Brothers jailed for 12 years over £70,000 caravan theft rampage

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by Joe Jeffrey

Spate of caravan thefts halted and thieves sentenced to hard time

Five brothers were jailed for a total of 12 years on Friday (4 December) for stealing caravans across the South-east of England.

The McDonaghs, from Wheatley, Brentwood and Peterborough, pleaded guilty to a total of 15 charges alongside an accomplice also from Peterborough.

The charges stemmed from a number of thefts which took place between April and August 2013, after caravans and vehicles were taken from private drives and secure storage areas in urban and rural locations.

Judge David Turner QC said the defendants had “targeted high end caravans” whilst overriding security devices in the process.

Collectively, the brothers and their accomplice – all from the travelling community – pleaded guilty to a total of five caravan tests and a series of other charges, including handling stolen goods, dangerous driving and going equipped for theft by carrying tools.

We here at CaravanTimes are pleased with the sentences imposed on the thieves and hope this serves as a lesson to those looking to ruin other peoples’ enjoyment with such an act going forward. Isn’t it about time other judges clamped down with heavy sentences such as these ones received?

Northumberland residents donate caravan and more to Calais refugees in fundraiser

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by Joe Jeffrey

Caravan donated to refugees along with clothing, sleeping bags and tents

Northumberland residents have rallied together to donate a colourful caravan and raise funds in support of refugees and immigrants who have fled from war-torn territories.

The fundraiser organised by Refugee Aid Network – a North East-based grassroots initiative, with support from people in London and Canada – saw people grab paintbrushes to spruce up a secondhand caravan which has now been towed to Calais to house a refugee family in an immigration camp known as the ‘Jungle’.

During the fundraising event, over £1,000 was raised and people also donated tents, sleeping bags and winter clothing which will add to a bulk shipment of donated items sent to be sent in a 40ft shipping container to Aleppo in Syria later this month.

Ruhi Akhtar, who organised the weekend event, said: “Some of our members are from Morpeth and I decided to hold this activity in the town after a very positive meeting with clergy and councillors from the area, who informed me about what they are doing to help refugees.

“Many people of all ages came along over the two days to help with the painting, hand over some money and donate items.

“It was very humbling to see such a great response.

“The approaching winter is harsh and these caravans make a big difference to the families who can live in them, as otherwise they sleep in tents or on the ground.”

Has anyone got an old caravan they would donate? Let us know in the comments below.

Storm Desmond brings chaos to parts of UK as 150 are evacuated from caravan park

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by Joe Jeffrey

Scores of caravanners evacuated from caravan park as Storm Desmond brings havoc across North West England and further afield

Coastguard crews were instrumental in mounting an impressive rescue operation at a caravan park in Cumbria on Saturday evening, as the effects of Storm Desmond continued to take grip, bringing high speed winds, flooding and severe disruption across many parts of the UK.

Cumbria police have highlighted the operation as one of many impressive efforts displayed by emergency services, which saw a weekend of dramatic rescues in an attempt to bring people to safety as flood waters became dangerously high.

The caravanners, situated at Eamont Bridge, near Penrith, were taken to a higher vantage point as flood waters took hold and the highest level of alert was put into place in what was declared by police as a “major incident”.

Scores of severe flood warnings are currently in place in England, whilst two more have since been issued in south-west Scotland.

Meanwhile, rescue centres have been set up across northern parts of the country, whilst sandbags have been handed out to many homeowners in affected areas and a call for volunteer doctors has been issued. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) flood rescue team has also been deployed to ensure people’s safety in some areas.

The Met Office’s highest red warning has been issued for Cumbria and south-west Scotland, with some areas recording 341mm of rain falling in just 24 hours – thought to be the highest recorded rainfall in England since records began.

Elsewhere, gusts of up to 85mph were recorded in Wales and approximately 40,000 homes across the UK are said to have been left with no power. Electricity is said to have been restored to some, however around 7,000 still remain with no power and repair work could take days.

The devastation comes following flood defences in the north-west being upgraded in 2010 to withstand a “once in 100 years” flood. These defences were subsequently breached over the weekend as Storm Desmond unleashed a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.

Prime Minister David Cameron has since chaired an emergency COBRA meeting and is set to visit the most affected areas in Cumbria later today.

