Pontypridd man pleads guilty to six caravan burglaries

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by Tom Walsh

A Pontypridd man has pleaded guilty to breaking into six caravans in the Gower area.

John Preston embarked on a week-long crime spree stealing a multitude of items including satellite dishes and boxes, handbags, a television, cooker, radiator and table among other items from the sites around Port Eynon, South Wales Evening Post reports.

Swansea Magistrates’ Court heard how Preston, from The Square, Beddau, Pontypridd, broke into the caravans between 1 and 6 April and also admitted to forcing entry into a house in Peniel Green Road, Llansamlet.

Darren George, South Wales Police detective inspector, told the news provider: “These burglaries had a very significant impact on the victims and on the community in Gower. They all happened within a very short time space of each other, which understandably led to significant concerns in the area.”

The incident follows on from the Chelmsford Weekly News reporting that police in Essex were appealing for information after a micro-caravan was stolen from outside a house in Springfield.

Thieves ransack 20 caravans at Hartlepool storage centre

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by Tom Walsh

A compound owner in Hartlepool has been left “gutted” after criminals ransacked 20 caravans that were stored by owners over the winter months.

Thieves broke into the Paul’s Travel facility on 25 March, in Oxford Road of the County Durham town, stealing valuable tools and equipment required by staff to service and run the firm’s fleet of minibuses, the Hartlepool Mail reports.

The raiders then used the stolen tools to force their way into a plethora of tourers, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Paul Little, who has run the site for 12 years, told the news provider: “I’m angry and I’m gutted for the caravan owners in particular. They pay me for a service to store their caravans on my site and we do go out of our way to secure it. I feel bad, really bad, for them.”

Cleveland Police are now investigating the incident and have urged anyone with information to come forward to help find the culprits.

Paul’s Travel provides storage for caravans but also runs a minibus service which has been affected by the break-in.

Bailey continues Team QSW windsurfing team sponsorship

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by Tom Walsh

Bailey of Bristol has announced that it will be continuing its windsurfing team sponsorship after extending an agreement with Team QSW for the 2013 windsurf racing season.

As part of the agreement, the QSW team will live in a Bailey Approach SE 745 motorhom,e which will be used as a support as they travel to meets and races all across the country.

The vehicle features patented Alu-Tech construction technology, which Bailey claims makes their frame lighter and yet more robust. The comfy interior will provide a nice alternative to huddling in the back of a panel van.

Team QSW racer Neil Greentree said: “The Approach SE 745 is the ideal support vehicle for the team to use throughout the season by providing the comfort and practicality necessary for us to be mentally and physically ready to compete.”

Greentree is among a five person team and will be taking up the Freeside discipline, while Steve Chatten (Slalom), Andy Holland (Waves) and Jonnie Fanneran (Freestyle) and 13-year-old junior rider Alex Blackmore makes up the rest of the squad.

To see a video of team QSW in action, plus a sneak peek inside last season support vehicle, a Bailey Pegasus caravan, click here.

Sol Cinema creates the world’s smallest cinema inside a caravan

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Suzette Rabout

A Welsh company claims to have created the smallest cinema in the world, which is solely powered by a 120W solar panel and to top it off, it’s inside a caravan.

Just like a full size cinema, the Sol Cinema has an usherette to clip tickets and show you to your seats, even if it only seats eight, it also has a red carpet to add to the luxury cinema experience and even a popcorn vendor.

A small LED projector is powered by solar panels, after sunlight is harnessed by the panels, it is then stored in lithium batteries which are used to run the sound system, LED screen and all the lighting inside the caravan.

And for a final touch of 1940s Hollywood style, there’s a red carpet covered by a fold-out awning.

Projectionist Paul O’Conner said: “We show short movies but in terms of battery life we can keep going for days and days, as long as you’re clever about it and listen to the weather man.”

The Sol Cinema is run by non-profit organisation Undercurrents, and visitors can enjoy a number of short videos at day or night time.

To see inside this unique mini-cinema, click on the slideshow below, or the video at the foot of the page:


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Scottish government halts Fife caravan park plans

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by Tom Walsh

Plans for a caravan park in Fife have been halted by the Scottish government following increased fears over road safety in the area.

Simon Wilson had been seeking planning permission for a 50-pitch site in Edenshead, near to Gateside, which could be used by tourists visiting the Scottish region but has faced opposition from locals since 2010.

The Courier reported that ministers have now dismissed Mr Wilson’s appeal for the holiday park after initial refusal in September 2012.

