Lincolnshire MP, Matt Warman, visits Caravan Park Watch scheme in association with NCC

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by Joe Jeffrey

MP visits scheme initiative which has contributed to a 45 per cent decrease in number of caravan crimes

Members of a Caravan Park Watch scheme and the National Caravan Council (NCC) met to brief Boston and Skegness MP, Matt Warman, last week to discuss its work and achievements at Park Resorts’ Southview Leisure Park. The scheme is a partnership between Lincolnshire police, holiday parks across the county and other stakeholders who are working together to reduce caravan crime.

The Lincolnshire MP learnt about how the local initiative has gone from strength to strength and currently has in excess of 50 parks in membership. Its efforts have been rewarded with a 45 per cent drop in the number of crimes and claims, from members in the scheme, over the last year.

The current Caravan Park Watch scheme in Skegness was started in early 2014 when Community Inspector Andy Morrice combined forces with caravan park owners and representatives from the caravan manufacturing and insurance industries to discuss ways to help reduce the number of burglaries from caravans on holiday parks that occur each year, especially during the closed winter season.

The recent addition of an Information Sharing Agreement has enabled the police to share data, within strict guidelines and controls, about individuals suspected of caravan crime.

The Caravan Park Watch scheme continues to go from strength to strength, with future plans including working with insurance companies to introduce reductions on policy premiums for scheme members and owners on member parks, engaging with fire and rescue services over flood plans and continuing to promote the group across the sector and to the public.

NCC Membership Services Director, Frank Finch said: “The NCC is delighted to be able to support the Caravan Park Watch scheme and organise this briefing for Matt Warman MP at one of our member parks in Lincolnshire. Credit must go to Inspector Andy Morrice, Lincolnshire Police and all the members and supporters of the scheme who have helped to make it so successful.

“We take caravan crime and security seriously, as demonstrated through the development of new initiatives such as VIN Chip and our membership of the Caravan Safety and Security Group (CSSG). We will continue to promote initiatives like these across the country and share best practice wherever we can.”

Matt Warman, MP for Boston and Skegness, said: “The Lincolnshire Caravan Park Watch scheme is leading the way when it comes to preventing crime and sharing resources and ideas across the sector.

“The huge reduction in crime to date is testament to all the hard work that has been put into developing this important partnership and this briefing proved a great opportunity to discuss the challenges the caravan industry is facing and look at how we can work together going forward.”

Inspector Andy Morrice said: “Through constantly innovating and by working together we continue to drive crime down on caravan parks in Lincolnshire. For example, by distributing ‘caravan security tips’ we are empowering holiday makers to make the right decisions and keep their caravans safe and secure during both the winter and summer months. It was really encouraging to see so many members of the scheme turn-out for this briefing, particularly at such a busy time in the season, and participate in what was a really important and engaging session.”

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SMART HT construction to feature on all Swift Conqueror and Sterling Elite caravans for 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

Timberless construction and lots more announced for all new Swift Conqueror and Sterling Elite ranges

Swift Groups’s construction method, SMART HT, will be used on the all new Swift Conqueror and Sterling Elite models for 2016, it has been announced.

The strong construction system, previously only featured on the Swift Elegance and Sterling Continental ranges, features a completely timberless construction system, including the floor, and, according to Swift, is fully engineered to make it consistent, reliable and repeatable time after time in a bid to deliver high quality caravans. The incorporation of SMART HT will also provide for more interior space.

Using GRP for exterior and side walls, as well as roof for enhanced durability and resistance, ‘PURe’ blocks are sealed within the insulated core of the panels in strategic positions where fixing strength is required and all components are computer numerically controlled to ensure accuracy throughout.

The nine model ranges on offer have taken the previous SE layouts as their base for the forthcoming season, with some new additions and modifications, including a completely new layout featuring a fixed rear island bed and mid-transverse washroom available in a 560 single axle model and 650 twin axle model, both new four berthers for 2016.

In line with today’s modern cars, LED front marker lights and exclusive LED rear light clusters come as standard on both new Continental and Elegance models, whilst a key fob operated LED awning light incorporates a red flashing LED when the alarm is activated. Low energy LED lights, featuring dimmable spotlights are also used within the exterior.

This time around, each range’s front panoramic sunroof has been made wider to add more light throughout, whilst the gas locker door on each model across the two ranges has been given a single handed operated three point locking system for ease of use and improved security. Alloy wheels also come as standard, with a ‘Scorpion’ pattern, exclusive to Swift, as well as high spec features including an 8-W solar panel, BBQ point, heavy-duty corner steadies, Thatcham approved TRACKER Retrieve, spare wheel and Status 570 TV aerial.