Cameron said: “The thoughts of the whole country will be with the people in Cumbria and the North West who have suffered so terribly from the devastating storms this weekend.”

Has Storm Desmond affected you? Let us know in the comments below.

Have you won a Sylvanian Families Campervan?

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by Joe Jeffrey

Read on to find out if you’ll be receiving a Sylvanian Families Campervan just in time for Christmas!

A few weeks ago, CaravanTimes gave one lucky reader the chance to win a Sylvanian Families Campervan in one of our latest competitions.

A mainstay in many childrens’ toy chests for over 30 years, it could be true to say that the like our Facebook page” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Sylvanian Families range of toys from Epoch have seen somewhat of a resurgence over the past few years, and what better way to be the kids’ favourite gift giver this Christmas than by presenting them with a wonderful campervan, complete with over 30 pieces including campervan with lift-up roof, van furniture, sleeping bags, food, cutlery and lots more to keep the little ones entertained for ages.

All you had to do to win the campervan (RRP £39.99) was to like our Facebook page and the results are in!

We are happy to announce the winner is L Geraghty. Congratulations! Your prize will be with your shortly.

Don’t worry if you didn’t win this time around – make sure you keep checking back on CaravanTimes for more brilliant competitions coming soon.

CaravanTimes’ Christmas gift guide for caravan and motorhome enthusiasts 2015

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by Joe Jeffrey

Scratching your head and trying to figure out the perfect gift to buy your loved one this Christmas? Check out our gift guide here for all the answers

When it comes to choosing the right Christmas present for the avid caravanner or motorhomer in your life, choice can certainly be limited. After all, what do you give to the person who has everything they’ve ever wanted inside their home on wheels? What more could they possibly need? Well, ponder no more. CaravanTimes has racked its brains and taken to the shops so you don’t have to, in order to find the ultimate in Christmas gifts for your loved ones this winter.

So, if you’re climbing the walls in despair, trying to figure out what to buy for your loved one, mum, dad, son, daughter, or anyone else in-between this Christmas, read on – we may just have the perfect solution for you.

Alde Smart Control

For those with an Alde central heating/hot water system built into their caravan or motorhome, Alde Smart Control may be just the thing you’ve been looking for.

Designed for controlling your caravan or motorhome’s heating and hot water by using an app on your smartphone which automatically works in line with your leisure vehicle battery, Alde Smart Control enables you to turn your heating on and off, set a desired temperature, check on your battery levels and much, much more from wherever you are in the world. Out on a trek this winter and looking to have a warm shower as soon as you arrive back on site? Looking to walk into a toasty caravan after a Christmas ramble? Simply press a button on your phone and Alde Smart Control will do the rest before you arrive back, so you don’t have to.

Secure and economical, installing Alde Smart Control is simple and can be done in just a few simple steps. And the results are certainly impressive – especially if you’re looking to make the most of your very own winter wonderland this Christmas.

Alde smart Control is available from LeisureShopDirect and all other good leisure vehicle retailers now, priced around £433

Tecsun PL-880 Portable Worldband Radio

Ideal for staying up-to-date with your favourite radio stations wherever you are, the new pocket-sized Tecsun PL-880 radio covers just about every radio band you will ever need.

Equipped with shortwave reception, the Tecsun PL-880 gives you the option of tuning in to radio stations from the UK to the Ukraine and beyond with ease. It’s ideal to use both at home and on the move, for reception of local Medium wave, VHF FM, or shortwave signals, from the far corners of the world. The radio also features Long Wave so you will be able to listen to coverage of Rugby matches from BBC Radio 4 and other major sporting events from Five Live wherever you pitch up.

Coming with an alarm clock and built in charging system using a lithium battery and USB charge lead, the Tecsun uses the latest radio DSP technology, which greatly enhances the sensitivity, selectivity and reduces interference from close by stations. Using a digital display tuner, it’s easy to memorise or scan over 3000 stations and to tune with precision. And, weighing in at just over 500g it makes the perfect addition when travelling.

