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.

Pedestrian safety issue raised at caravan site

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by Chris Jefferies

Barnard Castle’s newest caravan park could be the site of a major accident, as there is no footpath for visitors walking into the town centre, it has been claimed.

The Caravan Club owned site was only opened last summer, but regular visitor John Stoneman told the Teesdale Mercury that this is a serious issue for those staying at the holiday park.

He said that the grassy verge next to the B6277 was frequently used as a pathway by campers and caravanners staying at Teesdale Barnard Castle caravan site.

“I have had to avoid people on both sides of the verges and that is during daylight hours,” Mr Stoneman said.

Teesdale Barnard Castle Caravan Club Site has 76 pitches and was opened last year, resulting in many local organisations voicing safety concerns.

Ian Jerred, chairman of the local parish council said: “My parish council’s concerns for road safety remain.”

The Caravan Club said that it was aware of the “long standing matter of walkers in the road” and was looking into introducing extra signage to alert drivers in the area.

Bailey issues further advice for Unicorn owners

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by Holly Tribe

Last week Bailey Caravans issued a statement to advising of an unusual level of wheel detachments on single axle Unicorn models – the Seville, Madrid, Valencia and Almeria.

Please read the initial report here

Bailey today spoke with Caravan Times to update readers on the current situation and revealed their continuing investigation of the problem.

No further incidences

Marketing Director Simon Howard advised there have been no further incidence of wheel detachments since the problem was identified last week. However, the firm remains concerned that reports of around ten such occurrences is above average for this type of problem.

Mr Howard noted that “a low background level of detachments can be expected annually, perhaps one or two, but the recent level is too high to be comfortable with,” and Bailey will be conducting a thorough investigation into the problem.

As yet, no discernable pattern to the wheel detachments has been identified, and the problems have not been associated with a particular batch.

VOSA approved specialist

The firm received the first batch of affected Bailey Unicorn models back from dealers yesterday and will be employing the services of a VOSA approved forensic expert to examine the vehicles thoroughly. The outcome of the investigation will be made available as soon as possible.
Bailey is urging owners of single axle Unicorn models to be vigilant and check the tightness of the wheel bolts using a torque wrench. If customers are unable to carry out this task they should take their caravan to their nearest Approved Bailey Retailer or Service Centre.

Guidance from Bailey Caravans on torquing Unicorn wheels

Bailey recommends that the correct torque setting for the Alloy wheels fitted to the current Unicorn range is: 110 Nm (81 Ft/lbs). Wheel bolts should be tightened in sequence (each opposite fixing in succession) using a calibrated torque wrench.

It warns against using items such as a corner steady brace or electric power wrench for torquing the wheels, “as it as dangerous to over tighten as to under tighten the bolts”.

The firm recommends that “as per the instructions in the manual, this should be done before every journey made with the caravan.”

Contacting your Approved Bailey Retailer or Service Centre

All work affecting this specific wheel issue will be carried out under warranty. Bailey also informed Caravan Times that all owners affected will be contacted by letter, and that “details of the appropriate follow-up action required will be made available in due course”.

Click here for full details of how to contact your Approved Bailey Retailer or Service Centre . Alternatively you can telephone the Bailey Customer Helpline on 0117 305 2939 or email helpline@baileycaravans.co.uk

Have you been affected by this product recall? Click here to have your say in our forum topic

Meet Barney – winner of our ‘Dogs & Caravans’ photo competition

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by Holly Tribe

The votes in our ‘Dogs & Caravans’ photo competition have been counted and verified, and we are pleased to announce ‘Barney Watching the World go by’ has been crowned the overall champion!

The winning entry was snapped by Co. Durham resident Graeme Davison and is a lovely portrait of his border terrier, Barney, sitting on the steps outside a Swift Challenger contemplating the world around him. We had a chat with Graeme and found out what makes caravanning such an important part of family life:

Graeme Davison and his wife, Heather, began touring some five years ago as a solution to leaving their two border terriers in the kennels when they went away on holiday.

Named after the two mischievous Flintstone characters, Barney and Fred, the dogs have taken to the lifestyle like ducks to water – and the Davison’s are now official converts to caravanning. They like nothing better than heading off for the weekend to explore their native corner of North West England.

How did you get started?

We decided to try caravanning as we were unhappy leaving the dogs in kennels and bought an old Mardon Supreme four or five years ago to try it out. After the first few trips, it was obvious they loved being in it so soon upgraded to a Swift Challenger 380 and have been caravanning ever since. I guess you could say we have the dogs to thank for getting the caravan bug!

