Cotswold Park Warm To Green Energy

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By William Coleman

I am sure many have seen the reports this week of the “Attenborough Effect” and how the usage of 1 use has reduced by a staggering 53% in the last 12 months. I feel that a lot of holiday makers and sites across the UK are helping reduce plastic usage and the overall carbon footprint we produce. One site who is steaming ahead with this is Ranch Caravan Park.

Praised for its commitment to protecting the natural world, a family’s holiday park on the cusp of the Cotswolds is now harvesting sunbeams on behalf of its guests.

Ranch Caravan Park in the village of Honeybourne near Broadway has installed a state-of-the-art solar energy system on its new five-star amenity building.

It means that hot water from the showers and taps is now all heated by the sun via super-efficient solar panels which work even on overcast days.

A similar solar system also maintains a blissfully comfortable temperature in the Worcestershire park’s popular open air swimming pool.

General manager Steve Attridge says that harnessing green energy is helping the park to massively reduce its carbon footprint whilst also providing benefits for guests.

The park has holiday homes to buy and let, plus pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes.

Ranch Caravan Park was bought as a farm in 1954 by Steve’s granddad Dennis, and Steve’s parents, Andy and Sheila, have been involved with the business since 1976.

In recent years, Steve and his wife Andrea, the third generation of owners, have been living on park with their two children Georgia and William.

The expansion of Ranch Caravan Park over the years has been accompanied by a raft of imaginative environmental initiatives.

They have led to the park receiving the prestigious David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level – plus, this year, two special extra accolades from the world-famous botanist.

They were a commendation for the park’s management of its hedgerows, and another for the many measures it has taken to protect endangered honey bees.

These include the planting of extensive areas of lavender and other high nectar-bearing blooms which provide vital foraging for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Other environment-friendly steps include the collection of rainwater for irrigation, the placing of bug hotels around the grounds, and shielded lighting so that guests can enjoy the night sky.

Steve, who is helped in the running of the park by his wife Andrea, said he was delighted that the new amenity building would be supporting Ranch’s green energy aims:

“We wanted to create a truly first-class facility for our touring guests with private bathrooms, heating, a fully-equipped laundry and a warm, cosy atmosphere,” he said.

“Now we have achieved this in a sustainable way thanks to the latest solar energy technology, and visitors are already leaving many fantastic comments about the finished result.

“We feel very privileged to live and work in this beautiful area of Worcestershire, and it’s great to know that our efforts are being supported by someone like David Bellamy,” added Steve.

In addition to its conservation award, Ranch has a top five-star rating from VisitEngland, and has been presented by the AA with its maximum five-pennants accolade.

There is more information about the park on its website at www.ranch.co.uk

BeauEr Expands To The UK

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By William Coleman

The French caravan manufacturer BeauEr, are proud to announce its expansion into the UK caravan market by sealing a deal with one of the UK’s up and coming motorhome manufacturers, RP Motorhomes Ltd, who will be the sole UK importer of the BeauEr range of expanding caravans.

BeauEr have been manufacturing caravans since 2012 and with the growth in demand from the UK market for its ‘small but big’ caravan range, it was the logical step for them to find a UK company who could partner with them.

The unique caravan range work on a basic principle: small enough to be easily towed on the roads, yet big enough to provide every comfort. The patented design and technology of this amazing expanding caravan, along with its strong design features and layouts provide the user with a unique leisure experience.

The expanding pods work using electric actuators to push / pull the slide out, side modules which allows the small caravan of 4m2 to convert to a large 12m2 space. As if by magic the floors and furniture unfold and within 60 seconds the caravan is ready to use.

RP Motorhomes have recently also launched its own slide out pod on its Mercedes-Benz Sprinter based ‘Rebel’ motorhome. With a strong and extensive background in manufacturing and engineering, director Steve Young is excited about working with BeauEr.

“This is an amazing opportunity for both RP Motorhomes and BeauEr to expand into the UK caravan market. Coming from a similar background and both sharing an interest in slide-out technology this is a perfect partnership.

With our attention to detail and leisure vehicle design, we are excited at the prospect of working together and introducing new designs in the future.” Steve Young

BeauEr’s 3X model will be on display at the NCC Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC in October 2019.

Scotlands Newest Leisure Vehicle Show This Autumn

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By William Coleman

Not that any of us need that much motivation to pack the van and head out for another adventure, but why not go head to one of the most beautiful parts of the UK for a holiday and pop into the Love Touring Expo held at P&J Live from October 25-27.

