Otter pup rescued from Stockton caravan park

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by Jake Polden

Caravanning is all about seeing the great outdoors; it’s an opportunity to be at one with nature, to enjoy the encompassing greenery and to experience wild animals in their natural habitat.

Birds, fish and deer are perhaps the most common wild animals found in the UK, but every now and again an animal that we are perhaps a little less familiar with makes itself known to us.

And that’s exactly what happened at a caravan park in Stockton, where a six-week old otter pup was discovered.

Little information has been released regarding the discovery, however it is believed that the otter became stranded after coming out the nearby River Tees.

Taken to a local veterinary surgery, the otter pup is now in the capable hands of staff who are looking after the creature until next week, when it will be transferred to a sanctuary.

Nicknamed ‘Otty’ the pup is believed to be in good condition and is enjoying being fed puppy milk, although perhaps not as much as the staff who get to feed it.

VIDEO: Spot the latest outdoor trends at the Caravan and Camping Show

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by Chris Jefferies
Whether you call it glamping, staycationing, or simply camping, there’s no arguing that outdoor holidays have had something of a resurgence in recent years.
It started off as a reaction to the recession, but with so many eye-catching designs and stylish models on the market, camping and caravanning has gone on to really capture the public’s imagination.
And there’s no place better to discover why this is than at the Caravan and Camping Show (18-23 February), which brings together the best and brightest of the UK industry and beyond.
This year’s show will have classic campervans, cute micro-caravans, innovative tents and even some truly colossal motorhomes.
What’s more, there are tonnes of stands promoting wonderful destinations to spark your wanderlust and sense of adventure.
In this video, we take a look at some of the key highlights to look forward to in 2014 and talk to some of the regulars who come from far and wide to see what’s on offer. Give it a try for yourself this year and who knows what you might discover…

COMPETITON: Manchester caravan show tickets and free awning winners announced

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by Chris Jefferies
The Manchester Caravan and Motorhome Show is where 2014 begins in earnest for lovers of all things outdoorsy, with all the big names in the industry represented.
This year’s show looks to be as busy as ever, with special guest Michelle Collins (of EastEnders and Coronation Street fame) due to cut the ribbon on Thursday 23 January.
Advance tickets are on sale now at the bargain price of £7.50 for adults, but 25 lucky couples will be going along for free, thanks to our latest competition.
CaravanTimes has 25 pairs of tickets to give away, and as if that wasn’t enough we also have an awning worth more than £450 to throw into the mix.
The deadline for entries has now passed, so without further ado, the lucky winners are:

Colin Cassel, Robert Smithers, Brian Hardisty, Chris Buchanan, Magdalen Rogers, Paul Foster, Roger Pearse, Karen Lloyd, Sue Hawkins, John McClure, Bob Fraser, David Coatham, Steve Varden, Stacey Evans, Suzanne Pealin, Alan Clare, Lee Ainsworth, Chris Singleton, Heather Davison, Val Brailsford, Gary Turner, Paul Russell, Brian Smith and Sue Smith

And the winner of our grand prize, a pair of free tickets plus a Khyam Motordome awning worth more than £450 is

John Herterick

Congratulations to you all, we’ll be in touch via e-mail to arrange delivery of your prizes. Commiserations to everyone else who entered, but keep checking back with CaravanTimes for more exciting competitions in the near future.

1950s-style Promettes to bring caravan glamour back to Brighton

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by Jake Polden

In a bid to “harness some of London 2012’s sporting spirit”, VistBrighton is to revive its 1950s Promettes tradition – stationing up to 50 new tourist guides in caravan headquarters around Brighton town centre.

Known for their good looks, snappy blue uniforms and white gloves, the original Promettes were a common sight in Brighton around the mid-50s, when they provided tourists with information about the local area.

Currently looking for volunteers, VistBrighton has announced that it is hoping to station modern Promettes at key locations around the town, including the famous pier and seafront, the train station and the Royal Pavilion.

Unfortunately, the new Promettes won’t visually resemble their eye-catching predecessors, but will be identifiable by their branded polo shirts and cagoules. More practical gear perhaps, but hardly as glamorous.

While the voluntary position will be unpaid, VistBrighton has announced that workers will receive free tickets to tourism-related openings, transferable skills and a certificate of achievement after their six-month contract has expired.

Speaking to The Argus, a newspaper local to Brighton, Audrey Page, who was a Promette in 1956 said: “I think it’s a very good idea to bring them back, although things are a lot different now from how they were then.

