No London Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show next year

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by Jack Beresford

The next Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show will not be taking place at the Excel venue in London, after the National Caravan Council (NCC) Events firm cancelled its tenancy with the exhibition space providers.

The first edition of this event in the capital had proven a roaring success earlier this year, with 43,356 visitors attending over the five-day tourer festival in February.

NCC Events had no problem with the venue itself, in fact NCC Events chairman Anthony Trevelyan said:

“The decision to cancel the 2013 event has not been taken lightly and it is not a criticism of Excel’s visitor facilities.”

However the Excel is looking to expand the Hall Space it can offer, which may cause a problem for the exhibitors and as a result they took the difficult decision to move the event, as Trevelyan goes on to say:

“Space that was allocated in 2012 for the movement and safe storage of around 650 valuable exhibitor caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes cannot now be guaranteed moving forwards.

“Without this space, the build-up and breakdown of the Show is not feasible. We have no option but to cancel the 2013 Show and seek another venue.”

The added expense of the venue being in a Low Emission Zone and the lack of on-site camping where also put forward as reasons why there will be no show next year.

NCC Events is aiming to secure another southern location for the following year however.

In the meantime, NCC Events is preparing to host the Birmingham Spring Camping and Caravan Show at the NEC this February with manufacturers such as Bailey, Coachman, Elddis, Lunar and Swift all due to feature.

Carlisle coach driver jailed for tormenting caravan owner

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by Jack Beresford

Carlisle-based coach driver Brian Larrad has successfully overturned a three-year driving ban that was imposed after he pursued a caravan owner in a potentially deadly game of cat-and-mouse along a stretch of motorway.

As the News & Star explained, the coach driver began to overtake the tourer before slowing down so that the driver was forced to overtake him.

Mr Larrad was first hit with the ban in February 2010, in what presiding judge Paul Batty QC described as one of the worst cases of this kind he had ever heard.

The 55-year-old had begun to chase the caravan-owner after objecting to an unknown slight on the part of the caravan owner.

Travelling at high speeds, the actions of Mr Larrad prompted some coach passengers to call the police in a bid to stop his dangerous driving, while one traveller even filmed the incident on his phone.

Mr Larrad received a one-year jail sentence for his actions, though he has now successfully overturned the driving ban, explaining that he required a car in order to travel to work.

He will have to complete an extended driving test before he is allowed behind the wheel of a car however.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists has previously urged caravan owners to ensure they drive safely on motorways and stay vigilant of cars in front and behind them at all times.

Volkswagen developing seven-seat SUV to tempt Touareg owners

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by Jack Beresford

Just when you thought that things in the world of the humble SUV could not get any bigger, Volkswagen has announced plans for a new vehicle that will feature seven seats.

More significantly still, this latest addition will be the largest made by the German company, usurping the current daddy of this particular sub-category – the Touareg.

According to details provided to WhatCar? Magazine, the new SUV will be influenced by the design features of the company’s popular Passat range, while also boasting more utilitarian functionality than the Touareg.

News of the vehicle was first announced by Volkswagen’s head of design Klaus Bischoff, who revealed that the vehicle would be “far above” the company’s current range of SUVs and that it would certainly be “a full-size SUV that is bigger than the Touareg”.

The new car will initially be sold in the US and Russian markets, but a European release date could arrive imminently.

VIDEO: How the Swift Challenger SE balances quality with towability

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by Chris Jefferies

The release of the new Swift Challenger SE and Sterling Eccles SE has had many in the industry talking.

A mid-range tourer with luxury facilities that combines this with a low weight was Swift’s stated goal – something that seemed, at best, difficult to achieve.

Interested in a closer look? Have a look at the 360degree tours of the Challenger SE layouts here.

The new models use the same 2.25m wide chassis as the Swift Conqueror and Sterling Elite and are inspired by the success of the Swift Challenger Sport.

They achieved their goal – with the new models coming in 128kg less than the models they are replacing. In this video, we meet the team at Swift Group to find out how they achieved this impressive feat.

These new Swift Group models are available now, with prices for both models starting at £18,149.

Teardrop caravan and Corvette tow car get Rolling Stones make over

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by Ben Wilby

The Rolling Stones are one of the most famous and influential rock bands in music history, with a huge worldwide fan base. Some of whom clearly love the band more than others.

With the band having recently made a live return to mark their 50th anniversary, one eager caravanner has found the perfect way to show their devotion to the band – by decorating their caravan with a Rolling Stones design.

The Stones-mad caravan-enthusiast decided that their teardrop caravan would look better if they followed Mick Jagger’s advice and “paint it black”.

What’s more, the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 that was towing it also received the treatment, being painted completely black and receiving murals dedicated to the Stones.

The designs show the band’s faces in caricature, feature some of their famous album art and include an impressively designed Keith Richards playing his guitar while musical notation flows down one side of the car.

The Corvette was modified to include side-pipes, racing wheels and a blower on top – modifications that sadly never made it to the caravan.

The caravan was first spotted in America by Corvette, but was recently seen in London; clearly this was one fan eager to show the band their devotion.

What do you think? An impressive piece of art from a true fan – or just a little tacky? To make up your mind, watch the video below.

VIDEO: The challenges of caravanning in winter

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravanning has always been associated with summer, but there is no reason you cannot take your caravan out in the winter – as long as you prepare properly.

In this video we talk to Kat Woodhead of Simple Caravan Insurance who talks about the challenges of caravanning in winter and the ways you can plan for the extra problems this can bring.

We discuss things such as how to prepare for your holiday and maintaining your caravan through icy conditions.

An important consideration is how best to keep warm and Kat offers a brief discussion of which gas is better – Butane or Propane.

She also explains why taking an awning can be a good way to insulate your tourer.

