Kimberley Caravans listed in London Stock Exchange 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain

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by Joe Jeffrey

Caravans coming to the forefront as dealership placed on 100 companies to inspire Britain list

Nottingham based Kimberley Caravans & Motorhomes have been listed in the 2016 edition of the prestigious ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ compiled by the London Stock Exchange.

The report is an annual celebration of some of the fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.

The inclusion of Kimberley Caravans and Motorhomes in the list was welcomed by the Minister for Small Business Anna Soubrey who recently visited the company’s Kimberley site.

Soubry said: “I am delighted to see Kimberley Caravans within this report as it recognises those businesses which are doing so much to keep Britain thriving as the economy continues to strengthen.”

The report from the London Stock Exchange also examines in detail the opportunities and challenges facing SMEs and looks at the sectors and trends that will shape the future of the UK economy.

Kimberley Caravans is a family-run business, which currently has a turnover of over £10m. It was established in Nottingham in 1984 and employs 33 staff at its 2-acre Kimberley branch, just off Junction 26 of the M1.

In 2012 the company expanded into the North East, opening a seven-acre Darlington branch just off junction 58 of the A1. The Darlington branch currently employs 37 staff.

According to Chris Lowe, the managing director of Kimberley Caravans, the business attributes its success to developing lifetime relationships with his customers.

Lowe, said: “I am very proud for all our team here that the business has been included in this report.

“We’ve continued to grow steadily, putting quality customer service at the forefront of our development. The team are aware of the fact that customers are becoming much more discerning and will look for the best service and price.”

“The economy has been challenging but we have seen more people wanting to invest money in caravans to holiday in this country, many of our customers are new to caravanning and have decided it’s much more fun to take your holiday where you want to take it, “he continued.

Emmerdale star opens Cumbria caravan park’s new pub

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by Joe Jeffrey

Emmerdale’s Charity Dingle opens up new pub affiliated with Cumbrian caravan park

Television star Emma Atkins, perhaps better known as Charity Dingle in popular soap, Emmerdale, has officially opened a caravan park’s new public house by pulling the first pint of many set to be served up in Cumbria in the Lake District.

Silverdale Holiday Park‘s owner, Michael Holgate, decided to rescue local pub, The Royal, situated in nearby Silverdale, after it had remained empty for six years in a bid to encourage caravanners to utilize nearby facilities within the park’s local area and for those who fancy a change of scenery.

Until recently, local options for visitors to the park were rather limited – but now, following on from giving The Royal a makeover estimated to be worth over £300,000, The Royal has been redesigned to create a warm, welcoming and stylish ambiance.

The Royal’s re-fitted kitchens also now boast state-of-the-art catering technology, and will provide meals both in the bar and the pub’s second-floor dining room.

There will, says Michael, be a strong emphasis on Cumbrian sourced ingredients, complementing the regularly changing selection of different craft ales brewed in Lakeland.

Silverdale Holiday Park has been owned by the Holgate family for 60 years, and provides
over 500 caravan holiday homes, plus touring pitches, and luxury timber-built camping pods.

As well as Silverdale – which won Cumbria Tourism‘s overall holiday park of the year award two years ago – the group also owns five other parks in the region.

“Although we bought The Royal with our own customers in mind, we’re delighted that it will also provide something of a social hub for the local community,” said Michael.

“We are well aware, of course, that in recent years many local pubs have been calling time and closing down – so in some ways we are bucking a national trend.

“However, all the evidence shows that pubs which offer a distinct identity and first-class hospitality, as well as high quality food and drink, will survive and prosper,” he added.

Emma Atkins, whose parents still live in Silverdale, said she was delighted to see The Royal re-open in the village where she grew up, and which holds many happy childhood memories.

Caravan park ravaged by Storm Frank set to reopen

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by Joe Jeffrey

Ballater Caravan Park set to reopen to tourers this week

A Scottish caravan park destroyed during this year’s flooding caused by Storm Frank is set to reopen, with bookings in excess of £70,000 having already been made.

Ballater Caravan park, in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, was forced to close in January after an estimated £1 million worth of damage was caused to the park, resulting in 60 caravans being wrecked and 40 more being swept away in the floods which ravaged the local area. An estimated £20,000 in booking fees was also lost.

