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CAMPERVAN CRISIS   25 July 2006
Campervan Crisis, Discovery Realtime. 6 Tuesdays at 9pm from 25th July 06.
As summer is upon us and VW campervans are emerging from garages all the UK, Discovery Real Time brings you a fascinating new five-part series that follows a VW aficionado as he painstakingly restores his dilapidated, 1965 Splitscreen Devon Camper...
Coventry resident and president of the Splitscreen Volkswagen Club, Nigel Isted bought his VW Camper 12 years ago for a mere £650. Several years on, he is now the embarrassed driver of one of the dodgiest vans on the VW circuit and fed up of being ridiculed about the state of his bus! Campervan Crisis taps into the rapidly growing VW scene and follows Nigel as he embarks upon a restoration project that proves to be one of the toughest challenges of his life.
With a hugely ambitious six month goal in mind, Nigel aims to turn his cherished 'Dipsy', as she is affectionately known, from a beaten up old wreck, into a stunning, 100bhp (brake horse power) bus with attitude! He also hopes to achieve a quarter mile at the famous Santa Pod Raceway in less than 18 seconds - previously Dipsy has only managed to splutter out 13bhp in a sluggish 27 seconds. If she's successful, this will be a massive achievement for Nigel… and Dipsy! To complete the impressive restoration project, Nigel will also be giving his VW camper a full interior makeover.
Despite having limited mechanical experience, a full time job and a young family - he has a two-year-old son Tom with his partner Nikki - Nigel decides to do most of the work himself in a purpose built 'Swiss chalet' style garage at the end of his garden. Over the years, Nigel has managed to keep his trusty van roadworthy, fixing up a few minor problems along the way - but 12 years on there are major problem areas with the bodywork, including some very dodgy welding, rust and a nasty bash which has been left untouched for seven years! With new panels, paint, running gear, brakes and a powerful highly tuned engine to fit, Nigel has a lot of work to do. He plans to put £12k into the build and hopes to make most of his purchases at various VW shows around the country and off the internet.
Ultimately, to confirm Dipsy's new status, Nigel plans to enter her into a 'show and shine' competition around the time of his clubs' Annual General Meeting, but will everything go to plan?!
Whether you're a VW enthusiast or not, you won't want to miss the extreme highs and agonizing lows of this inspiring and immensely challenging restoration project on 'Discovery Real Time'.
Campervan Crisis, Discovery Realtime. 6 Tuesdays at 9pm from 25th July.
Discovery Real Time is available on Sky digital 250 (from 28th February onwards), Telewest Broadband 271, ntl: 304/133 & Top Up TV 28.

Top Gear causes furore  17 July 2006
In a programme broadcast on 16 July 06 the popular BBC TV series Top Gear showed an extended report with Jeremy Clarkson and his two sidekicks supposedly taking a touring caravan for a weekend break. Although patently a wind-up, the report got many serious caravanners up in arms, offended by the inaccuracies, gaffes, and ludicrous antics throughout. There have been many threads posted on various caravanning forums, attracting several heated posts.
"Thanks Clarkson, that was great show, I hope you removed the gas bottle when you set fire to that caravan, you complete idiot. Shame you did not spill the chemical toilet over yourself. I hope the caravan and camping club are sending you the bill for damaging the pitch you stayed on. 100 miles in 6 hours. It's clear that you all need lessons in how to navigate, even a novice could travel that distance."  Practical Caravan Forum

Island Bans Caravans Mail on Sunday (Scottish Edition) 25 June 2006
In the Mail on Sunday (Scottish Edition) it was reported that the people on the Isle of Colonsay have banned Caravans and Campervans from the island. A spokesman for CalMac, the ferry operators, confirmed that it had simply complied with the islanders wishes in refusing to allow Caravans and Campervans on the 2½ hour crossing, adding: "This was not our idea. It was something we were asked to do". Fiona Brewer a spokesman for the Caravan Club, which has more than 900,000 members, described the policy as "outrageous." CalMac ferry is heavily subsidised by the Scottish Excutive which means Taxpayers. We suggest Fiona Brewer writes to the First Minister of the Scottish Parliment and asks him what is the policy with regards to the subsidry paid to Calmac. Can they just decide not to take Taxpayers if asked by some residents of the Island of Colonsay? If that is the case why are 900,000 members paying towards the subsidiary.

