Caravan cannabis culprits called back to court for stiff penalty

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by Megan Henderson

Men ordered to pay back money earned from cannabis factory sales

A drug gang running a cannabis factory from within the confines of a caravan have been ordered back to court to face fines following being sentenced to serve hard time.

As previously reported here on CaravanTimes, David Bradbury and partner in crime, Adam Williamstrap, were both jailed for three and a half years and four and a half years, respectively, having built a trapdoor in a recycled caravan in order to produce cannabis in a homemade factory underground from where it was pitched.

And now, both men have been hauled into court once again to pay back a total of £35,000 from proceeds made for drug dealing, or face another year and six weeks in prison.

The conclusion of the hearing saw Williams from Spaxton, Somerset, ordered to pay back £31,370, whilst Bradbury of nearby West Bagborough, was ordered to pay back just £2,905.

The culprits’ court appearance comes following news of a stolen caravan being used as cannabis factory in Cambridgeshire. A 36-year-old man was subsequently arrested and is currently helping police with their inquiries.

It’s true to say Bradbury and Williamstrap’s underground cannabis operation was pretty innovative. Check out police video of the grow site below.

More caravaners taking adult-only caravan holidays

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by Megan Henderson

Adult-only parks see growth with Best of British leading the way

More couples are in search of child-free holidays than ever before according to research conducted.

The increase in adult-only holidays has seen a surge in memberships to caravan parks, including those under listed on the Best of British (BoB) holiday parks group, which prohibit children from some of the sites listed.

Although banning children from holiday parks may come as somewhat of a mean-spirited rule to implement, many of those choosing to holiday on adult-only sites are teachers and child care professionals who do not wish to be reminded of their work whilst on holiday.

Another reason for the increase in visitor numbers is the growing population of young professionals and older couples who are now beginning to choose to holiday at adult-only parks in an attempt to avoid playgrounds and boisterous ball games while on holiday.

One such adult-only site, Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park, has been child-free for 25 years.

Owner of the award-winning park, Keith Betton, said: “Although our motorhome and touring caravan owners are generally in the forty-plus bracket, we also welcome many younger couples on camping holidays in the South West.

“There’s no lack of options among BoB’s membership for those wanting a park with plenty going on for children, so we are simply providing an alternative to these,” Betton said.

This year the park, which boasts 50 pitches spread over four acres with plenty of landscaped grounds to explore, recently received the David Bellamy Conservation award, gold level recognition of the park’s raft of initiatives to protect its surrounding wildlife.

For more information about Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park click here.

Do you agree with caravan parks reserved for adults only, or do you feel as though they should be all-inclusive as far as kids are concerned? Let us know in the comments below.

The AA calls on chancellor about motorist taxes before budget 2015

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by Megan Henderson

The AA notes that fuel duty receipts keep rising

We at CaravanTimes know that all our readers pay taxes (at least we assume), but we did not realise how much of UK taxes come from the pockets of motorists.

One week ago the AA took a poll with a populous of 25,810 AA members and 73 per cent fear motoring taxes will rise post-election. Of all UK taxes, over 10 per cent come from the pockets of motorists.

From January to May fuel duty receipts have increased £120 million when compared to last year. Last year’s numbers were more than £2 billion higher than receipts from 2007 – 2008 before the recession.

Current chancellor, George Osborne, promised the fuel duty freeze that came into effect in 2011 would continue in September, but the AA is worried, citing that “urban emissions scare-mongering will be used as an excuse for raising fuel and car ownership tax (VED)” as has already occurred in some parts of London where there is a £100 levy for those who own a diesel car.

Osborne committed to canceling the fuel duty rise in September back in the March budget, but the AA has since reported that over the last three months the Treasury has actually been receiving an extra 0.5p a litre in VAT from non-business diesel drivers. The wholesale price of diesel has been the same, or even 3p a litre lower than petrol, fuel retailers have been pricing 6p a litre higher for diesel. Twenty percent of that cost is VAT.

