By William Coleman
2018 really has been a bit of a marquee year for CaravanTimes. We have hit quite a few miles stones, travelled the world and been asked to take part in some extremely important caravan industry events. As we approach 2019 the CaravanTimes team reflect on their personal highlights of the last year.
James, Camera Operator, Producer & Post Production- This year has been a crazy one and it’s really hard to pick what I enjoyed the most. If I had to try and sum it up I’d say that it’s been all the different scenery we have been able to film, which makes my job a lot more fun because I get to be so much more creative.
One week we may be in Wales filming a caravan review and then the next week we could be in Parma in Italy documenting two first time motorhome users on a work related road trip.
It can be a bit challenging getting so much work done in the hours of daylight we have throughout the different parts of the year but I feel like we have done quite a good job over the past 12 months.
I am particularly proud of the Bailey of Bristol “Bristanbul” tour we did. 3 weeks around the continent trying to film enough to piece together a story of what comes with international touring. A lot harder than you may think, especially with some of the more “tricky” countries in Europe.
‘<‘ . strtolower(‘Array’)>Rob, Camera Operator & Post Production- I have been with the team for about 3 months now and there has not been a quiet moment. I was warned that post October Show at the NEC things would start to quieten down but we have seen quite the opposite, which is good I suppose.
The highlight for me was see just how large the industry is, looking from the inside out. I have used leisure vehicles since I can remember and routinely go away on caravan holidays with the partner but you see an entirely different side once you take you consumer hat off.
It has been a bit of a learning curve and I was amazed at just how much work goes into show such as the Motorhome and Caravan Show in Birmingham. We got there the day before the doors opened to the public and I never thought in a million years they’d get the set up finished in time.
As I am relatively new to the team I am very excited to see what 2019 has in store for CaravanTimes and bringing some of my skills to the table to ensure everyone loves what create.
Tomas- Post Production Manager- 2018 seems to have flown by so fast. I mean, yes we have been busy, but this year seems to have sped by quicker than any I can remember.
As a team we have been spread, literally, across the world all year. As a manager of the production team it has been rather hard to get everyone sat together to go over what needs completing and what is coming up, but we got there in the end.
What stood out to me this year was the holiday me and the family took in the Airstream thanks to the Caravan and Motorhome Club. As a family of 4 it can really add up when it comes to booking flights and hotels so we decided why not make the most of the great UK countryside and our Club membership.
The Airstream Colorado is not your average caravan, and it does not provide the typical caravan holiday. They look cool and have so much space inside that all 4 of us had all we needed.
I am not sure I would ever want to tow one as they are rather large, both length and width. If you have not used the Experience Freedom holidays via the Club I would urge you too, we even had a 4 day break in a glamping yurt which was great!
‘<‘ . strtolower(‘Array’)an, Director- Where do I start on this one? The National Rally, Bristanbul, Auto-Trail shoots, Tow Car of the Year, Caravan Design awards. There is just so much. As a team I cannot pick one specific thing that was a highlight, but personally speaking…The Towcar of the Year testing at Millbrook was by far my favourite adventure of this year.
I am a self confessed petrol head. Anything with an engine or that can have one attached to it is my cup of team. So being able to spend a week testing some of the best towcars in the world around a test driving sight with a caravan attached was by far the best thing I have taken part in.
Not only was it fun but it also validated all the hard work that we have been doing as a publication. Not many people get asked to take part in the testing so it really did mean a lot to be selected. But most of all I enjoyed driving around cars that cost up to £80,000.
‘<‘ . strtolower(‘Array’)om, Managing Director- Wow, not sure what I would put at the top of the list. I mean we do so much that I feel like I forgetten half of it. All jokes aside though I would say that the team’s growth and improvements have been the best part of the year for me.
I know that is a very “Director” thing to say but I genuinely believe it. We have had new people join and the team has become really strong and we are producing the best content we have in quite some time. Now all the guys need to do it top that in 2019.
As far as an activity I have enjoyed I would have to say our 3 Peaks Challenge takes top spot. We completed it in around 22 and a half hours. Thankfully we had Martin Dorey in a Marquis Randger driving us so we could get some rest and pancakes in between mountains.
The 3 day recovery and slightly destroyed knees were also quite fun. Not!
So now onto what my highlight of the year is. Without a shadow of a doubt the Bristanbul tour was the best experience of the year, and possible career best too.
3 weeks on tour around Europe and Asia towing 2 caravans and driving a motorhome, and being paid for the satisfaction too. It really could be worse couldn’t it.
The best part of the trip was the comradery that grew within the team. Across the 3 weeks there was a revolving team, with a core that were there the whole time, and everyone just got the work done and made it as fun as possible.
Getting to know the likes of Lee Davey, Martin Fitzpatrick from Truma and Simon Howard, Bailey’s Director, really was a joy. Seeing people out of the office and in the field does make for quite entertaining times as they really do put there hair down and enjoy caravanning.
Now you know what we enjoyed the most we would love to hear from you. We have had a great time brining you all the news and info from the industry and we hope you’ve enjoyed reading and watching it all as much as we did creating it.
