York caravan thief given 15-month prison sentence

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by Tom Lowenstein

A man who acted as the getaway driver in a caravan theft has been jailed for 15 months at York Crown Court.

Adam Roughton helped tow away one of two caravans worth a total of £30,000 that were stolen from a farm in York, the court heard.

Judge Guy Kearl QC said that the 22-year-old was part of a gang of “professional” thieves with a “colossal record” for dishonesty who had driven from Leicestershire to steal caravans in the area, the York Press reported.

He was caught by a police dog after he abandoned the vehicle on foot following a high-speed chase along the A63 near Selby.

During the escape attempt, he attempted to outrun police while driving at speeds in excess of 60mph, almost overturning the caravan and causing it so much damage that it had to be written off.

The thief had recently been released from prison on parole and his defence barrister Andrew Conboy told the court that he had a history of mental illness and was prescribed anti-depressant and anti-psychotic drugs.

Mr Conboy said that he had been recruited by the gang of travellers to act as the driver during a time in which he was not taking his medication and his judgment was impaired.

Proud owners drive off with the first Venus Caravan

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by Tom Lowenstein

A Venus Caravan was hitched up and driven away for the first time last week, when the proud owners of the new brand’s debut model collected their tourer three months after ordering it.

The latest brand from Lunar Caravans has been eagerly-awaited since its launch was first announced by the Lancashire-based manufacturer, and Mr and Mrs Newman can now say they were the first to own a Venus Caravan.

After receiving a tour around the four Venus models while at the Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at ExCel in February, the couple decided to order the chic, four-berth 490/4 model.

And while it may have taken three months for it to be ready, with the summer holidays on the horizon the wait has surely been worth it.

Grantham Caravans’ Paul Cottingham, who gave them the first tour around the fixed-bed vehicle at the London show, said he was delighted to have helped them pick out their brand new tourer.

“The collection of the Venus 490/4 was a very special day as this was the first ever hand-over of a Venus Caravan to a customer which we were very proud to be involved with,” he explained.

“We would like to wish Mr and Mrs Newman many happy holidays.”

Caravan Club makes dazzling debut at the Chelsea Flower Show

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by Maeve O’Donnell

The Chelsea Flower Show showcases the best garden designs from around the world each year and for 2012 a lovingly-restored 1950s caravan is one of the main attractions.

To celebrate its 105th anniversary, The Caravan Club has teamed up with well known garden designer Jo Thompson to present ‘A Celebration of Caravanning’.

The garden will be on display all this week in Chelsea (May 22nd to 26th) and is the first in the history of the show to feature a caravan.

The garden is a celebration, not just of caravans, but of all things British and hails ‘staycations’ and traditional pastimes.

Click here to see more images of the garden

The aim behind the garden is to highlight the fun and freedom that a caravan holiday can offer, but also to show what else caravans can be used for.

Whilst on a caravan holiday on the Isle of Wight last year with her family, Jo was enthralled by the vintage caravans she spotted and liked a particular one so much she brought it home with her.

The 60-year-old aluminium caravan, which has been named Doris, is now the star attraction of Jo’s third Chelsea Flower Show appearance.

And fittingly, the caravan will also be celebrating its Diamond Anniversary this year, since it was built in 1952 – the same year that the Queen was coronated.

A celebration of staycations

So many people have grown up holidaying in the UK and Jo has tried to capture the memories people have of the simple activities caravanning brings and allow people to fully relive past experiences.

Jo and her team began working on the garden on the 4th May and until today, she says, they have been “knee deep in mud”, it has been non-stop work to get everything ready for the highly anticipated show.

The design is an insight into the idyllic world of classic touring holidays and the retro caravan is homage to years gone by, but it also provides a perfect example of how a caravan can work in anyone’s garden.

It could be a playhouse for children, an office, extra accommodation or simply part of the garden’s design.

Jo explained:”It is designed as a real garden and to show caravans can be multi-use, they’re not just for towing.”

Alongside Doris the caravan is a beautiful mix of pink, purple and cream flowers with Jo’s signature naturalistic woodland style which makes it feel slightly wild and is reminiscent of the countryside that caravanners have been touring for decades.

