Council urged to turn down Harrow caravan site plans

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by Tom Walsh

Thousands of local residents in west London have put their names to a petition calling for Harrow Council to block plans for a new caravan site.

More than 4,000 neighbours in total have joined forces to call for the local authority to turn down the application from Harrow Community Sports, which wants to turn a playing field into a caravan and campsite with 75 pitches.

The application is set to go before the planning committee at Harrow Council next month and in total 4,228 people have signed the petition to save the Broadsfields playing field.

Around 3,500 people signed a previous petition that urged the local authority to block plans for the caravan site and the campaign appeared to have been a success.

But Harrow Community Sports has come up with a new proposal for the land and a renewed attempt to block the development has been made by the Save Broadsfields campaign.

“It was announced today that the #SaveBroadfields petition amassed a stonking 4,228 signatures – 500 more than last time. Thanks to everyone!” tweeted the group yesterday (17 February).

The European Airstream Gathering is back for 2014

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by Thomas Waddingham

Caravanners can take the trip up north to one of the country’s most beautiful holiday sites and enjoy some pretty fantastic activities, all for free, provided you own an ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/airstream/">Airstream caravan.

The weekend will be open to all owners of the popular European range which will be hosted by Airstream and Company’s Michael Hold and the award-winning team from Holgates Holiday Park at Silverdale.

This year’s chosen site is located in a lovely secluded area in more than a hundred acres of woodland and countryside. The park is on the border of Lancashire and Cumbria and has some spectacular views over Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells.

With plenty of outdoor activities too this is a great weekend for all particular types of caravanning fanatics.

Whether you are a more relaxed traveller or a fully-on outdoor explorer, you will all have the chance to take part in activities ranging from golf at the nearby Silverdale Golf Club to birdwatching at RSPB Leighton Moss.

If that doesn’t take your fancy, visitors can enjoy a quiet walk, as there is some beautiful scenery with the coast and the pretty little village of Silverdale only a 20-minute walk from the site.

This complimentary weekend includes hardstanding pitch for two nights, hook-ups for 230v, water and TV points, a Friday evening Meet & Greet party and supper on the Saturday evening.

Your stay will also include access to the Silverdale site’s swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room. However – there are only 30 pitches available which will be given on a first come, first served basis.

Converters’ Corner to feature at Peterborough Caravan Show

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by Tom Walsh

The upcoming National Motorhome Show in Peterborough is set to feature a new campervan section.

Converters’ Corner will showcase the very best independent companies have to offer with a number of top names already confirmed for the event.

The likes of Wheelhome, Hillside, Peak Leisure Vehicles and Concept Multi-Car and Bilbo’s among others are already confirmed at the April bash.

One of the standout models is the IH N-Class 630SL which was named as the winner of the 2014 Motorhome Awards High-Top Van Conversion. There will also be the latest range of e-Ranger electric bikes on display.

These are just some of the 300 exhibitors that will be showing off their latest models to the public and will all be available to purchase.

The National Motorhome Show takes place at Peterborough Arena between 25-27 April. Tickets are priced at £8 for adults while children 16 and under go free.

Auto-Sleepers to unveil Kemerton XL at NEC Caravan and Camping Show

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by David Weston

The UK’s longest-running motorhome manufacturer ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/as-caravans/">Auto-Sleepers will officially unveil the new Kemerton XL model at the Caravan and Camping show at the NEC arena in Birmingham this week (18-23 February).

The Kemerton XL is based on its smaller sibling the Kemerton but offers extra space which the company says its customers desire. The XL will offer rear washroom space with a separate shower, a large kitchen and a lounge which converts into either two 6’4″ long single beds or a double bed.

The base vehicle is a 3,500kg Peugeot Boxer with an extra-long wheel base, the same as Auto-Sleepers’ Kingham and Warwick XL models.

The Kemerton XL will go on display at the show alongside a selection of 2014 models from Auto-Sleeper’s Peugeot and Mercedes based ranges.

Auto-Sleepers’ entire range can also now boast to have passed the Grade III thermal insulation classification.

This means that interior can achieve a minimum temperature of +20ºC within a four-hour period regardless of freezing temperatures outside.

The Caravan & Camping Show will take place from 18-23 February 2014 at the NEC arena in Birmingham. Tickets start from just £8 and kids under 16 go free.