“We used to help people with their [deck] chairs, posting their cards or if somebody got sunburnt or was not feeling well, telling them where they needed to go.
“Anyone doing it now will have to be quite knowledgeable. I think it will be a more difficult job than it was before. They are going to have to be ready for just about anything and carry quite a bit of information with them.”
Audrey may well have a point, but we’re sure the caravan headquarters will be a great place to retreat to, should the job get too intense.

For a trip down memory lane with the original 1950 Brighton Promettes, click on the video below:

Thieves make off with Al-Ko hitches after raid on Airstream and Co factory

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by Tom Walsh and Chris Jefferies

Thieves have targeted the Airstream and Company facility in Tebay, taking a number of valuable caravan parts.

The Westmorland Gazette reported that the incident took place between 6:30pm on 6 January and 7:00am on 7 January.

Police stated that a number of AL-KO stabiliser hitches were taken and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward especially those who saw suspicious people or vehicles in the area or on the A686 heading to Kirkby Stephen.

The AL-KO stabiliser hitches are attached to Eriba models which are some of the most popular products within the company’s range.

Airstream’s Eriba portfolio ranges from the Troll 550 right up to the deluxe Nova S 540 and come in a number of different configurations ranging from the smaller three berth models right up to the larger five berth vehicles.

Michael Hold, Sales Director at Airstream Europe, told CaravanTimes: “Sadly during one stormy wet night last week, we were visited by robbers who stole 15 AL-KO AKS 3004 hitch head stabiliser couplings from new Eriba Tourings and pre-owned trailers in our outside storage and display areas. Nothing else was stolen or broken into”

He added that these were “obviously stolen to order” for caravans that are “not so well equipped”.

Al-Ko has confirmed that other dealers and suppliers in the area have been targeted, and although replacement stabilisers have been delivered to the Airstream factory, the company will be out of stock of Al-Ko hitch-locks until February.

Police added that people with information should contact PC Fox on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Tracker system helps to recover stolen Swift caravan once again

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by Tom Walsh

A partnership between Tracker and the Swift Group has paid dividends once again as the company helped to recover a stolen caravan.

The two companies have an agreement where Tracker devices are installed in all Swift models and it has allowed police to easily recover a caravan that had been taken from the owner’s storage unit.

Mr Gaston had only had his Swift Challenger caravan for seven months when it was stolen but help was at hand thanks to his vehicle being fitted with a Tracker device.

Once the device was activated it meant police could easily hunt down the model after taking down the Central Registration Identification Scheme (CRiS) number. The caravan was recovered in just a matter of hours.

Adrian Davenport, police liaison officer for Tracker, said: “Mr Gaston’s story shows just how important it is to ensure the dealership registers the sale with Tracker to activate the account and their three months’ free subscription.”

Children happiest when camping or caravanning, survey says

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by Tom Walsh

Choosing a family holiday destination can be a difficult decision for parents.

It can be stressful thinking of whether they should go abroad or enjoy a break in the UK but new research has suggested one type of vacation that will keep the kids happy.

A study by The Camping and Caravanning Club and the Manchester Caravan and Motorhome Show found 96 per cent of children are at their happiest when they are playing outside on a camping or caravanning holiday.

The research noted that 76 per cent of children and adults who go on these types of holidays are happy with their quality of life. This is in contrast to just 59 per cent of those not enjoying these breaks.

Liz Murphy, senior marketing and communications director at The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “There’s so much to see and explore in the great outdoors.

“Whether you’re sleeping under canvas for the first time, visiting local attractions or listening to the dawn chorus; camping is the perfect family holiday option.”

Hillside Leisure to launch new Nissan campervan at 2014 NEC show

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by Ruchi Srivastava

Derby-based, compact motorhome specialist, Hillside Leisure has announced that itwill be introducing a new Nissan campervan at the Caravan & Camping Show at the NEC Birmingham.

The new model has been built on the Nissan NV200 basis, which has previously also been used as a base for the Lunar Vacanza and Sussex Campervans, not to mention the new London taxicab.
Promoted as being convenient and extremely affordable, the Hillside Leisure version will come in two versions, available at a bargain price of under £25,000.

In addition to its price, running along the same lines of their previous models like the Birchover (on a VW base) or Ellastone (based on a Renault Trafic), this new Nissan motorhome will also include features like a side kitchen, rear bench floor-plans along with a crash-tested seat and bed system, developed by RIB.

Differing a little from each other, the standard new model will be a four-seater with a 1.04m-wide seat/bed. On the other hand, the kitchen will contain a two-burner hob, sink and a fridge. There will even be a rising roof, which will result in extra headroom on site.

