Caravans come to the rescue for cyclone victims in Australia

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by Gemma Roskell

Around 30 refurbished caravans could be donated to families left homeless by Cyclone Yasi as part of a charity project.

According to ABC Local, a community group in Queensland is hoping to renovate the unwanted mobile homes to give to victims of the natural disaster.

Graham Riley, a spokesman for the Childers Lions Club, said most of the caravans need “a fair bit of work” to bring them up to a liveable standard.

But he and his colleagues are determined to carry out the work and are now seeking more caravans to help those affected by the cyclone.

He urged mobile home owners about to trade in their vehicles to consider donating them to the project.

“We’ve actually got a six-berth heading off on Thursday,” he said.

“My wife and I are taking it up to Tully and hope to get there Friday afternoon to put it in the hands of a family with four little children who have got nowhere to live.”

Cyclone Yasi was a category five storm which hit the state of Queensland in north-eastern Australia early in February.

Caravan Club National Rally 2011 to be held at Sledmere House

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by Holly Tribe

The Caravan Club has announced its 84th National Rally will take place in the stunning grounds of Sledmere House in East Yorkshire.

The event is the Club’s largest annual event, held by its member for its members, and will run over the Spring Bank holiday from 27 – 31 May.

The event’s organisation team is headed by the Events sub-Committee who are charged with putting together a dynamic programme of activities and making sure the weekend runs without a ‘hitch’.

Previous rallies have attracted 3,000 outfits and up to 10,000 caravanners who enjoy a weekend packed full of competitions and sporting events designed to appeal to all ages.

Sledmere House is a spectacular 18th Century stately home set in extensive grounds which include landscaped gardens and a deer park.

Ralliers are encouraged to make the most the location and visit some of the surrounding attractions such as York Minster and the quintessentially English seaside resort of Scarborough.

For more information on how to book a place at The Caravan Club’s National Rally 2011 click here.

Used Caravan of the week: Knaus Sport & Fun

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by Holly Tribe

When Bailey Caravans recently launched the Orion, a new series of caravans designed to get the most from the outdoors, it got us thinking. Which other caravans have been built specifically for caravanners who might need to stash a lot bulky sporting equipment? After a quick rummage around the classifieds, we came across this rare and remarkable Knaus Sport & Fun.

These well built German vans are seldom seen on the second hand market, and their scarcity has led to great value retention. The Sport & Fun offers a unique layout and distinctive profile that will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts who like to turn heads on site.

Click here to see an image gallery of the Sport & Play

As the name suggests, the van was designed for fans of sports and outdoor living. Cavernous storage underneath the front end fixed double bed can be accessed via an external hatch. The seats of the dinette which create the third berth can be removed to create even more space inside and an extra wide doorway provides better access for bulkier items.

There’s a unique reinforced roof with bars attached which can act as a roof rack, perfect for transporting surf boards or skis. It’s a lighter weight caravan and good to tow, but comes with the minimum of kit. There’s a dedicated washroom which houses a Thetford cassette toilet, shower and wash basin, and a basic kitchen carries a two burner hob. But the owners of this particular ‘van are throwing in a camp kitchen for free.

History:
According to the listing, the current owner bought this model in 1992 and it carries all the original paperwork supplied by Knaus; the current seller is the 4th listed owner. It is being listed ‘in good condition for its age’, with some wear and tear to the interior including wear marks and a light cover coming adrift above the sink.

Kit & caboodle:

A gas fired Truma unit provides heating and a new water heater was fitted last year. The sellers are also throwing in a range of extras including poertable water tank, porch awning and larger awning, outdoor table and seating unit and a camp kitchen. Hitch and wheel locks are also included.

  • Price: £5,995
  • Gross vehicle weight: 765kg
  • Width: 2.17m
  • Length: 5.78m
  • Berth: 3
  • Axle: Single

Get it while it’s hot on ebay


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Why Katie Price wants a pink caravan

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by Marcus Dubois

We can safely say it’s not often that the likes of former glamour model Jordan graces the pages of Caravan Times. The businesswoman born Katie Price now considers herself to be another person entirely since the early days of photoshoots and life-changing surgery. Famous for outlandish purchases such as her pink VW Beetle, in a recent interview with The Sun’s Buzz magazine she revealed she would love her next purchase to be…a pink caravan.

Her inspiration came from the recent Channel 4 phenomenon “Big Fat Gypsy Weddings”, in which members of the traveller community are shown enjoying lavish weddings with fairytale appointments. Many of the brides filmed on the programme wore enormous pink dresses similar to Katie on her big day, while one couple even used the same Cinderella carriage she used in her wedding to Peter Andre.

Katie revealed to BBC Radio 5 Live that she found it “flattering” that the travelling community were adopting elements of her famous pink wedding with Andre. Yet she also appeared galvanised by seeing the programme and it’s participants.

A pink caravan for the collection

She revealed to the Sun that she knows exactly what the community could get her as a present. “They can get me a pink caravan if they like – to add to my pink collection. I’ve already got two pink horseboxes, and there’s another one coming this May with Swarovski crystals inside”.

Today the reality TV star revealed she would “marry 40 times if I have to” in order to find the right man. She said “I don’t care if I get married 9 times, 10 times or even 20 times until I find the right one”.

Katie Price’s first marriage to Australian singer Peter Andre ended after three and a half years. And she separated from second husband Alex Reid after only eleven months of marriage.

If Katie is serious in her intention to add a pink caravan to her roseate collection of vehicles, then Caravan Times recommends the custom colour program from Stealth Caravans where she can choose her perfect shade of pink.

Speeding pensioner clocked doing 170km/h in dash to caravan showroom

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by Holly Tribe

Do you love caravanning enough to risk a high speed accident with oncoming traffic whilst being chased by the police?

