You are here: Home / Archives for November 2011

Caravan News

More and more people head abroad for winter

Posted by · Leave a Comment 

According to the Camping & Caravanning club, more and more Brits are heading abroad for a winter break this year. The Club has reported a massive rise in the number of holidaymakers booking up for its European Winter Sun Rallies, with almost two-thirds (61 per cent) more getting involved this winter season than last.

Rallies are held in numerous European destinations, including Spain and Portugal, and are organised by members of the Club on behalf of its Carefree Travel Service.

“Many holidaymakers decide against camping abroad generally due to their fear of the unknown, so it’s encouraging to see that so many people are now looking to enjoy new camping experiences in foreign countries,” said Richard Grimsdale, the Club’s travel services director.

He added that the Carefree Winter Sun Rallies offer caravanners the chance to holiday together while enjoying the warm European weather.

November 25, 2011 · Tagged with , ,

Caravan News, News

Peak District Park Gets Winter Green Light Extension

Posted by · Leave a Comment 

A caravan park in the Peak District is celebrating after it was given the go-ahead to make improvements to the site and also extend its opening dates.

The Bakewell Camping and Caravanning Club Site on Hopping Lane in Derbyshire will now be able to open for an extra three months each year. This is on the condition though that the permitted number of caravans in the winter is reduced.

Permission has also been granted by the Peak District National Park Authority for the Caravan Club to carry out upgrades on the site. These include the resurfacing of 22 of its existing pitches and building a new service point for motorhomes on site.

The Youlgrave site is another site that has planning permission to alter its track and construct a new caravan storage facility.

John Herbert, chair of the planning committee, told the Buxton Advertiser: “In approving the application we have put in place conditions that address some of the concerns of local people.”

“We have been able to advise the applicant on appropriate improvements that benefit people and the environment.”

Mr Herbert added that the improvements will create a less visually intrusive site.

Under the regulations imposed by the Park Authority, the Club has to begin the work within three years, while no caravan or tent is allowed to be occupied for more than four consecutive weeks.

November 24, 2011 · Tagged with , , ,

News

Real Richness Report shows camping and caravanning linked to well being

Posted by · Leave a Comment 

The Real Richness report compiled by leading academics in the field of outdoor education at Liverpool John Moores University for The Camping and Caravanning Club has indicated that outdoor activities such as camping have a marked difference on a person’s well being.

The academics also gathered information from an online survey amongst 1,000 adults and 500 children aged seven to 11 who have experience of camping or caravanning and 1,000 adults and 500 children aged 7-11 who have never camped to holidayed in a caravan.

The research took place in February this year and revealed that 93 per cent of people were made happier by camping and caravanning. The club said there was growing evidence that simply spending time outdoors surrounded by nature is linked to improved psychological wellbeing.

Dr Kaye Richards, from Liverpool John Moores University, noted: “Camping and caravanning allows us to get away from the routines – and relative comforts – of our day to day lives. Even though camping and caravanning today is a much more comfortable experience thanks to modern equipment and facilities, the simple fact that we have taken ourselves out of our normal environment and into a different one, surrounded by nature, means we act, think and even communicate differently with each other.”

50% of the adults interviewed said they felt happiest when they were spending time with family and friends, whilst 96% of children said they felt happy when playing with their friends outdoors. 85% of adults thought camping and caravanning can make you healthier and nearly half though it should be prescribed on the NHS!

The idea that spending time in nature is ‘good for our physical health and mental wellbeing’ is by no meansa a new one. The World Health Organisation estimates that depression and illnesses related to it will become the greatest source of ill health by 2020. Predictions like these are putting pressure on Governments to encourage people to spend more time with nature.

In the United States, ‘therapeutic camping’ has a long tradition, going back to the early 1900s and the emergence of ‘tent therapy’.

Tony Bywater, chairman of Salop Leisure who has been involved in the caravan industry for 45 years, is a firm believer in the therapeutic benefits of caravanning.

“I sincerely believe that doctors ought to prescribe caravan holidays to people with serious health problems to aid their recovery,” he said. “We have many examples of touring caravans, static holiday homes and motorhomes giving people a new lease of life.

“Business owners and managers who spend a relaxing weekend in their caravan are able to return to work refreshed on a Monday and they tell us that they are able to do their job a lot better.”

November 18, 2011 · Tagged with , , ,

Technical Help

Don’t be tempted by part-worn tyres

Posted by · Leave a Comment 

Times are tough for all of us but motorists are being urged not to be tempted to buy tyres that are part worn as they can be a false economy. Probably the biggest problem with buying tyres that have been used is that you don’t have a true idea of their condition. This could potentially lead to problems when you’re on the road, especially if you’re taking your caravan out on a break.

A spokesperson for mytyres.co.uk said: “They may look okay, but it is impossible to establish if they have any internal damage which could possibly result in a blow out or failure at speed.”

They emphasised that many part-worn tyres have a tread depth less than 3mm, which will severely reduce their lifespan and therefore offer bad value for money.

Concerns have been raised by mytyres.co.uk that legislation brought into force in 1995 to protect road users from illegal, part-worn tyres has not been enforced.

As a result, people may unwittingly be buying products that are dangerous or illegal.

