Park Resorts to giveaway £50,000 caravan package on ITV’s This Morning

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by Holly Tribe

We’re not usually in the habit of reporting on static caravans here on Caravan Times, but this deal was too good to miss!

Throughout this week, Park Resorts is teaming up with ITV’s This Morning to give away an ABI Summer Supreme caravan plus a host of extras worth in excess of £50,000.

The winner can choose which of Park Resorts’ 36 sites across the country they would like the caravan to be located, with site fees and decking connections included in the prize.

The caravan measures 36′ x 12′ with two spacious bedrooms that can sleep up to six people. It comes kitted out with modern fittings and furnishings – making it a great destination for relaxing and comfortable family holidays.

To find out how to enter, watch This Morning from 10.30am – 12.30pm until Sunday 15th May, or head to their website here.

The closing date for online entries is the 20th May at 7.30am.

Essex residents sound off over Sally Gunnell’s Olympic caravan park

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by Chris Jefferies

Former Olympian Sally Gunnell looks set to face stiff opposition to her plans to build a £1.7 million caravan park in Chigwell in time for next year’s Games in London.

The site, which is anticipated to house up to 1,300 caravans, is the subject of much anger from local residents and councillors, the Daily Mail reports.

Chigwell council chairman Richard Alvin has described the likely scenario as “an unmitigated disaster and a traffic nightmare.”

“The population of Chigwell is about 12,000 spread over 12 square miles so we will be having an uplift of about a quarter to a third in a very short space of time,” he said.

Concerns have been voiced that the 50-acre site will result in excessive noise levels and gridlocked roads, the national newspaper adds.

Furthermore, a letter being circulated by local residents accused the Caravan Club of failing to obtain the proper permission from the local authorities.

Pitches at the temporary site, which is situated just six miles from the Olympic Park in Stratford, will be available from July 25th to September 11th, 2012 and prices start at £25 per night.

Greentrees to open caravan bodyshop facility

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by Chris Jefferies

East Anglian caravan and motorhome dealer Greentrees Adventurestore has announced that it will be opening a new bespoke bodyshop facility. The new workshop, which is estimated to be the largest of its type in East Anglia, will be located near to the dealer’s Dereham headquarters.

It will be capable of completing major repairs to caravans and motorhomes with three staff on site initially, the dealer added.

Neil Greentree, managing director of The Greentree Group, has big plans for the new opening: “We plan to expand our bodyshop facility to be the same size as our current service operation which employs 15 staff.”

Greentrees Adventurestore sells a range of new and used caravans including the new Bailey Pegasus, the Swift Conqueror and the Elddis Crusader.

Other accessories, such as caravan covers, awnings, porches, wheel clamps and camping kits can also be ordered through the company’s website.

Citroen DS3 wins Diesel Car of the Year 2011

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by Holly Tribe

Caravan owners in the market for a new towcar this year might be interested in the results of Diesel magazine’s ‘Diesel Car of the Year Awards 2011’.

Over three hundred entrants were considered in the judging process, competing across eleven class categories. But in the end, the overall champion for ‘Car of the Year 2011’ fell to the Citroën DS3.

Announcing this year’s winners, Ian Robertson, Editor of Diesel Car Magazine said: “The Citroen DS3 has an ageless air about it, with a youthful exuberance that gives it a trendy appeal, but at the same time exuding an enduring quality and substance.”

Its price and design make it a fun, affordable option which might appeal to young families looking for a suitable match for a lightweight, entry-level caravan.

Of the other category winners, Mr Robertson added: “There has been a lot of new talent arriving on the motoring scene in the past twelve months, despite the difficult market conditions.”

Two of these ‘newcomers’ were winners in the bigger load lugging MPV and crossover classes. The Kia Sportage, won top spot in the ‘Best Crossover’ class, which also sees Kia take its fifth trophy for the model in under a year. Meanwhile, the SEAT Alhambra scooped the award for best MPV.

Award Winners:

  • Best small car – Citroën DS3
  • Best medium car – Ford Focus
  • Best large car – Ford Mondeo
  • Best executive car – Jaguar XF
  • Best estate car – Skoda Superb
  • Best MPV – SEAT Alhambra
  • Best crossover – Kia Sportage
  • Best 4×4 – Land Rover Discovery 4
  • Best sports car – Peugeot RCZ
  • Best eco car – Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4
  • Car of the year 2011 – Citroën DS3

2012 VW Passat: the evolution of the Volkswagen family car

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by Marcus Dubois

To some observers the Volkswagen Passat may have been getting a little long in the tooth. In a crowded car marketplace the humble family saloon car was in danger of getting left behind in a wake of “crossover” vehicles and lifestyle MPVs. Yet despite its conservative image, this reliable people mover has thrived for over four decades thanks to an impressive reputation. And so to counter any claims of staidness, the VW Passat receives a facelift across Europe – while an entirely new model is introduced in North America.

