Job Opportunity- Caravan Wardens Needed

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By William Coleman

Recently a friend of CaravanTimes showed me a very good job opportunity that has crossed their. This is not usually something we would share but the offer seemed so good we couldn’t not show it to our readers.

If you are in the market for a brand new role of you simply want to take a different path then this may just be the opportunity for you. If you are interested in taking advantage of this amazing opportunity then take a read of the details below and follow the link at the bottom of the page. I wonder if we will get a recruitment fee?

Location: Market Rasen, LIN, GB, LN8 3EA
Company: The Jockey Club
Job title: Caravan Wardens
Based at: Market Rasen Racecourse
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Seasonal role, working 40 hours a week from March to October
Start date: As soon as possible

Market Rasen Racecourse Caravan Park is looking for 2 Caravan Wardens to join our friendly, hard working team. These are seasonal (March to October), live in roles and could suit couples.

Role Summary

The ideal individuals for this role will be friendly, customer focused, have a positive attitude and flexible approach. You will possess good administration and communication skills, work under your own initiative, as well as working under guidance and instruction from the Racecourse General Manager.

The Successful Candidates Will;

  • Be responsible for the overall management of the caravan park working in conjunction with the Racecourse General Manager
  • Manage the Caravan Park shop including transactions and basic accounting
  • Be responsible for the Caravan Park bookings system, taking bookings, tracking capacity and generating increased revenue on peak periods across the year
  • Be responsible for basic maintenance across the Caravan park including strimming, mowing and some basic painting
  • Ensure the caravan park indoor facilities are cleaned daily, including showers, corridor and toilet facilities
  • Welcome all visitors to the site, assisting with site hook ups and general enquiries including customer complaints, queries and customer satisfaction
  • Assist the Racecourse team with basic duties both pre and post race days
  • Work with the Market Rasen Racecourse and the Caravan Club to actively promote the caravan park
  • Support the Racecourse Team in taking bookings for Market Rasen Racecourse Golf Course during the weekend

These are both full time positions, however, the working hours will vary depending upon the business requirements and will include dealing with late night arrivals, evening safety rounds during the touring season and weekend work.

Experience is preferable but not necessary.

A driving licence is essential to be successful in this role. Ideally, you will also need your own motorhome or touring van; a hard standing pitch with water and electric will be provided for you.

The closing date for the role is 19th April 2019. We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date if we receive a large number of suitable applications.

To apply for the role please follow this link, Apply Here.

Exclusive Interview With Simon Howard Of Bailey Of Bristol

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ByWilliam Coleman

Last year, we are actually fast approaching the 1 year anniversary, I was fortunate enough to be selected to take part in the Bailey Of Bristol Bristanbul tour where we covered 21 countries in 21 days while towing 2 caravan and driving a motorhome. During the three weeks on the road the bond that formed within the team was one of a kind, and one of the best things to come out of the trip. So almost a year on I catch up with a friend I made on the tour, Simon Howard, to find out how one of the UK’s largest leisure vehicle companies are getting on.

Bailey have very humble beginnings spanning all the way back to 1948 where the very first caravan was created, in a shed, and was sold for £200.

Since then Bailey Of Bristol have had phenomenal growth and now produce around 6,500 caravans and motorhomes each year to help fill the ever growing demand from the public. During the bumper year that was 2017 Bailey saw some amazing sales figures and generated a turnover of £144 million.

Having created some video content for Bailey in the past the CaravanTimes team were selected to video document the Bristanbul trip and it was here where I got to know Simon.

When you are travelling through the picturesque mountains of the French Alps and the not so friendly border of Bosnia you do find quite a lot to talk about and you really do get to know your team well.

I can safely say that me and Simon got on quite well and it is always a pleasure bumping into him at shows, product launches and when we visit Bailey HQ. But that’s enough from me, let’s talk to Simon.

CT- What is your main role at Bailey Of Bristol?

Simon- I am the Marketing Director.

How do you keep marketing fresh in such an ever changing market?