Inside the Conqueror, each model will feature ‘Aralie Sen’ woodgrain providing for a contemporary ashen brown hue, which complement the upper lockers which come complete with a gloss finish and Smoked Oak lower inlay. The Loretta furnishing scheme, as featured in Elegance models last year, will also be utilised.

Meanwhile, Elite models will come with a distinctive Sterling interior style, including modern hessian effect furniture with matt white locker doors. Smoke Oak gloss lower inlays to upper locker doors provide for a luxurious feel, whilst aptly suiting the Rhonda furnishing scheme, which featured in the Continental models last year.

Each of the two ranges will benefit from cast foam bedding providing for greater durability and extra comfort, whilst fixed beds will still come with Duvalay mattresses as standard.

Alde radiator central heating also comes as standard, with Alde towel radiators in all washrooms, as well as a new boiler mounted heating circulation pump.

Perhaps more excitingly, control panel functions can be operated by using Swift’s latest innovative piece of technology – the Swift Command control system. Swift Command acts as a new smart LCD control panel which allows viewing of enhanced control panel functions, alongside a handy little Swift Command app which can be downloaded to smartphones and tablets enabling you to remotely control or monitor certain vehicle systems from inside your caravan or wherever you are in the world.

All nine Conqueror models’ exteriors will be white and feature Swift family range graphics, whilst Elite models will come with a graphite hitch and front valance with Sterling family range graphics.

Inactivity in progress of drink-drive crashes causes concerns for IAM

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by Jessica Almeida

Drink-drive accidents increased from 8,270 to 8,320 in one year

After the findings of the latest long term review of drinking and driving was issued by the government, The institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) expressed disappointment towards the inactivity shown in the progress since 2010.

Data of drinking and driving from 1979-2014 show that there were an estimated 50 more drink-drive casualties in Britain in 2014 than in 2013. Since 2002, this is the first increase in casualties. Also notable, drink-drive related deaths have continued to remain the same since 2010.

IAM director of policy and research, Neil Greig, believes that there has been good progress over the year, however he is concerned that they may have reached a plateau and are not going to be able to make much progress in further reducing alcohol related accidents.

Greig adds: “The new government has a great opportunity to set the agenda right at the start of the new administration and top of their list should be a consultation on reducing the drink drive limit in England and Wales to align with Scotland and more of the rest of Europe.”

The UK Autumn Motorhome & Caravan Show sees the caravanning season out with a bang

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by Ellie Pritchard

Polish off the best season of the year with the UK Autumn Motorhome & Caravan Show

The peak caravanning season will be coming to an end next month, but let it go out in style with the UK Autumn Motorhome & Caravan Show.

The show concludes the season with an array of indoor and outdoor trade stands, bringing you both new and used caravans and motorhomes as well as accessories, spacious campsites and club rally areas.

Not only will there be a celebrity chef food hall, but the weekend’s entertainment will feature two outdoor evening concerts. Acts include, but are not limited to, the award winning A Vision of Elvis On Tour show and the UK’s premier Queen tribute band, Queen II.

But if all the excitement gets too much, you can take some time out from the show by catching the free shuttle service to the historical market town Newark-on-Trent.

You a can pre-book tickets for the show, which runs from 5 – 6 September at Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire, for £5 or you can buy tickets at the gate for £7.

With free car parking, and under 14s getting in free, make sure you take advantage of this fantastic offer!

Have you won a £150 Halfords voucher?

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by Joe Jeffrey

Keep reading to find out if you’ve won a £150 Halford voucher or one of 25 LED torches in one of our latest giveaways here!

Several weeks ago, we asked your opinions on the tow car you know the best – your own.

In conjunction with Simple Caravan Insurance, CaravanTimes offered you the chance to win one of a number of great prizes, including a first prize of a £150 Halfords voucher, as well as some great runner up prizes of 25 LED torches for, quite simply, letting us know more about your tow car and whether or not it was up to the job of towing your trusty caravan. Each and every person that took part in the survey was also offered a ten per cent discount code for Simple Caravan Insurance.

To be in with a chance of winning, as well as to receive an exclusive ten per cent discount code off of your next insurance policy with Simple Caravan Insurance, all you had to do was complete a short survey, telling us how your car copes on its touring caravan towing duties. And now the results are in!

We are happy to announce the winner of a £150 Halfords voucher is Michael Harris.