What are your favourite dog friendly caravan sites?

Old Hartley Club Site is one of our favourites. We are members of the Caravan Club and most of the sites we’ve been to have good dog walking areas. We’ve been particularly impressed with their attitude towards dogs, and the fact that they do not charge!

What is the most enjoyable aspect of caravanning with your dogs?

We think caravanning was made just for dogs, because if we didn’t have the dogs we would not have contemplated

getting a caravan. Fred and Barney absolutely love being out-doors, meeting people who come up to say hello to them when they sit outside. We have found if you have a dog, people are more likely to get chatting to you. On one occasion we were up at Old Hartley in Tynemouth, talking to a man who was so taken with Fred & Barney he wanted to take them home!

What has been your best touring caravan holiday away together?
Our best holiday with Fred & Barney was last year when we travelled up to Garlieston Caravan Club site, on the Scottish coast. Our caravan was sited right next to the harbour mouth and our Barney was in seventh heaven! He loves the sea and is never out of the water. He would be the first one up to go out in the morning, and when we returned home he sulked for three days and sat a the front door pining – we couldn’t even bribe him with his favourite biscuits!

Click here to find out who were the runner’s and view a gallery of the winning entries.

Caravan used as polling station in Highlands

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by Chris Jefferies

The regional elections across the UK yesterday (May 5th) resulted in some strange locations being used as polling stations, including two pubs, a golf club and a caravan. In the Highland town of Coulags, local residents George and Jessie McKay opened up their caravan to allow locals to cast their vote – as they have done for the past 20 years, the Herald reports.

The couple performed the duties of polling clerk and presiding officer at what is believed to be one of the smallest polling stations in the UK.

After voting closed at 10pm, Scottish ballot boxes were carefully transported by boat and helicopter to count centres in the Highland region.

Caravan owners looking to tour the Scottish Highlands as part of their summer holiday can choose from a range of camp sites in the region, including Culloden Moor, Dunnet Bay and Invernahoven Caravan Site.

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Theme park and caravan site planned for Loch Lomond

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by Chris Jefferies

A multi-million pound theme park is being planned to go with a new five-star caravan site on the banks of Loch Lomond, a local Scottish paper has claimed.

Glasgow nightclub owner Wayne Gardner-Young has designs on the iconic loch, with a hotel, cafes and restaurants also figuring in his £100 million development plan, the Herald reports.

The site, which will require approval from the Trossachs National Park, could take up to five years to develop, including kids attractions such as “zip-line rides, and treehouses,” Mr Gardner-Young said.

A £23 million cafe-restaurant development on the site is already underway, with 15 two-storey log cabins due to be opened by this time next year.

The entrepreneur was bullish about his chances of succeeding in his latest venture. “It will be situated right on the shores of Loch Lomond and there is little doubt this will happen,” he told the Glasgow-based paper.

Caravan site to launch local food festival

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by Chris Jefferies

Holidaymakers taking their caravan to Oxfordshire this month can stop off at a local food festival, which is being held at Bridge Villa caravan and campsite in Wallingford.

The town is well known as a filming location for Midsomer Murders, as well as for its links with crime writer and former resident Agatha Christie, the Oxford Times reports.

However, the locals are looking to put Wallingford on the map for culinary reasons, with the launch of the inaugural food festival, which will take place on May 14th.

Entry is free and from 10am to 5pm visitors can enjoy a selection of locally-produced meat, vegetables, fruit, eggs, bread, cakes, jams, beers and wines.

Bernard Stone, mayor of Wallingford, has given the event, which will feature 17 local producers, his official seal of approval.

“There are now three different markets in the town, with food playing a large part in what they do, and they are already gaining quite a reputation. Staging an annual food festival can only help and we are very keen to see it flourish,” he said.

PRODUCT RECALL: Bailey Caravans recalls all single axle Unicorn models (Seville, Madrid, Valencia and Almeria)

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by Marcus Dubois

Bailey Caravans has announced a product recall on all single axle models in the premium Unicorn range, after a small number of reports of wheels becoming detached from the caravan.

The Bristol manufacturer issued a notice today recalling all Seville, Madrid, Valencia and Almeria models in the Bailey Unicorn lineup. The firm stated that “while the level of incidence is low, we are taking this matter very seriously – and as a matter of urgency we are currently working with our suppliers to identify the cause of the problem.” Until the problem is clarified Bailey has asked retailers to contact owners of affected Unicorn models “as a safety precaution”.

