8-year wait finally over after NI motorhome, caravan and tent site gets approved

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by Tom Leaning

Planning approval has been granted for 20 new pitches for touring motorhomes in the Northern Irish city of Derry after an eight year battle with local councils.

According to the Northern Irish publication Derry Now, the decision was made at a recent meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee at the local Guildhall.

The site will also be suitable for caravans or tents and will include electric hook ups.

It will be located at farmland on the Upper Galliagh Road owned by the applicant Mr Paul Heaney.

The Council was told that there were no objections to the plans which had first been lodged in 2009.

The plans had been rejected on two previous occasions by the old Derry City Council.

Speaking at the meeting SDLP Councillor Angela Dobbins requested that a condition requiring the applicant to provide additional parking bays on land he does not own be removed because it was “unrealistic”.

Record-breaking lifesize lego caravan on show at Beaulieu

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by Tom Leaning

A life-size caravan which holds the Guinness World Record as “the largest caravan built with interlocking plastic bricks” has gone on display in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Built by 12 model makers using 215,158 Lego bricks, this astonishing creation may use plastic components from the toy box but does almost everything a real caravan can do, with electric lights, running water and even seats that fold into a bed.

The brick brilliance continues inside, with incredible details such as eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes cooking in a frying pan on the two-hob burner, a vase full of flowers on the table, toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste by the sink, a milk carton in the fridge and even a complete chess set.

Measuring 3.6 metres long, 2.2 metres tall and weighing in at 1200kg, the project took over two months to build and more than 1,000 man-hours. Layers of Lego bricks were built on top of a conventional caravan chassis, proving how strong and versatile the plastic pieces can be. Only standard off-the-shelf Lego pieces were used, with no custom-made components.

Visitors to the National Motor Museum can see up-close how this caravan stacks up. It was designed to mimic a classic T@B 320 teardrop-style caravan and created two years ago by LEGO building specialist Bright Bricks as part of the National Caravan Council’s Freedom to Go campaign.

The campaign aims to change the public perception of leisure vehicles, inspire and educate them about holidays in trailer tents, motorhomes, touring caravans, caravan holiday homes and lodges. It also provides inspiration and advice to decide what type of leisure vehicle to choose and to help plan a holiday adventure.

Following its appearance at this year’s Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at Birmingham’s NEC, the unique LEGO caravan is now on show next to the Caravan and Motorhome Club collection display in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Dan Connolly, the Freedom to Go Campaign Director, said: “Freedom to Go is delighted to have the LEGO caravan on display at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu until October. The LEGO caravan was built with the intention of building awareness of leisure vehicles and the great adventures you can have with them.”

Entrance to Beaulieu includes admission to the National Motor Museum, the World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and grounds and Palace House, which has been home to the Montagu family since 1538. Tickets can be bought in advance online or on the door. For tickets or more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

#ArcticAdventure: The Adventure is Here

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by Tom Leaning

The first installment of our #ArcticAdventure documentary is finally here! Our editors have put together a highlights reel of the entire trip – through all 12 countries, 5,000 miles, 16 days, with freezing temperatures and spectacular views. But we knew you might not be up for watching all 70 hours worth of footage, so we’ve chopped it down to just a two and half minute music video, for your viewing pleasure – enjoy!

We’re extremely proud of our very own CaravanTimes team members, Sonja and Alessi, capturing two weeks worth of some incredible footage on their #ArcticAdventure. It was truly a trip to remember, and you can now enjoy the highlights of it right here, all to some nice music as well.

Stay tuned for more #ArcticAdvenuture installments, but until then, please let us know what you think of the video, and if it’s inspired you to take an #ArcticAdventure of your own…

COMPETITION: Winner chosen to attend All About Dogs festival

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by Tom Leaning

CaravanTimes recently held a competition for our readers to have the chance to win 2 two-night camping passes for your choice of four available All About Dogs shows (3 in April, 1 in August). We have randomly chosen from the list of entrants and we can now reveal who the lucky winners is.