25 runner up prizes of LED torches are winging their way to the following:

Ian Baxter, John Green, John Taylor, Sue Doidge, Beverley Cousins, P Wheeldon, Mark Cameron, Peter Gill, Iain Stewart, Paul McPherson, Nicola Phipps, David Reed, Steven Pluves, Margaret Williamson, Elliot Mizen, Cheryl Pirie-Warsop, Ian Hutchinson, David Cox, Simon Fraser, John Roberts, Scott Dempster, Deirdre Donaghy, Nigel Barrington Mutimer, Barry Cox & Kerryanne Atkinson.

Congratulations to all. Someone will be in touch to arrange delivery of your prizes shortly.

If you didn’t win this time around, fear not – there’ll be more competitions on CaravanTimes coming soon. And watch this space for details on the results of the survey – it should make for some interesting reading!

Bereaved grandmother denied a refund on caravan holiday

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by David Bates

Confusion for distressed caravanner

A recently bereaved woman was refused a refund by her favourite caravan park for a honeymoon holiday she had booked prior to the death of her soon-to-be-wed partner.

Jean Kinahan, 78, from Croydon, lost her betrothed to an extensive battle with heart disease on Monday (27 July). Having been together for 20 years, the couple had intended to tie-the-knot when James Burgess was discharged from hospital.

Their prospective honeymoon to Bunn Leisure’s West Sands Holiday Park fell through when Burgess unfortunately passed away approximately six weeks after being admitted to Croydon University Hospital with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

There seems to have been some confusion between Bunn Leisure and Kinahan when she tried to reclaim her £424 fee.

Kinahan was understandably outraged at the company’s refusal: “They said if your partner was sick we could give you a refund but death doesn’t constitute a refund.”

“When I spoke to them again, they told me to fax or send over his death certificate – I couldn’t believe it”, added the grieving woman.

Bunn Leisure insist, however, that it is a misunderstanding blown out of proportion in a situation the company had previously never experienced.

Philip Mitcheson-Smith, general manager at Bunn Leisure said: “Death is not covered in the terms of the cancellation policy.

“If you have a cancellation, people need to provide documentary evidence and in this case it’s a death certificate.”

“Obviously we get a number of cancellation requests so our reception team have to work to the letter of the cancellation policy.”

Bunn Leisure are now working with Kinahan to come to a reasonable compromise and rectify this regrettable situation.

Caravanners confident of their own road-safety

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by David Bates

New survey gives caravanners green light for safety

A new survey has revealed caravan and motorhome users believe themselves to be the safest of all road-users.

Caravan specialists, Shield Total Insurance, have conducted a survey of 400 UK caravan and motorhome users in response to a recent Brake survey which suggested that drivers tend to favour their own ability and dish out blame on others.

Caravanners also bore the brunt of another new survey, which labelled them the UK’s worst drivers.

Shield’s survey, however, finds the opposite, 83 per cent of those questioned described themselves as ‘safer’ or ‘much safer’ than other drivers, whilst the Brake report has this figure at 69 per cent amongst other users.

Meanwhile, confidence amongst caravanners is significantly greater than towards the general population. Only 52 per cent felt threatened by the driving of other caravanners, whereas 87 per cent felt imperiled by other drivers, of those, one in nine every time they take to the road.

The Shield Survey found a multitude of driving offences, amongst them tailgating, speeding, changing lanes without looking properly and running red lights, to be significantly lower, by around a third, in caravanners, than the Brake survey gaged in other motorists.

Further, caravanners are less likely to willfully break traffic laws, and the majority of the 48 per cent who admitted to breaching regulations, did so inadvertently.

With so much bad press directed towards caravan driving recently, is this a satisfying retort? Or unjustified self-confidence?

Woolacombe Bay is crowned Britain’s best holiday park

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by Ellie Pritchard

And the winner of Britain’s best holiday park 2015 is… Woolacombe Bay!

The nation has voted and, after a close Great British Park Off competition, run by Towergate Insurance, we can announce that Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks has been named as Britain’s best holiday park 2015!

The proud owner of Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks, Rudi Lancaster, told Towergate: “We’re over the moon to have beaten off some really tough competition to win Towergate’s Great British Park Off and we’re absolutely delighted so many of our customers love what we do so much they took the time to vote for us.

“So to thank all of our guests, and to introduce our park to families who’d like to see for themselves what makes us a winner, we’ll be having a big celebration over the August Bank Holiday weekend,” Lancaster concluded.

All four of Woolacombe Bay’s holiday parks have room for you to pitch up, with 16-amp electrical hook ups, awning space and use of the park’s facilities.

You can check out Woolacombe Bay’s camping and caravanning offers here.

UK drivers don’t bite their tongues in new survey about parking fees

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by Ellie Pritchard

A recent AA survey has revealed what drivers really think of parking charges

After the results of a recent AA study, high streets minister Marcus Jones’ call for free parking in small towns may have to be extended to bigger ones.

