Bailey of Bristol celebrates 65 years by reporting record £95 million turnover

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by Ruchi Srivastava

Bailey of Bristol has had a special 65th anniversary, as the company recorded an annual turnover of £95million for their business in 2013.

This extremely impressive figure is a 4% (or £4 million) increase in comparison to 2012 and is in fact, the best financial return figure in the company’s long and distinguished history.

Primary reasons for the production growth are their emergence in new markets, such as the introduction of coachbuilt motorhomes as well as the increased export of bespoke touring caravans to Australia and New Zealand

Both of these developments began in 2011 and in just two years, the sales of the two products have grown to account for one-fifth of the total group turnover.

Bailey has in turn credited these positive achievements to the additional development of the patented Alu-Tech design technology, which has been useful in increasing business opportunities and reinforcing the company’s position within the market.

In fact, in the last five years, Bailey has used Alu-Tech to launch ten caravan and three motorhome ranges. Some of these new ranges include the Approach Autograph as well as the Approach Compact motorhome ranges along with the most recently-launched Bailey Pursuit caravan range.

Another feather in their hat of achievements included the fact that a Bailey Approach motorhome was selected to appear in an episode of BBC One’s Top Gear that showcased the best of British motor vehicles, once again establishing that Bailey was second to none in this regard.

Speaking about Bailey’s achievements in the past year, the Managing Director of Bailey, Nick Howard said:

“The company has performed strongly over the past twelve months – in this our 65th anniversary year.

“By carefully monitoring market conditions and responding to customer feedback we have been able to successfully broaden our product portfolio to sustain the growth of the business.”

Also, talking about the future plans for the company, he added:

“A more positive economic outlook combined with good recent summer weather has helped build growth in customer confidence and consequently we believe that, as an industry, we are well placed for the year ahead.”

Bailey therefore looks forward to an even better year ahead of them with a number of new product launches in the pipeline along with an additional capital investment programme underway.

Meanwhile, we at CaravanTimes wish the Bailey team all the best of luck for all their future endeavours.

FEATURE: Welcome to the crazy world of caravan banger racing

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by Jake Polden

Caravans often get bad press for being painfully slow, visibility restricting annoyances on the road.

We here at CaravanTimes however, beg to differ, and to that end we bring you an insight into the frenetic world of caravan banger racing – a sporting event that completely turns the cliche on its head – to prove the doubters wrong.

What is caravan banger racing?

We’re glad you asked.

It’s quite literally the obvious addition of caravans to the original sport of banger racing, where a large number of cars line up alongside each other to race around a track and crash into one another.

Differing from the American demolition derby, where the only objective is to immobilise other vehicles, banger racing involves racing to a chequered flag, as well as smashing others’ vehicles up.

Lining up on tarmac or dirt tracks that are normally oval-shaped or a figure of eight, competitors consist of ‘rodders’, those who intend to race hard to the finish, and ‘wreckers’, those who wish to reap as much carnage as is physically possible to reap with, all of which with a caravan in tow.

A whole lot of history

Surprisingly the sport of banger racing is older than you’d probably think, with disputed claims of it originating in the 19th century, when disused locomotives were used to purposefully crash into each other head on.

Stemming from spectators’ enjoyment in witnessing crashes in general motor racing, banger racing only inducted caravans relatively recently, as a bizarre addition that ultimately serves to create further carnage.

With each event presenting a range of prizes to the rarest, best and strangest vehicles on show, there is far much more to consider than just how hard you can clout others with your beefy caravan.

Why, oh why?

Well, why ever not?

Yes it’s completely ridiculous and yes we are sure there are some of you out there who will wince at the sight of a defenceless caravan buckling under the impact of a heavy Ford ploughing into the side of it, but we assure you it’s okay.

As you’d expect, even with the lure of enticing prizes to be won for best in show, most competitors drive barely drivable cars and tow caravans that had their day in 1949.