Wing Commander Andy Green, pilot of the world’s fastest car, BBC presenters Julia Bradbury and Helen Skelton, and the winners of Britain’s Got Talent 2012, Ashleigh and Pudsey, are all set to appear at the show.

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Caravan holiday can stoke the relationship fires, survey says

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by Tom Walsh

A camping or caravanning holiday can help stoke the fires of a relationship, according to new research.

A survey by The Caravan & Camping Show of 1,500 caravanning and camping couples noted that 80 per cent saw their love blossom thanks to enjoying a break of this nature together.

Forty-four per cent said that the fact that they could get “up close and personal” with their loved one on these breaks was one of the main factors that their relationship has lasted the test of time.

What’s more, around 60% said that the ability to just ‘up and go’ on holiday when they wanted meant that they spent more quality time together as a couple.

If that’s piqued your interest in taking a romantic caravan holiday, then head along to the show this week – this year’s Caravan & Camping Show will take place at the NEC in Birmingham between 18 and 23 February.

Caravan and Camping Show aims to bring outdoors fun indoors this half term

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by Tom Walsh

The weather to kick off 2014 has been miserable to say the least but the organisers of the Caravan and Camping Show have put together a schedule to get us all excited about the great outdoors.

Between 18-23 February, the Birmingham NEC will be showing off all the fun of the great outdoors but in the dry of the inside.

There are a number of activities people can get involved with including a specially designed obstacle course for the kids, complete with rope ladders, tyre steps, tunnels and even a climbing wall for the more adventurous.

Meanwhile, grown-ups can pick up some great BBQ tips in the Campsite Cookery Theatre with live demonstration from guest chefs Lisa Faulkner, Richard Fox and Josh ‘Guyrope Gourmet’ Sutton.

On top of that, all the biggest names from the world of caravans, motorhomes, tents and holiday homes will be showing off their 2014 ranges.

Tickets for the 2014 Caravan & Camping Show are able to buy in advance priced at £8 for adults, £7 for seniors with children under the age of 15 going free and parking is included in the price of the ticket. Tickets will also be available on the door.

Bailey of Bristol to bring towing simulator to NEC show

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by Chris Jefferies
When loading a caravan, we’re often reminded that how you choose to pack heavy items can make a big difference to towing stability.
But it’s hard to imagine what this difference looks like, short of actually having a caravan accident.
With this in mind, Bailey of Bristol has teamed up with the University of Bath to create a towing simulator, which will be demonstrated on their stand at the 2014 Caravan and Camping Show (18-23 February).
This exhibit features a 1-10 scale model of a towcar and caravan on a treadmill. The miniature caravan can be loaded with weights to represent heavy items such as gas bottles and leisure batteries.
The rig is then accelerated to a maximum speed of 16kmh, which is equivalent to a scale speed of 100mph, and shaken from side-to-side in order to simulate side winds.
We are assured that the results are dramatically different depending on whether you choose to pack the heavy items over the axle or closer to the hitch.
Professor Jos Darling from the University of Bath will be on hand to run the simulator and explain how increased yaw inertia can lead to serious problems such as snaking.
Bailey first carried out this experiment in 2009 and the results encouraged them to redesign their gas lockers, fitting them above the axle in every range from the Bailey Unicorn Series II, which arrived in 2012, up to the recently-launched Bailey Pursuit.
Visitors to the Bailey stand in Hall 2 at the Birmingham NEC show will be able to see inside both of these ranges, as well as the mid-range Bailey Pegasus GT65 and the entire Bailey Motorhomes collection.

VIDEO: Caravan and Camping show highlights for all the family

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by Chris Jefferies
If you want to get your kids away from the TV and enjoying the great outdoors this year (and let’s face it – what parent doesn’t?) then the Caravan and Camping Show is a great place to start.
The UK’s biggest spring caravan show kicks off next week (18-23 February) and the organisers NCC Events have pulled out all the stops to make it a fun day out for all the family.
All the biggest names in camping and caravanning will be there, parking is free and kids under 16 can come along for free.
In this video, CaravanTimes finds out why families keep coming back to the show at the Birmingham NEC.
We also get a sneak preview of what’s in store, from free activities to family-friendly layouts in the latest models and of course, tonnes of inspiration to help you plan your big summer escape.
Whether you want to discover more of the UK or head further overseas, the Caravan and Camping Show is the best place to get started, so don’t miss out.

