Elddis caravan competition sees family take the high road

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by Joe Jeffrey

Philip family set to hit the road in style after scooping Elddis caravan in Scottish Sun competition

A lucky family are set to hit the road in true style after winning a brand new Elddis caravan following entering a competition in conjunction with The Scottish Sun and the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show.

Douglas Philip, 45, scooped his dream prize after entering the competition featured in The Scottish Sun and is now planning to tour around the country as part of his inaugural holiday with wife Hazel and daughters Jessica, 12, and Grace, eight.

Douglas from Longside, Aberdeenshire, told The Scottish Sun: “This has been the best bit of news this year. We’ve always talked about having a caravan but we have never been able to afford it, so to win this Elddis caravan is the icing on the cake really!
“We are in the middle of selling our house so we hadn’t made any plans to go on holiday – but we will now!

“I just entered the competition thinking ‘go for it!’ and the lads at work joked that I would never win. To be honest, when I got the call to say I’d won I thought it was a wind-up! So to win is something else!”

Elddis has since expressed its delight that the prize caravan has gone to such a lovely family who will enjoy many wonderful family holidays for years to come. We here at CaravanTimes send our congratulations to the Philips and wish them many happy caravan holidays ahead.

Shrewsbury West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Spring Show set to attract thousands of visitors

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Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Spring Show from 29 April to 8 May, where 250 caravan holiday homes, lodges, touring caravans and motorhomes will be on display to the public at the largest outdoor dealership show in Shrewsbury .

The show, which offers free admission, is hosted by award-winning Salop Leisure whose aim is to put families and first time buyers at the heart of their plans.

The show will be opened on Friday, 29 April by Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies, a loyal supporter of the caravan industry and tourism in Mid Wales.

Entertainment will include children’s entertainer Mr Magic on 30 April and 1 May, as well as a falconry display and climbing wall on 7 and 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 will be 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 will be launched at the show by ABI and Willerby. In total there will be 45 new 2016 models on display from ABI, Atlas, BK Bluebird, Carnaby, Regal, Swift and Willerby.

A revolutionary folding camper, which impressed investors on the BBC’s popular Dragons’ 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.

Salop Leisure has also recently launched a range of new and pre-owned VW T6 and T5 Campervan conversions by Autohaus. The manufacturer produces one of the finest campervans on the market.

A team of experts will be on hand throughout the show to guide first time buyers through the complete process, which also includes helping to find the ideal park location for caravan holiday homes in the Heart of England, inland Mid Wales or the Mid Wales Coast.

Expert advice about towing touring caravans will also be available to ensure that customers are properly prepared before heading off on their holiday adventure.

Twenty top holiday home parks across Mid Wales and the Heart of England will be exhibiting at the show to help customers find their dream location and an extended accessory superstore will feature price reductions on many lines.

Salop Leisure’s chairman, Tony Bywater, said: “This show provides the ideal opportunity to see the latest innovations in caravan holiday homes, touring caravans and motorhomes and there’s always lots going on to keep families entertained.

“We are fortunate to work with leading caravan and motorhome manufacturers and the quality caravan parks in Mid Wales and the Heart of England, which are among the best in Europe.”

Coffees and teas sold to visitors throughout the ten days will help to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, Salop Leisure’s adopted charity in its 50th anniversary year.

In addition to free parking and show admission, visitors will be able to visit Love Plants, a popular specialist plants centre alongside Salop Leisure’s headquarters and the popular Love Coffee restaurant on site. Free and tickets are available to download here now .

Caravanner of the Year coming to BBC2

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by Joe Jeffrey

Caravanner of the Year set to be crowned in new series on BBC2

Have you made plans for Wednesday 20 April? If so, cancel them now because you’re not going to want to miss BBC2’s new series, Caravanner of the Year. Yes folks, caravanning just got that bit more mainstream with the show, in conjunction with The Caravan Club, coming to terrestrial television.

Caravanner of the Year will feature six caravan enthusiasts and Caravan Club members as they compete in various challenges and embark upon a plethora of tasks over the space of two exciting weekends in a bid to be crowned – you guessed it – ‘Caravanner of the Year’.

