by Chris Jefferies
First there was Gary, Robbie, Mark, Howard and Jason; then there was Scary, Sporty, Posh, Baby and Ginger.
But now, the Caravan Club hopes to write its name in the pop music history books with the launch of their new band Club2Gethr.
Steph, Will and Jenni are the names to remember, and their debut single Livin’ The Dream looks set to storm the charts this summer.
Due to be released on Friday (14 June), the catchy tune was written by Mike Stock, whose previous writing credits include 80s classics You Spin Me Round (Like A Record), I Should Be So Lucky and Never Gonna Give You Up.
In the accompanying music video, the trio take to the beach in a VW campervan, accompanied by their parents, who are played by comedian Rowland Rivron and Eurovision singer Nicki French.
Click on the video on the right to get a preview of the full music video, which will be released next week.
Tony Hall, Director of Marketing at The Caravan Club said: “The Club is delighted to be supporting this project; it is a wonderful family-orientated song and it would be fantastic if the whole caravan, camping and motor caravanning community get behind this idea which celebrates our lifestyle and the great outdoors.”
EMKA launches new high-security caravan and motorhome door lock
by Tom Walsh
Caravanners looking to improve security of their tourer for the holiday season are being given an extra option from EMKA UK.
The company has launched a new recessed motorhome and caravan door lock that can be fitted to the majority of mobile homes.
It is not just caravans where this latest product can be used as officials explained that it can be utilised on toilet doors, bath and shower rooms, and changing rooms.
The lock can be used on various door thicknesses with 24-29 mm, 32-36 mm and 36-40 mm all being accommodated.
It is installed with a number of options for the latch and interior where a simple L handle or wing knob can be chosen.
With the summer holiday season fast approaching many caravanners purchasing this product will be safe in the knowledge that their belongings are secure.
Slough Council appealing for owner of abandoned pink caravan
by Tom Walsh
A bright-pink caravan dumped in Langley is seeking a reunion with its owner.
The local authority is looking to find the tourer’s buyer as it has been parked up in Parlaunt Road for over two weeks, the Slough Observer reports.
Council officials and the neighbourhood enforcement team have been given a number of clues about the history of the caravan. The paintwork suggests it has previously been used as hair salon or beauty parlour called Daisy’s.
Linda Corcoran, from the neighbourhood enforcement team, told the news provider: “This is certainly one of the least discreet vehicles I have seen abandoned. And strangely people noticed it quite quickly after it appeared!”
The local authority is still searching for the owner of the tourer and anyone with information has been urged to come forward.
People can get in touch either by calling the neighbourhood enforcement team on 01753 875255 or emailing tip-off@slough.gov.uk.
Eterniti Caravans steals the show on The Apprentice: You’re Fired
Disclaimer: This article contains no spoilers
by Chris Jefferies
Caravans took over prime time TV last night (12 June), as the caravan special of The Apprentice was followed by a guest appearance from Phil Daniels of ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/eterniti/">Eterniti Caravans on The Apprentice: You’re Fired.
The slide-out caravan pioneer joined Dara O’Briain, Claude Littner and Jennie Eclair to deliver his verdict on the candidates’ efforts to sell fold-out trailer tents and Dub Box retro campers at the NCC Motorhome and Caravans Show.
Phil explained that it takes a personal touch to sell a caravan: “You need to listen to them telling you about the times they’ve been on holiday caravanning, really get involved with the customer and make it a personal sale.”
Eterniti Caravans burst onto the caravan scene in 2012 with the Chronicle and Genesis slide-out ranges, and Phil hopes that this exposure will get more people interested in caravanning.
This morning, he told CaravanTimes: “It’s good for the industry; it might attract more people who had never thought about it before.”
His appearance is the second high-profile TV appearance for Eterniti in recent months, after the Genesis IB-4 was featured as the star prize on Ant n Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway back in March.
And while most caravan cameos on TV focus on the staid, stereotypical image of pensioners on holiday, it was nice to see Lord Sugar and co highlight innovative products like the Dub Box and the Eterniti range.
To watch last night’s episode of The Apprentice click here, or for The Apprentice: You’re Fired, ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b02xd1f3/The_Apprentice_Youre_Fired_Series_9_Episode_7/" target="_blank">click here.
