Walsall woman narrowly escapes caravan fire

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by Tom Walsh

A Walsall woman had to look on in horror after a caravan parked on her driveway burst into flames.

The tourer was sat outside the home on Bridge Road in Shelfield when it caught ablaze with fire crews being called to the scene at 03:30am on Sunday (29 September), Express and Star reports.

Flames spread to the semi-detached house causing the window sill and gutters to melt and the woman had to be escorted to safety by emergency crews at the scene.

Steve Palmer, watch commander at Aldridge Fire Station, told the news provider: “This was a serious fire to a caravan that could have engulfed the house had we not responded so quickly.”

Neighbours described the scene as “frightening” and a “bad fire”. The police are currently investigating the incident as a suspected arson attack.

Anyone with any information are being encouraged to come forward and contact the police.

Skegness police to hold meeting to discuss caravan crime

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by Tom Walsh

Skegness is a big favourite for holidaymakers but caravanners in the area have recently been blighted by a spate of crimes.

Inspector Andy Morrice, community policing inspector for Skegness, has now set up a meeting with major representatives to discuss what measures should be taken to tackle the problem, Skegness Standard reports.

The meeting, due to take place on 12 November, will bring together the crime prevention and forensic team, the coastal police force, key business owners and caravan park owners in the area.

Inspector Morrice is hoping to establish a caravan watch scheme which will be run by the police to prevent the risk of further criminal activity.

“I am looking to discuss caravan crime, the effects of it and the methods used to break into caravans, what sort of things get stolen and what we can do to prevent this,” the community policing inspector told the news provider.

Caravanning experiences are rarely a one-off, according to study

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by Myron Jobson

Everyone has a thing they’ve tried once, didn’t like it, and hid it under the bed, put it at the back of the cupboard or even covered over to remove it from plain sight- that forgotten impulse-bought ukulele for example.

A survey which polled the opinions of 1,000 British adults, conducted by search engine Ask Jeeves, has revealed the things that Britons have tried once and sworn never to do again.

Caravanning appears to be an enduring pastime, with only five per cent vowing never to return to caravan parks.

Holiday camps are slightly less popular with eight percent of the Britons polled deciding once was enough for them.

The survey also showed that different foods left a bad taste, including tripe and Marmite with nearly three in ten and one in four people promising never to put themselves through that awful experience again.

Interestingly, Las Vegas boasts the best statistic, with only one percent claiming they would never return to the Nevada city.

“It would be nice to know why but, as they say: ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’,” a spokesman for Ask Jeeves said.

Bailey of Bristol completes 850-mile off-road Australian towing challenge

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by Chris Jefferies
Bailey of Bristol has taken caravan durability testing to the next level by completing an 850-mile off-road towing test.
This is the latest in a series of gruelling tests designed to show off the sturdiness of these caravans and their innovative construction technique.
When the company developed Alu-Tech back in 2009, it set about proving that the new system was fit for purpose by embarking upon an Alpine towing test.
‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.caravantimes.co.uk/news/industry/bailey-unicorn-passes-gruelling-australian-outback-challenge-$21381513.htm">Two years later, this was followed up by the first Australian test, which saw a Bailey Unicorn towed 3,500 miles across the country, facing temperatures of up to 35 degrees centigrade.
However, critics pointed to the fact that this test took place on sealed roads, and the rugged outback remained untouched.
Third time’s the charm
With this in mind, Bailey has carried out a second Australian test that took on the wild expanse of the Flinders mountain range, north of Adelaide.
This five-day journey was arranged by Bailey Australia and included a range of surfaces from dirt roads to gravel tracks.
The newest additions to the Bailey stable were used, in the form of a Unicorn Series II Cartagena and a ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/bailey/bailey-pegasus-gt65/">Bailey Pegasus GT65 Verona.
These models were built to standard Australian specification, albeit with additional front panel guards that were added to protect the nose-end from debris.
To give a comparison with the local vans, two heavy-duty models supplied by Melbourne-based dealer Regent Caravans joined them on their adventure.
Adrian Van Geelan, Managing Director of Bailey Australia, said: “We knew that Bailey Alu-Tech caravans were tough but I don’t think we really appreciated just how tough they were until we undertook this challenge”.
“It was a great way to demonstrate just what these UK-made caravans were capable of and the fact that they were able to go toe-to-toe with locally-built products clearly demonstrated that they are genuine all-terrain vehicles,” he added.
The full story of the outback towing challenge is due to be broadcast on Australian television before the end of the year.
To get a sneak preview and see the kind of terrain these caravans traversed in their 850-mile journey, click on the video below:

Nissan X-Trail included in worldwide recall of 900,000 cars

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by Tom Walsh

One of the most popular caravan towcars is being recalled by its manufacturer as part of a global initiative.

