IAM RoadSmart gears up to celebrate 60 years of safety

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Read on to find out how you can attend IAM RoadSmart’s car and bike parties here

IAM RoadSmart (formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorists) is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2016. Over the last 60 years more than 400,000 people have taken their skills to the next level and become advanced drivers or riders with the organisation.

To mark the anniversary, IAM Roadsmart will be staging two parties; one for bike enthusiasts on 2 July and another for car buffs on 9 July. Isle of Man TT winners Steve Plater and Mick Grant will be attending the bike party, while rally legend Paddy Hopkirk will be special guest at the car party. The parties will take place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on 2 July and a car party at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon on 9 July, respectively, and visitors will also have the chance to have their car or bike take centre stage as part of the magnificent #60bikes and #60cars displays. IAM RoadSmart is looking for one motorcycle or scooter manufactured in each year of IAM/IAM RoadSmart’s existence for the 2 July party, and the equivalent for the car party on 9 July.

Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart chief executive officer, said: “We are proud of what we’ve achieved over the past 60 years. In co-operation with our group volunteers and the willingness of the motoring and riding public, we have all worked to improve lives for the better and have seen road fatalities and injuries plummet over the decades.

“As IAM RoadSmart we are now ready for the next 60 years. There will always be a need to make better drivers and riders whatever happens to the transport landscape in the UK. Our work will only become more relevant in the future.

“Our events on 2 and 9 July will be a chance for people to celebrate their love of cars, bikes and most importantly driving. They are an important part of so many of our lives for so many reasons. We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.”

See below for some interesting facts surrounding IAM Roadsmart:

– The organisation was established in 1956. By 1995 the IAM had guided its 250,000th member through his advanced test and in the past 21 years 150,000 more have taken the opportunity to improve their skills on the road.

– In 1962 the organisation introduced the first test for commercial vehicle drivers in the UK and in 1976 the IAM introduced its first motorcycle test. A decade later it launched a fleet training programme for businesses.

– By 1998 the IAM’s 200th local group was formed; today there are 207. The local groups are the lifeblood of IAM RoadSmart, coaching and testing potential advanced drivers and riders week-in week-out. Currently there are more than 5,000 volunteers representing the groups across the UK.

– By the 2000’s the IAM was increasingly involved in lobbying the government for change in transport legislation. Its manifesto became widely respected for setting out the scene of what it regarded as the most essential developments in road safety – such as a graduated driving licence system and introducing road safety to the National Curriculum.

– In 2016 the Institute of Advanced Motorists was renamed IAM RoadSmart, and over the coming year will launch a range of products which support specific needs, to include driving at night, rural driving and motorway driving.

– IAM RoadSmart operates a commercial division which addresses the specific needs of business drivers and fleets with a suite of courses and advice. It also provides drink-drive rehabilitation courses through its Driver Retraining Academy subsidiary.

To join in with the celebrations, check out more details on the bike party here or the car party here.

Relationship between caravan holidays and cycling highlighted in new poll

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Survey reveals 89 per cent of caravananners take an extra set of wheels with them
 
The relationship between caravan and motorhome owners and an extra set of wheels to take away when on tour has been highlighted in a new survey conducted by caravan and motorhome insurance specialists, Caravan Guard.
 
A huge 89 per cent of those questioned in the survey indicated that when touring in their caravan or motorhome it was commonplace to take a bike or bikes along with them for the ride.
 
There was no stand out winner for the most popular type of bike, with the hybrid, electric and mountain bikes, each chaining up a fifth of the votes, and road bikes getting 14 per cent of the share.

One Caravan Guard customer surveyed, pensioner Graham Round, said it was a great way to get around without moving the motorhome.  “We also tow our two small dogs in a doggy hut, they love it,” he added.
 
Another, Fraser Gill, said he’d be stuck without bikes. He said: “Last year we did hundreds of miles on our hybrids. Sturdy, and good for road and tracks. Panniers for our shopping and picnics,” he said. “We are fortunate that we are able to get out on them, but might consider electric in future.”

What do you think about the results of this survey? Do you take a bike along with you when you hit the road in order to explore the great outdoors just that little bit more? Let us know in the comments below.

Cumbria caravan park makes a splash with wild swimmers

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Park in Cumbria offers ideal opportunity to get to grips with wild swimming

People with a passion for plunging into lakes, pools and rivers are helping to make a Cumbria caravan park the county’s capital for what has become known as ‘wild swimming’.

