Caravan Guard praised for paperless fundraiser for Heart Research UK

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by Joe Jeffrey

Paperless Policies initiative commended for raising almost £50,000

Caravan and motorhome insurance provider, Caravan Guard, has been lauded following the company’s continued success in selling more and more ‘paperless’ policies, in turn raising its biggest amount yet for national charity Heart Research UK.

The Halifax-based broker celebrated raising a massive £12,575 in 2015 through its Paperless Policies initiative with a Healthy Heart day. the company has raised £47,745 in the last seven years by donating £1 every time a customer chooses to receive their insurance documents via email rather than by post.

Staff celebrated smashing their target by releasing heart-shaped balloons featuring this year’s record-breaking total, serving fruit smoothies, having heart checks, writing their healthy heart pledges for 2016 and taking part in a physical challenge Plankity Plank.

Caravan Guard managing director, Ryan Wilby, heaped praise on staff and customers for continuing to raise money for the Yorkshire-based charity, to help fund its ground-breaking projects and research across the UK.

He said: “This is the biggest cheque we have written yet for Heart Research and I’m delighted that our customers have helped us to raise so much money by choosing to have their policy documents emailed.

“It not only allows us to raise these vital funds but it helps the environment and is a faster and more efficient way of receiving insurance documents.”

Now in its seventh year, the initiative has helped to fund the charity’s work towards the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease across the UK.

Dozens of Caravan Guard staff received a heart check from the charity’s nurses and were given advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Fruit smoothies were also served to the team with a helping hand from Heart Research UK’s mascot Hartley.

A special award was also presented to their best ‘planker’ after staff from the contact centre, admin, accounts, marketing, IT and development teams took part in a one-off challenge, Plankity Plank.

Heart Research UK national director, Barbara Harpham, praised Caravan Guard’s efforts, saying: “As Yorkshire’s national heart charity we’re really proud that this Yorkshire company has now raised nearly £50,000 to help hearts on their own doorstep. We will use what they have raised to fund pioneering medical research and to help people to live healthier, happier and longer lives. It’s a great milestone to celebrate.”

Caravan Guard continues to support a number of local and national charities and hopes to continue to encourage more customers to receive paperless policies so even more money can be raised for Heart Research UK in 2016.

It’s good news for customers who opt-in to receive paperless insurance documents too, as the paperless option enables those taking out insurance to save an extra 10 per cent on caravan or motorhome insurance when buying online.

The Caravan Club announces great savings for Club members across UK and Ireland in 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

The Caravan Club’s Great Savings Guide is available now for all Caravan Club members

The Caravan Club will continue to offer its members fantastic savings at attractions across the UK and Ireland for 2016, director general, Nick Lomas, has announced.

As previously reported here, The Great Savings Guide, sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors, has been released for 2016, combining days out with a range of great discounts on products and services.

The Great Savings Guide is an offer booklet for members of The Caravan Club providing discounted entry to hundreds of attractions and venues around Britain and Ireland, inspiring great days out near Club sites when touring across the country, including two for one entry into Brixham Heritage Museum near Hillhead Caravan Club site in Devon.

The annual booklet features vouchers that are valid throughout 2016 with a valid membership card, including discounted entry to a number of zoos, museums, places of historical interest and much more. The Guide also features other member offers courtesy of the Club, including deals with companies such as Roadchef, Mitsubishi Motors, the National Trust and the M6Toll, utilised over 17,500 times during 2015.

This year, the Great Savings Guide features a new ‘thumbs up’ logo for The Club’s Tourer Explorer characters Holly and Andy recommended venues, to help members choose the most child and family-friendly excursions when planning days out for the whole family.

Natasha Macdonald, The Caravan Club’s head of product development, said: “We have combined top visitor attractions with exciting new leisure activities across the UK and Ireland to provide something for everyone, with offers for heritage, farms & wildlife, museums and railway attractions to bowling, laser games, crazy golf, bike hire, fishing and offers with Go Ape.

“We hope that our members will continue to use the Great Savings Guide to inspire great days out when touring.”

Check out the video above and visit The Caravan Club’s site here for more information and to download your guide now.

The Caravan Club highlights its overseas escorted motorhome tours for 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

Exciting new European and worldwide tours announced by The Caravan Club for 2016

The Caravan Club has announced 11 new European tours and a further 12 new tours across North America and Australasia for 2016.

