Linda Barker to attend Boat and Caravan Show

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Celebrity interior designer Linda Barker is to be one of the guests viewing the latest caravans and motorhomes to be showcased at the Boat and Caravan Show 2010 later this month.

The Caravan Magazine reports that the television presenter is the latest celebrity recruit to join the Caravan Club and will attend the show alongside others including chef James Martin and fellow television personality Julia Bradbury.

Caravan fans can see the latest products from the likes of Swift, Sterling and Elddis at the Birmingham NEC for six days from February 23rd.

Among the touring caravans that will be on display in the Practical Caravan Hall at the event are the launch of the fifth top-end luxury touring vehicle from Coupland Caravans and three new models from Elddis.

Meanwhile, guests will be able to gain a greater insight into destinations they can travel to across the UK through comments from holiday park representatives.

Those new to the delights of caravanning can also gain some helpful hints on how to tow a caravan, as professional instructors will be on site to part with their knowledge.

Caravan trading improvement expected for latter part of 2010

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A caravan retailer in Yorkshire has predicted that it expects trading to improve in the second half of 2010, as the industry continues its battle against the troubled economic climate.

The Yorkshire Post reports that Discover Leisure has made decent progress since needing to restructure to five sites last year as a way of avoiding collapse.

Despite the recent heavy snowfall having a negative effect on sales and the fact that many purchases were made ahead of the VAT change on January 1st, the company still remains optimistic for the upcoming 12 months.

According to the publication, chairman David Morrow told shareholders at the company’s annual meeting: “Looking ahead to the second half, the continuing economic uncertainties and the need to assess the market at Easter make it difficult to predict the group’s results.

“We expect trading to improve but to remain challenging.”

Touring caravan sales increased through September and October last year across the market, before a 37 per cent year-on-year improvement was noted in November.

Meanwhile the growth in the number of Brits holidaying in the UK in the opening half of 2009 caused sales to skyrocket by 40 per cent, Park Resorts revealed last year.

Green Brits to carry on caravanning

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A UK holiday company has predicted that Brits will continue to enjoy camping holidays in the UK rather than travelling abroad.

According to Haven Holidays, there has been an increase in families booking longer breaks at its 35 sites around the UK during 2010.

It predicted that this trend will continue as families look to save both cash and the environment.

It costs less in terms of money and carbon emissions to take a break in the UK than flying to some far-flung destination.

The firm revealed that the majority (65 per cent) of its customers travel for less than two hours to get to their site of choice.

“During the Easter holidays kids go free, with lots of included activities and entertainment. We believe it’s the best way to enjoy a fantastic family break whilst still keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum,” Haven said.

The operator explained that it hopes to teach kids the value of looking after the environment during their holidays.

Meanwhile, Haven recently announced a record 20 per cent rise in spring bookings for March, April and early May.

Devon caravan owners to benefit from free health and safety event

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Caravan park owners in the south-west are being encouraged to attend a free event later this month to boost their awareness of health and safety issues.

Hosted by Torridge and North Devon District Councils, the half-day event will involve speeches from the police and the Health and Safety Executive, taking in topics including the importance of maintaining that gas is running safely.

The event is to take place at the Golden Coast Holiday Village in Woolacombe on February 10th, with a trade fair and exhibition on site showing offerings from a number of suppliers.

North Devon Council lead member for environmental health, Pat Barker, feels that the day could help improve the stature of Devon as a holiday location.

She said: “This free event is the ideal opportunity for holiday park owners to refresh their knowledge and get advice about health and safety issues that are unique to the industry.

“Events like this help local businesses and organisations work together to make North Devon the perfect holiday destination.”

Ways in which caravan safety could be improved are through installing smoke alarms and carrying out regular checks that electrical systems are in good working order.

Caravan park nets another accolade for continued conservation work

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A caravan park has been honoured for the tenth year in succession for its continued work to help support Britain’s natural environment.

The Fakenham Times reports that Pinewoods Holiday Park has received a gold award in the David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme.

In the past, assessors have been impressed by decisions to fit solar panels to heat water in toilet blocks and moves to improve the reed beds in a nearby lake.

This year, the tourism business, which has 564 static caravan pitches, replaced the petrol vehicles used by staff with two electric buggies to further enhance its positive impact on the environment.

Manager Richard Seabrooke told the publication: “Conservation is a key part of our work here and we take it into account in every aspect of our business.

“The whole philosophy is something we work with and are conscious of all the time in the decisions we make – and to win this award ten years running means we are reinvesting and doing it right.”

Meanwhile in other news, top kitchen appliances and an ATC stability control system were factors that helped the Bailey Pegasus 624 crowned the Caravan of the Year at the Which? Caravan 2010 Awards.

Second Christmas for caravan man living without money

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A former manager of an organic food company has recently completed his second Christmas staying in a caravan as he continues to enjoy his life without the need to spend money.

Speaking to the Independent, Mark Boyle revealed that he lives in the recycled caravan, which he received for free, on a farm near Bath.

The 30-year-old leads an extraordinary life. Tasks are varied and range from riding his bicycle to running errands in exchange for food. He even makes his own toothpaste.

Mr Boyle was initially planning on experiencing life without money for a year, but after settling into a routine has learnt so much that he has decided to continue.

He now has the long-term plan to establish his own community of individuals with no reliance on money.

Mr Boyle told the publication: “It’s been a fantastic experience. It’s taught me a lot about myself. I’ve never been happier or fitter, so I didn’t see any reason to go back to using money.

“The main surprise of the experience is how easy it’s become. After about two months, living without money became very normal. It’s actually quite easy.”