What’s more there is no disdain for caravans amongst spectators, despite the sport appearing to do nothing more than evoke further masochistic tendencies towards them.

Au contraire – if anything caravans go up in the books of those in attendance as they only add to the carnage and excitement – exactly what everyone’s looking for.

So don’t be afraid to nudge the person next to you at an event, point and announce, “I’ve got one of them” as the remains of a Bailey Discovery begin a gravitational descent back down towards earth.

Interested?

Well after reading all that, why wouldn’t you be?

Okay in hindsight, maybe we didn’t sell it to you too well. But seriously, where else can you go and watch a sport event and witness a caravan, or bits of a caravan, flying past you?

If you are interested in finding out more, check out the Spedeworth website where you can investigate further and book tickets to watch caravan banger racing events around the UK.

And for those of you who cannot wait until then, click on the video below for a taster:

Playing fields owner wants conversion to caravan site

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by Tom Walsh

The owner of north-west London playing fields has argued that there is a huge demand for touring caravan sites as he pushes for a conversion of the land.

Richard Gabriel, the head of Harrow Community Sports Ltd, believes that the area would benefit from an influx of caravanners and added that using the site for sports is no longer a financially viable option for the company, Harrow Times reports.

The organisation has submitted plans to Harrow Borough Council to convert part of Broadfields playing fields, in Headstone Lane, into a site suitable for both campers and caravans alike.

Mr Gabriel explained that 75 pitches would be made available for holidaymakers looking to experience a break in the capital.

Council planning officers have previously blocked attempts to transform the playing fields but Mr Gabriel is confident that all the right measures have been taken to ensure the latest application is successful.

With many families tightening their belts financially a caravan holiday can be a favourite for a short break.

Morecambe caravan bedding firm owner claims top accolade

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by Tom Walsh

It has been a great start to the new year for the owner of a Morecambe-based specialist caravan bedding company.

Nicky Cannon, managing director of Jonic, has been named as the Manufacturing Business Woman of the Year 2013 at the Woman in Business awards, hosted by networking group Forward Ladies, Lancaster Guardian reports.

The accolade comes after an impressive year for Jonic which has seen an upturn in growth over the past year. It has led it to supply a number of major manufactures and has even moved into bed linen, upholstery and curtains for homes.

Ms Cannon is no stranger to these awards as it is the second consecutive year she has been bestowed with the honour.

She told the news provider: “I am delighted to have won a Woman in Business Award for the second time. There are many great women that have been previously honoured and I am proud to have again joined this elite group.”

Jonic designs bedding for caravans, static caravans, motorhome, boats among others.

Bessacarr caravan badly damaged in failed towing theft

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by Shoaib Rokadiya

A police investigation is underway after a caravan was damaged in an unsuccessful theft attempt in Hillam, North Yorkshire.

On Thursday 2 January, at approximately 7.20pm, a group of suspected thieves parked a dark coloured 4×4 vehicle-possibly an Isuzu Trooper-outside a property on Hillam Hall View.

However, the attempt failed when the would-be thieves failed to correctly secure the caravan to their getaway vehicle, allowing the caravan to be sent rolling into a neighbour’s tree.

The caravan, a £40,000 Bessacar model, was left with a significant amount of material damage, with a glass solar panel torn from its roof in the wreckage.

The damage is estimated to be in the region of £25,000.

Officers are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or who might know the whereabouts of the culprits to contact them with information.

Anyone who can help the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for PC Nicola Gill or Selby police.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12140001129 when passing information about this incident.

Australian caravan park struck by lightning

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by Tom Walsh

An Australian caravan park was caught in an intense storm with two holidaymakers being taken to hospital after lightning struck the site’s grounds.

The Cotton Tree Holiday Park was in the middle of a severe thunderstorm which hit the Maroochydore area on Sunday evening (29 December), Sunshine Coast Daily reports.

One man in his 70s and another man in his 40s were taken to Nambour General Hospital following a lightning strike. Both men are said to be in a stable condition.