Prepare to be dazzled!  14 June 2006
The new Abbey Vogue from £11,245. With generous headroom of1.95m/6'5", and a width 2.23m/7'4" (2.29m/7'6" in 495) more space in the lounge and washroom. Alloy wheels in silver finish. One-piece, high gloss, heavy gauge aluminium sidewalls good looks and no seams. Status 530 directional TV aerial height and direction adjustable for optimum TV picture quality. Spare wheel on underslung carrier peace of mind. Removable carpets easy to keep clean. 107 litre fridge family sized storage space. Microwave oven locker microwave optional. Omnivent extractor fan and rooflight extracts kitchen fumes and lets in fresh air. 6 Year body integrity guarantee† extended peace of mind.

Latest development promises tempting treatments at Tempus 13 June 2006
It's makeover time at Sandy Balls Holiday Centre as an area of its existing leisure centre is being transformed into Tempus, a new purpose built mind and body therapy centre which will offer guests and local residents the opportunity for top to toe treatments at the New Forest holiday centre.
Part of its on-going multi-million pound project to transform the central area of Sandy Balls into a pedestrianised haven and create a number of new recreational facilities, Tempus will comprise a trio of dedicated treatment rooms.
Tempus at Sandy Balls will be home to 5 fully trained therapists offering treatments which range from ocean spray facials to sea silk body wraps.

Meet the old beauties in front of your traffic jam By Simon de Bruxelles (The Times 29 May 06)
IF YOU found yourself caught behind a convoy of Bank Holiday caravanners today you may not appreciate Mike Dingley-Jones's labour of love. The 67-year-old retired electrical engineer has just returned the mother of all road blockers to the public highway after he found it abandoned in a barn. The cream and brown caravan is 6ft (1.8 metres)wide, 12ft long and 6ft 6ins tall, and Mr Dingley-Jones has fitted it with a 1930s-style paraffin range cooker, a copper sink and a vintage wireless. Together, the touring caravan and his Model A Ford car have a combined age of 150 years — and a top speed of just 25mph. Mr Dingley-Jones accepts that he is not the most popular man on the road, but says that most motorists manage a smile and a wave when they finally manage to overtake. For those who find their patience wearing thin, he has put a notice in the caravan's back window: "Give us a chance. Navigator born 1949. Driver born 1939. Caravan born 1931. Car born 1931. High in experience. Slow in speed."
Mr Dingley-Jones has owned the 1931 three-and-a-quarter litre four-door Ford, known as a Fordor, for 40 years. He acquired the caravan three years ago and has since spent £4,000 restoring it. To the occasional frustration of other road users, the car and caravan are not just for display. Mr Dingley-Jones and his partner Sue Toller have taken them to the West Country, the Lake District and even the Netherlands.
Mr Dingley-Jones lives in Llanddarog, Carmarthen, with Ms Toller, 57, a retired chef. Although the caravan is 75 years old, it was not the first to irritate other motorists. The National Caravan Council says that caravans pulled by motor cars have been on the road since the beginning of the 20th Century. However, Mr Dingley-Jones's model is one of the earliest still in regular use.

Sandy Balls adds to its silverware  16 May 2006
The staff at Sandy Balls are celebrating the addition of another piece of 'silverware' to the holiday centre's rapidly expanding awards cabinet.
The dedicated team scooped a prestigious silver award at the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2006 - adding it to their Tourism South East regional win in the Caravan Holiday Park of the year category.
Broadcaster Sandi Toksvig hosted the gala awards ceremony at Madame Tussauds in London - and there was even a member of the royal family on hand to supervise the presentations.
This was not the first time that the award-winning centre has been nominated for this national accolade and managing director Andrew Howe was delighted that one of Hampshire's best loved tourism destinations was once again recognised for the outstanding service provided to guests at its stunning 120-acre site in the New Forest National Park.
PHOTO: (left to right) the team from Sandy Balls, Brett Turner, Tracey Farmer, Lorraine Brooks and Andrew Howe with Madame Tussaud's Prince William.

