COMPETITION: Win a VARTA 6000 Indestructible Powerpack

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ByJoe Jeffrey

Win a handy little portable Indestructible Powercharger in our latest competition

When it comes to escaping in your leisure vehicle, the award-winning 6000 mAh indestructible Powerpack has certainly been designed with the camper and caravanner in mind. Offering enough power to charge your smartphone three times over, the Powerpack has also been designed to survive the toughest conditions there are and comes fully dustproof, waterproof and drop tested.

Both compact and light thanks to the highly durable acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic and aluminium alloy, the Powerpack also comes with two USB ports for simultaneous multiple charging functionality, offering the perfect solution for when you need to charge two devices at once after a long day out with not a socket in sight.

We’ve tested out the compact 6000 Indestructible Powerpack and can honestly say it lives up to its promises. CaravanTimes decided to really put the Powerpack to the test and, having dropped it onto a hard kitchen floor, poured water over it, and thrown it down a set of stairs, were pleasantly surprised to find it still worked, no matter how hard we tried to dispute those ‘indestructible’ claims.

As for the PowerPack’s charging capabilities, we were also impressed with not having to leave our phones by a plug socket when it came to charging them up. The ability to charge our phones on the move with such a compact little gadget, whilst storing the pocket-sized PowerPack on our person proved more than convenient and was light enough not to bother us when carrying it around.

Priced at £34.99, the VARTA Powerpack certainly packs a punch and is a must for those who like to remain fully charged at all times – wherever you are.

And now, CaravanTimes, in conjunction with those friendly people at VARTA, is giving members to the site the opportunity to win one of five Indestructible Powerpacks in our latest giveaway.

All you need to do to be with a chance of winning is like our Facebook page by clicking here and complete the form below. We’ll announce the winner in our e-newsletter on 3 July, so make sure you subscribe to see if you’ve won!

Competition rules:
Winners will be slected at random at midday on 3 July 2015 and will be notified via the email address supplied in the entry form
Only one entry per person
No purchase necessary
No cash or alternative will be offered
This competition is open to new or existing CaravanTimes members and Facebook fans only
No employees of CaravanTimes or StantonPace Ltd may enter
The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over

Nest releases state of the art glamping caravan

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ByClaire Lawson

Nest delivers new modern glamping caravan

Caravan manufacturer, Nest Caravan, have made their monocoque-built glamping trailer available for purchase following the prototype being completed in March.

The trailer, which has been designed for a more luxurious road-tripping experience, has integrated the frame and the body into a single monococque shell rather than building the camper body around a utility trailer which has pretty much become industry standard across the board.

The development of the shell allows the trailer to be 75 per cent lighter than the other caravans in the range and the infusion moulding process provides the structural strength necessary for a functional home away from home.

The outside of the camper is made of fibreglass creating a clean and sleek look that is continued on the inside as the interior materials have been selected from marine, homebuilding and aviation industries wherever possible.

Made for two, the camper is priced at US$29,995 (approximately £19,400) and the company is currently estimating a twelve-week lead time.

What do you think of this caravan from Nest? Is this something you’d want to two to your favourite park if it came to the UK?

Report on arrest rates for drug-driving reveals extent of problem

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By Claire Lawson

New report finds 400 people arrested for drug-driving per month

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has revealed the number of arrests from drug-driving in England and Wales since new laws were put into place on 2 March this year,with numbers indicating an average of 400 arrests per month.

The report, based on a Freedom of Information request made by the IAM to police departments in each area of England and Wales, reveals the total number of arrests has reached 902 making the average amount of arrests equivalent to one arrest every three days.

Findings have also shown inconsistency in comparison of areas where some police forces have made as many as 200 arrests where as others have made none at all.

The Metropolitan Police recorded the highest number of arrests, with 214 in just over two months which equates to three drivers every day since the law was changed. At the other end of the spectrum, forces in Leicestershire and Warwickshire have yet to make an arrest.

Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: “I am sure the majority of law abiding drivers would like to know why there is such a variation in the data we have received from police forces. It would be unfortunate if some people got the idea that some areas are softer on drug-driving than others.

