Art Trail launched in north-east

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by Chris Malone

Caravan enthusiasts with a love for art can combine their passions by following the new Art Trail, which has been launched by visitnortheastengland.com.

The online tourism resource is keen to capitalise on the area’s influence over renowned figures such as TS Lowry and JMW Turner.

It has set up a guide to help visitors to the north-east find the best galleries, museums and exhibitions throughout the region.

One of the most famous art installations in recent times is located in the north-east and seen by one person every second.

The Angel of the North was designed for Gateshead Council by Antony Gormley and sparked off a public art movement that saw more than 20 new pieces created over the subsequent years.

As well as this, the Art Trail includes the BALTIC – Centre for Contemporary Art in NewcastleGateshead.

Middlesbrough’s mima is also featured, as is Barnard Castle’s Bowes Museum.

In other news, a local parish council close to Barnard Castle recently told the Teesdale Mercury that it is concerned about the safety of pedestrians walking to and from a local caravan park due to the absence of a pavement.

Caravanners to pay council tax

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by Chris Malone

Caravan owners at Throney Bay Park in Canvey Island are to be made to pay council tax after an investigation revealed that they were living there all year round.

A total of 292 homes on the site will now be subject to the levy, with the remainder of more than 800 caravans still falling under the park’s business rates, according to the Echo.

The newspaper launched a campaign to have the Valuation Office Agency conduct a review of the site to establish whether some residents were avoiding their responsibilities.

Castle Point councillor for economic regeneration Norman Smith told the Echo that it was “only right” that permanent residents should be asked to contribute.

“They are taking from the borough as much as everyone else in terms of services, so why should they not contribute?” he asked.

The ruling means the owners of the 292 caravans in question will have to pay £1,046 per year after their homes were classed as band-A for council tax.

In other news, the Craven Herald recently reported that a landscape expert has suggested that neither caravans, nor the earth mounds planned to screen them from view, would fit in with the look of the environment at Long Preston.

Caravan site decision goes right to the top

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by Chris Malone

The final decision over whether to build a caravan site on green belt land near Coventry will be made at the highest level, it has been confirmed.

According to local government secretary Eric Pickles, he will make the final call on whether the site gets permission.

It comes after villagers in Meriden felt so strongly about the travellers’ site that they took their protest to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Residents Against Inappropriate Development spokesman David McGrath explained that the full consultation being carried out on behalf of Mr Pickles will give all parties a chance to voice their opinions.

Those on both sides of the argument will be asked to state their case in front of planning officers, who will then make a recommendation to the Cabinet minister.

“A decision can be taken in the light of the sea change in planning law which the new coalition government wants to bring in,” Mr McGrath said.

In other news, the Aberdeen Press & Journal has revealed that travellers at two local caravan sites could be handed eviction notices at the request of Aberdeen City Council and car dealer Pendragon.

Aberdeen caravan dwellers could face eviction

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by Chris Malone

Travellers who have set up two caravan sites in Aberdeen could be served with eviction notices today, it has been revealed.

According to the Press & Journal, the camps have been set up on park land near Riverview Drive and at an old Renault garage in West Tullos Industrial Estate.

Aberdeen City Council and car dealer Pendragon are today (October 6th) going to court to seek eviction orders to remove the caravans from the respective sites.

The local authority told the newspaper that it was examining ways of ensuring the land was not misused again but that it would look at alternative sites for the mobile homes.

“We have been working towards the goal of preventing unauthorised encampments at this site again, but at the same time we are committed to speeding up the eviction process by coming up with other sites for travellers,” explained SNP councillor for Dyce Mark McDonald.

Residents had complained of the noise and mess created by the illegal campers and the official noted that while he understood the nature of the traveller lifestyle, the site was not suitable for such a camp.

In other news, the Teesdale Mercury has reported that the local council has raised concerns over the safety of pedestrians walking from a Caravan Club site to Barnard Castle.

Lancashire caravan sites could benefit from funding

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by Chris Malone

Caravan sites are among the businesses that qualify for funding from Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board’s share in the Rural Development Programme England pot of cash.

The finance is available for accommodation providers looking to upgrade their facilities to a high standard and will see firms given up to 40 per cent of their project costs to a maximum of £50,000.

Any business offering four or five-star accommodation can access the scheme, which can also be used to part-fund professional business planning advice and training opportunities.

The first successful applicants have already benefited, with Cartford Inn owners Patrick and Julie Beaume using the cash to help build eight new bedrooms, a restaurant, new kitchen and outside dining area.