NCC reacts to caravan MOT debate in European Parliament
by Chris Jefferies
Proposals to apply an MOT test to new touring caravans have been met with a frosty response from the National Caravan Council (NCC).
The industry body has reacted to discussions that are currently taking place within the European Parliament.
Plans for a roadworthiness test have been floating around for some time, but the latest development singles out touring caravans for particular examination.
MEPs have rejected the European Commission’s proposals for tests on all trailers under 2,000kgs, but voted in favour of further testing and legislation to be applied to caravans under this weight.
John Lally, Director General of the NCC, said: “There does not appear to be any evidence to justify on safety grounds – or otherwise – the strange last-minute decision to apply an MOT regime only to trailer caravans from the 02 category.”
If approved, the roadworthiness package would lay down minimum EU standards on testing frequency and introduce a risk-based system for roadside inspections.
What’s more, rules would be set for suspending vehicles or cancelling registration certificates when standards are not met.
A plenary vote on the roadworthiness package is due to take place in Brussels next month and the NCC has reiterated its opposition to such a move.
Stonehaven Queen Elizabeth Caravan Club site to open ahead of schedule
by Tom Walsh
The Caravan Club’s latest site in Scotland is set to open three weeks ahead of schedule.
Located 15 miles south of Aberdeen, the new Stonehaven Queen Elizabeth site is due to be officially launched on 14 June adding to the Club’s portfolio of sites around the country.
The Club has a number of locations in the Scottish Highlands allowing people to go off exploring the magnificent scenery the nation has to offer.
Stonehaven allows people to visit some of Scotland’s biggest cities and also encompasses a host of great amenities.
With 77 pitches costing just £8.50 a night, visitors can also take advantage of the Olympic-sized, heated, open air swimming pool as well as a scenic beach walk to Dunnottar Castle.
Tony Hall, director of marketing for The Caravan Club, said: “Stonehaven is a great location that can be enjoyed by those living in Scotland and for families wishing to explore north of the border.”
C&CC offers 30% Scottish pitches discount for over-55s
by Tom Walsh
Many people will already be planning their summer holiday and for those opting to stay in the UK, Scotland is a great place to visit.
The Camping and Caravanning Club is sweetening the deal for people heading over the border by offering a 30 per cent discount for members over the age of 55 at all 17 of its Scottish sites.
This special offer will run from 12 August to 1 September 2013, giving people the perfect opportunity to visit the Highlands or other parts of the country.
People will be able to pitch their tent in places such as Dingwall, Skye, Speyside, Nairn and Oban, among others, to explore some of the magnificent scenery that the country has to offer.
Bob Hill, the club’s sites director, said: “Scotland is a beautiful area of the UK and we hope our members take advantage of this discount and enjoy camping on our Scottish Club sites.”
Bailey announces customer service department expansion
by Tom Walsh
Bailey of Bristol is continuing its drive to put customer satisfaction as a number one priority by announcing an expansion of its customer service department.
Following on from several customer service awards, the company is now keen to carry on this strong performance and has announced the appointment of a number of key staff members.
Michelle Fleet (customer services manager) and Chantelle Kimmins (customer services co-ordinator) have joined the company as part of the restructuring programme.
Nick Howard, managing director at Bailey, said: “We need to ensure we continue to support our products in the field through our Retailer network to allow Bailey Owners to maximise the enjoyment of their caravan or motorhome.”
The new developments are designed to keep up the quick response time that customers have become used to when ordering from Bailey.
These changes come as the company prepares to celebrate its 65th anniversary, making it the longest-established caravan manufacturer in the UK.
The Apprentice to feature NCC Caravan & Motorhome Show challenge
by Tom Walsh
Wednesday night (12 June) on BBC One will see candidates from The Apprentice battle it out in a sales task filmed at last October’s Motorhome and Caravan Show.
Lord Sugar posed the two teams the task of selling a range of products to the tens of thousands of people that visited the event.
Organisers of the UK’s show had been contacted by the hit BBC One television programme last autumn to see if the event, held at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, could be used to host one of Lord Sugar’s business challenges.