JEN JACKSON

CONGRATULATIONS, JEN! You will now be able to pick up 2 two-night camping passes from the ticket office at one of four All About Dogs festival of your choosing. Organisers will be in contact with you shortly to provide you with more details. Well done!

The 2017 dates and venues are:

  • Newbury Showground, Thatcham, Berkshire, 8 – 9 April
  • Trinity Park, Ipswich, Suffolk, 16 – 17 April
  • Newark Showground, Newark, Nottinghamshire, 22 – 23 April
  • Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex, 30 April – 1 May (no camping)
  • Norfolk Showground, Norwich, Norfolk, 27 – 28 August
  • Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex, 23 – 24 September (no camping)

For those of you that did not win this time, you can still book discounted advance tickets to any of the All About Dogs shows, here: www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk

Salop Leisure layout exciting expansion plans

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by Tom Leaning

Plans for the expansion of award-winning caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure have been announced.

Up to a dozen new jobs will be created by Salop Leisure if the proposed development of the company’s headquarters at Emstrey is approved by Shropshire Council. The plans include extra storage pitches, a building extension to provide more display space for motorhomes and campervans and expansion of the Love Coffee restaurant to create an outdoor seating area, gardens and a large children’s play area.

There will also be extra parking spaces for customers and existing dwellings close to Emstrey island will be relocated to another part of Salop Leisure’s land.

“To continue to take the business forward and to meet increasing demand for the services we offer, we need additional space,” said Salop Leisure’s managing director Mark Bebb. “The expansion will allow the company to extend the business to cater for anticipated significant growth in domestic tourism, particularly caravan, lodge and motorhome ownership and increase the diversity of products that we offer to the leisure market.

“We need the extra storage capacity because our existing facility is full and we are currently having to reluctantly turn away customers. Owners are looking for somewhere safe, with the latest security systems, to store their touring caravans and motorhomes as they don’t have the space to park them on their drives at home.

“The Love Coffee café is very popular with visitors and local people who meet up over a coffee or light lunch. The proposals will allow the café to be extended to provide an outside seating area, play area and additional parking.

“This is a very significant development for the company with future growth of the UK leisure industry in mind and is good news for Shrewsbury’s economy as we aim to attract even more visitors to the town and create more employment for local people.”

The plans have been announced as work on a new £4 million touring and glamping resort, Love2Stay, on land alongside Salop Leisure’s headquarters is making steady progress. The resort will have 120 fully serviced touring caravan pitches, 22 luxury glamping tents, a BIOTOP natural swimming pool, spa facilities with hot tubs, a pilates and yoga studio and a well-equipped indoor fitness suite. The Caravan and Motorhome Club has accepted Love2Stay as a prestigious affiliated site.

Established at Meole Brace, Shrewsbury in 1966, Salop Leisure moved to state-of-the-art headquarters at Emstrey in 2006 and has continued to invest in the business ever since. The company has satellite sales centres in Machynlleth and Stourport-on-Severn.

Salop Leisure is now the main caravan and motorhome dealership in the West Midlands and one of the most successful in the UK, employing a workforce of more than 200. The company was recently named the UK’s top supplying dealership of new touring caravans in 2017.

Marquis and Elddis agree more Majestic years ahead

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by Tom Leaning

Marquis have announced that for the 2018 season they will be once again working with Elddis to produce the multi award winning Majestic range of motorhomes.

Now in its seventh year, the Majestic range is established as the UK’s best selling “Dealer Special” motorhome.

Marquis, who are part of the Trigano Group, are happy to continue working with Erwin Hymer Group UK Ltd and the senior management team congratulated them on the recent acquisition of the Explorer Group.

“This agreement, Marquis’ largest ever for an Exclusive range, shows our continued commitment to UK manufacturers and is worth over £20m which represents a 10 per cent increase on our previous year’s order. With a strong working relationship, Marquis will continue to work closely with Erwin Hymer Group UK Ltd to ensure our customers receive the very best touring comforts at the most competitive prices.” said Alan Buckwell, Marquis Sales Director.

