The Caravan Club tackles waste with impressive 90 per cent recycling rate for 2014

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by Alice Scarsi

The Caravan Club proves its green credentials, recycling an impressive 90 per cent of waste created on its sites

The Caravan Club is not only Europe’s largest touring organisation, but also the greenest and most environmentally friendly it seems.

According to research conducted by the Club, statistics have shown that just under 4,000 tons of waste were produced across the Club’s site network, with 90 per cent of waste being recycled during 2014.

The Club, which runs more than two hundred sites and is affiliated with 2,500 smaller ones – providing around 6.2 million caravanners and motorhomers a place to lay their head each year -, takes issues pertaining to the disposal of waste extremely seriously, concentrating on having the smallest impact possible on the ecosystem by implementing dedicated waste disposal areas across the site network. As a result, the amount of recycled waste for 2014 weighed in at the equivalent of 2,614 caravans.

Nick Lomas, director general of The Caravan Club said on the matter: “When you look at the figures they are pretty impressive and the fact that so much of The Club’s waste is recycled is great news and a great achievement! It is testament to Club members and site visitors that they take the time to sort their rubbish well, thus allowing The Club to ensure only a very small percentage goes to landfill.”

Do you make the most of recycling facilities when pitching up on your favourite site? Do you think enough is done to protect the environment where you stay? It would be interesting to hear what you think.

Min-y-Don Caravan Club Site wins Loo of the Year Award 2014

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by Alice Scarsi

Snowdonia National Park site wins two titles at the Loo of the Year Awards 2014

A five star caravan park on the Cambrian Coast has scooped the UK Loo of the Year Award for 2014.

Min-y-Don Caravan Club site in Harlech, set within Snowdonia National Park, also managed to retain the highest platinum grading during the presentation ceremony in Solihull.

A £2 million redevelopment in 2008 saw the installation of a luxurious toilet block including full disabled facilities, laundry and dishwashing room, together with private bathrooms.

Min-y-Don Caravan Club Site provides breath-taking views owing to its stunning location between the coast road and local beach, nested below Harlech Castle and offers 100 caravan and motorhome pitches following a recent extension.

Additional amenities close by include fishing, watersports and golf, courtesy of the Royal St David’s Golf Club, and the site also offers the opportunity to explore the nearby town of Harlech and its lively historic centre, full of pubs, restaurants and shops, with plenty to do for all the family.

If you are interested in spending your holidaying at this stunning site, click here for more information.

Coachman Caravans: lighter on weight and expense

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by Joe Jeffrey

CaravanTimes visited Coachman Caravans to find out more about the manufacturer’s quality offerings for 2015, as well as to find out if anything had changed regarding its reputation for being some of the most heavy and priciest caravans within the industry

When considering Coachman Caravans, one of the first things that springs to mind is quality. Usually, however, with quality comes two things: higher weight and higher price.

In the past, you could be forgiven for believing Coachman’s caravans were usually a bit weightier and pricier than its competitors, but when CaravanTimes was informed that, for 2015, the manufacturer’s new ranges were neither of the above we had to check it out for ourselves.

We went along to Coachman’s main headquarters in Hull to find out what’s new as far as weights and prices are concerned for 2015 and we were rather impressed. But what changes have been made to counter both of these factors?

As we found out through talking to Coachman, new manufacturing processes introduced over the last couple of years have ensured that Coachman has been able to save on additional costs and, at the same time, allowed for their caravan ranges – the Vision, Pastiche and VIP – to weigh in at much less than ever before.

Not only are savings passed onto the customer through the manufacturing changes made to Coachman’s 2015 ranges, but a lighter number of caravans now available for 2015 means that Coachman has made themselves more accessible to those previously unable to experience them. And all this has been done, it seems, without compromising the quality Coachman is associated with.

With a simple, but effective motto of ‘quality, quality, quality’, it’s not difficult to see why Coachman remains one of the most respected caravan manufacturers in the industry today. Watch our video above to find out more and let us know what you think.