Watch the drama unfold at The Caravan Club’s very own Ferry Meadows club site as caravan, motorhome, and camper van owners strive to be the best above the rest in set challenges including manoeuvring, navigation, hospitality, and general caravanning knowhow, whilst being observed by The Caravan Club’s panel of judges, namely Caravan Club chairman, Grenville Chamberlain, vintage caravan restorer and designer, Lucy Jayne Grout, motorhome journalist, Andy Harris, and BBC series’ The Camper Van Cook‘s very own Martin Dorey to see who will take home the prestigious title of Caravanner of the Year.

Two part series, Caravanner of the Year, starts on BBC2 on Wednesday 20 April at 8pm, where viewers will be able to meet the contestants and see them whittled down to just three finalists. On Wednesday 27 April make sure you tune in again to see which of the three go for gold. Remember, there can only be one winner!

Will you be tuning in to check this out? Let us know in the comments below.

Government announces £50 million investment to tackle potholes as road organisations say more is required

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by Joe Jeffrey

Road organisations call for more funding as part of government’s road plans

The Government has announced an investment of £50 million in an attempt to rid the UK’s roads of potholes over the next 12 months in a move which has seen the Local Government Association (LGA) warn more 230 times the amount is required.

Local authorities will receive a total of £50 million for the next five years, with the each designated amount being determined by the size of the road network within each jurisdiction. The funding forms part of £250 million ‘pothole action fund’ which was included in last month’s budget.

The LGA has hit back at the government’s proposal, despite indicating it was a “step in the right direction,”describing the move as a “frustrating cycle” which will mean pothole will only be patched up on inadequate roads as opposed to full resurfacing projects being competed.

Transport Spokesman for the LGA, councillor Martin Tett, said: “While £50 million is a step in the right direction, councils need more than 230 times that amount to cover the £11.8 billion cost to bring our roads up to scratch.”

Meanwhile the £50 million cash injection was described as a “drop in the ocean” by the AA’s president, Edmund King, and the RAC’s chief engineer, David Bizley, warned that the local road network would remain “doomed” as the weak link in transport infrastructure until preventative maintenance is prioritised.

A breakdown of jurisdictions receiving part of the £50 million can be found below:

North East
Total allocation: £3m
Estimated number of potholes fixed: 58,000

North West
Total allocation: £6.4m
Estimated number of potholes fixed: 121,000

Yorkshire and The Humber
Total allocation: £5.2m
Estimated number of potholes fixed: 98,000

East Midlands
Total allocation: £5.6m
Estimated number of potholes fixed: 106,000

West Midlands
Total allocation: £5.7m
Estimated number of potholes fixed: 108,000

East of England
Total allocation: £7.2m
Estimated number of potholes fixed: 136,000

South East
Total allocation: £8.3m
Estimated number of potholes fixed: 157,000

South West
Total allocation: £8.4m
Estimated number of potholes fixed: 159,000

For a more comprehensive breakdown as to how the money will be spent, click here.

Unique Bailey Valencia ‘Getaway’ caravan lands leading role in Golden Years movie

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by Joe Jeffrey

Check out the trailer below and book your tickets now to the caravan getaway heist movie of the year

A Bailey caravan is set to take to the big screen in a new film alongside an all-star cast featuring some of Britain’s best-loved actors.

Golden Years, due to be released in Odeon cinemas across the UK from 29th April 2016 features an all-star cast including Bernard Hill, Virginia McKenna, Simon Callow, Una Stubbs, Phil Davis, Sue Johnston, Alun Armstrong and many more.

Co-written by John Miller, Jeremy Sheldon and TV presenter Nick Knowles, the film follows the story of the couple Arthur and Martha Goode, played by Bernard Hill and Virginia McKenna, who refuse to fade away into their declining years, or accept the injustice of old age, so after the loss of their pensions in the financial crisis, decide to fight back and are forced into a life of crime robbing banks to get their money back to help save their community and local bowls club.

Described as a heist film with a comedic core, Golden Years features the ‘Valencia Getaway’ caravan (in real life the best-selling Bailey Unicorn Valencia) prominently throughout as the base from which the leading couple commit their criminal activities across the country.

The caravan selected for use in the film was the third generation Bailey Unicorn Valencia one of the most popular models from what is the UK’s best-selling premium caravan range. Renamed the ‘Valencia Getaway’ for the purpose of the movie this model features a spacious front lounge, a well-equipped central kitchen and a rear bedroom featuring a fixed double bed plus an ensuite end washroom. Bailey supplied two Valencias for the film production: one complete caravan for use in the location shoots in and around Bristol and one partially built unit, without a roof panel, for the filming the interior scenes.

