CaravanTimes visits TravelWorld in Shropshire to find out more about the dealership’s stringent gas and electricity safety checks, handover processes and much more
by Joe Jeffrey
When it comes to driving off in a new or used motorhome, getting out and enjoying everything motorhome ownership has to offer should be the main thought on your mind. With an extensive handover process and stringent safety checks in place, providing peace of mind for all, that’s certainly the case from what we saw when we visited TravelWorld in Shropshire.
Having served the motorhome community for over 30 years, the UK’s largest Hymer Group dealership, TravelWorld, hardly scrimp when it comes to safety. In fact safety sits firmly at the top of the tree when it comes to any new or used motorhome leaving their forecourt in search of the open road and what adventures lie ahead.
From pre-delivery inspections, consisting of a more-than-thorough check of each and every motorhome before each customer is passed the keys, to gas and electrical safety testing by fully qualified staff in TravelWorld’s National Caravan Council Approved Workshop Scheme onsite premises, it seems no stone is left unturned.
Also high on the agenda is TravelWorld’s stringent handover process. Before any customer is passed the keys to their new purchase, the dealership’s friendly staff ensure that each and every customer is provided with all necessary information to ensure the best experience possible.
CaravanTimes went along to TravelWorld to find out more.
Hundreds of people protest caravan park plans
by Alice Scarsi
Caravan park next to the Mere in Cheshire would “litter” the beautiful landscape according to residents against plans
Hundreds of local residents have joined forces to fight plans for the introduction of a caravan park built next to the Mere in Cheshire.
Following an application submitted by company Euro Source and Find Ltd to transform a local car park into a touring and static caravan park, Ellesmere resident Cathy Andrew has decided to set up an action group – unoriginally named “No to Castlefields caravan park, Ellesmere” – in order to oppose to plans proposed, and has since attracted nearly 500 members in just one week.
Andrews explained her decision by saying: “People feel so strongly about this because of its proximity to the Mere. The land connects the Mere to the canal and people come from all over the world to enjoy the rolling landscape.”
The proposed development would house 30 touring caravans, 24 static caravans and a reception area with staff accommodation. Whereas it looks pretty clear to us that these proposals will boost the tourism and the economy in the area, that provides popular views of the Mere, Andrews believes that hosting more visitors in the area will have the opposite effect.
“The plans limit the views to just a few select people and it would spoil the general landscape for everyone else,” she said. “People come to enjoy a walk around the Mere and look back at the beautiful rolling landscape, not littered with big mobile homes. The Mere has got to be protected.”
On the same page is tree hunter, Rob McBride, another Ellesmere resident, who told the Oswestry & Border Counties Advertizer: “The Mere goes further back than the Oswestry Hillfort and everyone knows it defines Ellesmere.
“Tourism is virtually all we have left and the Mere is too special to ruin. People who were thinking of coming to Ellesmere will choose to go somewhere unspoilt, it’s very annoying.”
Apparently, according to residents existing caravan parks in the area are more than enough to satisfy the needs of tourists wishing to visit the area. However, not all citizens of Ellesmere are on Andrews’ and McBride’s side. with some residents in favour of a new caravan park believing that the plans will bring more business into the area.
So far, the application has received 44 official objections, with just one comment of support, so things aren’t exactly looking good.
Let us know what you think. Are we as much of a littering pain than those in Ellesmere make out, or have they been listening to Ray Mears too much?
Garmin releases app that finds your car and much more
by Justine Iorga
Smartphone Link app compatible with Garmin sat nav products to make for an easier travel
Fed up of forgetting where you parked the car? Left the comfort of your caravan or motorhome to venture into the wilderness to search pastures new and want to find the quickest route back? Well Garmin may just have the perfect answer upon the release of a very handy little smartphone app.
Garmin’s new Smartphone Link app looks set to keep even the most lacking in sense of direction at ease thanks to integrated technology which will see your smartphone interact with your Garmin nüvi sat nav to pinpoint exactly where you’ve pitched up, all at the press of a button, really taking sat nav technology to the next level.
That’s not all though. Additional features courtesy of the Smartphone Link include:
– Access to advanced weather conditions which is sure to help avoid bad driving conditions, especially when travelling long distance
– Dynamic parking information such as pricing and availability so you don’t have to spend 20 minutes circling up and down the multi-storey car park only to find you don’t have the right change
– Live traffic feeds to help you navigate in and around congestion. With updates every two minutes you’ll get details of traffic incidents, road conditions and delays on motorways, and more
– Speedwatch safety camera updates and locations, including fixed, temporary, average speed and mobile zones which can lower insurance premiums and avoid penalty points and fines
Not only do you get all of the above, but you can also allow your smartphone to interact with your sat nav to send addresses, contacts and other destinations to your sat nav – all at the press of a button. And, perhaps the best thing is, it’s absolutely free!
