Caravan enthusiast makes final journey in Volkswagen Type 2 campervan

Posted by

by Gemma Roskell

When caravan enthusiast George Edwards was taken to his final resting place, his last journey was made not in a traditional hearse, but in a VW campervan.

The grandfather of ten, who died of heart failure at the age of 54, was described by his family as a “free spirit” who loved travelling.

According to the Derby Evening Telegraph, relatives said journeying to his grave in a black car was “the last thing he would have wanted”.

Instead, his coffin was placed in a converted campervan and driven to St Philip’s Church in Chaddesden, Derby with a parade of VW Beetles following behind.

“Dad was always a hippy at heart and had a commer van before we were born,” said daughter Jenny

“Once he settled down with children, he always had caravans. I remember always having one on the driveway.”

A church service for Mr Edwards was held at St Philip’s Church and he was buried at a nearby cemetery.

Caravan owners to join Lake District birthday celebrations

Posted by

by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners heading to the Lake District this year can take part in a number of events being organised to celebrate the National Park’s 60th birthday.

A new pocket guide has been published listing all the activities on offer in the region in 2011, from the Kendal Mountain Festival to the Great North Swim.

Almost 500 events from now until the end of the year are listed in the 68-page booklet, meaning families will find something to do whatever time they visit.

“This 60th birthday year is a very special time for all of us and we hope many visitors and locals will want to celebrate with us in August,” said National Park events organiser Andrea Hills.

“But anyone picking up the guide, or viewing online, will quickly see there’s so much more to do all through the seasons.”

As well as listing events and activities, the guide also contains maps showing key tourist sites and transport routes. It is available from tourist information centres across the region, as well as libraries, hotels and motorway services.

Caravan Club launches new Discover Touring publication

Posted by

by Gemma Roskell

Whether you’re an experienced caravanner or a complete beginner, you could find something to pique your interest in the Caravan Club’s new bookazine.

The first edition of Discover Touring was launched at the Boat and Caravan Show in Birmingham last month. Designed to help caravanners make the most of their leisure time, it includes all the latest news from the world of touring.

It also contains expert views, practical advice and top ideas on where to go and what to do, as well as reader competitions.

The bookazine is on sale for £4.99 and is available from WHSmith and online at the Caravan Club’s website.

Director of marketing Lawrence Bate described Discover Touring as a “fantastic resource” for lifelong caravanners and those new to the pursuit.

“At the club we are all about providing helpful and friendly advice and supporting the caravan industry by encouraging people to try touring,” he remarked.

“We anticipate this bookazine will be hugely popular among the one million caravanners the club represents.”

Caravan Club cyclists raise £42k for the British Heart Foundation

Posted by

by Gemma Roskell

A group of cyclists from the Caravan Club have been praised by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for their efforts in raising money for the charity.

Several club members teamed up with staff and industry representatives last year to take part in the 2010 London to Brighton Bike Ride.

So far they have raised £42,000, which according to the BHF is the highest sum donated in sponsorship for the event.

The Caravan Club team was made up of 140 keen cyclists, all of whom completed the 54-mile route from the capital to the south coast in June.

Chairman Grenville Chamberlain said: “We are delighted to have this recognition of the Caravan Club’s dedication to supporting the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride.

“We are looking forward to taking part again this summer and continuing our support for the vital work of the BHF.”

The 2011 event will be taking place on Sunday June 19th and general registration is now open.

REVIEW: Pictures, prices and layout of the Bailey Orion 430/4

Posted by

by Holly Tribe

The Orion 430/4 is the lighter of the two four berth layouts in Bailey’s new entry level Alu Tech range. But it still manages to accommodate a fixed double bed and rear end washroom.

The near-symmetrical curved front and rear ends give the model a striking retro-inspired profile, which is somewhat reminiscent of the Adria Action. This has the added benefit of reducing drag when towing and improving the fuel efficiency of the towcar.

Space & Practicality

Space is always going to be at a premium when working with compact dimensions, but Bailey Caravans has managed to kit the 430/4 out with all the facilities you would expect without making it feel overcrowded. The new curved rear is seen but not felt in the rear washroom: there’s plenty of legroom in front of the Thetford swivel toilet and there’s more than enough headroom underneath the showerhead for the average height ‘vanner.


It’s a tad awkward getting things in and out of the oven which is positioned quite close to the end of the bed, and there’s not a huge amount of prep space in the kitchen. However, the front dinette feels spacious and there’s a decent amount of overhead locker storage.

Equipment & Comfort
For an entry level van there’s a decent amount of kit included in the price. In the kitchen there’s a combination oven/grill and three burner hob, along with the added bonus of an 800w microwave – a rarity in entry level ranges. Heat is distributed via the clever underfloor slung Whale blown air system, and plenty of daylight floods in through Heki rooflights and the large picture window in the nose end.

