Huge caravan stolen in Northamptonshire

Posted by

by Tom Walsh

Police in Northamptonshire are investigating the theft of a 21ft caravan from a driveway in Irthlingborough.

The cream Bailey Pageant 6 Bretagne caravan was taken from outside a house in Diamond Drive on Monday (April 28th) between 08:15 BST and when the owner returned home at 18:00 BST, Northampton Chronicle reports.

Police explained that thieves were able to remove a hitch lock and then towed the mobile home away and officers are now appealing to anyone with information to get in touch.

Inside the caravan was a blue, yellow and silver Zip Lightning Go-Kart which had a steering wheel and the number 17 on both sides.
Witnesses are urged to contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

It is yet another reminder to caravan owners to ensure that their mobile home is safely secured to help deter thieves and give themselves peace of mind that it will not be targeted.

E-petition to save Baltic Wharf caravan site reaches over 1,500 signatures

Posted by

by Norah Lindsay

The e-petition to save the Caravan Club’s Baltic Wharf site in Bristol, lead by local business owner , Matthew Gibbs, has reached an impressive 1,511 signatures with over three months to go until the e-petition is set to close on Sunday 31 August.

After plans exposing the replacement of the beloved caravan park by a new primary school were announced by Bristol City Council, Matthew set up an e-petition on Sunday 13 April to campaign against the council’s community-excluded decision.

The popular site attracts visitors from all over the country, so it is no surprise as to the number of signatures obtained so far, in order to attempt to prevent closure of the site – a move, if to happen, described by Matthew as “devastating”.

The e-petition partly reads: ‘The decision was taken without any public consultation and is likely to have a devastating effect on the local harbour community, tourism and businesses.’

Award-winning and full of memories

The 2013 Bloom Award winning caravan park has sparked a lengthy debate among members of the Caravan Club’s website forum, with some members expressing their frustration over the thought of losing the park they have previously visited. Others, despite never having been to the park, also continue to join the furore.

In the forum, one champion member of the Caravan Club said, “This is so sad. Our son went to uni in Bristol and we spent many happy weekends at Baltic Wharf. It’s also a very popular stopover site for those heading to and from Cornwall. I’m not sure what we can do to help – but this is one of those incidents where the power of the people may help to create change.”

Another member wrote, “Signed up too. Never been to Baltic Wharf, but was on the to-do list. Hope it’s saved.”

Spreading the word

Southville resident and e-petition starer-upper, Matthew has argued that the Baltic Wharf caravan site would be an inappropriate location for a school as the site is close to a busy main road, which is due to become busier once it becomes a route for the more public transport already planned, as well and 11-metre deep water in the docks. The site holds sentimental value for Matthew too, having visited the site frequently with his family when young.

In an interview with BBC Radio Bristol, Matthew said: “Baltic Wharf caravan site brings people to the heart of Bristol and has one of the highest occupancy rates in the UK. We’re not opposing a school being built – of course, nobody would – we’re saying ‘why develop two sites when you only have to develop one?’

Matthew hopes the number of signatures reaches 3,500 as the total amount will enable a debate on the issue to be held at City Hall and persuade for the site to be saved.

A Save Bristol Campsite website has been created along with positively buzzing Twitter and Facebook accounts. The @SaveBristolCampsite currently has 104 followers with 75 people talking about the Save the Baltic Wharf Campsite Facebook page.

While it’s still early days, with the official campaign having only been open for 19 days, the team at CaravanTimes headquarters wish the supporters the best of luck stopping the closure of such a lovely Caravan Club site.

If you wish to get behind the campaign and save the Baltic Wharf Campsite please click here and sign the petition.


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Planning permission denied to touring caravan site in South Lakelands

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

Planning permission has been denied to a proposed touring caravan site in Kirkby Lonsdale, in the South Lakeland district of Cumbria.

The small market town is currently home to several caravan parks, however the building of a new one was turned down due to the proposed location.

The site would have been at the edge of the Cumbrian town and it was felt, by South Lakeland District Council and supported by a government-appointed planning inspector, that harm to the town’s natural beauty would be too great.