The Caravan Club’s California Motorhome Tour will appeal to those looking to embark upon a journey of a lifetime which will see those looking for a journey never to forget take in the open roads of Route 66 and The Big Sur, whilst additional highlights along the way include Alcatraz, the Ghost Town of Calico, the famous Las Vegas Strip and much more. Priced at £3,625 per person for a 10 September departure, motorhomers will also be able to visit the natural wonders of Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park over the course of the 13-day excursion.

Other 2016 escorted tour highlights include:

A 38-day New Zealand Explorer Motorhome Tour priced from £4,990 for two people and a motorhome, with departures on 9 October and 9 November 2016. Guests will travel between Auckland and Christchurch visiting the hot springs of Rotorua, White Island Volcano and the Franz Josef Glaciers along the way.

A ten-night Rhine Valley Discovery Tour in Germany, priced from £995 for two people and a caravan or motorhome, departing on 29 May 2016. The tour includes a visit to the street markets and ‘Goethe birthplace museum’ in Frankfurt, a day-time cruise along the Rhine to Bingen and a visit to Germany’s famous Rheingau wine area.

A 14-night Orange Blossom Coast Tour across Spain, taking guests to the orange groves at Vila Real and a tour of a traditional wine cellar in Vilafamés. The tour is priced from £1,049 for two people and a caravan or motorhome, with departures on 28 March and 14 November 2016.

A seven-night Dutch Bulb Fields Tour in The Netherlands, starts from £575 for two people and a caravan or motorhome, with departures on 5, 12, 19 and 26 April 2016. Highlights include a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens, a city tour of Delft and a canal cruise through Amsterdam – perfect for taking in the sights of the city.

European tours can be booked direct with The Caravan Club on 01342 488 354 or by clicking here.

To secure your worldwide tour, call 01342 779 349 or click here.

Watch the video above for more on the exciting opportunities that await you for 2016 and let us know what you think – will you be venturing further afield in 2016?

Research reveals UK leisure vehicle brands dominate the market and owners have never been happier

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by Joe Jeffrey

Caravan Club bookings up 14 per cent for 2016 already as leisure vehicle owners’ satisfaction in UK vehicles remains strong

UK leisure vehicle brands continue to remain at the top spot, whilst bookings at The Caravan Club’s network of sites are already up by 14 per cent, research has revealed.

The research, undertaken by The Caravan Club, saw the UK’s largest ever leisure vehicle survey compiled, with over 40,000 responses from caravan and motorhome owners (totalling an estimated total of 20,000 hours to complete), taking an in-depth look at their vehicles, the manufacturers that dominate the market, satisfaction levels and future innovations.

The survey results revealed the bulk of the caravan market ownership was dominated (75 per cent of the total market) by just six brands from five UK manufacturers – Bailey, Coachman, Elddis, Lunar, Sterling and Swift, with only one European manufacturer in the top 12 – Adria.

While there are more players in the motorhome field (15 brands from ten manufacturers represent 75 per cent of the market), UK manufacturing still dominates with the top five being Auto-Sleepers, Auto-Trail, Autocruise, Elddis and Swift.

The study also revealed over half (52 per cent) of existing leisure vehicle owners predict they will be upgrading their caravans and motorhomes within two to three years, with 51 per cent anticipating spending between £10,000 to £20,000.

What’s more, the quality of caravans and motorhomes certainly seems to be improving and the survey shows satisfaction with UK-manufactured vehicles on the increase. Since 2011 there has been a noticeable uplift across industry standards with new construction methods having a positive impact on customer satisfaction.

A staggering 89 per cent of caravan owners and 91 per cent of motorhome owners are happy with their vehicles – excellent news and something manufacturers and retailers should be really proud of. The survey reflects the popularity of caravanning in the UK, with more enthusiasts taking-up the pastime.

Nick Lomas, director general of The Caravan Club commented: “The leisure vehicle industry represents a real Great British manufacturing story, one we should be proud of. The 2016 holiday season is already off to a great start with a significant increase in Caravan Club site bookings already.”

An unsung hero of the UK manufacturing and leisure industry with manufacturing and holiday spend worth in excess of £6bn to the UK economy, the sector employs over 130,000 people and is currently going from strength to strength with no sign of slowing down. The study findings coincide with the 2016 Caravan and Motorhome Show in Manchester which kicked off yesterday and will run until 24 January 2016. It is estimated over 30,000 visitors will pass through EventCity’s doors during this time.

