New BBC sitcom is set in a caravan park

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A brand new comedy by BBC Scotland this autumn will be based around the theme of caravan holidays.

Happy Hollidays is a six-part comedy set on a precarious caravan campsite. Starring Ford Kiernan, Karen Dunbar and Gavin Mitchell the makers believe it ‘strives to represent the best of the great British holiday’.

Colin Holliday is the caravan site owner, manager and above all tyrant. He is thrown into a panic when receiving news of a site inspection from holiday camp rival Mike Bryan. Colin and Mike vie for supremacy in a comedy where the site owner loves caravans but hates people.

And while the titular character Colin might promote himself as a standard bearer for the old-fashioned British holiday, he appears more interested in wringing out cash from his customers.

Ford Kiernan is the actor who plays Colin Holliday, while his company effingee created the six-part series. He explained in an interview with Glasgow’s Evening Times how he personally cannot stand the lifestyle.

‘I hate caravans’ is how he simply puts it. ‘I used to go to a caravan in Inverbeg when I was a wean, with my mother and sister, but the problem is I’ve always been a bit claustrophobic. So understanding why anyone would want to spend a week in a tin box is way beyond me’.

He was quick to acknowledge the boom in popularity in caravan holidays but maintained his distaste. ‘For some people carvaan parks are great, and I know caravan sales are going through a boom at the moment because people can’t afford to go abroad’.

‘What I remember about them is being frozen the whole time and hearing the noise the rain makes on a caravan roof. And because you couldn’t go outside you had to sit there for days on end playing with somebody else’s manky Scrabble that’s covered in brown sauce stains’.

Happy Hollidays is showing from September 4 at 10.35pm on BBC1 Scotland.

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Forecourts clear as used caravans sell out across Britain

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Open a magazine or click online to read about caravans, and you will inevitably read of the surge in interest as Britons opt to take their holidays at home in the recession.

This interest has however thrown up a unique problem for caravan dealers. Namely, that they are running low on good used caravans for sale.

Used stock levels have become an ’embarrassment’ according to insurers Caravanwise who instigated a study into dealerships and their supplies. While 2009 has been a record year for sales, some dealers have been caught out by the level of interest.

Reports indicate a drop in the number of traditional ‘trade-ins’ of caravans usually seen on forecourts. Caravanwise spoke to Bardsley Leisure in Cumbria who recorded a drop from 45 to 9 in used stock numbers. Over the border in Scotland the results were similar, with dealer Knowepark recording a reduction from 80 down to around 15.

Incidentally new caravan sales have fared well compared to other motoring sectors. Dealers have reported that the surplus 2008 stock levels have now gone, and the new 2009 stock is in short supply. Even future sales are looking healthy, with 2010 caravan models already selling well. With new models to be launched at the International Caravan and Motorhome Show 2009 the number of buyers may be greater than predicted.

Discover Touring highlights joys of ‘great staycation’

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Carol Smillie wants you to change rooms. Nothing new in that you might cry, considering the presenter was the face of the BBC’s home improvement classic Changing Rooms. Yet she’s endorsing a campaign for Brits to change from the living room to living the caravan lifestyle, as the Caravan Club urges the UK to “Discover Touring”.

In April this year the Club launched Discover Touring which is a major national marketing campaign highlighting and promoting the fun in caravanning. Already there have been 8000 requests for the magazine of the same name, while 10,000 have visited the website since launch.

Carol Smillie is an avowed fan of travelling the British countryside and is an enthusiatic endorsee of the Discover Touring campaign. ‘As a lover of the great outdoors generally, and walking in particular, I know that touring with a caravan or motorhome is a brilliant way to explore the countryside.’ She believes ‘nothing else offers such freedom, fun and flexibility’.

Smillie also believes there has never been a better time to start the hobby. ‘Modern caravans are so comfortable and they cover a vast range of prices. If Discover Touring encourages more people to get out there and discover the great outdoors, it will have contributed so much to the quality of their lives’.

