Saudi Arabia government considering using caravans as classrooms

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by Tom Walsh

The Saudi Arabian government could turn to caravans as an alternative way to solve the lack of school buildings in the country.

The Ministry of Education is starting a new project by building mobile homes which can be used as classrooms to teach children.

Saudi Arabia is currently in a situation where not enough school buildings are being created to keep pace with the population.

It is not just an issue with education, as sectors such as health, electricity, water and many others have also been affected.

However, critics of the Ministry of Education say the caravans it intends to build will not be good enough for a school environment.

One solution which has been put forward is recruiting an international company to carry out school projects and then complete them within the space of a year.

Although this process will not come cheap and the expense is expected to be in excess of 1 trillion riyals (£167 billion).

Caravan Guard claims Investment in People award

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by Tom Walsh

Caravan Guard has beaten off competition from some of the leading insurance practices in the UK to claim a prestigious accolade.

The company was awarded the Investment in People title at UK Broker Awards 2013 which was held at The Brewery in London.

Caravan Guard managed to edge ahead of Hastings Direct and was commended for its successful staff training and team building initiatives. These schemes played a major part in maintaining customer satisfaction levels.

Neil Menzies, head of relations at Caravan Guard, said: “We have always believed that people are key to delivering brilliant customer experiences and that’s why we invest heavily in them to ensure their skills continue to develop. A happy team means happy customers after all!”

The ceremony, hosted by comedian Stephen K. Amos, honoured the very best within the insurance sector.

Caravan Guard’s award follows on from its 2012 success of winning the Customer Service Provider of the Year.

Bailey Ranger stolen from driveway in Biggleswade

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by Myron Jobson

A crafty thief stole a £12,000 caravan from outside a house in Biggleswade at night even though the owner’s partner was home at the time.

The owner of the stolen Bailey Ranger, Mark Wraight, who was at work at the time, was shocked and bemused by the incident.

His partner, Debbie Goode, occupied the house at the time but this did not deter the thief.

“Debbie was at home the whole time and we can’t believe what happened,” said the chemicals delivery driver.

“The caravan was secured with a wheel clamp and a hitch-lock but they didn’t seem to be any obstacle to whoever it was who took it.”

Inside the luxurious caravan was £10,000 worth of remote-controlled model powerboats and equipment.

The motorboats were Mark’s pride and joy, spending years constructing the models.

Mark who has made model boats for 20 years is more upset by the loss of his beloved boats because of the sentimental value.

“The boats are made from parts which I have bought from a lot of different places and they are irreplaceable,” said the 42-year-old. “The caravan can be replaced but the boats cannot.”

A cash reward is being offered to anyone who can help locate the Ranger. Anyone with any information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling101.

Australian inmates ‘may be released to live in caravans’

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by Tom Walsh

Caravans could soon be used to help solve the problem of prison overcrowding in the state of Victoria, Australia.

The Herald Sun reports that under a proposal put forward by Corrections Victoria, the most trustworthy inmates would be freed to live in disused community facilities or caravans where they would toil in work gangs.

This suggestion follows pressure on the state government to ease its crowded prisons and plans for new jails to be built.

James Talia, spokesman for corrections minister Ed O’Donohue, said that the idea will have to be worked on further before the Australian government assesses whether it will proceed.

Only those who are serving time for non-violent and non-sexual crimes would reportedly be considered to be freed and most eligible would also be nearing the end of their sentences.

It is hoped that joining the supervised work gangs would be deemed as a privilege earned by inmates for good behaviour, with possible work including planting trees, clearing waterways and erecting fences. This would also help prisoners learn new skills.

West Midlands MEP vows to fight MOT proposal

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by Myron Jobson

A West Midlands MEP has vowed to battle the unpopular European Union’s caravan MOT proposal when the matter comes before Parliament.

The EU Parliament’s transport and tourism committee approved draft legislation which, if passed, could see caravans weighing 750kg and over having to go for regular MOT-style tests

MEP Nikki Sinclaire said: “I agree with the position of the Caravan Club, and others, that this is, indeed, a flawed proposal. When this matter comes before Parliament, I shall vote against the proposal.

Sinclaire has reportedly been inundated with emails from people concerned about the EU proposals.

She is not the only MEP to voice her concerns. Jacqueline Foster MEP, a spokeswoman for Transport and Tourism in the European Parliament, made her view public in August.

“I have spent many months objecting to the inclusion of caravans in this proposed regulation. I believe it to be pointless and it would contribute nothing to improve road safety,” she said.

Sinclaire believes that it’s up to politicians in Westminster rather than “faceless bureaucrats in Brussels” to devise policy on caravans when appropriate.

“Road safety is something that concerns us all but this proposed EU legislation is inappropriate and it has other aspects – including the possibility of increased taxation – that make it unacceptable,” she added.

FEATURE: Mini caravan becomes the world’s smallest solar movie theatre

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by Damien Sharkov
Sometimes even the biggest stars of the silver screen lose their shine. Paul O’Connor and Jo Furlong have taken the matter in their own hands, by having their own cinema, made from an upcycled caravan, reliant on a much more trustworthy star – the Sun.
Billed as the world’s smallest solar movie theatre, Sol Cinema seats eight adults and travels nationally, giving everybody the chance to experience the excitement of the big screen in a new quirky, fun and not to mention environmentally friendly way.
“We wanted to give important exposure to short films, but also have fun parodying mainstream cinema,” Paul, a filmmaker himself, says.
The caravan itself is a three berth Euro-Camper, originally designed in 1965, to be towed by a British Leyland Mini.
Of course its design has come a long way since Paul and Jo conceived of Sol Cinema.
Two wooden tiers of seat frames were installed, cushioned and upholstered, the interior was made to match the red carpet nature of the theatre in production and an LED projector was installed in the back.
The most technically complex part of this caravan project was, however, the installation of the 120W solar panels, designed by David Lloyd-Jones.
All appliances had to conform to an energy-saving standard to ensure they could run under the circumstances of this unorthodox caravan revamp.
Still Sol Cinema retains an air of fun about it, despite the amount of work that has gone into Paul and Jo’s vision. The little caravan has been all around Britain in the last few months, spreading cinema magic from Glastonbury festival to private hire events on every corner of the land.
For more information on hiring Sol Cinema visit thesolcinema.org

Why caravanning in London is getting more popular

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by Myron Jobson

London is a magnificent city that attracts visitors from remote parts of the country and worldwide, including caravan and motorhome enthusiasts.

You may be forgiven in assuming that caravanning in London is a paradox, because of its long narrow roads and chock-a-block traffic jams, which make it extremely difficult to safely transport a caravan around the capital.

However, this should not put caravanners off, because there are many caravan parks in and around London that offer people the opportunity to explore the wonders of the city without any of the hassle.

Good alternative to hotels

With demand for hotel rooms in the capital ever growing, and worst still, the inflation of hotel room prices, people are looking for viable alternatives, with caravan park stays becoming increasingly popular.

Nick Boothroyd, Communications Officer of Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park in Edmonton, North London agrees.

“They are a great alternative allowing visitors to enjoy peaceful surroundings in the countryside whilst still being close to numerous attractions,” he said.

He added: “Caravan parks also offer excellent value for money.”

The Caravan Club’s PR Officer, Beverley Larion, also spoke of the benefits of caravanning as an alternative to hotels.

“Today’s caravans offer great comfort, space and facilities so they’re a great alternative to hotels,” she said.

What does a caravan holiday in London offer?

London is home to spectacular, world-renowned landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, so it’s no wonder tourists from all over the world come to visit.

It hosts many activities to suit even the pickiest of individuals ranging from sightseeing and shopping to theatres trips and exhibitions.

London is a hub for a buzzing nightlife, with hundred of bars, clubs, pubs and cinemas for visitors to enjoy.

The great thing about caravan parks in and around the capital is that you are never too far from the action.

Visitors of Lee Valley Caravan Park can catch a bus from the site every 15 minutes to Edmonton Green Railway station which runs a direct connection to the city in less than an hour.

Similarly, Crystal Palace Caravan Club Site provides an accessible route to the heart of capital. Visitors can take a bus straight into London and Travelcards can be bought on site.

Best of both worlds

For those who are looking for a simpler retreat in a tranquil scenic environment, they can find it with the many caravan parks in and around London.

“Some people come because of the proximity to London and convenience of travelling into the centre, others for peaceful and tranquil surroundings and proximity to the Herts and Essex countryside,” Nick said, commenting on why people visit the Lee valley site.

With over 1,000 acres of the River Lee Country Park and Epping Forest on the doorstep, the site offers a fantastic opportunity for those looking to spend some time living life in the slow lane.

What do people say?

Lee Valley has achieved an impressive four star rating on Trip Advisor. One happy customer wrote: “There are lovely walks along canals with pubs and café just across the road and an Asda and Sainsbury’s five minute drive away.

“We went to London by train which is only ten minutes away making this camp site ideally located.”

The Caravan Club Crystal Palace site has received equally impressive reviews.

“Lovely clean site, easy walk to local shops and many trendy restaurants and bars with a great choice of food.

“Walk to Crystal Palace station down the hill and buy a one-day travelcard for £7 and use this all day to discover all of the sights in the capital, this includes overground train/underground and buses, only 20 minutes by train to London Victoria,” said a caravan enthusiast.

Costs

A caravan retreat in London does not require taking out a second mortgage.

The average price for a hotel room per night for a family of four in London is substantially more than the cost of a pitch, with most ranging from £100 upwards.

Whereas, it only costs £23 per night – excluding special offers – to stay at Crystal Palace Caravan Club site; and just over £25 per night at Lee Valley, around four times less than an average hotel.

“With prices ranging from £20-£30 per couple, per pitch and including electric hook up per night, they offer excellent value for money,” Beverley added.

It has been a good summer for caravanning with some caravanning and campsite directory websites reporting an up to 20% increase in the summer months.

With great facilities, local amusements and an impressive price point, it’s easy to see why London caravan parks are among the big winners in this trend.

VIDEO: More compact motorhoming with the new Elddis Accordo

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by Daniel Mackrell

Elddis has revealed the new Accordo, which has been described as a compact coach-built motorhome.

Compact motorhomes have increased in popularity recently because of their easy manoeuvrability and storage, and Elddis’s new Accordo fits into that category.

In this video CaravanTimes takes a closer look at the Accordo and what it has to offer compared with other Elddis models.

Alan Bateman, a chief designer for the Elddis Accordo speaks about the layout, and the benefits of its compact design such as being easy to drive and store, as well as its flexibility in appealing to various people interested in buying a motorhome.

He also talks about the importance of Elddis’s new Solid Construction which was introduced around 12 months ago, and how it has helped the new Accordo’s design.

The motorhome fits somewhere between Elddis Autoquest and Aspire in its overall design, he explains.

The Accordo is a light motorhome, but it still has a generous 600kg payload, and it has features such as air conditioning, an opening sunroof and cruise control.

VIDEO: Specification in the Bailey Approach Autograph motorhome range

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by Chris Jefferies
When the new Bailey Approach Autograph motorhome range arrived this summer, a lot of fuss was made about the level of luxury on board.
In this video, we find out why Bailey of Bristol chose to fit specific items, from the Al-Ko AMC chassis to the Banner leisure battery.
We meet Rachel May from Bailey, who talks us through the advantages of having 6’10” headroom, plus we discuss the benefits of Alde central heating.
She touches on the addition of the large opening panoramic skylight and how that can help motorhome owners.
Finally, we hear about the kitchen upgrades, such as the Thetford dual-fuel hob and anti-rattle oven and grill, which should make for a quieter touring experience.

Der Bus: World’s largest motorhome up for sale after rebuild project

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by Chris Jefferies
Just when you thought motorhomes couldn’t get any bigger, along comes Der Bus.
This German goliath is officially registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest motorhome, and at 28-tonnes and 18m long, that’s not hard to believe.
What’s more this titanic tourer has been put up for sale, according to its official website derbus.de, although no official price has been listed.
Perhaps the owners think they can start a bidding war, which is understandable given the level of luxury on-board this articulated motorhome.
The double-decker layout includes casino facilities, a VIP lounge and everything you need for hosting special events, with the website bizarrely suggesting falcon hunting as a potential activity for the new owners.
Interior design features include white leather walls, timber-lined windows, corian worktops and chromium plated light fittings.
Up to 144 guests can be accommodated, with all the usual amenities in terms of cooking and washing, but instead of a leisure battery, you get a 5.4Kwh Zeise Camino 8 generator.
Speaking of power, the engine is a 12-cylinder Daimler engine, which generates an astonishing 436bhp.
Comfort is unparalleled with Webasto central heating and De Longhi air conditioning, as well as a combined water tank capacity of 470 litres.
Der Bus was built in 1997, but in preparation for the sale it has been completely disassembled right down to the smallest screw and rebuilt from the ground up, to ensure nothing is amiss.
It’s hard to imagine how much this motorhome would cost to run and insure, let alone buy, but if you were to stump up the cash then you could surely claim the undisputed title of King of the Road.
To take a look inside Der Bus, click on our picture slideshow below:

Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Lunar Caravans releases new lightweight Core range for 2014

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by Tom Walsh

Lunar Caravans has released a new lightweight luxury range, without compromising either quality or comfort.

Its 2014 range offers significant weight reductions, with some models now up to 55kg lighter, thanks to its extensive research and development programme.

This has resulted in Lunar introducing innovative new thermoplastic material into the inner-wall construction, enhancing the bodyshell and ensuring that the caravans deliver the same quality build, durability and luxury finish as previous models, while being markedly lighter and boasting reduced risk of internal cold spots and condensation.

Lunar has achieved this through its new ‘Core’ philosophy and method of construction, which its chief executive officer and chairman Brian Mellor explains marks the start of a long line of future product innovations.

Mr Mellor explained: “Core is how we apply our beliefs and technology to the design of caravans, that enables our customers to experience the enjoyment of caravanning – wherever and whenever they choose and with no compromises.

“For example, we’ve reduced the weight of our tourers to enable our customers to have a wider choice of towcar and to ensure their holidays are not limited in frequency or distance by their fuel consumption.”

The thermoplastic material used in the new Lunar range has been tested rigorously on the road, where it proved to be extremely resilient, strong and durable.

A climate test was also conducted, which showed that the new season caravans have a more even spread of warm air inside, eliminating cold spots and significantly reducing the occurrence of condensation.

Lunar’s 2014 model range offers many visual and specification enhancements.

The Ariva/Quasar models boast restyled kitchens, chrome bathroom fittings, a 4KW Truma Combi Boiler with Digital Control Panel, and a Kenwood Radio/CD/MP3 Player.

Alde Touchscreen control panels, new alarm systems with PIR and Tilt sensors and restyled ovens and fridges are all present in the Stellar/Lexon models, while the Clubman/Delta 2014 range offers Lagonda soft furnishing, contemporary Alde bathroom radiators and a new exterior design, among other updates.

The new Lunar 2014 season collection will be on display at the Birmingham NEC from 15-20 October as part of the 2013 NCC Motorhome and Caravan Show.

VIDEO: Introducing the 2014 Swift Challenger Sport

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by Chris Jefferies
Two years on from its launch and it’s fair to say that the Swift Challenger Sport is now a firmly established fixture in the UK caravan market.
With its stylish front sunroof and lightweight layouts, this range has won over many caravanners across the UK and beyond.
For the 2014 season, the Swift Group has refreshed this range with a few key changes and a new family layout.
In this video we find out everything you need to know about this updated collection, discuss its sister range, the Sterling Eccles Sport, and get an insight into the construction system used in the Swift factory.

To see a walkthrough of the latest Swift ranges click here.


This season’s Challenger Sport models will be the first to feature ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/swift/smart-construction.htm">Smart Construction, which uses PURe (a type of polyurethane) to replace the timber traditionally used in the framework.
To get the inside story, click on the video player on the right.