Moreton-in-Marsh Caravan Club site to open early after upgrade work

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by Tom Walsh

The Caravan Club’s site in Moreton-in-Marsh is scheduled to be open earlier than planned for the 2014 season.

Following some extensive redevelopment work over the winter period, the site will now be ready for holidaymakers from 28 March.

People are able to book for these dates now, providing themselves with an ideal spring getaway.

The Caravan Club has embarked on a significant upgrade of the Moreton-in-Marsh site during the colder months which has seen it brought up to current Disability Discrimination Act regulations.

Visitors will also notice a refurbishment of the site’s reception while the roads have been resurfaced and widened in certain areas to allow for turning space. A new footpath has also been introduced.

The site, which won CaravanTimes Caravan Park of the Year 2011, is an ideal location for people wanting to enjoy the Gloucestershire countryside and is only a short drive away from Cheltenham.

With Easter coming up it could be a great place to take the family over the school holidays.

Bailey of Bristol celebrates after 30,000th Alu-Tech vehicle is built

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by David Weston

UK-based caravan and motorhome manufacturer Bailey of Bristol has produced its 30,000th leisure vehicle using the patented Alu-Tech construction system.

The company says the construction system, launched in 2007, creates caravans and motorhomes that are robust, durable but lighter than conventionally built vehicles offering customers greater protection for the same price.

If the 30,000 vehicles were place nose-to-tail the line would stretch from London to Swansea – approximately 180 miles.

Bailey’s production technique involves using an interlocking aluminium framework that clamps the body panels together creating a more rigid and durable shell. This method also reduced the number of external joints and fixing points, minimising water access points.

Bailey’s Managing Director, Nick Howard, said he was delighted that the milestone was reached in a short amount of time:

“Since its introduction five years ago, Alu-Tech has changed the way people think about leisure vehicle construction.

“To have reached this milestone in such a short period of time is testimony to the popularity of the benefits the system provides to customers and its proven track record of performance in use.”

The Alu-Tech system was first used to build the Pegasus caravan range when it was launched in 2009 and is now used on the whole Bailey range.

Airstream appoints Roka Werk as European distributor

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by David Weston

US-based manufacturer Airstream has appointed Roka Werk as its new main European distributor.

The new role will see Roka develop Aistream’s European customer base and build a network of dealerships across Europe, starting with Scandinavian countries, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

Roka became an exclusive partner with Airstream in 2007, importing and selling Airstream caravans for caravanners in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Airstream’s president and CEO, Bob Wheeler, is looking forward to the advancement of Airstream’s expansion in Europe with the help of Roka:

“We have ambitious growth plans for Europe and ROKA’s passion and enthusiasm for the Airstream brand, lifestyle, and product will certainly fuel that growth,” he said.

Armin Heun, Roka’s Managing Director said: “We are already pursuing a variety of new caravan exhibitions in key markets which we hope will generate new legions of Airstream enthusiasts as well as qualified dealers and we would like to hear from anyone interested in a dealership opportunity.”

Airstream says it is also hoping to launch its motorised Interstate model, developed on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, in Europe.

Since entering the European market in 2004 with a special European-specification fleet of trailers, Airstreams have been sold in 15 different countries.

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Northumberland campsite named best in the North-East

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by Tom Walsh

North Northumberland’s South Meadows Caravan Park has scooped a prestigious accolade at a national awards scheme.

The Belford-based campsite was bestowed with the title of AA Best Campsite for the North East 2014 by the breakdown recovery company.

It was a huge coup for both the campsite and region as it managed to beat off strong competition from a number of sites across the north-east area.

As part of the accolade, the site will also be included in the AA’s Caravan and Camping Guide 2014 which is now entering 46th year of ranking some of the best campsites across the UK and Ireland.

South Meadows Caravan Park is an ideal location for people wanting to explore the beauteous countryside Northumberland has to offer.

Describing South Meadows, the AA states: “Set in 40 acres of beautiful Northumbrian countryside, a short drive from unspoilt beaches and magnificent Bamburgh Castle, South Meadows has been transformed in recent years and is now a top quality touring and holiday park.”