Gay rugby player sought solitude at caravan

Posted by

The friend of the world’s first openly gay professional rugby player has revealed how he invited the star to live at his caravan while he battled with the idea of revealing his sexuality to the world.

Cardiff Blues player Gareth Thomas sought solitude and advice by heading to Paul Cawsey’s South Wales caravan, the Sun reported.

The 57-year-old campsite handyman explained that he had befriended the 35-year-old rugby player – known as Alfie – and offered counsel at a tough time in his life.

“He asked me not to tell people because he was concerned it would make his life hell on and off the pitch. I am in no way gay myself but I’ve never had any problem with Alfie’s sexuality,” Mr Cawsey told the newspaper.

Thomas stars for Wales and the British Lions, as well as Cardiff Blues. He has been backed by Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis, who said he is an “inspiration” and that the organisation is supporting him.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, a caravan went up in flames at Brixham Rugby Ground, the South Devon Herald Express reported.

Caravan fire safety underlined

Posted by

The importance of fire safety among caravan owners has been underlined by a tragic accident in Pateley Bridge near Harrogate.

A 66-year-old man died after falling asleep with a lit cigarette, which proceeded to burn down his mobile home, the Harrogate Advertiser reported.

Leslie Watson is believed to have died from smoke inhalation before local resident Charles Swires discovered the blaze after a phone call from a neighbour alerted him to it.

Mr Watson is believed to have smoked up to 40 cigarettes a day and investigating fire officer Roy Ashman told the newspaper that caravanners should be especially careful of smoking in their mobile homes.

“If a cigarette drops on the right sort of material it will either ignite straight away or, if it drops on resplendent material like bedding, it can incubate for a period of time undetected by the person,” he said.

Mr Ashman added that caravans are particularly susceptible to ignition due to the material they are made from.

Meanwhile, an Aberdeenshire caravan site owner is to take legal action after a water main caused a reported £200,000 worth of damage to his property, the Press & Journal has revealed.

Caravan site owner to sue Scottish Water

Posted by

The owner of an Aberdeenshire caravan park is preparing to take legal action against a water company after a flood caused damage to his site.

Burnside Caravan Park owner Gordon Christie claims that a Scottish Water mains pipe contributed to the incident on September 4th that has left him with a bill of £200,000, the Press & Journal reported.

According to the Morray site supremo, the pipe effectively caused a dam, trapping flood water from the burn which runs through the park and causing its banks to burst.

The flooding caused a bridge to be washed away and also damaged the water pipe, but Scottish Water denies that the repairs to the bank is its responsibility.

“There would not be all the damage in the burn if the pipe had not been there so how can they just walk away from it and leave me to repair it? It’s a disgrace,” Mr Christie told the newspaper.

However, the firm is standing by its position and said that if the caravan site owner wishes to make a claim then he can, but that it feels the repairs are his responsibility.

In other news, the Harrogate Advertiser has reported on a tragic accident in which a Harrogate pensioner lost his life, underlining the risks of smoking in a caravan.

Aberdeenshire caravan site upgrades being delayed

Posted by

Aberdeenshire caravan parks could potentially be improved if more community groups were willing to take responsibility for their management, it has been claimed.

However, despite strong interest in taking the running of sites out of the hands of Aberdeenshire Council, many bids seem to fall by the wayside when groups or individuals are asked to come up with a business case, the Press & Journal reported.

According to the local authority, many are worried about taking on what is perceived to be risk, despite the recent increases in the popularity of caravanning.

“We have done some work to upgrade the basic facilities available within some of the larger parks, including sewerage and water,” explained council officer Graham Wall.

He added that as site users now require additional facilities, the council has identified areas where investment is needed to try to match demand.

Attractions in and around Aberdeenshire include the city’s promenade and seaside amusements, as well as Loch Ness and the Scottish highlands further west.

Woman defies redundancy to set up caravan firm

Posted by

A Newton Aycliffe woman has stared adversity in the face after being made redundant and defied it by setting up her own caravan business.

According to the Northern Echo, Paula Gilbey lost her job at leisure retail firm Discover after eight years’ service.

Rather than moping around or changing career paths, the entrepreneur decided to use her expertise to set up Multi-Touring.

She now sells caravan parts and accessories such as electrical and gas equipment, both in her own store and over the internet.

“It’s a good time to be going into business. It’s an industry I love and a customer base I know well,” she told the newspaper.

Ms Gilbey added that the contacts made in her previous role should help establish her fledgling company and allow her to make a living from doing something she loves.

Meanwhile, the Aberdeen Press & Journal has revealed that local community groups are hesitant to get involved in improving caravan parks in the area.

Caravanners reassured over Cumbria trips

Posted by

British caravan owners worried by the recent flooding in Cumbria have been reassured that much of the area is still “open for business”.

According to Cumbria Tourism, the widely-reported disasters caused by last month’s excessive rainfall have only affected small pockets of the county.

Cumbria Tourism chairman Eric Robson explained that the pictures of Cockermouth and Worthington may have people worried, but attempted to put their minds at rest.

“A lot of people come up to the Lake District this time of year to go walking in the sharp winter weather,” he said.

Mr Robson revealed that of the 892 footpaths in the region, just 21 required serious repairs after the flooding.

Meanwhile a recent OnePoll survey found that the Lake District was the fifth most popular holiday destination in Europe.

Barcelona, Paris, Rome and Venice made up the rest of the top five, with the UK capital of London also making it into the ten-strong list.