Geraniums, irises and roses mix with Chinese birches, which give the otherwise traditional garden a modern twist. A patchwork hammock, dog kennel and stream complete the design and are also included as a reminder of how a caravan can be a home-from-home.

CaravanTimes went along to the show to catch up with Jo and she was overwhelmed by the positive response from the public, “It’s bonkers, so many people are looking at it” she said.

The garden has already been awarded a Silver Gilt but you can still vote for it to win the People’s Choice at www.rhs.org.uk


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Tory MP admits the Government has ‘got it wrong’ on caravan tax

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by Tom Lowenstein

The government’s decision to impose the controversial caravan tax is wrong and will damage the tourism industry in Wales, an MP has said.

Camarthenshire West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart, a member of the Conservative Party, has added his voice to the growing calls to abandon the reform, saying that the government “got it wrong”.

Holiday parks in Wales contribute £727 million to the national economy each year according to Visit Wales, and caravan park owners claim that the tax could cost as much as £16 million, the BBC reported.

Having been exempt from VAT since the 70s, chancellor George Osborne chose to reverse the policy in his April budget, adding 20% to the price of every static caravan, a move which the National Caravan Council says could result in the loss of more than 7,000 jobs when it comes into force in October.

“It looks good on a piece of paper if you’re sitting in the Treasury,” Mr Hart told the broadcaster.

“But if you’re trying to operate in the real world, out there trying to run a business, I think this will have a significant effect.”

The MP added the rapid speed at which the government intends to introduce the fiscal policy will make its consequences even more devastating.

A petition to scrap the caravan tax has been set up on the Prime Minister’s official website and so far it has attracted 10,667 signatories. To add your support to this campaign, click here before the deadline on Friday May 25th.

Gravesham hoping for Olympics win with Kent campsite plan

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by Tom Lowenstein

A council in Kent is looking to make the most of the Olympics this summer, by turning a rugby field into a whopping 500-pitch camp site.

With visitors set to flock to the UK in their millions for the Games and many hotels expected to ramp up their rates to exploit tourists, Gravesham Council has decided to make the most of the opportunity by creating the temporary site.

Campers and caravanners will be able to book plots for a minimum of three nights at the park in Culverstone at a cost of £30 per night, Kent News reported.

The site is likely to be all the more popular because of its proximity to the port at Dover and the international train station at Ebbsfleet.

Councillor David Turner said that he hopes the site will help make Gravesham a destination for tourists during the landmark event.

“People coming to stay with us will hopefully go away and say to themselves that Gravesham is a great place to stay,” he told the news provider.

“This really is a good base from which anyone can see the whole of the south of England.”

Camp Cooks add a touch of sparkle to caravan cooking this summer

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by Maeve O’Donnell

Here at CaravanTimes we have come across some weird and wonderful caravan related businesses in our time but now we bring you something entirely new; the fabulous world of Camp Cooks.

Dig out your feather boa and sequinned shoes because this summer a small group of 1950s-style drag queens are touring the country in their Airstream travel trailer and cooking up a culinary storm.

A different dining experience

Caravans have long been a setting for food on the move and are often found at festivals, outdoor events and even road-sides but Camp Cooks is a long way from a burger van. They are looking to cater for both health-conscious foodies and anyone with a sweet tooth across the UK with their innovative menu.

Camp Cooks aim to provide a unique catering experience and add a touch of glamour to any event. As well as making appearances at festivals and other outdoor events, the Camp Cooks can be hired for any occasion you want to add a touch of tackiness (in a good way of course).

An iconic, all-American Airstream trailer has been transformed into the campest kitchen around to bring festival goers an exciting and memorable al fresco dining experience.

Sweet treats

The menu is based on Anglo-American cuisine and features a range of light bites, belly busters, vegan options, and deserts. Using fresh and seasonal ingredients these drag queens turned chefs have created something which works perfectly for any event by catering for all taste buds.

BBQ ribs, pumpkin soup, smoked salmon, and sausages and mash are just some of the dishes served up by the queens, alongside American-inspired tempting treats including blueberry muffins, flapjacks, pancakes with maple syrup and Mississippi mud pie

Queens of cooking

Lila, Martyne, and Wynnie La Freak are the brains behind this unusual catering business. Wynnie has been ruling the North West cabaret circuit for years but is now focusing her talents on cooking.