It appears that the British public agree, with the Caravan Club registering 30,000 more site night bookings this year compared with the last. With advanced bookings up by 40% the Club has been galvanised into expansion.

Emma Cosby is the head of marketing for the sites owned by the Caravan Club. She revealed ‘to cater for the extra demand the Club has added nine new sites to its network for 2009’.

Those who have visited the site have already expressed excitement at starting down the road of caravan holidays. ‘It has fired my imagination as to the kind of holidays we could enjoy when we own a motorhome, thank you’ applauded one respondent, whil another chuckled ‘can’t wait to start – don’t think we’ll be at home very often!’

Visit Britain are another UK organisation who have noted this year’s trend of the ‘staycation’ in the face of the credit crunch. Patricia Yates is their Director of Strategy and Insights and she had the following comments to offer:

‘Money is being spent wisely, and the UK is the place to spend it according to holiday booking trends. Caravanning accounts for 19% of all holidays taken in the UK and is the largest paid-for holiday sector.’

More information on how to start down the road to caravan holidays can be found at the Discover Touring website.

The phone which will survive any caravan holiday

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The Land Rover S1 phone was dropped from a tall building, roasted in an oven, run over by a Land Rover and stomped on by an elephant.

It still made calls. We found out why.

One of the most essential devices on a caravan holiday is also one of the most ordinary – the humble and now-ubiquitous mobile phone.

Gone are the days when you would be forced to stop off at a service station and call ahead to the caravan park. For over a decade the mobile phone has been the friend of campers and travellers who want to organise their trip or stay in touch with home (if reception is available of course).

The mobile phone is certainly not the friend of wallets when something goes awry. A fragile instrument at the best of times, even a small amount of water ingress can cause issues with operation. And potentially a costly replacement upon returning home.

Enter the Land Rover S1. Claimed to be the first ‘indestructable’ phone, as such it could perhaps survive any camping trip or caravan holiday. Caravan Times took a glance at the tests by the manufacturer’s development team and the results were eyebrow-raising to say the least.

Land Rover teamed up with mobile phone manufacturer Sonim for this project, and to test the device they ran over the phone.with a Land Rover. After surviving the weight of a two-tonne vehicle, the phone was then submerged in mud. Still able to make calls, the services of an elephant were brought in. Even the mightiest of beasts however could not stop the phone from being operational.

So the tests got quirkier. The S1 was roasted in a domestic oven at 150 degrees centrigrade with no effect. The makers then tossed it from the second floor of a building. Calls could still be made. Full immersion in a pint of beer? No problem.

The phone is made for adventurers with a turn-by-turn GPS and built-in accelerometer. We at Caravan Times however liked the surprisingly bright torch. It can even take a few holiday snaps with a well-protected 2MP camera.

The Land Rover S1 is IP67 rated and fully shockproof. It can be fully submersed to one metre for up to 30 minutes. If you’re as curious as we were, you can click here for more information.

Money no object? Jaguar voted most desirable towcar

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When it comes to the ultimate towing vehicle often the larger 4 x 4 cars come to mind. Land Rover and Land Cruisers are prevalent in such lists alongside the Volvo and Volkswagen off-roaders, Jeeps and Mitsubishis.

Yet when the panel at the Towcar Awards 2009 decided on the most desirable towcar that money can buy, they chose different.

The ‘Money No Object’ Award was won by the Jaguar XF as the most desirable towing vehicle over 39 other competitors. The Jaguar was chosen by experts from magazines Practical Caravan and What Car as well as The Camping and Caravanning Club.

In testing the judges considered the stability of the XF when towing, as well as it’s overall practicality. Other attributes considered included the cost of owning and resale value.

Judges on the panel included editor in chief of Autocar Steve Cropley, who is a former European Car of the Year juror. Also judging was Sue Taylor who is features editor of Camping and Caravanning Magazine and experienced at towing horseboxes and trailers.