“We have reached a point where drink-driving has become socially unacceptable, particularly amongst younger people. We now need a sustained campaign to back up the police enforcement effort and ensure drug-driving is seen in exactly the same way. The effects of driving under the influence of drugs can be devastating.” she finished.

What do you think of these findings? Let us know in the comments section below.

Future designer wows The Fifth Wheel Company with award-winning caravan lighting design

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By Joe Jeffrey
Bangor University student takes home the gold at design awards for innovative lighting creation
A student from Bangor University has designed a new lighting concept for The Fifth Wheel Company.

Adam Edwards, a first year Bsc Product Design student, designed a collection of LED lighting units for the company and won the most commercially viable award from Bangor University at the university’s recent design degree show awards.
The project was part of an ongoing partnership between The Fifth Wheel Company and Bangor University, where the company have tasked students in developing new fixtures and fittings to enhance their product range, whilst also offering student placements throughout the year.
The first year project set to Adam and his fellow class members was to re-design the lighting within Fifth Wheel’s caravans, which could vary from interior mood lighting to exterior styling lights. There were lots of innovative ideas including entrance lighting that displayed the company’s logo on the ground by the door to decorative multipurpose bedside lighting which tilted to enable the light to be used as a reading light or background mood lighting.
Fifth Wheel’s design director, Gethin Whitely, said of the winning design: “The competition was very tough and there were many potential winners. Adam’s design was of a high quality and could be fitted directly into our production models; it stood out above the competition due its functionality, aesthetic appeal and the ease of manufacture. Overall it’s a great product as it combines excellent design and practicality.”
When asked what he enjoyed most about the project Adam said: “I enjoyed the freedom to create and to have the chance to create something that could actually be used in the caravan industry”. When pushed he admitted the hardest part of the project was in fact the electronics.
Of the partnership between The Fifth Wheel Company and Bangor University, managing director Adrian Parry-Jones said: “I’m really pleased with the outcome of the project from all the students and feel it is really beneficial to have a working partnership between local businesses and the university as proven by this assignment. I believe having a brief that gives clear direct link to the ‘real world’ focuses the individuals and clearly gives great results.”
Founded in 2002, The Fifth Wheel Company has gone on to win numerous accolades including The Caravan Club design award for five years in a row. By continuing to work with up-and-coming designers of tomorrow, we’re pretty sure the company’s success will continue.
We here at CaravanTimes congratulate Adam Edwards on creating such an innovative design and wish him every success for the future.

Miniature caravan theatre brings shows to London

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By Josh Budd

Robin Linde Productions collaborate with IMMERGE to bring entertainment shorts to London

If you have a love for the theatre, and have a passion for caravanning, then a new project from IMMERGE will certainly be something that will interest you.

You rarely hear the words ‘theatre production’ and ‘caravanning’ in the same sentence, but if anyone can successfully marry the two, it’s Robin Linde Productions, as they team up with IMMERGE to bring the colourful, exciting and quality dramatic productions, titled Summer Shorts, to London.

Young, up-and-coming installation artist from the Netherlands, Rosa Sijben, has been responsible for crafting the stage for the event – a stage that certainly has a peculiar twist. With the exterior of a family caravan, Rosa’s theatre will be fully mobile, and the event’s performances will all take place upon her caravan-inspired stage.

Rosa’s latest project aims to elevate fine art above its current station in the theatre. Rather than being merely intended for the creation of props and costumes, Rosa utilises fine art in such a way that it becomes integral and inseparable from the core elements of the theatre, redefining the role art has in theatrical production.

As the popular MERGE festival nears, IMMERGE and Robin Linde Productions plan to showcase six different, fifteen minute shows, spanning across six weeks. The first scheduled show, entitled ‘Sea View’, even heavily features caravanning, following the story of a woman who moves to a caravan site to escape her hectic life to write a novel.

The Summer Shorts festivities begin on 10 June with the last week of performances ending on 18 July. This special event will take place in Borough Market, London.

If you are curious to see Rosa’s whimsical moving caravan-theatre in action, tickets are now on sale on. To buy your tickets, please visit the MERGE festival’s website here.

The Caravan Club saddles up for annual London to Brighton bike ride

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By Emily Boneham

Staff ride to raise funds for British Heart Foundation

The Caravan Club is getting set for its annual London to Brighton bike ride in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

On the 54 mile route, 10 Caravan Club staff will be joined by 28,000 other riders to pedal the route – now in its 40th year – on 21 June.