Scotland’s newest caravan and motorhome show is to pitch up at the North-east’s brand new event complex and arena P&J Live. The £333 million development opens this summer, with 48,000 sqm of flexible exhibition space.

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the Love Touring Expo over the weekend of October 25-27, 2019, which will offer free activities and entry for children.

The show will feature the very latest caravans, motorhomes and campervans from all the major brands, offering an exclusive first chance to see the new models for 2020.

An accessory superstore and trade stands will sell all the latest gadgets and gizmos, from cooking equipment and awnings to furniture and portable TVs – many of which are not available locally.

The three-day event will also celebrate the North-east of Scotland, with a dedicated area showcasing food and drinks which are produced locally.

The Expo aims to inspire caravan and motorhome enthusiasts planning their new adventure, with exhibits on campsites, holiday parks and visitor attractions in north Scotland, including the North East 250.

The team behind Love Touring Expo has many years of experience of organising caravan and motorhome consumer shows.

Organiser Colin Redpath said: “We are excited to bring the first Love Touring Expo to P&J Live in October. Visitors over the three days will have the chance to see the latest models from all the major brands, while taking advantage of exclusive deals and show-only offers.

“As well as many different trade stands and exhibitions, there is a huge focus on all that makes the North and North-east of Scotland unique, from food and drink from the local larder to exciting holiday ideas, interesting new routes and inspiring parks and places to stay.

“The Love Touring Expo is a must-do for any caravan and motorhome fan but we also expect to appeal to families looking for a fun day out or people who have opted for a ‘staycation’ next year and want to have the freedom to explore more of Scotland, travelling wherever they fancy with the help of a map or a smartphone.”

Recent research suggests an increasing trend towards fluid itinerary travel, with a desire to tour Scotland with no fixed itinerary, particularly among young adults and groups of friends.

Further research by The Great British Staycation also suggests millennials are the most likely age group to holiday in the UK this year, with more than half (52%) of 25 to 34-year olds more likely to do so than in 2018.

Colin added: “We hope to inspire anyone of any age who is thinking about trying a caravan holiday or who fancies heading off on the open road in a motorhome or campervan, and we have ideas and options for every budget.”

Claire-Lena Miller-Davis, Exhibition Sales Manager at P&J Live, said: “We are thrilled to continually attract more exhibitions to the North-East and are especially excited to bring a brand new exhibition Love Touring to P&J Live.

“This is the first time a caravan and motorhome show on this scale will have ever taken place in Aberdeen and that is most certainly due to the new venue.

“With 48,000 sqm of flexible exhibition space, it has allowed us to accommodate an exhibition of this size, which we expect to attract visitors from all over Scotland across the three days.”

Advance tickets are on sale now, priced at £12 for adults, including free parking at P&J Live. Tickets are available from the Love Touring Expo website at www.lovetouringexpo.co.uk

Young Holiday Makers Make A Difference In Newquay

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William Coleman

It seems as a whole we are a lot more conscious about the environment and the negative effect we have on it. As we get older we are teaching the younger generations to move forward with they are going to do their best to save the planet.

Local schoolchildren are helping a Cornish holiday park to step up its war on the scourge of plastic waste polluting Cornwall’s seas and beaches.

Family-owned Hendra Holiday Park has teamed up with environmental children’s author Ellie Jackson to inspire youngsters to help turn the tide on ocean plastics.

Ellie, who lives in Looe, has written a series of children’s books on the subject which have drawn praise from Sir David Attenborough and Prince Charles.

Under the collective title of Wild Tribe Heroes, they tell the true stories of well-loved animals which encounter ocean plastics, and are rescued with the help of people.

Now, with the aid of funding from Hendra Holiday Park, the charmingly illustrated books are reaching a wider audience of primary school pupils around the Newquay area.

Ellie and Hendra hope that, like other schools, the children will be encouraged to take actions such as organising their own beach cleans or litter picks, and setting up recycling at school.

But the park also plans this year to harness the help of its younger and grown-up holiday guests to help beat the plastic menace on Cornwall’s shores.

Among its new initiatives is a collaboration with Tidal Revival which urges families to download a recently launched beach clean app.

