Young caravanners swapping Twitter for nature at Skelwith Fold

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by Alice Scarsi

Skelwith Fold Caravan Park has found a way to make nature interesting again for kids

Skelwith Fold Caravan Park in Ambleside, Cumbria, has found a new and exciting way to make nature more interesting than technology for its younger visitors (and some of their parents too).

In order to stop children peering constantly at their phones whilst on holiday, the park, situated within the beautiful Lake District, last year launched an ongoing ‘Secret Squirrels’ competition, where children were challenged to find six toy squirrels hidden around the park and take pictures of them on their smartphones to earn their reward, a furry friend to take home.

Since launching the competition, Skelwith Fold claims to have given away over 400 prizes, a figure proving how popular it has proven amongst those more familiar with Tweets coming from their phone as opposed to the forest. And with 130 acres of green space surrounding the park, the children have plenty of space to enjoy the nature, exercise outdoors and playing around instead that on their noble devices. “It’s amazing just how keen children are to swap social media such as Twitter and Facebook for the wider world, given the chance,” commented park director Henry Wild.

“Skelwith Fold abounds with wildlife which is easily missed if much of a youngster’s time outdoors is spent scanning their devices for messages.” The squirrel hunt, though, has changed this habit.

“We find that mums and dads also often tag along, and point out some of the many bird species we have at Skelwith with the help of an identification chart we supply,” he continued.

Encouraging its visitors to get involved with nature played a role in Skelwith Fold receiving the David Bellamy Conservation Award, once again at its top gold level. Moreover, another sign which proves the high quality of the park comes from the praise received by HRH Prince Charles for the successful re-introduction of red squirrels.

“With just a little egging-on, youngsters can quickly develop a deep fascination for wildlife, and the Lake District is one of the best places in Britain to start.

“Social media is a great thing, and we use it a lot ourselves. But sometimes the small screen is no substitute for the bigger picture all around you!” added Henry.

What do you think of this park’s initiative? We at CaravanTimes think anything that gets kids’ faces out of their phones and more at one with nature is pretty good going. Let us know what you think below.

Essex caravan site price rise due to celebrity status just rumours, says Steeple Bay

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by Justine Iorga
Steeple Bay quashes rumours of price hike owing to influx of celebrities to Osea Island
An influx of celebrities choosing to holiday in Essex, has led to an increase in prices for holiday homes in the popular holiday destination.
With many Brits looking to opt for a staycation, as opposed to jetting off to warmer climes, it seems that the current trend isn’t just reserved for the non-celebrities amongst us, with Osea Island in Essex being the current destination of choice when it comes to letting loose and partying like there’s no tomorrow.
For those of you unfamiliar with the 400-acre private island, Osea Island has become the go-to venue for London’s fashionable young elite. The island which is only accessible by helicopter, boat, or via a causeway every seven hours is even becoming known in the press as the “Essex Necker Island” after Sir Richard Branson’s exclusive Caribbean hideaway.
It’s said that visitors of the island will spend up to £7,000 just for a single party weekend, and with people being so willing to spend that much on just a weekend it has led caravanners to believe that Steeple Bay’s glittering neighbour will soon spark an escalation in holiday caravan prices.
No need to worry though – nearby Steeple Bay Holiday Park has stepped in to reassure caravanners that there is no possibility or reason to believe this rumour at all. Tony Clish, director of Park Holidays UK, understands how the rumours are so easy to believe, saying: “There is a stunningly perfect view of Osea Island from Steeple Bay Holiday Park, and you hardly even need a pair of binoculars to see what’s happening at the luxury resort.”
“I wouldn’t blame any member of the glitterati for deciding that our park is a perfect springboard to a celebrity lifestyle,” Tony went on. “But without the stratospheric prices. But while we do have a number of well-known personalities owning holiday homes on our parks, we have no intention of making Steeple Bay a ‘celebrities only’ zone.”
We’re unsure as to whether or not any of the aforementioned celebrities mentioned have also taken full advantage of the touring pitches also available at Steeple Bay, but we wouldn’t be surprised considering the recent surge in caravanning holidays across the board.
For more information on booking at Steeple Bay, click here.