According to the AA, UK voters with cars or other vehicles pay more in fuel duty (£26.9bn) alone that UK firms and companies pay in business rates (£26.8bn). Other vehicle excise duties gain another £6.1bn and VAT on fuel and car sales, company car tax and insurance premium tax raise £25bn. In the last financial year the UK raised £582.6 billion, 10 per cent came from motorists.

The AA recognises that these values will not include VAT from car repairs, parking charges, parking permits, bridge tolls, and penalty charge notices like parking and moving traffic offences.

The motoring organisation is calling on the Chancellor to be more innovative and use existing tax to influence the behaviour of motorists to help the government meet CO2 and emissions targets, while also generating more tax in the short-term. The AA lists several ways to help accomplish this, including electric cars, road improvements, vehicle revolution, and the conversion of main urban polluters.

President, Edmund King said: “The AA does not want a U-turn on the promised continued fuel duty freeze for September and reminds government that, if it is planning future rises, it is a tax related more to mileage than means. Owners of high performance cars pay extra for the vehicle’s higher fuel consumption but it also stunts the income of less well-off drivers for whom mileage may be the difference between having and not having a job.

“For that reason, fuel duty should remain frozen and other motoring avenues, that generate tax but also stimulate development, should be tried. A scrappage scheme could pay for itself through VAT and could serve the dual function of raising tax and meeting national emissions targets,” King continued.

“Simply piling on more fuel duty when high pump prices undermine demand will backfire on the Government. It mirrors some London boroughs’ barely-disguised local tax grab from parking permit holders, and misses an opportunity to stimulate a green change in transport – and a tax windfall to help settle the country’s books.”

Do you think the AA’s got the right idea?

‘Failure to look properly’ revealed as main cause of road accidents in 2014

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by Ellie Pritchard

Road casualties see increase four percent from last year

A troubling report from the Institue of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has revealed the top causes of road incidents on UK roads.

Following a Freedom of Information request to the Department for Transport (DfT), the IAM has announced that ‘failure to look properly’ is the most common contributant to over 30,000 vehicle accidents per year.

Police are able to record up to six contributory factors from a list of 77 for each road incident as an explanation of why they think a crash took place, but the top two factors give the most obvious reasons for the incident.

After analysing the 2013 contributory factor combinations, it can be said that top on the list was ‘failure to look properly’ combined with a ‘failure to judge another person’s path or speed’. These two factors were responsible for 13,299 accidents out of the 30,000.

The second most frequent combination was revealed to be ‘failure to look properly’ and ‘carelessness or recklessness’, or ‘judged to be in a hurry’. These totalled 9,132 accidents.

Taking third place on the list was ‘failure to judge another driver’s path or speed’ combined with ‘carelessness or recklessness’, or ‘judged to be in a hurry’. Together these factors were judged to influence 4,339 accidents.

The report went on to reveal that more than 3,000 accidents were caused by ‘slippery roads due to weather conditions’ in a combination with ‘loss of vehicle control’, which was number seven on the list. In addition, at number 17, ‘excessive speed’ in combination with ‘losing control of the vehicle’ is said to have cause 1,470 accidents.

Making it even more cause for concern, ‘failure to look’ has appeared twice on the top 20 list, in combination with ‘carelessness or recklessness’ and ‘judged to be in a hurry’ – which has taken the bottom place on the list. Together, these contributing factors caused 1,418 accidents on UK roads in 2014.

Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: “These figures show conclusively that simple human errors continue to cause the majority of accidents. Drivers cannot blame something or someone else for a collision happening, it is down to every one of us to make a difference.

“We feel that many people eventually get complacent behind the wheel and inattention creeps in. Combine this with fatigue and distractions, inside and outside the vehicle and the message is clear that drivers must apply their full attention to driving – you simply cannot do two things at once if one of them is driving,” continued Sillars.

“We have consistently advocated that continuous assessment is one of the main ways to ensure no driver gets into bad behaviours that cannot then be rectified.”

A total of 200,074 road accidents were caused by the combinations on the top 20 list. If you’re interested in reading the full table of combinations, it can be downloaded here.

The Department for Transport published the latest British road accident statistics two weeks ago. The data shows that Britain has seen an increase in overall casualties for the first time since 1997.