Viewers will be able to watch the likes of confident regional manager Neil Clough and cocky retail entrepreneur Luisa Zissman sell the latest mobile home products for the spring season, all the time under the watchful eye of Lord Sugar’s aides Karren Brady and Nick Hewer.
The Motorhome and Caravan Show is one of the biggest events of the mobile home calendar with 11 halls of the NEC being occupied by vendors and giving visitors a glimpse of the latest innovations.
To get a sneak preview of the episode, click on the video below:
Elddis to bring back Compass Corona, Omega and Rallye for 2014
by Chris Jefferies and Suzette Rabout
Elddis has announced that it will be reviving the historic ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/compass/">Compass caravans brand for the 2014 season.
The Solid Construction manufacturer has also confirmed that three ranges will be making a return, in the form of the Corona, the Rallye and the Omega.
Martin Henderson, Sales and Marketing Director at The Explorer Group Ltd, Elddis’ parent company, explained: “Bringing Compass back is the right thing to do, at the right time.
“Whilst Compass has a heritage spanning 35 years and a loyal following, to reinstate the brand after a four year departure we have to be confident it will have the same success as sister-brand Elddis.”
The company also confirmed that the new Compass range would be backed up by the same ten-year water ingress warranty that currently protects all Elddis, Buccaneer and Xplore caravans.
Compass comeback
Since 1979 when Siddle Cook (the man who gave his name to Elddis) launched the caravan brand, Compass has had its fair share of ups and downs.
The company changed hands over the years as Compass became part of the Explorer Group in 1998, when its three most popular ranges were the Corona, Omega and Rallye.
Compass was dropped in 2009, as the company refocused on its Elddis, Xplore and Buccaneer brands.
In 2010 Discover Leisure picked the Compass name for its dealer special, but unfortunately they went into administration in 2011, meaning that the name disappeared from the market.
The Compass rebirth has been scheduled for release exactly a year after the launch of Solid Construction which is used in all Elddis, Xplore and Buccaneer ranges.
The models will be available from 1 September and will include four of the most popular layouts in each range.
A Compass retailer network is yet to be revealed in its entirety but Elddis assures us that there are “big names” on board to bring the new range to market.
VIDEO: Simon King’s Scottish wildlife caravan tour – Day Four
Simon King OBE is a bit different from the normal caravanner, as he uses his customised green Bailey Orion to travel around the country photographing and filming remarkable wildlife.
Here at CaravanTimes we have followed the award-winning wildlife photographer and naturalist, who a proud ambassador of the Caravan Club, as he tours through Scotland in his Green Goddess caravan.
In previous weeks, Simon has visited a Scottish nature reserve, ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.caravantimes.co.uk/video/video-simon-king-s-scottish-wildlife-caravan-tour-day-two-$21382675.htm ">tracked down wild rabbits and visited the brand new Caravan Club site in Strathclyde Country Park.
Now in the last of a four-part series, we follow Simon as he visits an urban lake.
Simon discusses this city edge site as his favourite place to interact, as the animals are so friendly, clearly more used to human company than other rural sites that he has visited.
Being able to get this close to rare birds such as Whooper swans he spends some time observing their behaviour.
If after this four part series, you still haven’t had your fix of Simon King, head over to ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.youtube.com/thecaravanclub " target="_blank">the Caravan Club’s Youtube channel to see more videos from our favourite wildlife photographer.
Solar panel competition closed and winners revealed
We have picked the winners of our latest competition, in conjunction with Towergate Insurance.
This time we gave CaravanTimes readers the chance to get their hands on a free solar panel for their caravan, and now the time has come for the winners to be revealed.
The three winners will each get their hands on a 20W solar panel which can provide up to six amps of charge into the battery — the perfect energy-saving efficient addition to any mobile home.
Providing that the panel can see daylight the battery will continue to charge, it will be beneficial as it means that the solar panel has the ability to run tracker systems even whilst the caravan is in storage for long periods of time.
With such a great prize, we have had plenty of entrants, but only three can be picked form the bunch. So without further ado, our three winners are:
- Brene Hulley
- Darren Guiheen
- John Clarke
Congratulations, we hope you all enjoy your prizes! We will be in touch via e-mail to arrange the delivery of your prize.
Commiserations to everyone else, but keep checking back with CaravanTimes for our next competition which will start soon.
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