Discovery Series 5 arriving summer 2006  8 May 2006
The success of the Bailey of Bristol 'series based' marketing policy is now well documented. By changing model ranges as and when the market demands, rather than on a fixed date every year, Bailey has been able to adopt a more focused approach to product development, resulting in more meaningful changes that are of real benefit to the customer.
The Ranger, Pageant and Senator ranges have already received their first 'series makeover' to great acclaim from public and press alike. Therefore the final brand in the portfolio to receive this treatment is the entry level Discovery range, which has remained in its current form for the past three years.
With the re-launch of this range planned for summer 2006, Bailey is re-affirming its commitment to manufacturing a dedicated entry level product targeted specifically at the first time buyer.
Consequently the latest generation of Discovery models have been designed with both affordability and towability very much in mind.
As a result of the forthcoming model change, the supply of the current series Discovery models is very limited and customers wishing to view or purchase one of these remaining units should contact a Bailey retailer at the earliest opportunity. Availability on the existing Ranger, Pageant and Senator models will continue until further notice.

A new country retreat in the New Forest 26 April 2006
A unique opportunity has arisen to invest in a country retreat adjacent to Sandy Balls Holiday Centre in Fordingbridge.
Crystal Hollow is being developed by the Sandy Balls Estate and will offer a distinctive development of 10 residential park homes. Boarded by mature conservation woodland of the New Forest, and the entrance on the B3078 between Fordingbridge and Godshill, the project will be completed in June 2006.
Prices for the two distinct styles of residential park homes will range from £194,500 to £210,500.
The new luxury park homes are all individually crafted and will come complete with a fully-fitted kitchen with appliances, an en-suite bathroom or shower room as well as being fully furnished throughout.
Site restrictions mean that the maximum number of people who can live on the development is 20, with an age limit of 55+. Dogs are also welcome adding to its rural appeal.
For further information and brochure on the Crystal Hollow development please contact Lorraine Brooks, Sandy Balls Holiday Centre, 01425 653042.

A decade of green recognition for Sandy Balls 18 April 2006
Sandy Balls Holiday Centre has just clinched the prestigious 'green' David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award for the tenth year in succession.
The environmentally-friendly staff at the holiday centre in the New Forest National Park, were one of only nine sites nationally to achieve the decade of gold accolade at the BH&HPA conference.
Sandy Balls is nestled in 120 acres of privately-owned woods and parkland and has become renowned for its environmental initiatives. Its attitudes towards conservation, sustainability and the environment are all apparent in the centre's every-day life.
The Bellamy Award assessors were particularly impressed by the staff's ability to communicate to guests the environmental measures in place at the centre and how they too can share in the responsibility of recycling, conserving energy and protecting the environment.
The last 10 years has seen many environmental initiatives evolve at Sandy Balls. Those include an active woodland management programme reintroducing native broad leaf deciduous trees among its historic pines; nesting boxes, and the creation of habitats to encourage birds and wildlife and the planting of specially cultivated 'David Bellamy' buddleia trees to nurture rare butterfly species.
The centre also utilises solar powered heating for its outdoor swimming pool; a capped lighting system to prevent light pollution; LPG or electric vehicles wherever it can as well as maintaining its abundant flower beds using compost entirely created on site from its own green waste.
The David Bellamy award comes hard on the heels of notification of being shortlisted for 'Enjoy England National Awards'. Last year the centre also secured gold in the Green Tourism Business Scheme awards in the Tourism South East Region.

Caravanners blamed for road ills The Scotsman, 13 April 2006
CARAVANNERS will be heading for the open road in their thousands this Easter weekend, posing a "real problem" for motorists, an insurance company claimed yesterday.
A new survey found that nearly a quarter of caravan owners break the law, with many not knowing about the different rules for driving while towing.
However, an outraged Caravan Club representative insisted that an official study had cleared its members of holding up traffic, and described the survey's findings as "irresponsible scaremongering". And the AA Motoring Trust also came to their defence, pointing out that caravanners were far less likely to speed than the ordinary driver, and that the biggest threat to road safety came from motorists becoming impatient behind them. Full story

Have your say! February 2006
Why not try our caravan park reviews feature and give your verdict on any park you stay on. Look out for the "Write a review" link on each park's full page entry, and as long as you are logged in as a registered user, you can write a comment for others to read.
This is a new feature for us, so don't be put off if you are the first to write a review for a park! As the number of comments grows, it will enable you and other users to gain a cross section of opinions and reactions, making your choice of park even easier to make.
See an example of a park's reviews

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to 'Sandy balls' we go! 27 January 2006
"Hi ho, its off to Sandy Balls we go," was the cry of a host of contractors and consultants appointed by the award-winning holiday centre this week as work began on its biggest investment project to date.
The work will transform the heart of the centre into a traffic-free zone for the 65,000 guests it welcomes every year.
Once complete the new heart of Sandy Balls will include facilities such as a drive through check-in system, new road infrastructure, guest services centre, retail outlet, bistro and beauty therapy suite.

