Satnav voted most significant motoring moment of the decade

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The introduction of widely available satellite navigation systems has been heralded as the motoring moment of the decade by website Carsite.co.uk.

Caravanners whose holidays were blighted by missed turns and dodgy maps were handed a reprieve at the turn of the century when satnav devices entered the market.

Comprised of a small computer and a global positioning system, the gadgets ended over-reliance on maps and potentially reduced the number of arguments regarding directions.

Carsite’s Alistair Jeff said: “Despite occasionally hearing of satnav devices sending drivers in completely the wrong direction, in most cases they’re entirely accurate and a fantastic gadget that has totally changed the way we get around.

“You realise how significant an invention is when you can’t imagine making a complicated journey without one,” he added.

The satnav has become so commonplace that even some mobile telephones have the technology. The TomTom UK & Ireland application – intended for use on Apple iPhones – is the second-highest grossing application in Apple’s iTunes app store.

Caravan site Parkdean offers New Year’s resolutions

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Holiday park operator Parkdean has constructed a list of suggestions for caravanners to use as their New Year’s resolutions.

The firm suggested that 2010 would offer holidaymakers a chance for a fresh start and that it is a time to look to the future.

One of the first things on the list was to get fit, which the company claimed is a good way of making yourself feel better.

This ties in with losing weight and stopping smoking – both of which can be beneficial to your health.

It may also be a great time to change your outlook and Parkdean hopes its customers will try to enjoy life more in 2010.

“The saying goes ‘we only live once’ so why not make the most of it. Spend some quality time with your friends and family or enjoy a nice family holiday,” the site operator advised.

Meanwhile, the firm recently noted that the Scottish Highland town of Nairn was rated second in Tripadvisor’s list of top destinations for 2010.

AA: ‘Christmas accident rate falling’

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The AA has revealed that the number of accident insurance claims has fallen in the past week as the warmer weather approaches the south.

Just 529 claims were registered yesterday (December 23rd) compared to 644 on Monday December 21st when the icy weather began in earnest.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: “The worst of the weather seems to be receding in many parts of England, reducing the risk of a collision due to icy conditions – although Scotland is still in a tight wintry grip.

“Caution is vital – it’s far better to delay your journey and arrive late, but safe,” he added.

Black ice was identified as a “hidden enemy” and all caravan drivers should take caution when making journeys in this weather.

Earlier this week transport minister Sadiq Khan criticised the apparent lack of gritting on British roads.

Brits to give up luxuries for breaks

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Regardless of whether Brits spend a week in a caravan in the UK or head off in search of some foreign sun, holidays are considered by many to be “one of the main highlights of the year”, it has been claimed.

According to travelsupermarket.com, people are willing to sacrifice a lot to ensure they can take a break from their everyday lives.

Travel expert with the online resource Bob Atkinson said: “Brits will give up all sorts of things in order to save up and spend on a trip or a series of trips as a reward for working hard during the year.”

He added that value for money is important, especially if they have had to do without things throughout the year.

The comments follow a Travelzoo poll which showed that 42 per cent of respondents intend to travel more next year than they did in 2009.

A further 52 per cent said that they would sacrifice luxuries in their day-to-day lives to be able to afford their trips.

Sedgemoor to host caravan awareness day

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Sedgemoor District Council is to host an awareness day for caravan and holiday park owners at Brean Leisure Park.

The event, set to take place on March 2nd 2010, is being held to highlight significant health and safety issues and help managers stay on the right side of the law, the Somerset Guardian reported.

As well as information on asbestos and legionnaires disease, the day will be used to boost knowledge of risk assessments, as well as gas, fire and electricity safety.

Further options include swimming pool management, play area equipment safety, crime prevention and how to market your business.

It is a free event organised in partnership with Sedgemoor District Council, the Health and Safety Executive, South West Tourism and the Environmental Health Department.

Meanwhile, Saga has revealed that a third of caravan owners will use their mobile homes to house guests over Christmas, with 41 per cent using their units for winter holidays.

