Birmingham NEC October Motorhome and Caravan Show on sale now

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by Tom Leaning

Tickets for the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2017, to be held at Birmingham’s NEC from 17 to 22 October, are now available online at www.mcshow.co.uk and by phone on 0844 873 7333.

The UK’s largest leisure vehicle show features more than 700 motorhomes and caravans from major manufacturers, dealers and specialists alongside campervans and trailer tents. New products and range launches for the 2017/2018 season are displayed together with caravan holiday homes, lodges and every accessory needed for holidays and leisure time outdoors.

The Motorhome and Caravan Show 2017 covers 11 halls of the NEC in Birmingham. New products are officially launched daily, and feature areas include new-for-2017 attractions; entertainment in the LIVE Theatre includes presentations and demonstrations from celebrities, adventurers and travel and industry experts. The Woodland Trust returns to the show, joining The Caravan and Motorhome Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club as official show partners. Black Horse Finance, the headline show sponsor, provides specialist support to caravan and motorhome owners looking for advice and finance options on their next leisure vehicle purchase.

Recognised as the industry’s launchpad for next year’s holiday season, the show attracts around 100,000 visitors, reflecting the UK’s buoyant market for both caravans and motorhomes. Jenny Summers, Group Marketing Director of The NCC commented: “The leisure vehicle industry enjoyed significant sales last year, with the trend continuing into 2017 and a bright outlook. The October show promises exciting launches from caravan and motorhome manufacturers and dealers, which continue to invest in new products for a strong market.”

Advance ticket prices* start from £8.50, with children under 16 entering free.

Visit: www.thenec.co.uk to purchase your advanced tickets TODAY!

Adria unveil new Sun Living motorhome range for 2018

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by Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

Adria have unveiled the all new Sun Living entry level motorhome range, which has been completely refreshed for the forthcoming season.

Adria first introduced the Slovenian-built Sun Living brand in 2008, as a sister brand to the main Adria brand, with a selected range of the most popular motorhomes, and vans. Fast forward to 2017 and the new Sun Living brand has been relaunched, with an entirely new and innovative vehicle lineup. Adria plans to build on its sales success so far and accelerate it with an innovative range of new Sun Living camper vans and motorhomes which will be available this autumn.

The new Sun Living brand has a complete new identity with a fresh blue logo, all new graphic design and a new “communications approach”. The brand launches from 1st July and will be premiered at the Dusseldorf Fair at the end of August and vehicles will be arriving in over 160 Sun Living dealerships across Europe this autumn.

The new Sun Living core values are

  • Easy: A brand new range of motorhomes and camper vans, making touring holidays more convenient and ownership more simple. Easy to choose and own vehicles with smart layouts, features and specifications.
  • Innovative: New thinking for a new generation. Explore new spaces which are transformed by innovative new approaches. Bedrooms which hide-away to become additional day-time living
    space, bathrooms which hide-away when not in use to free up more space. And smart new
    features and new layouts too.
  • Connected: New Sun Living vehicles will offer the opportunity for users to stay connected when travelling, to share experiences, and be part of the new Sun Living community.
  • Made by Adria-Mobil: New Sun Living motorhomes and camper vans are designed and
    manufactured by Adria Mobil, one of Europe’s leading recreational vehicle manufacturers since
    1965. Purpose-built in the most advanced state-of- the-art factory in Europe.
  • Exceptional Value for Money: New Sun Living vehicles offer the latest in design, innovation
    and comfort at exceptional value for money.

New thinking for a new generation

The new Sun Living line-up includes innovative new takes on the Camper Van, a new motorhome where the customer can decide between Crossover or Semi-integrated format and a
new ‘alcoven’ (overcab) motorhome format.

There’s also original thinking when it comes to space. Bedrooms by night, become additional living space by day. Bathrooms which rotate and open up the kitchen and floor space. New living flexibility for the user thanks to unique new ‘hide-away’ solutions.