Caravan hater votes with his feet The Times, 6 January 2006
A councillor excused himself from a meeting to discuss plans to extend a holiday park after admitting that he hated caravans. Stephen Friar told colleagues at West Dorset District Council that his dislike was such that he had already made up his mind which way he would vote and that it would not be fair on the holiday park if he were to participate in the discussion.
In his absence, the planning committee approved 50 new pitches at the Littlesea Holiday Park, near Weymouth. After the meeting, Mr Friar said: "Dorset is part of the World Heritage Coast and these sites have an intrusive effect on the landscape. Secondly, I don't like sitting in my car behind a slow-moving caravan which refuses to pull over and let me through. In this part of the world, that happens a lot." Fiona Bewers, of the Caravan Club, said: "Modern cars and caravans can more than adequately go at their maximum speed limit of 60mph."

Green-light for new holiday centre heart 2 January 2006
Award-winning Sandy Balls has announced a multi-million pound investment project which will give the New Forest holiday centre a new heart.
Not content to rest on its laurels, Sandy Balls, which has just won the prestigious titles of Caravan Holiday Park of the Year in the Tourism ExSEllence 2005 awards and the 'Best Place to Work' award from Wave 105/Hampshire Life, unveiled its latest plans just this week. The project, which will begin in January 2006, will see an area at the heart of the centre transformed into a traffic-free pedestrian zone for the 65,000 guests it welcomes every year.
The plan includes the introduction of a host of new facilities including an innovative in-car check-in system, road infrastructure, guest services centre, new retail outlet, bistro and beauty therapy suite.
The building projects themselves also include a host of environmentally friendly measures. The new in-car check-in will boast a very 'green' roof, comprising of a newly planted sedum which will provide a natural look amid the centre's trees as well as providing excellent energy saving insulation.
All the new lighting in the central area will incorporate the latest designs for minimising light pollution and specialist acoustic fences will help contain any noise from Sandy Balls' neighbours.
Other aspects of the project include moving the centre's administrative staff to a new location, repositioning its workshops so that they do not impact on the pedestrianised area and, in 2007, adding a half-million pound roof to its outdoor swimming pool.

Podcasts!  19 December
Introducing the UK's first Camping and Caravanning newsy Podcast. A light-hearted (and sometimes manic) chat website for those who own an iPod.
The word podcast is derived from the words iPod and broadcast. In its simplest term a Podcast is an audio programme (or video for that matter) that can be automatically downloaded on a regular basis to a portable media player (iPod, MP3 player, etc).
www.campsitepodcast.com

Bailey's new models  30 Nov 05
Bailey is continuing to follow its recent strategy of launching new models out of sync with the traditional September launch season. So you won't be surprised to find that, at February's National Boat, Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show, the manufacturer will be introducing its all-new Bailey Ranger.
Bailey claims that the company's aim in developing the Series 5 Ranger, which will make its debut at Birmingham's NEC from 18-26 February, was to make a more upmarket-looking caravan while keeping prices and weights low. The maker has given the range its first fixed-bed version, and added a one-piece plastic shower to the end-washroom models. See the new models on the Bailey website.