The number of reported road fatalities in 2014 has been totalled to 1,775 which is a massive 4% increase since 2013. The total number of people killed or seriously injured on UK roads has seen 5% increase, with the exact figures being totalled at 24,582.

The total number of casualties of all severities has been reported as 194,477. This 6% increase is the first increase in overall road casualties in the UK for 18 years.

We here at CaravanTimes want all of our readers to take caution and pay attention while driving to stay safe on the roads.

Yorkshire couple spend `perfect` caravan honeymoon in Snowdonia

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by Megan Henderson

The Mullins have their wedding tailored just for them by utilizing their caravan

It’s true to say, most people have their own love story, but for Pam and Mark Mullins theirs concentrates on the rekindling of their relationship and culminates in a honeymoon to remember, thanks to the other love of their life – their caravan.

The Mullins started dating 40 years ago, but broke up when Mark stood Pam up so he could attend a Rotherham United Foodball match. In 2008 the couple reconnected on an internet site and fell in love all over again.

Pam and Mark spent their wedding and honeymoon in Snowdonia National Park village of Betws-y-Coed, describing the trip as “perfect.”

The couple, from Knaresborough, NorthYorkshire, decided to get married and then honeymoon in Betws-y-Coed because they had been there many times before. For the past eight years the couple has used their touring caravan to stay at the five star Riverside Touring Park, which lies at the heart of the village.

The Mullins had a small wedding ceremony and reception at the Royal Oak Hotel in the village, with just 31 close friends and family members as guests.

“It was an absolutely fantastic wedding and honeymoon,” said Pam. “The weather was out of this world for the time of year. Everything exceeded our expectations and I wouldn’t change a thing if we did it all again.”

Pam and Mark are members of The Caravan Club and, following on from their experience have urged more people to take the plunge and honeymoon in a caravan.

Pam said: “When we spent our honeymoon in the caravan, Mark insisted on carrying me over the threshold into the awning and we took a piece of wedding cake for the park managers who were so accommodating.”

The couple visits Riverside in their caravan three or four times a year. The parkm which lies in the middle of the village, makes it an optimum location for leaving the car and talking a walk to discover local attractions.

Riverside is an affiliate site of The Caravan Club and includes 60 pitches for touring caravans, and 65 holiday homes, perfect for anyone wishing to visit the heart of Snowdonia. Visitors can see the Snowdonia National Park and the North Wales coast.

“Doing what we did was perfect for us,” said Pam. “Everything about the wedding was personal to us and our specially made wedding cake even had our caravan and Riverside on it.”

SURVEY: Give us your opinion of your tow car and be in with a chance of winning a £150 Halfords voucher and more

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by Joe Jeffrey

Take part in the Simple Caravan Insurance 2015 Tow Car Survey for your chance to win a £150 Halfords voucher and runner up prizes of 25 LED torches. Plus get ten per cent off your Caravan Insurance from Simple

The caravanning season is now well under way, and what better way is there to get out and about to explore the UK in our caravans under glorious clear skies?

It goes without saying that, in order to hit the road, cars matter and deciding upon the right tow car for you – with the sheer number available in 2015 – is a decision not to be taken lightly.

We want to know your opinions on the tow car you know the best – your own one. And now, CaravanTimes has teamed up with Simple Caravan Insurance to offer you the opportunity to do so.

We’re looking to find out which tow car you think is up to the job, whilst giving you the chance of winning one of a number of great prizes including a first prize of a £150 Halfords voucher, as well as some great runner up prizes of 25 LED torches.

Those kind people over at Simple Caravan Insurance will also offer each and every person that takes part in our latest competition a ten per cent discount code for Simple Caravan Insurance.

To be in with a chance of winning, as well as to receive an exclusive ten per cent discount code off of your next insurance policy with Simple Caravan Insurance, just complete our survey to tell us how your car copes on its touring caravan towing duties.

The closing date of the draw will be 6 August, with winners announced shortly afterwards. Good luck!