Nissan is ordering the recall of over 900,000 models including the X-Trail, which is a big favourite with caravan owners across the UK.

Toyota is looking for the return of a series of model due to a number of “minor accidents” related to a lever problem which causes the vehicle to shift out of park mode without the driver’s interference.

Nissan stated that the affected models include the Serena, Infiniti M, Lafesta and Fuga made in Japan between 2004 and 2013.

The problem relates to a flaw in the accelerator sensor but the company has maintained that no accidents have been reported. The worst scenario is that the engine could stall.

Toyota is also recalling 615,000 Sienna minivans in the US made during 2004 to 2005 and 2007 to 2009.

VIDEO: Swift Group gives 2014 range upgraded Truma and Alde heating

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by Chris Jefferies
As any caravanner will tell you, the heating system is the single most important piece of kit on board, especially when the days start to get shorter.
This essential equipment can allow you to keep on touring through autumn and well into the winter months.
In this video, CaravanTimes has been catching up with Nick Page, Commercial Director at Swift Group, to find out why the company has uprated their heating systems on the 2014 range.
Nick talks us through the Truma system that comes fitted to all Sprite, Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport models as standard.

To see how Swift test their heating and insulation click here.

We also hear about the premium Alde central heating system that helps to set the ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/swift/swift-challenger-se/">Swift Challenger SE, Sterling Eccles SE, Swift Conqueror and Sterling Elite apart from the crowd.
Click on the video to the right to tune in, then make sure to head along to the NCC Motorhome and Caravan Show at the Birmingham NEC from 15-20 October to see every van in the 2014 Swift collection.

Lincolnshire motorhome owners protest car park barriers

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by Tom Walsh

Motorhome owners in Lincolnshire have shown their objections to new car parks barriers installed by the county council.

A number of owners staged a sit-in protest against the new regulation which prevents car parks from being used as free car parks along the coastline, the BBC reports.

Councillors locked the final barrier at Huttoft Car Terrace on Monday (September 23rd) meaning that high-sided vehicles cannot access any of Lincolnshire’s five coastal car parks and sparking anger among motorhome owners.

Stephen Palmer, councillor for Alford and Sutton, told the BBC: “I’m very sorry to say that it’s their own selfishness which has caused this problem.”

He went to say that some people could not enter the car park on the May bank holiday due to the sheer amount of vans and motorhomes.

The Lincolnshire coastline is a major favourite with holidaymakers due to its picturesque views of the North Sea.

Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher smitten with Bailey caravans

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by Myron Jobson

Nothing much happens in a small village called Emmerdale in Yorkshire bar the odd over-dramatic explosions, hysterical women running after unfaithful boyfriends and a psychopath serial killer failing in his bid to find love.

Kelvin Fletcher (aka Andy Sugden from the popular ITV soap) likes to lead an equally interesting life outside the soap, racing for Team Bailey in the adrenaline-fuelled Mighty Mini and Super Mighty Mini racing series.

Impressed by the team HQ, a Bailey Unicorn caravan that is taken to each race, the Emmerdale star has admitted he is tempted to buy a Bailey mobile home.

Kelvin is the newest member of the team, and he marked his first race at Cadwell Park last weekend (21-22 September) with two third place finishes.

Jonathan Lewis, star rider of the caravan loving team has previously spoken with CaravanTimes about the benefits of staying in a Bailey caravan during races.

He explains that it is better value for money than a hotel and more importantly allows the team to work on their cars from the crack of dawn.

To watch a behind-the-scenes video of Team Bailey racing at Silverstone, ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.caravantimes.co.uk/video/makes/bailey/orion/video-trackside-life-at-silverstone-in-a-bailey-orion-$21381904.htm">click here.

Skoda Superb Estate wins Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2014

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by Chris Jefferies
The Skoda Superb Elegance Estate has been named as the best towcar to buy in 2014 by a panel of Caravan Club judges.
This year’s version of the Superb is the fourth Skoda estate car to win the much-coveted award, as the 2003, 2009 and 2011 incarnations have also taken the top prize.
This time around the assembled experts chose the 2.0-litre diesel with four-wheel drive as the pick of the bunch.
Following a rigorous testing process, which involved towing a Bailey of Bristol caravan around the Millbrook proving ground, the judges concluded that the Skoda is “about as good as it gets”.
The Superb was not the only Skoda to pick up an accolade, as the 1.2-litre Octavia SE was named as the best car in the £16,000-£20,000 category.
Other vehicles to pick up awards included the reigning champion, the Volkswagen Jetta Sport, which claimed the title of best car from £20,000-£25,000.
Organised by the Caravan Club, the Towcar of the Year awards has been running for 31 years, and in that time it has become a key indicator of the very best cars on the market for towing a caravan.
This year’s ceremony was held at the Royal Automobile Club in London, where special guest Perry McCarthy handed out the gongs.
The former racing driver also treated the crowd to a few cheeky anecdotes from his days as the original Stig on BBC One’s Top Gear, revealing how he once wrecked Jamie Oliver’s Maserati during a filming session.
But the day belonged to a prestigious roll call of much more practical family cars. The full list of winners from the 2014 Towcar of the Year is as follows:

  • Under £16,000: SsangYong Korando SE
  • £16,000-£20,000: Skoda Octavia SE 1.2 TSI
  • £20,000-£25,000: Volkswagen Jetta Sport 2.0 TDI DSG
  • £25,000-£31,000: Skoda Superb Elegance Estate 2.0 TDI CR DSG 4×4
  • £31,000-£41,000: Jaguar XF 2.2D Luxury
  • £41,000-£51,000: Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0D Portfolio
  • Over £51,000: Land Rover Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography
  • Judges’ Special Award: Dacia Duster Ambience 4×4
  • Overall Winner: Skoda Superb Elegance Estate 2.0 TDI CR DSG 4×4

Dallas star’s luxurious 1984 Airstream to go under the hammer

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by Myron Jobson

Dallas star Larry Hagman’s Airstream motorhome is among a list of TV and film goods that will be going under the hammer at an auction in California, USA, this weekend.

The actor best known for playing JR in the popular US soap drama, lived in this state-of-the-art, solar panelled 1984 Airstream during filming and it will be sold at Premiere Props in Los Angeles on September 28.

The mobile home, which is one of just 50 motor-powered Airstreams in existence, was used by Larry as a dressing room during his return to Dallas in 2012 and is expected to fetch around $75,000 (£47,000).

Signed Dallas scripts and costumes are among the other items from his personal collection which will be up for sale along with the luxurious motorhome.

Other notable items that are set to feature in the auction includes Ryan Gosling’s dirt bike, from the recent movie The Place Beyond the Pines and a monster truck that initially featured in Sacha Baron-Cohen’s Bruno valued at $10,000 and $25,000-30,000 respectively.

If JR’s Airstream tickles your fancy, you won’t need to book a flight to California. The auction house is accepting bids made on the phone and online.

Harrogate council open to temporary caravan sites during Tour de France

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by Tom Walsh

Yorkshire is preparing for welcoming the most famous cycling race in the world as the Tour de France is due to come to the county next year.

Prior to the arrival of the event, councils have agreed to a planning amnesty which will give more leeway in terms of setting up temporary campsites, caravan parks and car parks.

Harrogate Borough Council has announced the relaxation of planning regulations while other authorities have invested nearly £900,000 to ready Yorkshire for the Tour de France with 500,000 visitors expected to attend.

Councillor Alan Skidmore, cabinet member for Transport, Planning and Economic Development said: “We want to make it easy, not difficult, as we are going to rely on others to help us cope with these numbers.”

The Yorkshire leg of the Tour de France starts with a Leeds to Harrogate run on 5 July, before the peloton moves onto York, Sheffield, Cambridge and London (6-7 July).

Caravan park a possibility on former Northern Irish school site

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by Damien Sharkov
Authorities in the Northern Irish town of Garvagh have set up a group to sample the views of the town’s residents as to how to redevelop the grounds of the currently closed Garvagh high school.
A meeting will be held between local authorities and townspeople to touch base at the GADDA Community building on 26 September, Thursday.
Popular suggestions range from opening a centre for vocational education to opening a caravan park.
Garvagh’s Member of the Legislative Assembly Adrian McQuillan has already met with the tourist board, who suggested the idea of a camping site.
“This is only the beginning of the process,” Adrian admits. “Tthat’s why we want as many people as possible to come along and give us their views.”
“We need a realistic development plan,” he added.
Garvagh is located approximately 30 minutes from the Castlerock coastline, while the nearest campsites are at least a 10-mile radius away from the Northern Irish town, the closest being the Drumeheglis Marina and Caravan Park.
“Any development has to be right for the town, and I have no doubt that it will bring economic benefits if we get it right,” said Adrian.
The meeting will be held tomorrow, 26 September at the GADDA building in Garvagh.