David Motton was the head judge at the Towcar Awards, and gave this comment: “If money was no object, this is the car we’d choose to do our towing with. The 3.0-litre Diesel S engine is superb, yet it’s also savagely powerful when the occasion demands, pulling car and caravan from 30-60mph in just 8.3 seconds.”

“It pulled a caravan securely between cones at speeds which would have had lesser cars sliding off the track. Driven at sensible speeds, it’s a serene and relaxed experience. In spite of the performance, it’s an easy car to drive smoothly, with precise steering and remarkable agility for such a big car, towing or solo. It is quick, stable and comfortable – if you’re feeling flush this is the car.”

The car above is pictured towing the new Airstream caravans launched this year which have been adapted for European roads. With the heavy kerb weight of the large Airstream, how well did the XF handle towing the American trailer?

A press officer from Jaguar UK explained ‘The photographer took the Airstream away for a weekend and the Jaguar XF responded extremely well to bearing the significant weight of the caravan’.

Geoff Cousins is the Managing Director of Jaguar UK and he cited the green credentials of the big cat. “This fantastic new Jaguar has best-in-class residual values, class-leading fuel economy combined with unrivalled performance and reduced CO2 emissions – making it an irresistible choice for the towing customer.”

Caravan Times has made inquiries and ascertained that the tow bar for the Jaguar XF is a dealer fit option only.

A tow bar costs £288 while the required module is an additional £115. The recommended fitting time for the tow bar, module and electrics kit is 3 hours 45 minutes.

Online mapping available for Caravan Club members

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Following over a century of providing guidance for its members, the Caravan Club has announced a unique solution to the problem of searching for attractions in the UK.

A new interative mapping service has been launched today for members. All of the Club’s 200-strong UK site network is covered on the online application, as well as around 2,500 ‘Certified Locations’ (smaller 5-van sites).

The online tool takes the idea of a guide book to the next level. The famous ‘Great Days Out’ booklet issued by the Caravan Club has been incorporated into the service. Therefore any visitor attractions which feature in the publication are pinpointed in the interactive guide. The application is based on Microsoft’s acclaimed ‘Bing Maps for Enterprise’ platform, and the Club’s established route planning tool has been markedly improved through the technology.

A useful feature for all modern caravanners is a search facility. ‘Search by Map’ will allow members to instantly identify sites located near to their ‘Great Days Out’ location. Once found? You can then plan your route from site to site with ease.

Journey timings can be predicted, with the software even able to automatically program breaks and rests into the schedule. Once completed, the route can be easily shared through an e-mail attachment to a friend or relative.

Natasha MacDonald is the Head of e-commerce for the Caravan Club, and as such recognises the increased benefits that customised mapping software can bring to caravanners. ‘We are keen to provide the ultimate route planning assistance for our members so that they have safe and enjoyable journeys’ she commented.

And it appears the Club is keen to improve on the idea, with a update for members already in the pipeline. ‘The next stage in the development of the mapping software is being planned, with tried and tested caravan-friendly routes being a key feature of future releases’ she explained.

The application is available to those registered with the Caravan Club – more information on joining is available here.

Police investigate allegations of major fraud at popular caravan park

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A well-known caravan park in Scotland’s Moray Firth has become part of a police investigation into major fraud.

Customers at Silver Sands Park in Lossiemouth may have lost up to £10,000 as it emerged that a number of caravans were sold several times over to customers.

Some have reported they bought caravans from the site for investment or letting purposes, only to discover they had been sold without their consent. The alleged fraud was revealed when different caravanners came forward to claim ownership of the same trailer.

One of the main allegations is that customers purchased caravans without being issued a receipt for the trailer. Once they then attempted to rent it out, they would later discover that it appeared it did not belong to them.