So if you already own a Garmin navigation system it might just be in your best interest to try out this app. Oh, and if you haven’t got a sat nav or are looking to upgrade, make sure you check back on CaravanTimes from Monday onwards for details on a great new competition. Hmmm. we wonder what’s up for grabs.
For more information and to download the app, click here.
Motor-racing driver Oliver Webb supports Freedom to Go campaign
by Alice Scarsi
Another important name joins the campaign
British motor racing driver Oliver Webb has pledged his support to the Freedom to Go campaign, and will play an active role in it throughout the whole 2015 racing season.
As new ambassador of the NCC‘s campaign, in conjunction with The Caravan Club and The Camping & Caravanning Club, the talented SardMorand‘s driver Oliver Webb will be blogging on the official site of the initiative, talking about his racing season and his experience with leisure vehicles.
With the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) kicking off this weekend (10-12 April) and a Bailey Approach Advance 615 motorhome to assist his racing in the prestigious 6 hours of Silversone, Webb will have plenty to share with fellow leisure vehicle enthusiasts about how the motorhome helps him achieving his goals, enhancing his time spent at the track and having fun.
Rachel Piggot from Freedom to Go is enthusiastic of Webb joining the campaign, saying: “It’s fantastic to have Oliver on board as an ambassador. He’s a young up and coming sportsman who is an inspiration to people both young and old.
“He’s not only interested in fast cars, but the importance of a healthy lifestyle and enjoying the great outdoors. Freedom to Go will be following his progress and run exclusive blogs from Oliver throughout the year. Stay tuned!”
Webb, being a young leisure vehicle enthusiast, is surely the perfect person to spread around the campaign. He enjoys the positive aspects of owning a motorhome, as he explained: “I’m delighted to be working alongside Freedom to Go as an ambassador. Within endurance racing us drivers know far too well the discomforts of sleeping and living at the racetrack, a stressful, noisy and loud environment.
“Getting away from it all into the comforts of a motorhome walking distance from my garage is a saving grace, somewhere to relax, chat to family and team members and rest in peace between the heavy night stints at races like Le Mans. No more sleeping in the crates that the cars came in like we do in the Dubai 24hours,” he continued.
Rachel Lockyer, Bailey marketing manager, said: “Everyone at Bailey of Bristol would like to wish Oliver the best of luck for this racing season, and we are delighted that our new Approach Advance motorhome is being the perfect support vehicle at a sporting event like the opening round of the WEC. It will provide him with plenty of seating areas to relax in, plus facilities to freshen up and provide hot or cold nourishment and drinks whenever he needs them.”
We here at CaravanTimes think Webb is a perfect choice for Freedom to Go; do you agree with us? Let us know who else you think would also make a perfect choice for the next ambassador for this campaign in the comments below.
Caravanners in protest against new caravan legislation due to be enforced
by Alice Scarsi
Concern raised against new legislation, as caravanners start petition
Caravan enthusiasts have started a petition requesting the government put a stop to new strict regulations of caravan use on the Isle of Man, with fears control measures in place could undermine tourism in the area.
Stricter control measures, including a new registration permit system are due to be implemented from November 2015, enraging both caravanners and Manx residents alike – so much so a petition has been set up to thwart plans due to take effect.
Legislation set to be enforced will require users of leisure vehicles to display a special permit if visiting the island for special events including the TT Festival, Classic TT or Southern 100 or even if they are staying at approved campsites. Moreover, drivers towing caravans may have to follow designated routes to and from their respective campsites, with restricted travel on the Island’s roads.
Both caravanners and Manx residents have been lamenting the fact that there was no public consultation on this matter, even though it may possibly affect the economy on the island by deterring tourists from visiting.
Comments left on the Facebook page of local Isle of Man radio station, Energy FM have picked up pace, with some expressing their disdain at new legislation planned.
Local resident, Karen Inston, said: “the IOM Government are just making a mockery of the tourist industry, let alone how IOM residents choose to spend their leisure time,” whilst Tony Harmer accused the Isle of Man government of living in the past. “The government/civil servants still living in the dark ages! The more people we can encourage to visit the better for all of us. The price of travel will put off most tourist visitors with a caravan so it is only the better off we are rejecting,” he said.
