Great North Caravan and Motorhome Show 2012 gets underway

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by Jack Beresford

Caravan enthusiasts from across the north of England are set to descend on the Catterick Caravans Leisure World premises near Richmond in North Yorkshire this weekend.

That’s because from today (September 21st) until Monday, the firm is hosting the Great North Caravan & Motorhome show, which will be offering holidaymakers the chance to see some of the latest models of tourer on the market.

Run in association with The Caravan Club, the event will see some of the newest 2013 season caravans roll up for public inspection.

Potential highlights include Swift’s relaunched Challenger SE range and new designs from its sister Sprite and Sterling marques as well as the latest Lunar models.

The latest line-up from Elddis will also be unveiled, with the new designs boasting the firm’s new Solid Construction method, while a new range of high-specification Affinity models will also feature.

Meanwhile, a new and exclusive Signature range of special edition caravans, based on Swift’s Challenger Sports models, will have their public debut.

Leisure World’s Managing Director Chris Kinsell says: “Caravanning continues to grow in popularity, and we hope our efforts are helping, even if just in a small way, to sustain this.”

Show times are from 9am to 6pm daily and entry and parking are free of charge, with those attending invited to register online at www.caravan-show.co.uk for money-off vouchers.

VIDEO: Bailey goes for pole position with Silverstone Mini racing

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by Chris Jefferies
Whilst most people would normally associate caravans with peaceful camp sites, they are also regularly called into service at racing tracks up and down the country.
In this video, we head to Silverstone to meet Jonathan Lewis, a star driver who estimates that around 85% of his rivals on the Might Minis racing series sleep in either a caravan or a motorhome.
We take a look inside Jonathan’s Bailey Orion and follow him through qualifying as he bids to take the all-important pole position.
Next time, we’ll be taking a look at Jonathan’s preparation routine as he prepares for the big race at Silverstone.

Couple forced to cancel honeymoon after caravan theft

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by Jack Beresford

A caravanning couple who have just got married saw their honeymoon plans dealt a cruel blow after the tourer they were planning to use for the trip was stolen.

Scunthorpe-based pair Jo and Mick Curtis had been all set to head to Brittany in France for a holiday to celebrate their new union, Get Bracknell reports.

Collecting their Abbey Freestyle 540 caravan from a farm in Barkham, they set off on their trip.

But after deciding to head to a local pub, the Peacock Inn, for a drink, on their return they received a nasty surprise.

Mrs Curtis told the news provider: “We went to have a drink in the pub and my husband looked out at about 9.45pm and it was still there, but when I checked about half an hour later it was gone.

“It had been hitched off as our car was still there.”

The caravan has been described as white with a black stripe on each side and police are calling on anyone with any clue as to its whereabouts to step forward.

Disabled caravanner creates Harley Davidson mobility scooter

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by Jack Beresford

A retired engineer has hit the open road after making a series of upgrades to his GA mobility scooter which will allow him to keep touring with his caravan.

Steve Bunker, from Spalding Moor in Yorkshire, has been a caravanning enthusiast since he was young, with a passion for mechanics and a career in engineering to back that up.

But when he compressed his lower vertebrae three years ago, the 70-year-old feared that his days of driving and adventuring around the UK were over.

Fortunately for this particular petrol head, a ‘Harley Davidson’ mobility scooter from TGA helped fill the void and allowed him to clock up 2,000 miles of travelling.

More importantly, this caravan fanatic has been able to continue with his favourite holidaying habit, taking to the road in an adapted Vauxhall Omega MV6 estate, with a 22ft six-berth tourer towing just behind.

The combination of vehicles has allowed Mr Bunker to see many parts of the UK countryside, with visits to tourist sports in southern England, the Midlands and Durham, along with a 12-week trip around the rolling countryside of Scotland.

His TGA Supersport scooter may only have a maximum speed of 8mph, but it can conquer inclines of up to 21%, thanks in part to its chunky 14″ rear tyres, which are the same as you would find on a Mazda MX-5.

And with the freedom of the new scooter at his disposal, there could be plenty more tours to come!

Bailey Caravans opens its doors for biennial owners club rally

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by Jack Beresford

The doors to the Bailey Caravans factory were opened last weekend, as part of the company’s biennial Works Rally, which saw around 200 outfits from across the country taking part.

Held every two years, this month’s event proved the biggest yet, with many members eager to visit the firm’s South Liberty Lane manufacturing facility, where guided tours were being offered.

These trips offered caravan enthusiasts the chance to see the assembly process behind each and every Bailey caravan or motorhome, which features the patented Alu-Tech construction system.

The two-day event also provided a chance for visitors to meet some of the people behind the development of these tourers, who attended a meeting at Dyrham Park.

Here, they were able to catch a glimpse of the highly-advanced mechanised production line, which has helped Bailey ensure its caravans are sold at affordable prices.

In addition to the in-depth tour of facilities, the caravan manufacturer also held a sale of parts and accessories with all proceedings going to St Peter’s Hospice.

Caravan destroyed in series of Brighton arson attacks

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by Jack Beresford

A Brighton-based arsonist or group of arsonists has set fire to a caravan earlier this week as part of a series of attacks.

As the Brighton and Hove News reports, six separate fires were reported to local authorities in the early hours of Saturday (September 15th).

The blazes occurred in the Whitehawk region of the city, with two cars, a motorbike and even a humble caravan caught up in the attack.

Speaking to the news provider, PC William Hewson from the Brighton and Hove Neighbourhood Police Team described the fires as part of a “mindless act of criminal damage” which had spread concern through the local area.

And while no one was harmed in any of the incidents, he called on those with any information to come to forward.

“We are very keen to hear from anyone who has CCTV that captured any suspicious activity in the area on the night of the fires,” he said.

Sussex Police are particularly keen to receive any details that can be given on a man with a light-coloured hooded top who was seen near the scene of the crime at about 01:40 BST.

A similar incident occurred in Devon earlier this month, when police were left clueless following a caravan blaze at a pony rescue centre in Efford.

VIDEO: Why caravan storage sites can be so important to use

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by Chris Jefferies
As the summer draws to a close and the winter months approach, caravanners’ thoughts invariably turn towards winter storage.
There are many options, from storing your tourer on your driveway, to professional storage centres and even using farmland in some cases.
To take a look at the pros and cons of each of these possibilities, CaravanTimes has travelled to Yorkshire to meet Rob Walton from Simple Caravan Insurance and get his expert advice.
He tells us what makes a top-quality storage centre worth paying that little bit extra for, and he suggests making occasional maintenance checks on your van during the winter months.
Thanks to Old Hall Touring Park and Kenmore Caravans for their help with this video.

2013 Vanmaster Signature: Pictures, prices and layouts for luxury range

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by Chris Jefferies
Vanmaster Caravans has announced a new range of luxury caravans for 2013, called the Signature.
The Lancashire-based manufacturer has adopted a two-tier approach for its upcoming range, with the original Vanmaster collection offered alongside the premium Signature collection.
Eleven layouts will be available in both ranges, but the Signature vans will get that extra level of luxury that should set them apart from crowd, including dovetail joints in the real wood cabinetry.
Other premium touches include soft Italian upholstery, a premium Blaupunkt stereo system, and an electrically-operated sunroof.

Vanmaster claim that only the finest materials have been used throughout, while customers can give detailed specifications for the build of their individual caravan.
Full exterior photos have not yet been released, but Vanmaster has promised to keep true to its reputation for restrained and understated styling.
Lesley Thompson from Vanmaster told CaravanTimes: “We wanted to keep the traditionalist exterior look, but the Signature really has that wow factor when you walk inside.”
And it’s not hard to see what she means – to take just one small example, Vanmaster engraved 8oz crystal wine glasses are included in the cocktail cabinet, for a real luxury flourish in both ranges.
In terms of layouts, couples can choose between the two-berth 450, 480 and 520 layouts, all of which offer a traditional front dinette, end washroom configuration.
Moving up the range and…
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James Nesbitt admits working in a caravan park gave him Cold Feet

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by Chris Jefferies
During his 28-year career, Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt has played a wide variety of roles, from family man Adam Williams in hit TV show Cold Feet to an adventuring dwarf in the upcoming Hobbit movie.
And now the 47-year-old has revealed the role that he found the hardest…
In a recent interview with the Metro, James said that his worst job was being a caravan park night-watchman, not because of the smell of the toilets, but because he simply couldn’t stay awake.
The smooth-talking actor admitted: “I kept going to sleep, which wasn’t good for me or the park. The caravans could have been stolen for all I knew.”
He added that this job was marginally worse than a previous stint packing text books in a factory.
James’ most recent experience in a caravan will have most likely been in New Zealand on the set of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit, which he describes as “incredible” and hugely enjoyable.

Caravan owners to benefit from NCC approved dealership scheme

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by Jack Beresford

Caravan and motorhome buyers are set to enjoy improved levels of customer protection under a new initiative being launched by the UK’s tourer and motorhome trade body the National Caravan Council (NCC).

Dubbed the NCC Approved Dealership scheme, it will look to establish a clear benchmark for how dealerships must undertake all relations with customers.

In particular, the initiative will look to encourage the promotion of best practice, while raising standards of professionalism and customer service across the caravan manufacturer industry.

It is hoped that the new measures will also provide a greater level of protection than that currently provided by UK law.

The key facet of the new scheme is the Consumer Code of Practice. Based on the similar consumer code criteria used by the Office of Fair Trading, the new code will look to establish the standard, which will then be carefully monitored through the scheme.

It will call on dealers to demonstrate high standards in all areas of their business, including how it applies marketing practices to the sale of its products, helps consumers choose the right model of tourer, or even how it engages with customer complaints and the general buying process.

Prior to any NCC member business achieving the prestigious “Approved Dealership” status, they must undergo a standardised independent assessment, which will examine their operations against the NCC code.

Those achieving this status will then be able to display the “NCC Approved tick” on their premises, website and marketing materials.

This tick will demonstrate that the dealer in question has made conscious and tangible efforts to operate to the best industry practice, that they offer enhanced levels of consumer protection, and that they deal in an open, honest and fair manner, with high standards of customer satisfaction.

Overseen by an independent policy board, the scheme also has the backing of the Camping and Caravanning Club and the Caravan Club and is backed by a number of major manufacturers.

So from 2013 onwards, you will be able to get extra reassurance that your dealer is going to look after you, simply by looking for the NCC tick.

Park Resorts sees all-year-round Skegness caravan park plans rejected

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by Jack Beresford

The proposed transition of the Southview Leisure Park on Burgh Road in Skegness to a park for caravan use throughout the year has been met with opposition.

At present the site, which is owned by Park Resorts Ltd, is open to tourers for ten months annually.

However, the owners are keen to see the rules changed and applied to East Lindsey District Council to remove the condition preventing caravans from being lived in on the site at any time between 6 January and the end of February, the East Coast Target reports.

But councillors have this week moved to reject the proposals, with many concerned at the flood risk and impact on local amenities that the all-year-round occupation would have.

Other local officials felt that the area could become difficult to control, while also putting a strain on local services operating in the region.

“How would they police that?” councillor Jim Carpenter asked the news provider.

“There are people who live there ten months already who move to holiday lets for the two months the site is closed so obviously they would become 12-monthly residents so it wouldn’t be a holiday park.”

Despite this opposition, Park Resorts Ltd did receive council support to begin making improvements to the existing facilities at the leisure complex.

A number of proposals for improvements to caravan parks have gained official backing over the last week, with the Cloak Farm site in Aberdeenshire among those to receive approval for site extension plans.

Chepstow no-go for new caravan park due to dangerous road

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by Jack Beresford

Caravanners in Monmouthshire look set to miss out on an all-new 30-tourer park, after plans to build on a site in Chepstow were rejected by local officials.

It had been hoped that the proposals would move forward after gaining approval from planning officers.

However councillors voted against the new development amid concerns about a stretch of road to the proposed new camping site, FreePressSeries.co.uk reports.

Commenting on that “notorious stretch of road”, officials warned that three lives had already been lost along this specific section of the highway.

Leading the concerns was councillor David Dovey, who described the caravan park plans as a “recipe for disaster” due to the close proximity of the nearby B3245 – a section of road that is popular among bikers.

There are currently 11 licenced touring caravan sites in Monmouthshire, with the Tump Farm site in Whitebrook among the standouts for visitors.