Toilet and shower facilities were also destroyed, leaving a reparation bill estimated to be in the region of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Although most of the caravans destroyed were static, the touring section of the park, which is made up of 72 hard-standing and grass pitches was also hit hard, and the aftermath of the storm left the park looking like a warzone as can be seen in the footage below.

But now, following extensive repair works carried out, Ballater will reopen its doors and open up part of the park to touring caravans this Friday.

Have you won one of five CoPilot Caravan sat nav apps?

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by Joe Jeffrey

Read on below to find out if you’re a winner in our latest CaravanTimes giveaway

A few weeks ago, we ran a competition giving five lucky CaravanTimes members the chance to win a CoPilot Caravan sat nav app worth £119.99 each – the ideal solution when it comes to hitting the road in your caravan or motorhome.

The CoPilot Caravan app for smartphones and tablets enables users to take the strain out of being in control of a caravan or motorhome by automatically generating customised routes based on vehicle size and class, taking into account each vehicle’s height, weight and length, so as to avoid narrow local roads and while preventing dangerous or costly run-ins with low bridges and other restricted roads. What’s more, clear, easy-to-follow directions, on-screen alerts for potential hazards, voice-guided turn instructions, automatic route recalculation, advanced lane guidance at motorway exits and junctions, plus speed limit warnings are just some of the additional extras which come as standard.

It does’t stop there though, and the CoPilot Caravan app also provides access to millions of useful pre-installed locations including camping sites, motorway services and petrol stations, and, if you’re thinking of heading further afield, the app also enables the use of its built-in multi-stop itinerary builder with the ability to add up to 50 stops across the continent, saving save time and fuel costs. It also comes with 12 months of real-time traffic in order to help you avoid build ups en route, as well as free map updates of the whole of Europe should you wish to travel further afield.

All you needed to do to be in with a chance of winning was to like our Facebook page and provide us with your details and the results are in. The five lucky winners are:

Anne O’Brien
Jason Gallagher
Earle O’Neill
Susan Smith
Terry Hawkins

Congratulations winners! We’ll be in touch soon.

Don’t despair if you didn’t win this time round – keep checking back for more great competitions coming soon!

Travelworld talks refurbishment of showroom and service centre and new streamline system

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by Joe Jeffrey

Check out our latest video to find out what’s new at Travelworld in Shropshire

When it comes to looking for a high-end motorhome, Travelworld is definitely worth a look. And now, the large Shropshire-based dealership, known across the UK for their exclusive portfolio of Hymer motorhomes, has unveiled its new, refurbished show room and motorhome service centre.

Travelworld decided to renovate their facilities after focussing predominantly on its service centre, including the replacement of centre’s ramps with three larger hydraulic ones, ideal for supporting larger, heavier European motorhomes. Each ramp serves its own purpose too, with one used for habitation work, one for servicing chassis’, and the other for the fitting Goldscmitt equipment.

The showroom, meanwhile, has also been refurbished to provide for a lifestyle showroom effect, in essence enabling each visitor to see each of Travelworld’s motorhomes to be shown in all their glory and in natural light.

That’s not all though, and Travelworld has also implemented its own bespoke, streamlined computerised system, allowing for a total peerless environment whilst giving Travelworld staff instant access to customer and vehicle records, improving customer service and focussing on even better speed and delivery.

CaravanTimes went along to Travelworld to take around the new service centre and showroom, as well as to find out what else is new, so make sure you check out the video above and see for yourselves.

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Ludlow caravan park reports huge increase in bookings for first quarter of 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

Plenty of activities in and around Ludlow announced as park sees record number son visitors

Popular five star Ludlow Touring Park has reported a 15 per cent increase in business in the first quarter of 2016.

The park, which is located just outside the historic market town and generates around £2 million a year for the local economy, is gearing up for a very busy year and has only limited availability for Ludlow Spring Festival on 14 and 15 May.

Other major events in the town during the year include Ludlow Fringe Arts and Community Festival from 11 June to 3 July, which will feature hundreds of music, street theatre, dance, comedy, performing and visual arts events around the town.

On 3 July, the 13th annual Richards Castle Soap Box Derby will take place at Hanway Common. Since the first home-made cart rolled down the hill in 2004 a staggering £80,000 has been raised for local charities.