It is always a balancing act maintaining communication with both existing and potential new audiences. Fortunately new marketing channels allow us to get our messages across to different people in different ways. Ultimately, however, successfully marketing caravans and motorhomes is about highlighting the features of the product itself and the lifestyle it allows you to enjoy.

Last year saw some great new models from Bailey. I quite like the Grande range especially. You must have been working all out to get so many new vans to market ahead of the new season.

Quite Like? Introducing new products into the market is a complex exercise and requires a considerable amount of time and resources.

We start the process with a series of customer and retailer focus groups to make sure we are making what people want, and then rigorously test the resulting proto-type models on test tracks and cold chambers to ensure they work.

Once they have been validated to ensure they comply with both UK and European Standards only then can they be made available to the general public.

We saw the Grande and the all new Phoenix hit the market last year. How have to two new ranges been received?

We have been very encouraged by the performance of these two new ranges thus far. Prior to their launch we, as a business, were overly dependent on our Unicorn range in terms of retail sales, however we now have a much better balanced portfolio with three distinct product offerings appealing to a broader spectrum of potential customers.

We spent quite some time together driving across Europe last year. What was your highlight of the tour, apart from my choice of driving music?

Getting hopelessly lost in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul in Istanbul with a caravan in tow.

Is there anything that we can look forward to from Bailey in 2019?

Again we have plenty of exciting new products, both caravans and motorhomes, in the pipeline for launch later this year. So watch this space…

Grand Theft Auto With A Caravan Attached

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William Colemam

We all know that caravans are a target for would be thieves and vandals. What you may not expect is for someone to try and pinch a towcar, swap the plates over and then have a police chase with a caravan attached. Some people really do not care for the rules of the road.

A would be caravan thief from Walsall started a full on police chase on the M6 while towing a caravan and has subsequently been sentenced to 20 months in prison.

Local motorway police officers were notified of a Mitsubishi L200 pick up truck that was towing, what appeared to be, an Elddis (unsure of model) single axle caravan, both of which had been reported as stolen.

It was also made apparent that both the caravan and pick up had false plates attached. The alert came as the truck was travelling on the A34 northbound towards Trentham.

Police gave chase after Steven Beeson, the gentleman who has just been sentenced, refused to stop for officers and then almost had a collision with a lorry at the entrance to junction 15 on the M6.

Once he was off the motorway Beeson decided to try an evade police and drove like a maniac until he was stopped at Hilton Park services near Junction 11.

Following a trial Steven Beeson pleaded to both driving while disqualified and the theft of the Elddis caravan.

PC Andrew Sigley said: “Beeson demonstrated some very dangerous driving and was lucky he did not cause a collision with another motorist. The excellent work by our pursuit team meant we were able to bring this reckless behaviour to a safe end.”

To watch a video of the chase Click here.

Caravan Guard Decade Of Charity For Paralympian

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By William Coleman

Charity is the one thing that unites people from all walks of life and from all round the world. Year in and year out companies make charitable donations and sponsor race teams, athletes and all manner of funds and schemes. One company who have gone above and beyond that are Caravan Guard who are celebrating their 10th year of charitable support one of Britain’s most decorated Paralympians.

The Halifax based caravan insurance specialists, Caravan Guard have been a proud sponsor of Halifax’s very own world champion Paralympian Hannah Cockroft for a staggering 10 years.

Hannah Cockroft has a list of accomplishments that could fill a trophy cabinet and has not let anything stop her from achieving the highest heights of any athlete. The five time Paralympic champion and 10 time world champion was presented with this year’s cheque for £1,000 during her visit to see Caravan Guard staff and some of their children.

During Hannah’s visit to Caravan Guard HQ she was put through her paces by the inquisitive youngsters who were keen to find out more about her special racing chair, her training regime and how fast she could go after letting them hold her collection of Olympic and World Champion gold medals and signing autograph books.

Hannah recently took part in the celebrity Stand Up To Cancer Great British Bake Off show and shared her experiences as well as how she is planning to tackle her training for next year’s Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

Over the past decade Caravan Guard’s charitable donations have gone toward helping Hannah pay for specialised racing wheelchair, replacement wheels, gloves, speedometers, physio and travel expenses to and from competitions around the globe.

