Micro-camper manufacturers release ultra compact van

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by Ed Davies

Creation Campers, who specialise in micro-motorhome conversions, have introduced a new type of campervan based on a 2016 model Fiat Doblo XL

Naming their new campervan, Fiat Zio, it is just 4.7m long and 2.2m high and comes in bronze, silver and gold.

It also has a 1.6-litre Euro VI diesel engine and an interior side bench that slides out to provide a bed for two.

There is an awning on the side to create more space and it also has a kitchen unit with twin burner gas hob, sink and a fridge.

A slide out table can be used for food preparation or eating and a PortaPotti hidden away.

The Fiat Zio Camper will have a full range of Fiat factory fitted options and there is a choice of different finishes, with prices starting at £25,995.

Caravan insurance company wins top industry award

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by Ed Davies

Caravan and motorhome insurance specialists, Caravan Guard, have picked up a major insurance award for continuous innovation and high standards

The Halifax-based company won out amongst stiff competition as it was crowned Schemes Broker of the Year 2016 in front of hundreds of industry figures at The Brewery in London.

The firm’s managing director, Ryan Wilby, said the whole team was thrilled they had received national recognition for their continued efforts to provide exceptional service.

Mr Wilby said: “We’ve had a great year at Caravan Guard and Leisuredays with more customers than ever choosing to trust us to insure their freedom and winning this prestigious award is the icing on the cake.

“Our team of positive people are committed to providing excellent service to our customers as well as quality insurance cover, so we’re delighted to be rewarded for our successes.”

The Caravan Guard team was also very proud to have been a finalist at the British Insurance Awards for UK Broker of the Year in June.

Caravan dealership launches new online store

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by Ed Davies

Cheshire’s largest caravan dealership, Leisure Sales, has unveiled its brand new online accessory store

The store offers a range of products from gas and electrical items to the more upmarket pieces such as HD TVs.

To celebrate the opening of the store, the dealership, in Sandbach near Congleton, east Cheshire, is offering a special 10% introductory discount on all orders placed before October 31.

Managing director, Chris Talbot, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our new online store, catering comprehensively for caravanners.

“It offers everything you need for your caravan holiday with the convenience of having your order shipped directly to your home.

“We believe that online shopping can be just as personal and engaging as entering our retail store.”

The store offers a home delivery service, which is free for shipments over £100, and if items are ordered before 3pm they will arrive on the same day.

Mr Talbot added: “We go above and beyond to make sure you receive your order as quickly as possible with many products available for same day dispatch or the option of the new click and collect service.

“We hope you will enjoy our new site as much as we do.”

To register at the store go to www.leisuresalesaccessories.co.uk/customer/account/create and enter code ONLINE10 at basket stage of order.

Caravan park donates thousands to animal charity

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by Ed Davies

A caravan park has donated £6,000 to a guide dog charity to train up a young pooch before it goes into service

Snettisham Caravan Park, located along the north Norfolk coast around ten miles from King’s Lynn, presented officials from Guide Dogs for the Blind the cheque last Sunday.

With the money, the charity, can now train up puppy Jen, who is only five months old, turning her into a fully fledged guide dog.

The money was raised during the 2015 season and is just one of several charity fundraisers that the caravan park, owned by Marilyn and John Roser, have done over the years.

Mrs Roser said: “It was, in fact, last year’s funding and it was really great as if you raise over £5,000 for them you can name a puppy.

“Each year we have a nominated charity. There is a real feel good factor and we have been doing it now for around 17 or 18 years.

“It is wonderful, all really worthwhile and it is nice when they come down and you can see it. It is a bit of a tear jerker.”

The money was raised through a wide range of activities including a charity auction, bank holiday afternoon of music, a dog show, table top sales, bingo sessions, afternoon tea and fishing matches.

Many local companies, including McDonnell Caravans, Orchard Caravans, Pioneer Caravans, Baco Compak, A & M Gas Services and Bailey Electrical also donate annually towards the fundraising.