Grampian Police carried out questioning of two people on the site, who were later released without charge. A spokesperson for the police gave Caravan Times the following statement:

“Grampian Police can confirm that they are making an enquiry into an allegation of fraud at the Silver Sands Holiday Park, Moray. Our enquiries are at a very early state and as such no further information is available.”

BT rolls out wireless internet at caravan parks

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In the wake of the boom in caravan holidays, telecommunications giant BT will be providing wireless internet (Wi-Fi) at major UK holiday and leisure parks.

Access to Wi-Fi will be provided through the popular BT Openzone wireless internet access service. Included in the first wave are 77 Camping and Caravanning Club sites and three Pontin’s holiday camps. There will also be internet access at Coastfields Leisure sites in Skegness. The service will be provided through a new partnership with Wicoms, it was announced today.

Surveys this year have shown more Brits than ever have opted to stay at home this summer in the face of the recession. Simon Davies is the chief technology officer at Wicoms and he noted: “Lots of Brits have stayed in the UK rather than head overseas this year. Families tell us that holiday sites are another location where they want to get online. Teenagers and gadget addicts are set to be heavy users.”

For the anticipated 50,000 visitors expected at the sites over the August bank holiday, there is full access to all the web can offer. Existing BT Openzone users will be able to connect any wireless-enabled device to the service via the usual landing page. The service will cost nothing for BT broadband customers with inclusive BT FON Wi-Fi minutes. Meanwhile subscribers to Openzone and O2 iPhone users with inclusive Wi-Fi minutes in their contracts will also access it for free.

Other users new to the service can buy a BT Openzone voucher online at www.btopenzone.com with access starting from ½p per minute.

Chris Bruce is the general manager of BT Openzone , and he had this to say about adding wireless to the caravan sites: “Having the option to get online and stay entertained will provide a useful ‘plan B’ if the weather does its worst, and being able to look up tourist information and hunt out local gems will make for a better trip.”

If you’re curious to know more before setting out on your caravan holiday, here’s a link to BT Openzone

Do you rely on the internet when taking a caravan holiday? Please tell us your thoughts below.

Caravan showrooms report 15% increase in sales

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If there’s a recession this year, no one appears to have told the caravan industry. More Britains than ever have taken an interest in holidaying at home this year, leading to the term ‘staycation’ being coined.

And it is caravan dealerships which have benefited with a surge in caravan sales during the downturn. A 15% increase in purchases has been reported by showrooms surveyed across the UK , according to insurance comparison service Confused.com.

As a result of these findings, the price comparison site is for the first time making insurance for caravans available via its website. The online service works in a similar way to their popular car insurance offering, where customers are shown comparisons as a simple way of getting the best cover and price.

The entry of a significant player such as Confused.com to the caravan insurance market comes at a time where the business of caravan sales is a very lucrative one. With 4,000 caravan parks and 498,000 touring caravans in the UK, the market is worth £3billion to Britain’s economy. This figure is only set to rise as holidaymakers search for more bang for their buck during the economic squeeze.

John Cooper has been appointed caravan product manager at Confused.com and he gave thoughts on the increase in popularity of caravan holidays. “Confused.com recognised the increase in demand for such holidays which was a result of household budgets being squeezed. Adding caravan insurance to our already comprehensive suite of products, enables our customers to obtain cover at cheaper prices during the credit crunch.”

He also noted that previously caravan insurance was “often provided via specialists” which limited the opportunities for direct comparisons. The success of caravanning in 2009 looks likely to benefit a number of sectors in the industry for a while longer as more and more holidaymakers take to touring their country.

Wales’ First Minister is running the country… from his caravan

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Celebrity caravan users are always popular at Caravan Times. Recently we revealed how government ministers Ed Balls and wife Yvette Cooper took part of their holiday during the parliamentary recess in a caravan in the Lake District.

This time we can go one better on the ministerial ladder. The First Minister of Wales, Rhodri Morgan is saying he is still in charge of Wales while on holiday in his caravan.