“I’m so lucky to have had Caravan Guard’s support for the last 11 years,” said Hannah. “They’ve been with me since day one, when we were fundraising for my first racing chair, and they’ve been over every bump with me since.

“I can’t do what I do without my amazing sponsors, and after losing four in the past year, it means more than ever to me that Caravan Guard have come with me this far.”

Associate Director of Caravan Guard, Laura Wilby, said it was fantastic that Hannah could always find time to visit their offices and speak to staff – as well as their children.
“She’s such an inspiration for so many young people for achieving her dreams and the children were so excited to meet her and actually hold three Paralympic gold medals,” she said. “We’re so proud to have sponsored her from the very start of her golden and record breaking journey and hope her search for more financial support is as successful as her racing career.”

During her time as a professional athlete Hannah has won 20 gold medals and 4 silver across 4 competitions. I once won gold in 100 meter race in school when I was 15, not quite the Olympian level Hannah has reached. A massive well done to Caravan Guard for supporting one of our very best athletes.

The Lamborghini Caravan……?

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By William Coleman

Have you ever wanted to use an Italian sports car to tow your caravan? How about using the amazing Lamborghini to tow your Lamborghini manufactured “twin” axle caravan? Well it looks like the sports car industry has cast its net into the caravan world.

Yes, as you guessed it, this was Lamborghini’s attempt at trying to fool the world with an ill conceived April Fool’s Day joke/prank.

As you can see by their photo they did not really put too much time and effort into making it look convincing. Put aside the dodgy looking photoshop it does still look like quite a cool set up. Not sure how popular you would be firing up Lamborghini Aventador 6.5Ltr V12 on site and have it sat alongside a bright yellow trailer.

CaravanTimes will now be calling Lamborghini to see if they will loan us one of their sports cars to test their towing ability. I have a feeling that they will tells us April 1st was 2 days ago.

The Pop Up Camp365 Towable Lightweight Caravan

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By William Coleman

Compact living is an art unto itself and once you mastered it the holiday options that open up to you are limitless. As we welcome a lot of younger holiday makers into the world of caravan holidays we are seeing weight restrictions come into play, as well as a slight fear of towing. With the arrival of the Camp365 we may see thee issues slip away.

Fold out vans are not a new concept and it has never been as popular as your “traditional” caravan, camper or motorhome. With more and more younger people flocking to campsites I can see the fold out making a bit of a come back: smaller, lighter and something very different to the traditional.

The all new Camper365 is very much catered toward a younger market, and I can see traditionalists not being a fan. But for newcomers or young folk this is a great little tourer.

Price wise it is very competitive and coming in at around the £15,000 I can see a lot of people using this as their first van.

Due to its size and weight it has been said than even a car such as the electric Toyota Prius is enough to comfortably tow.

The engineering process focussed on delivering a trailer that has a low centre of gravity and has an aerodynamic design for slipstreaming and remarkable fuel economy with all towing vehicles.

The tow behind pop up camper concept is super spacious and I really like the innovative design, which allows for quite a lot of space one fully erected. The origami style fold out system is quite a sight. You won’t believe what comes out from such a small little folded trailer.

For anyone who does not have a driveway or garage this is ideal as it is so much smaller than a caravan, and we know the issues some neighbours have with seeing a caravan.

There have been some instances where people have been very much turned off of the idea of a fold out due to construction time and the effort that this entails.

Camper365 estimate that this trailer will take around 10 minutes to set up and does not require any tools to assemble. Just the two hand you were born with.

Once you have fully set the trailer up you are presented with a 12ft wide and 8 foot deep living space with a foot to head distance of 7ft, so if you are a giant you may need to stay seated once inside. A spacious 700 cubic square feet from such a small trailer really is impressive.

The Ultimate Caravan First Time Buying Guide

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By William Coleman

If you’re new to caravanning, buying a caravan for the first time can be a daunting and overwhelming process. With so many options out there, it can be difficult to figure out where to start.