“This funding will allow us to fulfil our wishes to increase our accommodation capacity to the high standards we have set ourselves and have already demonstrated to our guests, with our first phase refurbishment,” said Mr Beaume.

In other news, the Caravan Club recently wrote to MPs noting how the caravanning industry could help the UK economy.

Could caravanners be Britain’s Most Adventurous Family?

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by Chris Malone

Caravan-loving families could be in with a chance of winning a prestigious gong that is to be handed out for the second consecutive year.

Chessington World of Adventures is searching for Britain’s Most Adventurous Family 2011 after crowning the Wilsons as its 2010 winners due to their globe-trotting backpacking antics.

Families are being asked to film their adventurous behaviour and send it in to the theme park to prove why they should be crowned champions.

The aim of the contest is to help encourage Brits to live a more active lifestyle, which will help the next generation develop fully, according to clinical psychologist Linda Blair.

“Adventure is an important part of child development. It increases self-confidence, activates problem-solving skills and encourages children to be creative by finding new ways to meet challenges,” she said.

The expert added that adults also need adventure to alleviate stress and boost creativity.

Chessington World of Adventures is located near Epsom, south-east of central London

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County Durham council concerned about caravan pedestrian safety

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by Chris Malone

Concerns have been raised in County Durham over the use of a road by pedestrians coming to and from a new Caravan Club site.

The park in question is situated in land off Lartington Lane near Barnard Castle and the local parish council has warned that there could be a danger to both walkers and motorists due to the lack of a suitable footpath.

According to the Teesdale Mercury, the Caravan Club has offered to pay for warning signs for motorists to alert them to the possibility of pedestrians on the B6277 as they head over the Deepdale Bridge.

“It would be beneficial for those travelling from further afield to have a triangular warning sign on the eastern approach to the Deepdale road bridge, alerting motorists of the possibility of them encountering pedestrians along the narrow section leading up to the pipe bridge entrance,” a spokeswoman for the Caravan Club said.
The local council explained that it would not be cost effective to install a pavement, but that it had cut back the grass verges to make it easier for walkers to avoid the road.

In other news, the Caravan Club has been championing the staycation as a means of helping to get the UK economy back on track by writing to MPs.

Caravan Club members contribute £400million to economy

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by Holly Tribe

Caravan Club members have been noted as substantial contributors to domestic tourism, spending £400 million in local economies each year.

The Club has identified ten caravanning hotspots where Caravan Club members spent £20 million and over – with boundaries set by constituency borders.

Leading the pack was North Norfolk which received £4.5 million from its three Caravan Club sites and 56 Certified Locations.

The Caravan Club’s Director General Nick Lomas has sent out a personal letter to every MP detailing how much Caravan Club members contribute to each constituency annually, to impress upon each local MP how important caravanning can be as a driver of economic recovery.

Minister for Tourism, MP John Penrose, visited a Club Certified Location in his own constituency Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. Recognising that caravanning is a valuable contributor to revenue created through tourism in the UK, he commented “Caravanning has been a successful and distinctive part of the tourist economy in the UK for more than 100 years.”

And contributions to local economies from caravanners looks set to increase. The Club has reported that not only is membership at an all time high, it is steadily rising above the one million member mark.

Nick Lomas highlighted the ‘vital economic importance’ of domestic tourism, explaining: “Caravanning plays a key role in the tourism mix and it’s the most popular ‘paid for’ holiday accommodation choice in the country, making our members true investors in the UK.”

Preview: International Caravan and Motorhome Show – Caravan Gadgets and Accessories

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by Holly Tribe

With just over a week to go, preparations for International Caravan and Motorhome 2010 are well underway over 250 exhibitors lined up there’s a lot of ground to cover.

Last week we looked at some of the new caravans that will be on offer for the 2011 season to help plan your time at the show, this week we’ve compiled a go-to list of caravan accessory and gadgetry vendors we think will be worth a look.

The Big Four


There are literally thousands of products catering to the outdoor leisure market. Four of the UK’s largest accessory superstores will be on site peddling their wares and everything from camping cookware to bedding and bike racks will be available for your browsing pleasure.

  • Towsure Hall:17 Stand: 17-39a
  • Riversway Leisure Hall:9 Stand:9-20
  • Fiamma Hall:9 & 20 Stand: 9-10 & 20-95
  • Tamworth Camping Hall:9 Stand: 9-15

Mobile Luxury


Leading the way in luxury living on the road, caravan accessory and appliance manufacturer Dometic have been touring the country in their brand new support unit, kitted out with all their latest equipment.