Competition Rules
The competition closes on 06/08//2015. Entries received after this time will not be considered. The prize draw is open to entrants from the UK, over the age of 18, with the exception of persons involved in the promotion and execution of the draw, employees of Simple Caravan Insurance or her sister companies and their families.
Entry into the draw is free of charge and is not linked to any obligation.
One entrant will win a Halfords voucher worth £150, 25 entrants will win an 8 LED Torch. All discounts offered in association with this prize draw are subject to minimum premiums. The prize is non-transferable, non-returnable, non-refundable and non-redeemable for cash.
This competition is open to new or existing CaravanTimes members and visitors to Simple Caravan Insurance only, where entry to this competition is also available.
By entering into the prize draw participants agree to the data supplied being used by Simple Caravan Insurance to administer the prize draw and for future communications relating to Simple Caravan Insurance’s products and services. Only one entry is allowed per person and participants must provide their genuine email address.
The winner will be drawn at random, after the closing date of the draw (06/08/2015).
The prize draw winners will be notified by email.
Simple Caravan Insurance may partially or totally alter, extend or cancel this draw. Simple Caravan Insurance reserve the right to feature photographs, names and postal town locations of the prize draw winner for advertising purposes (unless the winner renounces their prize).
No employees of CaravanTimes, StantonPace Ltd or Simple Caravan Insurance may enter.
The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over.
The name of the winner can only be obtained by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Prize Draw Manager, Simple Insurance, Quay Point, Lakeside Boulevard, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 5PL.
A copy of these rules can be sent free of charge to anyone who makes a request in writing to the address above.
Proprietor: Simple Caravan Insurance is a trading name of Millennium Insurance Brokers Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 2103848. Registered Office: Quay Point, Lakeside Boulevard, Doncaster, DN4 5PL.

Nearly ten million dangerous tyres on UK roads in 2015

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by Ellie Pritchard

UK non-profit tyre safety organisation reveals shocking statistic surrounding tyre safety

With summer in full swing and thousands of caravanners hitting the road to embark upon their caravan holidays, a study carried out by TyreSafe, in collaboration with Highways England, has revealed that over a quarter of a million drivers in the UK have been driving with at least one illegal tyre on their car.

Subsequently, the study suggests that there could be as many as ten million dangerous tyres on the roads of England, Scotland and Wales during 2015. That equates to potentially up to one in four cars and LCVs of the 35.3 million vehicles on our roads having an illegal or dangerous tyre at some time during the year.

The study is the most comprehensive survey across Britain’s tyre industry to date, where the data is taken from the tread depth of tyres when they are replaced. With the legal minimum at 1.6mm, your tyres’ tread depth plays a decisive factor in braking and steering, especially, but not limited to, when the road conditions are wet.

Substantial research has also demonstrated that the braking distance from 50mph to a full stop in wet road conditions increases by more than the length of a full-sized shipping container (14m) when using worn tyres rather than new ones, which dramatically raises the chances of a collision.

TyreSafe, the UK’s non-profit tyre safety organisation, is urging all drivers to follow a few simple procedures in order to ensure their tyres are of sufficient quality on the road. The organisation’s procedure, known as ACT, includes: checking Air pressure, as well as the Condition and Tread of a vehicle’s tyres, whilst making sure they are not adding a substantial and avoidable risk to both the vehicle owners and other road users.

TyreSafe believes the biggest reason that many millions of motorists are taking risks with their tyre safety lies in a lack of awareness and education in driver safety.

TyreSafe chairman, Stuart Jackson, said of the organisation’s findings: “TyreSafe does not believe millions of drivers are intentionally putting others at risk – it is more a question of educating motorists to take responsibility for their safety and that of others on the road.

“As vehicles have become increasingly reliable, owners have become less used to performing what were once considered basic precautionary checks before setting off on a journey. Tyres too are much more technologically advanced but they do wear and can get damaged so it is down to the driver to regularly check they’re safe,” Jackson continued.

“The evidence provided by the TyreSafe survey underlines what we already feared – awareness among Britain’s motorists’ of the importance of tyre safety urgently needs to improve.”