VW Beetle shows off versatility of innovative 1970s fifth-wheeler

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by Joe Jeffrey

Would you tow a fifth wheeler using your car’s roof? This guy did and the results are pretty impressive

It always pleases us when we unearth videos of unique leisure vehicles in action, but this video of a fifth wheeler from the 1970s is definitely one of our favourites.

We’re yet to verify if this prototype seen in action in the video footage form 1974 ever made it onto the mass production line, but we doubt it owing to the fact that it was required to be towed courtesy of a car’s roof. Yes, roof. We’ve obviously seen larger fifth-wheelers towed by pick-ups, but to introduce one which has the ability to be towed by a standard car is pretty amazing.

We here at CaravanTimes certainly wouldn’t condone hooking a fifth wheeler up to your car anytime soon. However, if, after watching this, you’ve convinced yourself that it’s the right thing to do you might want to wait until the weather warms up a bit, just incase you unwittingly transform your car into a homemade convertible.

Let us know what you think by watching the video below. Oh, and watch out for the Anchor Man-esque commentator, Bud Lindemann, at the beginning with the polka dot collars. We need to see more of this guy.

Would you trust towing your vehicle by the roof of your car rather than pulling it along with the help of your chassis for support?

Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show: hints, tips and advice galore

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by Joe Jeffrey

Whatever advice you’re looking for, you’ll find it all at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015

There are just ten sleeps to go before the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show kicks off at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre.

The show, which will feature over 350 exhibitors from the caravan, camping and motorhome industries will be on hand to bring you all the latest caravans, motorhomes, camping gear and accessories and, with so much more stuff to see and do, it’s set to provide lots of fun for all the family.

From special guest stars and expert advice in the Experts Theatre, to fun activities for the kids as well as dog agility sessions, there seriously will be something for everyone – even the four-legged members of your household.

It’s not all about fun and games though, and the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, taking place between 17 – 22 February, will also enable you to gain advice on absolutely anything to do with caravanning, camping and motorhoming.

So whether you’re terrified of towing, miserable about manoeuvering or simply looking for places to visit all year round, experts will be on hand to help.

To make sure you don’t miss out, book your tickets to the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show by visiting the official ticket site now. Alternatively, enter our competition here to win a pair of tickets here. Winners will be announced next week so good luck!

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New caravan sales and motorhome registrations increase reported for 2014

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by Alice Scarsi

Good news coming from the leisure vehicle market, which shows a double-digit increase in sales

Figures released today by the National Caravan Council (NCC) reveal a double-digit increase in the sales of new touring caravan and in motorhome registrations in 2014 and illustrate that more young buyers are entering the market.

The findings are extremely encouraging, with new motorhome registrations increasing by 18 per cent year-on-year while sales of new touring caravans almost reached double-digits, with an increase of 9.2 per cent year-on-year.

For both type of leisure vehicles, October 2014 proved to be the busiest month, with sales of touring caravans raising by 22 per cent whilst registrations of new motorhomes shot up by 18 per cent compared with October 2013. NCC data indicates that during 2014 a total of 21,379 new touring caravans and 8,733 motorhomes were sold and registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

In an interesting twist, the number of young families and groups of young friends buying new caravans and motorhomes is also on the increase. The findings follow the NCC’s recent collaboration with The Caravan Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club to launch a new promotional campaign called Freedom to go, more information of which can be found here.

Confirming the trend in younger people stepping into the outdoor leisure market, Mark Bebb, managing director of award winning Shrewsbury based dealer Salop Leisure, said: “We’ve noticed that the average caravan user is younger than they were just a few years ago. There is a rising group of young consumers in their twenties and thirties – we’ve seen a 30 per cent increase from this group over the last three years – who’ve realised that the industry has moved forward and they’re embracing the reality provided by this leisure option, which is all about fun, freedom and adventure.”