Speaking with Caravan Times earlier today, marketing director Simon Howard believes the number of Unicorns affected is in single figures. However he urged owners in the meantime to ensure their wheel bolts are correctly tightened to ensure safety. And with this in mind Bailey has released a guide which “reiterates the importance of torquing the wheel bolts in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the Owner and Service Manuals prior to travelling with the caravan”.

Guidance from Bailey Caravans on torquing Unicorn wheels

Bailey recommends that the correct torque setting for the Alloy wheels fitted to the current Unicorn range is: 110 Nm (81 Ft/lbs).

The manufacturer also recommended that wheel bolts should be tightened in sequence (each opposite fixing in succession) using a calibrated torque wrench.

Bailey has however warned against using items such as a corner steady brace or electric power wrench for torquing the wheels, “as it as dangerous to over tighten as to under tighten the bolts”. The firm recommends that “as per the instructions in the manual, this should be done before every journey made with the caravan.”

Contacting your Approved Bailey Retailer or Service Centre

The Bristol manufacturer has advised that “if customers are unable to carry out this task they should take their caravan to their nearest Approved Bailey Retailer or Service Centre”.

All work affecting this specific wheel issue will be carried out under warranty. Bailey also informed Caravan Times that all owners affected will be contacted by letter, and that “details of the appropriate follow-up action required will be made available in due course”.

Click here for full details of how to contact your Approved Bailey Retailer or Service Centre . Alternatively you can telephone the Bailey Customer Helpline on 0117 305 2939 or email helpline@baileycaravans.co.uk

Have you been affected by this product recall? Click here to have your say in our forum topic

‘Dogs & Caravans’ photo competition winner announced

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by Holly Tribe

After four weeks of voting, ninety entries and over three hundred registered votes, the ‘Dogs & Caravans’ photo competition has now come to an end.

The contest was launched in league with National Pet Month, promoting the benefits and importance of responsible pet ownership. The feedback from members sharing their experiences of caravanning with pets has been overwhelming, so a big thank you to everyone who entered photos and voted for their favourites.

Winning entries

After a closely fought contest we are pleased to announce ‘Barney Watching The World Go By’ has been voted the overall champion. (main picture above)

The winning entry was taken by Graeme Davison and features his border terrier, Barney, sitting on the steps outside his caravan, contemplating world around him. We had a chat with our champion photographer, Graeme, and found out what makes caravanning such an important part of family life. Feature coming soon.

In second place ‘Pip Watching’ portrays a contemplative study of the plaintive Pip waiting for his master to return to the homestead (pictured right).

Third place is claimed by ‘Me and My Dad Chillin” – depicting a loveable Wolfhound almost dwarfing his owner in a caravan awning (pictured below right).

Congratulations to the nine runners up who will each receive a CarPET – the nifty gadget for removing pet hair from caravan upholstery and carpets. The winning entrants are displayed below.

Winner:
Graeme Davison – ‘Barney Watching The World Go By’

2nd Place:
Patricia Harrison – ‘Pip Watching’

3rd Place:
Andy Lumley – ‘Me And My Dad Chillin”

‘<' . strtolower('Array')>Runners Up:

Deanna Mottershead – ‘Bruce & Sasha’
Vicki Oliver – ‘Lola After A Hard Day’
Graham Campbell – ‘Oscar on Centre Table’
Ian Hopkins – ‘We Want A Walk’
Trina – ‘Admiring the wardens’
Tony Fox – ‘Toby On His Holiday’
Stuart Harris – ‘Rutland Caravan Park’

Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Tracker Check leads to 10-minute recovery of stolen vehicle

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan and tow-car owners looking to safeguard their motor may be interested to learn that the new Tracker Check system has led to a stolen car being retrieved within ten minutes.

Tracker specialises in stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) services and was thrilled at how quickly Manchester police were able to respond to a recent case of a stolen Audi.

Stuart Chapman, Tracker’s police relationship manager, explains: “Police forces can simply log onto a secure web link to gain access to our own technology and do everything they need remotely.”

This is a massive improvement in relaying crucial tracking information over the phone, he added.

Tracker is the market leader in SVR systems, with over one million products installed to date, and all 52 police forces in the UK use this technology to locate stolen vehicles.

Systems are available for caravans and motorhomes, with prices starting at £399 plus an annual subscription of £99.