Fatal blaze investigated at Shrewsbury caravan park

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Chris Jefferies

Police have reported that a fire at a caravan park in Shrewsbury claimed the life of an 80-year-old woman, who lived on the site. The fire at the holiday park started just after 10:00 BST on Saturday night (April 9th) and police are not treating the incident as suspicious, the Shropshire Star reported.

An unnamed woman, who lived alone, was recovered from the static caravan by emergency services, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police and fire services have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the fire at Beaconsfield Caravan Park, Upper Battlefield, which will serve as a stark warning to anyone considering forgoing caravan insurance or not buying a caravan fire alarm.

Detective inspector Mick Homden, from West Mercia Police, said: “At this stage there is nothing to suggest there are any suspicious circumstances.”

Other caravan parks in the Shropshire region include Presthope and Stanmore Hall Touring Park.

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Free tickets to The Great North Caravan & Motorhome Show

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by Holly Tribe

After the unprecedented success of last year’s event, the Great North Caravan & Motorhome Show is back! Catterick Caravans launched the Yorkshire based show in September last year at their redeveloped eight-acre site in Richmond. The event was a runaway success with over £1 million worth of caravan orders taken over nine days.

Click here to register for free show tickets

And now the show’s organisers are determined to replicate this success with a secondary Spring show.

Sales director, Matthew Kinsell, commented: “The turnout was unprecedented and has influenced our decision to run yet another event in April this year.

“The North is desperately in need of a show of this magnitude, with top caravan, motorhome and accessory brands all backing this Northern Show”.

Doors open on Saturday 30th April and there will be live entertainment, children’s fun and games plus food provided by their on-site café until the show closes on Sunday 8th May.

Bargains to be had

Catterick Caravans is Yorkshire’s premiere outdoor leisure superstore. It stocks a huge range of new and used caravans and motorhomes from leading brands such as Swift, Elddis, Lunar, Sprite and Sterling.

Those looking for a bargain can browse the two hundred ex-demonstrator models being sold off on a strictly first come first serve basis. Further discounts of up to £3,500 will be available on specific caravan models, the details of which will be revealed in due course.

To qualify for some impressive show offers and register your name for a free ticket, head to the show’s website at: www.caravan-show.co.uk.

How to get there

The show will take place at Catterick Caravans Outdoor Leisure World, Catterick Bridge, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7JB. For more information telephone 01748 818391.

DIRECTIONS: From the North take the 1st Catterick exit off the A1 onto the A6136. From the South take the 2nd Catterick exit off the A1. The show ground is located at Catterick Caravans, Brompton on Swale, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7JB.

Yorkshire caravan site given licence to extend

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by Chris Jefferies

Holidaymakers taking caravan tours of Yorkshire this summer will have even more space at Port Mulgrave, as the site has been given council permission to expand by 50 per cent. Five additional touring caravan pitches will be added to the site, the Whitby Gazette reports, after an application to the North York Moors National Park planning committee was approved.

Owner David Newton took over Port Mulgrave in 2003 and applied on behalf of the site, which has been a caravan holiday spot for around 50 years.

The site, which is open from March to October every year, currently has room for just ten caravans, so this marks a significant expansion.

Other caravan sites in the North Yorkshire region include Beechwood Grange, Hargill House and Rowntree Park, all of which are certified Caravan Club destinations.

Caravan lovers taking touring holidays in Whitby this summer can attend various cultural events such as Whitby Folk Week, which runs from August 22nd to 28th.

RSPCA urges caravanners to be mindful of pets during hot weather

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by Holly Tribe

The RSPCA has issued a warning to pet owners, urging them not to leave their dogs in caravans, cars or conservatories on hot days. According to the animal charity, leaving a window open with a bowl of water may not be enough to protect the animal against heatstroke.

When the outside temperature is 22 degrees, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach 47 degrees within an hour. Such extreme temperatures inside the vehicle can result in fatal heatstroke for the animal.

Owners are advised to look out for excessive panting and salivation, overly purple or red gums, a rapid pulse and lack of co-ordination which are all signs of canine heatstroke.

Owners of older dogs or pets that are overweight, heavily muscled or have thick, long fur should be extra vigilant as they may be at higher risk of heat related illness.

If you suspect your dog may be suffering from heatstroke the charity advises moving them to a cool area immediately and contacting a vet. Bathing them in cool (not cold) water and allowing them to drink small amounts of cool water is also recommended.

Got something to say? Why not share your thoughts about dogs in caravans in our forum topic here.