The Tecsun PL-880 Portable Worldband Radio is available from Amazon now, priced at £169.95

Snooper DVR-4HD Vehicle Driver Recorder

In an age where insurance scams are on the rise and where some drivers will do whatever they can to protect their no-claims bonus, the Snooper DVR-4HD proves to be one of the most invaluable items we could possibly place upon our dashboards and on CaravanTimes gift guide for 2015.

Bringing together a 1080p HD video camera and Snooper’s award winning speed camera alert system, plus forward collision and lane departure warnings, the Snooper DVR-4HD is a must have automotive accessory.

Possibly the most feature-rich dash cam device in existence, the DVR-4HD includes driver fatigue alerts, lane departure warnings and, for the first time with a Snooper dash cam, you can now instantly share any video footage through your smart-phone with the free Dash Cam Connect app.

It doesn’t stop with the above though, and the DVR-4HD also includes built-in GPS technology, continuous loop recording, and impressive 1080p HD recording quality thrown in for good measure, plus loads more to enable you to make your journey stress-free, wherever you’re heading.

The Snooper DVR-4HD is available from Snooper Direct now, priced at £149.99

Aguri Motorhome & Caravan RV500 DVR Sat Nav and Dash Cam

The name Aguri might not mean much to you, but place one of these in your motorhome or tow vehicle next time you set off and you’ll wonder why.

Preloaded with the latest specialist motorhome and caravan routing software, as well as speed trap detection technology, the Aguri Motorhome & Caravan RV500 DVR comes with free lifetime map and speed trap updates with no download or subscription fees, including free European mapping.

The specialist routing software team behind the Motorhome & Caravan has been designing and producing accessories for the car, truck, and – you’ve guessed it – motorhome and caravan industry for over 30 years, meaning this handy sat nav will only create routes that are suitable for your motorhome or caravan, ensuring that you get to your destination smoothly and safely.

Add to this a built-in HD DVR dash cam designed to monitor your every move, enabling you to pin-point the exact location of any accident or event and confirming the exact time and date of the offence for complete security, and you’ve got yourself a pretty useful piece of kit.

The Aguri Motorhome & Caravan RV500 DVR is available from Amazon now, priced at £249.99

Autoglym Perfect Bodywork Wheels and Interiors gift pack

A mainstay on CaravanTimes‘ Christmas gift guide, and making a triumphant return for the second year running, comes Autoglym’s Christmas gift bundles for 2015.

Autoglym have created a collection of five unique gift box sets comprising the finest products, guaranteed to keep your loved-one happy well into the New Year.

Each gift pack has been devised to ensure the highest quality finish across bodywork, wheels and interior.??The gift boxes start from just £16.49 for the Perfect Interior Collection, which features three carefully chosen bottles of Interior Shampoo, Vinyl & Rubber Care and Car Glass Polish to clean, polish and protect your car interior. ??

For those who deserve something extra special this Christmas, the Perfect Bodywork, Wheels and Interiors Collection contains nine products and accessories for £63. This comprehensive set includes the sought-after Super Resin Polish, which leaves a glossy, flawless finish by removing swirls and reviving tired dull paint.?

As an added bonus, all Autoglym products are British made on-site at their factory in Letchworth and, with nearly 50 years’ experience, the company’s products are used by racing teams, vehicle manufacturers and are royal warranted too, so you know it’s good stuff – all at an affordable price.

Autoglym gift sets are available directly from Autoglym now, with prices starting from £16.49

TabletTV

Tablet TV is an innovative way for caravanners and motorhomers to watch live Freeview channels anywhere and anytime without the need for a cable, satellite or internet subscription, so you’ll never miss your favourite television shows again – wherever you are.

There are two types of tuners available – a portable tuner and a mains powered one – which pick up television signals and connect them to your tablet in an instant. The portable version, which we tested, means that you can also take Freeview with you wherever you go which is great for those who like hitting the road, all with the added comfort of catching up on your favourite soaps, sporting events and everything else in-between.

As an added bonus, the tuner can also be used in many Europe countries meaning you ca soak it up in the sun whilst never missing the latest cliffhanger, goal or anything else for that matter.

There is also the option to record TV shows to watch later on, as well as full BBC Red Button services, so essentially you’re taking everything you need with you in the form of a pocket sized box to ensure happy viewing whenever and wherever you choose.