It can be easy to pick the wrong choice, especially when buyers are drawn in by high-tech features, style or the make and model. Despite these being attractive reasons to buy a caravan, you need to think practically about what you’re buying for and your individual needs. For example, are you traveling by yourself, or do you have a small family to cater for too?

Purchasing a caravan can be a significant investment, so you’ll need to do your best to find the right one first time to avoid the hassle of reselling or trading in for something new. To help you with this vital decision, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on what you need to look out for as a prospective caravan owner.

Questions to ask when Buying a Caravan for the first time

Can My Car Tow A Caravan?

Firstly, you need to purchase a caravan that suits what you already have. Not all cars are capable of towing a caravan, but those that are may be better than others or only able to tow up to a certain weight. This will highly impact your decision on which one to buy. After all, if you’re looking to purchase a caravan, what’s the point if you can’t take it anywhere?

Essentially, you need to stay within the law and also remain safe when towing, so ensure you strictly follow the guidelines set out by UK road laws, and foreign ones too if you’re intending to travel abroad.

To find out if your car can tow a caravan, you need to check the car manufacturer’s weight limit. This may be less than the car itself, so ensure you check this before you buy. You can do this by checking online on the car maker’s website, your car handbook, or use a towing capacity calculator like this one. Another way to figure it out is if the caravan’s mass is less than 85% of the total car’s mass. Towing will be much easier providing that you’re under this weight limit. It’s really important you check this before you travel.

What Weight & Berth?

Once you’ve determined whether your car is capable of towing a caravan, you’ll be looking for vehicles under that particular weight. The average weight of a caravan is around 1300kg, but this doesn’t account for any personal belongings when setting off on a holiday. Depending on how confident you feel when driving and the size you require, this will further narrow your choice of caravan.

Depending on the construction type and the materials your caravan is made from, it will also affect the towing weight. The higher the berth, generally the higher the weight, as you’ll need more room to sleep and move around.

How Much Is My Budget?

You’ll be significantly restricted by your budget, which will subsequently help with other decisions such as style, model and layout. Costs can creep into the tens of thousands, so you need a strict budget in mind when doing your research. Once you’ve decided on a budget, this will really direct your research and you’ll see the size and facilities you can get for your money.

For between £4000-£8000, you’re likely to get a functional second-hand caravan that’s been manufactured in the last 10 years or so. This price range will give you more flexibility than lower budgets in terms of berth and layout. Newer caravans start in excess of £10,000, but it’s worth looking around at all your options to try and find a bargain rather than purchasing one too quickly, as you may find better deals elsewhere.

New Or Second Hand?

This decision will be based on your budget, but also where you purchase your caravan from. A private seller or dealership will often trade in second-hand caravans which can be much cheaper than purchasing from the manufacturer. However, you will have to consider the state and condition, accounting for any extra costs and replacements of soft furnishings or replacement caravan mattresses

Buying a caravan that’s been properly maintained will not only help with long term maintenance costs but could also help you save on insurance. However, a new caravan may have the advantage of carrying a warranty, so what you decide is up to you. When buying from a second-hand seller, ensure you view all the documentation and service records to avoid buying a defective or stolen caravan.

Layout & Style

Finally, the caravan you purchase needs to be suitable for you and your uses. The last thing you should do is buy a caravan on recommendation, and realise it’s completely the wrong layout, or you dislike the style. Such inconveniences may put you off from using it, which won’t make it worth the investment.

You may find that after doing some research you’ll have a preference for a certain layout or style. For example, would you prefer a fixed bed, or seating you can convert into one? Some users prefer to use on-site bathroom facilities or have their own in their caravan. Regardless, these preferences may have cost implications so ensure you choose wisely in line with your budget.

Any Other Useful Advice For Buying My First Caravan?

Do your research! we can’t stress enough that you need to consider all makes, models, and sizes and find your personal preferences and constraints in terms of budget and weight. The last thing you want to do is put a large deposit on a van and then change your mind. Therefore, gain as much insight as you can by viewing caravans online, visiting sellers and dealerships and also trade shows are a good way to get more advice.