All of the lights

With fifteen million Passats sold to date, the model is the third best-selling Volkswagen ever (after the mighty Beetle and Golf models). So, VW have pulled out the stops to make the Passat seem even more classy and refined both on the exterior and interior of the car.

The most noticeable update to the 2011 European model is the front section. Here Volkswagen has taken inspiration from its most luxury model, the Phaeton, creating a mini-me version on the Passat with angular block headlights and a wide grill.

Although nearly identical in size to its predecessor, Volkswagen boasts it has created an all-new exterior for this model generation. The roof panel is the only part carried over from the old model, and there are smart chrome accents which accentuate the overall look.

Gadgets galore

One of the key aims of the new Passat is to create a more “upmarket” feel for the family saloon – and as such is laden with plenty of gizmos to cosset and protect the driver. A new safety feature detects driver drowsiness and adjusts the car’s position to compensate, while any unusual lane departures or sudden approaches from other vehicles are met with a similar automated response.

Similarly, the adaptive cruise control system has been taken to new heights in this edition, which works well with the snarled-up motorways and inner city traffic jams of the UK. And if you’ve ever had trouble with parallel or right-angle parking then the new Passat has an aid for that too.

Wallet-friendly engines

The real news for caravanners will be the changes to the engine line-up. The new range now stretches down to include the 1.4 TSI engine (120bhp) which proved a bestseller in the Golf lineup. Petrol models also include a new 1.8 TSI version offering a powerful 158bhp, while those with performance in mind will enjoy the 2.0 TSI engine from the Golf GTI.

However for our purposes it’s the diesel models which will be of most interest. The 1.6 TDI in the Passat BlueMotion returns a staggering claim of 69mpg by using Stop-Start technology to conserve fuel. And if you want more towing power and grunt from your diesels, then the 2.0 TDI diesels (138bhp or 168bhp respectively) give you all the power you could need from a Volkswagen towcar.

Yorkshire beaches win 20 seaside awards

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners looking to take a coastal break to discover some of the UK’s most pristine beaches have been advised to explore Yorkshire, as the region has won 20 awards for the quality of its coastline.

Nine beaches in the East Riding area have been honoured in the annual Blue Flag and Quality Coast awards, as well as 11 beaches in North Yorkshire.

Keep Britain Tidy runs both award schemes, with the Blue Flag being given to areas with high standards of water quality, safety and cleanliness, while the Quality Coast award is reserved for beaches with high-quality facilities and exceptional cleanliness.

Withernsea, Runswick Bay, Filey Bay and South Landing are four beaches in the county to be recognised in this way.

Phil Barton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “The continuing high standards of these beaches are testament to the hard work carried out by the beach managers throughout the year in order to provide clean and safe beaches.”

Caravan owners looking to visit Yorkshire can choose from a range of sites including Low Moor and Bridlington, both of which are located near the east coast.

New touring mini-series to hit your (computer) screens soon

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by Holly Tribe

If you’re a fan of touring, history, and the Great British countryside, a new online mini-series is due to start this month which should tickle all those fancies.

Click here to see video footage of the Eriba Puck in action

The Bald Explorer charts the intrepid voyages of comedian and amateur historian Richard Vobes as he tours the country and explores ‘the myths, legends and folklore in a place near you.’

“I want to combine my interests of humour, history and travel together and produce something fun and interesting at the same time,” commented Richard, of the new online series.

It is due to begin later this month, but a teaser video of Mr Vobes touring the English countryside in an Eriba Puck is available to view now.

In his blog – www.vobes.com/blog – Richard gives an amusing description about the trials of filming on location: “I am sure the walkers and other motorists I encountered this morning thought I was a fruit cake, but these little extra shots all have to be done to make a production look ‘normal’.”

If the video production is anything to go by, this looks to be a great little mini-series to keep your eye on, and perfect for a rainy afternoon’s viewing in the caravan!

Kidderminster caravan thieves ‘came prepared’

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners have been urged to read their insurance policy carefully after a mobile home was stolen from a private residence in Kidderminster.

The local police have reported that the thieves were well-equipped for the job, using tools to break the locks off a gate and remove the hitch lock and wheel clamps on the caravan, before towing it away.

The mobile home in question is a white Bailey Magenta Pageant CD two-berth single-axle caravan, the Kidderminster Shuttle reports.