TabletTV is available from here now, with prices starting from £64.99

Old School Caravan Cooler

Taking inspiration from the original Airstream design that came out of Ohio in the 1930s, this Old School Caravan Cooler has certainly been designed to provide for the caravanner who has everything.

The brainchild of Australian jewellery maker, Aaron Jackson, over 50 cooler designs are available with our favourite obviously being the Airstream. The highly impressive replica even has a wheeled-to bar, side door and rear lights!

A thick lacquered finish offers the Old School Caravan Cooler long-lasting protection year-round, so you can fill it up with your favourite beverages to keep them on ice wherever you are, whilst the handy srewplug underneath at the base will enable you to empty it in next to no time.

The innovative design of the Old School Caravan is, in part, thanks to the build process, which comes courtesy of up-cycled ship drums which have been brought to life by dedicated designers in Vietnam – so it’s true to say this is one caravan that is well-travelled and built to last.

The Old School Caravan Cooler is available from The Garden Furniture Centre Ltd, priced at £399

Fjällräven Backpack No. 21

When hitting the road, it’s inevitable that we like to take everything but the kitchen sink in order to take our home comforts along with us for the ride. But it doesn’t stop there. When pitching up, we like to get out and about and take some of those home comforts with us. Enter the Fjällräven Backpack No. 21.

The classic design of the No. 21 shouldn’t be mistaken though, and this is quite possibly the best Backpack we’ve ever used, thanks in part to the classic design as previously mentioned, as well as water and wind-resistant fabric – made possible owing to the waxed G-1000 65 per cent polyester/35 per cent cotton blend.

Perfect for both men and women, the rugged No. 21 is extremely durable and seems more than able to withstand regular wear and tear. Its top loading design, featuring a snow lock at the top, will ensure everything remains in place, whilst two leather straps on the lid – perhaps paying homage to Fjällräven’s designs from the the 1960s and ’70s – add a touch of quality, style and sophistication.

Although borrowing from a classic ageless design, modern touches have also been added, including an internal padded laptop sleeve, water bottle pocket, and various compartments to guarantee you and your belongings a safe, comfortable journey.

Shoulder straps also feature leather with a mix of fabric, with padding to ensure a light-feeling journey, even when the load you’re carrying isn’t.

Comfortable padding is also incorporated into the back panel to ensure you’re as comfortable as can be when hiking and discovering what lies ahead on any given adventure.

Available in three different sizes (small, medium or large) and in 12 separate colours, you’d be hard pressed to find anything oozing as much quality and style as the Fjällräven No. 21 and, if you’re looking for a durable backpack which is built to last, you’d be hard pressed to find better.

The Fjällräven No. 21 is available direct from Fjällräven, with prices from £95

‘<' . strtolower('Array')>TyrePal TB99/TyrePal TC215B

Designed for cars and vans, the TB99 from TyrePal is a small dashboard monitor that displays the pressure of four tyres up to 99psi simultaneously and can even be set up to monitor the spare tyre too!

Providing clear, visible and audible alerts for high pressure, low pressure or high temperature, the TB99 continuously displays the pressure of four tyres, whilst your tyres’ temperatures can be seen all at the press of a button.

But how does it work? Well, sensors, with an integral anti-theft design, simply screw onto your pre-existing tyre valves in place of your normal dust caps and correspond with the dashboard mounted monitor and that’s it. It really is that simple.

It doesn’t stop there though and, designed more specifically for caravans and motorhomes, comes the TyrePal TC215B. Similar to the TB99, the TC215B monitors the pressure and temperature of your tyres, but this time around is capable to monitoring up to 22 tyres in succession, providing a clear and audible alert should one of your tyres suffer air loss, low pressure, high pressure or high temperature – ideal for caravans, motorhomes or trailers.

The TyrePal TB99/TyrePal TC215B are available direct from TyrePal, with prices starting from £135

COMPETITION: Vote NOW in the CaravanTimes Awards 2015 for your chance to win big!

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by Joe Jeffrey

The CaravanTimes Caravan and Motorhome of the Year Awards are back. Vote now and enter to win our best line-up of prizes ever!

It’s that time of year once again folks. The CaravanTimes Awards are back – bigger, bolder and better than ever before for 2015.