Furnishings

The dinette benches are covered in a simple, understated beige upholstery scheme and the cabinetry is finished in a light Walnut veneer. Contrasting beige locker doors in the kitchen and the front end overhead locker help to enhance the clean and simple lines that run throughout the caravan.

Safety & Security
As with all Orion models, the 430/4 is fitted with an AL-KO chassis, secure receiver with optional wheel lock and the AKS 3004 stabiliser. Better weight distribution is achieved by relocating the gas bottle locker from the front end to above the axle next to the entrance door.

  • Price: £12,995
  • MTPLM: 1,247kg
  • MRO: 1,100kg
  • Axle: single
  • Berth: 4
  • Overall width: 2.19
  • Internal height: 1.96m

Could caravanning be a budget friendly option for the Olympics?

Posted by

by Gemma Roskell

With tickets for the London 2012 Olympics now on sale, sports fans will be eager to book accommodation in the capital so they can be part of the action.

But according to the Financial Times, London’s hoteliers are looking to cash in by hiking room prices to more than five times their normal rate.

The newspaper claims that members of UKinbound, the trade organisation for tour organisers, are shocked by some of the prices being quoted.

“Hotels appear to be gripped by a frenzy of greed,” said the group’s general secretary Mario Bodini.

Caravanning could therefore be a much more affordable option for those hoping to attend the games, or simply visit London to soak up some of the atmosphere.

The Camping and Caravanning Club announced in January that it is planning to offer two event campsites during July and August 2012.

Other caravan parks in the Greater London area are also expecting strong demand from those with touring homes.

Click here for caravan parks in London: six sites within the M25.

Caravan Club adds new site in Yorkshire

Posted by

by Gemma Roskell

Caravan Club members will soon have another site to visit, as the group has added a new park to its network for 2011.

The Bridlington Caravan Club Site in the East Riding of Yorkshire will open in August with 70 hard standing pitches.

It will be available for use by members and non-members and will be open all year round, which is great news for those who enjoy winter caravanning.

Bridlington is a small seaside resort north of Hull, offering sandy beaches, family entertainment and fascinating wildlife.

Holidaymakers can visit the RSPB nature reserve at Bempton Cliffs or take in the impressive white cliffs at Flamborough Head.

Catherine Ford, head of sites marketing at the Caravan Club, said: “Bridlington Caravan Club Site will provide a relaxing retreat for visitors to this wonderful part of Yorkshire.

The site will boast many environmentally friendly features which will help it to exceed the minimum carbon reduction standards required by law. Biodiversity will also be a major priority for the park.

Somerset caravan dealership placed into administration

Posted by

by Holly Tribe

Somerset Caravans, based on the outskirts of Taunton, has been forced into administration due to significant cashflow problems.

According to the BBC, administrators Begbies Trayor have stepped in to find a new buyer for the ailing dealership.

The business sells a range of new and used caravans alongside an accessories shop and on-site service centre, but it has been experiencing severe financial difficulties caused by production and supply issues.

Joint administrator, Ian Walker, commented it is a strong business in a good location and the intention is to sell it as a going concern.

“Somerset Caravans is a well-known, long-standing Somerset business, which has traded profitably from a great location on the outskirts of Taunton, next to the proposed new junction with the M5.

“It is a good business which offers not just caravans but a whole range of camping supplies, and therefore is in a position to take advantage of the growing trend for family camping and caravanning holidays in the South West,” he said.

Of the 21 staff -16 will be retained while Begbies Trayor search for a buyer.

Five unique caravan holiday parks in Ireland

Posted by

by Holly Tribe

Ireland. The word alone conjures up thoughts of rolling green hills, dramatic coastlines and intimate drinking holes; arguably the perfect surroundings for a caravan holiday.

Renowned for their hospitable ways, our celtic cousins have a plethora of stunning caravan sites across the country – so whether you’re looking for a tranquil getaway at an adult’s only site, or fun for all the family (including the dog!) there are plenty of options.

In celebration of St Patrick’s Day, we’ve had a look at five stunning caravan parks located across the Emerald Isle.

Adults only caravan site

If you’re looking for a quiet site to get away from it all, Lough Arrow Touring Caravan Park provides a tranquil location set on the banks of the stunning Lough Arrow lake in the North West of Ireland. Guests are welcome to enjoy the comfortable club room with its range of games and log burning stove, and outdoor golf practice nets and a boules pitch are also available.

Price: Euro 18/ night
Address: Ballynary, Riverstown, County Sligo
Tel: +353 071 96 66018

Caravan site by the beach

Located on Ireland’s mid western peninsula, the Renvyle Beach Camping & Caravan Park has direct access to a stunning white sandy beach. Hot showers, a sanitary block and spring water taps come in useful after a day at the beach to wash off all the sand before you get back into your caravan or tent! Sorry – no dogs allowed between July and August.