Meanwhile, the Leader newspaper recently reported that a homeless man and his dog are now enjoying the warmth of a caravan in the chilly temperatures after a group of friends in Wales combined to provide the temporary accommodation.

Caravan park under threat after planning fiasco

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A caravan park in the Brecon Beacons National Park faces uncertain times after a court ruled that there were flaws in the process which led to it achieving planning permission.

Gilestone Farm obtained consent from the national park authority, but a 2007 inquiry suggested that there were a number of failings in the way the application was handled.

The recent Warwick Crown Court case saw Mr Justice Duncan Ouseley rule that the planning permission was not legitimate and that the caravan park would have to reapply.

The decision was welcomed by Usk Valley Conservation Group, which brought the case against the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and Gilestone Farm.

The group’s secretary Paul Needham explained that it has been a long slog to achieve such a decision.

“[We] feel let down by the national park authority who have consistently failed to rectify the mistakes it has long accepted were made and left it to members of the public to seek justice,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Green Valleys community project in the national park has won £300,000 in the Big Green Challenge competition.

Caravan workers seek compensation

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Former workers at a stricken caravan manufacturer are set to discover whether they will receive compensation after losing their jobs.

More than 340 employees at Hull-based Atlas Holiday Homes were left out of work after the caravan firm went bust in 2008, the BBC reported.

Employees have been seeking 90 days worth of wages after trade union Ucatt revealed they had not been given the required notice of their redundancy.

The staff were given less than one day’s notice and were dismissed immediately, employment lawyer Nathalie Stewart told the news provider.

“We have brought this claim to try and get each of these employees 90 days further wages from the company to reflect the 90-day consultation they should have had before being made redundant,” she said.

The firm has since had its trading rights and assets bought out by Atlas Leisure Homes, which has released a new caravan range.

Those planning a caravan trip near Hull could head to Aldbrough Caravan Park or Highfield Farm, which are both in the area, according to ukcampsite.co.uk.

2011 off to a flying start with success of Manchester Caravan Show

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by Holly Tribe

Despite the VAT hike at the beginning of the year, and the doom and gloom that has been saturating the financial pages of late, 2011 has got off to a flying start for the caravan industry.

At the first major show of the year, organisers of the Manchester Central Caravan & Motorhome Show 2011 have been celebrating a 25% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers.

Over 100 companies exhibited bringing all the latest releases to the North West caravanning community. Free entry was made available to late night shoppers in the ‘Late Night Friday’ promotion and a cookery theatre and dedicated kid’s zone provided fun for all the family.

Swift Caravans, the UK’s largest manufacturer of caravans and motorhomes, recorded £2.5 million worth of sales over the four days. The Group’s commercial director, Nick Page, commented: “The Manchester Show gave a very encouraging start to 2011.With £1.5 million worth of touring caravan sales and £750,000 worth of motorhome sales, figures indicate that the market for this year will remain positive.”

If you missed the Manchester show but still want a chance to see all the new 2011 caravans, you can enter our competition to win tickets to the Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show. For details of how to enter, click here.

New guide to UK camping

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Caravan enthusiasts may be interested in investing in a new publication designed to encourage people to go camping in the UK.

The Rough Guide to Camping in Britain has recently been updated and features more than 300 sites to keep caravanners busy throughout 2010.

It lists everything from chic “glamping” sites with chandeliers to traditional family favourites, with readers being provided with maps, colour photographs and descriptions of some of the best campsites in the UK.

It is broken down into regional sections for easy navigation and also features sections on “the best kit”, wilderness camping, festivals and adventure sports.

The guide features a variety of sites for different tastes, including Hidden Spring in Sussex, which offers strong cider and its own wine from its vineyard.

Talton Lodge may also appeal, with visitors being able to attend pasta-making classes, enjoy home-grown food and sleep in a tipi.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Sustainability Council has suggested that travellers could do more to limit their impact on the environment.

Gypsy gang responsible for half of UK caravan thefts

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The gang of caravan thieves convicted yesterday (January 27th) are believed to have been responsible for almost 50 per cent of mobile home thefts in the UK.

Charlie Ward, Martin Ward, John McDonagh and Martin McDonagh were convicted of conspiracy to steal at Winchester Crown Court after police found over £1 million worth of stolen property in their possession.

Included in the haul – discovered after a massive police operation involving 19 forces – were £700,000 worth of caravans and £100,000 of jewellery.

The goods were impounded in 2007 after 120 police officers raided a gypsy camp near Swindon in Wiltshire.

Since the men were arrested, the number of stolen caravans and motorhomes in the UK has plummeted from more than 850 to less than 460.

Meanwhile, France Magazine editor Carolyn Boyd has suggested that British caravan enthusiasts may find a trip across the channel more cost effective than staying in the UK.

Less than a month to Boat and Caravan Show

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There is less than a month to go before the Boat and Caravan Show 2010 begins in earnest.

Taking place from February 23rd to 28th at Birmingham’s NEC, the event will showcase the latest caravans, motorhomes, boats, holiday homes and much more.

A number of top exhibitors will be showing their wares, including Swift, Sterling, Sprite, Bailey, Elddis, Lunar and Vanmaster.

There will also be a few new model launches, such as the Charisma and Europa 545 from Swift, which includes a rear dinette in place of the fixed bed in the 550 model.

Swift is also set to reveal its restoration of three classic models – a 1938 Eccles President, 1928 Sarari Minor and a 1964 Clubman Ten.

Meanwhile, Roma Caravans will display its range of coach-built models and is also set to launch a number of new trailers.

Rimor Caravans will also give visitors an exclusive offer, with prices starting from £9,995 and models not appearing at any other UK show this year.

The NEC is also set to host the Toy Collectors’ Fair next month.