Courtesy of The Caravan Club

November 14, 2011 · Tagged with , , ,

Caravan News

ABI Caravans to grow even bigger

Posted by · Leave a Comment 

ABI, the Yorkshire based caravan manufacturer is set to increase it’s market share following a £30m management buyout.

Barclays Corporate in East Yorkshire has provided combined senior debt and working capital facilities of £30m for ABI (UK) Group to support its growth plans. LGV Capital has invested a majority stake in the business alongside the existing management team. The deal provides an exit for Barclays Ventures.

ABI Caravans, which is based in Beverley, East Yorkshire, manufactures caravan holiday homes, with a strong focus on the UK holiday parks market. Currently, the business employs around 300 people.

Jon Hunter, Barclays corporate relationship director, said yesterday: “Barclays is delighted to continue its support of ABI during an important time for manufacturing in the UK.

“This is a great example of a strong management team driving their business forward in challenging times, supported throughout by a strong bank.”

Wayne Hiley, the head of debt finance in the North at Barclays Corporate, said: ”This transaction provides a foundation for growth for ABI to leverage its existing expertise with a new partner going forward.

“We are very pleased to back our existing relationships with both ABI and LGV through the provision of a thoughtfully structured financing package.”

Private equity firm LGV Capital, which operates in the UK mid-market, is part of the Legal & General Group.

LGV makes investments in sectors such as leisure, consumer, healthcare and services. LGV has been particularly active in the consumer and leisure sector in recent years.

Investments it has made include those in companies such as Vue Cinemas, The Club Company, Tragus, South Lakeland Caravans, The Liberation Group, Snow+Rock and Amber Taverns.

November 11, 2011 · Tagged with , ,

News

Caravan couple gets wedding album back – 17 years later

Posted by · Leave a Comment 

Nigel and Gillian Stewart had thought their wedding photos were gone for ever. 17 years ago their caravan was stolen and the wedding album was inside. Despite appeals through the media for the return of the album, nothing showed up. Although things changed on Tuesday when they found somebody had left the album in a plastic bag outside the gates of their home.

“I thought I was seeing things” said Gillian. “I was absolutely stunned and speechless. Its lovely for the children – they only know their dad with grey hair”. The unexpected return of the photo album was especially poignant for the couple seeing as they recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Gillian was pregnant with their son at the wedding and it is the first time he has seen the photos.

Gillian said she was extremely grateful to whoever it was that returned the photos. Nobody knows whether the person who returned them was the same person who stole the caravan but the family believe that someone finally had their conscience pricked. Even if the person who returned the photos was responsible for stealing the caravam Gillian said “all was forgiven and there’s no need to be afraid to come forward to me, because I bear no grudges. That was the past and the future’s the future”.

“I would just love whoever it was to come forward, so i could thank them in person” she added.

November 10, 2011 · Tagged with , ,

News

Motorists aren’t properly preparing for winter

Posted by · Leave a Comment 

We all know that Britain as a whole is woefully under prepared for the snow we seem to be getting more frequently in winter but motorists are risking the need of costly breakdown recovery by not preparing enough for winter according to research from Mannheim Auctions.

A lot of drivers aren’t carrying essential items such as jumps leads, warm clothing and a shovel. This is especially true in the snow. However, it seems motorists are properly stocking up on some things as 89% say they ensure their screen wash is full and 80% carry an ice scraper. It’s important to ensure that levels of anti freeze and water are as they should be. Many of us caravanners don’t see winter as an obstacle to getting out in our caravans so it’s something we should remember too.

De-Icer can come in very handy too. Just remember not to make the same mistake as me and keep it inside the car when the locks freeze up…

Whilst nobody’s suggesting we’re going to be getting the same sorts of winters they get in North America or Scandinavia, it’s important to be prepared for the possibility of being stuck in traffic or snow for prolonged periods.

This article was provided by The Caravan Club

November 8, 2011 · Tagged with , , ,

Caravan News, News

Caravan Industry Holds Firm

Posted by · Leave a Comment 

The economic climate might be tough for a lot of people but it seems that the caravan industry is getting through it according to this article from The Caravan Club. Salop leisure in Shropshire have been seeing an exceptional year in terms of caravan and motorhome sales.

Salop chairman, Tony Bywater, has said “Sales have held up beyond our expectations in the difficult economic climate. We have seen more first time buyers, including many young families, looking to invest in holidays in the UK for the next ten to 15 years.”

Market research they have carried out indicates that a larger proportion of the British public are looking to have their holidays closer to home. This idea is backed up by the latest figures from VisitScotland who found that in the first half of 2011, they had 5.9million visitors which is a significant increase on 2010.

Mr Bywater noted that one of the main reasons behind their success this year could be the number of shows and exhibitions they’ve attended; a fact which Lunar caravans seem to back up as they reported £6.7million in sales on the back of the 2011 Motorhome & Caravan Show.

Lunar brought 27 models to the show and demo’d four brand new ones, the Lexon 520, the Lexon 420, the Delta FB and the Quasar 494. Mark Henderson, sales and marketing director for Lunar said “This event really has exceeded our expectations. There was a great buzz of excitement throughout the whole show proving that the UK caravanning industry is still standing resilient through these difficult economic times.”

November 2, 2011 · Tagged with , ,