Price: Rates available on request.
Address: Tullybeg, Renvyle, Co Galway
Tel: +353 095 43462

5 star caravan site

Ballyness Caravan Park is a multi award winning site located in Northern Ireland. Within striking distance of the famous Giant’s Causeway, Old Bushman’s Distillery and many other attractions the site has 48 hardstanding pitches set over three distinct landscaped areas. It was awarded the AA Caravan Park of the Year 2010 for Scotland and Northern Ireland and has free hot showers and a library and games area.

Price: £22/ night
Address: 40 Castlecatt Road, Bushmills, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT57 8TN
Tel: 028 2073 2393

Caravan park near Dublin

If you want to be closer to the action of Ireland’s bustling capital city, the Camac Valley Tourist Caravan & Camping Park has 163 touring pitches and is just a short drive away. There’s a public bus stop just outside the park gates and from here the Dublin City Tour Bus will pick up passengers at 9.30am every day for a guided tour of the city. The site offers 24 hour security and a late and early check in service.

Price: Euro 21 – 24/night
Address: Naas Road, Dublin-22,
Tel: +353 1 4640644

Dogs welcome

There’s over 100 extra wide hardstanding pitches available at the Woodlands Park on the south-western peninsula of Ireland. Dogs are permitted on site – if they are kept on a lead and only walked by adults, and when you want to stretch your legs, there are extensive private dog walking trails in a woodland behind the park.

Price: £18 – 21/ night
Address: Dan Spring Rd, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Tel: +353 66 7121235

Off-road caravanning: The XC Innovan extreme travel trailer

Posted by

by Holly Tribe

Does your towcar double up as a vehicle that’s capable of some serious off-road adventuring? Ever wondered what it would be like to wander beyond the confines a caravan park with your ‘van in tow? Well, we have something that may be of interest.

Click here to see photos of the Innovan being put to the test

Australia has a thriving 4×4 scene and our antipodean cousins are well known for their love of the outdoors; combining these two passions, a pioneering company based in Queensland has come up with a hardcore off-road caravan called the XC Innovan.

Innovan torture test

The first prototype was built in 2005 and its makers have taken great delight in putting the van through some extreme off-road tests. Pushing it to maximum speeds over rough dirt tracks they claim the rig came through ‘no worries!’

But a true off-road vehicle should be able to handle extreme wet weather conditions – so how did the Innovan fare with a river crossing? Adjusting the suspension before traversing a local river gave the ‘van around half a metre of ground clearance, and although the firm admitted the external storage box did fill up with water, the cabin itself remained bone dry (pictured).

Pitching

After pitching up in a secluded corner of the world, adventurers are free to raise the solid sides of the caravan – increasing the internal space to around 5,000 litres. This includes space for two single berths, which can be converted into a comfortable queen-size, and room up front for a couple of bicycles; handy if you fancy a spot of mountain biking before dinner!

The new and improved XC caravan went on sale in 2009 and there are four models available: the Adventurer, the Crusader the Rover and the Voyager, each built using a light fibreglass sandwich construction system making them strong, light, durable and well insulated.

Kit list

Basic kit includes: heavy duty off-road shock absorbers, mechanical disc brakes, 6 stud 15 inch wheels, off-road coupling with hand brake, self-raising storage beds with internal storage and 12v electrics. Other available features include 85 litre fridge/freezer, toilet, shower, internal and external kitchen and prep areas, and there’s even designated solar panel housing built in.

For more information head to http://www.innovan.com.au/index.php Ever thought of using a caravan as an all terrain vehicle?
Have your say in our forum topic here.


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Caravan Club launches online towcar matching service

Posted by

by Gemma Roskell

Buying a new towcar can be a lengthy process if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.

Fortunately, the Caravan Club has launched a new outfit matching service that can help you find the right vehicle to suit your caravan.

Available for free to members only, the tool contains a database of 50,000 car models and more than 9,000 caravan types.

By inputting the details of your touring carava and the towcar you plan to purchase, you can find out whether the combination you have chosen is a suitable match in terms of safety, legality and comfortable towing.

Of course the matching service works the other way around and can also help you find the right caravan to suit your existing tow car.

Caravan Club members can already receive personal advice from technical advisors on potential outfit combinations, so the new online tool will act as a compliment to this existing service.

Armed forces personnel to enjoy free camping & caravanning

Posted by

by Gemma Roskell

The Camping and Caravanning Club is hoping to show its appreciation for the UK’s servicemen and women by offering them free camping this summer.

The club’s site on the Isle of Skye is enabling armed forces personnel to use its pitches free of charge on Saturday June 25th on behalf of Help for Heroes.

It will also be holding a season-long raffle to raise money for the charity.

The offer applies to all serving members who are able to provide identification on arrival. Additional campers must pay full site fees.

Skye club site franchisees David Weller and Nicky Sellier said: “It’s a pleasure for us to be able to help those men and women that continue to do such a sterling job for our country.

“We hope all campers will show their encouragement and support for what is such a worthy cause.”

The Skye site is located on the shore of Loch Greshornish and opens on April 1st for the 2011 season.

For more information on Help the Heroes, plesae visit: www.helpforheroes.co.uk