Having been a finalist on Channel 5’s Breaking into Tesco competition with a double baked cheesecake, Wynnie is no stranger to the culinary world and as well as serving up the food, her group also offers demonstrations and taste tests for customers.

With tons of food sampling and a side helping of tongue-in-cheek humour, Camp Cooks is the ultimate in guilty pleasures and could add an unusual touch to any event.

To find out more visit Wynnie and the girls, visit their website.

Administrators sell Discover Leisure dealerships for £5m

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by Tom Lowenstein

The administrators dealing with the sale of failed caravan dealership Discover Leisure have announced that more than £5 million has so far been raised by selling its former assets.

Paul Flint and Mark Firmin of KPMG LLP are jointly handling the process alongside Sanderson Weatherall, and so far they have found new owners for four of the firm’s dealerships.

Negotiations regarding a fifth site are well underway.

Mark Lord, a partner at Sanderson Weatherall’s Manchester officer, said: “Whilst we obviously regret the demise of a business and consequent loss of jobs, we’re delighted to have secured the sale of four of the five dealerships and remain confident of being able to conclude a successful sale of the Coppull location.

Around 250 jobs were lost when the company and its trading subsidiary Signlease Limited entered administration in October last year, though some of these former staff have since been re-employed by the new owners.

Catterick Caravans has taken over Flaxton Moor site in York, as well as the Birtley dealership in Tyne and Wear. Kimberley Caravans, meanwhile, bought the Burtree Gate premises in Darlington.

The final outlet in Oakmere, Cheshire, was acquired by motorcycle firm J&S Accessories.

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Devon Motorhome Show to offer Marquis Majestic discounts

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by Tom Lowenstein

The Devon Motorhome Show is not far away and Elddis has reminded anyone thinking about buying a Motorhome that “unrepeatable” discounts will be offered at the event.

Organised by the UK’s largest Motorhome dealership, Marquis, the show in Ivybridge near Plymouth will have a vast display of both brand new and pre-owned touring vehicles.

Elddis exclusively manufactures the Majestic range of motorhomes for Marquis and the caravan maker from Durham has revealed that some exclusive, never-to-be-repeated deals will be on offer during the show.

Running from Friday 25th to Sunday May 27th, entry to the show is completely free and all visitors will be offered refreshments on the house to go with their free goodie bag.

As well as the discounts on offer, the usual experts will be on hand to provide advice and demonstrations and, if you’ve always fancied getting behind the wheel of a motorhome, test drives will be available too.

VIDEO: Discovering a new type of outdoors holiday with Camping in the Forest

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by Marcus Dubois

For many, camping and caravanning is the perfect way to get closer to nature, and when it comes to putting wildlife on your doorstep, nobody does it better than Camping in the Forest.

These woodland caravan sites are situated on Forestry Commission land in some of the more remote and rural parts of the UK, and they are run by the Camping and Caravanning Club.

In this video special, the CaravanTimes team heads to the New Forest to meet Spencer Pettit from Camping in the Forest to hear more about these unique spots, which were previously known as Forest Holidays Touring Sites.

Also, we meet Nick Tucker from the Forestry Commission to find out some of the exciting activities you can do at these sites.

Thanks to the New Forest Activities Centre in Brockenhurst for their help with this video special

VIDEO: Green caravanning with the Bailey Orion Evo

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by Chris Jefferies

Bailey has gone green with their latest addition to the Orion range, the Evo-4 and CaravanTimes has come to Bristol to find out what makes it so environmentally friendly.

In this video Molly Buckingham, Bailey’s environmental designer, explains how looking at the environmental impact of carvanning has led to the key changes to this special edition Bailey Orion model.

The main aim with the Evo-4 was to lower weight and fuel consumption but keep the functionality so Bailey has switched many of the appliances to electric, minimising the amount of gas required.

Using their most popular layout as the base, the 430-4, Bailey has kept the fixed double bed and it is still possible to bake, grill and cook.

Prices for the Evo-4 are expected to be around £12,500, and it weighs roughly 100kg less than the Orion 430-4 model, giving it an estimated MTPLM of 1,149kg.

Lochside Caravan Club Site: Is this the UK’s most immaculate caravan park?