To say the 2015 season has been a busy year in the world of caravans and motorhomes would be an understatement and it certainly looks like we were spoilt for choice when it came to introducing new leisure vehicles for the new season.

But now, as the year comes to a close, we want to hear from you. We need your help to determine which caravan and motorhome should be awarded with the prestigious number one spot for 2015. We also want you to decide upon the additional categories, which are all equally as important.

All you need to do to have your all-important say is complete the form below and submit your responses by the deadline of Tuesday 22 December. Once all votes have been counted, we will announce the winners on Thursday 24 December in the Christmas edition of our newsletter.

There are 12 categories for you to vote in this year, meaning you can help ensure that your favourite parks, dealers, accessories, motorhomes and caravans get the recognition they deserve.

These awards are recognised and highly regarded across the motorhome and caravan industry and this is your perfect opportunity to get your message across.

We’re not going to let you walk away empty handed though, and this year’s prize package is pretty nice if we say so ourselves. Up for grabs this year are the following:

An Aguri Motorhome & Caravan Sat Nav, a Snooper DVR-4HD Vehicle Driver Recorder, a Tecsun PL-880 Portable Worldband Radio, an Autoglym Perfect Bodywork Wheels and Interiors gift pack, a TyrePal TB99, TyrePal TC215B/4, an Airstream Drinks Cooler, and Tablet TV, which allows for you to stream live TV on your smart device

This year, we will be selecting one random winner for each one of the prizes up for grabs in order to make things much fairer to you, our voters.

If the above wasn’t enough, we’ve also got some great runner’s up prizes of Bailey golf umbrellas for three lucky runners up.

To be in with a chance of winning these great prizes, just vote for your favourite in each of the twelve categories below and like our Facebook page before the deadline of midday on Wednesday 16 December.

Don’t forget to include a valid e-mail address, so we can let you know if you’ve won. Best of luck to all those entering and happy caravanning!

Also, please ensure you cast your vote for ALL 12 categories. If you have an nomination you’d like to see that isn’t listed, please add your vote to the ‘Other’ category.

All that remains to say is good luck! Oh, and make sure your vote counts!

Competition rules:
The lucky winners will be picked at random at midday on 22 December 2015 and will be notified via the email supplied in the entry form
One winner will be selected for each of the prizes listed above
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 and Facebook fans only
No employees of CaravanTimes or StantonPace Ltd may enter
The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over

State-of-the-art Hymer ML-T 580 4×4 Edition to launch exclusively at EventCity Caravan & Motorhome Show 2016 

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by Joe Jeffrey

New Hymer 4×4 to debut at Manchester Caravan Show

Visitors to The Caravan & Motorhome Show, EventCity, Manchester, are in for an extra special treat this year as there will be an exclusive preview of one of the most luxurious motorhomes to be launched in 2016, the Hymer ML-T 580 4×4 Edition by TravelWorld.

Built on the impressive new Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis, the new premium Hymer ML-T boasts a luxurious level living area floor and large seating area with an L-shaped sofa to create an oasis of relaxation.

The large kitchen area comes with extendable surfaces to allow for preparing food with ease, and the bedroom areas are equipped with a generous sized double bed, four twin beds and stylish storage solutions.

The motorhome also unites state-of-the-art drive technology and innovative lightweight construction ensuring it is easy to manoeuvre.

Rob Debenham, show manager, said: “We’re all really excited about the 2016 show and can’t wait to see inside this spectacular motorhome. This model is the only production 4 x 4 motorhome in the industry and is built on the fantastic new Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis, so visitors have even more of a reason to pop down to the show.”

Nick Barker from Travelworld Motorhomes said: “We are delighted to bring this new model at The Caravan & Motorhome Show 2016 – it’s one of the most exciting events in the touring calendar so it was the obvious choice for us and we look forward to showing it to visitors.”

The North’s largest outdoor leisure show, The Caravan & Motorhome Show takes place at Manchester’s EventCity from 21st – 24th January 2016, and this year sees over 200 exhibitors and a huge range of inspiring ideas for your travels in 2016. The Hymer ML-T 580 will be on the Travelworld Motorhomes stand 3-201.

Click here now to get your tickets today.