Is Old Oaks Touring Park the most dog-friendly Caravan Park in Britain?

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by Justine Iorga
Old Oaks makes taking a holiday with your pet an outstanding experience for all, including your four-legged friend
Old Oaks Touring Park based in Glastonbury has taken their park to a whole new level by providing only the best amenities for one of the most cherished members of your family. The The AA award-winning park – with awards including the Professor David Bellamy‘s Conservation Award at its top gold level – puts pooches on a pedestal by providing them and their owners with a kennel-load of dog friendly facilities.
Most places that claim to be dog friendly usually are but it seems Old Oaks has gone above and beyond the call of duty in order to prove to you that your pet really does come first with some great amenities.
Onsite facilities include:
– A dedicated washer and dryer for dog bedding
– Discovery walks which start and finish on the park
– A list of local attractions and places to eat with the Rex-factor
– A doggy shower so that they can get cleaned up after a day of play
– A safe area where they can be tethered outside the shower buildings while you attend to personal matters
– Free-range romping is also positively encouraged with a large securely-fenced exercise area on regularly mown grassland with views across to the Mendip Hills
Furthermore, a partnership with local dog walking business, Glastonbury Dog Walkers, allows for them to take the lead when owners wish to venture out alone.
Owners, Tara and James White, have been running this site for over 30 years and they’ve always welcomed pets at their park. Tara commented: “We genuinely enjoy having responsible pet owners on the park, and dogs enjoy a change of scenery as much as the rest of the family, so everybody benefits from the holiday.
“There are so many places now where you can’t take a dog on holiday, so we thought we would ensure that the Old Oaks answers everybody’s needs in one stroke!”
So if you’re looking to take your furry friend along on the adventures this summer then this place will surely be able to provide a genuine experience for not only you but your pet. For more information, click here.

Overnight motorhome leisure vehicle parking ban in Aberystwyth hailed a success

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by Alice Scarsi

Experimental six-month traffic order banning leisure vehicles ‘so far, so good’ say residents

An experimental six-month traffic order, banning leisure vehicles from parking overnight on Aberystwyth’s South Promenade in Wales, has been hailed a success – just three weeks after measures were implemented.

The ban on campervans, caravans and motorhomes prohibiting owners of leisure vehicles to leave their machines on the town’s most iconic street overnight came into force, after resident’s committee, the South Promenade Action Group, applied pressure on the city council to put an end to motorhomes parking long-term on the South Promenade.

The group has since expressed their satisfaction of the trial, having noticed a significant improvement to the area so far, according to council street scene manager, Gerwyn Jones, who said: “It’s very early days. The early indications are that there is a much-reduced presence of those vehicles, not just in the evening, but during the day, although that is anecdotal.

“The order is in, the signs are in and the lines are in and we’ll keep an eye on it, the same as everywhere else,” he said.

Highways cabinet member Cllr Alun Williams backed Jones’ sentiments, adding: “The residents there say it is ‘so far, so good’. Things are looking good, but there’s a lot of the year still to go.”

We here at CaravanTimes agree that having a big vehicle parked in the same spot for weeks on end is inconsiderate, but with these measures obviously applying to those genuine holidaymakers looking to park up the night before crossing the Channel to holiday in the rest of Europe, a blanket ban does seem a little unfair.

Let us know what you think below.

Take part in The Caravan Club Leisure Vehicle Survey and win

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by Alice Scarsi

The Caravan Club to launch major survey to give voice to the needs of caravanners

The Caravan Club is set to launch a major leisure vehicle survey’, with some great prizes up for grabs for participating.

Open to both current members and non-members of Club Together, the survey will run from May for at least four weeks and is designed for owners of leisure vehicles – from caravans to motorhomes and everything in-between, no matter whether bought as new or used – and will concentrate on providing feedback to manufacturers, to help them better understand the desires and needs of their vehicles’ users and improve them.