Sandy Balls Race Night raises £1000 for ambulance volunteers  7 Oct 05
Award-winning family holiday centre Sandy Balls was quick off the mark in raising more than £1,000 at a Charity Race Night.
The race night was held to raise money for the Fordingbridge First Responders, a group of volunteers from the nearby town, who are being trained by the Hampshire Ambulance Service to attend 999 medical emergencies in the town and its surrounding area.
"We wanted to do something to support this superb community based service, that has already benefited so many people," commented Tracey Farmer, Sandy Balls' marketing and retail director.
"We welcome over 50,000 guests each year and their well being, and that of our staff and residents, is at the heart of everything we do. Our own team of 23 fully qualified First Aiders are available day and night should they be needed, and the First Responders are an invaluable additional resource.
"In a rural location such as this, their proximity means that in the event of an emergency they can be on the scene in minutes to give potentially life-saving treatment until an ambulance arrives."
The Responders have already paid more than 20 visits to the holiday centre.
Tracey Farmer said: "We are always extremely grateful for their expertise and I hope that our fund raising will help maintain this vital service for the community."
As well as a spirited evening of racing attended by over 100 people at the centre's Woodside Inn, additional entertainment was provided by the band "Dusty Nuts" - which is made up of Sandy Balls' staff members.

BUMPER YEAR FOR BOOKINGS AT SANDY BALLS  16 Sept 05
The award-winning Sandy Balls Holiday Centre is celebrating a bumper summer of bookings. Thanks to a strategically targeted marketing and public relations campaign, a visit from the BBC's popular "Holiday" programme, and contented guests who keep coming back to stay, over 2,500 people a week are taking a break at the centre this summer, while bookings so far this year amount to 67,370 nights' accommodation.
The "Holiday" programme in which Sandy Balls was featured was a report on the New Forest, England's newest National Park. Presenter Joe Mace's five star rating of its camp site and the centre's facilities resulted in an unprecedented spike in website hits as well as an abundant crop of bookings - over 700 nights of accommodation so far.
The centre's website also proved a popular place to secure a stay at Sandy Balls. A total of 5,480 nights' occupancy, or nine per cent of bookings, came through 1,353 new bookings over the internet.
Tracey Farmer, Sandy Balls' Marketing & Retail Director, thought the combination of careful marketing, the high profile television appearance and repeat visits struck the perfect balance between appealing to new visitors while keeping happy their existing guests and their referred friends and relations.
Sandy Balls Holiday Centre is a family-owed business which welcomed its first guests back in 1934. It is set in 120 acres of glorious woodland and parklands, and as well as its range of accommodation, it offers a wide range of activities from fly-fishing and horse-riding, to swimming, spa treatments and a sauna.
It is the recipient of nine David Bellamy Conservation Gold Awards for its commitment to the protection of the environment. Earlier this year, it picked up the inaugural Green Tourism Business Scheme Award for its on-site environmental practices.

PARK HOME LIVING
Park Homes (previously known as mobile homes) have already become an acceptable, affordable lifestyle for over a quarter of a million people in the UK.
Whether you are looking towards the future and think you might feel the eventual need of one level living, or are looking to downsize, but not lower the quality, of your large family home now that the kids have flown - a park home could be just the answer. Visit www.parkhome-living.co.uk for more informaton.

NEW CARAVAN SHOW FOR 2005
For a New Outdoor Experience visit the London Caravan & Outdoor Show, 27-30 October, ExCeL in London's Docklands.
A brand new show for people who love the outdoors, comes to the ExCeL exhibition centre in London's Docklands. Enjoy the greatest family day out at London's new outdoor show.
 • The latest models of caravans, motorhomes, tents and holiday homes from the leading manufacturers
 • Launches from Geist, Bailey, Timberland, VW, Autocruise, Firebrand, Elnagh, Mclouis, Five Bells Caravans and Subaru.
 • Tent City - London's largest display of tents.
 • Holiday and park home village - the largest showcase in London
 • Practically Everything Experts Theatre sponsored by Practical Caravan & Practical Motorhome magazines
 • Towsure Accessory Superstore
 • Over 200 participating companies from across the leisure spectrum Hundreds of outdoor leisure products and accessories including boats and 4x4 vehicles
 • Onsite overnight camping available - by the River Thames!
 • FREE, fun activities for everyone - canoeing, kayaking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, golf, quad bikes and mini motos!
 • Half price Half term - Kids under 16 go free when booking tickets in advance!!
www.caravanandoutdoorshow.co.uk