Dometic specialists will be on hand to demonstrate a large variety of fridges, air conditioning units, generators, safety equipment, hobs and sinks, windows and rooflights, even a ceramic toilet. If you have any Dometic appliances in your caravan, their friendly staff will be available to offer practical advice on how to service products to keep them in tip top condition. Hall:20 Stand:20-64.


High End Accessories

If you’re considering investing in of some of the more expensive caravanning accessories you will have the opportunity to compare products and test out merchandise. High cost items like caravan movers and awnings will be on show from independent retailers, providing a great opportunity for buyers to decide between different products before taking the plunge and making a purchase.

Outdoor Revolution specialise in lightweight caravan and motorhome awnings, and will have their new range of products on display which promise to deliver ‘a new price proposition which will deliver unrivalled value in the market place’. Hall 17 Stands 17-35.

Midland Motor Movers will also be showcasing their range of motor movers and visitors can enter a prize draw to win a brand new Purpleline Enduro Caravan Mover. Hall 18 Stand 18-08


Mobile TV and Satellite

The mobile television and satellite arena is a notorious minefield, and with the big digital switchover imminent, choosing the right system is getting ever more complicated. Make the most of having experts on hand and get answers to all your televisual quandaries.

Head towards Satellite & Digital Services Ltd for all the latest designs in mobile satellite systems and to have a look at the multitude of accessories currently on the market. Hall:9 Stand: 6-01.

Phantom is a leading light in the leisure and telematics industry, with a wide range of products on show including digital and satellite TV, tracking systems, alarms and reversing cameras and sensors. Hall:18 Stand: 18-21.

Coming up next week.

In the third and final part of the International Caravan and Motorhome Show preview, we’ll take a look at the vast array of activities and attractions that will be held throughout the week.

  • Where: NEC Birmingham
  • When: 12 – 17th October
  • Admission: £14.95 – £31.45

Buy your tickets now from www.caravanshows.com or call the ticket hotline on 0844 4124639. Don’t forget to enter our promotional code CART01 to receive a £5 advance booking discount.

Squeeze the most out of the season with a caravan awning

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by Chris Malone

As the good weather starts to slip away, caravanners looking to squeeze the most out of the season might be considering purchasing an awning for some extra space to enjoy on their breaks.

Homestead Caravans recently highlighted its wide range of awnings and noted that it has products to suit most mobile homes.

It stocks products from some of the leading manufacturers in the awnings sector, including Dorema, Kampa Carnival, Pyramid and Quest.

The range includes caravan awnings designed for both tourers and motorhomes, while buyers can also choose between those that are quick to erect and disassemble or others that are designed for long term use over a whole season.

This gives caravanners flexibility to suit their style of holidaying, with those who prefer to be on the road a lot and exploring different caravan sites more likely to opt for a lightweight awning.

As well as awnings, Homestead Caravans offers a number of mobile home accessories, such as curtains, blinds and groundsheets.

In other news, Amber Leisure recently drew attention to the fact that it has expanded its operations from supplying caravans to managing five holiday parks.

Amber Leisure branches into caravan parks

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by Chris Malone

Brits may recognise Amber Leisure as a leading supplier of new and used caravans in the UK, but the firm has also now branched off into the holiday park business.

It offers a total of five separate caravan sites throughout the east of England, each offering a unique attraction.

These include Suffolk’s Aldeburgh, Bedfordshire’s Pavenham and Heacham in Norfolk, with caravanners able to choose between countryside, coastal and city locations.

Each of the five parks offer access to a range of attractions, from quaint towns and villages to beaches and rural walks.

The firm underlined how committed it is to providing family-friendly holidays at its sites, with facilities in place for kids to enjoy themselves in safety.

“With many people looking for affordable holidays within the UK our Park holidays provide just that,” the firm said on its website.

“Park holidays are a great way to make new friends, both young and old, with many children meeting up and playing whilst the adults while away the hours chatting.”

Could Welsh caravan sites benefit from Ryder Cup?

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by Chris Malone

The Ryder Cup began in earnest today (October 1st) amid torrential rain at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Some of the top pros from Europe are taking on their counterparts from the US in one of golf’s most prestigious events.

Despite the inclement weather, the contest could elevate the status of golf in Wales and may see an influx of guests at the nation’s caravan sites.

A large proportion of the country’s holiday parks are located close to golf courses, while many even boast their own facilities.

Fans of the sport will be watching with interest today after world number three Lee Westwood and USPGA champion Martin Kaymer headed out first for Europe to take on the US pairing of Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.

Another major draw will be the presence of Tiger Woods on the US team. The troubled star has been short of form this year, but paired off with Steve Stricker against Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher.