Charity calls on MPs to give caravan carbon monoxide warning

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by Tom Lowenstein

A leading charity has called on MPs to warn their constituents about the danger of taking a barbecue inside a caravan, tent or campervan.

Following a series of recent tragedies that have claimed several lives, the Carbon Monoxide Awareness charity says that more must be done to educate the public, and believes that manufacturers should put warnings on barbecues.

Carbon monoxide is given off by barbecues and, despite being both colourless and odourless, is deadly in confined spaces.

The organisation’s president Lynn Griffiths has warned that, even if campers are cold and want the warmth from a barbecue, nobody should ever take a lit barbecue inside a tent or caravan. She added that to do so would be “courting disaster”.

“The public don’t seem to be aware of this and sadly there have been a number of tragedies and several near misses this year,” she said.

Next month, the charity is holding a large event to launch its new “Cosy but Deadly” poster campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the issue.

Scottish Caravan and Camping Show promises Sprite, Bailey and Elddis models

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by Tom Lowenstein

Caravanners north of the border are in for a treat this month when the Scottish Caravan and Camping Show returns to the Thainstone Centre in Inverurie, near Aberdeen.

The popular show was a great success in 2011 and will run from June 15th – 16th this year, with the show’s organisers promising it will be bigger and better than ever before.

“We were determined to offer visitors even more this year,” explained John Gregor, the show’s team leader.

This year the show’s main sponsor is Dyce Caravans – one of Scotland’s leading caravan dealers – and the company will be representing Durham-based manufacturer Elddis alongside others such as Bailey and Sprite at the show.

“Last year’s show was a great success, not only for us but the whole industry, and we are delighted to be involved again, especially as it is our 25th anniversary,” revealed Kenneth Cumming, sales director at the company.

The show runs from 1pm until 9pm on Friday June 15th and from 9am until 4pm on Saturday 16th. Tickets for the day cost £6, or a two-day pass is £12, while under-fours go free. Parking at the 25-acre site is free.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce planning caravan holiday for Chris Martin and Jay-Z

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by Tom Lowenstein

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and rap star Jay-Z are reportedly heading off on a caravan holiday together, according to newspaper reports emerging this week.

In an even more unlikely twist, the trip is being organised by their celebrity wives, Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce Knowles.

The glamorous destination for this bizarre holiday double-date is Florida, as the boys look to unwind when they finally finish their hectic world tour schedules this summer.

“The two couples are planning a trip around Florida,” a source close to the celebrities told The Sun. “Both Chris and Jay have been on intense world tours so they really need a break.

“Gwyneth and Beyonce think the jaunt – going back to nature on a high-end Winnebago – will be the ideal getaway.

“It will be low-key but it’s just what they need and they’ll get to spend quality time together.”

Chris for one will certainly be familiar with the world of caravans, since his father Anthony Martin owned Martins Caravans of Exeter until 1999, when he sold it for around £5 million.

Here at CaravanTimes we’re not sure what we find stranger: that superstar rapper Jay-Z and mild-mannered Chris Martin are close friends, or that the glamorous Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce Knowles would ever be willing to go on a humble caravan holiday.

Either way, we’re sure they’ll all have a great time in Florida this summer with their Winnebago.

Controversial Lancaster caravan site gets council green light

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by Tom Lowenstein

Plans to build a 26-pitch caravan site on Lancaster farmland have been given the go-ahead by a slender majority, despite being initially refused by council planning chiefs.

Stodday Land Ltd had its first application turned down in the face of stiff local opposition, with two petitions and 24 letters of objection submitted to the planning committee at Lancaster City Council.

Complaints centred on fears of litter and noise, worries that increased traffic would pose an accident risk and concerns that the drainage system could not cope, the Lancaster Guardian reported.

However, despite almost 60 signatures on the petitions, developers re-submitted a revised request with slight changes to take into account the new National Planning Policy Framework that presumes in favour of sustainable developments.

In the face of opposition from the local parish council at Thurnham, planning officers recommended that the plans be given the go-ahead after changes were made to the proposals.

Developers can now begin constructing the site, which as well as a one-storey amenities block, will be landscaped and include a wildlife pond. To address the traffic issues Stodday Land Ltd will create additional space for vehicles to pass at the entrance to the site.

Towcar triumph as Kia Sportage named best car to own in the UK

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by Chris Jefferies
Towcar favourite the Kia Sportage has won a major accolade, being named as the most satisfying car to own in the UK in a recent survey.
The 2012 JD Power customer satisfaction survey, as carried out by WhatCar? Magazine, named the SUV as its best car to live with, thanks to its mechanical reliability and seven-year unlimited mileage warranty.
A brand new entrant in the awards, the Sportage was award five stars across all categories, including ownership costs, quality, value for money, and styling.
What’s more, the compact SUV is the first car in its class to win this prestigious accolade, with storage space and practicality also highlighted – two attributes that are sure to attract towcar buyers.
The Sportage’s vital stats include an impressive towing capacity of up to 2,000kg for the 2-litre diesel version, while prices range from £17,300 for the entry-level model to just under £26,000 for the top-of-the-range version.
With an overall score of 83.8% satisfaction, the Kia edged out stiff competition from the second-placed Jaguar XF, as well as the Toyota Prius and the Skoda Superb, which completed the top four.
This is by no means the first such award that Kia has won, in fact its Sorento SUV was voted as the CaravanTimes Towcar of the Year back in 2010.

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Thousands of caravanners help Friendly Club set Guinness World Record

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by Chris Jefferies
The Camping and Caravanning Club has kicked off National Camping and Caravanning Week 2012 in style by setting a Guinness World Record.
More than 100 Club sites across the UK contributed to the world record attempt, which involved getting holidaymakers to wear a paper crown on Monday (June 4th).
Early estimates suggest that over 13,000 people took part in this ambitious event, and the grand total is due to be announced later this week.

The Club’s Sandringham site was used as the headquarters, with an official from Guinness Records on hand to verify reports as they came in from all across Britain.
Bathed in glorious sunshine, the Norfolk site played host to more than 600 campers and caravanners who were treated to a hog roast lunch, live music, competitions and entertainment, as well as a nature walk led by the Club’s president and famed TV botanist David Bellamy.
“I’m delighted to have celebrated with the Club by setting a new Guinness World Record,” he said. “I’m certainly going to keep my crown as a memento – carry on camping everyone!”
David’s enthusiasm was matched by the campers in attendance, many of whom wore custom-made crowns or Royal Family face masks throughout the day.
Week-long celebration
The world record attempt coincided with the beginning of National Camping and Caravanning Week 2012, which runs until this Friday (June 8th).
Now in its 12th year, National Camping and Caravanning Week was set up by the Club to encourage campers and caravanners to get out and enjoy the Great British countryside.
The week also aims to foster a community spirit through events such as the Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Woods project and the Big Lunch, as well as the Guinness World Record attempt itself.
Robert Louden, Director General of the Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “The planning that has gone into putting on such a large event is phenomenal and I’d personally like to thank all of those people that have been involved in organising what has been such a brilliant day.
“As a Club, we will continue to encourage holidaymakers to get out camping and to enjoy our great British countryside.”
For more reports and videos from this record-breaking event, be sure to check back with CaravanTimes later on this week.


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VIDEO: What makes Elddis Autoquest the UK’s best-selling motorhome?

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by Chris Jefferies
When it comes to picking your first motorhome there are plenty of options, but if you’re looking for great value for money, you’ll be hard pressed to beat the best-selling Elddis Autoquest.
In this video feature, CaravanTimes meets Angela Robson, one of the chief designers at Elddis, to find out how they’ve managed to make this range so popular.
We take a look at the storage space options, the bathroom features and the most popular layouts. Also there’s a close-up look at how the lounge area easily converts into a double bed.
Prices in the Elddis Autoquest range start at £32,599 and there is a wide range of two, four and six-berth layouts to choose from

VIDEO: Taking a guided tour of the Bailey Retreat Willow leisure home

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by Chris Jefferies
The Bailey Retreat is a new range of leisure home caravans, and they promise a completely new level of luxury for holidaymakers who prefer seasonal pitches.
In our latest video, CaravanTimes takes a closer look at the Willow layout; including the spacious front lounge area, the practical kitchen, and the clever folding bathroom configuration.
Philippa Brown-Jackson, one of the chief designers at Bailey, explains that many of these features were made possible by the idea that these models will be permanently sited, instead of being towed around the UK on a regular basis.
Prices in the Bailey Retreat range start at £22,000, including VAT, and the company has a nationwide network of more than 30 dealers to sell and service these leisure homes.