Caravan Watch scheme launched in Winsford Flash

Posted by

Most people have heard of Neighbourhood Watch projects, but one town is set to launch a caravan alternative.

The Winsford Guardian revealed that the town is preparing to launch its first Caravan Watch scheme at Winsford Flash’s Lakeside Caravan Park.

It is designed to get mobile home owners to keep an eye on each others’ units, with four people being appointed as co-ordinators.

Their phone numbers will be given to each of the site’s 168 static caravan owners, allowing them to report suspicious behaviour to the co-ordinator, who will liaise with local police.

“To save 20 people calling up about the same thing, the coordinator can take the calls and inform the police,” the park’s assistant manager Tracy Mills told the newspaper.

She added that it also encourages residents to look after one another and gives them the chance to report problems to someone other than the police if they feel it necessary.

Meanwhile, the Great Yarmouth Mercury has revealed that Beaumont Park Caravan Park has asked for permission to rearrange its site, allowing three more caravans to be fitted in.

Greece ‘has exhausted its beach holiday potential’

Posted by

UK caravan enthusiasts may be better off staying at home next year after a Greek expert suggested the Mediterranean country has “exhausted its potential” as a sun, sand and sea destination.

With so many beautiful beaches in the UK and France, Greece can no longer compete for those whose only desire is to relax on a sunlounger or towel.

Greek deputy culture and tourism minister Angela Gerekou explained that the Mediterranean country must now start playing up its cultural side to appeal to a new generation of Brits who want more for their money when travelling abroad.

“Tourism makes up 80 per cent of air passengers so it is important that air networks are included [in marketing campaigns],” she said. “We need to give Greek tourism a new identity in the market it deserves.”

Those who would rather stay closer to home and enjoy British beaches and culture could visit Cornwall, Devon or Brighton – all of which boast fair weather in summer.

New search facility for campsites next to a good pub

Posted by

Caravan owners who use pitchup.com to help them find suitable sites for a holiday may have noticed that the website has joined forces with The Good Pub Guide.

The union has created a “pitch and pub” application with which caravanners can choose a campsite based on its proximity to the nearest recommended bar.

It contains The Good Pub Guide’s recommended watering holes, which have been reviewed by readers and visited by at least one member of the editorial team.

Lucky Dip pubs are also listed, however these are generally only recommended by readers and have not been verified by the guide.

A further 50,000 bars are included in the search, while caravan owners are also able to check whether the sites allow campfires or pets.

Pitchup.com managing director Dan Yates explained that having a warm pub nearby is a “key part” of the winter camping experience.

“This new functionality gives users further insight into camping and caravanning locations which, along with the site’s independent user reviews, make Pitchup.com an invaluable research tool,” he said.

Meanwhile, those planning on camping at the Isle of Wight Festival in June can expect to see Doves and Ocean Colour Scene, who were recently added to the line-up.

Essex theatre company appeals for caravan

Posted by

An Essex theatre company is appealing for a caravan to use as a backstage area for its large cast.

The Clavering Players is putting on its first pantomime production for more than two decades, but is desperate for an area for the stars to change in during the show, the Saffron Walden Reporter revealed.

The organisation is staging its version of Cinderella at the Clavering Village Hall from January 7th to 9th and recently scooped awards at the Cambridge Drama Festival.

Cast member Ian Miller revealed to the newspaper that it has been difficult but fun going from serious acting to pantomime comedy.

“It’s quite a challenge because there’s a lot of singing and dancing which many of us haven’t done for a while, but we’re all show-offs so it should be fine,” he said.

The topical script was adapted by the cast, who are under the direction of Jennie Scott-Reid.

Essex caravan parks include Fen Farm Caravan & Camping Site, which has room for up to 30 caravans or motorhomes and is pet-friendly.

No Comments

filed under: News

Tags:

Highland town high on the list of 2010 destinations

Posted by

Caravanners heading to the Scottish Highlands next year could visit one of Tripadvisor’s top five destinations for 2010.

Parkdean, which operates 24 award-winning holiday sites around the UK, noted that the travel website had Nairn at second place in its list of the best places to visit in the coming 12 months.

The list was constructed using information from the Tripadvisor website, with particular emphasis on destinations that have improved their online presence in the past year.

Nairn was bested only by Mexico’s Troncones and features both a beautiful seafront and harbour, as well as two championship golf courses.

Added to that is a range of shops and museums and Parkdean suggested that caravan owners could stay at its Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park during their visit.

The scenic site features an indoor swimming pool, children’s play area, crazy golf and other facilities.

In other news, Parkdean recently suggested that those heading to the new surf reef in Dorset could stay at one of its three nearby sites.

Caravan owners fined after blaze

Posted by

Two Wolverhampton men have been charged with illegally disposing on caravans after a local resident reported them to the Environment Agency.

Brothers Carl Mitchell Nedic and Christopher Tony Nedic set fire to their mobile homes at a caravan park owned by their parents, the Birmingham Mail reported.

When agency officers arrived on site, they noted that the caravans had been set alight directly below overhead high-voltage power lines.

Both men admitted to disposing of the vehicles without the proper environmental licence and received fines totalling around £10,000.

Environment Agency officer Kevin Heede explained that caravan park owners have a responsibility to deal with their waste in the proper fashion and warned that the organisation would pursue any similar cases in the same manner.

Telford Magistrates Court ordered each to pay a fine of £1,800, costs of £3,327 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Meanwhile, the Plymouth Herald recently revealed that a caravan fire at a travellers’ site in Laira may have been started by children.