In addition, to thank all those completing the survey, everybody who partakes will be automatically entered into a prize draw with £1,500 of prizes up for grabs. Prizes include gift cards to the value of £500, £250 and £100, enabling you to shop until you drop in stores including M&S, Halfords, Sainsbury, Blacks, B+Q and Boots.

The feedback will be entirely confidential, and the data will be handled by Verve an experienced research agency that conducts the annual Which? Cars Survey.

The success of this survey depends on the number of members who decide to take part in it. Obviously, the more people that complete the survey the better for the industry as a whole and, in doing so, wil enable your voice to be heard.

Members will receive an email invitation to take part in the survey in May, so for those interested in taking part, make sure to save ‘noreply@ccleisurevehiclesurvey.co.uk’ in your contact list, to avoid losing the email in the junk or spam folder.

Good luck!

Oxfordshire calling all Streamers this weekend

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by Alice Scarsi

Get the chance to be on TV when you attend the annual Airstream Gathering in Oxfordshire

Proud Airstream owners from across the UK – and even from across Europe – are set to meet up this weekend (24-26 April) for the annual Airstream Gathering in Oxfordshire.

Hosted by the Cotswold View Touring Park, the rally will be hit by 35 silver caravan drivers. Amongst them, one Airstream owner will even travel from Norway to join other fellow Streamers in a weekend guaranteed to be packed full of as much entertainment thank you an shake a stick at.

The event will start tonight (24 April) with drinks shared amongst the participants, and will continue though Saturday. During the afternoon, from 2 to 4pm, will be an ‘open door’ event entitled Alumapalooza – a similar shindig to that US Airstreaming cousins have held annually during previous gatherings – with caravanners free to roam around other’s people open Airstreams to check out any modifications and décor enhancements made and discuss them with there proud owners. Those not keen to have strangers snooping around simply have to keep their doors shut.

Moreover, a TV production company will be on the ground to shoot a new Channel5 series rumoured to be titled Carry on Caravanning, which will take a look at how much Britons love the great outdoors and the rise in popularity of caravanning.

If you are a Streamer and you like the idea of appearing on the TV with your vehicle, complete a brief bio here to let the organisers know you are interested.

COMPETITION: Win a family ticket to The Big Outdoor Show 2015 plus an audience with Ranulph Fiennes

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by Joe Jeffrey

The Big Outdoor Show comes from Milton Keynes this May and we’ve got an amazing prize for you and the whole family. Keep reading to see how you can be a part of the action

The Big Outdoor Show is back and, from what we’ve heard, it’s guaranteed to be the biggest and best yet.

The show, which takes place over the second May bank holiday weekend for three days, looks set to offer thousands of outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to partake in and view an array of outdoor activities and demonstrations on the water, in the air and on land, as well as offering you the opportunity to pitch up so you don’t miss out on any of the action in the beautiful lakeside location of Willen Lake in Milton Keynes.

The Big Outdoor Show isn’t all about fun though – it’s also got loads of educational elements thrown in for good measure too. A number of guest speakers will be on hand to entertain and enthrall the masses with a plethora of anecdotes, including John Sullivan from Elite Survival Training, as well as Sir Ranulph Fiennnes who really doesn’t need any further introduction.

And here’s where we come in.

CaravanTimes is giving you the opportunity to win a family camping weekend pass (two adults & two children) worth £149.50 to The Big Outdoor Show, as well as tickets to see Sir Ranulph Fiennes speak on Monday 25 May worth a further £118.

All you have to do to be in with a chance to win is like our Facebook page by clicking here and complete the form below before midday on 15 May.

Good luck! Here’s hoping you win!

