Caravan blaze causes family to flee home

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Vandals who set a caravan alight in Scotland have left a couple in shock after they awoke to find the mobile home in flames just yards from their bedroom window.

According to the Inverness Courier, Merkinch man William Raylls and his girlfriend were alerted to the blaze around 02:45 GMT, with the police treating the incident as suspicious.

The resident explained how his wheelchair-bound partner and her daughter were left shaken by the event and described how the young family were forced to flee their flat as firefighters brought the blaze under control.

Chief inspector Andrew MacLean explained that inquiries were ongoing and would continue until police work out who set the fire.

He added that there were “various bits of evidence”, but explained that as some of them were scorched by the flames, the investigation could take longer than normal.

The Inverness area is popular among tourists keen to visit Loch Ness – the alleged home of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster.

Haven makes Christmas list for caravan fans

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Those shopping for Christmas presents for camping and caravanning enthusiasts may be interested in a list of tips from Haven.

The caravan site firm has constructed a seven-strong register of useful gifts for those who like to explore their own country.

First on the list is a good GPS satellite navigation system, which should help caravanners find their way both to the park and places of interest once they arrive.

Another useful gadget is a digital camera, which can be used to capture holiday memories to help share experiences with others.

In this age of mobile phones and other such devices, a wind-up charger is a must for those who enjoy being contactable while they are exploring the wilderness.

Another great gift is the Waspinator, which scares wasps away by imitating a rival nest – keeping families safe without having to kill the insects.

Haven has 35 award-winning holiday parks nationwide, many of which have direct access to a beach.

Dorset caravanners can access new surf reef

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Caravanners heading to Dorset in summer 2010 will be able to take advantage of a brand new attraction.

After ten years of planning, the Boscombe Surf Reef has become the first man-made surfing environment in Europe.

According to caravan site operator Parkdean, the facility is ideally situated for those staying at its Bournemouth parks.

The idea behind the reef is that it provides a ramp for waves as they role in, improving their shape, size and how they break.

Surfers should be able to look forward to more consistent surf and longer rides, as well as a better quality of waves.

Situated 220m offshore, the reef is not for the fainthearted and is part of a £10 million regeneration of Boscombe.

Those new to the sport will be able to take lessons closer to the shore and Parkdean suggested that those planning to check out the new reef could stay at its West Bay, Warmwell or Sandford sites.

Meanwhile, the company recently noted that Nairn in the Scottish Highlands has been voted as one of the top holiday destinations for 2010.

Man jailed after caravan chase

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A man has been jailed after leading police in Yorkshire on a high-speed chase with a stolen caravan attached to his van.

Bradford Crown Court sentenced Vincent Kerr – who was banned from driving at the time of the offence – to time behind bars after hearing how he reached speeds of up to 80 mph before crashing the vehicles into the central reservation of the M621.

The caravan – worth around £17,000 – was stolen from J Deans Haulage Yard in Greetland, while the £12,000 Citroen van was taken during a separate burglary.

Police became suspicious when they noticed that the number plates on both vehicles did not match and began to follow.

However, Mr Kerr proceeded to take off at speed, alerting police that something was amiss.

After two police cars unsuccessfully tried to box him in, the driver lost control of the vehicles and collided with the central reservation barrier before careering across the road onto the grass verge.

Meanwhile, the Move Channel has revealed that an increasing number of Australian families are turning to camping holidays rather than trips abroad.

Four-year caravan family to get lifeline

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While most families would welcome a few weekend breaks or even an extended holiday in a caravan, few would choose to live in one in their garden for four years.

According to BBC News, Joe James and his four children have done just that in the grounds of their little Anglesey cottage after circumstances meant they had to make use of the mobile home.

However, the family is set to be given a much-needed lifeline after TV show DIY SOS stepped in to help.

Being shown on December 10th, the programme sees Nick Knowles and the team build a large extension for the James family, with a timescale of just two weeks to finish the three-bedroom project.

The show also looks at how more than 1.6 million UK kids are living in unsuitable housing and how Children in Need initiatives are helping to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, a man has been jailed after leading Yorkshire police officers on an 80 mph chase while towing a stolen caravan.

Caravan owners given indoor storage facility

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Caravan owners who have shelled out thousands of pounds for their mobile holiday home often face the dilemma of what to do to protect it over winter.

However, one firm believes it has found the answer and is enjoying the success of offering a sought-after service.

Darlington’s Lingfield Warehousing offers owners the opportunity to lock their caravan away securely over the colder months, protecting it not just from the elements but any would-be thieves or vandals.

The company, based at Lingfield Point Business Park, recently welcomed its 50th customer in less than six weeks, according to the Northern Echo.

“Talking to customers and tailoring the package to suit their needs is at the heart of our ethos,” said spokesperson Sophie Carter, describing how the firm achieved its success.

Caravan enthusiasts may recognise the classic nature of the US Airstream Silver Bullet model, belonging to Kerry Lewis, that took up the 50th berth in the indoor storage facility.

Ms Lewis is a mobile beautician and uses the caravan as part of her award-winning business.

Meanwhile, caravan retailer Discover Leisure has revealed that it suffered pre-tax losses of £16.7 million in the year to August 31st.