Jenny Summers, NCC group marketing director, added: “It is incredibly positive to see that sales of touring caravans and motorhome registrations increased so much in 2014 as it demonstrates that more people are discovering the benefits that touring in a caravan or motorhome brings. It also shows that consumer confidence is returning to the market, many exhibitors at our Motorhome & Caravan Show 2014 reported record sales, and we hope for this trend to continue at our Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show in February this year.”

Caravanning continues to remain a British success story, with more than 95 per cent of touring caravans and 60 per cent of motorhomes manufactured within the UK. Tourists spent over £2.4 billion on caravan holidays across Great Britain in 2013 and, according to Visit England, more than 51 million nights are being spent in caravans each year. The industry as a whole contributes more than £6 billion a year to the UK economy.

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Brits fail to agree whether CCTV and speed cameras improve road safety

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by Alice Scarsi

YouGov poll shows that just over half of the population feels safer with CCTV and speed cameras

A YouGov survey has revealed how split the UK is when it comes to CCTV and speed cameras.

The survey, commissioned for ITV‘s two-part documentary, Car Crash Britain: Caught on Camera, starting tonight at 9pm, has shown that almost half of people surveyed think that CCTV and speed cameras have made roads safer.

According to the representative survey which questioned 1,593 adults, it was revealed that 48 per cent of the British population actually felt safer with speed cameras and CCTV on roads, whilst 34 per cent thought they have had no impact at all. Ten per cent of those surveyed believed they have made the roads more dangerous.

Delving further, details of the survey also revealed that more than a half (54 per cent) of people interviewed felt that cameras have either made no difference to driving standards or have worsened them, whilst 33 per cent thought that they had made a good impact.

The study also showed an opinion divide based on both gender and political persuasion, with 40 per cent of men bearing a grudge against CCTV and speed cameras compared to just a quarter of women.

Meanwhile, potential Liberal Democrat supporters seemed more inclined to think that CCTV and speed cameras made roads safer (55 percent) while only 36 per cent of UKIP supporters were on the same page.

More interestingly, the poll found that 55 per cent of younger drivers between 18 – 24 found cameras to bring improvements to road safety – perhaps suggesting the days of speeding boy racers are numbered.

What do you think? Are close circuit television and speed cameras a necessity or just a pain?

Mamma Mia! Two Italians set to travel around the world in a 1982 Volkswagen campervan

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by Alice Scarsi

Two Italians plan to travel around the world in epic 100,000km journey in a campervan affectionately named ‘Vostok’

Sometimes restoring a beaten-up old vehicle is perfect therapy for getting away from it all. For a small few, however, getting away from it all becomes a literal desire, as two Italians who look set to travel 100,000 kilometres around the world in their once clapped out campervan have found out.

In 2012 Lorenzo Scaraggi and Peppino Guardapassi bought an old 1982 LT 28 VW Sven Hedin Volkswagen campervan, the restoration of which soon became a labour of love. Affectionately nicknaming the campervan ‘Vostok’ – to honour the first successful mission in space – both Lorenzo and Peppino developed a desire to set themselves their own personal mission and travel around the world.

Less than a year later, in 2013, the two friends were ready to take Vostok on a test ride. In September they left for their trip, which was self-named ‘Road to Cappadocia’ – a 5,000 kilometre (3,100 miles) journey through Greece and Turkey which would culminate upon their arrival in the heart of Anatolia, Asia Minor.

The flagship excursion wasn’t all plain sailing though, as Lorenzo explains to CaravanTimes.

“In Anatolia we had a problem with the handbrake.

“We went to a mechanic that only dealt with tractors. As we soon found out, he didn’t fix it properly, so after setting off to complete our journey, the problem returned. We were near Nigde (in the heart of Turkey), and we broke down again.”

Surprisingly though, and as fate would have it, Vostok decided to conk out beside a market stall selling soft drinks, which couldn’t have been a better place to break down as Lorenzo continues: “The owner was related to a Volkswagen mechanic that fixed not only the brakes but also our old clutch for only ?100. It’s instances such as this that make us realise that every cloud has a silver lining”.

