by Chris Jefferies
When it comes to motorhomes, there is a wide variety in terms of styling, with bold modern designs sitting alongside more traditional looks.
In the Bailey Approach range, the company has gone for a two distinct looks: the traditional coachbuilt looks of the Approach SE and the sleeker sporty styling of the new Approach Autograph.
CaravanTimes has been catching up with Wendy Hughes from Bailey of Bristol to get an insight into the styling of the new range.
We take a look at the two choices of upholstery available and find out about the thinking behind the exterior look.
What’s more, we explore the L-shaped kitchen area and the enhancements that have been made with chefs in mind.
Wendy explains the ‘kitchen work triangle’ and how this design helps to make cooking in your motorhome more efficient.
VIDEO: What you need in an essential caravan starter pack
by Myron Jobson
The inadequate feeling of leaving something essential behind before embarking on a caravan holiday is common.
In this video CaravanTimes speaks to Neil Greentree, General Manager of Greentrees Adventure store, to find out what first-time caravanners should take on their first trip.
Some of the most essential items included in a caravan holiday ‘starter pack’ includes gas canisters, water containers and security items and mirrors.
Caravanners are advised to remember to bring both the pink and blue toilet chemicals; the former is responsible for cleaning the bowl and the latter breaks down the waste for disposal.
Security is something insurance companies insist on so it is important to choose the best and most appropriate security for your caravan or motorhome, Neil stresses.
From wheel clamps to hitch locks, there are plenty of security options to suit your lifestyle, location and campervan.
Thanks to ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.greentrees-adventurestore.co.uk/" target="_blank">Greentrees Adventurestore and ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.towergateinsurance.co.uk/" target="_blank" Rel="NoFollow">Towergate Insurance for their help with this video.
Archbishop of York John Sentamu pays Swift Group HQ a visit
by Tom Walsh
It’s not every day that a company is visited by one of the key members of the church but that is what happened to Swift Group recently.
The leading caravan firm was paid a visit by Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, on Friday (13 September) at its headquarters in Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
Dr Sentamu was keen on finding out how the caravan industry was coping with the tough economic climate that the UK has found itself in at the moment.
He was shown round the site by Amy Archer, deputy managing director, and took the opportunity to speak to many employees to get an idea of the pressure that companies are facing on a day-to-day basis.
James Turner, managing director of Swift Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Archbishop Sentamu to the Swift Group and grateful for his continued interest and support of the company, the industry and our employees.”
Peak District to make room for two new camping and caravanning sites
by Tom Walsh
Walkers, climbers and cyclists visiting the Peak District will soon have two more options to camp down for the night.
Planners have approved two new camping and caravanning sites in the area with the first being a catered facility situated at Hazel Barrow Farm, Upper Hulme, in the Staffordshire Moorlands. It sits not too far from The Roaches, popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
The site will be able to accommodate 13 tent pitches but will be closed during the spring and summer bird nesting season to protect the wildlife.
Officials also gave the green light to a second application for camping and caravanning at a pub close to the Pennine Bridleway and High Peak Trail.
Ten caravan pitches and 30 tent pitches will be made available at the Bull i’th’ Thorn pub, next to the A515 Buxton to Ashbourne road.
Councillor Lesley Roberts, chair of the planning committee, said: “In approving both developments we have put in place conditions that address local people’s concerns and that on balance will improve these sites in the national park landscape.”
It is hoped that the decision will bring more visitors to the area.
Public to decide the name of new Wellhouse campervan
by Myron Jobson
Wellhouse Leisure has announce a new Ford based campervan which will be launched at the Motorhome and Caravan show in October and called. whatever you decide.
Confused? Wellhouse has given the public the opportunity to decide the name of their new caravan based on the Ford Tourneo Custom.
The caravan company tweeted: “Our new Ford Tourneo custom campervan needs a name. Pls send suggestions to ford@wellhouseleisure.com”
The new Ford-based campervan will be available from a five dealers after launch. Full prices and specification will be released at the hotly anticipated NCC Motorhome and Caravan show, which runs at the Birmingham NEC from 15-20 October.
First deliveries to customers are expected from late November.
“There has been a huge amount of interest in our new Ford Tourneo Custom campervan, and we’ve already taken two orders before we even have one to show anyone, so our agents are really looking forward to getting their first deliveries later in the year,” David Elliott, Wellhouse Leisure’s managing director said.
Have you ever dreamt of naming a caravan? So have we. Let us know your suggestions in the comments section below or e-mail them directly to ford@wellhouseleisure.com.
VIDEO: The 1974 fifth wheel caravan you can tow with a VW Beetle
by Damien Sharkov
With this year’s Caravan and Motorhome show at the Birmingham NEC fast approaching we at CaravanTimes cannot wait to see some of the caravan designs of the future.
A certain design from 1974 has come to our attention, however, as we question if the caravan of the future has not, in fact, already been invented.
This fifth wheel caravan (pictured right) is tailored to the aerodynamic design of the VW Beetle, allowing the vehicle to rotate completely while hitched up.
An attachment on the roof the car connects the car to the caravan and the light weight construction and hitch assembly distributes the weight evenly.
The unit contains a full bathroom, kitchen and closet space and according to the manufacturers enough room to accommodate four adults overnight, or two adults and three children.
However, when it comes to using a 40-year-old VW Beetle as a towcar, fuel consumption leaves something to be desired, as the presenter claims he got less than 20mpg.
What do you think of the VW 1974 caravan? Is it an overlooked gem or a gimmick better left in the past? Take a look at the video below to make up your mind:
East Lindsey District Council ‘ignored caravan site expansion concerns’
by Tom Walsh
Chapel St Leonards Parish Council has passed a vote of no confidence in East Lindsey District Council after it reportedly ignored planning concerns put forward by the parish.
Skegness Standard reports that parish council claimed that a number of comments it has raised about planning matters, including fears over caravan site expansions were “consistently ignored”.
The final straw allegedly came this week when permission was granted for the siting of 83 touring caravans and 204 static caravans at the Golden Palm resort in Chapel St Leonards.
This is despite the parish raising concerns about the “detrimental impact” the infrastructure could have on the community.
A spokesperson for the council told the newspaper: “Such agreements usually provide financial compensation to the community, but in this case the agreement only allowed residents of Chapel St Leonards to pay to use the swimming pool at Golden Palm, or to purchase discounted season tickets to the resort.”
Chairman of Chapel St Leonards Parish Council, councillor Patrick Naughton said that this was just the latest objection raised by the council, adding that “there was a strong public voice about the proliferation of caravans in Chapel”.
Saudi Arabia government considering using caravans as classrooms
by Tom Walsh
The Saudi Arabian government could turn to caravans as an alternative way to solve the lack of school buildings in the country.
The Ministry of Education is starting a new project by building mobile homes which can be used as classrooms to teach children.
Saudi Arabia is currently in a situation where not enough school buildings are being created to keep pace with the population.
It is not just an issue with education, as sectors such as health, electricity, water and many others have also been affected.
However, critics of the Ministry of Education say the caravans it intends to build will not be good enough for a school environment.
One solution which has been put forward is recruiting an international company to carry out school projects and then complete them within the space of a year.
Although this process will not come cheap and the expense is expected to be in excess of 1 trillion riyals (£167 billion).
Caravan Guard claims Investment in People award
by Tom Walsh
Caravan Guard has beaten off competition from some of the leading insurance practices in the UK to claim a prestigious accolade.
The company was awarded the Investment in People title at UK Broker Awards 2013 which was held at The Brewery in London.
Caravan Guard managed to edge ahead of Hastings Direct and was commended for its successful staff training and team building initiatives. These schemes played a major part in maintaining customer satisfaction levels.
Neil Menzies, head of relations at Caravan Guard, said: “We have always believed that people are key to delivering brilliant customer experiences and that’s why we invest heavily in them to ensure their skills continue to develop. A happy team means happy customers after all!”
The ceremony, hosted by comedian Stephen K. Amos, honoured the very best within the insurance sector.
Caravan Guard’s award follows on from its 2012 success of winning the Customer Service Provider of the Year.
Bailey Ranger stolen from driveway in Biggleswade
by Myron Jobson
A crafty thief stole a £12,000 caravan from outside a house in Biggleswade at night even though the owner’s partner was home at the time.
The owner of the stolen Bailey Ranger, Mark Wraight, who was at work at the time, was shocked and bemused by the incident.
His partner, Debbie Goode, occupied the house at the time but this did not deter the thief.
“Debbie was at home the whole time and we can’t believe what happened,” said the chemicals delivery driver.
“The caravan was secured with a wheel clamp and a hitch-lock but they didn’t seem to be any obstacle to whoever it was who took it.”
Inside the luxurious caravan was £10,000 worth of remote-controlled model powerboats and equipment.
The motorboats were Mark’s pride and joy, spending years constructing the models.
Mark who has made model boats for 20 years is more upset by the loss of his beloved boats because of the sentimental value.
“The boats are made from parts which I have bought from a lot of different places and they are irreplaceable,” said the 42-year-old. “The caravan can be replaced but the boats cannot.”
A cash reward is being offered to anyone who can help locate the Ranger. Anyone with any information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling101.
Australian inmates ‘may be released to live in caravans’
by Tom Walsh
Caravans could soon be used to help solve the problem of prison overcrowding in the state of Victoria, Australia.
The Herald Sun reports that under a proposal put forward by Corrections Victoria, the most trustworthy inmates would be freed to live in disused community facilities or caravans where they would toil in work gangs.
This suggestion follows pressure on the state government to ease its crowded prisons and plans for new jails to be built.
James Talia, spokesman for corrections minister Ed O’Donohue, said that the idea will have to be worked on further before the Australian government assesses whether it will proceed.
Only those who are serving time for non-violent and non-sexual crimes would reportedly be considered to be freed and most eligible would also be nearing the end of their sentences.
It is hoped that joining the supervised work gangs would be deemed as a privilege earned by inmates for good behaviour, with possible work including planting trees, clearing waterways and erecting fences. This would also help prisoners learn new skills.
West Midlands MEP vows to fight MOT proposal
by Myron Jobson
A West Midlands MEP has vowed to battle the unpopular European Union’s caravan MOT proposal when the matter comes before Parliament.
The EU Parliament’s transport and tourism committee approved draft legislation which, if passed, could see caravans weighing 750kg and over having to go for regular MOT-style tests
MEP Nikki Sinclaire said: “I agree with the position of the Caravan Club, and others, that this is, indeed, a flawed proposal. When this matter comes before Parliament, I shall vote against the proposal.
Sinclaire has reportedly been inundated with emails from people concerned about the EU proposals.
She is not the only MEP to voice her concerns. Jacqueline Foster MEP, a spokeswoman for Transport and Tourism in the European Parliament, made her view public in August.
“I have spent many months objecting to the inclusion of caravans in this proposed regulation. I believe it to be pointless and it would contribute nothing to improve road safety,” she said.
Sinclaire believes that it’s up to politicians in Westminster rather than “faceless bureaucrats in Brussels” to devise policy on caravans when appropriate.
“Road safety is something that concerns us all but this proposed EU legislation is inappropriate and it has other aspects – including the possibility of increased taxation – that make it unacceptable,” she added.
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