Developed by two keen surfers who live in Newquay, Andy Nions and Rob Martindale, it’s claimed to be the world’s first app that rewards users for cleaning beaches and rivers.

Users record how much plastic and litter they have picked up, add a photo of it, and can then use the resulting reward points to gain discounts in participating retailers and food outlets.

These include Hendra Holiday Park, and director Jon Hyatt says that the app is already proving popular with visiting families:

“In summer we often have up to three thousand guests staying every night, so there is a fantastic potential for us to mobilise and motivate a whole army of beach cleaners!” he said.

“The May and Hyatt families have owned Hendra for almost fifty years, and we have all witnessed what harm plastics and other waste can cause to this beautiful environment and its wildlife.

“That’s why we’re especially keen to educate children, and to motivate them into taking action and making a difference for the sake of future generations,” added Jon.

A raft of other green initiatives have helped Hendra Holiday Park win a series of conservation and sustainability awards over the years.

The park generates 70% of its own energy from a ten-acre “sunpower meadow” which contains over 6,000 high-tech solar panels, drastically reducing its carbon footprint.

Hendra also heats its indoor and outdoor swimming pools, plus showers and changing rooms, with biomass boilers which are fuelled by locally sourced wood chips.

The park additionally operates a “freecycle” facility where guests can leave their unwanted buckets, spades and other beach items for newly-arriving families, rather than throwing them away.

Travelworld And A Life Saving Partnership

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By William Coleman

Usually an illness can sneak up on you when you least expect it, and usually when you are nowhere near a medical professional, so why not equip your motorhome with some life saving tech. Two companies have come together to help ensure you have the life saving tools to hand when on holiday.

Heart issues are very common and they need to be dealt with swiftly to help prevent the loss of life. Walking around your local town you may see defibrillators attached to walls with a combination lock attached for public use in the event of a heart attack. With this becoming a lot more of a common occurrence the defib machine is now making their way into leisure vehicles.

In a bid to make your motorhome safer Abacus Training and Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld have joined forces that will see Travelworld’s motorhomes be fitted with life-saving AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) equipment and integrated into their motorhome.

The news has been welcomed by West Midlands’ Ambulance Service. Adrian Gibson, Emergency Control Room Commander with the service said: “We need to be suitably equipped to deal with serious medical emergencies, such as cardiac arrest. It’s becoming increasingly common and can come on without warning.

“Defibrillators are a critical part of caring for a sufferer before help arrives. Unfortunately, only 2% of people who have cardiac arrest outside of a hospital receive defibrillation from a member of the public, according to the British Heart Foundation.

This isn’t promising, as 20% of all cardiac arrests happen in a public place! Adding a defibrillator will not only allow you to protect your family but could also come to the aid of a member of the public suffering from cardiac arrest.”

When buying a motorhome from Travelworld customers be given the option to have a defibrillator fitted as an added extra. Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld’s Managing Director, Ross Edwards said: “Having a defibrillator on board their motorhome will provide peace of mind for many of our customers. The training provided by Abacus has been very valuable for our whole team.”

Abacus Training has seen the showroom staff teaching basic life support skills, including how to use the defibrillator devices and give CPR. First aid training is a requirement in all workplaces, but alongside being able to care for colleagues at the office, employees of EHC Travelworld now have a special opportunity to share their new skills with customers and educate them on the importance of having quick access to a defibrillator.

Director of Abacus Training and ex-Paramedic Duncan Parsonage said: “When a cardiac arrest strikes, every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a victim’s survival rate by around 10 percent. Without immediate treatment, 90-95 percent of them prove fatal.

“We’re proud to be working with this leading motorhome company to drive change in the industry. Defibrillators, and training people how to use them, saves lives.”

Almost A Thousand Miles Covered For A Friend In Need

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By William Coleman

A couple of weeks ago CaravanTimes reported on a staff member at Salop Leisure being diagnosed with terminal cancer and what the company is doing to lift his spirits and make his dreams come true. So here is an update on his bucket list progress and the efforts his workmates are putting in to help his bucket list become a reality.

Darren Lloyd’s colleagues at Salop leisure are putting in a momentous effort to help their friend in need and have covered a whopping 1,333 km to make Darren’s dreams come true. To read more about Darren’s story you can Click Here.

During a recent 24 hours duathlon the Salop team covered over 828 miles by peddling and running their hearts out to raise money for Darren who’s in the fight of his life and doing well.