The park has raised close to £90,000 for local charities over the past years and fundraising during the 2016 season has been for West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Magpie Centre.

Five percent discount for motorhome insurance

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by Ed Davies

Motorhome insurance specialist, Caravan Guard, is encouraging motorhome owners to invest in various tyre safety devices by offering a 5% reduction in premiums

The 5% discount is for motorhome owners, who fit either Tyron bands, invest in a tyre pressure monitoring system or use tyre sealant – a liquid injected through the motorhome tyre valves to help seal punctures.

This is on top of a number of safety and security discounts offered on the policy for devices such as approved immobilisers, alarms, tracking devices and reversing cameras, which in the end could mean savings of around 27.5%.

Caravan Guard’s director of relations, Neil Menzies, said: “Loss of control of a motorhome after a blowout at high speeds can be terrifying and lead to serious accidents, so we support devices that can prevent or help in these situations.

“We hope by offering these new discounts, motorhome owners will consider investing in these tyre safety products, which will not only give them a better deal on their motorhome insurance, but will help to reduce tyre-related accidents, giving customers that extra peace of mind when on the road.”

Tyron wheel safety bands greatly reduce the risk of an accident through loss of control after tyre deflation by helping to keep the tyre on the wheel after a puncture, blow-outs or under inflation.

Incorrectly inflated tyres can affect the way a motorhome drives and a tyre pressure monitoring system can help to prevent blowouts or other accidents caused by over or under inflated tyres.

A TPMS works by placing sensors either on the motorhome tyre valves or inside the motorhome wheels.

These sensors continuously measure the pressure and temperature of the tyres and transmit information wirelessly to a dashboard mounted monitor and sound an alarm if there’s any abnormality. Popular makes include TyrePal or Snooper’s Tyre Pilot.

Tyre sealant is a liquid which is injected through the motorhome tyre valves and coats the inside of the tyres. In the event of a puncture, and when the penetrating object is removed, a small amount of tyre sealant is squeezed through the puncture hole to seal the tyre.

Motorhome & Caravan Show 2016 tickets competition

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by Ed Davies

Following our last competition giving away 15 pairs of tickets to the Motorhome & Caravan Show, the final ten pairs are now up for grabs in the run up to the big event

With the closing date set for Wednesday, October 5, the competition this time around is simple enough as all you have to do is fill out the form provided at the bottom of the article.

When done, if you are selected, you and a partner could be browsing over the 400 exhibitor stands at the Birmingham NEC between 11 to 16 October.

At the show there will be talks from popular celebrities including Bradley Wiggins, Matt Allwright and George Clarke.

On top of all that, The Guinness World Record life-sized LEGO brick caravan is also a spectacle not to be missed, built with just over a whopping 215,000 bricks.

Competition rules:
The lucky winners will be picked at random at midday on October 5 2016 and will be notified via the email address supplied in the entry form
Only one entry per person
No purchase necessary
No cash or alternative will be offered
This competition is open to new or existing CaravanTimes members only
No employees of CaravanTimes or StantonPace Ltd may enter
The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over

Caravan site installs bee glamping pods to boost wildlife

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by Ed Davies

A Lancashire caravan park is attempting to rejuvenate Britain’s dwindling bee population by hiving off a large section of its dog exercise field and replacing it with wild flowers

Earlier this year, Moss Wood, in the village of Cockerham, replaced a 3,000 square foot dog exercise field with wild flowers, in what it calls its ‘bee buffet’.

Within the field, bee “glamping pods” have also been installed, which take the form of hardwood logs bored with hundreds of tiny tunnels.

Each flower was specifically chosen for their high pollen-bearing blooms and are now providing the much-needed nectar to help sustain honey bees over the winter.

“Wild flowers are far less abundant than they once were,” said park director Henry Wild. “The use of pesticides is blamed by some experts for reducing the food resources for pollinators like bees.

“Our holidaymakers have been extremely impressed at the speed with which our flower bank has grown since it was seeded at the start of the year.