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by Chris Jefferies
When it was acquired from the local council two years ago, Lochside Caravan Park in Forfar became something of a pet project for The Caravan Club.
Setting itself a challenge of making this a truly top-class site, The Club set about renovating and upgrading this mid-size park with a budget of more than £1m, and on April 6th of this year, that ambitious project came to its conclusion.
So this week, CaravanTimes has been north of the border to investigate and see the fruits of their labour.
Upon visiting the park, it is immediately obvious that this is one of the most immaculate sites in The Club’s collection, with neatly trimmed grass verges providing delightful scenery and freshly laid tarmac driveways making for easy access.

All 15 of the existing hard-standing pitches have been re-laid, while 28 new hard-standings have been put in, including eight serviced pitches.
The reception and amenities block also been completely refurbished, while the toilet and shower facilities are just as pristine as you would expect from a Club site.
Nature on your doorstep
However, The Caravan Club hasn’t tampered with the many things that made Lochside such an appealing destination in the first place.
For starters, its location is highly convenient – Forfar town centre is just a short stroll away, with several shops, supermarkets and restaurants close by.
What’s more, anyone visiting Lochside will find Forfar Country Park literally on the doorstep, something that is particularly appealing for dog-owners, as the site’s wardens Gordon and Christine Milne told CaravanTimes.

“The loch is right there and it’s part of the reason that we attract so many dog owners. I’d say that 50% of the people staying with us have a dog, and we don’t charge them any extra for the privilege.
“The walk around the loch takes about an hour, which is usually enough to tire out most dogs, let alone their owners!” Gordon tells us.
And for those who are serious about their walking Lochside is definitely the place to go this summer, as the Angus Glens Walking Festival is taking place next month.
It’s not just walking that makes the loch a big draw, with fly fishing also very popular among caravanners visiting the site, Gordon adds.
Lochside is just as accommodating for families, with a small children’s play area on site and a much larger one, just the other side of the park’s fence.
Once the kids get tired of that, there’s a leisure centre, swimming pool and a small skate park nearby, while budding golfers can visit Carnoustie, with its 18-hole championship golf courses under half an hour’s drive away.
Or if you’re more Rory McGrath than Rory McIlroy, then there’s both crazy golf and pitch & putt in the local town centre.
Those looking to soak up a bit of culture can take the short drive to Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the Queen Mother and the current home of the Highland Games. There’s even a local bus service to this popular country house, making for an effortless day out.

Everything you need
Facilities on-site include an immaculate shower and toilet block, while Wi-Fi internet is due to be rolled out later this year.
“The Caravan Club tries to ensure that all of their sites are up to the same standard, and to us it’s definitely a five-star site,” says Gordon, who has worked at plenty of sites across the UK in his time with The Club.
Nine tent pitches are also available, but as Gordon tells us, they are generally used by friends and family of caravanners.
In many ways, Lochside offers the best of both worlds – the convenience of having a town centre close-by, as well as the remote Angus countryside (and all that comes with it) well within striking distance for a day trip.
If you’re looking to explore the heartlands of Scotland this summer, then you’ll be hard pressed to find a better base camp from which to do so.
Site Fact File:

  • 70 pitches in total (including 43 hardstanding and 8 serviced)
  • Pitches available from just £5.25 per night (excluding per capita charges)
  • Open to non-members, with a £10/night surcharge
  • Town centre within walking distance, including pubs, restaurants and a choice of supermarkets
  • Open this year from 6th April to 5th November

*For more details see the Caravan Club website.


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Elddis showcase special deals this weekend at Scottish caravan show

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by Maeve O’Donnell

One of the leading Elddis retailers Eglinton Caravans will be hosting a special event this weekend, the 19th and 20th May in Irvine, Scotland.

Scottish Caravanners’ ‘Tourer of the Year’, the Elddis Xplore range will be on display and several other Elddis models, including the luxury Crusader collection.

These will appear alongside Eglinton’s usual selection of new and used caravans and the retailer will be offering special deals, as well as part exchange on some models.

For this weekend only Eglinton will be giving customers a free porch awning with every new Elddis purchased and there will be large reductions across Eglinton’s range of caravan accessories so it could be a great opportunity to stock up before your touring holidays this summer.

This event is free and there is no need to book. More information about Eglinton can be found on their website.