Salop Leisure’s marketing manager Ed Glover, Love2Stay joint general manager Chris Skitt and guest Lucy Wilde took on the marathon challenge hoping to raise £5,000 to help site maintenance engineer Darren Lloyd, 38, achieve his bucket list of wishes.

Around 20 work colleagues, members of Love2Live gym and friends of Darren joined in to support the trio during the marathon, held at Salop Leisure’s Emstrey headquarters. They pedaled and ran a combined the equivalent distance from Shrewsbury to Mont Blanc in France.

Customers, work colleagues and friends popped in during the day to bring food and drinks for the trio and to donate money in collection buckets, which amounted to more than £700.

Shrewsbury’s Mayor Councillor Phil Gillam was there to start the duathlon and even contributed a kilometer or two on one of the exercise bikes.

he said. “These guys are doing a fantastic thing for such a good cause. Having spoken to Salop Leisure’s chairman Tony Bywater, I get the sense that it’s a really good company that looks after its people.”

Darren, members of his family and Mr Bywater were there to congratulate the trio when they completed the exhausting duathlon to applause at noon on Sunday.

Mr Bywater thanked everyone who had supported the event and praised the trio for their fitness and endurance.

Ed Glover said: “It was an amazing achievement and probably the hardest thing I have ever done, but it’s for a great cause. There was a certain point through the night where I literally didn’t know where I was, but it definitely helped having people come in with food and drink to keep us going.

“Highlights for me were Lloydy doing the first 30 minutes on a bike at the start and people coming in throughout the day which ensured we were never alone. Lloydy was overwhelmed at the end and couldn’t believe we had done it for him.

“A couple of families staying at Love2Stay did a collection around the resort and brought in £220 for us, which was great. We would like to thank everyone who supported us over the 24 hours and continue to donate money through the Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lloydy.”

To date, the Just Giving page has surpassed the £3,000 barrier, with money continuing to pour in. Salop Leisure is hoping to raise £5,000 to send Darren on a family holiday abroad, a break at Centre Parcs in the UK, a shark fishing adventure and to a top-class boxing promotion.

Darren was diagnosed with bowel cancer this time last year and underwent surgery on Christmas Eve at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Because the cancer has spread, he is now undergoing a second cycle of 12 weeks of chemotherapy treatment at the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The Caravan And Motorhome Club Summer Offers

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Delftse Hout, The Netherlands – 7 nights in July from £291.64

Set in a leafy park, the site at Delftse Hout is perfect for caravan, campervan or motorhome owners- looking to make the most of the Netherlands this summer. From the site it is a short walk into Delft and history-rich Rotterdam and The Hague are both within driving distance.

Price based on two adults plus standard electric pitch and return DFDS ferry crossing. Crossing is based on Dover-Dunkirk travelling between 16:00 on Saturdays until 23:59 on Sundays and Dunkirk-Dover travelling between 20:00 Friday nights until 06:00 Sundays in a motorhome up to 7m long. For more information go to: www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas/netherlands/delftse-hout or telephone 01342 316 101

Le Brévedent, Normandy – 7 nights in July from £283.84

Pitches at the laid-back Le Brévedent site are set in the old orchard of a former hunting lodge. From Le Brévedent, guests can drive to the coast to see the D-Day beaches and Honfleur.
Price based on two adults plus standard electric pitch and return P&O Ferries crossing.

Crossing is based on Dover-Calais from 1 June-11 July and 18-31 August on sailings between 14:01-06:00 any day of the week and Calais-Dover from 1-18 July and 3 September-31 October on sailings between midnight-14:00 any day of the week (August sailings Mon-Fri) in, motorhome of any height/length. For more information go to: http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas/france/normandy/camping-le-brevedent or telephone 01342 316 101

Du Poulquer, Brittany – 7 nights in July from £384.61

Just 200m from the sandy beach of Bénodet, the campsite Du Poulquer CAMC site is excellently positioned for those after a beach-stay. There are plenty more beaches and coastal towns to explore in the region, including Concarneau.

Price based on two adults plus standard electric pitch with 5 nights at the Du Poulquer site and 2 nights at the Le Pont du Jour site and return Brittany Ferries crossing. Crossing is based on Portsmouth-Caen from 1-17 July and 25 August-31 October on the 14:45 sailing (arrives Caen 21:30) any day and Caen-Portsmouth from 3 June-21 July and 1 September-31 October on the 08:30 sailing any day in a car (5m x 1.8m) & Caravan (6m x 2.6m) For more information go to: http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas/france/brittany/le-poulquer or telephone 01342 316 101.