“Some have also been asking how they can create a similar bee buffet in their own gardens, and we have been giving advice as to the best varieties to sow.”

The family-owned park has run many initiatives to protect the natural environment, which have once again landed it with the prestigious David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

Moss Wood’s latest bee-friendly move was made in response to a call by professor Bellamy for parks to step-up their work to protect the beleaguered insects.

“Positioned in hideaway locations throughout the grounds they provide perfect homes in which solitary bees can make cells of nests for their larvae,” he added.

“We are also inviting guests to help themselves to the seeds which many of our varieties produce at the end of summer, and to sow them next spring.”

Moss Wood was established by the Wild family over 40 years ago, provides around 200 pitches for holiday homes, touring caravans and motorhomes.

A snapshot of the Benimar Mileo 202

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by Ed Davies

The Mileo 202 is another six-metre motorhome imported by Marquis Leisure from Iberian manufacturer, Benimar

It comes with a Fiat 150BHP engine as standard and high level DAB radio, with touch screen sat nav and integrated reversing camera.

It is a neat and attractive four berth motorhome, with its L shaped lounge giving it plenty of room to wine and dine.

Just as in last year’s model the pièce de résistance of Benimar’s latest release is its drop-down, electric bed above the dining table which comes down at the touch of a button.

The layout consists of a large rear kitchen and corner washroom with separate shower.

Both the cab seats swivel around to complete the spacious living room, with a standard specification including, a large three way fridge, separate freezer, oven, three burner hob and microwave.

Sunny outlook for West Wales tourism, says local MP

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by Ed Davies

West Wales MP Simon Hart has praised the region’s holiday parks as on the vanguard of its vibrant and ever-growing tourism economy

Conservative MP, Mr Hart was at Cross Park Holiday Village in Kilgetty, near Tenby, in September where park owners and managers met for their end-of-summer conference.

Feedback from parks, the MP told delegates, suggested that many were reaping the benefits of the continued investment they had made in the quality of their product.

“Families enjoying a park holiday in West Wales could be confident that their experience would be a match for the excellence of the natural surroundings,” said the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP.

“UK tourism will remain strong regardless of how EU negotiations conclude.

“Areas such as West Wales have an enduring appeal both to British families and to visitors from overseas which will be undimmed by the final outcome.”

Mr Hart was the principal speaker at the conference, organised by the West Wales branch of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.

Branch director Huw Pendleton, who owns three top-rated parks in Pembrokeshire, welcomed Mr Hart at the end of what he said had been a very positive main season for members.

Mr Pendleton said: “Parks had benefitted, both from the good summer weather and movements in the exchange rate which made, for many people, a staycation preferable to travelling overseas.”

As well as acting as West Wales branch director, Mr Pendleton is also vice president of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, and has served for two years as its national chairman.

The meeting was also attended by Henry Wild, current national chairman of BH&HPA.

Lunar launches new luxury brand

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by Ed Davies

Lunar caravans has launched a new premium caravan brand to sit alongside existing Lunar and Venus collections

Named Alaria, each model in the new brand will sit upon an uprated 2000kg chassis with a fully hydraulic E&P self-levelling system.

Alaria has been given the new carbon fibre styling on its ‘A’ frame, which was introduced for the 2017 Clubman/Delta ranges.

As can be seen in the pictures, each model will have a black frontage and a streak graphic along the side, in a similar mould to the new Clubman SR unveiled earlier this month.

All furniture will be crafted from Timeo Pine with front lockers, bedroom and back lockers finished in rich cream shades.

“Alaria sets a new benchmark for luxury caravanning,” said Lunar CEO and chairman, Brian Mellor.

“We included many new features as well as an extensive specification that is in addition to the level of luxury already offered in our top-end models.”

The biggest design statement of the Alaria range is the removal of the traditional twin single beds in the front lounge in favour of a new ‘L’ shaped sofa.