Swift and Airstream announce new UK venture

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by Tom Leaning

American touring manufacturer Airstream, Inc. have announced the appointment of Swift Group as the sole distributor for Airstream in the UK.

The partnership brings together two companies with complementary strengths and a commitment to realise the potential of Airstream in the UK.

“This is a fabulous new opportunity for Swift Group, with significant promise in an untapped market,” said James Turner, Swift Group Managing Director. “I am delighted that Airstream has recognised the quality, passion and unrivalled capability that Swift possesses. I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

Airstream was founded in the U.S. by Wally Byam in the 1920s. An icon was born when Wally built his first shining silver orb, known as the Clipper, in 1936. Today, Airstream counts Oscar winners and rock legends among its loyal followers. Easily recognized by the distinctive shape of their riveted and rounded polished aluminium, many have been magnetized by the inescapable pull of the Airstream range of luxury trailers.

The Airstream board has long coveted the British market, convinced that this epitome of high-end leisure vehicle luxury could find a place in the hearts of UK consumers. In Swift Group, Airstream discovered an ideal partner with an unrivalled calibre that will help the brand flourish.

“Over the last decade, Airstream has developed a strong foundation in the UK and we believe Swift Group is the right partner to help us take it to the next level,” said Bob Wheeler, President and CEO of Airstream, Inc. “There is tremendous potential for Airstream in the UK and we fully expect to see sales accelerate in the coming years.”

The addition of Airstream to Swift’s portfolio of brands will enable Swift to extend into a new market sector and further strengthen its leading market position in the UK.

#ArcticAdventure: The Adventure is Coming

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by Tom Leaning

Our #ArcticAdventure documentary is almost ready, and here is another sneak preview to wet your winter appetites in preparation for what CaravanTimes is calling “the most anticipated Arctic Adventure story of all time”.

Our CaravanTimes team members, Sonja and Alessi, documented two weeks worth of footage on their #ArcticAdventure, in countries including Germany, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland and Sweden.

You can view highlights of the first week of their trip right here

Our 5 Favourite Leisure Vehicle Movies

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by Tom Leaning

Easter is just round the corner, and if you’re planning your long-weekend getaway with your caravan, motorhome or campervan and need some cinematic inspiration, we’ve compiled our 5 favourite leisure vehicle movies that will tickle your funny bones, pull at your heartstrings and definitely get your touring juices flowing.

1. About Schmidt (2002)

It’s Jack Nicholson (As Good As It Gets, A Few Good Men, The Departed) driving across middle America in a 2001 Winnebago Adventurer – what more do you want?? This modern classic comedy/drama from Alexander Payne (Sideways, The Descendants) about a recent retiree coming to terms with his own life and relationships with his wife and estranged daughter, produces an astonishing performance from Nicholson, and keeps the eyeballs glistening throughout.

2. Snatch (2000)

“D’ya lak dags?” Do you? Well this film is full of them, as well as Brad Pitt and his caravan travelling band of “pikies”. This all-star comedy crime caper is turned up to 11 with creativity and filled to the brim with greedy gangsters all after a priceless stolen diamond while spouting unforgettable, expletive-ridden dialogue. Enjoy!

3. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

A dysfunctional family road-trip comedy to remember, and predominantly set in a classic yellow, VW Type-2 Campervan, which houses the crucible of the movie’s best comedy, and acts as a supporting cast member, with its imputent and uncontrollable bus horn and temperamental but enduring VW engine. The goal is to get the family’s young daughter, Olive (Abigail Breslin), from New Mexico to California in time for a Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. Do they make it in one piece? Well, after 100 minutes of masterfully comedic, cinematic moments, you can judge for yourselves.

4. Paul (2011)

The British comedic talents of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost combine to produce “a love letter to (Steven) Spielberg”, about two sci-fi geeks road-trippin’ across Arizona, ticking off America’s UFO tourist attractions, before having a close encounter with their very own extraterrestrial (Paul, voiced by Seth Rogen) near Area-51. The film’s RV of choice is a 1987 Winnebago Chieftain ‘Traveller Beagle’, which comes in handy as a getaway vehicle as they desperately try and elude federal agents, determined to retrieve their escaped alien. Spielberg fans will love the regular nods to E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind and those who liked Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz will indulge in the awkward, comedic timing that Pegg and Frost are masters at.