Caravan family move into new home

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A family who have spent the past four Christmases in a caravan in their garden will be able to enjoy a festive meal in their own home this year thanks to the kindness of others.

Joe James and his four children were left living in the mobile home after a series of unfortunate events which saw the single dad lose hearing in one ear, his mother and his business all within a short space of time.

Furthermore, his partner of 14 years left him, meaning Mr James was unable to finish much-needed work on the family home, the Holyhead and Anglesey Mail reported.

The family have been spared another year in the caravan though after Mr James’ former employers wrote to DIY SOS.

The TV show made a special episode highlighting the plight of kids across the UK living in inadequate housing.

It invited dozens of local tradesmen to help revamp and repair the existing building and complete a large extension in less than a week.

“I thought if they were able to get the building up, and possibly have the lounge and Kerry’s bedroom finished, that would have been more than enough, because it was such a big job,” Mr James told the newspaper.

He added that the work done in the week would have taken him a decade to complete.

Meanwhile, the Burton Mail has revealed how a local crook who was given a curfew order has had to apply to have it changed after it emerged his wife had thrown him out and he is now living in a caravan.

Caravan site plans thrown out

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Plans for a new static caravan site near Malvern have been thrown out after local residents opposed the move.

According to the Malvern Gazette, there were 40 objections to the plans from W J Beard and Leigh Sinton Nurseries to construct the site for 31 timber-clad caravans.

The companies had already received permission for 24 units but opted to ask for more, which resulted in the Leigh and Bransford Parish Council noting that it was against the move.

Objectors were concerned that the work would harm the landscape and “close the gap between Leigh Sinton and Malvern”.

There are also worries over increased traffic on the B4505, despite the applicants producing their own 22-name petition in favour of the site.

Malvern Hills District Council planning officers had backed the move, saying that it would be appropriate use of the land, but the southern area development control committee voted against it, citing the lack of a demonstrable need for the development and its effect on the landscape.

Meanwhile, the Camping and Caravanning Club has predicted another bumper year of trading in 2010.

Camping and caravanning popularity grows

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The popularity of camping and caravanning has soared this year and is set to continue to grow in 2010, it has been claimed.

According to the Camping and Caravanning Club, 2009 was a record-breaking year for memberships, with a 24 per cent year-on-year increase.

Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show that between August and October this year, the seasonally-adjusted number of visits abroad by UK citizens fell by three per cent.

According to Camping and Caravan Club spokesperson Jon Dale, the financial downturn has led to less people heading to foreign lands and encouraged more to holiday in the UK.

“People have not had as much disposable income as what they did have, due to the recession, so people are opting to holidaying in this country rather than going abroad,” he said.

Mr Dale added that popular caravan destinations include Scotland, the Lake District, Devon and Cornwall.

He noted that there has been a 48 per cent increase in advance bookings for 2010 and suggested that the signs are positive for another solid year.

Cumbria and Yorkshire popular Christmas choices

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The popular caravan destinations of Cumbria and Yorkshire are good choices for Christmas holidays, it has been claimed.

According to VisitEngland, such areas are great for last-minute deals in winter and offer a number of options for those taking a break from their normal working life.

A recent iknow-uk report found that Brits are increasingly favouring the Lake District and Yorkshire as their festive destination of choice, with 20 per cent and 36 per cent of holiday searches respectively.

Commenting, VisitEngland head of strategy Jenny McGee said that heading off to a “cosy cottage” or “recreating … childhood memories”, such as those spent in a caravan, is popular during the winter months.

“Visitors can enjoy long walks through stunning countryside before tucking into their Christmas dinner or finding a warm and welcoming pub to sneak into for a cup of mulled wine … making [the north of England] an excellent destination for a last-minute winter break,” she said.

Recent statistics from VisitBritain show that the average spend per tourist has increased of late, despite a drop in visitor numbers.

Gay rugby player sought solitude at caravan

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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

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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

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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.