Planning inspector, Jim Metcalfe, was brought in following the initial refusal decision of the Council was objected to by the applicant. The proposal was first discussed at a meeting last summer.

During the meeting, Allan Muirhead, Chairman of Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council raised objection to the planning permission, stating that it was paramount any development did not compromise the integrity of the town, or the quality of its surrounding countryside.

In response, Mark Sidley, the applicant’s agent, stated that the development would be sympathetic to the surrounding area.

On balance, it was concluded that the adverse effect on the appearance of the landscape outweighed the economic benefits of the scheme.

Inspector Metcalfe said in his report: “The built-up area of Kirkby Lonsdale has well-defined limits and the caravan site would be in a visually sensitive location, in the open countryside that provides an attractive rural setting for an attractive market town.

“The caravan park would be an isolated development that would be seen as forming a spread of peripheral activity, where at present, there is a sharp edge to the town.”

No Comments

filed under: News

Catterick Caravans gear up for extravaganza Bank Holiday show

Posted by

by Philip Lovegrove
Catterick Caravans, one of the biggest caravan and motorhome retail sites in the UK, is hosting its 30th Great North Caravan and Motorhome Show at their North Yorkshire dealership this Bank Holiday weekend.
The show, which runs from 2-5 May, is set to play host to the biggest brands on offer, including great caravan deals on the new 2014 season ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/Elddis/">Elddis, Xplore and Buccaneer models, as well as motorhomes from other leading manufacturers.
Every used product on display will be priced to go, in order to make room for this year’s best selling models, and all part exchange models will be judged at the best prices.
There’s also set to be incredible deals on statics, accessories and awnings, as well as specialist guidance from some of the top leisure industries suppliers – so it will be a great opportunity for caravan and motorhome fanatics alike to seek advice from industry experts.
Visitors will also be given the opportunity to see ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/Swift/">Swift’s 50th anniversary limited edition model – an exclusive to the show.
The event, which has been a huge success in the past, promises to be fun for all the family, providing great entertainment for children, live music and free food and drink.
The show is free to all, but visitors are recommended to get their tickets online by registering at www.caravan-show.co.uk.
You can also call The Great North Show hotline on 01748 818 391 or email enquiries@caravan-show.co.uk
We would love to hear from any of our readers who are planning to attend the event.

Fire crews rescue car and caravan in Didbrook

Posted by

by Tom Walsh

Fire crews in Gloucestershire have rescued two people after their car and caravan became stuck in floodwater near Winchcombe

The incident occurred just before 23:00 BST on Friday (April 25th) and required a Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service team to attend the scene off the B4632 in Didbrook, Cotswold Journal reports.

Crews were able to rescue the occupants from the vehicles but due to them suffering from hypothermia, firefighters requested an ambulance.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service said: “The ambulance quickly gave the occupants the all clear but due to the cold and them not being from the local area a request for the Fire Emergency Support Vehicle from Gloucester to attend was made.”

With a bank holiday approaching there is expected to be an increase of caravanners on the road. Those that are planning on a short break over the extended weekend are advised to be extra careful on their travels.

No Comments

filed under: News

Nostalgia event to mark National Camping and Caravanning Week

Posted by

by Tom Walsh

The UK as a whole loves a camping or caravanning holiday.

Spending a relaxing weekend or longer in the Great British countryside can really blow away any of the stresses and strains of day-to-day.

Singing songs by a campfire or sleeping under the stars, a camping trip can be a perfect getaway and has been a big favourite with families and couples alike for generations. Next month sees a celebration of this type of holiday with the National Camping and Caravanning Week.

Running from May 26th to June 1st there will be a number of special events going on, none more so, than The Camping and Caravanning Club‘s nostalgia event. Taking place at the Club’s Scarborough campsite on May 30th there will be a chance for campers to take a trip down memory lane with a host of traditional activities on offer.

There will be some old-style fairground games, Punch and Judy shows and much, much more.

Julia Bradbury, the Club’s president and television presenter, has already confirmed she will be in attendance on the Yorkshire coastal resort. However, it is not just Scarborough that will be enjoying the special week with the Club’s other 109 sites and 16 Camping in the Forest sites all hosting a range of events.