Competition rules:
The lucky winner will be picked at random at midday on 15 May 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
Freesport Events Ltd reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible.
The prize includes:
A weekend family pass admitting 2 adults and 2 children and a vehicle pass to The Big Outdoor Show May 22-25, Willen lake, Milton Keynes. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and no cash alternative will be given. No other expenses included. It also includes seminar tickets for 2 adults and 2 children to see Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

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Caravanners blamed for swarm of killer hornets heading to the UK

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by Justine Iorga
Caravanners accused of smuggling in killer Asian hornets to UK
Chairwoman of the Norfolk Beekeepers’ Association, Carolyn Liston, has blamed caravanners over concerns that millions of killer hornets could be heading to the UK.
Rumoured to have managed to buzz their way into France by hiding away in a consignment of pottery originating from the Far East, these vicious creatures have already killed six people in France after the sting caused them to go into anaphylactic shock. Their sting is filled with eight toxic chemicals that cause an allergic shock in humans which then can result in deadly consequences.
Now, chairwoman of the Norfolk Beekeepers’ Association, Carolyne Liston, has weighed in on the issue, blaming any possible sighting of Asian hornets on UK soil on caravannners.
She said: “We are concerned they are going to come into Britain on someone’s caravan who has been travelling in France.
“They are a very, very aggressive predator. They wait by the entrance and grab foraging bees as they come back into the hive. They can absolutely decimate bee colonies.”
Caravanners have been blamed for quite a bit over the years – from causing traffic jams to putting a blot on the UK’s landscape – but hornets? Seriously?
Meanwhile, the Animal Veterinary Laboratories Agency is on standby to kill the hornets should they cross the Channel with or without the help of those with caravans and the National Bee Unit of the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will meet in Suffolk next month for a seminar where they will discuss ways to deal with these predators that can devour as many as 50 honey bees in a day. Defra has sent email alerts to beekeepers across the country, urging them to be on guard for this menace.
We at CaravanTimes are totally for protecting ourselves and others from danger, but for Liston to assume these killer insects are on a one way ticket courtesy of our caravans is, perhaps stretching things a tad too far. What about the huge number of heavy goods vehicles en route from France too? Or, for that matter, regular passengers on ferry crossings or other forms of transportation from across the Channel? The issue certainly shouldn’t be contained to those with caravans.
The above said, it pays to be on the look out for these killer hornets, which could possibly be attracted to the warm spring we are currently experiencing across the UK. So, if you’re unsure about how to tell these Asian hornets apart from European hornets, we’ve included some facts about them below:
– Asian hornets are generally active between April and November.
– Queens can grow up to 3cm in length, with her workers measuring in at around 2.5cm.
– Asian hornets have an entirely dark brown or black velvety body, bordered with a fine yellow band. It has a black head with orange-yellow face
– It nests in tall trees in urban and rural areas, and nests can also be found in sheds, garages, under decking or in holes in the wall or ground
– The Asian Hornet is a day flying species which, unlike the European hornet, returns to its nest at dusk.
Make sure you’re on the look out for the killer hornets wherever you are in the UK and let us know what you think about Carolyne Liston’s comments below? Should caravanners be singled out or should this be a message to all those who make a Channel crossing? One thing’s for sure – she’s certainly put bee in our bonnet.

Caravan to steal the show on BBC Panorama election special

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By Claire Lawson

Caravan helps predict who’s going to be the next prime minister on BBC show

Move over Cameron, Miliband and Farage, there’s a new contender in town as an Airstream International 684 is scheduled to appear on BBC show, Panorama on 27 April as part of a report on statistics concerning the general election. Okay, so maybe it’s not a contender, but the 684 will certainly be a lot easier on the eye, that’s for sure.

American statistician, Nate Silver, borrowed the 684 from it’s owner Tom Jones, who also accompanied him, and travelled with it around the UK in an effort to poll opinions about the fast-approaching general election.

Silver has had great success in the past after rightly predicting the outcome of the past two U.S presidential elections, so it will certainly be interesting to see what he has to say for himself.

Presenter Richard Bacon joined Silver as he toured the length and breadth of Britain in the Airstream in a bid to estimate the outcome of one of the most highly anticipated elections in years.

Jones spoke of their travels, saying: “It was great fun going round the country with the team – we went everywhere from Skegness to Scotland and at one point we parked up in the middle of Bury Market. As for the election result, I think it’ll be a close call but I’ve an idea where I’ll be putting my money.”