Paignton parks mark triple triumph at Devon awards

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by Joe Jeffrey

Beverley Holidays and Whitehall Country Park comes up trumps in prestigious awards

Beverley Holidays and sister site Whitehill Country Park in Paignton are cracking open the champagne following a hat trick of tourism honours at the Devon Tourism Awards 2015.
 
The family-run holiday parks overcame tough competition from a record 174 entries to win three prestigious awards at a glittering ceremony in Plymouth.
 
The celebrations started early on in the night when Beverley Holidays took the first much-coveted gold of the evening in the Holiday Park & Holiday Village category.

Shortly after, Whitehill Country Park took to the stage to collect a silver award for Dog Friendly Accommodation, followed by a bronze in the Camping & Caravanning category.

Held in association with tourism body Visit Devon, the sixth annual Devon Tourism Awards were attended by many leading figures from the region’s top tourism businesses.

Marketing director of Beverley Holidays and Whitehill Park, Claire Jeavons, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with our award hat trick which is the result of a great deal of hard work and dedication from the Beverley and Whitehill teams.

“We are honoured to be recognised in such a prestigious competition, and our gold, silver and bronze accolades are proof that the investments we have made in our accommodation and facilities mean we are delivering the best holiday experience possible.”

Victoria Hatfield, chair of Visit Devon, said: “The quality of the visitor offering that Devon delivers increases year on year, and this is testament to the dedication, commitment and investment from the businesses nominated in the Devon Tourism Awards.”

Thornley Leisure’s park portfolio grows with new Yorks acquisition

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by Joe Jeffrey

Thornley Leisure snaps up Five-star Gallaber in bid to move park forward

North Wales based holiday parks group Thornley Leisure has announced its acquisition of Gallaber Park in North Yorkshire, one of the county’s most highly regarded holiday retreats.

The deal, which was signed in November, brings the eight park to the group’s portfolio.

Based near Settle in the Ribble Valley, 65-acre Gallaber boasts a five-star tourist board rating, and the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

Sympathetically developed over the past 15 years by its previous owners, Gallaber Park provides 71 touring pitches, privately owned caravan holiday homes, and timber lodges

Now it is set to benefit from even further investment in its facilities from Thornley Leisure which owns seven other holiday parks in North Wales and Cheshire.

The Thornley family’s business, established over 50 years ago, has itself achieved a raft of honours for the quality of its parks and the many initiatives taken to protect the natural environment.

For this reason, says managing director David Thornley, Gallaber Park represents a perfect fit for the company’s existing parks portfolio:

“One of Gallaber’s greatest strengths is its appeal to people who want a holiday location where the main attractions are the tranquillity and the beautiful surroundings,” he said.

“The park has always been conscious of this, and has focussed on developing and safeguarding its many natural features including a wildlife lake, woodland trails and butterfly meadow.

“Just as importantly, Gallaber also enjoys a high level of loyalty from customers – and finds, as we do, that most guests are either repeat visitors or come as a result of a personal recommendation.

“We are now keen to continue moving the park forward, and to raise the quality bar even higher for the benefit of both touring holidaymakers and the owners of holiday homes,” Thornily continued.

Open for over ten months of the year, Gallaber Park is likely to see the siting of additional luxury holiday homes in 2016, and further upgrades to guest facilities.

Objections raised in holiday park’s plans for extension

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by Joe Jeffrey

Plans to increase caravan and camping pitches by building on car park and coastal trail faces opposition

Community councillors have objected to a Scottish Highlands holiday park’s plans for expansion amidst fears over the environmental impact any expansion may present to the local area.

Nairn West and Suburban Community Council secretary, Brian Stewart, has described plans made by Nairn Lochlay Holiday Park, owned by Parkdean Holidays as “premature and inappropriate.”

Local residents have also weighed in on the debate over fears that plans to introduce new caravan and camping pitches could have a detrimental impact on land currently used as a car park and a coastal trail leading to the local beach, leaving many with little opportunity to park or make the most of the costal trail.

Highland Council access officer Stewart Eastaugh states in planning papers that the site currently includes a “core path” linking Nairn and nearby Culbin as part of a coastal trail to Moray and that is is “likely to be a public right of way.” There is an access through the dunes to the foreshore from the car park.