Western Australia has been on red alert following a powerful cyclone which made landfall on Monday (30 December).

Cyclone Christine brought torrential rain and strong winds to the Pilbara region before battering communities between Port Hedland and Karratha.

Residents in one town explained that the cyclone, which carried winds of up to 200mph, was the worst in living memory.

Cyclone Christine was originally rated as a category three system but has since been downgraded to a category one.

Stourport men accused of burgling Christmas presents from caravan

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by Tom Walsh

Two men from Stourport have been accused of stealing £600 of Christmas presents after breaking into a caravan.

Joe Glyptis and Ernie Taylor were in court charged with burgling the mobile home which was sat outside a property at The Birches in the early hours of 17 December, the Kidderminster Shuttle reports.

The 26-year-old and 27-year-old are accused of stealing wrapped Christmas presents containing clothes and toys. The items were subsequently retrieved by police officers.

Appearing before Worcester magistrates, both Mr Glyptis and Mr Taylor are also charged with stealing a wheelie bin from outside a property in Willowdene on the same night.

The pair were remanded in custody and were set to appear at Redditch Magistrates court on 24 December.

The crimes had the potential to significantly disrupt the victims’ Christmas plans with a whole host of presents being taken from just outside their home.

Tragedy strikes Yorkshire caravan site as barman is trapped underneath caravan

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by Ruchi Srivastava

Tributes have been steadily pouring in for a barman who was killed in an unfortunate caravan accident.

The incident occurred on Church Lane in Gomersal, at round 1.30am on 27 December.

Dominic Goddard, who was a former pupil at Whitcliffe Mount School and in his early 20s, is believed to have been walking along the street when he somehow ended up getting trapped under a caravan that was being towed at the time.

Although the road was sealed off by emergency services and the fire-fighters fought to help Dominic, but without success.

The news of Dominic’s death has resulted in a flood of messages and tributes on Facebook, especially from the pub that Dominic worked at in Cleckheaton.

Posting on their Facebook page, the pub said: “It is with deep regret that we need to announce that one of our longest serving members of staff, Dom Goddard, passed away this morning.

“Our thoughts are with his brother and his family at this time.”

Dominic’s family and loved ones have also expressed their sense of loss and pain over his untimely death.

Kirsty Eastwood, Dominic’s girlfriend, added: “Words can’t describe how much I miss my boy.

“I might have only known him six months, but we shared so much together and I know we’d have been together so much longer.”

Also expressing his grief, a friend, Scott McGhee exclaimed “Words can’t describe how we are all feeling, but there’s clearly a lot of broken hearts and teary eyes.

Meanwhile police have ruled out any suggestion of foul play and have said that it is not likely that anyone will be arrested over the accident.

Jubilee Park in Woodhall Spa set to be handed over

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by Tom Walsh

Jubilee Park in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, is set to be handed over to a newly-formed, charitable company by 31 March.

Woodhall Spa Parish Council, which has owned the park for three years, has failed to meet deadlines for the handover in the past due to a series of problems, Horncastle News reported.

While awaiting a decision on the site, the Council’s Jubilee Park committee will be making preparations for the 2014 tourist season.

Their duties will include setting staffing levels and prices for the caravan site and the outdoor swimming pool.

The council is set to retain ownership when the park is handed over at the end of March while the company would take over management of it on a leasehold agreement.

One of the obstacles that still has yet to be dealt with before the park can be handed over includes repaying a loan that was taken out to refurbish an amenity block.

Gloucestershire caravan fire tackled by local fire services

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by Tom Walsh

A caravan in Tuffley, Gloucestershire, was severely damaged in a fire on 29 December.

Following reports that the mobile home on Arlingham Road had caught fire, a team from the Gloucester South Fire Station were the first to arrive on the scene, the Gloucester Citizen reported.

The five-man team stayed on the scene for 20 minutes as the fire was brought under control, using a hosereel and breathing apparatus to extinguish the flames. Following this, they stayed on the scene for another 20 minutes.

