Caravan site operator puts director under cover

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by Chris Malone

One caravan site operator takes providing a good service so seriously that it recently sent one of its directors under cover to ensure its facilities were up to scratch.

Park Resorts marketing director Andy Edge donned numerous disguises to check up on staff as part of the Channel 4 programme Undercover Boss.

He headed to two of the firm’s facilities, posing as an entertainer, cook, cleaner and maintenance team member.

Filmed over several weeks, the show was aimed at giving a look behind the scenes of UK holiday sites and Park Resorts noted that it was a beneficial experience for all involved.

“Park Resorts’ decision to take part in the programme came from our commitment to improving standards and delivering an excellent level of customer service,” it said.

The show was filmed at Lower Hyde on the Isle of Wight and Norfolk’s Breydon Water.

In other news, all of the company’s UK parks have been graded by their relevant tourist boards and were awarded three, four or five stars.

Caravan parks at risk from nuclear site

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A number of caravan sites could have to be shut down in the Whitehaven area of the Lake District if nuclear reactors are placed on two proposed sites.

According to the Whitehaven News, the necessary “critical incident zones” that would have to be set up around the Braystones and Kirksanton sites would encompass holiday chalets and caravan parks, meaning they would have to be moved.

Other barriers to the reactors include the presence of a primary school in Beckeret and a prison in Haverigg.

The problem stems from the need to be able to quickly and safely evacuate local workers and residents in the wake of a nuclear emergency.

Local emergency planners expressed the most concern over the prison as there is no way that it could be self-evacuating to the required level.

It is also a major local employer and would represent a massive blow to the local workforce if it was to close.

One caravan park that is at risk is Tarnside, which features a laundrette, children’s play area, games room and club house, according to totaltravel.co.uk.

Visit Ayrshire on Burns Night

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Caravan enthusiasts planning to head to Scotland for Burns Night next week (January 25th) may be wondering where is best to visit.

The national poet was born in Ayrshire and Scottish Tourist Guides Association general manager Stewart Daniels explained that this would be a good place to start as it is at the heart of festivities.

Robert Burns was born on the west coast of Scotland 251 years ago and the area is fiercely proud of the fact.

“Obviously there is the county of Ayrshire, because this is Burns’ birthplace, and this is the very centre of Burns traditions. But there will be celebrations all over Scotland for visitors to participate in,” Mr Daniels said.

Traditional festivities include Burns Suppers and tributes to the bard, including poetry readings and recitals of his songs.

A supper usually consists of eating a traditional Scottish meal and drinking good whisky while enjoying the work of “Rabbie” Burns.

Caravan Club discount at Birmingham event

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The Caravan Club has revealed that its members will be given a special discount at the forthcoming NEC Boat & Caravan Show.

Cut price admission is available to those who have signed up to the organisation’s The Club Magazine.

Vouchers have been printed in the publication and members should cut them out and take them along to the NEC in Birmingham, where they will receive a discount on Club Day – February 23rd.

The coupons appear in the February edition of the magazine and should be presented at the box office to obtain the discount, the Caravan Club said.

Spread over six halls, the show provides information on caravan holiday destinations, as well as a chance to view and buy the latest mobile homes, including some limited-edition models.

While the Caravan Club Day is on February 23rd, the show itself lasts until February 28th, with entry allowed from 10:00 GMT until 18:00 each day.

Kent caravan site application submitted

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An application for a new permit to upgrade a caravan site near Edenbridge, Kent, has left local residents feeling disgruntled.

According to the Courier, a large gipsy community has been living in the field near Sevenacre Farm for the past three years, but their permit recently expired.

Now, the caravan dwellers have re-applied for permission to live at the site, as well as upgrading it with a driveway, access road and hard standing for septic tanks.

Locals are said to be feeling “fatalistic” about the plans, with Hever Residents’ Association secretary Jan Ryan explaining that the application was “expected”.

“We were never very happy with them moving on to the site in the first place. We have always felt that there seems to be one rule for travellers and another for the community,” she said.

Ms Ryan added that local residents would not be allowed to simply live in caravans on their own land so feel it is unfair that the travellers might be.

Meanwhile, the Caravan Club has revealed that its members will be able to obtain a discount at the upcoming NEC Boat & Caravan Show.

Group provide caravan for homeless man

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A group of kind-hearted friends in the Welsh village of Llangollen have clubbed together to provide a caravan for a homeless man.

With the recent heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures, the man and his dog have been enjoying having somewhere warm and dry to sleep and eat, the Leader reported.

Known only as Simbar, the man has been able to cook his own meals and is said to be eating better and enjoying life again.

Sheila McIntosh is part of the group which organised the temporary accommodation for Simbar and said the recent harsh weather could have been disastrous for him had they not stepped in.

“Can you imagine what it would have been like for Simbar trying to survive in the sort of weather that we have been experiencing if he didn’t have this caravan to keep him warm?” she asked the newspaper.

Ms McIntosh revealed that she recently took the man into town to buy some shopping and post some letters, which he would never have been able to write without the dry environment of the caravan.

Meanwhile, the Courier has revealed that plans to create a caravan site for a gypsy community in the area have left locals disgruntled.