Furthermore, in what looks set to be a fantastic fun day out, Ludlow Dog Day is set to be held in the impressive grounds and gardens of Stokesay Court on Sunday, 24 July and a Small Gardens Festival is being held on Sunday, 7 August when 12 gardens will open for the afternoon in and around Sandpits.

Magnalonga on Sunday, 14 August comprises of a leisurely countryside walk with local food and drink stops accompanied by live music, while the famous Ludlow Food and Drink Festival will be held between 9 and 11 September inside Ludlow Castle and around town.

The next major event in the town is Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre on November 26 and 27, which celebrates the start of the festive season in medieval style.

Due to the popularity of all the major events in the town, Ludlow Touring Park managers David and Karen Price are encouraging caravan and motorhome owners to book early to avoid disappointment. Some customers book their space up to a year ahead, such is the demand.

“Our bookings are increasing every year, mostly through personal recommendations and repeat business,” said Karen. “A lot of regular customer are coming back and bringing friends with them.

“Ludlow is such a fantastic town to visit with its castle, top restaurants and food shops. The major events attract thousands of visitors to the town, which is also an ideal base from which to explore the Welsh Marches.”

The 135-pitch Ludlow Touring Park, an affiliated site of The Caravan Club, is located on a 20-acre site alongside the River Teme and A49 near Richards Castle within walking distance of Ludlow, dubbed the food capital of England. The park is one of six owned by Morris Leisure based in Shrewsbury.

Speakers highlight opportunities for UK caravan industry at successful NCC Conference 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

NCC Conference sees over 200 delegates and special guest speakers take to the stage

More than 200 delegates attended the National Caravan Council (NCC) Conference 2016 last week to hear a stellar line-up of expert speakers including: Nick King – insight director, Autotrader; Carl Castledine – CEO, Away Resorts; Harvey Alexander – director of marketing, The Caravan Club; and Alex Marshall of Management Consultants CIL. Kevin Keegan OBE was an extremely popular after dinner speaker, helping to raise £2,440 for the NCC Benevolent Fund charity.

John Lally, NCC director general, said: “From start to finish our speaker line-up was excellent this year, delivering fresh insights and new perspectives while stimulating plenty of debate in the process. Topics included adjusting caravan products for Millennials and developing new ways of promotion (mobile-friendly, via specially designed apps, using social media etc). Speakers looking at the bigger picture examined how technology is changing the world, the state of the UK and worldwide economy and how positive thinking can influence your business in a positive manner.

“Getting together as an industry is really important. Following a successful 12 months for many, it remains vital our industry continues to innovate and attract new entrants to the market, to improve its customer service and product quality and embrace self-regulation. If we do that, our speakers were agreed that success will continue in 2016 and beyond.”

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Camping and Caravanning Club challenges families to get kids outdoors for National Camping and Caravanning Week

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by Joe Jeffrey

Get ready for National Camping and Caravanning Week with the Camping and Caravanning Club

The Camping and Caravanning Club is challenging families and schools to get kids off the sofa and into the great outdoors for National Camping and Caravanning Week (NCCW).

NCCW is the Club’s major annual campaign to get the British public engaged with camping and caravanning, and to raise the profile of our great hobby. Its theme for 2016 is ‘Get Kids Outdoors with Camping’.

To promote this, the Club invites schools and families to try the ‘Get Kids Outdoors Camping Challenge’. An activity pack, listing 50 activities kids can undertake while camping, was sent to thousands of schools around the UK, and can also be downloaded here.

Participants could win some great prizes. Winning schools will receive camping equipment and vouchers to the value of £250 for a retailer of their choice.

There’s still time to join the fun in the run up to NCCW, and enter the challenge, whether with a school or as a family – the deadline is 13 May.

To support the ‘Get Kids Outdoors with Camping’ theme, the Club has conducted research that shows camping helps improve kids’ overall mental health and physical fitness. The full results will be published and promoted during the week-long schedule of activities.
The research findings follow last year’s NCCW, which showed that children who camp at least once a year go on to do better at school, as well as being happier and healthier, according to their parents.*

The Club will promote the theme and research findings with a pop-up campsite roadshow in England, Wales and Scotland from 30 May to 5 June.

It begins in the Midlands at Twycross Zoo, home to the largest collection of monkeys and apes in the western world, on Monday 30 May. It heads to Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay on Thursday 2 June and on to Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park in Scotland on Saturday 4 June.

