Parkdean announces site opening dates

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Caravan site operator Parkdean has announced the summer 2010 opening dates for its holiday resorts.

The firm runs 24 sites around the country, with many located at or near the seaside and catering for caravan owners and those without their own accommodation alike.

It has announced a £10 million investment into its facilities ahead of the new season and claimed that its parks have never looked so good.

Many of the sites are already open to holidaymakers hoping to book an early break, while the rest are due to welcome their first guests of the year by the end of this month.

Friday March 26th will see Holywell Bay Holiday Park and Crantock Beach Holiday Park open their gates, while Sea Acres Holiday Park will follow on the Monday.

The sites offer guests top quality entertainment and feature heated pools, sports facilities, play areas, restaurants and kids’ clubs.

Haven improvements complete by Easter

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Caravan enthusiasts planning to stay at a Haven Holiday Park over the summer can expect to see some changes to the facilities.

The company has invested £40 million in upgrading its parks over the winter, with the changes set to be in place for the Easter holidays.

As well as a number of new adventure golf courses and other sports and play areas, the firm has invested in accommodation and show bars at 35 of its parks.

However, two parks in particular have benefited from new Space Bowls – an addition to the water park facilities already included on site.

Guests at Combe Haven and Marton Mere can expect a “high speed ride down the flumes before spinning around the bowl and dropping into the pool”.

The firm explained that while it has invested a large sum to help benefit its customers, guests can still hope to get a great value family break from as little as £99 for a family of up to six.

Most of Haven’s 35 parks are located on or near the sea, meaning guests can combine their caravan holiday with a trip to the beach.

Formula One driver in caravan holiday

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Despite being one of the world’s most promising sportsmen, it appears that Sebastian Vettel is not keen on extravagance.

A recent feature in the Sun newspaper revealed that the youngest ever winner of a Formula One Grand Prix has shunned expensive holidays in the likes of Monaco or Monte Carlo, in spite of the sport’s reputation for lavish behaviour.

Instead of treating himself and his student girlfriend to five-star breaks in the world’s fanciest hotels, the 22-year-old reportedly spent a holiday in a caravan in Finland last year.

The German has also taken breaks in remote farmhouses and climbed mountains during his time off – a far cry from the playboy nature usually associated with Formula One drivers.

His down-to-earth nature and lack of arrogance have made him somewhat of a darling of the press and fans.

After winning his first Grand Prix, Vettel refuted suggestions that it was the best moment of his life by revealing he enjoyed losing his virginity more.

Meanwhile, we reveal how in Northern Ireland there are disputes between caravanners and campsite owners over the need to buy new models – to avoid older ones becoming an “eyesore”.

Northern Irish caravanners face common problem

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Today we look at news of a common problem facing caravan owners in Northern Ireland.

According to a report from the BBC, many caravanners face expulsion from their favourite sites unless they invest in new models purchased from the park owners.

The sites claim that older models are “an eyesore” and are also susceptible to storm damage, making them a danger to caravans in the surrounding area.

However, caravan owners feel that they are being forced to pay top dollar for new models from the sites, rather than being able to purchase them cheaper elsewhere.

They also believe that they are being unfairly asked to renew their mobile home when their old one is still perfectly serviceable.

According to the National Caravan Council, site owners often rely on income from vehicle purchases as they are unable to turn a decent profit from the “low” pitch rental fees being charged to customers.

To combat the problem, Ulster Unionist MLA John McAllister has proposed new regulations that would make the rights of both parties clearer and require a written agreement set out at the start of any business relationship.

Caravan park threatens legal action over eviction

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A Scottish caravan park is threatening legal action if a family of six fails to move out of their mobile home by Friday.

Robert Williamson’s family of six faces having their utilities cut off by the end of the working week, the Press & Journal reported.

The retired prison officer claims he owns the caravan, but a fraud investigation is currently underway at the Silver Sands Holiday Complex in Lossiemouth over claims that mobile homes had been sold to multiple owners.

Hand-written receipts were given to a number of people who thought they had bought caravans at the site, only to find that their holiday homes had also been sold to others in a similar fashion.

“The directors are saying I cannot prove I own the caravan until a court case is over,” Mr Williamson told the newspaper.

“But they cannot prove that I do not own the caravan.”

The 61-year-old explained that he and his family will remain at the site until it is proven that they are not the owners.

Meanwhile, we report on how an agent representing a gypsy community in the area has called fears over a proposed static caravan site “irrational”.

Caravan site fears branded as irrational

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Objections to a proposed static caravan site for travellers in Wokingham have been branded “irrational” by the agent representing the potential developer.

Green Planning Solutions’ Matthew Green told the Wokingham Times that the plans to site eight caravans and communal facilities on the derelict land on Bearwood Road adhere to local regulations.

He suggested that locals voicing concerns about the presence of gypsies in the area are simply causing “irrational fear”.

“It would be foolish of the council to object to this development because of concerns it might cause problems with anything but the local landscaping,” he told the newspaper.

More than 200 local residents have expressed their opinions on the site in the past few weeks, but it will ultimately be Wokingham Borough Council’s decision whether applicant Felix Cash has his plans approved.

Meanwhile, the Press & Journal has revealed that a family of six are being threatened with legal action after refusing to move from the caravan they claim to own.

VIDEO: Interview with designer of Stealth Caravan (Part One)

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Ask anyone to describe what a modern caravan looks like, and you often hear the phrase “white box on wheels”. Design firm Dunster House took note of this when producing their first caravan offering last year, and the result was the rather radical looking Stealth caravan.