Caravan residents get early Christmas present

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A large number of elderly caravan park residents who have lived in their static mobile homes for years have been given a lifeline after being told they would have to move out.

It was revealed that Sandycroft’s Willow Brook Park did not have planning permission for the units, but the pensioners – some of whom have stayed there for five years – have been granted a reprieve, according to the Leader.

Local councillor David Wisinger told the newspaper that the problem has been brewing for years after residents were only told there was no planning permission after they placed their mobile homes on the site.

“They have been unable to move or sell their homes and didn’t know whether they would have to move and become homeless. It has been five long years of constant worry for them,” he said.

However, the application for planning permission has finally been processed, with the officer in charge revealing that a number of hold-ups had delayed the process.

Meanwhile, a Darlington indoor caravan storage firm has welcomed its 50th customer, the Northern Echo recently revealed.

Tragedy at caravan park during flood prevention work

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Work at a Selsey caravan park is set to continue after a tragic and fatal accident that led to the death of a contractor.

Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are conducting investigations into the death of a 60-year-old man, who was killed after becoming trapped under a bulldozer.

Michael Streeter, of Portslade, was working on shingle sea defences at West Sands Caravan Park on November 20th when the accident occurred, the Chichester Observer revealed.

“We were told to stop on the day and because of the flood risk down there and the essential nature of the maintenance work, we have been allowed to carry on,” an Environment Agency spokesman told the newspaper.

The organisation’s southern regional director, Toby Willison, said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and expressed sympathies on behalf of the Environment Agency to Mr Streeter’s family.

A number of caravan sites have been threatened by flooding so far this winter, with Cumbria being particularly affected by heavy rainfall.

London hotel prices ‘won’t fall further’

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Those planning to visit London may be inclined to stay in caravans outside of the city after being told that room rates in the capital are unlikely to decline any further.

According to TRI Hospitality Consulting, hoteliers in the UK’s largest city will refuse to drop prices further as the economy is beginning to recover.

Managing consultant Puneet Kanuga explained that London has avoided the struggle that other cities have experienced in terms of attracting visitors.

“It has been able to tap into leisure demand coming in from Europe because of the sterling falling against the euro and that has really pulled the market back up,” he said.

The company’s figures show that London was the only market in Europe that managed to reduce hotel payroll levels in the face of diminished revenues.

This, it claimed, was mainly down to the flexibility of the British workforce, which may have kept more hotels in business through the financial downturn.

Brits wishing to visit the capital could stay in a Brighton caravan and travel to the city by train, while still having the pleasures of a beachside holiday home.

Disabled caravan fans pointed towards Stratford-upon-Avon

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Disabled caravan enthusiasts may be interested to hear that Stratford-upon-Avon has been tipped as a good choice of destination for them.

According to Tourism For All, the level land around the town makes it easily accessible, meaning those with disabilities will find it possible to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare without too much difficulty.

Shakespeare Houses & Gardens won the Heart of England Tourism Excellence Awards 2009 title of Best Tourism Experience.

Tourism For All head of consultancy Brian Seaman explained that other towns, such as Birmingham, Brighton and Hove have been tailoring their activities to less-able guests.

“Some destinations have been making a real effort to encourage disabled and older people to stay, by assessing what they have, how it could be improved and [they have] developed into an inclusive and welcoming environment for all,” he said.

A new OpenBritain guide from Tourism For All and RADAR includes a range of easily-accessible accommodation, attractions and services.

New tourism accessibility guidebook launched

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Elderly or less-able caravan owners may be interested in a new guidebook, which lists accessible facilities across the UK.

Released this week, the OpenBritain publication was created by Tourism For All and RADAR in an effort to collate information on the towns and attractions that are aiming for inclusion.

Also included in the guide is a list of providers of accommodation, equipment hire and other services that may be useful to those exploring Great Britain.

Tourism For All head of consultancy Brian Seaman revealed that the guide is specifically aimed at meeting the needs of disabled and elderly tourists.

“[The towns and businesses included] have either already been independently assessed to check the degree of accessibility or they are subject to visits to check that the information supplied is accurate,” he said.

The government has also set up the National Accessible Scheme in order to help tourism providers improve their offerings to the less-able in the community.

It is a voluntary scheme that allows participating businesses to promote how they cater for disabled and elderly guests.

Canada is “great for camping”

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While Brits may be used to camping and caravanning at home, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has explained that they can enjoy similar pleasures in North America.

CTC vice-president of strategic initiatives Susan Iris said that there are tents that allow intrepid holidaymakers to explore the country’s wilderness while still providing the same home comforts often associated with caravans.

She said that such products allow Brits to connect with Canada’s outdoors without forgoing “gourmet meals after they have done their day of hiking” – a pursuit known as glamorous camping, or glamping.

Ms Iris added that the nation’s culinary expertise was underestimated and that it offers a “sophistication” that few realise exists.

“You don’t see the wine outside Canadian borders, because you don’t realise the regions but we create ice wine which is world renowned,” the expert revealed.

The nation will soon host the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, which will take place at Cypress Hill and Whistler Blackcomb resorts.