Forums and other social media channels can be useful in answering common questions but bear in mind that these aren’t always accurate and hold mostly personal opinions. If in doubt, you can discuss your needs with a caravan club or ask for independent advice.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished- Charitable Caravan Effort To Face Heavy Fine

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By William Coleman

I am a firm believer in that if you are in a position to help someone in need you should. But like the old adage goes, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Recently in Havant a kind hearted samaritan decided to convert an old caravan into accommodation for the homeless but now faces backlash from neighbours and a fine from the local council. What has this world come to?

Becky Catchpole, 35, from Hampshire has done something that not a lot of people would do for another person and is now facing the brunt of the law for doing so. Her local council has decided that she should be subject to a £5,000 fine and the mother of 2 is “outraged” at what has gone in.

Not too long ago I wrote a short article on the rules and regulations of storing a caravan on a freehold or shared property and I did mention that there are some people out there who do have a bit of a stigma toward caravans. Now combine housing the homeless in one and you will soon see some eyebrows raised.

Such is life that a neighbour of Becky’s actually complained about the situation which was then been followed up by the communication from the council who claim that she has ‘breached planning law’.

The 1960s caravan which sat peacefully on Becky’s driveway was converted into a fully functioning living space, and listed on AirBnb, which was then opened up to house a elderly rough sleeper and their dog free of charge. Something that I think is a very honourable thing to do for someone who is in such need of help. It is also just a temporary solution until the local council can house the homeless man.

Following her kind hearted act council officers have accused her of breaching planning laws and have insisted that she remove the homeless person or face this enormous fine. Not sure the crime, if it is one, fits the punishment.

Morally and ethically speaking I find several things wrong with this situation. As far as I am aware a local council has the task of reducing the amount of homeless people and to protect people of its boroughs. So in this instance the local council are insisting that a person is put in harm’s way and made homeless, or they will accept a payment and all will be forgotten.

Becky has said: “I’m trying to do a good deed and help someone off the street and now I’m being threatened with a £5,000 fine. It’s absolutely outrageous.

“It’s the council’s fault this man is homeless in the first place. They haven’t found him anywhere to live.

“I’m letting him sleep for free while he waits. Now the council want to throw him back on the street.”

The ruling made by Havant Council was on the grounds that the caravan is actually a separate dwelling on her property, which I am guessing they feel should be subject to some form of taxation. Following the letter from the council there is now only a couple of weeks to fight for the to use the stationary caravan to help our most needy.

Councillor Narinder Bains said: “We risk a dilemma of setting up those who are homeless to fail. You can give anybody somewhere to stay but with it has to come with the support to manage them and you can’t get that by staying in a caravan.

“Everybody has got guidelines to abide by. As much as we wanted to be kindhearted, we have to understand rules are there for a reason. In this case, it’s about safeguarding.”

On a personal level I do understand that there are some safeguarding concerns and rules in place to protect the vulnerable. But I point blank refuse to believe that safeguarding is “safer” for someone when they live in a doorway than in a temporarily housing someone in a caravan, where they will not get rained on, freeze or even worse come to some serious harm from other people.

It seems that the whole situation has stemmed from one neighbour who just took issue. Do they dislike caravans or do they have some sort of issue with the homeless? No matter how you may feel about those less fortunate than us who have to sleep rough you should never go out of your way to put someone back on the streets. What harm was actually being done to the neighbour who complained?

I guess we will never know!

Story credit- www.thesun.co.uk
Photo credit- Solent News

What Has Boosted The Touring Industry?

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By William Coleman

Since around 2016-17 we have seen the caravan and motorhome holiday become the go to get away of choice for the people of the UK. We even have travellers visiting England, Scotland and Wales to take part in the new “Staycation” craze sweeping the land. What is bringing tourists to our shores, and more importantly, what is keeping the UK resident here for holiday?

There is one stand out thing that I have noticed over the past 18-24 month, the holiday makers are getting a lot younger. It seems as though leisure vehicle homes are very much “in vogue” with the youth of the nation. It would seem that Kos and Magaluf are now the second choice when it comes to getting away for a week.