Starting bright and early at Clapham Common in London, the riders will take in the beautiful sights of the South Downs before speeding to a glorious finish at Brighton’s Madeira Drive around midday.

If the thought of putting on your lycra and helmet has left you wheely excited, the Caravan Club has just released 35 bike routes that start at Club sites across the UK.

In partnership with Sustrans, a leading charity that champions healthier travel options, The Caravan Club has developed a downloadable cycling route map showing the best and most stunning routes the UK has to offer. Make sure you check it out now.

Farmer demands action on caravan dumping eyesore

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By Emily Boneham

Council refuses to take responsibility for caravan fly-tipping problem

A Stoke farmer has been passed from pillar to post by the council after three caravans were dumped at the gates to his farm in just a few months.

Paul Cooper is demanding that the council should take more responsibility for the fly-tipping at his Chatterley Hall Farm in Talke.

The 47-year-old land owner has also found discarded computer equipment, dirty nappies and fridge freezers amongst the rubbish.

Paul said: “The caravans look unsightly and it means people pull up and root through them and that attracts more dumping.”

When the fire service contacted Paul to tell him one of the abandoned caravans was causing a hazard last winter, the commercial heating engineer was forced to use his own JCB to move it.

Having moved the caravan into his field to prevent the hazard, Paul was told by Newcastle-under-Lyme Council that it was now on his land and was therefore his responsibility.

“The worst thing about the last caravan was no-one would take responsibility for it, I was passed around different departments.

“If it was by the council’s gates they would move it straight away. Perhaps if they installed a street light it would deter them from coming at night,” he said.

Despite complaints, councillor Ann Beech, the borough council’s cabinet member for environment and recycling, said: “The responsibility for removing fly-tipping from private land lies with the landowners, not the council.”

What do you think of the council’s decision?

Concerns expressed over paper licence counterpart changes

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By Claire Lawson

IAM expresses concern over scrapped paper counterparts

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has expressed concerns over implications surrounding the scrapping of the paper diving licence counterpart which took effect earlier this week (8 June).

Details will need to be obtained through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) driver record system and checked online – something the IAM believe will cause issues for those wishing to hire vehicles, including motorhomes.

The paper counterpart no longer has any legal status and the DVLA has recommended those still in possession of them destroyed the counterpart in order to avoid confusion going forward. Instead, access to the DVLA’s Share Driving Licence Service will be needed as part of proof when it comes to hiring a vehicle, with details requiring to be printed off by those looking to hire.

An alternative to downloading and printing the information required will be a special code, which can be obtained from www.gov.uk and allows hire firms to access records for up to 72 hours in order to make necessary checks. This applies to both holders of photocard and paper licences.

CEO of IAM, Sarah Sillars, commented “The onus is very much on the individual to obtain the information they need beforehand. So we very much hope people will not be caught unawares, especially if they don’t want a nasty surprise when arriving to collect their car at the start of their holiday.”

Introduced in 1998 and containing information about endorsements and which categories of vehicle road users are entitled to use, the counterpart has been scrapped and replaced with information now being stored electronically.

Motorists call for more police on UK roads in new survey

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By Emily Boneham

UK motorists want to see tougher laws on drink-driving, mobile phone use behind the wheel and more

Drink and drug-driving, mobile phone usage behind the wheel and tailgating are among the most important issues requiring attention when it comes to motor safety according to result of a survey conducted by road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

The survey, completed by 2,703 motorists and asking which policing issues they would like to see improved on Britain’s roads, saw 45 per cent of respondents vote for an increase in the number of police officers in marked vehicles to enforce traffic laws, despite years of government cutbacks and police budgets continuing to be stretched.

The highest voted for issue concerned the use of mobile phones behind the wheel with 72 per cent of respondents suggesting this as a priority for police to tackle.

The results survey also saw voters calling for more traffic police patrols near to pubs and alcohol hot-spots indicating that this would combat drink-driving issues more directly, whilst 44 per cent of respondents were keen to see lower drink-drive limits enforced, along similar lines to those found in Scotland where the limit has been lowered from 80mg to 50mg.