Skelwith Fold Caravan park near Ambleside says that lists of top wild swimming locations in the Lake District invariably place the park at the epicentre of opportunities.

As a result, it reports, touring caravan and motorhome owners who enjoy stripping off and slipping into cool, clear waters represent a fast-growing sector of guests.

Now park visitors even have their own personal adviser to natural swimming sites in the form of Jess Sutcliffe, a member of Skelwith Fold’s customer services team.

Jess, who raised £1,700 for Parkinson’s UK when she took part in Windermere’s Great North Swim, says wild dippers get the best of all worlds at the park:

“There is a fantastic range of options just a short drive away, including lovely secret coves and beaches, waterfalls and tranquil glades with pools,” said Jess.

“But where we really score is that you don’t have to follow up a liberating wild water experience by returning to built-up surroundings afterwards.

“Skelwith Fold is in the heart of over one hundred acres of parkland, so you can retain that wonderful sense of closeness to the natural world which many swimmers say they enjoy.

“And just as welcoming on your return are the hot showers in our facility buildings, perhaps followed by a warming latte as you plan
your next wild swimming experience,” said Jess.

Fresh water lovers without their own touring caravan or motorhome can now stay in one of Skelwith Fold’s Hideaway pods which are located in a forest glade.

Accommodating two people, each pod features a comfortable double bed, shower and loo, kitchen zone with microwave, oven and fridge, TV, and lounge-cum-dining space.

Measuring just 14ft x 10ft, the “posh pods” also boast large picture windows, and folding fully-glazed doors leading onto a timber decking area with a pull-out sunshade.

The park also provides caravan holiday homes to own, and Jess says that the chance to enjoy wild swimming nearby provides an extra incentive for a number of buyers:

“Some of our guests use wet suits when dipping, and other prefer the invigorating sensation of taking the plunge with as little on as possible – but either way, it’s a fantastic feeling!

“There are now also many health benefits associated with natural swimming, and the Lake District’s waters are among the cleanest, most accessible and loveliest in Britain,” she added.

A list of more than 20 wild swimming sites in Cumbria can be by clicking here.  

Research signals surge in caravan holidays over stress of leaving pets behind

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Surge in caravan holidays may just be attributed to our furry, four-legged friends

As if we needed any more reasons to hit the great outdoors in our trusty caravans as opposed to hopping on a plane abroad, a new survey has revealed that the holiday season can actually be more stressful than exciting for 46 per cent of households that own pets in the UK.

According to new research conducted by pet-sitting search website, Pawshake, 87 per cent of Brits admit to checking on their pets’ wellbeing when on holiday.

Additional findings show that more than a quarter of pet owners admit that they like to speak directly to their pet while on holiday, choosing to do so via phone, Skype and FaceTime.

And some pet owners consider going to even further extremes when they’re away and might even opt to stay at home.

It seems as though our pets play such an integral in family life that an astonishing 82 per of pet owners admit they have gone as far as considering cancelling their holidays having failed to find a reliable option for taking care of their furry family members while soaking up the sun.

Additionally, for some families, the cost of boarding kennels can be as high as £50 per day, adding another £300 per week to the price of a holiday.

These cost factors, as well as our love for our four-legged friends, may have also influenced the increase in staycations, enabling not just humans to enjoy pastures new. And, with a surge in caravan holidays including a whopping 550 per cent increase in holiday bookings to Cornwall.

With a surge in bookings in caravan holidays and a recently reported 550 per cent increase in holiday bookings to Cornwall alone for 2016, it seems that pet lovers are making sure that their pets get a bit of a deserved break too.

What do you think of these recent findings? Do you take your pet along for the ride when you go on holiday? Let us know in the comments below.

Caravan park battles with insurance company over destruction caused by Storm Frank

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Insurance company refusing to budge on payout in flooding vs storm discrepancy

Owners of a caravan park in Scotland are facing a fierce battle for compensation with their insurance company six months after the devastating effects of floods caused by Storm Frank took hold.

Mobile Homes Insurance Service (MHIS) is refusing to pay compensation on the grounds that damage caused by Storm Frank at Ballater Caravan Park was the result of flooding and not storm damage.

Ballater, on Royal Deeside, was among the areas worst hit by storms over Christmas and New Year which swept away roads and destroyed houses.