Over 160 people have already signed the petition, in protest against any changes to legislation. To sign it, click here.
What do you think of the decision made? Will it discourage you from visiting the beautiful Isle of Man?
Kip Caravan makes a deal to bring their product to the UK
by Justine Iorga
Kip Shelter makes its way to UK just in time for caravan season
Dutch caravan manufacturer, Kip Caravans is coming to the UK just in time for summer, courtesy of the Kip pop-top Shelter range.
Based in Hoogeveen, in the Netherlands, Kip has been a forerunner in innovation within the caravan market for over 80 years and have certainly made a name for themselves, especially on the European continent. And now, having introduced the Shelter model to countries including China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Israel and Germany in 2012, the company has finally decided to open up the market to the UK care of a distribution deal with Hercberg International.
If it’s customisation you’re looking for in a compact caravan, the pop-top Shelter just might be for you. Coming in 99 different colours, the range even offers the option to design and customise it to your needs, making this quirky little number appropriate for a number of uses, owing to the crossover design encompassing the comfort of a caravan with the outdoor feeling of a tent.
The Shelter has a maximum laden mass of 750kg (which can be increased to 900 kg) and an empty weight of 595 kg. With this low weight and a width of only 1.85 meters, it can be parked easily on the drive and towed by almost any car with a tow bar, also making it ideal for a number of uses.
UK distributor, Hercberg International, hopes to appoint a small handful of UK dealers for the Shelter throughout the UK.
Mike Lake, Sales Director for Hercberg International, said: “The Shelter is a product without comparison in the UK at this moment. It offers a crossover between the comfort of a caravan and the outdoor feeling of a tent. It therefore is an ideal product to add to our product portfolio.
“Together with our knowledge of the UK market and the quality that Kip Caravan offers, I think that the Shelter will be a success among the British camper. This quirky and hip model is also good for the market in general and can attract new and young customers to experiencing camping”.
As for the target audience the Kip Shelter is intended for, Kip Export Manager, Ivar van der Leij, explained: “Tent and folding caravan campers who would like to have a bit more comfort, but do not want to camp in a ‘white box’ caravan, are the main target group. The Shelter offers them that little bit of extra comfort, while it keeps giving them that outdoor tent feeling. Especially when combined with the specially designed awning, the Shelter is a perfect camping accommodation.”
If you’re looking for a new caravan with a difference, the compact and quirky Shelter model may just be the one for you. For more information, click here. The starting price for the basic model is £8,995.
What do you think? Is this something you could see trading your caravan in for?
Swift launches the Swift Experience
Swift Group launches new initiative to report on the experiences of fellow outdoor explorers
UK leisure vehicle manufacturer, Swift , has launched a new initiative to provide caravanners, motorhomers and outdoor enthusiasts with up-to-date, real life documented experiences of enthusiastic caravanners.
The Swift Group has teamed up with expert individuals to promote the new venture, including keen caravanner Lee Davey, motorhome enthusiast David Hurst and extreme sportsman Neil Greentree, all of whom will be joining Swift to impart advice, hints and tips and lots more with the aim to expland and enhance people’s touring experiences.
Lee Davey and the Davey family, who have previously been featured in CaravanTimes before, enjoy focusing on family time whilst exploring all the great outdoors has to offer in their Sprite tourer, with their choice of caravan enabling them to see the sights across the UK and throughout Europe at their own pace. Dad, Lee, said “As it’s such a flexible way of getting away, our Sprite fits-in with whatever we want to do whether it’s action-packed, sit back & relax or hopping from one country to another. I’m thrilled to be asked to be a Swift ambassador and look forward to imparting my knowledge and experience.”
Meanwhile, David Hurst and his family like to use their Swift Escape 696 motorhome to get away during the year. Following purchasing their motorhome in 2014, the Hursts began the Face2Facebook project where, with every person they visit on their travels, they donate £2 to a cancer charity.
2015 has seen the Hursts embark on their latest exciting adventure, ‘Education by Astonishment’, in which they have taken the decision to remove their eldest son from school whilst sticking to a home schooling regime. They donate to UNICEF for every astonishing person, place or thing they set out to see. This incorporates the valuable life lesson that thinking of and giving to others is the best way of happy living.
Owner and boss of UK Windsurf Race and Demo Team QSW, Neil Greentree, has a passion the outdoors and getting as much out of life as possible making him a great choice to test and write about the Swift Group products in extreme conditions.
