Amber Leisure offers dog-friendly caravans

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by Chris Malone

Caravan rental firm Amber Leisure is aiming to cater for a niche in the market after noticing that few of its rivals offer touring caravans or motorhomes to families with dogs.

According to the company, there are more than six million households with at least one dog in the UK, which can cause problems when heading off on holiday.

Brits often wish to take their canines with them, but may struggle to find accommodation that will allow pooches in.

However, Amber has made a selection of its vehicles available to those who want to take a trip with the whole family, including the pets.

“Being able to head off to the countryside and allow dogs to be taken on long walks or to run about free is an excellent opportunity, but many caravan hire companies will not permit dogs to be allowed on board,” the firm explained.

That is why it has made the decision to create a selection of special hire vehicles for dog owners.

However, those who wish to rent a caravan that has not been used by dogs can still do so as it will only be part of Amber’s service.

Meanwhile, the Gloucestershire Echo recently reported that a caravan salvage firm is set to move to a new site in the area.

Flintshire caravan site up for national award

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by Chris Malone

A Flintshire caravan park has been nominated for a prize in the Best Place to Stay category of the National Tourism Awards for Wales.

Tree Tops has won many awards in recent years, including 18 consecutive first place gongs in the Wales In Bloom contest and special commendations from the David Bellamy Gold Awards.

It is a family-run business that has been operated by the Walkers since its inception in the 1960s, the Flintshire Chronicle reported.

“Maintaining our high standards requires a lot of commitment and hard work so recognition for this would mean a lot to us,” general manager Andrew Walker told the newspaper.

He added that it would be particularly special to win the award in the firm’s 50th year, noting that the park is up against some stiff competition.

The Visit Wales contest has seen 53 companies shortlisted after more than 400 applied and Tree Tops stands a real chance of victory.

In other news, the Welsh town of Prestatyn has been attracting walkers by the thousand, thanks to local initiatives to encourage the hobby.

Bailey Caravans raises prices across all 2011 model ranges

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by Marcus Dubois

Bailey Caravans has announced today a 2.5% increase in prices across the entire model range, to take place with immediate effect.

The Bristol-based caravan manufacturer cited “increases in both raw material and component costs plus adverse currency variations” as the reasons behind the review of its existing price structure.

All models across the Bailey Olympus and Bailey Pegasus ranges will be affected, as well as the Seville, Valencia and Barcelona in the Bailey Unicorn line-up. However prices of the recently launched Unicorn Madrid and Unicorn Almeria will remain unaffected as they already reflect this increase.

Delayed impact

Visitors to last week’s International Caravan and Motorhome 2010 at the NEC can be reassured that they came away with a good deal. Bailey has claimed today that “unlike other manufacturers” the firm held off implementing a price increase at the start of the new model year in September “to offer customers greater value during this key sales period”.

The firm also noted that over the past six weeks its Retailer Network “has enjoyed its most successful period ever in terms of retail sales activity” and orders for Bailey caravan models are said to be lined up for well into 2011.

The price increases in full

The new prices are applicable on all caravans delivered from Monday 18th October onwards, with the exception of those units which have already been retailed. These remain guaranteed at the current pricing levels (1st September 2010).

Bailey has revealed there are currently limited stocks of pre-price increase models still available on Retailer Sites – those interested in purchasing such caravans should contact their local agent as soon as possible.

New prices for Bailey Olympus
Olympus 462 £ 13,730
Olympus 464 £ 14,240
Olympus 504 £ 14,855
Olympus 525 £ 14,960
Olympus 534 £ 14,855
Olympus 546 £ 15,060
Olympus 624 £ 15,985
New prices for Bailey Pegasus
Pegasus 462 £ 15,940
Pegasus 514 £ 16,795
Pegasus 524 £ 16,795
Pegasus 534 £ 16,895
Pegasus 546 £ 17,005
Pegasus 554 £ 17,005
Pegasus 624 £ 18,385
Pegasus 646 £ 18,720
New prices for Bailey Unicorn
Unicorn Seville £ 17,420
Unicorn Madrid £ 18,295
Unicorn Valencia £ 18,445
Unicorn Almeria £ 18,495
Unicorn Barcelona £ 20,185

Caravan holidays praised

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by Chris Malone

A recent article in the Express and Star has praised caravan holidays to the heavens, with the story looking at the experiences of Alison Mason.

She explained how she and her two sisters loved their childhood breaks so much that they each own a mobile home now.

The Masons often took their daughters to Barretts of Feckenham close to their home, where school office manager Alison had her first holiday at the age of just six months.

“It was only a few miles away from our home but it could have been anywhere. It was a completely different world – and I loved it,” she told the newspaper.

Caravanning helped forge close family bonds in the Mason household and they still regularly take trips together to this day.

It would appear that they are not alone, with an estimated one million people taking such breaks in the UK every year.

In other news, the Visitor reported today (October 12th) that a Morcambe caravan owner has had their £14,000 mobile home stolen.

Caravan sites in Wales praised for economic contribution

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by Chris Malone

The owners of caravan sites in Wales have been praised for their sterling work in building the industry in the country.

According to the Daily Post, Welsh heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones and Tony Bywater was joined by Salop Leisure chairman Tony Bywater in congratulating the country’s park owners for setting exceptional standards.

Visit Wales has bestowed a total of 24 five-star gradings on sites this year, meaning 2010 has set a new record.

“The caravan parks sector in Wales has a valuable role to play in the tourism industry’s ability to help deliver jobs and income, helping to sustain our economy during recession and growing it thereafter,” Mr Jones was quoted as saying.