Vandals destroy caravans at park run by murderer's mum. GARETH EDWARDS, The Scotsman
MORE than 30 caravans at the storage park run by the mother of teenage killer Luke Mitchell have been vandalised. The attack came just days before the second anniversary of Jodi Jones' death.
Owners of caravans being stored at Scott's Caravans in Dalkeith said it resembled a battlefield following the damage, which is estimated at more £100,000.
Today owners hit out at the attitude of Corinne Mitchell who didn't seem to care about the extent of the vandalism. The incident happened on Saturday, when it is understood around 36 caravans were targeted in the attack, with all their windows broken.
Several of the caravans were broken into, and fittings such as cookers and couches, were destroyed. The outer shells of some caravans were also damaged beyond repair.
Fourteen-year-old Jodi was brutally murdered on the Roan's Dyke Path, just minutes away from her house, on June 30, 2003. Her boyfriend Luke Mitchell, now 17, was sentenced to at least 20 years behind bars in February for her murder. Following his arrest and trial, Mitchell's mother became a hate figure in Newbattle, Dalkeith.
She tried to provide her son with an alibi, telling the murder trial at the High Court in Edinburgh that her son had been at home cooking tea when Jodi was killed.
In one of several attacks on the family home her jeep had a brick put through its windscreen. And this is the second time caravans within the site have been vandalised following Mitchell's conviction.
The caravan park was attacked in January when vandals threw paint over caravans and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Some caravan owners say they have no doubt that the caravan park had been targeted because it was owned by Ms Mitchell. David Gallagher, 45, of Mayfield, said: "I was shocked at the level of damage that had been caused. All the windows were smashed in, the fibreglass shell of the caravan was broken and inside they had broken the cooker and just wrecked the place. "The attitude of Ms Mitchell has been frankly appalling. She actually laughed at me when I asked her what had happened and she doesn't seem to care about the huge loss to her customers.
"I don't think there's any doubt that this is related to what happened with her son People around here are still angry about it all." Another caravan owner, who asked no to be named, added:
"When I went to see the damage I was shocked, because it looked like a battlefield." No-one from Scott's Caravans was available for comment.
 • Three teenagers appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday charged with vandalism-related offences. Two 16-year-old boys and an 18-year-old boy, all from Mayfield, Dalkeith, were charged with four counts of forcing open a locked caravan and four counts of vandalism.
They made no plea and have been released on bail.

HIGH STANDARDS ARE KEY TO BRETT'S NEW SANDY BALLS JOB 03 June 2005
Brett Turner can't believe his good fortune after landing a top job at Sandy Balls Holiday Centre in Godshill. www.sandy-balls.co.uk
The 38-year-old has recently been appointed as site services manager at the idyllic holiday retreat which is set in 120 acres of woods and parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park.
His responsibilities will include supervising the site's maintenance staff, and helping to deliver a cohesive structure to its planned maintenance, to ensure the grounds meet the exceptional standards that have earned Sandy Balls its award-winning status.
A team of around 65 staff will report to Brett including plumbers, electricians, painters, cleaners and ground staff all of whom make certain that Sandy Balls extensive facilities are scrupulously maintained and continually delight the 50,000 or so guests it welcomes every year.
Originally from South Africa, Brett moved to England two-and-a-half years ago and brought with him a wealth of experience from his career in planned maintenance for a range of businesses including a scaffolding firm and steeplejack company.
Brett, who lives in Corfe Mullen near Poole, is delighted with his appointment, said: "I am really looking forward to my new role. Making our guests happy is at the forefront of everything we do at Sandy Balls and attention to detail and ongoing maintenance is a vital part of that. I shall be doing my utmost to ensure that the centre runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
"And, one of the best things about this job has to be the fact that I'm working in such a beautiful setting. I love the fact that I'm working in an outdoor environment with great, friendly people."

Scotland: Freewheeling appeal for a new generation The Times, 14 Apriil 2005
Mobile homes are back. They're flexible, affordable and even have celebrity fans, finds Greg Gordon
Some put it down to nostalgia for innocent childhood holidays; others say fears about global terror have encouraged more Scots to holiday at home. Whatever the reasons, caravaning is an increasingly hip pastime. With council tax for second homes having nearly doubled this year, it looks set to receive a further boost.
More than 2,500 people joined The Caravan Club last year, reducing the average member's age from 55 to 45. February's Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show at Glasgow's SECC was attended by 25,000 visitors.
Joining freewheeling celebrities such as Lenny Kravitz, Jamie Oliver, Kylie Minogue and Hell's Kitchen winner Jennifer Ellison, the Scottish design duo Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister have been doing their utmost to fly the flag for holidays on wheels, increasing the impression that the caravan park has replaced budget air breaks in the affections of aspirational thirty-somethings.