For most people, the cost of parking will often determine where they visit, so with Brighton charging £5-25 to park for six hours at the seaside, compared to £3-7 to park along the Eastbourne promenade, or £5-8 at Southend-on-Sea and £0-6 along the front at Clacton-on-Sea, the cost of parking could decide whether or not visitors return.

The recent AA-Populus survey, taken between 28 April and 6 May this year, has revealed that ‘disillusion and deep-rooted scepticism’ about what determines parking charges leaves 89 per cent of the 18,688 drivers questioned believing that parking charges are used to benefit council income and operator company profits, as opposed to simply providing a service.

This supports the view of the 67 per cent of AA members that think councils and companies that run parking often treat drivers badly.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, nearly one in three AA members agree that there aren’t enough parking spaces available and there isn’t enough work being done to improve provision.

The study also revealed that a huge 86 per cent of the drivers surveyed said that parking spaces are often too small to accommodate the size of modern cars. But this disillusionment and lack of trust has tainted driver perception of council attempts to make car park charge payments more flexible, such as paying by phone.

When the survey asked drivers how readily they would take to paying for parking using their mobile phones, over half of the respondents said that they had no interest.

A tiny seven per cent of drivers said they would be interested in paying by phone, but are put off by the number of different schemes, areas and operators available, and 18 per cent of the people surveyed said that they haven’t even come across pay by phone parking.

Of the survey results, AA president, Edmund King, said: “The minister’s recent intervention chimes well with the overwhelming opinion of AA members and other drivers. He just needs to extend those sentiments to council-run parking in bigger towns.

“For the majority of drivers, the concept of councils elected by the people to serve the people does not appear to apply to car parking. The deep-rooted suspicion is that parking charges and penalties serve only one purpose – propping up council coffers,” King continued.

When the AA was asked whether the government should take further steps to make sure parking supports local shops and high streets, it responded by claiming that one of the problems with parking is the inconsistency of pricing and provision amongst different local authorities.

King added: “In its response to the Department for Communities and Local Government‘s call for evidence on parking reform, the AA highlighted a major advantage of council parking – it is regulated, unlike private parking.”

Sporty Swift Rio motorhome range expanded with two new models for 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

Two new models and exciting updates heading to the Rio range for 2016

Swift has extended its Rio motorhome range, launched last year, with the addition of two new compact models.

First up, the two seater, two berth, low-line Rio 310, with parallel front lounge with side kitchen and rear washroom with separate shower should provide everything required for a couple wishing to escape. Meanwhile, the four seater, two berth, low-line Rio 325 provides a travelling dinette with side washroom and kitchen, as well as a fixed rear transverse bed which can be electronically operated in order for it to be raised to maximise garage space beneath. A new bike rack fixing on the rear to allow for the easy mounting of a bike rack will feature on both models.

The Rio two seater two berth 320, with side kitchen and washroom and rear parallel lounge, and the four seater, four berth Rio 340 will remain within the range for the new season.

2016 will also see the addition of Swift’s SMART Plus intelligent construction system on all Rio models, featuring a number of key enhancements. These include: a new sandwich floor construction with a GRP outerskin providing greater protection and durability from the elements; and upgraded hail resistant roof; and a front window jig which will feature full GRP and foam construction.

The Swift Rio 310 and 325 will be six metres in overall length, whilst the 320 and 340 are 6.4 metres long as per last year. All models are 2.26 metres with the mirrors folded.

Other additions to the Rio range include a new DAB radio and 100W solar panel, as well as a new 12V socket and USB socket – handy for the new dash mounted tablet holder.

With the new season in mind, new graphics will also come as standard, in an attempt by Swift to appeal to the whole family, as well as tinted Seitz C8 windows, LED running lights and front marker lights, and front and rear valances on side skirts to add to the sporty look Swift has gone for.

Moving inside to the interior in a little more depth, the furniture is in ‘Aralie Sen’ woodgrain for 2016, alongside new gloss upper locker doors, with smoked inlays, complementing the ‘Loxley’ soft furnishings, whilst the washroom fittings have seen an update as have what’s in the kitchen.

A new digital control panel has been fitted to control the heating and hot water, with the option to upgrade to Truma’s iNet box to allow for remote control and monitoring of the Truma boiler heating system.

All models will come with a TRACKER Retrieve Thatcham approved tracking system (category 7) as standard, along – of course – with Swift’s 10-year body integrity warranty.

All models will be powered by the Fiat 2.3 litre, 130bhp Euro5+ turbo disel engine with 6-speed gearbox, weighing in at 3.5 Tonnes. A fiat Comfort-Matic automatic gearbox is also available as an option to those looking to steer away from a manual drive.