Gateside has been noted as being a speeding hotspot due to its location on the busy A91 between the M90 and St Andrews. Locals were worried that road safety would be compromised if the site was built, especially for pupils at the nearby primary school.

Alan Muirhead, secretary of Auchtermuchty and Strathmiglo Community Council, told the news provider: “There was a lot of concern, both at the thought of the caravan park itself and where it was, and because that road is an ongoing worry with the speed of the traffic through the village.”

Gateside is just over 20 miles from the popular destination of St Andrews and the nearby highways are frequently used by people visiting the university town.

VIDEO: Top tips on avoiding caravan snaking accidents

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by Suzette Rabout

Caravan snaking accidents have become a common problem, and there are a number of precautions that you can take to avoid this.

However if your are unfortunate enough to experience snaking while on the road, there are a few tips in this video which maybe be useful if you are in that situation.

There are devices which can help with preventing snaking in the first place, including Al-Ko ATC and BPW iDC, which can curb snaking by applying the trailer brakes and pulling the caravan back into line.

And there are many measures you can take including: letting other road users know your situation, taking feet off the pedals and pulling over at the nearest opportunity in order to check what caused the problem in the first place.

Keep all these tips in mind and hopefully you can avoid any future accidents from snaking on the road.
Thanks to Towergate Insurance, Golden Castle Caravans and Greentrees Adventurestore for their help with this video.
In association with

Mystery buyer purchases Burgess Hill caravan site at 11th hour

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by Tom Walsh

A caravan site in Burgess Hill, Sussex, is under new ownership after a mystery buyer purchased the park at the 11th hour.

Mid Sussex District Council was planning on buying the facility itself but was outbid at an auction. This offer has been usurped by a counter payment that was submitted by a third party on April 2nd.

It has allayed fears of the Bedelands site being turned into a traveller site akin to the ones made famous on Channel 4’s Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, but councilors maintained that the name of the buyer could not be revealed due to the Data Protection Act.

Councillor Pru Moore told The Argus: “There is nothing that indicates the buyer is linked to the previous bidder and we have no right to speculate on their intention. The person has done nothing wrong.”

The Bedelands Farm site has ten pitches available for caravanners while the nearby Fairplace Hill Caravan Site also has space for around eight motor homes for those wishing to visit the area.

Stolen Chausson motorhome returned to owner in Surrey

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by Tom Walsh

A media appeal has been praised after a stolen motor home was returned to its owner in Surrey.

The Ford model was among six vehicles that were taken from a depot on Charlwood Road in Horley on March 24th and was located by a member of the public following a series of appeals in local media outlets.

Another motorhome has been recovered, but four are still missing and the police are looking for anyone with information on the whereabouts of the vehicles to call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference MV/13/1119.

Two men, from Tadworth and New Addington in Croydon respectively, have been arrested and bailed by the police.

Speaking about the incident prior to the recovery of the latest vehicle, investigating officer detective constable Stephanie Worrell, said: “I would ask anyone who has seen a Ford motor home parked up in an area and believe it to be connected to this offence to contact Surrey Police.”

North Yorks bus service saved by local caravan park owners’ fund

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by Tom Walsh

A North Yorkshire bus service will continue to run after the managers of a caravan site stepped in.

The York Press reported that the Arriva number 42 service between Selby and York was due to be cut, after North Yorkshire County Council said it was reducing its funding.

However, Catherine and Peter Wilkinson from Naburn Lock Caravan Park said that they would contribute to a fund and help to maintain it along with a number of local parish councils.

The route of the number 42 takes passengers through Cawood, Wistow, Kelfield, Stillingfleet and Naburn on Friday and Saturday nights and was a valuable service for those staying at the caravan park.

“There’s a need to have this service in and out of the village and also it needs to be available on Sunday and Bank Holidays. We just hope our visitors will support us getting on the bus because they do spend a lot of money when they go into York for the day,” Ms Wilkinson told the newspaper.

Naburn Lock Caravan Park is based just four miles south of York and close to the River Ouse. It is popular among caravanners who want to explore Yorkshire and coastal resorts like Whitby and Scarborough.

Chelmsford family left devestated after Fleetwood caravan is stolen

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by Tom Walsh

Police are appealing for witnesses after a caravan was stolen in broad daylight from a driveway in Chelmsford.

The incident has left the family devastated and they were also forced to cancel their Easter break in Suffolk.

The vehicle contained a host of memories and possessions, including DVDs, Nintendo DS games consoles, clothes, home movies and owner Sue Bradshaw’s holiday diary.