The introduction of the ‘L’ shaped seating system has allowed designers to move the cocktail cabinet into the lounge area making it more of a feature and surrounding it in blue LED strips which can be operated independently from the main lighting system.

The new models are all four berth twin axles and have battery boxes that are prewired for an easy retrofit of a caravan motor mover.

The roof is fitted with a 100w Truma solar panel as standard, easing the reliance on batteries and electric hook ups.

Lockers feature contemporary curved silver handles and the flooring is covered in a complementary deep pile carpet.

The 2017 Alaria collection will be on display to the public for the very first time on stand 18-13 at The Motorhome & Caravan Show, at Birmingham NEC between October 11-16.

Soggy summers making caravanners risk their lives

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by Ed Davies

Two in five caravanners and campers have admitted taking enormous risks with their lives by bringing outdoor gas appliances inside as a result of the unpredictable British weather

Millions are ignoring basic gas safety laws by bringing lit barbecues inside caravans, porches and awnings because of the rain and in order to stay warm.

A survey of 1,000 holidaymakers by CORGI HomePlan revealed a shocking lack of understanding of the risks involved when using gas cookers, barbecues and heaters – that can all emit deadly carbon monoxide, even when flames are extinguished.

In June last year a couple holidaying in Somerset narrowly escaped death by carbon monoxide poisoning and there have been several attempts by authorities to boost people’s awareness of the issue.

More than one in five of those surveyed (22 per cent) said that when it rains, they will bring a barbecue into their caravan or awning.

Mark Leslie, CEO of CORGI HomePlan, said: “People leave their worries at home when they go on holiday and are not applying the same safety rules as they would in everyday life.

“However, fewer than one in four people are having their camping or caravanning gas appliances serviced regularly, according to our research.

“This compares to the 43 per cent who have domestic appliances such as boilers and gas fires serviced annually.

“Every gas appliance needs regular servicing by a registered engineer to ensure it operates safely.

“By packing a simple CO detector in your luggage and setting it up in your caravan, it leaves you free to enjoy a worry-free break.”

Worryingly, nearly two thirds of people (63 per cent) did not know that CO continues to be produced after a flame has been extinguished. Caravanners were also confused as to what ‘well ventilated’ is.

Just over a third (38 per cent) thought a caravan with an open door was enough.

The reality is fumes can blow from lit and extinguished appliances into – rather than out of – confined spaces, allowing carbon monoxide to accumulate to toxic levels.

An overwhelming three-quarters of caravanners admitted they have not had their caravan’s gas appliances check in the last year.

A shocking 18 per cent of caravan owners have never had their vehicle’s boiler serviced in the past five years.

Of the 1,000 people surveyed today, one in 10 have first hand experience of carbon monoxide poisoning, admitting they personally know someone who has, or suspects they have, been poisoned.

Permission sought for caravan campsite

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by Ed Davies

A pub is seeking permission to create a caravan and camping park in a field next to its premises in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham

The Blacksmiths Arms, has submitted an application to Durham County Council for the 20-pitch caravan site with added space for ten tent pitches.

In the proposal documents, the applicants set out their plan for the caravan site to be open all year round with the pub’s opening times to be changed from its current hours of 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 11pm from Tuesday to Friday to 11am to 11pm seven days a week.

The property is owned and will be developed by husband and wife team Peter and Rachel Walton while the company which operates The Blacksmiths Arms business is owned by the pair and Mrs Walton’s brother Neil Skinner.

The team took on the business in February this year when they told The Northern Echo of their hopes to open the caravan park and host festivals and tipi weddings.

In their application the applicants cite a number of reasons why they believe the location is ideal for a caravan site.

These include its proximity to the A1, the attractive views of the surrounding countryside, and no nearby neighbouring houses with occupants likely to experience nuisance or noise pollution.

It is also stated that Mr and Mrs Walton have been running another caravan site for three years and are “camper’s needs and requirements”.

Other factors stated are possibilities of expanding the business in the future and providing more choice and opportunities for tourists to stay in the area.