Dorset resorts in joint holiday marketing campaign

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Caravan owners heading to Dorset may be interested to hear that the resorts of Bournemouth and Poole have launched a joint campaign to attract water sports fans.

The English seaside sites have a lot to offer caravanners, including eight blue flag beaches, Europe’s first artificial surf reef and a choice of more than 25 water-based activities, all within a ten-mile radius.

British Resorts & Destinations Association director Peter Hampson explained that the concept of the two resorts joining together to promote their assets makes sense.

“Particularly in terms of maximising limited marketing spend and in getting a clear message to a particular market segment that is interested in water-based activity [it is a good move],” he said.

Mr Hampson added that Bournemouth is more “upmarket” than the traditional “kiss-me-quick” resorts, while still being an established holiday destination.

Travelsupermarket.com recently revealed that 16 per cent of Brits are expected to holiday in the UK this year.

Scots couple reunited after enforced caravan stay

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Around a month after leaving to buy a turkey for Christmas, Kay Ure has returned to her home in the Lighthouse Keeper’s cottage in Scotland’s Cape Wrath.

The 54-year-old was left stranded and living in a friend’s caravan after her way home was blocked by heavy snow.

She was separated from husband John for 30 days after embarking on a pre-Christmas grocery trip 30 days ago.

Poor weather conditions blocked the last 11 miles of her journey, meaning she was forced to spend Christmas in a friend’s caravan in Durness.

Her husband was left at home with their six dogs and no turkey for Christmas, although he was visited by two walkers who popped into the couple’s cafe on the north-west tip of the UK.

The couple have now been reunited and plan to have a belated Christmas dinner together.

Meanwhile, the caravan-friendly resorts of Poole and Bournemouth are marketing themselves as water sports destinations as part of a new joint campaign to attract visitors.

Welsh caravan park flooded

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A St Ishmael caravan park has fallen victim to the floods caused by thawing snow and torrential rain in Wales.

According to the Llanelli Star, Carmarthen Bay Holiday Village caravan site near Kidwelly was hit by the same floods that have affected dozens of homes and businesses across the country.

Park sales manager Mark Webber told the newspaper that the water has affected the main car park and that the emergency services have been called in to help resolve the problem.

Fire crews used two high-volume pumps to remove water from the site after floods hit it earlier this week.

“Unfortunately, as we are located on low-lying land by the estuary, when there are severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, the car park tends to be affected,” Mr Webber said.

He revealed that the site’s operators can do little to protect it from the flooding other than minimise the problem by pumping out the water.

Meanwhile, the Exeter Express & Echo is to offer caravan holidays for just £10 from tomorrow.

Exeter newspaper offers £10 caravan holidays

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Exeter newspaper the Express & Echo is set to launch a series of £10 caravan holiday offers.

Beginning tomorrow, the initiative will give readers the chance to spend a vacation in a mobile home this summer.

St Thomas residents Chris and Nicola Harris have taken advantage of the scheme in the past and plan to take their two children on one of the bargain breaks this year.

“We have been doing it for years and I have to say we really enjoy our times away,” Mrs Harris told the newspaper.

“We have a dog and we love to take him with us and a caravan or chalet is the ideal base for us.”

She added that the breaks are great value for money and that there is lots to do for both adults and children.

The family usually head to Shaldon caravan park on the River Teign and enjoy the walks around the area.

Meanwhile, caravan sites in the south-west have been given the chance to attend a number of health and safety events ahead of the summer season, the Bideford People revealed.

Caravan sites offered health and safety advice

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Caravan owners heading to sites in the south-west may notice an improvement in health and safety standards this summer.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and South West Tourism have teamed up to offer caravan parks advice ahead of the new season, Bideford People has reported.

A number of events will take place at sites throughout Devon, Somerset and Cornwall, with information available on a range of subjects.

Topics include gas and electricity safety, risk assessment, fire regulation, asbestos and legionnaires disease.

Further optional sessions will be offered covering swimming pool management, play equipment, crime prevention and marketing.

“The caravan, camping and holiday park sector is a very important part of the tourist industry in the south-west and looks after thousands of visitors each year,” explained HSE head of operations Max Walker.

He added that health and safety should be paramount for anyone working in the industry and said this is especially important during the peak months.

The south-west is popular among caravan enthusiasts thanks in part to its good weather, beautiful scenery and surfing opportunities.

New motoring law to affect those with caravans

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Caravan holidaymakers heading to Devon and Cornwall this summer have been reminded about a change in the law relating to rear view mirrors.

Motorists driving vehicles first used after January 26th must have at least two exterior view mirrors fitted, both on the driver’s and passenger’s side, BudePeople.co.uk reported.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson told the website that the change in the law was brought about to make it safer for drivers towing a caravan.

“One way drivers may be caught out is if they are towing a caravan which is considerably wider than the car. When the caravan is detached, the mirrors stick out more than the 25cm allowed and so could be dangerous to other road users,” the representative told the site.

Police also advised that, given the number of caravans found in the region during the summer months, motorists need to remember to remove their mirror extensions upon reaching their location and parking their caravan.

Caravanning could become even more popular among Harry Potter fans this summer as Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the boy wizard in the film series, told the Sunday Mail earlier this month he thinks caravan holidays are “great”.