The Club will also be celebrating its long standing cycle-camping tradition with a team of Camping and Caravanning cyclists embarking on an epic journey. The members will travel over 420 miles in six days to honour the Club’s founder and cycle-camper Thomas Hiram-Holding. They will be doing all of this while wearing traditional tweed cycling outfits.

Robert Louden MBE, director general at the Club, said: “The Year of the Bike really resonated with the Club due to its ties with our founding member, Thomas Hiram-Holding.

“National Camping and Caravanning Week, which is into its 14th year, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate our heritage – and the nation’s love for camping, caravanning and the great outdoors!”

Prince Charles visits Scottish caravan park

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

Prince Charles – or the Duke of Rothesay, as he’s known when paying a visit north of the border – has visited Scotland’s Ballater Caravan Park, in Aberdeenshire. The Prince toured the park and met with residents during yesterday’s trip (28 April).

The park, first opened in the 1950s, has recently been taken over by Ballater Community Enterprise (BCE). The charitable organisation aims to carry out projects on the site to boost the local economy, an endeavour that will certainly be helped by Prince Charles’ visit.

HRH is currently staying just 45 minutes away at Balmoral and, during the visit, met with many of the park’s residents including 100 year old Alexander Alexander, known locally as ‘Double Sandy’. Mr. Alexander worked at the park when it first opened over 60 years ago, and joined the Prince in planting a tree within the park grounds to commemorate his visit.

The centenarian recalled his time spent at Ballater Caravan Park, saying: “I’ve seen so many changes here since I helped clear the site in the ’50s. It was just me and my boss at the time, then before you know it, it’s expanding. It’s so great for the village.”

Among the other residents the Prince met was a young family from New Zealand who are currently traveling around the world, working as wardens in caravan parks. Dave Monk, his wife Rachel, and their two sons Dylan, aged 7, and Lewis, aged 5, were thrilled to meet a member of the royals, with Mr. Monk commenting: “Kate and William (the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) just visited our home town, and now we’ve got the future king of New Zealand here too. It’s been great, and the kids have been excited.”

We wonder if any of our readers would enjoy working their way around the world via caravan parks?

No Comments

filed under: News

Retro Rocket caravans fitted on rooftop of Bristol guesthouse

Posted by

by Philip Lovegrove
Brooks Guesthouse in Bristol has installed four ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/Airstream/">Airstream-style Retro Rocket caravans on the roof to attract more visitors.
The quirky silver caravans, which offer the beauty of a timeless vintage feel and can accommodate up to two adults and two children, are available to guests from 1 May. Bristol mayor, George Ferguson, will officially launch the caravans on 7 May during a rooftop ceremony.
Following a successful operation to place the caravans on top of the roof using a 100ft crane, Co-owner of Brooks Guesthouse, Carla Brooks, told AOL Travel: “I am thrilled that the craning of the four caravans went smoothly. This week we will be fitting them out ready for sale this weekend – what better way to spend the May bank holiday than in Bristol?
“They will really sum up the spirit of the area, which is boho and bursting with character. There is no other hotel in the UK offering this unusual accommodation option, so it will be completely unique to Bristol.”
Despite looking rather retro on the outside, the interior of each of the Rockets couldn’t be more different. Carla continued: “The new caravans will be luxuriously kitted out with Hans Grohe power showers, heated towel rails, demister mirrors, electric shaver points, pocket sprung mattresses and designer guild interiors curtains and cushions.”
Check out some amazing pictures of the lifted caravans by visiting www.dailymail.co.uk
For more information on this unique opportunity, please visit www.brooksguesthousebristol.com.

Caravanners to share Hunstanton flood defence cost

Posted by

by Tom Walsh

Caravanners in Norfolk may soon be asked to help pay for vital flood defences.

The future of Hunstanton to Snettisham beach has been a long-running concern for councillors and businesses in the region.

Lynn News reports that the area is home to 3,000 caravans, chalets and holiday homes as well as a further 600 properties in Heacham. There are fears that if significant steps are not taken then the area could be in danger of flooding.