Matjaz Grm, the company’s Executive Sales and Marketing Director, commented:

“Our research shows us that there are many people with an interest in the motorhome lifestyle but who haven’t yet found the right brand or products to make the step into ownership.

“They like to travel independently, they may have experienced camping and want to choose a brand which meets their specific needs. A brand with vehicles that are simple to use and own, which are well-designed with innovative features, plenty of interior space and with layouts that suit the way they like to live when traveling in their free time.

“Our new Sun Living brand a range of motorhomes and camper vans are designed for these newcomers who may be in their thirties, forties or older, it’s not about age – it’s about attitude.

“They are heavily influenced by the millennials new way of looking at the world. They like to travel, free time is cherished and is all about having experiences and sharing them. They are discerning consumers, connected and social – online and in person.

“We believe new Sun Living will also attract existing owners from other brands through our innovative new designs which open up new flexible living spaces and the surety of our ‘Made by Adria Mobil’ and our value for money proposition.

“We also see additional opportunity in rental. Our new Sun Living vehicles are made at the Adria factory – the best manufacturing facilities in the industry. Our new Sun Living vehicles are robustly designed and built. This, the simple to understand model line-up, the right layouts and features and the combination of outstanding value and easy-to- maintain vehicles, will also strengthen Sun Living’s appeal in the rental sector.”

For more information about the new Sun Living entry-level motorhome range visit, www.uk.adria-mobil.com

Bailey Owner Club Organise Charity Rally for Dementia UK – Open To All.

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by Daniel Cartwright

The Bailey Owners Club have organised a Charity Rally on Behalf of Dementia UK. On the 23rd to 28th of August 2017 at Ratcliffe College in Leicester (full details lower down)

IMPORTANT: Whilst BOC have organised this event, it is open to everyone, Caravanners, Motorhomers, Swift owner, Elddis owner, Coachman, Auto-Trail, Auto-sleeper, Lunar, Airstream, Tab, Vanmaster, Compass, ABI, Penine, Gober, VW, Vango owners… you get the idea. Everyone and literally everyone and their dog are welcome and encouraged to come.

Dementia has unfortunately touched most peoples lives and Dementia UK is a charity (1039404) that helps families face dementia. They provide everything from specialist one-to-one support, to expert advise. Helping families face the the challenges of tomorrow with positivity and confidence.

The rally itself will be fun, with Live Music, a BBQ, Games, Stalls, Charity Auctions and a Raffle. For more information either:

Email: charity17@baileyownersclubc.org
Visit the website: www.baileyownersclub.org

For any non-Bailey owners out there who would like to attend but are nervous about not owning a Bailey – don’t be. We at CaravanTimes have spent a lot of time with the BOC and they are a great, friendly bunch. They are fun, welcoming and are always ready to offer a cup of tea or glass of wine.

Contact Details:
Ratcliffe College
Fosse Way
Ratcliffe on the Wreak
Leicester
LE7 4SG

23 – 28 August 2017

Equistone invests in leading static caravan manufacturer Willerby

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by Tom Leaning

Equistone Partners Europe Limited (Equistone), a leading mid-market private equity investor, has announced its investment in Willerby, the a UK manufacturer of static holiday homes, including caravans and lodges.

Equistone has acquired a majority stake in the Company from Caird Capital. The financial terms of the investment are undisclosed.

Founded in 1946, Willerby has established itself within the UK holiday home market as a brand associated with premium quality, technical innovation, and breadth of offering. From its two recently expanded production sites in Hull employing about 900 people, Willerby today manufactures approximately 70 different models of static caravans and lodges across 23 product ranges at a variety of price points. The Company is the largest provider of static caravans and lodges in the UK, serving the retail and fleet markets through its strong and extensive national dealer network and long-standing relationships with holiday park operators.

Willerby generates an annual turnover of £155 million. Equistone’s investment will support the Company’s expansion within the growing UK holiday home market by leveraging its strong brand, new product development, and quality production to meet growing consumer demand.