All of this ensures that anyone eager to take their caravan away for the winter months can now do so. As long as you are prepared for the worst, taking your caravan away in the colder months can be just as fun as in summer.

Thanks to Old Hall Touring Park and Kenmore Caravans for their help with this video.

VIDEO: Designing the six-berth layouts in the 2013 Elddis Avante

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by Chris Jefferies

For the 2013 season Elddis has updated its Avante range with two six-berth caravans – the single-axle 576 and the twin-axle 636.

We sat down with Angela Robson, chief designer at Elddis, to talk about the challenges of designing the layouts in these new tourers.

She discusses the problem of fitting adequate storage space in the 576, which also features a large three-quarter bed, a fridge freezer and a fairly large bathroom.

In the 636 model we talk to her about the benefits of the additional space a twin-axle provides for designers, while showing the large dinette and double bunk beds the tourer offers caravanners.

Prices in the Elddis Avante collection start at £14,499 for the two-berth 482 layout, while MTPLM weights range from 1,310kg to 1,639kg

Subaru Forester set for UK launch next summer

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by Jack Beresford

Fans of the Subaru Forester SUV will have to wait a little longer for the arrival of the new edition of the off-road vehicle, with the manufacturer announcing that the car will go on sale from summer 2013.

The fourth generation of the SUV, this latest version is promising to offer drivers better performance, a larger cabin and improved fuel efficiency.

Other notable highlights include Subaru’s much-vaunted Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive System, which is designed to boost body rigidity and the overall drive of the vehicle.

Refinements have also been made under the hood with a 150ps 2.0-litre boxer diesel or petrol units available along with a 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine capable of producing 280ps.

Offering six-speed manual transmission as standard, the company’s Lineartronic transmission also features on both engines.

Subaru UK marketing director Haydn Davies promised that the latest version of the Forester is the result of the company “improving refinement, ride quality and safety”.

This new vehicle has a lot to live up to with another Subaru, the XV, being named SUV of the year recently.

Police investigating Croydon campervan fire

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by Jack Beresford

Police are calling for help in uncovering just why a camper van based in the Waddon district of Croydon ended up burnt to a cinder earlier this week.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the blaze in the early hours of Monday (November 26th).

The fire is believed to have taken hold of the vehicle, which was parked on the street leading to Purley Way, at around 2.30am that day.

And while firefighters were quick to arrive on the scene, they were ultimately unable to rescue the camper van which was left completely gutted by the flames.

Speaking to the news provider, one neighbour recounted his version of the unfolding events:

“I woke up in the middle of the night to a huge bang and then saw police and firefighters all over the place.”

This is the latest in a series of recent fires to blight caravan owners; earlier this month a caravanner saw his tourer destroyed by a stray firework while another camper was set alight in Burnley last month.

Value of 4x4s increasing as Britain prepares for winter chill

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by Jack Beresford

With winter time now upon us, it would appear that a notable proportion of the UK public are equipping themselves with the ideal vehicles for just such an occasion – the 4×4.

According to research conducted by British Car Auctions (BCA), there has been a notable increase in the value of these vehicles, based on sales data collected by the firm.

The figures show that, over the course of October, there was a 16 per cent rise in the value of these vehicles with motorists competitively bidding for these cars – which are designed to tackle difficult weather conditions.

Commenting on the figures, BCA spokesman Tim Naylor concurred that the big chill may have played a role in the surge in demand.

“There is a well charted trend between falling temperatures and rising values for 4x4s and we would expect to see that continue in the next few months,” he said.

With the weather expected to get colder in the coming weeks, we may not have seen the last of this trend.

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Duvalay’s Dragons’ Den winner crowned Business Woman Of The Year

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by Jack Beresford

Liz Colleran has been awarded Forward Ladies Business Woman of the Year due to the success of her product, the Duvalay.

Effectively a combination of a portable memory foam mattress topper along with a special shaped duvet, this portable sleeping solution first came to the public’s attention back in 2011 when it featured, alongside Ms Colleran, on an episode of Dragon’s Den.

The assembled investors were impressed too, with Hilary Devey opting to pay £80,000 for a 26 per cent share in the business.

Since then, Ms Colleran’s budding enterprise has gone from strength-to-strength, with Duvalay reporting a ten per cent profit increase in 2012, as caravan owners flocked to purchase this innovative product.

Recognition has duly followed, with the entrepreneur previously picking up a Motorhome Monthly Award followed by a 2012 Forward Ladies Business Woman of the Year honour and Manufacturing Business Woman of the Year in Leeds last week (Saturday 24 November).

“Running a business is hard, and moments like this where your hard work is recognised make it all worthwhile,” Ms Colleran told Bailey & Birstal News.

The judges praised her efforts and business acumen: “Liz is ambitious and has plenty of drive to grow the business through selective customer targeting and exports.”

Awards all round for Cornwall caravan parks

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by Jack Beresford

When it comes to caravanning excellence, Cornwall continues to lead the way for UK holidaymakers – with a series of awards collected last week.

First up, there was the Trethem Mill Touring Park, which received yet another gold award for its efforts in creating one of the region’s best locations for camping, caravanning and motorhomes.

The facility claimed the best holiday park honour at the annual Cornwall Tourism Awards in Newquay and will now go on to represent the region at the South West Excellence Awards in 2013.

The family-owned facility could then move on to challenge for a National Excellence Award.

This completes an excellent year for the park which has already won two gold awards. It received a gold from the AA campsite of the year awards for ‘most improved park’, while also picking up a David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, the Meadow Lakes facility in the region, which is part of Oaktree & Acorn Parks, received a similarly impressive award from Hoeseasons for its efforts in providing outstanding customer service.

The park has now been selected to compete for the company’s Relax and Explore 2012 Diamond Awards for Lodges and Parks in Britain.