Right Claim UK’s Neil Forbes weighed in on the situation, saying: “It’s a scandalous situation. Our argument is that the cause of the incident was Storm Frank. We’re very hopeful about succeeding in the claims.”

MHIS said the clause relating to flooding was brought to the attention of policyholders. A spokesperson for the insurance company said: “It should be noted that each policyholder willingly accepted the cover on the basis that any flood damage would not be covered.

“All the policies exclude any cover for damage caused by floods whether or not this is as a result of storm.

“This exclusion was brought to the attention of every policyholder when they purchased their policy.”

Alastair Ross from the Association of British Insurers said: “Insurance companies need to make sure people understand the products they’re selling them and for their part people really need to understand what they’re buying into.”

Do you think the MHIS are within their rights to hold off from paying compensation? Let us know in the comments below.

Julia Bradbury camps overnight on top of The O2 to kick start National Camping and Caravanning Week and Duke of Edinburgh Awards Diamond Challenge

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Camping and Caravanning Club president reaches dizzy heights to promote campaign

TV presenter Julia Bradbury has spent the night camping on top of London’s O2 Arena as part of a joint celebration of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’s diamond anniversary and The Camping and Caravanning Club’s annual National Camping and Caravanning Week.

Bradbury completed the 350m walk to reach the top of The O2, in Greenwich, South East London, at dusk on last night (24 May), before pitching her tent on a platform 52m above ground level, the equivalent of almost 12 London buses. After waking up to a 360 degree view of London, Julia made her way back down at around 9am this morning.

As a passionate supporter of both organisations and of the great outdoors, the ambassador for The Camping and Caravanning Club took on the challenge as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Diamond Challenge, a one-off initiative encouraging people of all ages to do something adventurous and get out of their comfort zones in 2016, the Duke of Edinburgh charity’s diamond anniversary year.

Speaking ahead of her challenge, Bradbury said: “I hope my night camping on the roof of The O2 inspires everyone to get out there and challenge themselves with an outdoor adventure of their own. I’m proud to be supporting two iconic organisations in the outdoor world. Both the DofE and CCC are doing inspiring things to motivate people to get outside. I’m looking forward to being one of very few people to have spent the night on top of The O2!”

The Duke of Edinburgh Award’s chief executive, Peter Westgarth, said: “We’re delighted Julia agreed to support us in our Diamond Anniversary year. Camping overnight in the outdoors can be daunting to some, but to camp on top of a London landmark is certainly a first! Doing a Diamond Challenge this year is the perfect opportunity for everyone to have a go at something new while raising much-needed funds for our charity to help us reach out to even more young people. With seven months left, it’s still not too late to sign up and do your very own Challenge.”

To find out more about the Duke of Edinburgh Diamond Challenge and get involved, click here now.

Salop Leisure helps son towards father’s cancer charity target

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Salop Leisure climbs on board charity challenge for great cause

A son’s mission to raise £8,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support to say thank you to the charity for supporting his father who is battling terminal cancer, has this week received a £1,000 boost from his employer.

Max Ball, 24, a marketing assistant at Shrewsbury-based caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure, has seen the total raised towards his target rise to in excess of £6,000 following the company contribution.

The £1,000 is made up of donations for tea and coffee served by Salop Leisure at the recent West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Show and a sponsorship from a charity football match the company played against Greenhous Group at the Greenhous Meadow Stadium.

Max set himself 12 different sponsored challenges – MaxAndTheMac12 – during 2016 after his father, Steve, was diagnosed with oesophagus cancer last October. Steve has recently completed a course of chemotherapy at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The support from workmates, family, friends and sponsors has overwhelmed Max and he’s now very confident of exceeding his £8,000 fundraising target.

“The money raised by MaxAndTheMac12 will help Macmillan to reach more people with cancer and improve the quality of care and support available to them during their cancer journey,” he said.

He has already taken on a solo bungee jump at Tamworth Bungee Club, tackled the Dash of the Titan mud run in Nottinghamshire, joined a team from Salop Leisure to sit on half the 9,875 seats in Shrewsbury Town’s Greenhous Meadow stadium and performed a scene from ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ in The Square in Shrewsbury for Shakespeare Day.

When he, workmate Adam Franklin and friends Ash Piele and Steve Wright took on the Rough Runner Challenge near Oxford last week, things didn’t go exactly to plan. For Steve ended up in hospital for the night after gashing his forehead after falling on one of the obstacles. Max and the other two contestants managed to complete the challenge.