As the caravan was parked on open ground, it posed little risk to neighbouring properties and luckily no one was hurt in the blaze. Details of what caused the fire have not yet been released.

The story comes just a few weeks after Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service were called out during November to fight ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.caravantimes.co.uk/news/insurance/security/tewkesbury-storage-site-blaze-claims-50-caravans-$21383648.htm">a blaze in a storage centre in Worcestershire.

On that occasion 80 touring caravans and mobile homes in storage were destroyed, with Chinese lanterns highlighted as a possible cause.

Win an awning and one of 25 pairs of tickets to the Manchester caravan show

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by Chris Jefferies
2014 is only a few days old, but we’re already gearing up for this first huge caravan show of the year, which is due to kick off at Manchester’s Event City on Thursday 23 January.
This enormous event is packed with holiday ideas and brand new models to get you excited about touring the countryside this year.
Swift and Eterniti will be bringing all their new 2014 models, while Elddis, Bailey, Coachman and Lunar will be represented by their dealers.
This crowd-pleasing show always features a few celebrity appearances, so keep your eyes peeled for a few famous faces.
Tickets are on sale now for just £7.50 for adults, but 25 lucky CaravanTimes readers will be able to go along for free as part of our latest competition.
We’ve got 25 pairs of tickets to give away. What’s more, one winner will also get a brand new Khyam Motordome awning, worth more than £450.
To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply fill out the form below before the deadline of midday on Friday 17 January.
Don’t forget to include a valid e-mail address, so we can let you know if you’ve won. Best of luck to all those who enter and we hope to see plenty of you at the show.

Caravan Club to hold National Rally 2014 at Arley Hall

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by Ruchi Srivastava

So the Christmas frenzy is finally over but that doesn’t mean that you no longer have any reason to party because caravan lovers everywhere now have another reason to celebrate.

The Caravan Club’s annual members rally event, The National will be held at Arley Hall at Cheshire this year during the May Bank Holiday weekend of 23-27 May.

One of the largest caravan gatherings in the UK, this event is also open to non-members of the Caravan Club and brings together various products and facilities that would appeal to all caravanners and motor-homers.

With over 2,000 outfits expected to arrive for the National, this is the main social occasion in the Caravan Club calender and certainly one to mark in your calendar for an enjoyable and memorable experience.

All this takes place at Arley Hall and Gardens, in Cheshire amidst an atmosphere of fun and frolics which includes a busy exhibition centre as well as a food court.

Guaranteed to feature something for the whole family, the Caravan Club National Rally promises a relaxing summer break with “outstanding evening entertainment, infectious fun and exciting activities during the day.”

The packed line-up of the club’s entertainment, includes a Friday night treat of Abba Arrival- a tribute act to the unforgettable seventies musical sensation.

Other acts that might catch your ear include the traditional Proms Night Special, which features Caravan Club Concert Band and Singers. 

However, we warn you that audience participation is considered to be a necessary part of this musical feat, so you better be prepared to sing along!

Tickets for the various evening entertainment programmes are available from the box office in the Internet Café, box office and are available at affordable prices, ranging from £17 (adults), £12 (5-17years) and children up to 4 years can go for free.

However, music is not the only thing that this event offers. The whole family can enjoy some quality time together in ‘The Village’- the main central area, whilst also being amused by various walkabout entertainers, including the mischievous antics of Sheridan.

For the children and all animal lovers, there’s also the Jive Pony with their musical equestrian routines, the loveable ‘Superdogs’ in the form of the Cheshire Dog Display Team and the interesting Birds of Prey display by Gauntlet Birds.

So visitors can be sure of a fun-filled, caravanning trip for all the family.

With families of four getting to stay for the whole four days for less than £100 for a non-electric pitch, this seems like the perfect way to discover rallying.

Other good visitor offers include two for one entry to Arley Hall and Gardens.

For further details, check online or call The National Rally booking line on 01342 336666.