by Tom Leaning
The Camping and Caravanning Club have announced the appointment of Mel Hill as their new Chairman.
Mr Hill, from Mexborough, South Yorkshire, was appointed by the Club’s National Council during its November 2016 meeting at the Club’s Coventry headquarters.
Mr Hill, a retired Construction Manager, has a long and rich history with the Club. After a short time away from camping and caravanning, he re-joined the Club in 1987. Since starting off as a tent camper at school, he moved on to frame tents, trailer tents and caravans – he now owns a Lunar.
Robert Louden MBE, the Club’s Director General, said: “Mel has camping and caravanning in his blood, and is a great ambassador for the Club.
“He continues to be active within his local District Association and has held many important positions as a member of the National Council over the years. Most recently, he was the Club’s Vice Chairman between 2014 and 2016, before being elected Chairman in November – a fitting recognition of his hard work and commitment.”
Mr Hill continues to use his touring caravan most weekends, both when fulfilling duties as Chairman and enjoying local Club unit camping meets and events.
He said: “The touring industry continues to grow and more and more young families are joining us and getting into camping. The types of units available are changing to meet the needs of modern campers too, and manufacturers are developing new ranges and adopting new technologies to make camping more accessible and exciting.”
Along with the Chairman’s appointment, the National Council also elected Phil Henson as the new Club Vice-Chairman to work alongside Mel. Anne Dearling, who held the post of Club Chairman for the previous two years, now becomes Immediate Past Chairman.
The Camping and Caravanning Club is 115-years-old and appointed TV presenter Julia Bradbury as its Club President in 2013 – the first female to be bestowed with the title in history. The Club works with Julia, as well as explorer and Club Vice President Bear Grylls, and naturalist Chris Packham, to highlight the benefits of getting outdoors with camping.
The Club recently celebrated recording its highest ever membership of more than 293,000 households. To learn more about the Club, visit: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk.