As if to emphasise the importance of the ‘Valencia Getaway’ to the film it has been invited to share the limelight at a special Charity Film Premiere in aid of the Born Free Foundation at the Odeon Cinema Tottenham Court Road in London’s West End on Thursday 14 August. Sporting a special golden livery it will be given a tour of the Capital, beforehand taking in some of the city’s most famous landmarks in the process.  

Nick Howard, managing director of Bailey of Bristol commented: “Bailey is very proud to be involved in the making of a British film with such a strong cast, especially as it was created locally in and around our home city of Bristol”.

“Some of the Bailey team involved in the production were fortunate enough to go to the Cast and Crew Preview last month & have given the film rave reviews – so cinemagoers are in for a real treat.

“It’s a must-see for all caravannners!” Howard added .

Tickets for Golden Years are available to book here now. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think in the comments.

Disused quarry in Derbyshire set to be turned into 62 pitch caravan park

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by Joe Jeffrey

New caravan on disused quarry set to provide boost to local economy

A caravan park with space for 62 tourers and 19 glamping pods or lodges could be built on a disused quarry in Buxton, Derbyshire should planning permission be granted.

The proposal, submitted to High Peak Borough Council, seeks to convert the disused Wainwrights Quarry into a tourist facility with two fishing ponds in a bid to boost the local economy.

The quarry has three water spaces, but only two will be used for fishing, while the third will be preserved to protect endangered wildlife on the land.

The development would contain a shower and toilet block, space for tents to pitch, as well as a cycle path around the site, picnic facilities, as well a newly-planted wood and space to let dogs off the lead.

Louise Dowd, director of planning services, said: “We want to make this the go-to tourist destination and we think having the lakes which will be stocked for fishing is a unique attraction and will not only attract those holidaying but we would also welcome day pass visitors.”

“We have taken on many caravan sites before, but this will be something different.

“We have never had to convert a quarry before but we are up for the challenge.”

Bailey announces its support for women’s Matrix Fitness Cycle Team for 2016 season

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by Joe Jeffrey

Bailey’s Approach Advance 665 to support women’s cycle team as girls get ready to go

Bailey of Bristol has announced it is to support women’s cycling as a sponsor of the Matrix Fitness Cycling team by providing a Bailey Approach Advance 665 motorhome as a support vehicle.

The Matrix Fitness Cycling team has been supporting and promoting the women’s cycling scene since it was officially formed in 2010, and helped develop the six race women’s Matrix Fitness Grand Prix series, which enters its sixth season this year. The team will be competing at major races in the UK throughout the year, including the National Championships, Lincoln Grand Prix and Tour of the Reservoir to name a few, plus opportunities for some overseas races, including USA, Belgium and France. The Matrix team has also reached out to support 20-year-old Jeanne d’Arc Girubuntu, the only women on Rwanda’s National Cycling Team, and it is raising money to help Team Rwanda Cycling and Jeanne’s dream to race in Europe.

There are nine riders in the Matrix Fitness Cycling team, who range in age from 15 to 25 years and include Great Britain Cycling Team members Laura Trott, Elinor Barker, Corrine Hall and Lora Turnham.  Alderney Baker, Alice Cobb, Amira Mellor, Isla Rush complete the line up along with Harriet Owen who has been appointed the official Bailey rider for Matrix Fitness Cycling.

According to team manager, the Approach Advance 665, featuring separate dining and lounging areas as well as a fully-equipped kitchen and shower room, is sure to provide the perfect support vehicle for the team and will provide the riders with the best possible provide the best possible environment for both pre-race preparation and post-race recovery. She said: “This partnership is a fantastic opportunity for us.  Bailey is a company with a great history and we’ve been given the chance to bring their product into the cycling world with our women’s team.  We know the motorhome is the perfect race day base for our riders and staff.  It provides comfort, space and a level of professionalism that is going to help performance from the top to bottom of the team.  We couldn’t be more proud to work with such a great British company.”  