The First Minister has confirmed that unlike Prime Minister Gordon Brown, there is no requirement for him to delegate responsibility as he is remaining in Mwnt, Wales for the duration of his holiday. Meanwhile Harriet Harman, Peter Mandleson and Alistair Darling will cover for the Prime Minister during his vacation.

Mr. Morgan told BBC News ‘Because I holiday in my caravan in west Wales, I don’t delegate authority to anyone else as I’m available to make any emergency decision as and when required’.

The First Minister has been taking breaks in Mwnt for around 40 years, and his spokeswoman confirmed to Caravan Times that ‘he holidays every year in his caravan in Mwnt in west Wales – he absolutely adores it!’.

She also confirmed his passion for caravans. ‘There is no doubting that Rhodri Morgan is a keen caravanner – you can quote us on that!’

The spokeswoman also added that he was always reachable by mobile phone and if required in an emergency, was only two to three hours away from Cardiff.

Mr. Morgan is extremely fond of Mwnt, with three generations of his family having now taken holidays there. He has previously said of the place ‘It’s a wonderful location – Mwnt is my special place because it has given me, since 1946, my children since the late 1960s, and now their children, the best holiday experiences you could ask for’.

Mwnt is a beach owned by the National Trust. For more details, please click here.

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A caravan race where only the winner can survive…

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If you’re of the inclination that Top Gear stunts and wanton destruction in the name of fun are bad taste, then please look away now.

Angmering Racing Club will be hosting a caravan race on Sunday 16th August – a race where only the winner’s caravan will survive.

Caravans that would normally be destined for the knacker’s yard are to be hitched to Angmering’s ‘nudge and spin’ cars to form part of a ‘banger race’. In the traditional form, drivers of old vehicles race against each other and gain advantage by wrecking each other’s vehicles. The car which makes it to the finish while surviving is declared the overall winner of the race.

However the event is far from over. Despite negotiating ten laps of the 500m circuit negotiating large puddles and standing race water. Any caravans that survive the race will be entered into a ‘demolition derby’ – and only the last car and caravan combination able to move will be crowned winner.

Organiser Jim Hazelgrove spoke to Caravan Times earlier today to explain the thinking behind the caravan race.

‘Your old caravans are very difficult to get rid of these days’ he explained. ‘A lot of scrapyards won’t even take them because of the modern designs. With all the fibreglass involved, they’re a menace and they just don’t get dealt with’.

‘With that in mind we started caravan racing two years ago. We strip the inside and get our drivers to race them round first of all. The caravans that survive that move on to the demolition derby – and only the caravan that finishes in one piece gets to be the winner!’ he chuckled.

Racing starts at 11.30am while the gates are open from 8am. Adult admission is £10 while it’s half-price for kids (under 14). Best of all, any child under ten gets in for free. Senior citizen and disabled? It’s just £5 to enjoy the day’s racing. Angmering Racing can be contacted on 01903 859807 during office hours or 01243 268887 otherwise.

Convertible caravans?

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Last month we brought you news of a ‘Stealth’ caravan. This week we’re taking a look at the concept of a ‘convertible caravan’ which folding camper specialists Pennine Group will launch this October.

To be revealed at the Caravan & Motorhome show at the NEC (14th – 19th October 2008) is what has been dubbed a ‘new category’ in caravans according to the company.

The man feature which has caught headlines is the acrylic roof. The use of an all-weather acrylic material instead of the traditional canvas roof is a move designed to cope with the oft-changing British weather conditions and provide greater durability.

The Pennine Group believes the all-new acrylic caravan concept offers several major benefits over the traditional canvas set-up. Durability, heat retention and resistance to water absorption are cited as the main advantages.

For more information, take a look at Pennine’s official website for the product ahead of the NEC show in Birmingham.

http://www.thepenninegroup.co.uk/products/convertible-caravans-products.html