Robert Louden MBE, director general at the Club, said: “Once again we’re aiming to get kids active and into the outdoors, and I hope many have a go at completing our Get Kids Outdoors Camping Challenge, either at school or home.

“Activities span the entire curriculum, including subjects like science and maths. Our research last year showed these ranked highly among the subjects better understood by children that camp.”

50 year old caravan takes centre stage at West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Spring Show

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by Joe Jeffrey

Thousands of visitors expected to Salop’s West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Spring Show

A 50-year-old touring caravan, which was made the same year award winning caravan dealership Salop Leisure began, was a talking point as the West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Spring Show opened in Shrewsbury last Friday.

Glyn Davies, MP for Montgomeryshire, officially opened the ten-day show at Salop Leisure’s Emstrey headquarters and was shown the Sprite Major touring caravan, which demonstrates the evolution of caravan design and development over the past half century.

Davies paid tribute to Salop Leisure’s contribution to tourism in Mid Wales and the heart of England describing the company as “a leading economic driving force” in both regions.

“The business creates a huge number of local direct jobs, as well as hundreds more downstream jobs in shops, restaurants and various activities that depend on visitors for success,” he said.

“For 40 years, I have been involved in the promotion of Mid Wales as a destination for visitors. I cannot think of any Government agency or business which has done more to attract visitors to our beautiful part of Britain than Salop Leisure.

“It is a beacon of quality and has a reputation for the highest of standards, driven by continuing investment and attention to customer needs. Congratulations to Salop Leisure on reaching its 50th anniversary this year and I look forward to more growth and success in future years.”

The MP was accompanied on a tour of Salop Leisure’s business by managing director Mark Bebb who revealed the company’s exciting plans over the next two years.

Bebb thanked Davies for his loyal support of the company over many years.

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the show, which runs until 8 May, where 250 caravan holiday homes, lodges, touring caravans and motorhomes are on display.

The UK’s largest dealership show, which offers free admission, focuses on families and first time buyers. Entertainment will include a falconry display and climbing wall on 7 to 8 May and face painting for children on both weekends of the show.

Visitors will get their first glimpse of the latest innovations in new holiday homes, touring caravans and motorhomes. There are 50 new 2016 touring caravans models on display from Swift, Sterling and Sprite and Salop Leisure’s biggest ever display of 50 new and pre-owned motorhome models from Autocruise, Autohaus VW, Bessacarr and Swift.

New caravan holiday home models are being launched at the show by ABI and Willerby. In total there are 45 new 2016 models on display from ABI, Atlas, BK Bluebird, Carnaby, Regal, Swift and Willerby.

A revolutionary folding camper, which impressed investors on BBC’s popular Dragon’s Den show in January, will be making a star appearance at the show. OPUS unfolds into a camping platform with two double beds and a large kitchen diner area.

Camping and Caravanning Club reveals new-look Lake District campsite

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by Joe Jeffrey

Derwentwater Club site weatherproofed in time for summer holidays

The Camping and Caravanning Club has redeveloped one of its key Lake District campsites with hopes that the refurbishment will put an end to bad weather placing a dampner on those looking to get away this summer.

Previously known as Derwentwater (The Oval and Walker Park), the refurbished site which is now simply called Derwentwater is located just a few minutes’ walk from Keswick, which suffered significant flood damage following Storm Desmond in December 2015.

The new-look Derwentwater Club Site has been weatherproofed to minimise the impact on camping in the event of further extreme weather conditions, in an acknowledged problem area.

It now features 48 hardstanding pitches, all with electric hook-up, as well as a new high quality wash block will make anyone’s stay a comfy one.

What’s more, the site will also feature an exciting new glamping village, home to nine Ready Camp tents, making it the largest offering in the network.

The Ready Camp network of pre-erected tents launched with 17 sites in February 2015, and after a hugely successful first year expanded to 29 sites for the 2016 season.

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

With accommodation for up to six people, there’s plenty of room for all of the family to spend a night under canvas. They come fully furnished with a double bed, a triple bunk bed and single stow-away bed.

There’s also a kitchen – with a fridge, microwave and hob – basic cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery, a sofa, dining table and chairs, a lockable storage cabinet, electric sockets and lights. Ready Camp holidaymakers will also benefit from Derwentwater’s immaculate new washblock facilities.