Caravan Park Host Ex Armed Forces Reunion

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By William Coleman

Ex military personnel can sometimes have a little bit of a hard time once they leave the service and sticking together with former soldiers is a great way for them to keep grounded. To help this happen an award winning five-star Shropshaire touring caravan park hosted 30 members of the Light Infantry and Rifles Association who attended their annual reunion.

On June 1st around 2,000 ex-soldiers and their wives and family members attended the successful event at Shrewsbury Town Football Clubs’ Montgomery Waters Meadow stadium.

The Light Infantry Committee, which organises the annual reunion, was formed in 2007 after the Light Infantry, based at Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury, was merged with other regiments to form The Rifles.

The reunion was formerly held at Copthorne Barracks, which has now been demolished to make way for houses.

Thirty of the soldiers, who were members of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Light Infantry, stayed at Oxon Hall Touring Park, which enjoys a parkland setting on the outskirts Shrewsbury.

Three of those were good friends, Phillip Johnson from Wakefield, Barry Sleightholme from Jarrow and Eddie Diamond from Kent who were accompanied by their wives, Helen, Jeanie and Jackie respectively.

Phillip, a former Light Infantry sergeant, said they had thoroughly enjoyed the reunion, meeting up with old friends and staying at Oxon Hall Touring Park again.

“The Light Infantry was formed from all parts of the country and we have lads that travel from as far away as Germany, Canada and Australia for the reunion,” he explained. “When you joined the Light Infantry, you joined a family.

“We all did our training at Copthorne Barracks and the reunion is a place where the three battalions all come together once a year and have a good chinwag and a good laugh.

“Many of the lads and their wives stay in hotels and other accommodation in the town but we have stayed at Oxon Hall Touring Park for the past five years. Barry and Eddie have stayed there for much longer.

“We had an absolutely great time at Oxon because it has all the facilities we need and the staff are exceptional. They make us feel part of the family there. Following the reunion, we go back to the park, have a barbecue and have a good chat.”

Next up for Phillip and Barry is a sponsored walk along Hadrian’s Wall on the weekend of September 21-22 to raise money for soldiers diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Oxon Hall Touring Park manager Clive Jones said he was delighted to welcome members of the Light Infantry and Rifles Association and their wives to the park for their annual reunion.

The park’s staff looked forward to seeing them every year and he confirmed that they had already fully rebooked for next year’s reunion.

Owned by Shrewsbury-based Morris Leisure, Oxon Hall Touring Park was named AA Heart of England Campsite of the Year for 2019. It is open all year round, has 100 all-weather pitches and is situated close to the town’s park and ride bus service, which is popular with people attending major events in Shrewsbury.

A Starter Kit For Beginners

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By William Coleman

The leisure vehicle industry is going through another golden age and we are seeing a lot of new blood enter the motorhome and caravan world. We all remember starting but did we remember to pack everything on our first trip away?

When I first starting going on caravan holidays on my own as a young adult I was pretty confident I knew what I was doing and did not need any help, being young will make you think that. So naturally I learnt the hard way by arriving on site and having about 20% of what I actually needed. A tough but great lesson.

If I could turn back the clock I would have listened to all the advice I was given, that way I could have saved myself a bit of an ear bashing from all of my travelling companions, lets just say the “banter” lasted for quite a while after.

So for all of the newcomers to the caravan and motorhome world welcome and let us try and help with some advice and tips I totally ignored when I first started out.

Lists Save Lives

This may seem simple, if not painfully obvious, but a lot of people neglect how important the preparation list is. Fail to plan, plan to fail. It’s a cliche because it’s true and really does work.

I would start with separating the van into sections, this way you do not double pack or confuse what is needed and where.

The best way for this is as follows:

  • Living Room/Day Living
  • Kitchen
  • Bathroom
  • Bedroom/Night Living
  • Eating/Cooking/Food Prep
  • Outdoor Living
  • Tools and Set Up
  • Spares & Repairs
  • Entertainment
  • Cleaning

Once you have a list it will become a lot clearer what you actually need. This way you can then share who sorts out the kit for what space. If that leads to an argument then please feel free to blame me for that one.