Brian Long, chairman of a stakeholder group which has outlined a plan for businesses to contribute to flood defences, explained that caravanners would only need to contribute £40 to £50 a year to help protect the region.

He told the news provider: “What we want to achieve is a system that is acceptable and fair to everybody that gets a benefit from those flood defences.”

Parts of Norfolk were affected by flooding over the Christmas period which saw people in other parts of the country made homeless. Officials are keen to avoid a repeat in the east of England.

The flood defence plan will be formally consulted upon this summer.

Tighter restrictions proposed on campervans and motorhomes on Welsh seafront

Posted by

Philip Lovegrove
A row between Ceredigion council and campervan owners has ensued, after tighter restrictions were planned to prevent users parking along Aberystwyth promenade overnight.
The council, in West Wales, want to put an end to caravaners leaving their vehicles along the seafront, following a number of complaints about some campervans being left for weeks at the south promenade last summer.
Aled Davies, Ceredigion councillor, told Wales Online : “There were a number of complaints about motor homes and camper vans parking along the south promenade last summer.
“There were up to 20 vans parked there at the same time and some motor homes stayed there for six weeks.
“The council is considering introducing a four-hour parking restriction so more people can enjoy the promenade,” Davies continued.
Many local motorhome users are urging the council to consider an alternative suggestion to the proposed parking restrictions.
Aberystwyth resident, Elizabeth Pugh, lives along the south promenade and is just one of the many people who are against the proposal. She told the Media Wales-owned online publication : “If the council need to introduce parking restrictions they need to make some provision for residents who do not have garages and have to park on the promenade.
“They should introduce a permit for residents rather than introduce parking restrictions.
“I would either have to move my car every four hours or pay more than £20 a week to park my car at the nearest car park by the harbour.”
The decision about whether to go ahead with the plans will be decided by Ceredigion council in May.

Old Oaks Touring Park strikes gold with AA accolade

Posted by

by Laura Hastings

The highly respected AA Gold Pennant accolade is the ultimate stamp of approval for the best caravan parks and campsites throughout the UK, with the latest caravan site to win the prestigious award being the Old Oaks Touring Park in Wick, Somerset

Family-run Old Oaks Touring Park in Wick, Somerset, has been awarded the AA Gold Pennant accolade, following gaining an impresssive score of 97% during the most recent AA inspection of its services and facilities. The news comes as no surprise, considering the park previously won the AA’s Campsite of the Year Award for 2013.

Located just behind Glastonbury, the park – set amongst ten acres of land and offering stunning views of the Mendipp Hills – presents itself as a retreat for grown-ups and has been run for 30 years by the White family, including assistance from son James and wife Tara to who the award was presented during a ceremony held at the Aztec Hotel in Bristol.

Speaking to the Central Somerset Gazette, Mrs White said: “Many of the comments we receive mention the warmth of welcome given to guests, and the park’s regard for customer care – and much of this is down to our staff.”

“It’s great to receive this award right at the start of the holiday season, and I hope it will also benefit other local tourism businesses by throwing the national spotlight on Glastonbury,” She continued.

The AA Caravan and Camping Guide for 2014 is out now, with details of over 900 fully inspected and graded camping and caravanning sites.

No Comments

filed under: News

VIDEO: How Swift is building caravans like cars with Smart HT

Posted by

by Chris Jefferies
There are many differences and similarities between the car and caravan manufacturing industries, but most people would agree that caravan manufacturers are gradually aiming to emulate their automotive peers.
Following the launch of Swift’s new Smart HT manufacturing technique, we’ve been finding out how the company aims to do exactly that.
In this video, Chris Millburn, Design Director at Swift, explains some of the materials and processes that go into making the Swift Elegance and Sterling Continental the most advanced caravans that the Swift Group has ever built.
He explains the benefits of the SRIM corner mouldings, both in terms of the exterior look and the rigidity of the structure.
We also discuss how this automotive look has rubbed off on the interior styling, with chrome fittings and high-gloss locker doors echoing the trends in executive saloon cars.
Finally, Chris talks us through the cast foam that goes into the upholstery, making the seats even comfier.