Andi Tomkinson, Investment Director at Equistone Partners Europe, said: “Willerby is the clear UK market leader in terms of both scale and breadth of product offering. It also enjoys an established reputation for quality and innovation rooted in over seven decades of its history, and has exhibited strong growth in recent years. When you combine this with the attractive fundamentals of the wider UK holiday home sector – namely a strengthening ‘grey pound’ driven by demographic change and the long-term upswing in Britons’ propensity for ‘staycations’ – the opportunity to invest was an exciting one. We look forward to working with CEO Peter Munk and the entire Willerby team to help the business realise its potential for further growth.”

Peter Munk, CEO of Willerby, commented: “The market opportunity within the UK holiday home sector is exciting and, with our scale, skilled passionate people, technical innovations, and leading production, we are well-placed to capitalise upon it. We’re delighted to have found in Equistone an investor with not only a proven track record in supporting mid-market companies’ growth, but also an understanding of the importance of our proud history of premium quality and technical innovation to the Willerby brand’s success.”

Andi Tomkinson and Richard Briault-Hutter from Equistone led the investment.

Equistone was advised on the acquisition by Lincoln International, Marlborough Partners, Travers Smith, EY, OC&C Strategy Consultants, Newton, and PwC. Caird Capital was advised on the sale by DC Advisory, DLA Piper, L.E.K. Consulting, and PwC. Willerby’s management was advised by Jamieson Corporate Finance and CMS.

Bailey moves to strengthen position in Australian market with new locally built product ranges

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by Tom Leaning

Seven years after introducing the Bailey caravan brand into Australia, the Bristol-based company is reaffirming its commitment to this key export market with further investment in new distribution outlets and new locally manufactured products.

According to Bailey, the Australian caravan market is currently about the same size as that of the UK, but a great deal more fragmented with approximately 130 indigenous manufacturers.

Initially, Bailey carved a niche for itself thereby supplying models from its existing UK Pursuit, Pegasus and Unicorn ranges that were tailored to suit the local market* – both in terms of product specification (for example, the fitment of such items as on-board water tanks and air conditioning units) and ensuring that they were fully compliant with stringent Australian type approval standards.

In order to capitalise fully on the opportunity that this important market affords, Bailey took the decision in 2015 to form a wholly owned subsidiary in the country. Two years on and Melbourne-based Bailey Leisure Pty Ltd is now an established manufacturing company producing up to 300+ caravans per year. The first locally produced Bailey range was the Rangefinder which was developed using a combination of Anglo-Australian design expertise to create models specifically tailored to the Australian audience. Other than the caravan body shell panels, which are supplied from Bailey UK’s Large Panel Manufacturing Plant in the UK, all other components of the vehicle are sourced locally.

Such has been the popularity of the Rangefinder that Bailey Australia will shortly be introducing its second new range, the Coastal, later this year. For full information on the Bailey Australia product ranges please visit www.baileyaustralia.com.au.

As in the UK, one of the key selling points for Bailey caravans in Australia is the Alu-Tech body shell construction system. This fully patented technology produces vehicles that are more robust, more durable and yet lighter than those manufactured using conventional methods and offer greater protection against the elements to keep owners comfortable, safe and secure all year round. All of which makes caravans built this way ideally suited for the rugged terrain and harsh climatic conditions found ‘Down Under’. To date, approaching 50,000 Alu-Tech leisure vehicles have been built and are currently being enjoyed all over the world.

To prove this point, Bailey Australia took two Rangefinder caravans on the ultimate 6,000 km endurance challenge from the west to the east coast straight through the centre of the country. This unique test took the caravans through some of the most remote parts of Australian Outback travelling over approximately 2,200km of gravel, dirt and corrugated roads in the process. During this two-week structural examination, the two Bailey caravans stood up to everything thrown at them and safely negotiated all of the obstacles put in their path – showing they could hold their own in even the toughest conditions.