Neil said: “I grew up with caravans and motorhomes and they have always been the most natural and organic way to travel and holiday. My experience in Freecamping (due to the location of sailing spots I sail) meant teaming up with Swift was a perfect vocation for me. To now be able to test and advise Swift with what works and what doesn’t ‘out in the field’ just seems the right thing to do.”
Swift’s Group Commercial Director Nick Page said of Swift’s new intiative: “Our ambassadors demonstrate very different ways of enjoying the freedom a leisure vehicle can provide whether that is visiting foreign countries, education, sport, health or just having fun. The Swift Experience not only allows you to follow the lives of families with a passion for enjoying the freedom the tourer and motorhome lifestyle can offer, but we also hope to encourage more people to explore and appreciate the outdoors.”
What do you think of this new venture? Let us know in the comments below why you started touring in your leisure vehicle – we’d love to read why.
Why you should never overtake when towing your caravan
Dash cam catches the horrifying moment an overtaking manoeuvre goes wrong
The shocking moment a driver towing a caravan attempts to overtake a slow-moving vehicle and loses control has been caught on camera.
The stupid driver, and – we’re ashamed to say – caravanner, was attempting to get in front of a lorry on the A39 between Street and Glastonbury in Somerset, but seemed to have run out of space following two lanes merging into one.
The video shows the back of the caravan hitting a road sign as the driver of the car loses control and swerves into the road.
The caravan was completely destroyed, leaving debris scattered up and down the road near Wirral Park roundabout in Glastonbury.
The road was subsequently closed following the crash but, CaravanTimes is pleased to report nobody was hurt in the accident caused by the irresponsible driver’s actions.
Be sure to see the footage below recorded from the lorry’s dash cam and let us know what you think? Would you consider overtaking a slow vehicle with your caravan?
Comedy show to be held in a caravan holiday home
Machynlleth Comedy Festival plans a gig in a caravan this May
This year’s Machynlleth Comedy Festival in Mid Wales is exploring a new and unusual venue for comedians attending the event, providing a whole new meaning to the term ‘comedy tour’.
Comedians will perform gigs in front of a small group of 20 audience members in a caravan holiday home at the award-winning dealership Salop Leisure on Sunday evening, 3 May in Machynlleth.
The idea for a stand-up gig in a caravan was first conjured up during a conversation between Paul Argyle, manager Salop Leisure’s Machynlleth sales centre, and the comedy festival’s operations manager Steve Pickup.
The festival has always had quirky venues for their gigs including a local resident’s shed and a local sweet shop and Pickup is always on the lookout for new venues and is very happy to use a caravan, saying: “A caravan holiday home seems tailor-made for a gig. There will be 20 tickets available for the show and the audience will be perched around the lounge area. It will be great.
“I don’t know if a comedy show has ever been held in caravan before but it’s certainly a first for the festival,” he continued.
Salop Leisure is more than happy to provide a venue for a show. “When I heard that the festival was looking for unusual venues to stage shows, a caravan holiday home seemed an obvious choice to me,” said Argyle.
Argyle also sees the event as an opportunity to make caravanning even more popular. “It’s a great way of introducing people to caravans and hopefully the show will encourage members of the audience and perhaps the comedians to buy one. We’re really looking forward to the show and the festival.”
Thousands of stand-up comedy fans head to Machynlleth over the Bank Holiday weekend each year, and this year there are as many as 160 shows lined up. With the unique style of hosting gigs, its no wonder people keep coming back.
“We’re passionate about the thrill of seeing live comedy in intimate places and the glorious, picturesque and enchanting town of Machynlleth gave us a wealth of interesting and unique performance spaces in which to do this,” says Pickup.
Passenger rights for ferry travel across Europe explained
Thinking of travelling with your caravan or motorhome via ferry this summer? Then make sure you know your rights
Summer is creeping around the corner, which means it’ll finally be time to bust out the caravan or motorhome and get ready for your holiday. And if you’re thinking about travelling through Europe to explore pastures new, then travelling by ferry will certainly be on the agenda. Before you set sail though, it might be handy to ensure you brush up on your rights as a passenger, and now – thanks to The Consumer Council – you can.
The Consumer Council has provided information on your rights as a passenger using the ferry for travel, from or within European Union countries.
