FEATURE: What Glasgow can offer caravanners during the 2014 Commonwealth Games

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By Shoaib Rokadiya

From the Winter Games to the World Cup and Wimbledon, 2014 is filled with mouth-watering sports prospects for enthusiasts around the world.

Yet this summer, very few locations will be able to match Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games for entertainment, in terms of the opportunities it offers for caravanners both indoors and out.

In the 20th occasion in the history of the Games, the city is gearing up for what will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in Scotland.

So with that in mind, we at CaravanTimes have taken a look at what the Games, the city and the surrounding Scottish countryside can offer to caravan enthusiasts this summer.

From caravan site information to suggestions for rambling spots, we hope you’ll find everything you need for a happy holiday in Scotland.

Caravan sites around Glasgow

A while ago, we wrote a piece on the Caravan Club’s new site at Strathclyde Country Park, and it has proved highly popular ever since it opened last year.

Located just 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre, the site offers both members and non-members alike hundreds of caravan pitches. What’s more, it’s just a ten minute walk from one of Scotland’s most visited country parks.

Set around Strathclyde Loch, the 1,000 acre park is home to a number of wetlands, wildlife refuges and bird watching spots – alongside miles of walking and cycling routes that pass through sites of historical interest, including a Roman fort and bath house.

For prices and booking, click here.

Craigendmuir Park is another modern and well-maintained site that offers an abundance of pitches for touring caravans.

Situated amongst fields of rolling green, this site is ideal for those who are simply looking for a base from which to explore Glasgow’s vibrant city culture or Scotland’s beautiful countryside.

For prices and booking, click here.

And for Camping and Caravanning Club fans, the site at Milarrochy Bay is a dream location for those who’d like a holiday some distance away from the city.

Set near Loch Lomond and in the Trossach’s National Park, a mere 40 minute drive from the city, the 150-pitch campsite welcomes members and non-members who are intent on taking in the great outdoors.

With the West Highland Way, Loch Lomond and the Trossach’s National Park on its doorstep, the C&CC’s site is a great option for walkers, ramblers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

And, if you’d like to mix up your holiday with some city culture, Glasgow is just 25 miles away.

For prices and booking, click here.

The XX Commonwealth Games (23 July – 3 August, 2014)

In the space of 11 days, 6,500 athletes from 70 nations will descend upon the city to compete in 17 sports which range from athletics to aquatics.

Meaning, if the atmosphere at Celtic Park or Ibrox Stadium is anything to go by, you should probably bring earplugs!

Taking place across 14 venues which include the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and the SECC, this could be a golden opportunity to see some of the world’s best sportswomen and men in action.

Athletes expected to participate in the Games include superstars such as Mo Farah, Tom Daley, Bradley Wiggins and Nicola Adams.

Oh, and a certain, nondescript Jamaican athlete, one Usain Bolt, might just make an appearance (fingers-crossed).

Whether or not you’re able to get tickets to the events themselves, Glasgow will certainly be an incredible city in which to watch the Games and to sample the lively ambiance.

What to do in and around Glasgow

With over 90 parks within the city boundaries, it’s little wonder that Glasgow means ‘dear green place’ in Middle Gaelic.

At the top of the list for the city’s parks is Pollock Country Park, which was awarded the accolade of Europe’s Best Park in 2008.

Here, you’ll find lots of pretty riverside walks, droves of famous highland cattle and heavy horses, alongside gardens dedicated to cultivating many species of flora. For those looking to do more, there are mountain bike circuits, themed trails and orienteering courses.

And for the culture vultures amongst you, did we mention that there are two museums within the park itself?

A Georgian house located in the heart of the park offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s history, whilst the renowned Burrell Collection includes works from ancient civilisations, as well as art spanning countries across the world.

Amongst other parks that offer great walking trails and colourful flower gardens are Bellahouston Park and Auchinlea Park, both located within easy driving distance of the city centre.

For those looking to see more Scottish cities, Stirling and its famous William Wallace Monument are less than half an hour’s drive, or within an hour you could be taking in the sights and sounds of Edinburgh’s old city.

Getting peckish?

Well, if you’re doing all of the above then you certainly will be!

Since lots of caravanners enjoy a curry or two whilst on their travels, we thought we’d give you some insider info on where to eat in Glasgow.

‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.motherindia.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mother India is a staple curry house amongst spice-seeking Glaswegians, and having been voted Restaurant of the Year and Best Non-European Restaurant by the Scottish Herald, we’re not surprised.

It now owns a number of outlets around the city with eat-in or take-away options available at budget prices.

For Chinese and Malaysian food, try Asia Style or its competitor around the corner, Asia Gourmet. Both offer up a multitude of delicious and authentic East Asian food for incredibly low prices.

And if you’d rather try something that won’t give you trouble the morning after, try the Black Sheep Bistro for home-cooked Scottish food that has been a local favourite for years and years.

For a full list of eating options in and around Glasgow, click here.

Have you been caravanning in and around Glasgow? Let us know your top tips in the comments box below.

Knaus Tabbert releases a fresh batch of motorhomes for 2014

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by Jake Polden

With motorhomes being an ever-popular investment for holiday makers across Europe, ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/knaus/">Knaus Tabbert is hoping that 2014 can be the year its tourers make a real impact.

And the company is certainly equipped to do so, having released a large range of new motorhomes, which include the CaraBus 601 K special model Weinsburg, the Road You & Me, the Solution Relax, the Sky i Plus and the Variego BavariaCamp.

Dubbed an “ideal vehicle for the whole family”, the CaraBus 601 K features an all-new automotive look with white metallic paint and and Fiat daytime running lights.

On the inside two double bunk beds, which can be folded away entirely or pushed from either side into one bed, provide sleeping births for up to four people.

Meanwhile, the Road You & Me features “numerous stowage room possibilities” and comes with a rear double bed as standard.

In addition, a new washroom features a completely separate shower area, while extending drawers and a pull-out table top provide sufficient storage and room for two people.

The Solution Relax is a variant of the standard Solution model and comes with a layout that features no lifting bed above the driver’s cab and dinette.

Spacious and updated, the Solution Relax is fully-equipped with a washroom and shower cabin and will not doubt appeal to the taller person, what with its internal headroom of 6’3″.

Said to differ “significantly from its smaller brother both in the exterior and interior”, the new Sky i Plus has been designed with a “modern and automotive touch”.

Available in four layouts, the motorhome is unique in this range, as the roof and side walls are made without wood, to further accommodate the contemporary feel.

And finally, the Variego BavariaCamp, which has been designed with large families in mind, is the most spacious of the group.

With an adjoining washroom that extends across the full width of the vehicle, featuring a separate toilet, washbasin and shower, as well as a large sleeping area in the rear that includes a second double bunk bed and electric height adjustments, so this motorhome is perfect for those with kids.

For a closer look at the Road You & Me from the 2014 Knaus Tabbert motorhome range, click on the slideshow below:


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Blackburn caravan targeted by arsonists, authorities claim

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by Tom Walsh

Arsonists are believed to be the culprits after a caravan was set alight in Blackburn.

Fire crews were called to the scene in Meadowhead Close at 2am on Saturday morning (4 January) to extinguish the blaze, theLancashire Telegraph reports.

The caravan experienced significant smoke, heat and fire damage but was empty at the time and was not thought to be in use.

Firefighters are treating the incident as suspicious and are still trying to trace the owner of the caravan.

The incident follows a similar incident in Totnes where the Plymouth Herald reported a fire severely damaging a caravan along with four motorcycles.

However, the Harpers Hill fire was deemed to be an accident as opposed to one that had been started deliberately.

Both incidents highlight the need for owners to be especially vigilant in the future when they are parking their caravan up at home or in a storage facility.

Knaus Tabbert releases new batch of caravans for 2014 season

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by Jake Polden

As companies worldwide continue to push the boundaries of what the average caravan should look like, the interior and exterior conditioning continue to dramatically improve.

And Knaus Tabbert is no exception to this rule, with the German company releasing a selection of caravans that push the boundaries of design.

Kicking off the 2014 Knaus Tabbert range is the all-new Lifestyle model.

Said to contain a “modern and optically elegant interior with loft atmosphere”, the caravan is extremely contemporary in its styling.

Featuring everything from a lounge sofa that converts effortlessly into a large double bed, to a coffee table with a “swivel-out element” and a bar counter complete with fold-out bar stool, the caravan is almost overly equipped.

Also due to be showcased at the upcoming Caravan Motoring and Tourism (CMT) trade show is the PrivatEdition Alfred Tabbert (PEAT).

Designed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the company’s first caravan, built by Alfred Tabbert, the PEAT is a premium model range with five layouts.

A refined option, the PEAT comes with a “noise-insulating sandwich roof with fleece”, designed to maintain a pleasant atmosphere at all times inside the caravan.

Complimenting this, the thickly insulated floor and entrance allow for comfort and assured safety.

The interior of the PEAT is equally as impressive as it boasts elegant furnishings, ambient lighting and a fridge freezer as standard.

The Knaus entry-level range also received a spruce-up for 2014 in the form of the new Knaus Sport range of family caravans.

Accessible and stable, the Knaus Sport features an extendible garage door on layouts with bunk beds, as well as a practical interior layout that features a television cabinet, corner shelving and integrated seat box covers.

Completing Knaus Tabbart’s all new look for 2014 is the renovation of the CaraOne.

While the exterior remains relatively unassuming, the interior features high-quality furnishings, and a developed kitchen with ‘push-to-open’ drawers, ensuring everything remains where it should be during transit.

An entirely renovated washroom, which includes a high-quality washstand, completes the caravan’s updated look, with the option of a large front window allowing for plenty of exterior light to flood in.

For a closer look at the interior of the new Knaus Lifestyle range, click on the slideshow below:


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Kilnsea caravan park seeking permission to move

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by Tom Walsh

An East Yorkshire caravan park is looking to relocate due to concerns about the effects of coastal erosion.

Sandy Beaches Caravan Park Ltd, in Kilnsea near Withernsea, has wants to move from its current location to a new site between Easington Road and North Marsh Road, Hull Daily Mail reports.

East Yorkshire has one of the fastest eroding coastlines in the world and, as has been seen in other parts of the region including Whitby, owners are fearing that there could be a time where parts of the site falls into the sea.

The park has already submitted a coping opinion, a precursor to a planning application, and the park’s agent Willis and Co has explained its concern.

A covering letter published in the newspaper read: “The existing caravan site has been established for many years.

“This part of the coastline is eroding and the council has adopted a roll back policy in respect of caravan parks at risk from coastal erosion.”

Craven Arms caravan park benefiting from European funding

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by Tom Walsh

A Craven Arms caravan park has been named among the various tourism businesses that have benefited from European funding.

Greenway Touring and Glamping Park is just one of a number of companies in Shropshire and Herefordshire that have received part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Business Enterprise Fund.

Shropshire Council distributed the funds among the community and tourism businesses, who benefited from grants of £117,000 to allow them to prosper in the region.

Sue Gregory, owner of Greenway Touring and Glamping Park, explained that the money has helped the site to install a series of new features including glamping pods and shower facilities to the highest possible standard.

This has allowed the site to gain a VisitEngland accredited quality rating and she added that guests have been universally positive of the changes that have been implemented since the funding was handed out.

Other businesses can apply for the next round of funding in Shropshire which is awarded on February 3rd 2014.

Bailey of Bristol celebrates 65 years by reporting record £95 million turnover

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by Ruchi Srivastava

Bailey of Bristol has had a special 65th anniversary, as the company recorded an annual turnover of £95million for their business in 2013.

This extremely impressive figure is a 4% (or £4 million) increase in comparison to 2012 and is in fact, the best financial return figure in the company’s long and distinguished history.

Primary reasons for the production growth are their emergence in new markets, such as the introduction of coachbuilt motorhomes as well as the increased export of bespoke touring caravans to Australia and New Zealand

Both of these developments began in 2011 and in just two years, the sales of the two products have grown to account for one-fifth of the total group turnover.

Bailey has in turn credited these positive achievements to the additional development of the patented Alu-Tech design technology, which has been useful in increasing business opportunities and reinforcing the company’s position within the market.

In fact, in the last five years, Bailey has used Alu-Tech to launch ten caravan and three motorhome ranges. Some of these new ranges include the Approach Autograph as well as the Approach Compact motorhome ranges along with the most recently-launched Bailey Pursuit caravan range.

Another feather in their hat of achievements included the fact that a Bailey Approach motorhome was selected to appear in an episode of BBC One’s Top Gear that showcased the best of British motor vehicles, once again establishing that Bailey was second to none in this regard.

Speaking about Bailey’s achievements in the past year, the Managing Director of Bailey, Nick Howard said:

“The company has performed strongly over the past twelve months – in this our 65th anniversary year.

“By carefully monitoring market conditions and responding to customer feedback we have been able to successfully broaden our product portfolio to sustain the growth of the business.”

Also, talking about the future plans for the company, he added:

“A more positive economic outlook combined with good recent summer weather has helped build growth in customer confidence and consequently we believe that, as an industry, we are well placed for the year ahead.”

Bailey therefore looks forward to an even better year ahead of them with a number of new product launches in the pipeline along with an additional capital investment programme underway.

Meanwhile, we at CaravanTimes wish the Bailey team all the best of luck for all their future endeavours.

FEATURE: Welcome to the crazy world of caravan banger racing

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by Jake Polden

Caravans often get bad press for being painfully slow, visibility restricting annoyances on the road.

We here at CaravanTimes however, beg to differ, and to that end we bring you an insight into the frenetic world of caravan banger racing – a sporting event that completely turns the cliche on its head – to prove the doubters wrong.

What is caravan banger racing?

We’re glad you asked.

It’s quite literally the obvious addition of caravans to the original sport of banger racing, where a large number of cars line up alongside each other to race around a track and crash into one another.

Differing from the American demolition derby, where the only objective is to immobilise other vehicles, banger racing involves racing to a chequered flag, as well as smashing others’ vehicles up.

Lining up on tarmac or dirt tracks that are normally oval-shaped or a figure of eight, competitors consist of ‘rodders’, those who intend to race hard to the finish, and ‘wreckers’, those who wish to reap as much carnage as is physically possible to reap with, all of which with a caravan in tow.

A whole lot of history

Surprisingly the sport of banger racing is older than you’d probably think, with disputed claims of it originating in the 19th century, when disused locomotives were used to purposefully crash into each other head on.

Stemming from spectators’ enjoyment in witnessing crashes in general motor racing, banger racing only inducted caravans relatively recently, as a bizarre addition that ultimately serves to create further carnage.

With each event presenting a range of prizes to the rarest, best and strangest vehicles on show, there is far much more to consider than just how hard you can clout others with your beefy caravan.

Why, oh why?

Well, why ever not?

Yes it’s completely ridiculous and yes we are sure there are some of you out there who will wince at the sight of a defenceless caravan buckling under the impact of a heavy Ford ploughing into the side of it, but we assure you it’s okay.

As you’d expect, even with the lure of enticing prizes to be won for best in show, most competitors drive barely drivable cars and tow caravans that had their day in 1949.

What’s more there is no disdain for caravans amongst spectators, despite the sport appearing to do nothing more than evoke further masochistic tendencies towards them.

Au contraire – if anything caravans go up in the books of those in attendance as they only add to the carnage and excitement – exactly what everyone’s looking for.

So don’t be afraid to nudge the person next to you at an event, point and announce, “I’ve got one of them” as the remains of a Bailey Discovery begin a gravitational descent back down towards earth.

Interested?

Well after reading all that, why wouldn’t you be?

Okay in hindsight, maybe we didn’t sell it to you too well. But seriously, where else can you go and watch a sport event and witness a caravan, or bits of a caravan, flying past you?

If you are interested in finding out more, check out the Spedeworth website where you can investigate further and book tickets to watch caravan banger racing events around the UK.

And for those of you who cannot wait until then, click on the video below for a taster:

Playing fields owner wants conversion to caravan site

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by Tom Walsh

The owner of north-west London playing fields has argued that there is a huge demand for touring caravan sites as he pushes for a conversion of the land.

Richard Gabriel, the head of Harrow Community Sports Ltd, believes that the area would benefit from an influx of caravanners and added that using the site for sports is no longer a financially viable option for the company, Harrow Times reports.

The organisation has submitted plans to Harrow Borough Council to convert part of Broadfields playing fields, in Headstone Lane, into a site suitable for both campers and caravans alike.

Mr Gabriel explained that 75 pitches would be made available for holidaymakers looking to experience a break in the capital.

Council planning officers have previously blocked attempts to transform the playing fields but Mr Gabriel is confident that all the right measures have been taken to ensure the latest application is successful.

With many families tightening their belts financially a caravan holiday can be a favourite for a short break.

Morecambe caravan bedding firm owner claims top accolade

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by Tom Walsh

It has been a great start to the new year for the owner of a Morecambe-based specialist caravan bedding company.

Nicky Cannon, managing director of Jonic, has been named as the Manufacturing Business Woman of the Year 2013 at the Woman in Business awards, hosted by networking group Forward Ladies, Lancaster Guardian reports.

The accolade comes after an impressive year for Jonic which has seen an upturn in growth over the past year. It has led it to supply a number of major manufactures and has even moved into bed linen, upholstery and curtains for homes.

Ms Cannon is no stranger to these awards as it is the second consecutive year she has been bestowed with the honour.

She told the news provider: “I am delighted to have won a Woman in Business Award for the second time. There are many great women that have been previously honoured and I am proud to have again joined this elite group.”

Jonic designs bedding for caravans, static caravans, motorhome, boats among others.

Bessacarr caravan badly damaged in failed towing theft

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by Shoaib Rokadiya

A police investigation is underway after a caravan was damaged in an unsuccessful theft attempt in Hillam, North Yorkshire.

On Thursday 2 January, at approximately 7.20pm, a group of suspected thieves parked a dark coloured 4×4 vehicle-possibly an Isuzu Trooper-outside a property on Hillam Hall View.

However, the attempt failed when the would-be thieves failed to correctly secure the caravan to their getaway vehicle, allowing the caravan to be sent rolling into a neighbour’s tree.

The caravan, a £40,000 Bessacar model, was left with a significant amount of material damage, with a glass solar panel torn from its roof in the wreckage.

The damage is estimated to be in the region of £25,000.

Officers are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or who might know the whereabouts of the culprits to contact them with information.

Anyone who can help the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for PC Nicola Gill or Selby police.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12140001129 when passing information about this incident.

Australian caravan park struck by lightning

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by Tom Walsh

An Australian caravan park was caught in an intense storm with two holidaymakers being taken to hospital after lightning struck the site’s grounds.

The Cotton Tree Holiday Park was in the middle of a severe thunderstorm which hit the Maroochydore area on Sunday evening (29 December), Sunshine Coast Daily reports.

One man in his 70s and another man in his 40s were taken to Nambour General Hospital following a lightning strike. Both men are said to be in a stable condition.

Western Australia has been on red alert following a powerful cyclone which made landfall on Monday (30 December).

Cyclone Christine brought torrential rain and strong winds to the Pilbara region before battering communities between Port Hedland and Karratha.

Residents in one town explained that the cyclone, which carried winds of up to 200mph, was the worst in living memory.

Cyclone Christine was originally rated as a category three system but has since been downgraded to a category one.