Coachman Caravans pleased with progress

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Coachman Caravans has been celebrating a successful appearance at the International Caravan and Motorhome Show.

The event, which took place earlier this month in Birmingham’s NEC, allowed the firm to sell 410 mobile homes.

This translated to sales of approximately £6.8 million, with new designs helping to boost the figure brought in by its traditional favourites.

Managing director Jim Hibbs explained it is a marked turnaround from a year ago, when the firm was suffering from the recession.

“The results from this year’s NEC show are extremely positive and the best that we have ever experienced,” he said.

Mr Hibbs added that the 2009 event felt like a turning point for the company and the industry.

He said the firm would be working hard to ensure next year is as successful as this.

Those who missed out on the Birmingham event can head to the Manchester Central Caravan and Motorhome Show, which takes place from January 21st 2010.

VIDEO: Ten per cent rise in sales at International Caravan and Motorhome 2009

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It is the largest show for caravan and motorhome enthusiasts in the UK, drawing the biggest crowds and the best names in the industry. International Caravan and Motorhome is held at the NEC in Birmingham, and this year saw attendance at the show increase by just over 10%.

Exhibitors also enjoyed increased sales, with the biggest caravan manufacturers selling over £6m between them on the first day. The show was boosted by two exclusives this year, one from a established caravan manufacturer and the other from a relative newcomer. Bailey Caravans used the event to showcase its all-new construction method called Alu-Tech, with the first model called the Pegasus. The reaction from showgoers has seen Bailey achieve record sales. And log cabin manufacturer Dunster House revealed their ultra-modern caravan called the Stealth.

We tracked down the Show Director Sam North who spoke to Caravan Times about the increased attendance and the new exhibits on show this year.

Consider moving your caravan to a Park Holidays UK site

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Brits who keep their caravan on a UK-based site have been encouraged to consider moving it to a Park Holiday UK facility.

The firm explained that it could cost a lot less than many people think to switch parks and highlighted its Easy Move scheme as a great way to get it done quickly.

Staff from the company take care of the logistics of getting the caravan to its new home by helping to arrange everything and keeping costs to a minimum.

“Many people find that they actually save money as often our charges are lower than their existing park,” the company noted.

Some sites, such as Sheeress and Steeple Bay, offer two years fixed for £999.

Another option available to caravan owners is the part-exchange programme, which allows them to trade in their existing holiday home for a better or bigger one.

Park Holidays UK explained that it is desperate for used caravans at the moment, thanks to a booming industry.

Meanwhile, the company recently launched its third annual win a caravan competition.

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Park Holidays UK to give away holiday home

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Brits could be in with a chance of winning a brand new caravan from a popular campsite operator.

Park Holidays UK is set to give away an ABI Vista two-bedroom mobile home in a competition that has been running for the past three years.

The lucky winner will have their new caravan placed at a choice of three of the company’s sites and have their first year’s pitch covered for them, meaning a whole year of free holidays.

Even those who have already bought a caravan from Park Holidays UK stand to benefit if they win, as they will be given the cash equivalent to spend on whatever they please.

To enter, caravan lovers need simply visit the resort operator’s website and click the link.

“Everyone is welcome so get your entry in for the new competition, so what have you got to lose,” the firm said.

“If you are interested in holiday home ownership then this could be your lucky day.”

In other news, Park Holidays UK recently reported that it may cost less than you think to move your holiday home to one of its sites.

Caravan owner fumes at unauthorised sub-let

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A North Tyneside resident was left bemused after discovering that a family had been staying in her caravan without her permission.

Kerry Brunskill purchased the £16,000 mobile home after a vicious assault from an ex-partner left her needing somewhere to recuperate, according to the Sunday Sun.

The 34-year-old told the caravan site in Berwick not to sub-let it as her privacy had become very important to her.

However, when her parents arrived at the facility with the intention of taking a holiday, they found the caravan to be occupied by a family.

Ms Brunskill made the trip to Berwick to confront the site’s staff and was told that a mistake had been made.

“I was really upset when I realised someone was in the caravan,” she explained to the newspaper.

“Privacy is important to me after what happened and I did not like the idea of someone else sleeping on my bed, using my toilet, and moving things about.”

The medical secretary was so upset that she decided to move her caravan to another site.

The Berwick Holiday Park is operated by Haven and offers views of the coastline. It also features a pool and an 18-hole golf course.

Welsh caravan destroyed by fire

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A caravan owner at Glan Gwna Country Holiday Park in Wales was left devastated after fire tore through his mobile home.

According to BBC News, the blaze occurred when clothes were left too close to a gas heater.

The mobile home was burned to the ground, with the adjacent caravan also suffering damage.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service fire safety enforcement officer Simon Talbot explained that clothes should never be left near a heater.

“It only takes a few minutes for a small fire to develop into a serious and life-threatening fire as we have seen in this incident,” he said.

“This family was only out for about 20 minutes and by then the whole caravan was destroyed.”

The owner of the neighbouring holiday home was treated for smoke inhalation and shock.

Fire service officials offer a free safety check and will install alarms where needed.

Glan Gwna Country Holiday Park is located two miles from Cemarfon and is set among 100 acres of woodland and parkland.

Caravaner to build Kenyan orphanage

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A caravan journey to Kenya has convinced a Cumberland man to return to build an orphanage.