He added that park owners deserve to be congratulated for their achievements and commitment to improving quality, which is vital for keeping visitors coming back.

In other news, a millionaire farmer is suing the Ministry of Defence after claiming that fighter jets damaged his home so badly that he was forced to live in a caravan.

VIDEO: Caravan and Motorhome Show – AS Caravans

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by Holly Tribe and Marcus Dubois
Live from the NEC Birmingham at International Caravan and Motorhome 2010. Marcus Dubois, reporting from the ‘Swift City’ area, speaks to members of the public about their experiences of this year’s show. Meanwhile, Holly Tribe interviews Geoff Scott from AS Caravans about their new range of caravans.

VIDEO: Caravan and Motorhome Show – Live Roundup

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by Marcus Dubois and Holly Tribe

It’s been another busy day at the Caravan and Motorhome Show. Celebrity chef Lesley Waters put in an appearance at the cookery theatre with live cookery demonstrations, and Caravan Times editor Marcus Dubois has been speaking with Richard White, Marketing Director of the Swift Group.

Swift Caravans were one of the stars of an action-packed show this year at International Caravan and Motorhome 2010. The manufacturer took over much of Hall 6 and 19 to form “Swift City”,

Please join us again for more live updates coming soon.

Bye for now.

Jets force millionaire to live in caravan

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by Chris Malone

A millionaire farmer has claimed that Royal Air Force (RAF) jets have forced him to move out of his dream home and into a caravan.

Rodney O’Brien’s grade II-listed property has allegedly sustained serious structural damage from low-flying Hawk fighter jets flying out of RNAS Yeovilton.

The RAF base is just three miles from Springfield House – his £1.75 million Kingsdon property in Somerset.

Mr O’Brien claims that vibrations caused by sound waves have destroyed his chimney, cracked walls and damaged stone archways used to hold up the ceilings in the cellar.

He told the High Court that he was forced to live in a caravan while repairs were carried out and is now suing the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for £143,000 in compensation.

However, while the MOD admits causing some damage, it refutes the scale of Mr O’Brien’s claim, stating that he has added the cost of redecorating and upgrading his home to the total.

Meanwhile, the owners of Welsh caravan parks have been applauded for their collective efforts to create a bustling scene, the Daily Post reported.

VIDEO: What’s on at Caravan and Motorhome Show Day 2

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by Marcus Dubois

Our editor takes you through the highlights at the start of Day 2 of International Caravan and Motorhome 2010.

Celebrity chef Lesley Waters will the star attraction today at an action packed show at the NEC in Birmingham. The Ready, Steady, Cook star will be showing caravanners and motorhomers how to make tasty meals from 12-2pm on the Cookery Stand.

In addition those new to towing caravans can take the Caravan Club’s famous Towing and Manoeuvres course outside the NEC, where instructors will be using the Towcars of the Year to demonstrate safe caravanning.

Find out more throughout the week here at caravantimes.co.uk

Caravan Club warns of dog virus at site

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by Chris Malone

The Caravan Club has warned its members to be wary of taking their dogs to two of its sites in England.

The association noted that there have been reports of pooches falling ill with a sickness thought to be similar to enteritis after visiting the Sandringham Estate and Sherwood Forest.

Although not exclusive to guests at the Sandringham Estate Caravan Club Site and Clumber Park Caravan Club Site, campers have been urged to take any necessary precautions while the cause of the outbreak is investigated.

A similar incident is thought to have taken place in 2009 at the same locations, and the Animal Health Trust has been called in to attempt to identify the cause.

It is thought that the sickness may be the result of some form of parvo virus infection in the surrounding areas, but caravanners have been warned to keep an eye on their dogs’ health during and after their stay.

In other news, the Club recently announced that it was saying goodbye to a member site that has been part of its network since 1969.

Caravan stolen in Heysham area

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by Chris Malone

The subject of caravan security has been raised after a £14,000 mobile home was stolen from a house near Morecambe.

According to the Visitor, the vehicle was taken from a property on Oxcliffe Road, Heysham, on September 25th.

The crime occurred between 09:30 BST and 14:30 and could leave the owner out of pocket after thieves used cutting equipment to get through a metal gate.

Police constable Sean Brady told the newspaper that he is keen to speak to anyone with information regarding the theft.

“I would appeal to anybody who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the Oxcliffe Road area of Heysham on Saturday September 25th to contact police,” he said, adding that he would like to hear any information whatsoever that may help with the investigation.

The caravan is white with a green stripe along the sides and features a cream interior.

The story emphasises the need to protect caravans from criminals and how beneficial caravan insurance might be for those who are victims of crime.

Live Update: Caravan and Motorhome Show – Day 1

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This year’s Caravan and Motorhome Show was officially opened today by TV presenter, cameraman and outdoor enthusiast Simon King.

Big ticket names Bailey Caravans and Swift are both here with their 2011 range of tourers. Bailey can be found in Hall 19, Stand 45 with the all new Unicorn range. Meanwhile Swift are presenting their Challenger, Conqueror and Sterling Eccles and Elite ranges which you can find in Hall 6, Stand 20.

But all eyes are on the new offering from AutoSleeper, who bring their first ever range of caravans to the market this year. Named AS Caravans, the range consists of three models, the Mayfair, Kensington, and Grosvenor, all top end luxury tourers. Hall 19, Stand 22.

Roma Caravans have also launched their long anticipated “VIP” Park Avenue caravan. These bespoke caravan builders pride themselves on offering made to order caravans, hand built to individual customer requirements. Features in the new range include double doors for easy access and raised sleeping and seating areas. Visitors can find them in Hall 18, Stand 30.

Check back later today for more updates on this year’s show.