Major incident averted after Surrey caravan fire

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by Chris Jefferies

Firefighters in Surrey were called to tackle a major caravan blaze in Chessington last Thursday (April 7th), after a propane cylinder exploded. No-one was hurt in the incident, but local police considered closing the nearby A3 due to a risk of further explosions, the Kingston Guardian reported.

The caravan in question was being used for storage, but an unnamed eye-witness at the scene was quoted as saying: “I can’t even talk. That’s 30 years of my life in there.”

A police spokesman said that the incident had been caused by oxycetalyne propane tanks, which posed a high risk of explosion.

As a result, four fire engines and 20 firefighters were deployed to the scene on Clayton Road in the Surrey suburb.

The situation, which will come as a warning for anyone considering cutting corners on their caravan insurance, was brought under control by early evening and the 200-metre exclusion zone around the caravan was lifted, the local paper added.

Caravan lovers told to go west for best beaches

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by Chris Jefferies

Touring caravan holidaymakers looking to catch some sun this summer may be glad to learn that the beaches of the south west have dominated a recent survey to find the UK’s best sandy coastal spots. TripAdvisor’s poll found that St Ives was the best beach in the UK, as voted for by the website’s users, followed by its Cornwall neighbour Newquay.

Other top reasons to go west on your caravan holiday include the beaches at Bournemouth and Weymouth, as the Devon tourist hotspots came third and fourth respectively.

But it was St Ives that took the biggest plaudits, as the seaside town even made it into the top ten beaches in Europe, beating off several foreign hotspots in the process.

Emma O’Boyle, TripAdvisor spokeswoman, said: “Vast numbers of Brits jet off to traditional Mediterranean beaches every year, yet a British beach resort has out-classed all its Spanish, French and Italian counterparts in the awards.”

Deluxe caravanning: 5 star luxury caravan sites

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by Holly Tribe

Luxury touring. We all know there are some resplendent touring caravans on the market which can feature everything from dishwashers to state of the art soundsystems. But where do you go when you want to show off your tourer in a suitably impressive setting?

One of our members recently posed the question ‘does anyone know of a high quality adult only sites, maybe with a spa or restaurant/bar’ in the Caravan Times forum.

This got us thinking, does such a thing exist? And pretending for just a second that money is no object – what are the most luxurious sites available out there where you can pitch a touring caravan?

Here’s five top luxury resorts – each with something a little different to offer.

1.Woodovis Park

Located in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Woodovis Park is a multi-award winning 5 star caravan park located in Tavistock, Devon. A recent recipient of the a British Quality Foundation Award under the Tourism Business Excellence Programme – the site facilities include a mini golf course, heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, and to sate those early morning hunger pangs, there’s a tasty on-site bakery.
Tavistock, Devon
£20 – £35/ night

2. Seafield Caravan Park

For relaxing spa-break in the country, why not try the Seafield Caravan Park? Guests are invited to work up a sweat in the fitness centre, and then unwind in the Health & Beauty suite, steam room or sauna or simply have a luxurious soak in the 20m indoor heated swimming pool. All the touring pitches have mains water, electric, sewerage and drainage as standard along with full use of the shower and toilet facilities.
Northumberland
£25 – £48/ night

3. Stroud Hill Park

At the heart of this rural setting lies an imposing oak timber-frame building – where the reception area, shop and on-site bar and restaurant are located. Guests may want to take advantage of the three acre course fishing lake, or perhaps make new acquaintances over a game of tennis. Sorry kids – this one is for adult’s only.
Cambridgeshire
£26 – £26.50/ night

4. The Plassey Leisure Park

A 9 hole golf course and clubhouse, luxury indoor heated swimming pool and sauna room, sit alongside the ‘Treetops’ bar, onsite coffee shop and licensed restaurant. Not forgetting the, nature trails set over 247 acres of farmland and an adjoining Plassey Craft and Retail Centre. What this site doesn’t have probably isn’t worth mentioning!
£14.50 – £33.50 / night
Wrexham

5. Playa Montroig Camping Resort

Fancy strolling from the comfort of your caravan and into a bath-warm azure sea in a matter of seconds? If you don’t mind travelling a little further afield, then Play Monroig on the north east coast of Spain could be the one for you. Pitches are set among a complex of bars, restaurants and outdoor swimming pools, and the premium pitches have exclusive beachfront access.
http://www.playamontroig.com/en/accommodation/camping-plots.php
Euros 16 – 36/ night
Tarragona, Spain

Do you agree with our choices? Know of any other outstanding and luxurious caravan parks? Have your say in our forum topic here.