In order to help the team stand out from the crowd at race meetings, the motorhome has also received a Matrix-style makeover featuring a bespoke graphics scheme on the outside and a special set of upholstery and driving seat covers in team colours.  

Of the partnership Bailey of Bristol managing director, Nick Howard, said: “We are delighted to be supporting such an impressive team of British talent and at the same time helping to promote women’s cycling in general. We wish all the riders every success for the forthcoming season”.

For more on the Matrix Fitness Cycling team click here.

The Camping and Caravanning Club celebrates highest membership figures ever

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by Joe Jeffrey

Milestone reached for Club as almost 600,000 members sign up

The Camping and Caravanning Club has announced a record number of members, with nearly 600,000 individuals, or 281,674 households, now being members of the Club.

Founded with just six members as the Association of British Cycle Campers in 1901, The Camping and Caravanning Club has moved on a long way over the years. Gone are the days of dreaded trips to the basic facilities and now modern caravans and motorhomes grace many of the Club’s sites across the UK and further afield today.

Robert Louden MBE, director general of The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “This achievement signals the continued growth in popularity of camping in all its forms and also the excellent service we provide to our members.”

The Club’s first permanent site opened at Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in 1913. Today The Club boasts 108 Club Sites, more than 1,600 Certificated Sites, an overseas Travel Service and various membership services.

The Club hit its previous membership peak in August 2011, shortly after the global recession when more Brits switched to camping and caravanning as an affordable and sociable ‘staycation’ holiday option. Membership then tailed off between 2012 and 2014, due to diverse factors.

Darren Whittington, the Club’s membership services director, said: “Unfortunately poor weather and high petrol prices impacted on member recruitment between 2012 and 2014. But as pioneers in our field we took this time to reassess our offering and make changes to ensure we could meet the needs of the modern member. This included improving our digital offering.” 

Julia Bradbury, Club president, television presenter and outdoor enthusiast, said of the milestone:  “In an age when time is so precious, camping and caravanning is a brilliant way to spend quality time with family and friends. I believe this, along with the great benefits the Club has to offer, is why campers choose to join The Camping and Caravanning Club.”

Highways England announces new innovative plans for UK roads

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by Joe Jeffrey

Highways England to introduce driverless cars as part of £150 million innovation strategy

Highways England has published its new innovation strategy, setting out for the first time its wide-ranging plans to ensure it remains up-to-date with advances in technology in a bid to bring benefits to road users whilst unlocking economic growth.

In an attempt to remain relevant, the government agency aims to introduce roads complete with Wi-Fi which will help advise road users of advanced road closures or congestion warnings, as well as driverless cars as early as next year.

The innovation strategy also details Highways England‘s plans to improve signaling of junctions on motorways in a bid to increase traffic flow, as well as the introduction of a new Test and Innovation Centre to pioneer new research.

Roads Minister Andrew Jones said: “Innovation is absolutely critical to our £15 billion investment plan for roads. A more reliable road network is good news for motorists and good news for the economy. Quicker, safer roads will improve access to jobs and opportunities. Placing Britain at the forefront of innovation and research in this area will also create more jobs and investment.”

Speaking on the innovative approach to improving England’s roads, Highways England chief executive, Jim O’Sullivan, said: “We’re committed to using innovation to benefit the millions of journeys made on England’s Strategic Road Network today and in the future. We will work with our partners in the supply chain, technology specialists and the automotive industry to trial new technologies that will help make journeys on our roads safer, more reliable and better informed.

“This will involve supporting trials of better connected and autonomous vehicles on our motorways by the end of next year, testing radar technology to better detect breakdowns, and trialling fuel price signs on the M5 between Bristol and Exeter.”

What do you think of these plans laid out by Highways England? We’re all for receiving alerts for traffic warnings, but would you feel comfortable hitting the road knowing you could be sharing it with driverless vehicles going at 70mph?

Campbells Caravans appoints new customer service ‘champion’

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by Joe Jeffrey

Fellow caravanner acquired as Campbell’s new service manager at popular dealership

Campbells Caravans in Lostock Hall, Preston, has succeeded in enticing a skilled and experienced service manager away from the automotive trade and into the world of caravanning in a bid to enhance its delivery of customer service.

Rob Clarkson, from Much Hoole in Lancashire, has spent the last 30 years working in the motor industry and most recently managed the aftersales service offering across three major North West car dealerships for a large automotive retail group.