Following their first expedition and having caught the travel bug, irrespective of brake issues, Lorenzo and Peppino set off once again in 2014 and took Vostok on a journey which saw them traverse through the asperities of the Sahara desert, dubbing their new expedition ‘Appointment in Marrakech’.

The two intrepid travellers now feel confident enough to take Vostok on a journey that will see them travel the world, culminating in a 100,000km (roughly 62,000 miles) round trip. As to where the confidence comes from to enable them to take on this mission, the answer is simple: Vostok.

“Vostok is hard to compete with,” Peppino begins. “We’ve since realised you can repair him without much effort thanks to the minimalistic mechanics that allow pretty much anybody to be able to fix him, and he travels for miles with the slowness and patience of an elephant.”

As if travelling around the world wasn’t difficult enough, to make it more fun they have decided against the use of GPS and will rely solely on maps and compass.

“We travel without the modern comforts in order to enjoy the journey more and embrace everything it allows,” continues Peppino. “We drive slowly, because Volstok goes at a ‘cruise speed’ of 80km/h without sweating it. We ultimately have to rely on Vostok to get us where we’re going, so it’s imperative we don’t abuse him and exceed what he’s capable of.”

Lorenzo confessed that what keeps them motivated, irrespective of expenses and difficulties faced along the way, is the same “sacred fire” that drives most adventurous travellers: “We consider ourselves nomads, driven by the necessity of just going. It’s something that’s in you, something that only other travellers and those with a desire for the great outdoors can understand,” he says.

“One can reach the other half of the world in a few hours without really getting in touch with their surroundings and the environment – we don’t want that. We always try to empathise with the places we see and the people we meet, to understand how they live, how they think and how they dream in lands where many will never go because we cut out the main low-cost routes.”

The trio of Lorenzo, Peppino and, of course, Vostok has become pretty famous in their native home of Italy and have garnered quite a following on Facebook, where people can view videos of their previous adventures as well as follow their progress. So far, the page which has attracted more than 4,000 ‘likes’ has also attracted the attention of various Italian mainstream media organisations, including RAI and prestigious newspaper title, Repubblica. A crowd funding campaign is also in the works in order to enable Lorenzo and Peppino to continue their travels and, in return for donations, contributors will receive special tour T-shirts amongst other goodies.

Merley House Lane touring park and campsite risks being turned into holiday lodge park

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by Alice Scarsi

Plans submitted show static holiday homes set to replace touring facilities

A popular caravan and campsite in Poole, Dorset, looks set to be replaced by holiday lodges according to plans submitted to the local council.

The Merley House Lane site, which falls in greenbelt land, has been in used as a touring park since the early 1980s, and provides for a popular choice for many caravanners. Plans for the fully equipped site, which contains a convenience store, entertainment lounge with bar, laundry with washing facilities, sporting facilities, a children’s play area and more, including 160 pitches for camping and caravanning/motorhoming, have been submitted for up to 83 lodges to built, adding to a dozen similar lodges having recently been constructed in the woodlands to the east of the site.

The replacement of such a big recreational space would represent, clearly, an impoverishment of the area, with many businesses looking set to suffer should the plans be approved.

Director of nearby Hitch-N-Pitch, Judith Forsey, whose company supplyies services and equipment to caravanners within the Poole area told the local newspaper, the Daily Echo: “I think it would also be detrimental for the area as a whole. Merley Court is the only touring park in the Borough of Poole.

“By allowing the change of use it will drive away holidaymakers from the town because they have nowhere to go,” Judith continued.

Owners of Merley House Lane, Shorefield Holidays Ltd, subsequently refused to comment on the impact such changes could have to local businesses when contacted by CaravanTimes earlier today, despite acknowledging in their original planning application that the move would reduce the number of visitors to its park.

Consultation over the plan will end 13 February, and the fate of the Merley House Lane site will be decided by early March.