IAM chief executive officer, Sarah Sillars, said of the survey’s findings: “The government cannot afford to be complacent about road safety and a lot more needs to be done to address major road offences through the enforcement of existing legislation and full use of police powers.

“The IAM supports an increase in the number of high profile road policing officers and a zero tolerance approach to the enforcement of traffic laws.”

Coachman Caravans supports Hull City of Culture promotion

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By Claire Lawson

Caravan firm set to play important role for the city of Hull in 2017

Caravan manufacturer, Coachman, has agreed to support the City of Culture program in Hull for 2017.

The programme is set to celebrate the contributions the city has made to Britain and will look at everything the area has on to offer, including theatre, music, poetry, wind turbines and caravans.

Managing director Martin Henderson spoke of the importance of the promotion saying “The year is a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of our city and our industry, which will have obvious benefits for the local economy and employment.”

Coachman employs 170 workers at its Sutton Fields factory and has enjoyed a steady growth in recent years. Henderson believes 2017 will bring even more work to the company and the area.

“We’ve been investing heavily in the wider development of the company, expanding our production facility and introducing state-of-the-art equipment.

“Not only are we investing in the future of our business, but in the caravan industry and Hull, too, demonstrating a growth in confidence within the sector and the city we all live and work in.”

Swift summer extravaganza offers great caravan deals

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By Emily Boneham

What’s happening at your nearest Swift dealer in June?

This month there’s a Swift summer extravaganza of events, from massive deals on new caravans, to holiday competitions and Hawaiian limbo parties.

Until 14 June, Swift’s dealership in Shepshed, Leicestershire, Ryedale Leisure have huge savings on new 2015 models from Swift, Sterling, and Sprite.

Deals include the Swift Continental 565 for £23,495 (was £26,540) and the Sprite Quattro FB, including pack and sunroof, for £16495 (was £17,195).

There will also be great part exchange deals, special offers on accessories and awnings, air awning demonstrations and motor mover demonstrations.

North of the border? There’s something for you too, with Kirkcaldy Caravans in Fife showing off their Swift ranges at the East of Scotland Caravan Show from 12-14 June 2015.

To celebrate this year’s show, organisers, in colaboration with Haven Holidays, will be giving away a three night stay at Haven’s Craig Tara Holiday Park in South Ayreshire.

The show will also give visitors the opportunity to buy new or pre-owned caravans with discounts of over £3,000 in some cases.

Meanwhile, Blackpool’s Westfield Caravans and Kendal Caravans will be holding Hawaiian Extravaganzas from 10am-5pm on 13-14 June and 20-21 June respectively.

Swift’s latest models and special editions will be on display Davan Caravans‘ open weekend in North Somerset from 13-14 June.

From 26-28 June, Preston Caravans will be celebrating their first year of trading with special deals, entertainment and guest speakers.

June certainly looks to be a busy month for Swift dealers across the UK. Wherever you are, pop on down and grab yourself a deal.

Final Top Gear episode preview featuring destruction of caravans released by BBC

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By Joe Jeffrey

Final episode footage reveals Top Gear trio, Clarkson, Hammond and May, don tuxedos and wreck caravans

The BBC has released a preview of the final Top Gear footage to feature Jeremy Clarkson.

Unveiled on Twitter, the 30 second glimpse of the final episode to feature Clarkson and his goons, Richard Hammond and James May, shows the trio don dinner suits and assume their own take on a caravan derby, destroying at least one caravan during the process whilst driving 4X4s.

The footage was originally shelved after Clarkson hit the headlines earlier this year for assaulting a Top Gear producer before being unceremoniously dumped by the BBC. It is thought the show will air on BBC2 in the next few weeks.

The preview comes as speculation mounts over who will be replacing Clarkson, with Chris Evans fuelling rumours at the weekend that he could supersede the shamed television presenter after revealing he had been making a “secret Top Gear film”.

The future of Top Gear’s format for season 23 is still unclear after it was reported that Hammond and May have been offered deals in the region of £1m a year to stay with the BBC – a deal which would make the pair the corporation’s highest earners and said to be part of a plan to include a different host on each show rather than directly replacing Clarkson outright.

Check out the preview below and let us know your thoughts.