TyreSafe believes it’s more a case of luck rather than judgement that there are millions of other motorists in the UK driving with safe tyres. As well as over a quarter of replaced tyres being found to be illegal, over one in three of the tyres surveyed were found to have only 0.4mm of tread depth before becoming illegal – which equates to approximately half the thickness of a bank card. Although that amount of thickness can only accurately be measured by using a tread depth gauge, previous research shows that very few drivers actually check their tyre safety routinely.

TyreSafe emphasises the importance of regularly remembering to ACT: Air pressure, Condition, Tread. To find out more about TyreSafe‘s ACT intiative, click here.

NCC introduces new and improved VIN Chip theft deterrent and identification system

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by Jessica Almeida

New VIN Chip adds extra security for caravanners for summer and beyond

The National Caravan Council (NCC) has introduced a new and improved theft deterrent for touring caravans in an attempt to deter criminals from stealing touring caravans this summer.

The new and improved theft deterrent and identification system, known as VIN chip will also aid the identification and recovery of stolen touring caravans and will be introduced across all new NCC member caravan ranges.

VIN Chip is unique as it uses both visible and invisible markings featuring a specific 17 digit VIN which will be carried on windows and gas lockers utilising tamper evident display stickers in a bid to deter criminals. VIN will feature will also contain hidden electronic RFID chips that are traceable by the Police for identification and recovery of stolen touring caravans.

In another move to eradicate theft, Quick Response (QR) codes will also be present on Master and Gas Bottle VIN Chip labels, allowing anyone to quickly confirm a caravan’s identity on their smartphone. With data pulled directly from NCC CRiS, each QR code will contain a caravan’s distinct VIN and, by scanning it, will reveal the caravan’s true status, detailing make, model and range.

VIN Chip improves upon RFID chips and scanners by contributing to an improved read range for law enforcement agencies, allowing the chips to be read up to three metres when compared to previous restrictions of just one metre.

Managing director of NCC CRiS, Sean Bailey, said of the new security initiative: “As NCC CRiS continues its work to reduce caravan crime VIN Chip has been launched to make revealing a caravan’s true identity easier, and better deter criminals. We’ve made use of modern technology, such as QR codes, to make VIN Chip the leader in its field.”

Bailey added that the VIN chip is the only security deterrent to carry a unique 17 digit VIN numbers whilst remaining part of the already established NCC CRiS scheme which has so far proven an unparalleled success when it comes to combatting caravan crime.

“We’ve also spent considerable time briefing and training the Police and are confident that the new VIN Chip scheme will both deter caravan theft and help in the speedy identification and recovery of stolen caravans,” he continued.

Consumers will see VIN Chip markings on new 2016 touring caravan models appearing on dealer forecourts in August 2015 and, from September, more information on VIN Chip can be found via the official NCC CRiS website here or by calling 0203 282 1000.

You can also get the chance to see the new upgraded security system at the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC between 13 – 18 October.

Essex caravan site expansion continues despite protest from locals

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by Megan Henderson

Caravan site expansion passes with an eight to two vote

Caravan expansion plans for a caravan park in Essex has been given the go-ahead, despite protests from enraged locals.

The Sacketts Grove Caravan Park, in Clacton, will be pushing through with an expansion even against the wishes of some community members, whilst working towards expanding its grounds to make way for a further 50 pitches.

Close to 100 people in the local community signed a petition opposing the expansion project – something Sacketts Grove Caravan Park believes the expansion will help the local economy as well as boost business.

The expansion proposal was approved by a vote of eight to two, with one abstention. The planning committee is pushing for a ‘thick wedge’ between the site and surrounding homes.

Dan Casey of the Jaywick Forum pushed for the proposal’s rejection by the council. Casey claims that the extra caravans would put even more hassle on services that are already straining.

Casey also said an 89-year-old resident who enjoyed seeing out over the countryside would have his view altered to static caravans instead.

The planning committee did express concern that the expansion could create parking issues, and traffic would become “very hectic” according to Councillor Roy Raby.

Even with the concerns and petition started by the local community, the proposals were approved and the Sacketts Grove Caravan Park will see an expansion.