Here’s the highlights from the 2015 expedition:

Bailey caravans are sold in Australia through a national Retailer network and at the 40+ state and regional shows held throughout the year. In order to improve the distribution of its products in this competitive market, in a new move, Bailey has established the first of its own solus dealerships in Morisset, Northern New South Wales. Stocking a full range of new and pre-owned Bailey caravans, Bailey New South Wales also boasts a first-class service centre, leisure store, and storage facilities. For more details please visit http://www.baileynsw.com.au/. Following the success of this new venture Bailey is planning to open its second retail outlet in Queensland later this year.

Bailey (UK) Managing Director, Nick Howard, said: “We have invested over £2 million to date in establishing our presence in Australia. The decision to start manufacturing bespoke Australian products in Melbourne is really beginning to pay dividends in terms of sales growth and we anticipate that this will become an increasingly important market for Bailey going forward”.

*Please note: Australian specification caravans can only be purchased locally through Approved Australian Retailers and cannot be supplied to customers in the UK.

CAMC sites set to open for summer business ahead of schedule

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by Tom Leaning

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has announced the imminent reopening dates for two popular Club sites following the completion of redevelopment work.

The picturesque site of Wharfdale, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, will now open on 30th June following its closure for development works.

The North Yorkshire site has been closed over the 2017 season to undergo a number of upgrades, including:

  • a complete refurbishment of the facilities block
  • replacement of all service points
  • repairs to the road
  • Book today

Book here now for stays from 30th June.

Beautiful in the summer, this leafy, rural site is ideal for exploring the surrounding National Park. With an abundance of wildlife, countryside walking routes, village pubs and local produce to try, it’s hard not to be charmed by such a chocolate-box location.

Castleton to open 21st July

The much loved Castleton Club Site in the heart of the Peak District will be back open for business earlier than expected.

Redevelopment work for this site has progressed well and will now open on 21st July 2017, more than three weeks ahead of schedule.

The Derbyshire site has been closed to allow for significant upgrades. Improvements carried out on the site have included:

  • a refurbished toilet block
  • extra serviced pitches
  • increased spacing between pitches
  • new waste disposal point
  • Book today

Book here now for stays from 21 July.

If you fancy an impromptu break to the beautiful Peak District this summer, Castleton is perfectly located for exploring the countryside and taking part in exciting outdoor activities as hiking, rock climbing, potholing, biking and horse riding. Castleton Village is dominated by the ruins of William the Conqueror’s Peveril Castle and is a wonderful location to escape and unwind.

VIDEO SPECIAL: A closer look inside the 90th National

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by Tom Leaning

We have another special video for you from the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s 90th National at The Sandringham Estate last month. In between ice-creams, CaravanTimes met an array of people, from event organisers to first-time attendees. Here’s what they had to say about their experience…

For the official 90th National highlights: Click Here

From CycleFest to upside down cycling, from 90th National official wristbands to 90 year-old caravans – this caravan rally had everything! So enjoy our video and read our daily blogs below:

Day 1’s Blog
Day 2’s Blog
Day 3’s Blog

Elddis to sponsor CaravanTimes Facebook LIVE Giveaway

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by Tom Leaning

To celebrate the extra special Avante 462 caravan competition from Elddis, the leisure vehicle manufacturer is sponsoring the CaravanTimes 2nd Facebook LIVE Giveaway.

Enter the Elddis competition HERE NOW!

There will be some tricky Elddis-based questions involved, but the most switched on participants will be rewarded with a fantastic collection of goodies, so look out for the Giveaway on the CaravanTimes official Facebook page on Wednesday, 21st June from 6pm.

https://www.facebook.com/caravantimescouk/

Here’s a reminder of the Elddis Competition:

Elddis and The Caravan and Motorhome Club are looking for an adventurous person – or couple – to live 2018 Season to the MAX with an all new Elddis touring caravan.

From Summer 2017 to Summer 2018, you could have a brand new and exclusive Elddis Avante 462 2-berth to go on the trip of a lifetime.

Complete the application form (below) and tell Elddis (in no more than 200 words) how the Elddis Avante 462 could enable your adventure – plus Elddis would like you to make a 1 minute video telling them about you!