5. Sightseers (2012)

And we leave the best for last: a disturbing but brilliant black-comedy from writer/director Ben Wheatley, which follows two lovers that take a caravan trip to Yorkshire, only to descend into a shocking rampage across national parks, killing anyone that even remotely annoys them. This ‘Brummie and Clyde’ bloody, love story tickles and chills in equal measure and bathes in the understated hilarity of Great British black comedy.

But what do we know?! Tell us YOUR favourite leisure vehicle movies in the comments below and why you love them.

Lunar reports best ever February show

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by Tom Leaning

Lunar Caravans are reporting record sales of their touring caravans following last month’s Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at the Birmingham NEC.

Orders were 14.5 per cent up on last February’s event making it the fourth consecutive year that the Lancashire based manufacturer has beaten its previous show performance.

The success follows ‘record’ sales taken at the Motorhome & Caravan Show in October 2016 (25 per cent) and is evidence of Lunar’s widening brand and product appeal.

There was a stand out sales performance once again from the Clubman and Delta range, accounting for over 40 per cent of all orders taken. Also retailing well on its first ‘Spring show’ outing were the three twin axle models from Lunar’s new premium brand, ‘Alaria’.

Due to the huge popularity of the Clubman SR that was launched in September 2016, the show provided the perfect back drop to showcase the new Lexon 590. Following the same layout as the Clubman SR but with a different range of specification, the new model attracted a good level of sales throughout the week.

With families taking the opportunity to visit during the half term holiday, Lunar’s family-focused Quasar range was also in high demand, accounting for a third of the sales. One particular Quasar stole the show as Lunar proudly unveiled a one-of-a-kind Lunar Caravan Styled by Joules. This exciting showcase is the result of a unique partnership with the popular British lifestyle and clothing brand, Joules.

The most coveted caravan on the campsite, this four-berth model has been given the full Joules treatment with a stunning exterior wrap featuring Joules’ hand-drawn ‘Clematis Print’ making it unlike any other caravan, anywhere in the world.

Inside, the Quasar’s smart interior has been complemented with scatter cushions in contemporary Joules designs and co-ordinating curtains and tie-backs. The well-equipped kitchen has been kitted out with Joules’ floral print crockery and matching textiles from it’s homeware range and the beds are dressed in gorgeous aqua floral printed bedding with matching grey matelassé textured cushions and throws.

The Lunar Caravan Styled By Joules will be given to the lucky winner of a free prize draw running until 8th May 2017. To enter visit www.joules.com/win

Lunar took a second stand at the Show to exhibit models from its expanding motorhome collection.

Based on a Renault Master chassis, the Roadstar range offers a luxurious ‘on the road’ experience. The range consists of the two berth EL with rear lounge, the four berth TI with rear island bed and the four berth SB with fixed single beds. Plus, making its debut at the show was the new Roadstar EB with fixed single beds that also convert to a double and a large garage underneath. A new fabric option in ‘Aqua Clean’ with warm cream and purple tones was also showcased and very well received. Sales were enjoyed across both the Roadstar range and the Landstar range, Lunar’s highly esteemed two-berth van conversion based on the Mercedes Sprinter.

Lunar UK Sales Director, Lee Roberts, said: “We start every show hoping to beat the previous year’s record performance and for the last four years we have succeeded. It is hugely satisfying to receive such a positive response to our product range and we love seeing existing customers returning for the latest model, as well as welcoming to the brand those who have never owned a Lunar, or even a caravan!

“Huge thanks must also go to our fantastic dealer network; they work tirelessly throughout the Show to ensure visitors to the Lunar stand are well looked after and have all the information they need to make an informed decision,” he added.