‘<' . strtolower('Array')he Bare Essentials

The is a set list of must have items, not to be confused with the decorative items and bedding etc. These are more to do with what is needed to get set up and actually start you trip.

You need to sit down and try to think what you;d use at home if you were in for the weekend. As you’ll be away for the weekend in a home away from home.

So here is a list that should never change and always be stored within the van:

  • Corner steady tool
  • Power cable
  • Waste water container
  • Aqua roll
  • Spirit level
  • Wheel clamps

The Finer Details

There are a ton of items that can go under the radar when packing and its these small details that can make a world of difference to your trip.

Some of these may sound really silly but they are the most commonly forgotten items that people really wish they’d stowed away on board.

  • Clothesline
  • Cups, plates and bowls
  • Washing up bowl
  • Scrubbing brush
  • Drying cloth
  • Cutlery
  • Pots and pans
  • Folding chairs and table
  • Steps (for getting in and out of the van)

One thing that I would suggest to anyone starting out is to take it easy with the purchases. I have seen some people spend a small fortune on their start up kit and what they bought never saw the light of day.

When I first started I used most of the things I had indoors and just took them with me. Once I got into the rhythm of things I slowly built up my caravan kit. Start slow with the essentials and then work your way up item by item. Before you know it you’ll have awnings, BBQs and all the plastic kitchenware imaginable.

Children’s Author Opens New Chapter Of Park Visits

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By William Coleman

Holiday parks with the David Bellamy Conservation Award are once again being invited to give their younger guests an entertaining new take on the environment.

International author Claire Culliford last year visited a number of DBCA parks by arrangement to provide readings from her popular children’s books.

Now she hopes to be asked to attend even more parks over this summer and autumn, especially those located in the West Country and South Wales.

Claire’s books are designed to inspire youngsters to become involved with the natural world, and to show how children can help the environment in fun and creative ways.

Her readings, which also include lighthearted discussions, drawing and singing, usually last around 90-minutes, and are perfectly pitched for 3 to 6-year-old audience.

Claire’s books support the aims of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and in 2019 she will be attending a series of European environmental and literary events by invitation.

Claire says that feedback from the parks she visited last year was extremely positive, and that parents have been delighted with how their children respond to the sessions.

DBCA holiday parks, believes Claire, are ideal locations because they are already committed to environmental care, and tend to attract families who take pleasure in the countryside.

School holidays and weekends, she suggests, are an ideal time for parks to host a visit.

Claire lives in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, and there is no cost involved for parks located within a 50-mile radius of the area.

She is also happy to travel further afield, and would ask for a small contribution to her travelling expenses, and perhaps an overnight stay if a day-return trip isn’t practical.

You can view some of her children’s books at the Waterstones or on Amazon. If you would like to find more out about Claire’s work you can visit her website, www.claireculliford.com

National Caravan And Camping Week Celebrations

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By William Coleman

The National Caravan And Camping Week is almost here and the Camping and Caravan Club are hosting campsite events to help celebrate everything camping, caravanning and outdoor living.

We are now celebrating the 100th annual National Camping and Caravan Week all across the UK and Camping and Caravanning Club were encouraging members to get involved and help share the festivities from coffee morning to colouring competitions.

As we all know, the UK is a nation of caravan lovers and you’d be hard pressed to find someone who has not been on a caravan holiday. So it really is no surprise that the country would jump at the chance to celebrate the century long milestone.

Activities ranged from building a replica of a caravan from 1919, to charity coffee mornings, colouring competitions, and designing caravan-themed bunting.

Members also submitted photos on social media with the hashtag #lovemycaravan for a chance to win a caravan awning package worth over £1,100.

It really is astonishing to think that the first ever commercially produced caravan was built right here in the UK way back in 1919. Since then there has been no stopping the mighty caravan. It has become a major part of British culture, almost as much as fish and chips if you ask me. And what about the wonders the caravan industry does for the UK economy.

Another fantastic display put on by the Camping Club was the first ever floating campsite right here on the River Thames in the heart of London last month.

Julia Bradbury, the Camping and Caravanning Cub’s newest President, actually spent a night on the floating club site and hosted and a party she hosted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the start of caravan manufacturing in the UK.

The most creative activity was by the staff at the ‘Alton, the Star’ Camping and Caravanning Club site in Staffordshire who made a replica Eccles caravan from 1919 – the year commercial production of caravans started in the UK. They also hosted a party with caravan-themed bunting decorated by families staying on the site during half-term.