His love of caravanning and his personal experience as a Campbells customer, Rob purchased a Bailey caravan in 2014, encouraged him to take up the role of service manager at the family run dealership.

Clarkson said: “Campbells is a well run dealership with a clear understanding of just how important customer satisfaction is to the longevity of their business.  They’ve been operating now for over 46 years and have run an NCC Approved Workshop for over 15 years, so that says a lot about their commitment.  However, they are not ones to rest on their laurels. They want to constantly delight their customers and recognise that there is always room for improvement.

“My professional experience with a volume operator in the automotive industry matched with my personal passion and understanding of caravanning means I can really help deliver great service to our customers and make a solid contribution to the future success of the business,” he added.

Campbells Caravans is a third generation family run dealership with both a caravan and motorhome sales and servicing offering.

Daniel Campbell, director of Campbells Caravans, said: “We’re extremely excited about Rob’s appointment. Historically, customer service standards in the automotive trade have been subject to much more scrutiny than other industries. As a result, Rob’s level of training and experience of customer centric initiatives is extremely advanced. This is really exciting and we hope to raise the benchmark for our business and for our industry. We are always looking for new ways to improve the service we offer to our customers.”

The Caravan Club invites you to explore the gardens, vineyards and chateaux of the Loire Valley this spring

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by Joe Jeffrey

Add a touch of adventure to your next excursion with The Caravan Club

The Caravan Club has announced details of an idyllic new getaway with a touch of class for those looking to travel further afield this spring.

The Club’s Châteaux of the Loire escorted motorhome tour will enable motorhomers to journey through the heart of France and experience the historic architecture and horticulture of the region during an 11-night break.

Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the International Garden Festival, which takes place at Château de Chaumont, guests will have the opportunity to visit the gardens in full bloom before enjoying a tour of the château and a boat cruise on the River Loire. The Festival takes place between 21 April and 2 November 2016 and welcomes entries from around the world, showcasing their interpretations of the theme, “gardens from the coming century”.

Guests can enjoy a tour through 30 themed gardens at the International Garden Festival which are selected from over 300 global entries. Displays focus on the latest in gardening innovation and the Festival is the spot for discovering new horticultural talent. 

During the tour, guests will also visit Château de Chambord, the largest and most distinctive in the Loire Valley; Château de Cheverny, which includes a tasting at a local wine producer; and finally Château du Clos Lucé in the charming town of Amboise, famous for being the residence of Leonardo da Vinci. Guests will have plenty of free time to explore this charming region on their own and can enjoy a spot of bird-watching at the on-site bird sanctuary at Camping Les Saules.

The 11-night tour is based at Camping Les Saules in Cheverny and includes five excursions. Prices start from £919 for two people, departing on 13 June.

To book this tour contact The Caravan Club on 01342 488 354 or visit their booking page here now.

Heartless thieves steal caravan from autistic child

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by Joe Jeffrey

Moment callous thieves steal disabled child’s caravan caught on film

CCTV footage of the moment a caravan worth £10,000 was stolen from the family of an 11-year-old autistic child has been released in an attempt to bring the thieves to justice.

The CCTV images show how, in the space of just six minutes, a gang of men in a Land Rover, manage to push the caravan, which was located in Townhill, Fife, into position before hitching it to their vehicle and escaping into the night.

The raid, which happened shortly before 3am on 24 March, has left the family, including autistic son, Gavin, who saw the caravan as a safe holiday haven, devastated.

Gavin’s father, Steven, said “I received a phone call from a friend at around 9am telling me the caravan was gone.

“We were totally devastated as we saved for a long time to buy the right caravan for us.”

The married father of three added: “We haven’t told our children yet. Our oldest son, Gavin, has autism and this played a key part in choosing a caravan where he could have his own space when he needed.

“Gavin doesn’t like sleeping in strange places like hotels. The caravan was ideal as it has a separate bedroom for him. He loved it.

“The caravan was great because it was his with his own bedroom at the rear, somewhere that he knows.”

Inspector Ian Stephen from Cowdenbeath Police Station said: “This is a distinctive caravan, it is 20 feet (6.35metres) long, white and with a blue stripe.

“If anyone sees it, we’d ask them to contact us.”

Those with information have been asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.