Social Media Influence

So let me start off with a reason behind why more young folk are taking up touring. Now days it seems as though the vast majority of younger people are on their phones quite a lot, and a lot of that time is being spent on social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.

Companies have recognised the huge audiences they can reach by advertising through these websites and apps. They can spend a fraction of the money they do on print media by making video content which can be reused for much less cost and directly reach millions of people.

Another tool social media has is the power of influence. Seeing someone doing something different online in the 2019 version of “word of mouth” advertising, and we know there is nothing better than that when it comes to getting the word out. So many people have become so concerned about how they look online that a lot of people want to “keep up” with others.

Aside from keeping up with the Jones’ people are seeing just how much variety there is out there in regards to getting into the great outdoors and experiencing the beauty the UK has to offer.

It would also seem that any stigma that younger people felt toward the caravan holiday has very much diminished over the past decade or so. No longer is “caravan” a dirty word.

Investing In The Future

The sales of caravan and motorhomes has skyrocketed over the past 2 years, with 2017 being one of the best years the industry has seen in quite some time.

2018 had some very large shoes to fill due to the sales numbers 2017 produced, and 2018 did seem slightly underwhelming when the final numbers were in. That is not to say that last year’s numbers were bad, but they just did not meet the exceedingly high bar set by the previous year.

One of the big reasons people decided to buy new touring homes was to ensure that the future of their holiday making was secure. With a caravan you can take as many holidays as you want for a fraction of the price of flying and you can do it all year round.

Once you have invested in a caravan or motorhome you can let the kids or even the grandchildren use it. Multi generational use and more holidays all year round? Sounds like a winning combination to me.

Not only is the caravan or motorhome ideal for UK tourism, it is also fantastic to take abroad and experience some continental touring.

I spent three weeks touring around Europe in a caravan and was genuinely surprised at just how easy it was getting a caravan into Europe and back. Not to mention the amazing places that a just a short drive away.

Why fly when you can drive and take all of your creature comforts in a home away from that you have tailor made to suit your every need? You can also pack as much HP sauce, baked beans and proper tea bags you’ll need for an extended stay.

Freedom And Choice Without The Cost

They say that variety is the spice of life. Well this is something that has never been truer with a leisure vehicle. Take your hotel with you without having to spend huge accommodation prices.

Monday you can be in Brighton taking in the Great British Seaside and then by Thursday you can be sunning yourself in Bordeaux with a nice chilled glass Cabernet Sauvignon.

A caravan really can open up the world to a traveller. In the 18 months I have been writing for CaravanTimes I have seen 21 different countries and travelled all over the UK. If I were to add the cost of each trip up if I were using a travel agent I would be able to buy another caravan!

The main expense or a caravan holiday, aside from your caravan or motorhome, are fuel costs, which pale in comparison to jet fuel costs. All you need to do is take it easy while driving and find yourself a good towcar with good mileage and then off you go, it really is that simple. Just like that the world becomes your oyster.

The Industry Reaction

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has noticed just how well sites across the UK have evolved to entice the new generation of tourers all while making their current customer base equally as happy. Across the country you are seeing parks investing a lot of money to ensure their business reap the benefits of the current holiday boom.

Companies have realised that moving forward a site needs to be filled with more than just pitches and we are seeing new club houses, shower blocks and in some cases even brand new restaurant being added.

VisitEngland/Scotland/Wales have had a big part to play in the rise in popularity also. The areas, locations and activities they have promoted have fulfilled and inspired the ever growing need for things to see and do when on tour around the UK.

One huge aspect that has drawn the “outsider” to caravan sites is the rental and static side of the caravan world. For not a lot of money you can stay on a campsite in rented accommodation and get a feel for what it’s like to be part caravan community.

Having spoke to a few dealers at the shows and press launches I have found out that this is one of the strongest gateways to get people onto forecourts and eventually into a van of their own. People get a taste of the lifestyle and want to have the freedom of their own van.