He states: “The information supplied and/or displayed on our e-planning site is not clear enough to allow me to establish the likely impact on these paths.

“As such, I would like to see more detail of the applicant’s proposals, particularly those that might affect the paths.”

It has been recommended that the core path remains open and free from obstruction before, during and after construction work begins and that any scheme planned to enhance the coastal path be submitted to the council for approval prior to any works beginning.

IAM introduces Al the Alien as part of its Wheels in Winter campaign

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by Joe Jeffrey

IAM enlists the help of Al the Alien to highlight winter road risks

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has released a new video as part of its latest campaign, launched as part of its #wheelsinwinter campaign to support driving safely this winter.

Featuring Al the Alien, the IAM hopes the animated video will act as a visual aid to help novice drivers gain familiarity with a number of hazardous situations faced on the roads during the winter months.

In 2014, 12,445 accidents took place on built up roads that were either flooded or wet in the dark – a 19 per cent increase in road accidents in the same conditions when compared to 2010. Therefore the #wheelsinwinter campaign could;t have come at a better time.

Other contributory factors for the cause of accidents during winter include snow, sleet, rain and fog, as well as slippery roads.

Sarah Sillars, chief executive officer at the IAM, said: “It is clear from the statistics that people need to change their driving behaviour when faced with poor weather conditions and more hours of darkness.
 
“Winter driving needn’t be difficult, and with a few small changes driving in bad weather conditions can be made far safer and more enjoyable. We advise motorists to avoid travelling in severe weather conditions – could you delay that visit to the shops or walk to school instead? But if you do need to travel, prepare properly and read our advice to ensure you and your loved ones are safe.”

Check out the IAM’s new campaign video below and let us know what you think.

 

Camping and Caravanning Club announce Christmas and New Year site openings

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by Joe Jeffrey

30 Camping and Caravanning Club sites set to celebrate Christmas with host of activities

The Camping and Caravanning Club has announced that 30 sites across its vast network are to remain open for Christmas as more campers and caravanners gear up to enjoy the holiday season in the great outdoors.

Christmas-themed gatherings will take place at more sites than ever before; from Bellingham in Northumberland to Devizes in the south, Thetford Forest in the east and Blackmore in the Midlands, with advance bookings for Christmas and New Year across the site network up 28 per cent compared to this time last year.

At Oswestry Club Site in Shropshire, a bingo night on 28 December will be followed by a quiz night on 29 December and a game show night on the 30 December. New Year’s Eve will feature the Cranberry Moss Winter Stakes, a popular horse racing game, followed by a bring-and-share supper, raffle and the chimes of Big Ben to ring in the New Year.

Meanwhile, at Bellingham Club Site in Northumberland, there will be an early-evening sparkling wine reception on New Year’s Eve, taking place at Wansbeck House, a modern and plush on-site camping refuge designed to make a camping stay at Bellingham an even more comfortable experience.

The site will join others in holding a mulled wine and mince pie evening on Christmas Eve.

Many campsites are holding New Year’s parties, including Blackmore Club Site in Worcestershire, where visitors are invited to bring their own drinks and nibbles and dress in fancy-dress for this year’s Witches, Warlocks and Wizards theme. Kingsbury Water Park Club Site near Birmingham will see in the New Year in style with a marquee-disco on New Year’s Eve.

Club’s Sites Director, Bob Hill, said: “More of our sites are open over the Christmas and New Year period than ever before, driven by the demands of both members and non-members of the Club.

“Campers have discovered that winter camping is comfortable, enjoyable and presents great value. Club reinvestment in the sites network totalling £4.8 million in the 2014/15 winter season has allowed for improvements to many on-site facilities.”

In Scotland, Loch Ness Shores Club Site has numerous ‘glamping’ options, including a six berth Wigwam cabin. As every year, the site is holding a traditional Scottish Ceilidh on Hogmanay. Visitors to Moffat Club Site are invited to enjoy a night of games, quizzes, raffles and entertainment at the local pub, The Buccleugh Arms, on New Year’s Eve, with entry free-of-charge for any campers staying on site.

For further information on all Club Sites open during the winter months, and events they’re hosting, click here.