In Crowborough, East Sussex, the managers at the Club site organised a children’s colouring competition. Each child completed an outline drawing of a caravan holiday scene, and the best six from different age categories won a WHSmith voucher.

These, and many other activities at other Club sites across the UK, show how caravans have become such an important part of so many people’s lives, and the UK’s economy, and why The Camping and Caravanning Club celebrates National Camping and Caravanning Week each year.

“National Camping and Caravanning Week is all about inspiring the nation to get outdoors whether that’s through caravanning, motorhoming or traditional tent camping. And we’re all more aware than ever that getting into the great outdoors is good for our mental health and well as being great fun,” said Julia Bradbury, TV presenter and President of The Camping and Caravanning Club.

Paul Jones, the Marketing and Communications Director at The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “It is brilliant that so many of our Club sites joined the celebration of 100 years of the caravan during this year’s National Camping and Caravanning Week. We’re really grateful that our President, Julia Bradbury, launched National Camping and Caravanning Week 2019 in such a fun way and brought the 100th anniversary of the caravan to the attention of the whole country.”

What will you be doing to celebrate 100 years of amazing holidays?

To Cover Or Not To Cover

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By William Coleman

For some reason this is still a question we see being raised by people all over the country- “why do people bother with caravan covers?”. I feel that the answer to this question is clear but there are still a lot of people who simply do not see the point. So I will list a few “pros and cons” so you can see both sides of the coin and decide for yourself. If you haven’t already

So let me start off by saying that I can see the ‘for and against’ of both sides of the argument and that each individual situation has different needs. Where some people may use a cover others simply may not have that same need, so I will try to be as impartial as possible.

A cover provides great protection, right?

For- A cover offers protection in a lot of different ways, certainly more than just shielding the van from the elements.

The old saying, “out of sight out of mind” pretty much sums up one major positive that the caravan cover brings to the table.

A cover hides the van in plain sight and acts as a fantastic deterrent for would be thieves and vandals. Plus they know that taking a cover off in the middle of the street outside someone’s house is not the most inconspicuous of activities.

When it comes to the weather, of which we can have all 4 seasons in 1 day at the moment, the cover can be worth its weight in gold. Provided you buy a good quality one.

Come wind, rain or shine the cover does provide a warm cosy shield and also can really help against water ingress for those little drinks and dents that are not visible to the eye. I have known some vans that were pretty much new but still leak due to heavy rains. So if you had a cover you could really limit the vans exposure to adverse weather.

Against- Having a cover does protect against outside elements but it can also create a situation where the cover can actually damage the chassis, windows and other panels of the van.

If any kind of dirt or grit is on the van before you cover it the cover itself then turns into a large surface to drag the dirt and result in a lot of unwanted scuffs and scratches. Not something you want when you are trying to protect against such things. But clean before covering should help reduce this risk entirely.

There are some instances where using a cheaper cover ends up being a lot more expensive than spending out on a top end one. The cheaper ones can just fall to bits after 1-2 uses and then you’re back at square one in a situation where you need to keep spending.

A lot of people are put off by how much time you’d need to spend taking off and putting it back on. With today’s tech you should be able to get a cover on quite quickly without much fuss. That being said there are some covers that take age and require multiple sets of hands. It’s these latter ones that really put people off the whole idea as its just too much of a chore to deal with.

Another argument for not using a cover is the van should be used enough to not need to cover. A lot of owners who use their vans all year round feel that it is a pointless exercise and that the time and effort outweigh the actual need for one. One person once said to me that “a van cover shows you do not go away very often, which begs the question of do you even need a caravan”. Not an opinion I agree with but everyone is entitled to one.

There are some, not a lot, who want to actually show off their vans to the world. A sort of keeping up with the Jones’ mentality I guess. These are the folks who think a cover is ridiculous and clean the van once a week even if they have not used it for 2 months. My argument to that is you raise the chances of undesirables seeing and potentially damaging the van.

For me it really does boil down to what needs you have and what suits you the best. If you are fortunate enough to be able to get away in the van quite a lot and think you do not need a cover then more power to you.

But in reality the van tends to be on the drive or in storage more than it does pitched up on site. So having a cover is probably a good idea. Better to have one and not need it than need it and not have it