What do you think? Is the attitude regarding plans for expansion simply a load of hot air or do you think local residents have a point?

Top Gear caravan destruction continues with new video

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by Megan Henderson

Top Gear gives a top 10 on caravan crashes

The show may have come to an end as we know it, but that hasn’t stopped the BBC’s Top Gear continuing its assault on caravans, with total devastation continuing on social media.

In order to promote new smartphone game, Top Gear Caravan Crush, the Top Gear gang has dropped a video of the ’10 Best Caravan Crashes on Top Gear’. Between each crash clip snapshots of the new Caravan Crush game have been included. The video includes crashes of all kinds, including those featuring cranes, trains, fires, explosions, and other caravans.

The description under the video reads: “Join in our collective contempt for caravans, with the topmost game for those stints of boredom when there’s nothing better to do than explode caravans with souped-up vehicles.”

The Caravan Crush app is free to download and play, available for both Android and iOS devices.

Be sure to check out Top Gear’s video below and let us know what you think of all the destruction in the comments.

Will disruptions at Calais cause havoc for caravanners heading to and from France?

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by Ellie Pritchard

CaravanTimes urges caravanners to take necessary precautions…

After much coverage in the news, it’s no secret there there have been issues with migrants trying to gain access to stationary vehicles at the port of Calais. Thousands of migrants have been camping in Calais in an attempt to cross the channel and seek asylum in the UK. And, although police have said that they are tackling the issue hands on, it currently seems that there are just too many migrants to arrest.

Altogether, the French authorities along with Border Force have stopped a massive 39,000 attempts of people trying to cross the channel illegally since last year. For now the number of migrants is at an all-time high, which has not only caused huge delays, but has shockingly seen one asylum seeker die during the process of trying to gain access into the UK.

David Cameron spoke on the issue, saying, “This is very testing, I accept that, because you have got a swarm of people coming across the Mediterranean, seeking a better life, wanting to come to Britain because Britain has got jobs, it’s got a growing economy, it’s an incredible place to live.

“But we need to protect our borders by working hand in glove with our neighbours the French and that is exactly what we are doing.”

Understandably, the crisis has caused concern amongst caravanners who will be travelling through Calais in the near future.

Although most caravanners have made it through Calais without incident, we want your holiday to be the best it can be. So for those of you who will be travelling through the port soon, we at CaravanTimes suggest that you avoid stopping in Calais or on the outskirts.

Also, take time to make sure that the windows and doors of your car, caravan or motorhome are securely locked and ensure that you plan your journey ahead so that you can make it from the motorway to the port check-in without having to stop.

If you have any queries about your travel, check out Ferries and Eurotunnel for more information.

We hope you enjoy your holiday.

The Caravan Club launches key and gadget insurance plan

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by Megan Henderson

The Caravan Club aims to help members keep their mobile devices and gadgets close to ensure safety while travelling

The Caravan Club is now offering new, affordable key and gadget insurance policies.

The Club already offers holiday, caravan, and motorhome insurance, which reflects the lifestyles of Caravan Club members who enjoy adventure and travelling. And now, in a move to offer more, additional key and gadget insurance policies will be made available in order for their members to keep their mobile devices, keys, and other gadgets protected all year long.

The Caravan Club’s gadget insurance will cost just £140 per year and key cover is available at £9.50 per fob.

The gadget insurance includes:

  • Insurance for the whole family under one policy
  • Protection at home, out and about, in the UK and up to 90 days worldwide
  • Policy coverage for up to £2,500 per year, with a single article limit of £1,200
  • Free back up and Live Sync on all policies

The Caravan Club’s key cover includes:

  • All keys on the unique fob, even the most sophisticated, are protected anywhere in the UK with no excess payable
  • An emergency helpline available 24/7, 365 days a year
  • £1,500 annual cover for locksmith charges, new locks and keys, car hire and transport costs
  • Up to three-days car hire if unable to use the vehicle as a result of lost, stolen or damaged keys
  • A multi-buy discount when purchasing up to three fobs together
  • A £10 reward to the finder of the key

    • For more information or details on a Caravan Club membership visit www.caravanclub.co.uk.