CaravanTimes caught up with Nick Lomas at the show yesterday. To find out what he had to say, watch our video above.

DJ and TV presenter Vogue Williams officially opens the Caravan & Motorhome Show 2016 for The Caravan Club

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by Joe Jeffrey

Vogue Williams kicks off Manchester show with a bang

Hot off the heels from winning Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, adventurous Vogue Williams has joined touring enthusiasts from across the country following officially opening the Caravan & Motorhome Show 2016 on The Caravan Club stand.

Sporty Vogue also took time out to launch the Manchester-London Cycle Challenge, where visitors to The Caravan Club‘s stand will be collectively tasked with peddling the distance from Manchester to London (210 miles) on an exercise bike that has a giant TV screen in front of it so they can see exactly where they are en route across the course of the show which takes place until 24 January.

In a year when The Caravan Club launched its Pitch Up Saddle Up campaign, developing new routes near its caravan sites, cycling played a key part of the Club’s stand on launch day.

Williams said: “I’m so excited to be working with The Caravan Club and helping at the Caravan & Motorhome Show this year. Not many people know that I love throwing all my things together and heading off for a long weekend in the great outdoors and caravanning certainly allows people to do this. As a keen cyclist, I look forward to getting on the saddle and helping travel between two of my favourite UK cities, and of course, meeting visitors on the day on the stand.”

Harvey Alexander, director of marketing from The Caravan Club says: “Vogue is the perfect choice to launch the show for us this year. In addition to her passion for the countryside, she is an avid cyclist, so a great advocate of our Pitch Up Saddle Up campaign.”

The North’s largest outdoor leisure show, the Caravan & Motorhome Show is currently on at Manchester’s EventCity from 21 to 24 January 2016, and this year sees over 200 exhibitors and a huge range of inspiring ideas for your travels in 2016.

Check out the video featuring Williams above and let us know what you think.

Have you won tickets to the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2016?

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by Joe Jeffrey

Read on to find out if you’ll be heading to the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2016 courtesy of CaravanTimes

A few weeks ago, CaravanTimes launched a competition giving you the chance to win one of ten pairs of tickets to the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2016.

The show, which takes place between 23 and 28 February, promises exactly what we’ve come to expect year-on-year, with over 350 exhibitors, including all the major UK manufacturers on hand to showcase their latest ranges of caravans, motorhomes, leisure vehicles, accessories and much more all under one roof.

Highlights this year include live dog displays and expert advice on taking pets on holiday, the return of the Discovery Theatre, a whole host of special guest appearances and lots more throughout the week, including live cookery demonstrations, towing and motorhome manoeuvring lessons.

Now, the results are in and we are pleased to announce the winners are:

Carol Handrahan, Rebecca Greenway, Dave Barber, Andy Kastenbauer, Tim Davis, Roy Henson, Helen Rees, Robert Watts, Alan Kavanagh and Val Brailsford.

Congratulations to the above named – we’ll be in touch shortly.

Don’t worry if you didn’t win. Advance tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.
 

Exclusive launch of Compass Club Class special edition announced

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by Joe Jeffrey

Leeds Caravan Centre and Compass team up to launch new special edition range

Leeds Caravan Centre has teamed up with Compass to launch a new Compass Club Class special edition range.

The range, consisting of four touring caravans based on the Compass Corona, will come with additional specification and styling unique to Leeds Caravan Centre and is available to view now.

Club Class special edition features include:

– Silver GRP sides
– Bespoke upholstery and soft furnishings
– Bespoke graphics
– External barbecue point
– 230V socket and access locker
– Big feet
– Alarm system
– Omnivent in lieu of 400mm rooflight
– Upgraded awning light
– Offside service light
– Black gloss kitchen sink
– Memory foam mattress (on 574, 554 & 576 models only)
– Exclusive Branded user guide and handbook

The premier range comes with Alde 24 hour central and water heating as standard.

As with all Compass caravans, the Club Class range is fully bonded using SoLiD Construction and comes backed by a free ten-year warranty.

During the launch event which runs until this Sunday (24 January), Leeds Caravan Centre will be offering a free Powrtouch Evolution caravan mover will each new Compass Club Class special edition caravans purchased. Other offers in conjunction with the launch include £50 off all inflatable awnings, £50 off solar panel fittings, some massive savings on Maslow and Tyron branded products, as well as some impressive servicing offers as well as on starter packs with all caravans.