In contrast to this, the second model will be a five-seater, featuring a more spacious bed area. However, this means that there will be a decrease in the galley space. The other difference is that in the kitchen, a portable cool-box will replace the fitted fridge.

Along with their various features, both the models will probably have a swivel passenger cab-seat as seen in other van versions of the NV200.

Although limited details of the models are available at the moment, more detail should be released during the weeks leading up to the 2014 NEC show, which runs from 18-23 February.

To see more of the new Nissan NV200 conversion, click on the slideshow below:


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

ABI teams up with 11-year-old caravan designer

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by Tom Walsh

Caravan companies are always on the look out for fresh new ideas, and it seems that ABI has found one, from a local 11-year-old.

School pupil Jason Parker had written to the company submitting a floor plan design for a static caravan and he was immediately invited to the ABI headquarters by director Richard Jones.

On arrival Jason was stunned to see that one of his designs had been brought to life through 3D graphic design technology.

His plan, entitled ‘ABI Nature’, really caught the attention of senior figures at the holiday home company.

Mr Jones told the news provider: “Jason’s designs show such a great level of detail and effort we felt it only right to invite him to have a look around.”

The youngster and his family were given a tour of the ABI headquarters and shown the process of bringing designs through the production phase and into the completed article.

When asked how he had enjoyed his day at ABI, Jason replied that it was “definitely one of the best days of my life”.

If you’re a budding caravan designer, read Jason’s letter below and see his design at the foot of the page for some inspiration:

Norfolk caravan park named as birthplace of British civilisation

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by Tom Walsh

A Norfolk caravan park has been highlighted as being the site of one of the first human settlements in Britain.

Stone tools found around Manor Caravan Park in Happisburgh are believed to be the earliest evidence of humans living in the UK.

They will now form part of a new exhibition at the National History Museum in London.

The newly discovered artefacts suggest that humans arrived on British shores 900,000 years ago and these tribes were a primitive predecessor of Homo Antecessor.

Professor Chris Stringer, a human origins researcher, said: “This is the first time the key specimens from our research are together in one place.

“I hope people will be able to really get a feel for how different and changeable Britain was and see some of the incredible material and relics that have been found right beneath their feet.”

The ‘Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story’ exhibition in London opens on 13 February and runs until 28 September.

Dawlish caravan park robber to be sentenced

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by Tom Walsh

One of the men accused of robbing a Dawlish caravan and camping park has pleaded guilty.

Craig Lockyer, from Radstock near Bath, admitted to stealing £12,000 at the Golden Sands park but a second man has denied the charge, the Exeter Express and Echo reports.

The incident at the seaside resort took place on 27 August last year when Mr Lockyer robbed park employee Timothy Harrison’s caravan.

Michael Kelly, from Littiatt Lane, Bath, denied the same offence and police are set to continue their inquiries into the incident.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, adjourned the case of Mr Kelly at Exeter Crown Court for a later trial date but warned Mr Lockyer that he is likely to be facing a substantial prison sentence.

Golden Sands holiday park is a popular tourist destination an its location makes it perfect for people wanting to enjoy a holiday in Devon and Cornwall.

Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey to perform at NEC show

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by Chris Jefferies
NCC Events has announced their special guest for next month’s Caravan and Camping Show (18-23 February) and for once, it won’t be a human.
Pudsey the dog, winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2012, will be performing tricks in the new Dog Agility Theatre in Hall 4, with help from his owner Ashleigh Butler.
The talented duo will be taking to the floor twice a day to wow the crowds with their impressive routines and tricks.
And they are not the only famous faces to be gracing the show, as Countryfile presenter and recently elected President of The Camping and Caravaning Club, Julia Bradbury will also be there on the opening day (Tuesday 18 February).
Other celebrity appearances planned for the national show include ex-Blue Peter presenter and adventurer Helen Skelton (Thursday 20 February), and TV action man Andy Torbet (Friday 21 February).
The show falls during half term for many families and it is expected to be as popular as ever, with all the biggest names in the world of camping and caravanning due to exhibit their 2014 ranges, including Swift, ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/bailey/">Bailey, Kampa and Elddis.
Tickets are on sale now at the advance price of £8 for adults and £7 for seniors, while under 16s can come along for free and parking is included in the ticket price.
In the meantime, to get you in the mood for some amazing feats of doggie agility, click on the video below to see Ashleigh and Pudsey wow the judges with their winning performance in the 2012 Britain’s Got Talent final: