European Commission to relax motorhome driving regulations

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by Tom Walsh

Summer is a prime time for people jumping in their motorhome and heading to a different part of the UK or even hopping across the English Channel for a holiday.

As the temperatures soar on home soil those planning these types of breaks have been given a timely boost by the European Commission.

Ministers have announced that they will be relaxing the regulation surrounding category C1 driving licences, which includes motorhomes and other vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes.

The current legislation states that anyone who passed their driving test after 1 January 1997 would have to take both a practical and theory exam to drive a vehicle which weighed over 3.5 tonnes.

However, the European Commission has now introduced the C1 97 designed specifically for motorhome drivers, and while it does require an extra test it does not involve the criteria specified for commercial drivers.

The UK, along with all other European countries, will need to adopt the C1 97 test by the end of the year.

Jedward to appear at Bunn Leisure campsite concert

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by Tom Walsh

Jedward are set to join names such as Billy Ocean and Ben E May as they have been announced as the main act to play the Bunn Leisure campsite concert.

The Irish pop duo, made famous for their appearance on the X Factor in 2009, will perform at Warner Farm Touring Park on 28 September.

John and Edward are just the latest famous act to be named to play the concert after Billy Ocean played the site in May and US soul legend Ben E King will also be performing on 7 September.

In addition to Jedward’s appearance there will be a number of tribute acts ranging from The Kinks to Olly Murs.

Warner Farm Touring Park, in south Sussex, forms part of the Bunn Leisure complex and the concert is free for park guests.

People can pitch up or park a caravan for £22.50 per night or can purchase a static caravan for the weekend from £46 per person.

Cooking gas accident lands two campers in hospital

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by Tom Walsh

A butane and propane cylinder explosion has landed two campers in hospital with facial burns.

The two women were using the device for cooking at a campsite in Nant Gwynant, Caernarfon, when the incident occurred.

Fire crews had to be called to the site last month (27 June) and the campers were transferred by ambulance to a Ysbyty Gwynedd hospital in Bangor.

The incident has prompted the fire service to warn people about the dangers of using bottled gas when cooking and to remain extra vigilant to ensure that an incident such as this does not happen again.

Gareth Griffiths, spokesman for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Caravans and tents are potentially more hazardous than our homes as the inherent risks are magnified in confined spaces.

“So its important not to let your guard down and forget basic fire safety advice when on your holiday.”

Scottish caravan park scores five-star VisitScotland rating

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by Tom Walsh

Craigendmuir Caravan and Camping Site has become the latest holiday park to be given a five-star rating by VisitScotland.

The Evening Times reported that the facility, situated on Clayhouse Road in Glasgow, joins the likes of One Devonshire Gardens, Cameron House Hotel and Turnberry Hotel as Lanarkshire destinations which have been given this accolade.

Craigendmuir describes itself as being “on the doorstep of Glasgow” and is an ideal base for people wanting to explore West Central Scotland or for stopping over before venturing further north.

It has been an ever-present feature in Lanarkshire for 40 years and was taken over by John and Ivan Hendry in 2004 who embarked on a major upgrade of the site.

John Hendry told the news provider: “We as a business can put in all the infrastructure required but it is the staff who bring it all together, going the extra mile to help and engage with visitors to the park.”

Welsh caravan park welcomes osprey hatchlings

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by Tom Walsh

A Welsh caravan park is set to be hearing the sound of ospreys on a daily basis as a couple of eggs have hatched.

Morben Isaf Holiday Home and Touring Park sits next door to the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s Dyfi Osprey Project near Machynlleth and staff are delighted the little chicks have finally hatched.

There had been worries that the parent birds’ chances of raising their young might have been hampered by the late mating season but these fears have now been alleviated.

Sarah Lewis, Morben Isaf Holiday Home and Touring Park manager, told the news provider: “We all hope that the weather improves and it all works out for the chicks.

“We’d like to encourage caravanners and motorhomers to stay with us so that they can monitor what happens to the new arrivals.”

Morben Isaf sits in among magnificent countryside and boasts both static caravans and space for touring caravanners.

East Devon holiday park claims David Bellamy environmental award

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by Tom Walsh

An eco-friendly holiday park in east Devon has claimed the prestigious David Bellamy Gold Environmental Award.

Oakdown Holiday Park, situated on the Jurassic Coast stretching across Devon and Dorset, claimed the title for the 16th consecutive year and also received a Highly Commended in the Visit England awards 2013.

The facility has already been nominated as leading green site and this latest award will go into its busting trophy cabinet.

Oakdown is dedicated to maintaining the environment and has found intriguing ways of reducing its carbon footprint.

The park has installed a Victorian Reed bed to drain and dispose of grey water, while also converting a World War II radar building into a shower block, complete with laundry and kitchen facilities.

With the traditional summer holiday season approaching, the site located between Branscombe and Sidmouth is once again set to be a favourite among holidaymakers.

Sunderland businessman’s anger over cliff-top caravan park U-turn

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by Tom Walsh

A proposed cliff-top caravan park between Sunderland and Seaham is at the centre of potential legal action.

Businessman John Noble claims he had been given assurances by Seaham Town Council when the original proposals were set out three years ago but councillors have apparently performed a U-turn on the decision.

Sunderland Echo reports that since then Mr Noble has spent £25,000 preparing the planning application on the £2 million development.

However, Durham County Council’s planning committee has been given recommendations to refuse the application and a report states the town authority “strongly objects” the proposals.

Mr Noble told the news provider: “I’m very disappointed they [Seaham Town Council] have such a negative attitude, when they are working to improve Seaham. It would have brought tourists. It would have been a first-class facility with first-class holiday homes.”

Should the site be given the go-ahead it will add another cliff-top caravan park in the area, along with Lizard Lane Caravan Park situated overlooking Marsden Rock outside of Sunderland.

Couple escape caravan fire while watching Andy Murray win Wimbledon

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by Tom Walsh

A couple in Lanarkshire have had a lucky escape after their caravan burst into flames while they were watching Andy Murray in the Wimbledon final.

The incident took place at a Dumfries and Galloway holiday park in Southerness on Sunday afternoon (7 July) as Eddie and Helen Hepburn enjoyed the showpiece tennis event.

Mr and Mrs Hepburn, both aged 74, had to make a quick escape after they heard a “terrible, terrible noise”.

Scottish Fire and Rescue crews were called to the scene shortly after the fire broke out at 5pm, the couple believe that the fire was started by a boiler but an investigation is still ongoing.

“We’ll have to go back now but everyone has been so kind and the site manageress offered us a caravan for a week free but we’ve got nothing left – no money, no clothes, just nothing, so we’ll have to go back home,” Mrs Hepburn said.

Southerness holiday park is run by Parkdean Holidays and sits on the English-Scottish border.

Plymouth Sound Caravan Club to take part in midnight walk for charity

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by Tom Walsh

A group of seasoned caravanners from Plymouth are taking part in a midnight walk to help raise money for charity on 27 July.

Joan Gillibrand has brought together a team of seven members of the Plymouth Sound Caravan Club to generate funds for St Luke’s hospice in the West Country city.

The charity helps people with terminally ill conditions such as cancer and for site warden Joan it is highly apt after her brother-in-law was diagnosed with the condition.

Alongside fellow caravanners Tess, Sue and Mo, and Plymouth locals Ange, Sue and Mollie they will be walking the seven-mile trail.

Joan said: “We have been dubbed ‘The Magnificent Seven’ because there are seven of us, we range in ages from 17 to 71 and we hope to complete the seven-mile walk around Plymouth.”

People wanting to sponsor Joan and the rest of her ladies can do so by visiting the Plymouth Sound Caravan Club’s fundraising page on St Luke’s website.

At the time of writing, the Magnificent Seven are a quarter of the way to their £300 target.

Prince Charles tells school children of his love of caravans

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by Chris Jefferies
The Royal Family’s love affair with caravanning continues apace, as HRH Prince Charles has told school children in Northern Ireland that he loves caravans.
The Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla paid a visit to Orchard County Primary School in Annaghmore last week (26 June), where they were greeted by excited pupils.
And school principal Stephen Blevins told The Lurgan Mail how Charles and Camilla discussed holiday plans for the summer months with a young student.
“He said: ‘are you going to the seaside?’ and she told him she was going to her caravan. He laughed and said he loved caravans.”
His comments come after The Queen recently took a tour of the Bailey of Bristol factory to mark the company’s 65th anniversary.
We’re not sure where Charles’s got his love of caravanning from, but perhaps Her Majesty has been sharing tales of her trip to Bristol.

Driver arrested after Afghan stowaways found inside Elddis caravan

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by Chris Jefferies
Border officials in France have foiled an attempt to smuggle three Afghan nationals into the UK using an Elddis Mistral GTX.
Routine checks found a man and a woman in their 50s, along with a 12-year-old boy, hiding in the toilet and wardrobe of the caravan, it has been reported.
The 34-year-old driver of the caravan’s Nissan Qashqai tow vehicle was detained by police before he could board a ferry from Dunkirk to Dover.
If found guilty of aiding immigration the Southampton resident could face up to ten years in prison and a £25,000 fine.
A Border Force official told The Daily Express that incidents of this kind are not uncommon: “Sometimes stowaways do break into caravans without the driver knowing.
“But the fact the cupboard the boy was in had been locked from the outside made this case a very suspicious one.”
Official figures show that around 9,000 attempted stowaways are intercepted every year.

Motorhome owners urged not to rely on alternator battery charge

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by Tom Walsh

Motorhome owners are being warned of the dangers of relying on the vehicle’s alternator to charge and maintain the battery.

CTEK, a global battery maintenance and care brand, explained that modern motorhomes have an abundance of electrical items which can put increased strain on the internal battery components.

While the alternator is normally seen as a way of preserving the life of the power source, the unit never reaches optimum charge levels.

This can lead to acid stratification, which can be an irreversible situation.

The company suggests using a CTEK D250S Dual smart charger which can be left connected to the vehicles for long periods of time, making it ideal for models in storage.

Katariina Stahl, director of sales and marketing at CTEK, explained: “By using a CTEK smart charger, it is possible to always maintain the correct charge level which avoids costly breakdowns and unwanted disruptions to holidays.”

The last thing any person needs is for their motorhome to run out of juice, especially with the summer holiday season fast-approaching.