by Joe Jeffrey

Moment callous thieves steal disabled child’s caravan caught on film

CCTV footage of the moment a caravan worth £10,000 was stolen from the family of an 11-year-old autistic child has been released in an attempt to bring the thieves to justice.

The CCTV images show how, in the space of just six minutes, a gang of men in a Land Rover, manage to push the caravan, which was located in Townhill, Fife, into position before hitching it to their vehicle and escaping into the night.

The raid, which happened shortly before 3am on 24 March, has left the family, including autistic son, Gavin, who saw the caravan as a safe holiday haven, devastated.

Gavin’s father, Steven, said “I received a phone call from a friend at around 9am telling me the caravan was gone.

“We were totally devastated as we saved for a long time to buy the right caravan for us.”

The married father of three added: “We haven’t told our children yet. Our oldest son, Gavin, has autism and this played a key part in choosing a caravan where he could have his own space when he needed.

“Gavin doesn’t like sleeping in strange places like hotels. The caravan was ideal as it has a separate bedroom for him. He loved it.

“The caravan was great because it was his with his own bedroom at the rear, somewhere that he knows.”

Inspector Ian Stephen from Cowdenbeath Police Station said: “This is a distinctive caravan, it is 20 feet (6.35metres) long, white and with a blue stripe.

“If anyone sees it, we’d ask them to contact us.”

Those with information have been asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

by Joe Jeffrey

New business seminar held to highlight need for quality customer service

A consumer rights seminar attracting 130 delegates from caravan parks across the Heart of England and Mid Wales to Shrewsbury Town Football Club’s Greenhouse Meadow Stadium has called upon leisure vehicle businesses to improve customer service for caravanners and motorhomers across the UK.

The seminar, titled ‘In it Together’, focused on new consumer law regulations introduced on October 1, 2015 and the drive to retain and win new business through improved customer service.

Speakers included Salop Leisure’s joint managing director Mark Bebb, Tozers Solicitors’ managing partner Paul Kelly, Swift Group’s customer operations manager Julie Clark, ABI (UK) Limited’s operations director Paul Clackstone and Compass Insurance’s managing director Dave Sheath.

“I passionately believe that we, as an industry, need to improve the customer service associated with selling touring caravans, caravan holiday homes and luxury lodges,” said Bebb. “All parts of the supply chain have their own responsibility which they need to take seriously if we are to drive improvements.

“The seminar helped to highlight areas where we could all improve service levels. Everyone in the supply chain relies on each other to deliver great customer service and by all doing a better job we will ultimately sell more caravans.”

The seminar comes as Bailey of Bristol has announced a series of new initiatives set to provide more emphasis on customer service aftercare as part of its Project Aurora Programme, as detailed here yesterday.

by Joe Jeffrey

Battle of the black puddings hits Lancashire caravan park

A North Lancashire caravan park is to stage a black pudding ‘beauty contest’ in a bid to avoid upsetting customers who can’t agree on the authentic recipe.

Moss Wood Caravan Park near Lancaster says it has so far avoided stocking black pudding in its new park shop because of conflicting views among holiday guests.

But whilst suppliers of genuine Eccles cakes, ginger parkin, Lancashire cheese and local beers have proved uncontroversial, the county’s most famous food is stirring deep feelings.

According to park director Henry Wild, customers have pointed to a number of different producers as the sole source for black puddings made the traditional way.

Now, the park has decided to settle the dark dilemma democratically by holding a black pudding pageant in which guests can vote on their favourite.

The pudding getting the largest rating of approval, based on both its appearance and taste, will be crowned as the shop’s officially adopted brand.

Owner, Wild, hopes the result will put an end to the good-natured disagreement among some guests before a black pudding war breaks out across a park best known for its peace and tranquillity.

He said: “With many parts of the county having their own black pudding makers using slightly different recipes, it’s not surprising that this issue has ignited strong feelings.

“It also comes at a time when black puddings have recently stepped into the national limelight by being labelled a “superfood” which is low in fat, meat-free, and high in iron and calcium.

“We have realised that this is not a matter on which we are able to pass final judgement, so we have decided to hold blind tastings in order to establish the best-liked brand.

“I hope this will finally put an end to the inflamed passions around this subject, and that future breakfasts on the park will be enjoyed in an atmosphere of peace and harmony,” added Wild.

Moss Wood was established 40 years ago by Blackpool-born Syd Wild, and is now run jointly by him and his son Henry – both of whom have disbarred themselves from the judging process.

by Joe Jeffrey

Over £4,500 raised for local hospice

Staff at a holiday park in Chichester have teamed up with guests and members of the local community to create a four-figure windfall for a local hospice.

Chichester Lakeside Holiday Park presented St Wilfrid’s Hospice with a cheque for just over £4,500 last week as a result of the park’s fundraising efforts involving many of the park’s 60-plus employees.

For the past 12 months, the park has persuaded guests to put their hands in their pockets in a good cause by arranging a raft of different fun events, including summer fares, Christmas parties and Easter egg competitions, together with car boot sales, competitions, and a range of fundraising activities for youngsters.

According to park administration manager Sharon Dawes, the aim was to beat the £3,500 total raised by the park last year for the Arundel children’s hospice Chestnut Tree House – something the park and its employees and guests easily achieved.

During the park’s fundraising efforts, a number of prize donations were offered by nearby traders, ranging from major supermarkets to a local farm shop.

These, along with gifts from members of staff, helped swell the takings from activities such as draws and tombolas which were supported both by local residents and park guests.

Chichester Lakeside’s cheque was presented by Dawes to St Wilfrid’s Hospice charity co-ordinator Alisa Lakeman-Ford at the charity’s headquarters nearby.

Thanking everyone at the park for their tremendous effort, Alisa said that the hospice receives only 13 percent of its funding from the NHS and needs to raise an additional £6.7 million each year.

This largely comes, she said, through the support of the local community – and that Chichester Lakeside Park had shown itself to be a very kind and generous neighbour.