The Rio range was launched last season to offer coachbuilt luxury in the size of a panel van, proving popular to first time motorhomers and those looking for a compact motorhome alike.

Pensioner driven to sell her caravan after being pestered by UFOs

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by Ellie Pritchard

Extraterrestrial beings are trying to contact humans by using caravans, says 72 year old lady

For years and years, we humans have been wondering if we’re alone in the universe, but caravanner, Helen Chapman, 72, certainly doesn’t think so. In fact, she claims she is being harassed by extraterrestrials.

Chapman, who is convinced that aliens are trying to contact her ever since spotting three triangular UFOs while watching the sunset in her caravan at the end of June, heard a loud bang one evening and, upon inspection, noticed that a dent had been made on one of the external walls of her caravan.

Sadly, she’s now so terrified that she will be selling the vehicle in which she has lived for 11 years.

The ex-hospital cleaner was given such a fright from the UFO sighting that she refused to go back into her lounge area for a month. To compensate, she watched her 52 inch flat screen television in her lobby.

Explaining the terrifying ordeal, Chapman told The Sun: “I’ll never forget hearing that huge bang on the back of the caravan. It was about 11 at night. As soon as I heard it I knew it was the aliens.

“I think they want to have contact with us and they are using the caravan as a way of contacting us and want to get some kind of message through, like a portal.

“I am afraid to look outside at night now. I am an old lady. What would they want with me? I think they want to use my caravan as a contact point.

“I am a level-headed person and was not what you would call a ‘believer’ before this happened.”

There could be some truth to the freaky report though, because there was a separate sighting of a UFO in the same week, just 25 miles away from Chapman’s caravan.

A video recording of the sighting showed a ball of light hovering over houses, moving backwards and forwards. When questioned, experts said that Chapman’s description was consistent with other flying saucer reports and “warrants investigation”.

Despite being confident in what she saw, Chapman isn’t afraid to admit that she doesn’t expect people to believe her, as even her daughters laughed when she told them about her extraterrestrial experience.

The pensioner from Luton confessed: “I know by coming forward and saying I have seen a UFO, I am opening myself up to ridicule but I don’t lie.

“I don’t want to do that but I feel like I am being watched and being targeted and it’s been a frightening experience – not one that I would choose to happen.”

UFO spotter and ex-British Transport Police detective, Gary Heseltine, supported Chapman and told The Sun: “The fact that she saw three objects all hovering together makes it more unusual than most sightings.

“It’s certainly a very interesting case. Because she is used to seeing the planes in the area and knowing what they look like, I would be surprised if she had mistook them for something.

“A lot will depend on the speed that the objects were travelling. It definitely warrants more investigation.”

Have you had any freaky extraterrestrial experiences when out caravanning? Let us know in the comments below.

Unwanted caravan dumped in skip – yes a skip

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by Ellie Pritchard

Newport man skips common sense when trying to dispose of his old caravan

A cheeky Newport man gave a waste collector the shock of his life yesterday, as he ordered a skip from hire firm GD Environmental and filled it with an old caravan.

Tyrone Covell, 43, cracked up laughing when he turned up to collect the skip and saw a caravan – more than twice the size of the skip – sat on top.

Covell explained his wacky finding: “I’ve been working as a skip driver for over nine years and I’ve come across some strange things before. I’ve seen items such as a wedding dress and an empty coffin but a caravan in a skip is a new one to me.

“I called the office straight away as I thought they were pulling a practical joke on me. While I was on the phone I was looking around expecting them to all jump out laughing.
“When you come to think of it, at least it’s one less on the roads, making Sunday driving a little easier,” he continued.

But what makes this story even more hilarious is that the customer called up GD Environmental, who managed to dispose of the caravan yesterday, asking for a list of banned items, and it didn’t specify that caravans weren’t allowed.

Of the incident, Melissa Hodges, from GD Environmental, said: “It was just a normal skip hire. When people book the skip they ask us what they can’t put in there and this customer did too.

“So we gave them a quite an obvious list with all the things people sometimes put in there but shouldn’t – but of course we didn’t say you can’t put a caravan in there as it’s blatantly obvious you can’t put a caravan in a skip.

“He had to tell the customer it must be broken down for us to take it, as we just cannot take it like that.”

She added: “I think they were just pushing it a bit, they had some real cheek. It’s definitely the funniest thing we’ve had in a skip. We also had to tell them we have to charge extra for the tyres too. There wasn’t any other rubbish in there which we could see so it seems like they just hired it for the caravan.”

But we think the real question here is how on Earth did he get that caravan in the skip?