For more information on the Compass Club Class special edition range, click here to visit Leeds Caravan Centre’s website.
 

Director of British Holiday & Home Parks Association made MBE

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by Joe Jeffrey

Jeanette Wilson made MBE in New Years Honours List

Policy director for the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) Scotland, Jeanette Wilson, has been made an MBE in the 2016 New Years Honours List for her highly-valued services to the holiday parks sector.

A well-known figure within the industry, Wilson is best known for her role as policy director for BH&HPA Scotland, and for the part she plays in helping promote the Best of British group of top-rated independent parks.

Joining BH&HPA in 1993, Wilson has since provided the secretariat to the association in Scotland which comprises more than 200 park businesses. She also represents the parks industry to the Scottish government, Visit Scotland and many other tourism organisations as well as serving as an advisor and mentor to Scottish parks.

Chairman and director of BH&HPA Scotland, Colin Fraser, was amongst the many who paid tribute to Jeanette’s commitment and dedication to the parks industry.

Fraser remarked that Wilson works with efficiency, charm and such kindness that she has become much loved by owners and managers of park businesses across Scotland.

Congratulations were also received from many owners of the 50-plus parks in membership of the Best of British group (BoB) for which Jeanette works in a senior marketing consultancy position.

Her involvement with the consortium spans 14 years, and its chair Claire Jeavons said that Wilson has played a massive and important role in raising the profile of the organisation.

Wilson’s invaluable input, said Jeavons, has helped BoB and its family-run member parks achieve widespread recognition for the high quality facilities and standards of hospitality they provide.

Coachman announces price freeze on all 2016 caravans until March

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by Joe Jeffrey

Price freeze on all 2016 Coachman caravans announced

Coachman Caravans has announced a price freeze on its entire 2016 collection of ranges.

The move, which is pretty unprecedented within the caravan industry, sees every 2016 model purchased before 1 March 2016 benefit from the price freeze, whilst remaining in-line with 2015 prices.

Coachman’s latest collection, comprising of the entry level Vision, as well as Pastiche, Laser and VIP ranges, have all seen vast weight reductions for 2016, courtesy of the company’s Advanced Bonded Construction (ABS) technology. Not only does ABC enable lighter weights without compromising the quality of construction, but it also allows for more cars to be able to tow Coachman’s caravans, essentially offering more choice for the consumer. Ever thought you could tow a caravan in a Golf? Well, you can now.

Coachman will be in attendance at the Caravan and Motorhome Show at EventCity in Manchester all week until 24 January, before heading across the border to attend the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show in Glasgow between 4 and 7 February. Next stop will be Birmingham’s NEC, where the Hull manufacturer will be showing off all of its price-frozen ranges at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2016 between 23 and 28 February.

To take a look at Coachman’s 2016 line-up and to find out more, click here.

Camping and Caravanning Club reports increase in visitors for 2015

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by Joe Jeffrey

Increase in site visits, as May Bank Holiday proves more popular than ever before

The Camping and Caravanning Club enjoyed a bumper year of camping in 2015, and celebrated a 4 per cent increase in the total number of touring pitch nights sold across its Club Sites network when compared with 2014.

Club Sites at Braithwaite Fold in the Lake District, and Hayfield in Derbyshire, were the star performers and each recorded a 9 per cent increase in bookings during 2015, compared with the same period in 2014.

Braithwaite Fold is located on the eastern shore of Lake Windermere, and provides the perfect base to stride out and explore the delightful towns of Windermere and Bowness.

Hayfield Club Site is nestled at the foot of the dramatic Dark Peak area, and is increasingly popular with tent campers, who seek out peace and tranquillity here, just an hour’s drive from central Manchester.

Across the border into Wales, Bala Camping and Caravanning Club site is less than a two hour drive from Manchester. The site is located next to the beautiful Snowdonia National Park, and it too saw significant growth in 2015, with 6 per cent more pitch night sales than the previous year.

Bob Hill, club sites director, said: “We’ve invested significantly in our 107-strong club sites network in the last few years, and we’re delighted to see that the sites are proving a hit with campers.

“We’re confident 2016 will see further growth, with lower prices at the pump making it easier and cheaper for people to enjoy short camping breaks at one of their many local club sites.”

With online booking becoming increasingly popular, the club reported a 9 per cent increase in the number of pitch nights sold on its busiest online booking day during 2015 when compared to the same day in 2014.

Both dates fell during the late May Bank Holiday weekend, coinciding with the club’s annual National Camping and Caravanning Week campaign.