Van driver branded `utterly stupid` for towing static caravan

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by Chris Jefferies

A judge has described a van driver from Nottingham as “utterly stupid” after the motorist dragged a static caravan for a mile, leaving scrapes in the road behind him. Nottingham Crown Court heard how local man Kevin Hill had bought the unit for £300 and towed it behind his Ford Transit at the snail-like pace of five miles per hour.

Whilst caravan drivers are often criticised for holding up traffic, Mr Hill’s shenanigans were described by Judge Michael Stokes QC as an obvious “risk to other road users”, the Nottingham Post reported.

A witness said that the caravan had no braking system or warning lights, was obstructing cars and was clearly too big for the single-carriageway road.

Judge Stokes sentenced Mr Hill, 44, to a community order for 12 months and a curfew for two months between set hours, as well as taking away his licence for a year.

Couples called Will and Kate get free caravan holiday with Park Resorts

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by Chris Jefferies

Park Resorts is offering couples named Will and Kate a royal reception this spring, with a free caravan holiday for those who share their name with the happy couple. As excitement builds over the royal wedding weekend, which is just over three weeks away, Park Resorts is encouraging Brits to make the most of the extra bank holiday.

Any couple sharing their first names with Prince William and Kate Middleton are invited to stay for free at any time before the end of April.

You can choose from a range of 39 coastal destinations across the UK, all of which will be hosting special events to mark the occasion.

Andy Edge, marketing director of Park Resorts, said: “We are celebrating this landmark royal wedding on our parks with street parties, barbecues, kids’ activities and more.”

Furthermore, any couple called Will and Kate that have already booked an April getaway with Park Resorts can get a refund up to a maximum value of a seven night stay based on one-bed accommodation.

Coachman launches national caravan service centre

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan manufacturer Coachman has given its seal of approval at the opening of a new national caravan service centre in Warwickshire.

Jim Hibbs, the company’s managing director, was invited to conduct the opening ceremony of the new centre, owned by leading caravan dealer Raymond James.

The 12-bay centre is being launched after the dealer recorded its most successful year to date in which it began selling Coachman caravans.

Mr Hibbs spoke of the caravan industry’s bright future before unveiling the centre, which has National Caravan Council approval.

“Our relationship with the dealers has always been incredibly important,” he said. “We always aim to provide them with quality caravans designed to withstand the tests of time.”

“With the resurgence in the domestic holiday market, these relationships will become even more important,” he added.

Raymond James Caravans is a Coventry-based dealer, which sells new and used caravans from companies such as Elddis and Buccaneer, as well as Coachman.

Caravan owners given new tyre pressure guidance

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by Chris Jefferies

British motorists planning on towing a caravan on their holidays this summer have been given new advice on tyre pressure and axle loads.

TyreSafe has updated its caravan tyre safety leaflet, following technical discussions between the tyre industry and major caravan manufacturers.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said that it is important that caravan owners do not load their vehicle to more than 90 per cent of its maximum capacity.

“With the high levels of stress placed on caravan tyres, it is essential that owners not only inflate their tyres to the correct pressures, but also make sure they do not overload them,” he said.

The new leaflet, which can be downloaded for free, includes simplified and updated load and inflation pressure tables.

Mr Jackson added that anyone who is unsure of what to look for when assessing the state of their caravan’s tyres should consult their local tyre dealer or workshop.

Amber Leisure showcases its latest stock of used caravans

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by Holly Tribe

Caravan enthusiasts on the search for a quality used or second hand caravan may be in luck. Amber Leisure has just unveiled this year’s stock of used caravans at its Clacton sales depot. Customers can browse the current selection of second hand caravans online and then ‘pop into the Clacton Sales Centre for a closer look.’

The firm believes ‘the advantages to turning up in person are clear.’ Customers can have a good look around each caravan and get a firm idea of the layout and services each model offers.

There is a wide choice of caravans for customers to choose from, including second hand tourers from leading brands Swift, Bailey, Elddis and Lunar.

Purchasing a pre-owned caravan is a great way for newcomers to get into the hobby for the first time. It also provides long standing caravan enthusiasts with a cost-effective way of upgrading their old caravan if they don’t want to opt for a brand new model.

Amber Leisure also runs five touring caravan holiday parks in locations across the east of England including Bedfordshire’s Pavenham and Heacham in Norfolk.