The anticipation is killing us! To find out about Silver’s prediction, tune into BBC Panorama at 8:30pm on 27 April. Whilst you wait, do you dare to display your political allegiances below?

National Trailer and Towing Association competition winner receives star treatment

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by Alice Scarsi

Winner of NTTA Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2015 receives star quality treatment from Association

The National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA), one of the leading associations of the UK light trailer and towing industry, is celebrating its 15th year of activity and excellence in tow bar installation and trailer maintenance through its Quality Secured (QS) accreditation scheme, and to celebrate in style offered visitors to this year’s Caravan, Camping & motorhome Show the opportunity for extra special star treatment..

The prize? A fitting of a free tow bar, courtesy of Westfalia-Automotive UK in Bristol, to the car of the lucky winner’s car; the winner? Richard Hickton from Kirkby, in Ashfield.

An overwhelmed Richard said of hearing the news he’d won: “My wife and I were absolutely flabbergasted when we were contacted by the NTTA to say we had won their competition. We attended the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC to look for a new caravan, and we had recently changed our car, so we needed a new tow bar fitting very soon any way – it was perfect timing!

“We found out all about the NTTA at the show and have now experienced first-hand what a Quality Secured member can do – we wouldn’t go anywhere else to have one fitted as we know that it’s done to a high quality standard. Thanks to Kieren and the team for their hard work.”

Phil Holman, chairman of the NTTA, commented on the competition organised: “We were delighted with the response for our competition at the CCM Show 2015, and we were very pleased to contact Richard to let him know we would fit a FREE tow bar to his car by our first ever Quality Secured member – Towbar and Trailers in Chesterfield.”

Of the Quality Secured accreditation scheme the NTTA offer, which sets a benchmark for the industry, Hollman went on: “We are delighted with the success of the Quality Secured scheme over the last 15 years. It gives consumers across the UK confidence when using any of our services and purchasing goods; and the knowledge of doing business with an accredited company that will always give the best service possible with a warranty.”

Congratulations to the lucky winner.

Loving dog owners save their pet from drowning with the kiss of life

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by Joe Jeffrey

Dog on brink of death saved by quick-thinking owners

A West Highland Terrier who was feared drowned following being pulled underwater by strong currents at sea has lived to bark another day, thanks to a passing fisherman and her owners’ quick-thinking which saw the pooch being administered with the kiss of life.

Dave and Brenda Rickard, along with their daughter and two grandchildren, were out crabbing when their beloved dog, Daisy, four, lost her footing and slipped off of a quay, falling ten feet into the sea.

Despite Daisy’s resilience to return to shore, the strong current was too much for her, as Dave, 72, told the Mirror: “She was swimming okay but the current was taking her away and eventually she got so weak and gave up.

“Her head went under the water, it was a horrendous scene.”

As luck would have it, a passing fishing boat was alerted to the situation and a fisherman aboard managed to hook a limp Daisy out of the water and deliver the motionless canine back to her owner, Dave, who instinctively gave his four-legged friend Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Dave and wife Brenda, 67, took turns breathing into Daisy’s mouth and rubbing her chest until she came round, at which point the poorly pooch was rushed to a local veterinary surgery for emergency care. Vets warned Daisy’s owners that their pet might be brain damaged due to lack of oxygen, but fortunately for Daisy she made a full recovery and was discharged the following day to enjoy the rest of her caravan holiday.

Dave and Brenda’s daughter, Karen, 36, who witnessed the incident expressed her surprise at Daisy making a full recovery.

“Daisy’s alive and none of us can believe it but good things do happen to good people and my parents are that,” Karen began.

“We are still in shock but miracles do happen. It truly was the most horrific experience of my life. Someone was watching over us, I totally believe that.”

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Bedford SB3 mobile cinema up for sale

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by Alice Scarsi

Unique mobile cinema is up for grabs on eBay

The last British 1960s mobile cinema is set to be sold on eBay for a starting price of £120,000.