Next up for Max is the Shrewsbury Half Marathon on June 19, followed by the National Three Peaks Race from July 1-3, a foot golf tournament on July 24, white water rafting in Llangollen and a 24 hour squashathon at Kingsland Squash Club, Shrewsbury in August, Shrewsbury Sprint Triathlon on September 4 and a 106 kilometre ride at Ludlow Cycling Festival on September 18.

As an extra fundraiser, he’s planning a bake-off amongst Salop Leisure staff to coincide with Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on September 30.

Salop Leisure workmates Tony Cooke and Ed Glover also raised £1,200 by taking part in The 2016 Macmillan 4×4 Challenge earlier this year.

Anyone wishing to support Max can donate by clicking here now.

Moment caravan crashes caught on film

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Moment caravan careers out of control captured on lorry driver’s dashcam

A lorry driver’s dash cam has caught the terrifying moment a caravan jackknifed and spun out of control on a busy stretch of road.

The footage showing the incident, which took place on the A90 four miles north of Dundee, Scotland, on Friday evening shortly before 7pm, shows the caravan being towed along the road by a VW Passat before the caravanner decides to overtake the lorry at speed. The result, as you will see from the footage captured below, was catastrophic – at least for the caravan – but thankfully no one was injured.

Traffic delays were imminent, however, following the crash, and vehicles were blocked on the southbound carriage way as emergency services attended the scene. The wreckage of the caravan was removed from the side of the road later that evening.

Make sure you check out the footage below and let us know: what do you think the caravanner could have done to avert crashing? It would be interesting to know your thoughts.

France takes the top spot as most popular overseas destination

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Sun, sea and emails all the way as increase in French bookings continues

France remains the most popular overseas destination with British campers and caravanners, according to bookings made through The Camping and Caravanning Club.

In 2015, 50 per cent of bookings made through the Club’s European travel service were for pitches on sites in France, making it the Club’s most popular European destination.

And now, with new French sites included for 2016 among the Club’s 90 hand-picked partner sites, strong advance bookings are indicating France’s popularity is set to grow further.

Bookings for the 198-pitch La Bien Assise campsite, around eight miles from the ferry port and handy for Boulogne and the Opal Coast, make it one of the most popular sites with Club members for the second consecutive year.

But topping the table, Le Letty campsite in the Finisterre department of western Brittany was the Club’s most popular holiday site in 2015 and offers direct beach access and a large indoor and outdoor pool complex.

With more than 40 World Heritage Sites including fine cathedrals and stunning châteaux, prehistoric monuments, three very different coastlines, several major mountain ranges, it is easy to see why many caravanners are venturing out further afield.

Richard Grimsdale, the Club’s travel services director, said: “France holds a unique appeal and charm with our customers, and many choose to return year after year to take in the unique food and culture of the country.

“Our Travel Service makes it easy for our customers to book all components of their camping trip safely, quickly, easily and securely.”
The Camping and Caravanning Club’s 2016 European Camping Holidays brochure is now available and features more than 140 hand-picked sites in 12 European destinations.

To download the brochure, click here now.

Caravan Guard up for major insurance award

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

Caravan Guard in the running for UK Insurance Broker of the Year award at 2016 British Insurance Awards

Caravan and motorhome insurance specialist, Caravan Guard, has been announced as a finalist in the 2016 British Insurance Awards for UK Insurance Broker of the Year.

The company will go head-to-head with four other UK insurance intermediaries at a prestigious national awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London in July, where the industry’s top performing and innovative companies will also be headlining. Additional nominees in the running include Carole Nash Insurance Consultants, Centor Insurance & Risk Management, Qdos Broker and Underwriting Services, and Staysure.

The Halifax-based company, made the shortlist after showcasing its efforts in delivering excellent customer service and how they have continued to keep more loyal customers, as well as achieving profits in 2015/16.

The Insurance Broker of the Year award commends companies that demonstrate profitable growth, customer retention, staff professionalism, and product innovation. 
Caravan Guard managing director, Ryan Wilby, is thrilled that Caravan Guard had made the shortlist for a national insurance award. He said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for us and shows that we are committed to investing in our people so they continue to deliver fantastic customer service and top quality specialist insurance products,” he said. “Our hard work has paid off as our customers have remained loyal and our business has celebrated another successful year.”