A West Mercia Police spokeswoman said: “The offenders must have come equipped as they were able to break the locks on the caravan and tow it away.”

The audacious criminals didn’t even wait until the cover of darkness, she added, as the caravan was taken from the village of Caunsall between 5.20pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday April 27th.

Anyone with any information relating to this incident is encouraged to phone Crimestoppers.

Used Caravan of the Week: 1977 Carlight Casetta

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by Holly Tribe

Last week we reported that Carlight Caravans, a brand that many thought had been consigned to the annals of caravanning history, made a surprising return to the market.

So, in celebration the firm’s illustrious past and promising future, our ‘Used Caravan of the Week’ this week is a shining example of what made Carlight Caravans such a cornerstone in British caravan design.

Click here to see an image gallery of the Carlight Casetta

The Casetta was the mainstay of Carlight’s 1960’s portfolio and took advantage of a number of advances in technology – featuring one of the first all-fibreglass bodies. It was promoted as being particularly suited to “long-term habitation at home and abroad and in all seasons of the year.”

This two berth Casetta has bags of character and has been used by its current owner to tour the country on classic car rallies. It showcases many of the firms trademark features including the lantern-style roof.

History

The current owner has been in possession of the caravan for six years, and has carried out a number of maintenance updates. New brake shoes and wheel bearings have been installed, and the road lights have been rewired. It comes with all the original documentation and manuals.

Kit & Caboodle

The end kitchen features a working gas fridge, cooker/ hob and sink, while the front dinette converts into two comfortable berths. It also comes with a custom made Protect caravan cover, along with a Zig Charger for a leisure battery, 12v water pump and 240v mains lights. The seller makes mention of ‘some minor dents typical with age’, and one of the rear windows had a damp issue which has now been professionally repaired.

The classic lantern-style roof and arching nose end give it the distinctive Carlight profile, and the exterior has been professionally coach painted in cream with burgundy which is sure to make it stand out from a crowd.

  • Current bid: £600 (reserve not met)
  • Axle: Single
  • Berth: 2
  • Listed gross weight: 833kg
  • Listed length: 18 feet

Get it while it’s hot on ebay


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Worcester caravan fire ’caused by lightning’

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners in the Worcester area have been urged to double check the small print in their insurance policies after several vehicles were damaged in a lightning-related fire. The incident took place just before 10pm on Friday May 6th at a farm in the village of Inkberrow, with a caravan and a car both damaged by the blaze, the Redditch Advertiser reported.

Two fire engines were called out to the scene and the emergency services managed to avert a major explosion of the caravan’s gas cylinders.

Fortunately, no-one was injured and the fire was extinguished by midnight, the local paper added.

Mark Strutt, station commander for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, pointed to a freakish cause of the blaze.

“The fire coincided with a very heavy thunder storm in the area and initial fire investigation suggests that the blaze was started by a bolt of lightning,” he said.

Caravan Club updates Bilbao port details

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by Chris Jefferies

Holidaymakers looking to take their caravan on a ferry break to the Spanish destination of Bilbao this summer have been advised not to confuse the city’s two ports. The Caravan Club points out that the Brittany Ferries service from Bilbao to the UK departs from El Puerto and not from Santurtzi.

Furthermore, all caravan owners looking to catching their return ferry from Bilbao El Puerto are advised to use the BI-644, and avoid driving through the village of Zierbena as the road is not suitable for towing caravans or driving motorhomes.

Caravan owners looking for Spanish sun this summer can stay at Camping Playa Noyel, which is conveniently located between Bilbao and Santander.

This coastal spot features an outdoor swimming pool and allows barbecues. Other site features include mini golf and table tennis.

Pitches are available from under £25 per night for a caravan plus two campers

Bargains for caravan owners on Park Resorts 10th birthday

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by Chris Jefferies

Brits heading out into the countryside this weekend are being encouraged to stop off at any one of Park Resorts’ 39 nationwide sites to celebrate the company’s tenth birthday.

On May 7th, the coastal holiday parks will be marking the occasion with barbecues, live music, sports day-style races, face painting and a fancy dress competition with prizes.

What’s more, any child celebrating their tenth birthday on May 7th can get a free short break for them and their entire family.

Holidaymakers can also make a massive saving by booking a short break on May 7th, as the first ten people to ring up after 10am on the day will get a six-person caravan break for just £10.

Park Resorts has dozens of caravan-friendly holiday parks across the UK, including sites in Yorkshire, Devon and on the Isle of Wight, and there are still spaces available for the coming weekend.