The vehicle, a Bedford SB3 bus with a towed caravan, represents a piece of British history, as it is the last survivor of a fleet of seven mobile cinemas that the Ministry of Technology commissioned back in 1967 to move from factory to factory to promote through films the modern production techniques that the British industry was starting to adopt.

History, though, has not being kind with the bus as, after being dismissed by the government in 1990, it has been separated by the caravan it once towed and left tofend for itself in a field in Essex for 14 years. The condition in which the current owners, Emma Giffard, 36, and Ollie Halls, 37 of the Vintage Mobile Cinema Company, found it when they bought it for about £1,500 in 2005 was simply disastrous. “The engine was seized, the breaks were seized, so it was a mess,” remembers Ollie.

The vintage vehicle enthusiasts from Somerset spent five years and £35,000 in order to restore it completely and bring it back to its glorious splendour. Now this vehicle is in more than just roadworthy condition: thanks to the work done by the couple, it’s a piece of vintage art that mirrors its history – with 22 1930-style tiered cinema seats, a plastic Perspex bubble at the front and Tardis-like interiors which reflect the decade it was built in – but it’s also combined with the latest technological devices, such as a full HD digital projection unit with 7.1 Dolby surround sound, complemented by sound proofing fitted to limit external disturbances.

During the last five years the Bedford has become a real star. It has starred in different TV shows, including the second season of George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and in the 20-part BBC2 series The Reel History of Britain, and has also been used as a touring cinema, shown in different exhibitions and event and even been on tours of France and Holland.

The fame gained by the bus also helped it to be reunited with the other original piece – the caravan it originally towed.

“We got a phone call out the blue,” Ollie told the Daily Mail. “Someone saw us on the news and realised that the trailer their friend had been using as a woodwork shop belonged with our cinema. It’s taken a few years but we’ve finally put them back together.”

Exactly this new, exciting restoration project brought the couple to the decision to sell the bus: “It’s a huge restoration which I don’t think I want to do because I have a number of other projects that I’m hoping to work on,” Ollie continued.

“We’ve just bought our first house in Somerset which is a restoration project and I’ve also got a 1940s caravan and another 1960s Bedford truck to work on. I’m the kind of guy who likes a challenge but I feel like the bus is done now and I want to work on something new – I’ve been doing it most of my adult life. They drive beautifully together but the trailer is another restoration project – maybe this time for someone else.”

Moreover, the couple has two children, and wants to spend more time with them. “We’ve got two children under three,” Emma said.

“Sometimes my mother-in-law comes along and looks after the kids on whatever event site we’re on but it’s getting to be too hard with the two of them getting bigger. I’ll miss being on the road and that diversity but if I didn’t give it up, I’d miss my children growing up and spending social time with them which is more important than the bus,” she added.

“It was never meant to be a career,” went on Ollie. “I just started doing it up as a hobby and it got out of control. I was working full time and spending all my spare time and spare money on the bus, lying in the mud in a freezing cold shed wondering if I’d gone mad.

“But people just loved everything about it, which made all the blood, sweat and tears worthwhile. They don’t make things like this anymore, and it speaks to people’s sense of nostalgia.”

“It was so popular that it absolutely and 100 per cent took over my life – and it’s been hard to give up to because so many people still want the bus,” he concluded.
Emma and Ollie are hoping that the next owner will keep sharing the bus with other Britons as they did during the years: “It could go any which way – a collector in this country or abroad, someone wanting to run the business, or a group putting together a bid to bring it into a trust.

“I really want it to continue to be out there for people to be able to carry on sharing the experience. But we have to decide what route is going to best secure its future, because it’s completely unique and owning it means that we’re custodians of that little bit of history,” said Ollie.

Are you interested in owning a piece of British history? With the two vehicles also come the logo, image rights, goodwill of the business and all website, social media accounts and anything related to the Vintage Mobile Cinema business.

If you fancy trying your luck and placing a bid on the mobile cinema, click here.