The deadline for applications is 12:00am Sunday 2nd July 2017 and the Winner will be announced Monday, 17 July 2017.

ENTER HERE NOW!

CaravanTimes to attend three top European summer festivals

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by Tom Leaning

CaravanTimes is delighted to announce we’ll be attending three of Europe’s biggest summer festivals to explore what it’s like to camp, glamp and tour at major international cultural events for couples, friends and families.

First up is Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle in Dorset from 27th – 30th July; the event is celebrating its 10th birthday and offers a family-friendly weekend of activity-packed fun and music. A star-studded line-up is combined with fairground rides, soft play tents Kid Gardens. The festival offers areas to accommodate campers with tents, campervans, trailer tents and caravans. There’s also a pre-pitched tent and boutique camping area!

Next is the Dimensions Festival at Fort Punta Christo in Pula, Croatia from 30th August – 3rd September; fresh from a milestone five years last summer, Dimensions Festival can now reveal plans for its 2017 outing, with it’s heaviest bill of live acts and selectors to date. In and around this incredible setting in northern Croatia, the festival offers an intriguing variety of camping options, including standard and boutique camping, mobile homes, podpads, bellepads, octopads and luxpads! Check out what they all mean here: http://bit.ly/2s9ajHe

Lastly, it’s Bestival, also at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, this time from 7th – 10th September; “an enchanting, wooded country estate on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast”, Bestival is well-known for its humungous size and its fancy-dress themed days. The camping options include: Boutique campsite, Camping Plus reserved pitches, Backstage Camping, Hospitality Camping, Pitch Village, Camplight, The Pop-Up Hotel, and Campervan and Caravan and Trailer Tent areas.

We can’t wait and will report back with our findings!

Ready Camp glamping escapes are closer to UK cities than people think

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by Tom Leaning

Nearly one in two families would like to take more short weekend family breaks, to set aside the time and space to create unforgettable experiences together. And now they can with glamping escapes from Ready Camp within one hour’s drive time of the UK’s top 10 most populated cities.

The findings of a UK study* of 2000 adults, with young children aged up to 14, revealed that 97 per cent of respondents said escaping for regular weekend family breaks, to different locations where the countryside or a beach are nearby, where they can be closer to nature, and the children can go and explore, was appealing.

In the survey, commissioned by glamping operator Ready Camp, respondents felt regular holidays were an important way of freeing up time to spend as a family.

Research has previously shown that families who spend quality family time together are able to communicate with each other better. And that time benefits the family as a whole, as well as each member as an individual.

From Scone in Scotland, to St David’s in Wales, Sandringham in the East of England, to Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds, Veryan in Cornwall and Milarrochy Bay on the bonny banks of Loch Lomond, there’s now a Ready Camp site within one hour, or 50 miles, of the UK’s biggest conurbations.

We’ve listed these cities and the nearest Ready Camp site from the city centres and outlying areas:

  • London to Theobald’s Park, 59 mins
  • Manchester to Hayfield, 50 mins
  • Birmingham/Wolverhampton to Cannock Chase, 35 mins
  • Leeds/Bradford to Sherriff Hutton, 50 mins
  • Glasgow to Milarrochy Bay, 53 mins
  • Southampton/Portsmouth to Veryan: 40 mins
  • Liverpool to Bala: 50 miles
  • Newcastle to Barnard Castle, 54 mins
  • Nottingham to Conkers: 45 mins
  • Sheffield to Hayfield: 58 mins

Ready Camp ambassador, Katy Hill, the former Blue Peter TV presenter, current Heart FM radio presenter and celebrity parent blogger, said:

“Raising children is, for me, one of life’s most fulfilling experiences. But families are busier than ever, juggling home and work life, and being able to spend quality time with loved ones is at a premium. For me, regularly switching off from work and committing fully to family life, is a must and an absolute joy.”

Ms. Hill, a mum to two children aged 10 and 7, said: “Glamping in the great outdoors is a brilliant, no-hassle way to take a break from the pressures of modern life with the ones you love most. They help to re-establish bonds and lay down unforgettable family memories. I value these breaks dearly.”

