat and Caravan Show as being a big success.

With the recent trend for staycations in the UK, Brits have become more inclined to stay in caravans and other mobile homes.

Some 83,264 people attended the show, which saw a number of the country’s top firms exhibit their wares.

Taking place in Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre from February 22nd to 27th, some firms at the event recorded a 20 per cent year-on-year rise in sales.

Event director Andy Gibb explained that the Caravan Club and mobile home manufacturers provide an integral level of support for the show.

He said that the importance such bodies place on the event reflects its standing in the UK caravan market.

Meanwhile, the Caravan Club recently reported that the Norwich Evening News has encouraged visitors to East Anglia to try a day of walking on the banks of the River Wensum.

Take a cycle on Devon’s Drake’s Trail

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Caravan enthusiasts heading to Devon and looking for adventure may be interested in cycling along Drake’s Trail – a popular bicycle route across the famous Dartmoor.

Guardian journalist Helen Ochyra recently completed the trail and explained how she was left astounded by the beautiful vistas that make the route a favourite among cyclists.

While Ms Ochyra did not stay in a caravan, those who do could easily follow her lead and rent a bike to complete the course.

Among the many attractions are the picturesque Burrator reservoir and Drake’s Leat – a waterway constructed by Sir Francis Drake in the 16th century to provide water for nearby Plymouth.

The writer was clearly impressed with her experience, suggesting that it is difficult to overemphasise the beauty of the area.

“It’s the kind of place passionate poems are written about – and one that my eyes just can’t get enough of,” she wrote.

Devon is also popular among surfers due to its extensive coastline.

Club set to benefit from recent travel chaos

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British holidaymakers face more uncertainty over summer holiday bookings after hundreds of flights across Europe were cancelled due to the appearance of another volcanic ash cloud. More chaos is set to engulf our own shores this week as experts warned of another plume of ash heading towards the UK. Yet there is one group of seasoned travellers for whom this news will have little effect: the caravanner.

Despite the indifferent British weather since the turn of the year, the Camping and Caravanning Club has seen a marked increase in bookings on its Club sites. Advanced bookings for the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May are already up seven per cent on the same period last year. Meanwhile website bookings at campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk are 23 per cent ahead of last year.

This follows a trend higlighted in a recent study by online company Travelzoo, which found that 12 per cent of respondents are now more interested in a UK holiday.

Robert Louden is the Club’s Director-General, and he told us that the widespread disruption caused by last month’s volcanic eruption will have a positive impact on business this summer.

“People look for certainty in uncertain times and last month’s volcanic ash crisis, coupled with the threat of further flight delays, has caused holidaymakers to reconsider their plans for this summer.

“We have seen an increase in Club Site enquiries of late as both members and non-members revert to what they know and look forward to a stress free domestic holiday.”

While those who rely on flights for their holiday are cursing the inability to reach the continent, caravanners are thinking ahead and planning for Europe this summer. The Club’s European and Worldwide Carefree Travel Service is also nine per cent ahead of where it was this time last year as more people opt for a caravan or motorhome touring holiday abroad, travelling via ferry or Eurotunnel.

Prolific caravan thieves jailed

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What are widely thought to be the most prolific gang of caravan thieves in the country were today placed behind bars.

The travellers, all aged in their 20s and 30s, are beginning sentences stretching from four to nine years after being found guilty of conspiracy to steal, the Independent reported.

Martin McDonagh and Charlie Ward are to serve two consecutive spells of four and five years, while relatives John McDonagh and Martin Ward will spend four years each inside.

“This trial lasted for three months and during the course of it I heard evidence of repeated thefts of caravans and motor vehicles which in total could be described as theft on a grand scale repeated time after time after time,” judge Patrick Hooton said when sentencing the men.

It is believed that the family of criminals may have been responsible for around half of the UK’s caravan thefts over the past three years, after the recorded number of incidents dropped dramatically after their arrest.

In other news, a woman was killed recently on the A11 after the caravan she was travelling in was involved in a collision with a van.

Caravan firm expands its business

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A UK caravan firm has managed to expand its business after changing the way it operates.

According to NEbusiness.co.uk, Birtley-based Geist has increased its workforce from four to 12, moved to a larger premises and converted part of its Lincoln service centre into a second showroom.

The success comes after the firm took the decision to switch to a sales model that deals directly with the public, cutting out the middleman and making its products more accessible.

Part of this involved the design of a new website, which allows customers to tour caravans online, virtually build their own bespoke model and access other caravan-related material from the comfort of their own home.

Managing director Patrick Carlin told the online resource that the website and change of focus has helped the firm expand, create new jobs and showcase a larger range of vehicles.

The new business model has seen Geist reach customers from all over the UK and the rest of the world, including Australia and New Zealand.

Caravan enthusiasts could enjoy Brighton festival

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Brighton & Hove could prove an attractive destination for caravan enthusiasts due to its upcoming festival.

Running from May 1st, the 23-day event will see more than 1,000 artists give live performances, with 300 concerts taking place.

Also on display at the event in the seaside destination will be 100 yachts, while caravanners who care about the environment may be glad to learn that all outdoor performances will be powered by solar energy.

The south coast resort of Brighton is a popular destination for UK holidaymakers due to its seaside location and reputation for good weather.

Local councillor for culture, recreation and tourism David Smith suggested that this is an important year for the festival.

“The sheer volume and range of events on offer is set to eclipse all that has gone before, making Brighton & Hove the only place to be in May,” he said.

Renowned musician and producer Brian Eno Guest has been chosen to curate the event and people are expected to flock to the festival from all over the UK.

Caravanners in Brighton may also wish to make the town’s famous landmark pier one of their priorities during their visit.

Camping & Caravanning Club names Reindeer Park Lodge 2010 Certificated Site of the Year

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by Gemma Roskell

The votes have been counted and the results are in – Camping and Caravanning Club members have named Reindeer Park Lodge as their Best Certificated Site of 2010.

The Lea Marston site came out on top of the annual poll, with Club members describing it as “a great place to switch off” and “very picturesque”.

Set in 25 acres of parkland, the site offers a range of pitches with Wi-Fi internet available across the camp site, as well as bed and breakfast accommodation.

Furthermore, this site is adults only, ensuring a quiet and peaceful break in the countryside for mature campers.

Situated near Sutton Coldfield and just 15 minutes from Birmingham, Reindeer Park Lodge is a Camping and Caravanning Club Certificated Site which is open to members only – although non-members can join on site.

Site owner John Plunkett said: “We’re over the moon to have been awarded the Best Certificated Site 2010. Travelling for years all over the world has given us a good idea of what campers are looking for.”

Pitches at Reindeer Park Lodge cost £16 per night, inclusive of electric hook-up.