Roger Douglas, who belongs to the Assemblies of God fellowship in Dumfries, spent a number of weeks in Nakuru, according to the Cumberland News.

The 61-year-old was donating a mobile home to a local preacher and intends to head back to the country in order to provide accommodation for the town’s many homeless and parentless children.

“I was struck by the number of orphaned children on the street,” he said.

“But they were so lovely and would come up to you and try to speak to you and hold your hand.”

Mr Douglas has written to local businesses to ask for help raising cash to build facilities for the kids – many of whose parents have fallen victim to HIV and tribal wars.

He explained people in the UK are often unaware of how easy they have it when compared to other nations.

In other news, Devon’s Finlake caravan park has announced plans for a £3.8 million expansion to meet demand.

Devon caravan park set for £3.8m upgrade

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A Devon caravan park has announced £3.8 million plans to expand its facilities in order to accommodate more guests.

Cudleigh’s Finlake site intends to increase the number of pitches as well as invest in new sports facilities, according to the Herald Express.

The 130-acre park will build an all-weather sports pitch, create room for 38 static caravans and relocate its staff accommodation and tennis courts.

“This planning application is part of a long-term strategy to re-site older accommodation and replace it with new landscaped communities of modern timber-clad lodges,” explained park manager James Gourlay.

He added that the award-winning site is constantly endeavouring to provide the best for its patrons.

Meanwhile, those staying at the site may be interested in attending a ghost tour at Pendennis Castle in nearby Cornwall.

The attraction is said to be haunted by numerous spectres, including the spirit of a former head cook called Maud.

Chris Malone

Caravan sites scoop tourism awards

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The North-East England Tourism Award winners have been announced, with a Seahouses site taking gold in the Caravan/Holiday Park of the Year section.

Seafield Caravan Park took the top prize at last week’s (October 15th) ceremony in Newcastle.

The site’s online resource claims it offers “peace, tranquillity stunning coastal scenery, golden sandy beaches that stretch for miles, and breathtaking sea views”.

Seahouses is a Northumberland coastal town filled with quaint pubs and eateries, while the holiday park promises a relaxing time.

Haggerston Castle Holiday Park in Berwick-upon-Tweed took silver in the competition, while Northumberland’s Heathergate Country Park in Hexham was awarded bronze.

While Seafield offers a serene break, Haggerston Castle is packed full of activities for kids and adults.

A large indoor pool and golf course should keep caravan enthusiasts of all ages busy.

Meanwhile, Heathergate Country Park also claims to be a great place to relax in acres of parkland, while being close to the city of Newcastle.

Stonehaven caravan site wins award

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A Stonehaven caravan site has won a coveted regional award for its greeting area.

Queen Elizabeth Caravan Park scooped Aberdeenshire Council’s Reception Area of the Year Award for its welcoming nature, the Mearns Leader reported.

The award was presented by director of corporate services Charles Armstrong at a customer service conference as part of National Customer Service Week.

Formartine area manager Keith Newton congratulated staff at the park for their part in the success.

“The judges were impressed with their reception area, which is both welcoming and manned by helpful staff,” he said.

Judges visited the reception areas as mystery customers and noted how informative the entrances were, as well as how they were greeted by employees.

Stonehaven is a port town on the east coast of Scotland, located approximately 15 miles south of Aberdeen.

According to Undiscovered Scotland, it has benefited from the North Sea’s oil wealth, while still maintaining its character.

Lossiemouth caravan customers await their fate

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Customers at a site in Lossiemouth, Scotland, are waiting to hear whether they actually own the caravans they believed they had paid for.

According to the Press and Journal, a number of people handed over thousands of pounds for mobile homes at Silver Sands Leisure Park.

However, a fraud investigation by Grampian police has revealed that a number may have been duped, with several having been given hand-written receipts.

Around 70 customers had a meeting with the directors of Green Parcs – the firm that owns the site – where they were asked to submit paperwork to help establish the truth.

A number of customers had claimed ownership of the same caravan, but Green Parcs director Deepak Johar promised the matter would be cleared up within two months.

However, this was not good enough for one customer, who told the newspaper: “It’s been seven weeks now. I just want to get rid of the caravan and have nothing more to do with the place.”

The news comes after the publication reported on a separate campsite – Arbroath’s Red Lion Caravan Park – which knocked back a family as their camper was a brand often associated with travellers.

Kent caravan numbers on the up

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The number of holidaymakers staying in caravans in Kent next year is expected to rise.

Following the publication of figures from the Caravan Club, which showed bookings increased by 40 per cent in summer 2009, Kent Online has reported a rise in reservations for 2010.

Bearsted Caravan Club warden Sue Greenaway told the online resource that the Hollingbourne site had noticed a record number of new caravanners.

She said people have purchased either a new or secondhand model and are making the most of it when they can.

“At sites such as those run by the Caravan Club, there are good showers and loos, tidy sites,” she claimed. “You have the freedom to just pitch up.”

According to Park Holidays UK, advance bookings are up by more than 65 per cent year-on-year, thanks to a combination of the low value of the pound and the recession.

Aside from Kent’s array of Blue Flag beaches, it boasts a range of gardens, castles and cathedrals just waiting to be explored.