Sporting a gloss-black front which resembles he nosecone of a stealth fighter plane, the caravan looks like nothing else on the market today. We spoke to its creator Alex Murphy who revealed how the world of penthouses and yachts inspired him to create his first caravan.

Caravan park water pollution to be investigated

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A Scottish council is to investigate whether the groundwater at a Brechin caravan park is contaminated by waste that was dumped at the site before it was converted.

Angus Council will send inspectors to Eastmill Road, which was filled with waste from a battery manufacturer before the caravan site was founded, the Press & Journal reported.

The job is expected to cost in the region of £25,000 and a council spokesperson told the newspaper that the tests are part of routine inspections of areas where there is a possibility of the land having been contaminated.

“In this case, the land at Eastmill caravan park, Brechin, is currently a residential and touring caravan park but was in the past used as a waste repository by local industry,” she explained.

The spokesperson added that while there have been studies carried out at the site in the past, the aim of this research will be to establish the extent of contamination to the nearby River South Esk.

Locals have not raised any health concerns about the site and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is monitoring the situation as it develops.

Meanwhile, the Press & Journal also revealed that problems continue to occur at Lossiemouth’s Silver Sands Caravan Park, where a fraud investigation is underway

Success for Caravan Club at Boat and Caravan

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The Caravan Club has hailed last month’s Boat and Caravan Show as being a big success.

With the recent trend for staycations in the UK, Brits have become more inclined to stay in caravans and other mobile homes.

Some 83,264 people attended the show, which saw a number of the country’s top firms exhibit their wares.

Taking place in Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre from February 22nd to 27th, some firms at the event recorded a 20 per cent year-on-year rise in sales.

Event director Andy Gibb explained that the Caravan Club and mobile home manufacturers provide an integral level of support for the show.

He said that the importance such bodies place on the event reflects its standing in the UK caravan market.

Meanwhile, the Caravan Club recently reported that the Norwich Evening News has encouraged visitors to East Anglia to try a day of walking on the banks of the River Wensum.

Take a cycle on Devon’s Drake’s Trail

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Caravan enthusiasts heading to Devon and looking for adventure may be interested in cycling along Drake’s Trail – a popular bicycle route across the famous Dartmoor.

Guardian journalist Helen Ochyra recently completed the trail and explained how she was left astounded by the beautiful vistas that make the route a favourite among cyclists.

While Ms Ochyra did not stay in a caravan, those who do could easily follow her lead and rent a bike to complete the course.

Among the many attractions are the picturesque Burrator reservoir and Drake’s Leat – a waterway constructed by Sir Francis Drake in the 16th century to provide water for nearby Plymouth.

The writer was clearly impressed with her experience, suggesting that it is difficult to overemphasise the beauty of the area.

“It’s the kind of place passionate poems are written about – and one that my eyes just can’t get enough of,” she wrote.

Devon is also popular among surfers due to its extensive coastline.

Club set to benefit from recent travel chaos

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British holidaymakers face more uncertainty over summer holiday bookings after hundreds of flights across Europe were cancelled due to the appearance of another volcanic ash cloud. More chaos is set to engulf our own shores this week as experts warned of another plume of ash heading towards the UK. Yet there is one group of seasoned travellers for whom this news will have little effect: the caravanner.

Despite the indifferent British weather since the turn of the year, the Camping and Caravanning Club has seen a marked increase in bookings on its Club sites. Advanced bookings for the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May are already up seven per cent on the same period last year. Meanwhile website bookings at campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk are 23 per cent ahead of last year.

This follows a trend higlighted in a recent study by online company Travelzoo, which found that 12 per cent of respondents are now more interested in a UK holiday.

Robert Louden is the Club’s Director-General, and he told us that the widespread disruption caused by last month’s volcanic eruption will have a positive impact on business this summer.

“People look for certainty in uncertain times and last month’s volcanic ash crisis, coupled with the threat of further flight delays, has caused holidaymakers to reconsider their plans for this summer.

“We have seen an increase in Club Site enquiries of late as both members and non-members revert to what they know and look forward to a stress free domestic holiday.”

While those who rely on flights for their holiday are cursing the inability to reach the continent, caravanners are thinking ahead and planning for Europe this summer. The Club’s European and Worldwide Carefree Travel Service is also nine per cent ahead of where it was this time last year as more people opt for a caravan or motorhome touring holiday abroad, travelling via ferry or Eurotunnel.

Prolific caravan thieves jailed

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What are widely thought to be the most prolific gang of caravan thieves in the country were today placed behind bars.

The travellers, all aged in their 20s and 30s, are beginning sentences stretching from four to nine years after being found guilty of conspiracy to steal, the Independent reported.

Martin McDonagh and Charlie Ward are to serve two consecutive spells of four and five years, while relatives John McDonagh and Martin Ward will spend four years each inside.

“This trial lasted for three months and during the course of it I heard evidence of repeated thefts of caravans and motor vehicles which in total could be described as theft on a grand scale repeated time after time after time,” judge Patrick Hooton said when sentencing the men.

It is believed that the family of criminals may have been responsible for around half of the UK’s caravan thefts over the past three years, after the recorded number of incidents dropped dramatically after their arrest.

In other news, a woman was killed recently on the A11 after the caravan she was travelling in was involved in a collision with a van.