ThisistotalEssex.co.uk reports that the caravan is a 24-ft-long white Fleetwood Colchester, which was described by Mrs Bradshaw as the family’s “pride and joy”.

“We are completely and utterly devastated. The materials can be replaced but it’s the memories that will never come back – and that really does cut you up,” she told the source.

Police have said that any witnesses to the theft, which took place between 9.40am and 2.00pm on 28 March, should contact Chelmsford police station on 101.

Caravan owners need to be vigilant with their vehicles and ensure sufficient security measures are put in place. At the end of last month police confirmed that four caravans were stolen in Hinckley and Bosworth.

COMPETITION: Win a free caravan with CaravanTimes and Swindon Caravans

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Update: Thanks for your entries, this competition is now closed, the lucky winner will be revealed on Monday 29 July
by Chris Jefferies
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Swindon Caravans, the dealership has teamed up with CaravanTimes to give away a brand new Bailey Pegasus GT65 Verona.
And you could be the lucky winner – all you need to do is fill out the competition form at the bottom of this page and like the CaravanTimes Facebook page.
The prize is a particularly fitting choice, since Bailey of Bristol marks its 65th birthday in 2013, while Swindon Caravans is also celebrating a significant milestone by turning 25.
A short history
The story of Swindon Caravans starts in the early 1980s with Guy Collister, a thoroughbred caravanner who worked for Cosalt, Abbey, Safari and Bessacarr in his early years.
In 1988, while working for Pearman Briggs, Guy took the brave move of going it alone and founding his own dealership on a greenfield site near Royal Wootton Bassett.
Starting with used caravans before moving into the new market, he took just two years to turn a profit, and his business continued to thrive through the early 1990s – a very difficult time for the wider UK economy.
Moving into the 21st century, and Swindon Caravans went from strength to strength, with Guy acquiring Centre Caravans in Oxford from the Gailey Group in 2006.
And the dealership expanded again in 2009 by buying Berkshire Caravans in Reading, a well-established company that dates back to the 1970s.
Today the three branches are known as Swindon, Oxford & Reading Caravans, and Guy runs the business alongside his son Tom Collister, ensuring that his expertise is passed on to the next generation.
But they’re not resting on their laurels, with plans to expand build a new reception at Swindon Caravans HQ.
With this proud history, CaravanTimes is delighted to be teaming up with Swindon, Oxford & Reading Caravans for our biggest ever competition.
Competition time
In this £18,000 prize draw, one lucky winner will get to tow home a Bailey Pegasus GT65 Verona, which boasts the UK’s most popular layout, including a fixed twin-double bed and more than enough room to sleep a family of four.
To be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize, simply fill in the form below and like CaravanTimes on Facebook before the closing date of Tuesday 23 July 2013.
Remember to include a valid e-mail address so we can contact you to let you know if you’ve won. Best of luck to all those entering and happy caravanning!
Update: Thanks for your entries, this competition is now closed, the lucky winner will be revealed on Monday 29 July
Don’t forget to become a fan of CaravanTimes on Facebook.
Competition rules:

  1. All valid entrants must complete the form above and like the CaravanTimes Facebook fan page.
  2. Entries close at midday, Tuesday 23 July 2013. The prize is as mentioned above.
  3. Open to CaravanTimes members and Facebook fans who are UK residents aged 18 or over.
  4. No cash alternative. Prizes are non-transferable.
  5. Only one entry per person.
  6. No employee of CaravanTimes or StantonPace may enter.
  7. For full terms and conditions click here. The Promoter: StantonPace Ltd, 501 Metropolitan Wharf Buildings, 70 Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SS.

Elddis scoops International Safety Award for sixth year in a row

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by Tom Walsh

Elddis has claimed its sixth International Safety Award in as many years after being commended for its strong health and safety performance.

The accolade has been handed down by the British Safety Council with the support of the Health and Safety Executive, and Elddis remains the only caravan and motorhome manufacturer in the UK to have claimed this award.

Only 470 winners were announced as part of the awards, which take into account companies from all over the globe, and officials said that the fact that Elddis claimed the accolade is testament to its dedication to health and safety in the workplace.

The awards are open to all industries and are then judged independently and are seen as an excellent motivator for businesses.

Alex Botha, chief executive of the British Safety Council, said: “On behalf of the trustees and staff of the British Safety Council we warmly congratulate Elddis (The Explorer Group) and its employees on gaining a sixth consecutive International Safety Award.”