Glamping with Ready Camp makes the prospect of an escape in a tent, away from home comforts such as your own bed, a little less daunting. There’s no need to pack your life into the boot for a few days away – the tent is pitched and ready for you, so you can concentrate on having fun!

Ready Camp director, Bob Hill, said: “With so many superb, affordable Ready Camp glamping sites just a short Friday evening’s dash from the UK’s largest cities; there are more reasons than ever to make regular escapes and recharge your batteries with loved ones, away from the distractions of everyday life.”

The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Ready Camp network of glamping tents, launched in 2015, has expanded year on year. The network grew from 17 to 29 sites in the first year, with a further 10 new sites in 2017 to total 39 sites across the country, close to many of Britain’s best-loved tourist spots.

Each offers comfortable and hassle-free breaks to people keen to camp without having to hitch up a caravan or pitch their own tent – all visitors need to bring is their own bedding, towels and a sense of adventure.

Washroom facilities are available on all Camping and Caravanning Club Sites, where holidaymakers are guaranteed immaculate facilities.

Explore all last minute glamping holidays with Ready Camp at www.readycamp.co.uk/late-availability.

Swift Group recognised for third year running in fast track international 200

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by Tom Leaning

Yorkshire-based leisure vehicle manufacturer, Swift Group, has once again been listed in the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 as compiled by Fast Track and is the only East Yorkshire company to appear.

The International Track is a barometer of Britain’s mid-market private companies with the ranking based on fastest-growing international sales over their latest two years of available.

“Swift has enjoyed a fantastic year, delivering record retail sales and winning multiple awards including Manufacturer of the Year in Yorkshire,” said James Turner, Managing Director, “I am delighted that for the third year running our international sales development, primarily in Europe and Asia Pacific, has also been recognised and especially proud that Swift is a torch bearer in the East Yorkshire region. The significant investments the company continues to make in people and infrastructure will help us fuel UK and international growth further.”

The company recently announced the addition of the iconic Airstream brand to its portfolio in the UK. Swift has production facilities in Cottingham, Hull and Mexborough and continues to make significant progress especially in innovation, manufacturing, customer service, people development and online technology.

Tregurrian Club Site celebrates 50 years of camping

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by Tom Leaning

Tregurrian Camping and Caravanning Club Site is celebrating 50 years of welcoming campers in 2017, and will mark the golden milestone next week with a special on-site birthday party.

Holiday Site Managers, Stephen and Vanessa Wassell, are planning an afternoon cream tea, with a series of free on-site activities for campers to enjoy.

Tregurrian is a 90 pitch campsite, four miles from the popular holiday resort of Newquay. It’s situated close to several tourist hotspots along Cornwall’s north coast, including Padstow, Watergate Bay, Bude and Bodmin Moor.

The campsite is also close to filming locations from hit TV shows: Port Isaac is the picturesque base for ITV1’s Doc Martin and Portcothan Beach and St Agnes Head were both used for recent scenes in BBC1’s Poldark.

Bob Hill, Club Sites Director, said: “Our dedicated on-site team at Tregurrian are really looking forward to putting on this event for campers.

“Several of our UK Club Sites have celebrated anniversaries in the past few years, including Clent Hills near Birmingham and Walton on Thames in Surrey, which at 104 is possibly the oldest campsite in the UK.”

The Camping and Caravanning Club was founded in 1901 and is today the world’s oldest and largest Club for all forms of camping.

Vanessa Wassell, Holiday Site Manager at Tregurrian, said: “We welcome thousands of campers every year and our event will have a ‘best of British summer’ theme, with a fete, garden games, croquet and skittles. There’s also a dog show for campers to enter their four legged friends.

“We chose this weekend as we have a group that visits us during the same week, year after year, who’ve been doing so for more than thirty years! They’ve shared photos dating back to the 1980s, so it’s nice to have something to look back on and show our campers how things have changed.”

To book a pitch at Tregurrian Club Site, visit: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/tregurrian