The Camping and Caravanning Club is an exhibitor at this year’s Caravan & Motorhome Show, held at Manchester’s EventCity from today until 24 January.

Travelworld receives top industry award for Hymer Van

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by Joe Jeffrey

Shropshire’s Travelworld scoops award for Hymer Van 314

Hymer’s largest UK motorhome dealer, Travelworld, is celebrating following the receipt of an industry award for the German manufacturer’s new compact motorhome, the Hymer Van 314.

The 314 won Compact Motorhome of the Year at the National Motorhome Awards 2016 recently, and has since been credited with answering a growth in demand for those who want a semi-integrated motorhome which doubles as a second car.  

The winning entry from Hymer is the smallest low profile model of its kind, measuring 2.22m in width and 5.45m in length, yet built on an AL-KO chassis with garage to the rear. The vehicle has received acclaim for its agility and its ability to be parked almost anywhere, providing a new breadth of freedom to modern motorhomers. 

Available space has been maximised via a two burner gas hob/sink and flip-up worktop with refrigerator beneath. There is a drop down basin by the toilet and a third bed is an option with the in-cab stretcher bunk, and still room for a nicely sized transverse double bed. 

Travelworld has already seen positive response from its customers. The company’s sales manager, Nick Barker, said: “Customers have been delighted with the new model and how the use of space has been cleverly considered. The 314 SL is the epitome of the everyday motorhome that everyone and anyone can use; having the Hymer stamp is a huge added bonus as customers know automatically there has been no economising on quality.” 

In addition to the winning model, Hymer has also recently launched three new models, in the form of the semi-integrated 374, similar to the 314 but with two single beds. The Hymer Van S range has also seen the addition of two new models with the S520 and the S500 models, both built on the Mercedes Sprinter 313 CDi. 

Ross Edwards, managing director at Travelworld said: “This award marks the beginning of what was always going to be an exciting year for Hymer. As a leading UK dealer, we are in the privileged position to see, first-hand, how pleased customers are with the 314 SL. Hymer has listened to what people want in a motorhome and has more than delivered on that.”

Katy Hill to celebrate glamping with Ready Camp at Caravan & Motorhome Show

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by Joe Jeffrey

Katy Hill to speak on importance of spending good family time together at show

TV and Radio presenter Katy Hill will appear at the Caravan & Motorhome Show, held at Manchester’s Event City from tomorrow (21 January) to 24 January, to promote glamping in the UK with Ready Camp.

Katy will take part in a Q&A session on Saturday 23 January at 2.30pm on the show’s Get Back to Nature stage. The stage is sponsored by Ready Camp, the glamping provider launched by The Camping and Caravanning Club in February 2015.

On each day of the show, the Get Back to Nature stage will host a series of talks with figures from the world of nature and TV, including presenter and marine adventurer Monty Halls, plus a falconry experience from Knutsford-based Gauntlet Birds of Prey.           

Katy said: “I’m delighted to speak at the show about the importance of getting kids camping, and the value of spending time together as a family.

“Glamping makes the prospect of an escape in a tent, away from home comforts such as your own bed, a little less daunting. There’s no need to pack your life into the boot for a few days away – the tent is pitched and ready for you, so you can concentrate on having fun!”

The Club’s Ready Camp network of glamping tents has expanded in 2016 to include more sites, in new areas of Britain. There are now 29 Ready Camp sites hosting 101 glamping tents, close to many of Britain’s best-loved tourist spots.

Each offers comfortable and hassle-free camping to people keen to camp without having to hitch up a caravan or pitch their own tent – all you need to bring is your own bedding, towels and a sense of adventure.

Washroom facilities are available on all Camping and Caravanning Club Sites, where holidaymakers are guaranteed immaculate facilities.

Bob Hill, the Camping and Caravanning Club‘s sites director said, “Ready Camp has surpassed all expectations in 2015 and it’s a great fit to sponsor the Get Back to Nature stage at the Caravan & Motorhome show. 

“Katy is clearly passionate about getting her young family to explore nature and Ready Camp is helping more and more families to do this easily and affordably.”

In a recent customer survey, Ready Camp proved to be popular for both new and seasoned campers. 94.1 per cent of respondents said that they would use Ready Camp again, with more than half of all Ready Camp bookings since launch made by non-members of The Camping and Caravanning Club.

To get your tickets for the Caravan & Motorhome Show, click here now.