Firstly, if your sailing is cancelled or delayed, your ferry company is required to inform you as soon as possible, and no later than 30 minutes after the scheduled departure time. It would be nice to think this is just common courtesy, but did you know this procedure wasn’t even a legal requirement before December 2012? Your ferry company is also obliged by law to provide you with new departure information and arrival times as soon as they are available, as well as being responsible for informing you about alternative travel connections should your delay cause further issues once you eventually reach your port of call.
If things begin to look slightly bleaker and your service is expected to be cancelled or delayed for more than 90 minutes beyond its scheduled departure time, the next step your ferry operator must take is to provide passengers with free snacks, meals and refreshments wherever available or can reasonably be supplied. You should also be given the opportunity to choose if you want to take another ferry at the earliest convenience or request a full refund. But unless you’ve got one of these, we’d pretty much say it would pay to stick around.
If the cancellation or delay of your sail results in an overnight stay then the ferry company is also obliged to provide you with free accommodation for up to three nights. You are also eligible to receive compensation for the inconvenience equal to 25 per cent of the ticket price if you are delayed for at least:
If the delay exceeds double the times set above, the compensation you will be eligible to receive will then be increased to 50 per cent of the ticket price. Keep in mind, though, that you aren’t entitled to any accommodation or compensation if weather or extraordinary conditions are the cause of delay or cancellation. But that’s what your trusty caravan or motorhome is for, right?!
For any more details, click here.
Have you ever experienced the worst when travelling by ferry? Let us know in the comments below.
Group raises funds for disabled children to go on holiday
by Justine Iorga
Facebook group plans to raise enough funds for custom caravan suitable for disabled children
A group called Sand, Sun, and Special Needs has recently set up a donation fund and a Facebook page in an effort to raise funds for disabled children so that they can have the opportunity to go on a holiday in a caravan with their families.
The Facebook-based group was set up by 37 year-old Skegness caravan cleaner and market stall holder Michael Ryan, who, along with other administrators of the page, launched the group because they all know the hardships that can come with having a disabled child. The goal is to have enough money to buy a caravan that is custom made with appliances like a wheel chair ramp for kids who are limited in their movements.
The group has only been up for a little over a month, but the feedback received has already been outstanding, with hundreds of members joining daily and already over £1,300 raised. The sum the group is aiming for is £25,000.
Even though it will require time before reaching the goal, the group has been receiving offers from caravan owners all over the country that are willingly giving up their holiday breaks so that these kids can enjoy some time away with their families using their vehicles.
The group also hopes to become a registered charity, but they currently lack of the requirement needed at the moment. The group explained their current status, saying: “We cannot register as a charity until we have reached £5,000. As we are not a registered charity, Inland Revenue will not currently have information on us. Once we have funds to register as a charity we will do, and by time reach the required funds for a van we will then be able to register it in the charities name. Therefore, the charity will own the caravan.”
This is a great thing these individuals are doing and what better way to get these families minds away from their daily lives then through a holiday in the caravan.
If you’d like to make a donation, click here.
Park Resorts seeks acquisitions following success in past few years
by Justine Iorga
Park resorts is seeking acquisitions after achieving great success
Domestic holiday operator Park Resorts is seeking acquisitions across the country as they invest approximately £20 million a year in improving and developing their 49 existing sites.
The release of the company’s 2014 results shows a 28 per cent jump in underlying earnings. rising from £45.3 million to £57.9 million, whilst revenues grew by 7.5 per cent to £230 million as the company handled more than one million holidaymakers throughout last year. Park Resorts said these figures were boosted through acquisitions over the past two years and by adding 2,000 extra pitches at its existing parks. Although Resorts’ biggest revenue gain is the rent obtained by the 16,700 caravan and lodge owners, followed by sales of caravans, holiday sales and retail, food and drink and other ancillary sales.
Park Resorts commented in a statement, saying: “These results clearly demonstrate that the financial restructuring, which was successfully completed in August 2013, has delivered the anticipated financial benefits and been a major catalyst for growth.”
Electra Partners, an independent private equity fund manager, has also helped the acquisition by teaming up with Park Resorts approximately two years ago. Since the partnership, Electra has backed two acquisitions worth about £45 million each at South Lakeland Parks, adding nine additional venues, as well as Eastern Parks, adding two much larger venues in Skegness and Hunstanton, Norfolk.
With growth looking so positive for Park Resorts and investments going well this can only mean good things. Chief executive David Boden commented on the future of the company, saying: “We will continue to innovate and upgrade our offer, ever striving to create amazing memories for owners and holidaymakers alike. Bookings are strong for 2015 and we look forward to another year of good progress.”
For more information on all of Park Resorts sites, click here.
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