No? Well, a 70-year-old was caught doing just that last October in his home country of Sweden when he was clocked doing speeds approaching 170km/h – more than double the local speed limit.

His excuse? To get to a caravan showroom before it closed for the day.

In his haste to get to the shop, the 70-year-old sped past a minibus full of police officers who were unsuccessfully trying to overtake him and set up a road block.

According to The Local, an English speaking Swedish news provider, ‘the man was seen overtaking cars into oncoming traffic and around blind corners’ before eventually being stopped by a second police unit.

The man was arrested for aggravated reckless driving and driving without a licence when it was discovered he had previously had his license revoked on the grounds of poor health.

In his defence during the trial at BorÃ¥s district court, the man explained he was ‘desperate to get to the caravan showroom in Fritsla before it closed for the day’.

Lunar Caravans expands retailer network in South Wales

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by Holly Tribe

Lunar Caravans is set to grow its dealer network when a new retail outlet opens in South Wales next month.

Stowford Caravan Centre will open its doors to the public with a new five acre site in April and will stock a wide range of Lunar caravans, along with caravan storage and workshop facilities.

The new centre, situated in Coedely, Llantrisant is the second to open under the Stowford banner. The firm already runs an established caravan business in North Devon, and hopes to continue its success with the new South Wales site.

Andrew Noall of Stowford commented: “Strategically, this is such a great location, and it is a move we’ve been planning for over a year now. There are already plans in place for top-quality caravan storage and full workshops, and we are contributing with a full caravan retail set-up.”

Lunar has just launched two new family friendly models to their portfolio of touring caravans and is looking forward to showcasing their collection at the new centre.

Martin Henderson, Lunar sales and marketing director added: “Stowford Caravan Centre (South Wales) is a fantastic addition to our retailer network. Since 1978, Stowford Farm Meadows has been a family run business committed to delivering excellence and customer satisfaction.

“Their new retail outlet in South Wales will carry this trademark forwards. We are therefore really excited about the expertise and care that Stowford Caravan Centre (South Wales) will be offering to Lunar customers.”

Enjoy a ‘wee dram’ on a caravan break in Scotland

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners planning breaks in Scotland this spring may be planning to enjoy a wee dram during their time away.

With several whisky festivals and tours being planned in the coming months, there will be plenty of ways to get into the spirit of things.

In April, the Inverness Whisky Festival kicks off, with live music and plenty of tasting sessions with local distilleries.

This will be followed by the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and the Islay Festival of Music and Malt in May. And if that’s not enough, there are whisky tours available in many of Scotland’s cities.

For example, in Glasgow, there’s a new bus tour taking passengers around the city’s whisky bars for informal tastings.

And in Edinburgh, the Scotch Whisky Experience shows foodies how to pair whisky with certain dishes.

There are numerous camping and caravan sites across Scotland providing basic and luxury touring accommodation.

The Caravan Club has ten sites across the region, from the Balbirnie Park site in Glenrothes to the Bunree site in Fort William.

How Prince William and Kate Middleton could only afford a caravan if living on salaries

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by Marcus Dubois

With only weeks to go until the big date, the talk around the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton has recently turned to life after the wedding. And unlike many couples about to marry across the UK, Will and Kate have the enviable choice of the finest palaces and houses in the realm.

Yet a recent study by Santander Mortages makes mischief by theorising just how the royal couple would survive if they depended solely on their salaries, with no Royal allowances. The results indicate that in today’s tough housing market, a likely option would be a static caravan.

Less than regal

Although Prince William is more accustomed to the opulence of St James’s Palace, he would be forced to set his sights lower if circumstances were changed. His RAF salary of £37,170 is the couple’s only job-based income, as Miss Middleton ceased working for her parent’s party planning company earlier in 2011.

According to Santander this means the couple could only afford a mortgage of £142,246. And a quick scout around the country revealed a range of properties that were described as “less than regal” by the firm.

The Royal Caravan

If the Royal couple stayed in the Windsor area, then a rebuilt static caravan measuring just 50 square feet would be one of the only affordable choices. The caravan has now been turned into a two-bedroom bungalow but space would still be at a premium despite the asking price of £138,000.

Other alternatives include a three-bedroom semi in North Wales with mountain views, or a four-bedroom house in Leeds with access to the M1 for those weekend trips to Buckingham Palace.

However our interest was piqued by another of the survey’s options, namely a parking space in Knightsbridge, Westminster – only a short hop away from the Queen. With an asking price of £135,000 this is clearly a tongue-in-cheek choice. However it does leave plenty of room in the budget for a used touring caravan…

David Coulthard on his ‘lifelong enjoyment’ of caravanning

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by Gemma Roskell

Former F1 racing driver David Coulthard has spoken of his love for touring holidays, which began in childhood and has continued into fatherhood.

The 39-year-old spoke to the Herald newspaper following his appearance at last month’s Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show.

“A lot of people might be surprised a grand prix driver is a fan of caravanning,” he acknowledged. “But this is a lifelong enjoyment I’ve had.”

David said he spent many a family holiday in a caravan and later depended on tourers to travel around the UK during the early part of his racing career.

He also revealed that many of his fellow grand prix drivers, including Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg, have developed an affection for caravanning.

“I’m just in the market to buy another motor caravan for my DTM career, which will see me in only one race in the UK but a number of races throughout Germany,” he remarked.

“So I can take my two-year-old along to the races and he can have the childhood experience, being with the family, that I had.”
David opened the Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show in Glasgow on February 2nd 2010.

Caravan enthusiast makes final journey in Volkswagen Type 2 campervan

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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

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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

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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.”