What do you think about the application? Is it worth doing away with touring caravan and camping pitches to replace them with static holiday lodges? Furthermore, would you want to give the new lodges a try?

The new Bailey Approach Advance: safety as standard

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by Joe Jeffrey

CaravanTimes visits Bailey of Bristol to take a look at the new Approach Advance and see what safety elements have been incorporated into the new 2015 Advance models

In 2011, prior to launching their first motorhome, Bailey of Bristol was instrumental in launching a series of groundbreaking simulated crash tests at the Millbrook Proving Ground. Since then, Bailey has gone on to implement a number of unique safety features to all motorhomes and the New Bailey Approach Advance is no exception.

As with all of Bailey’s offerings, the Approach Advance is built with the company’s patented Alu-Tech bodyshell construction system, ensuring each vehicle made is not only more durable, but also robust – providing both driver and passengers with greater protection when onboard. Add to this various other design elements inside which make for a safer ride, and it’s pretty obvious, as you’ll see, that Bailey have got all bases covered.

In our latest video, we speak to Bailey’s Simon Howard to discuss how fundamental the element of safety was when it came to designing and building the new Approach Advance, as well as how Bailey went about implementing the features that ensure the Advance is one of the safest motorhomes to date.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Morris Leisure bringing £1m five star caravan park to Snowdonia

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by Joe Jeffrey

Morris Leisure’s latest venture will bring jobs and financial boost to the region

Work to create a £1 million five star touring caravan park in the village of Llanberis in Snowdonia is underway following approval granted by Gwynedd Council.

Shrewsbury-based Morris Leisure, which already owns the successful Riverside Touring Park in Betws-y-Coed as well as four additional parks, hopes to complete work on the 54-pitch caravan park on eight acres of land at Glyn Rhonwy, Llanberis by late summer.

The brown field site, previously part of a slate mining operation, will now be transformed to a high quality park for touring caravans and motorhomes in an area of Snowdonia – a region that continues to remain very popular with tourists.

Managing director, Edward Goddard, said of the ongoing works: “Following our £4 million investment in Riverside Touring Park, we have been looking to expand our park portfolio in Snowdonia and detailed market research identified Llanberis as an ideal location.

Work on the new park is estimated to be completed by late summer and the park looks set to boost the local economy by creating jobs within the Snowdonia region, whilst simultaneously growing local tourism and proving financially rewarding as Goodard went on: “Based on figures issued by the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, the touring park would generate in excess of £200,000 a year for the local economy, which has got to be positive for Llanberi.

“As with our five existing parks, we are keen to work closely with the local community. We have had great support from Gwynedd Council and the local community throughout the planning process and look forward to continuing to work closely with them in the future,” Goodard continued.

Introducing the new Elddis Affinity for 2015

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by Joe Jeffrey

The Elddis Affinity has been updated for 2015. CaravanTimes went along to Elddis to find out how

The multi-award-winning Affinity range from Elddis has been revamped for 2015, so when CaravanTimes was invited along to Elddis’ HQ, we jumped at the chance to see for ourselves what changes have been made.

With six layouts to choose from for 2015, the Elddis Affinity looks like it ticks all the right boxes when it comes to being spoilt for choice, including the Affinity 554, with its comfortable transverse island bed providing more space in the near-end bedroom, irrespective of what side of the bed you get out of.

Speaking of comfort, the Ozio mattresses and seats should allow you to experience a great deal of it. Tested to assure ten years of use, the Ozio technology – similar to memory foam – has been found to perform much better than sprung mattresses as well as providing additional support where it’s needed most, whilst remaining cool in the summer and warm in winter.

Borrowing from Elddis’ Crusader range, a new extra large skyscape design has also been introduced at the front, which helps creates a light and airy feel to the Affinity whilst complementing the amount of space available inside.

Meanwhile, further changes have been made to the bathroom and beyond, as well as to the exterior.

To find out more about changes made, make sure you check out our video above and let us know what you think.