Bob Hill, Camping and Caravanning Club Sites Director, said: “Our campsites are designed to bounce back from the effects of extreme weather conditions, but difficult conditions on the shores of Derwentwater in recent years led us to reassess the site.

“By introducing hardstandings that effectively weatherproof camping here in the Lakes, alongside our all-season Ready Camp glamping tents, the fabulous new Derwentwater Site puts the Club in a position to stretch the season and welcome more campers to the Lake District in the years ahead.”

To book your pitch for Derwentwater, which opens on 1 July, click here now.

Elddis Autoquest 180 to travel alongside endurance runner as part of epic 20,000-mile run

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by Joe Jeffrey

Elddis Autoquest 180 to travel alongside runner in epic journey

A long-distance endurance runner has set off on an epic 3,400-mile European run of a lifetime, thanks in part to a six-berth an Elddis Autoquest 180 which is heading along with him for the ride.

Mark Allison – AKA Run Geordie Run – has embarked upon the Herculean feat, which began in Lisbon in Portugal on Monday, which will see him cross the finish line in Istanbul in August.

Mark, who lives in Northumberland, began running for charity in 1994 to repay what he calls a “debt of gratitude” for hospice care given to his late mother, and has lost both parents to cancer.

To date he has raised around £250,000 for good causes and shows no sign of stopping any time soon.

The run Mark has recently embarked upon is just one leg of his 20,000-mile Around the World quest, which has already seen him run the length of the UK as well as across the United States and Australia in a bid to raise money for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children’s Foundation.

Following on from the Europen leg, Mark is aiming to traverse Turkey, Georgia, Russia and Kazakhstan in 2018, followed by China in 2020, Japan in 2021, and New Zealand in 2022.

Such extreme running requires not only extensive planning but also a rock-solid support team, and sponsors have continued to ensure Mark has a constant supply of running shoes and clothes, equipment, food and supplements.

The Elddis motorhome which will join Mark for the European leg of his journey comprises of part of a sponsorship deal from supplies company SOS Group Ltd, and will act as Mark and his unpaid volunteer support team’s base for the 100 days they hope it will take to cross 14 countries to the Turkish city of Istanbul.

The motorhome’s many lockers and storage compartments have been meticulously stocked with kit for the arduous journey ahead.

After collecting his Elddis motorhome, Mark met with footballing legend Jack Charlton and Sir Bobby’s widow Lady Elsie, who were keen to see what his new ‘home-from-home’ for the next 100 days would be like. The football legend even had a quick turn behind the wheel!

We will be following Mark via his Facebook and Twitter – admittedly from the comfort of CaravanTimes Towers – but to donate to the two wonderful charities Mark is running for, click here.

Also, make sure you check out this short documentary below to see more of Mark and learn more about his motivation behind the epic journey below.

BBC Caravanner of the Year champions crowned for 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

John and Jenny Marsland crowned Caravanners of the Year in BBC2 show

A caravanning couple have been crowned Caravanners of the Year during a new two-part television programme.

John and Jenny Marsland battled it out with two other couples to scoop the title in Caravanner of the Year, organised by The Caravan Club and televised on BBC2, after donning 1960s attire for the grand finale screened last night (Wednesday) which saw the couple host a 1960s themed party.

The Marslands, who have been wed for 38 years, attributed their win in part to their retro-styled 1963 Cheltenham Waterbuck which has helped them undertake many adventures over the years together since purchasing it in 2000.

John said of the caravan: “It’s quite sophisticated now, it has a gas monitoring system that is probably better than most cars have,” he said. “How many caravans have a harddisc drive recorder on board? We do.”

The retired duo, who spend 80 days a year on the road, have trips lined up to Sicily and back, as well as a trip to Norway for a Northern Lights excursion.

Of the couple’s caravan, affectionately named Waterbug, John continued: “This van will be with us until its 70 or 80 years old, I’m sure. I’ve got no desire for a modern van.

“You sit inside them and think it’s very nice but they are too heavy and too complicated, we can handle ours single handed even in our dotage.”

Did you catch last night’s Caravanner of the Year final? If so, what did you think of the judges’ decision? Let us know in the comments below.