Both the Camping and Caravan Club and The Caravan and Motorhome Club have invested heavily in sharing their clubs and facilities to people who do not currently own a van themselves or are actual members. Even those who do own vans are taking advantage of their glamping or motorhome rental services to see another side of touring.

Political Impact

Whether you voted leave or remain I think we can all agree it has been a bit of a turbulent couple of years since the Brexit Referendum. The tourism sector has seen its fair share of ups and downs since the decision to leave was made and it seems we may see a few more over the next year or two.

One huge impact the referendum has had is on the strength of the GBP, and what a roller coaster ride it has been in the 2+ years since the nation decided on its independence.

I was slightly unlucky, just after the vote I was heading to Italy and needed to change up some cash to get some Euros. I was not overly happy with the exchange rate, something that a lot of us in the UK have experienced. Depending on the market it can actually be very expensive getting enough Euros to see you through a trip away.

It is in my belief that the poor £ has influenced a lot of people to stay home for the holidays. I know that I have chosen a short break here in the UK due to it. You know that when the Euro is worth more than the GBP some people will stay well clear of the EU for holiday.

As we draw closer to leaving a lot of conversations I am having with friends is about where to stay in the UK for the holidays. With the great weather we are seeing across the summer it is sometimes a better option to stay home.

The future does seem to be shrouded in uncertainty and there is a feeling that we, as a nation, are becoming slightly unpopular across the European continent which may make some people think twice about travelling abroad. So at least we can say we will benefit from more people taking up the caravan holiday post Brexit.

Top Tips On Enjoying The Great Outdoors Without Bringing The Mess Inside

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By William Coleman

The one thing that I cannot stand is a dirty caravan or towcar, which means a lot of upkeep. As the nation are going away a lot, and now, even more in the colder wetter months the chance of bringing dirty and mud into the van is more than likely. So what are the best ways to keep on top of all the mess?

If you enjoy venturing out on long walks, discovering hidden nooks and drinking in the many stunning locations that the UK has to offer, a caravan provides the perfect base for your adventures. And whether you’re pitched up or touring, there’s no better way to explore the Great British countryside and coast.

Muddy hikes and sandy strolls go hand in hand with caravanning. Being that bit closer to nature makes the great outdoors feel much more accessible, yet the comfort and luxury that a warm, dry caravan offers after a long trek ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

The only downside to embarking on outdoor adventures when caravanning is the mess that invariably finds its way inside-especially if children and dogs are involved in the fun. Muddy boots, wet coats and sandy beach toys can quickly clutter up even the largest caravan, not to mention transfer dirt to carpets and upholstery.

The best way to prevent your living space turning into a makeshift boot room-complete with the aroma of soggy wellies-is to keep any damp or dirty outdoor equipment out of the caravan altogether.

Obviously it isn’t always practical to leave the offending items outside so the ideal solution is to store them in the car. But this risks dirtying the car too. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening.

Here are our top five tips for avoiding mess in both your caravan and car:

‘<' . strtolower('Array')>1. Enforce a strict no-shoes policy for inside your caravan. Keep a basket of slippers and slip-on outside shoes by the door for quick footwear changes when nipping in and out.

2. Fit a wipe-clean boot liner in your car boot. This will instantly protect the car’s interior from any dirty outdoor equipment and let you use your car as a valuable storage area.

3. When out and about, keep a boot scraper in the car and use it to remove as much dirt as possible from your footwear before you get in.

4. Have a stash of old towels handy in the car to dry off pets and children before returning to the caravan.

5. Invest in a handheld vacuum cleaner and dustpan and brush to tackle dirt immediately. Deal with any mud, stains or spillages as soon as they happen so they don’t become ingrained in carpeting or upholstery.

Travelworld Bag Business Award

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By William Coleman

So far 2019 has been a bit of a stand out year for Travelworld Motorhomes. They have opened up their brand new Hymer Centre, the only one in the UK and they have just been won a top business award following a ceremony earlier this month.

The Midlands Business Awards took place on the 8th of March and saw the Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld receive the award for Family Business of the Year 2019.

The black tie event took place Athena, Leicester and was attended by hundreds of guests recognising businesses, entrepreneurs and talent from all over the Midlands region. The awards, founded by Harj Sandher, are now in their 13th year.