For more information on the caravan and motorhome collections from Lunar and on the Lunar Caravan Styled By Joules please visit www.lunarcaravans.com

Camping and Caravanning Club announce Decathlon as new sponsor of Youth Section

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by Tom Leaning

Leading sports retailer Decathlon has committed to sponsoring The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Youth Section.

Camping Club Youth is for campers aged 12 to 17, and offers the opportunity to learn new skills such as campsite cooking, map-reading, first aid and tent pitching.

Decathlon has already built a strong following among the Club’s tent-camping members, with its Quechua own-brand tents performing superbly in recent Tent Owner Satisfaction Awards.

In 2016, Quechua topped the satisfaction league table for Best Tents up to £300, and was also named Best Tent Brand. It followed this success in 2017, when it topped categories for Best Weekender Tents and Best Quick Pitch Tents.

The brand is therefore a great fit for Camping Club Youth, in which organised camping activities include canoeing, mountain walking and a variety of outdoor activities. Also, Camping Club Youth provides the chance to attend the annual International Youth Rally held in a different European country each year.

Decathlon is a French company that was founded in 1976, and offers 70 sports under one roof. No matter what age, spending power or sports ability, everyone can find the right equipment for them, from tents on display in store to mountain bikes. In the UK, Decathlon has 28 stores.

Decathlon’s Mountain Sports National Sport Manager Chris Allen said: “We make sport and outdoor activities accessible to the masses by offering low prices and high quality. Our sports and camping equipment helps young people enjoy great outdoor experiences no matter if they’re new to camping or on a budget.

“Our sponsorship of Camping Club Youth will help us share our love of the outdoors with young people, help them develop camping skills and give them opportunities to make great friendships and lasting memories.”

Club Director General, Robert Louden MBE, said: “Promoting and developing camping for young people has always been a priority for the Club. We’re proud of what our Camping Club Youth section achieves, and I’m delighted Decathlon are supporting us in this.

“We know that getting kids outdoors and camping, with the natural environment their classroom and playground, helps make them happier, healthier and smarter.”

For more info on The Camping and Caravanning Club, visit www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

And for more on Decathlon and its range of camping products, visit www.decathlon.co.uk

Swift announces 2016 financial results

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by Tom Leaning

Swift Acquisitions Limited, the parent company of Swift Group, the biggest leisure vehicle
manufacturer in the UK, has released its 2016 financial results.

  • A record turnover of £252m, an increase of 19 per cent on the previous year, with growth across all product lines (touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes)
  • A record operating profit of £17.5m, more than double the previous year’s level

Whilst this level of growth reflects very positive market conditions for the industry, Swift also attributes its profitability increase to a focus on product quality, design and product mix. Careful management of the cost base of the business and efficiency gains realised from investments in manufacturing processes and techniques have also led to profitability improvements. The company has significant foreign currency exposure, which was carefully managed to yield a positive result.

With the profit growth and cash that has been generated there has been considerable investment in the areas of innovation, quality systems, customer choice, the dealer network and the retail customer experience. Investments have also been made in improving and enhancing the manufacturing facilities, with £4.9m spent within the 2016 financial year, and a significant sum of planned capital investment in the forthcoming year, including a new holiday home production line. Shortly after the August 2016 year end, the company became debt free by clearing early the debt taken on in 2012 to strategically grow the business.

Swift attributes the success of recent years to its focus on delivering market leading products in terms of design, technology, content, quality and choice, in what continues to be a very competitive market place.

The outlook for the coming year remains positive, with trade continuing strongly supported by innovative new product launches including the crossover camping vehicle Basecamp, the luxurious twin unit Whistler Lodge, and the S-Pod 4 providing hotel quality accommodation on a park.

“The Directors are extremely pleased at the growth in our business. Significant investments in capital equipment, training, education and technology have been made which further enhance the total Swift offering. We are well positioned to take advantage of future opportunities and challenges in what is currently a buoyant market”, commented James Turner, Managing Director.

“Our financial strength provides security in an uncertain world and also great scope to continue investing and innovating, increasing confidence for retail customers, dealers, suppliers, and employees, and reinforcing Swift’s leadership of the UK market.”