Couple win Nissan Qashqai in Club Care insurance giveaway

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

South Wales couple drive away with Nissan Qashqai in Camping and Caravanning Club’s latest prize offering

One lucky couple look set to travel in true style this summer following winning a brand new Nissan Qashqai Tekna 4WD in the latest prize draw promoted by The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Club Care insurance.

Owen and Andrea Morris from Newport, South Wales, were the lucky recipients of the prize, one of many offered over the years from Club Care Insurance, including a Bailey Pegasus caravan, a Club Caravan Holiday Home in the Lake District and an Elddis Autoquest motorhome.

The couple, who have been members of the Camping and Caravanning Club for 15 years, plan to use their new, state-of-the-art tow car to tour with their four-berth Swift Challenger caravan, which they purchased last year.

Both travelled up to the Club’s Coventry HQ to claim their prize. The car won What Car? Car of the Year in 2014 and Best Small SUV in 2015.

The Qashqai was also announced overall winner in the Tow Car Awards 2014, which is the annual test programme run by the Club in partnership with What Car? and Practical Caravan.

Owen said: “Now we’ve finally worked out how to use the controls of the car we’re thrilled to have it – it’s certainly the most modern car we’ve ever had.”

Andrea said: “Even when we were driving away in the prize, I was still saying to Owen that I couldn’t believe it.”

And where do the couple plan on taking their new outfit? “Road trips and breaks away, in mid-Wales,” said Owen. “Close to the border with Herefordshire where we’ve enjoyed lots of wonderful holidays in the past.”

And the couple have even more to smile about too: the prize comes with a year’s road tax and insurance courtesy of Club Care Insurance, plus a year’s Club membership, providing discounts of up to 30 per cent on each of the Club’s 108 Club Sites.

Nigel Coppen, client director at Club Care Insurance, said: “We’re delighted our winners are over the moon with their brand new Qashqai – it’s a fabulous tow car, and perfect for two avid caravanners.

“We wish them many happy caravan holidays in the months and years ahead, and hope the draw has encouraged more people to find out about our great value camping insurance policies and the extensive benefits they provide, for all types of camping unit.”

Travelworld to host official Hymer BDL exclusive launch

Posted by

by Joe Jeffrey

New Hymer B-Klasse DynamicLine set to be launched in true style

Shropshire motorhome mainstay, Travelworld, is set to host an exclusive launch event to welcome Hymer’s latest luxurious motorhome into the fold this July.

The Hymer B-Klasse DynamicLine, or BDL for short, is Hymer’s latest offering arriving just in time for summer and, as we’ve come to expect from the premium motorhome manufacturer, it shouldn’t fail to impress. Quality made in Germany, the BDL will feature both high tech Alu and PUAL-body construction, as well as GRP lightweight double floor, GRP hail-protected roof coating, GRP framed windows and a whopping 450kg garage payload with 122cm clearance height. Furthermore, dependent on which country you decide to drive the BDL, larger garage doors on either side of the vehicle should certainly make things easier to access irrespective of which side of the road you’re driving on.

Coming with Hymer’s standard sleeping comfort system, which is far from ‘standard’, the new BDL will come with an integrated pull-down bed with solid locking (a single bed feature is optional), additional temperature control in the bedroom for Truma heating, and also additional temperature control in the bathroom for optional Alde heating.

For your convenience, an electric waste water tank emptying system is also integrated into the vehicle which comes with an optional service camera. The fresh water and waste water tank come with insulated trays.

When it comes to entertainment, Hymer have got this covered too, and the BDL will come fitted with six speakers with an optional Hymer smart multimedia system with Bluetooth, 22-Zoll-TFT and DVD drive.

Although official prices are yet to be confirmed, it is thought the BDL’s price will be positioned between Exsis i and B-Class Premium Line.

Two Hymer B-Klasse DynamicLine models will be available from launch, namely the BDL 444 and BDL 588, and both will be available to view at the official launch weekend, taking place at Travelworld between 8 and 10 July. From what we hear, this is going to be a launch like no other and the weekend will give visitors the opportunity to take part in a Q and A session with Hymer’s export manager, Andrea Kibler on both Saturday 9 July and Sunday 10 July. A Goldschmitt presentation is also being planned to accompany the unveilings also so there should certainly be plenty to see, including Travelworld’s comprehensive line up of the rest of the brands under their roof, including 4×4 vehicles, Starlines, New Van and many more.

In order to attend Travelworld’s exclusive launch event, customers are asked to register on line for entrance passes here.