Attending with colleagues, Erik Baxendale, Nick Barker and Carol Huggins was Ross Edwards, managing director of Travelworld. He said: “We are all over the moon to receive the award for Family Business of the Year. It was a great evening all round, meeting other Midlands businesses and enjoying the entertainment, we hope to be there next year too!”

The Stafford based motorhome company which specialises in premium brand motorhomes including Hymer, Niesmann + Bischoff, Carado and Dethleffs, has only recently moved to its new showrooms at Creswell Park, officially launching with a grand opening event at the end of last month.

Ross continued: “The award is perfect timing and the best way to say ‘thank you’ to all our staff at the showrooms. There has been a huge amount involved in our move to Stafford, and our staff have gone the extra mile on many occasions to make sure the business is in full operation and we are able to continue to offer our customers the best service.”

We were at the launch of Travelworld’s brand new Hymer Centre and it is easy to see why this family run business has taken home this top award. To be given Erwin Hymer status is a massive achievement and is the only Centre in Europe outside of Germany.

To see more of their brand new Erwin Hymer Centre Click Here.

Sophisticated Thieves In The Caravan And Motorhome Industry

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By William Coleman

As we develop improved systems of defence against criminals it seems that sophisticated thieves always have something hidden up their sleeves. These new advances in criminal technologies are posing new threats for the caravan and motorhome industry by detecting and removing traditional tracking units from stolen vehicles, warns telematics expert In-car Cleverness.

A unique covert technology supplied by In-car Cleverness recently helped to recover a luxury motorhome from thieves with the help of APU Ltd experts. Another motorhome stolen at the same time with a conventional tracker installed was subsequently was not recovered.

The emergence of more sophisticated criminals may be rendering many conventional trackers ineffective, with the caravan and motorhome industry particularly vulnerable, according to telematics expert In-car Cleverness

The increasing prevalence of advanced equipment, including scanners able to detect traditional tracking units, has meant some criminals can easily remove traditional trackers and clone the vehicle’s identity, making stolen vehicles nearly untraceable.

As a result, caravan and motorhome retail and rental businesses – which often use conventional trackers to safeguard their vehicles from theft – may emerge as the latest targets for sophisticated vehicle thieves.

With more thieves equipped with the ability to remove conventional trackers, caravans and motorhomes stolen during the winter and spring may not even be discovered until the holidaying season restarts in the spring.

Highlighting the issue, the recent theft of two luxury motorhomes, worth a total of £120,000, from a hire firm in the North West of England has shone a light on the risk of relying on vulnerable tracking devices.

However, In-car Cleverness, alongside sister company, anti-theft experts APU Ltd, managed to secure the recovery of one of the motorhomes just days later. Both firms are owned by accident aftercare specialist, Accident Exchange.

While the recovered vehicle was fitted with a covert piece of technology, the missing motorhome only had a conventional tracker which was quickly detected by a scanner and removed by the burglars. The bespoke technology, developed and owned by APU Ltd, is only available through the Accident Exchange Group of companies.

The owner of a motorhome dealership whose business has been established for over 40 years, said: “Criminals target this market because it is heavily based in rural areas with a lower police presence, while caravan and motorhomes remain difficult for police to identify when cloned – theft in the industry may represent the perfect crime.”

The covert device fitted to the recovered motorhome went undetected by the thieves and tracked the luxury motorhome to a commercial premises in Blackburn. The police were called and subsequently arrested three men. The data on the covert device and CCTV footage from the crime scene have been made available to police and the case against the men continues.

Paul O’Dowd, Head of Sales at In-car Cleverness, commented: “Many caravan and motorhome retail and hire companies aren’t necessarily aware of the risks posed by modern, sophisticated criminals – thinking their conventional trackers are a full-proof solution.

“It’s simply not the case, and instances like this recent robbery may have been a lot more damaging had our technology not been fitted onto the recovered motorhome. Businesses and private owners need to make sure they are taking a comprehensive approach to the security of their prized assets.”