Friendly Club bookings up 50% ahead of Diamond Jubilee celebrations

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by Tom Lowenstein

Bookings at the Camping and Caravanning Club are soaring as families across the UK prepare to hitch up and head off for an extended break over the four-day Diamond Jubilee weekend.

The Club is organising all kinds of celebrations at its sites in celebration of the Queen’s 60-year reign, and this has helped reservations go through the roof.

Compared to the royal wedding last year, 50 per cent more caravanners have booked in to stay at one of the Club’s sites.

It just so happens that this year’s Spring Bank Holiday coincides with National Camping and Caravanning Week (NCCW) – running from June 2nd to 8th – and this has helped further drive up numbers.

To help commemorate the Jubilee, the Club has organised a huge world record attempt that will see thousands of people at its sites attempt to break the ‘most people wearing paper crowns across multiple locations’ record.

One person who can hardly contain her excitement about the Guinness World Records attempt is Hayley Tamaddon, the former Emmerdale actor and Dancing on Ice winner.

“Camping is a great way to spend time with friends and family, I love going camping in a caravan, it’s so much fun! Celebrate NCCW by throwing on your crown for a right royal celebration,” she said.

For more information about National Camping and Caravanning Week, including all the exciting events being laid on by the Friendly Club, watch our special video preview.

Jade from The Apprentice reveals caravan park childhood

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by Tom Lowenstein

Apprentice star Jade Nash has revealed that her childhood spent growing up on a caravan site is what made her the success that she is today.

The 29-year-old business development manager made it through to the final round of the show after Lord Sugar told market trader Adam Corbally “you’re fired” on this week’s show (Wednesday 30th).

But this is great news for Jade, who will now get the chance to pitch her business idea to the Amstrad founder in the hope of securing a £250,000 investment.

However, the straight-talking star revealed in a recent behind-the-scenes documentary that she would not be where she was without her childhood experience working a Wiltshire caravan park owned by her father.

Jade told the BBC that from a very young age she would do whatever jobs needed doing, from working in the site’s shop taking money from customers, to cleaning out the toilet blocks.

“It all added to the experience and meant that I was so outgoing and had to be confident talking to anyone that I met,” she said.

Leaving the site as an 18-year-old, Jade went on to work as an 18-30 club rep before taking up her current role in direct marketing – but now she may just be on the verge of something much bigger.

To find out if Jade wins, be sure to tune in for the final of The Apprentice 2012 this Sunday (June 3rd) at 8:30pm on BBC One.

Watch out for caravan thieves at service stations, insurance broker warns

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by Chris Jefferies

Official statistics from the Association of Chief Police Officers show that caravan lay-by and service station theft is in decline, but an insurance broker has recently warned caravanners not to let their guard drop.

Towergate Insurance has highlighted this issue ahead of the summer caravan season, pointing out that service stations are one of the easiest places for opportunistic thieves to strike.

Edward Cross, insurance expert at Towergate, told CaravanTimes: “It’s perceived to be a big issue among caravanners, as there was a little spate of these kind of crimes, about six years ago. There are a number of ways to protect against this.”

Mr Cross continued by offering some practical tips on how best to protect your caravan at a service station, including attaching your hitch lock whenever you stop.

For more tips and advice from Towergate on how to keep your tourer safe in a lay-by, read their original article: How to protect against service station theft.

Loose Women launch competition to win a £37,000 caravan

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by Tom Lowenstein

If you fancy picking up a brand new caravan worth £37,000 but don’t fancy splashing the cash, ITV’s Loose Women may have just the answer for you.

The popular daytime television show has teamed up with the coastal caravan site operator Park Resorts for a competition that will see one lucky viewer named the proud owner of a brand new Delta Jubilee static caravan.

Following on from a similar promotion last month on the TV Channel’s This Morning, the competition was launched on Monday (May 28th) and is running for a fortnight. What’s more, Loose Women are also throwing in a cash prize of £10,000 to make it even more attractive.

And if you are the lucky winner, you’d be given the choice of any of Park Resorts’ 39 nationwide sites to locate your new two-bedroom caravan, joining more than 12,000 owners who currently have a holiday home at their coastal retreats.

OK, so the odds of actually winning it might not be huge, but you’ve got to be in it to win it, right?

To find out how you can enter this competition to win a free caravan, click here.