Motorhome Association release on fire retardants 3rd NOVEMBER 2004
MINISTER ASKED TO CLARIFY FLAME RETARDANTS ON MOTORHOMES
Under the Furniture and Furnishings Regulations 1993 the Act states that ANY caravan must be fitted out using only flame retardant materials. The Act goes on to say that motor vehicles are excluded.
Minister Gerry Sutcliffe MP at the DTI has been asked by Paddy Tipping MP to clarify the position as to whether motorcaravans are caravans for the purposes of the Act. Importers argue that motorhomes are excluded from the Act. It appears that UK based manufacturers have fitted flame retardant cushions for a number of years. The Caravan Council recommend this course of action for all their members.
Trading standards have also despatched sample materials to Government Laborities for testing. They have also commented that other regulations may affect the situation. These are the General Product Safety Regulations 1994 which make it an offense to sell a product that is not as safe as is reasonably possible. Non flame retardant foams have been banned for domestic use since 1988.
The investigations will continue for a number of months.
Any comments or support to: info@motorhomeassociation.com

SANDY BALLS GETS GOLD YET AGAIN!
Celebrating their environmental credentials Sandy Balls' managing director Andrew Howe with Margareta Flicos, one of many members of staff who've helped to put the pilot programme into action.
Sandy Balls Holiday Centre has done it again! Another gold award achieved, as it takes a further stride in its continued mission to minimise its impact on the environment.
The centre in Fordingbridge is one of the companies involved in the pilot stage of Green Tourism Business Scheme in the Tourism South East Region and has won its gold award at the first attempt.
The GTBS is the largest environmental accreditation body of tourism related businesses in Europe, and has over 500 members in the UK.
This gold ward will add to the growing number endorsing its prowess in its crusade to be 'green' and protect its environment - Sandy Balls is already a nine times winner of the David Bellamy Conservation Gold award.
Green Tourism is a term used to describe best environmental practice within the tourism sector, which looks at business efficiency, environmental management, waste, transport, social responsibility and biodiversity.
The assessor was particularly impressed with the centres current environmental involvement the awareness of the staff and the way they communicate to the centres visitors with regard to the environmental measures they promote. Including saving energy water and recycling waste, plus wildlife and nature information.
To qualify for a GTBS award, businesses are assessed once every two years by registered environmental auditors qualified in the tourism sector. Participants are graded against 120 measures of best practice in environmental issues, ranging from efficient lighting and heating to social responsibility and involvement in the community.
Managing director Andrew Howe commented: "Our commitment to the happiness of our guests is always our number one priority - but striving to improve the way in which we care for our environment is close to our hearts too.
"We are passionate about our idyllic surroundings, and are delighted to have been awarded gold by from the Green Tourism Business Scheme."

FAMOUS AT LAST?
Conker Media, part of Mersey Television, producers of Hollyoaks and Grange Hill, are currently developing a series with a UK Network broadcaster and are looking for caravanners and campervan owners to take part in a forthcoming television pilot.
 • Do you own a caravan or campervan?
 • Do you run a small business selling goods or a service?
 • Do you dream of getting out of the rat race and onto the open road of the British countryside?
As the rural communities of Britain gradually lose their local shops, pubs and amenities, residents are forced to travel further afield to find the goods and services they need. Our solution is to bring the shops to them.
Maybe you're a traditional shopkeeper, baker, bookseller or barber/hairdresser or perhaps you provide a contemporary service such as holistic medicine, a tanning salon or Internet café? You may be retired and looking for an opportunity to try out a new business idea, hobby or craft you've recently taken up?
Whatever your trade or expertise, if you own a caravan or campervan and want to take your business on the road for a few days, we'd love to hear from you.
Conker Media will be recording the pilot episode this year, so if you want to enjoy the freedom offered by caravanning (and camper-vanning) without leaving your business behind, why not get in touch?
Contact Nick or Dan on 0151 737 4040 or 0151 737 4056, or by email nhanson@merseytv.com
We look forward to hearing from you.

TSUNAMI EARTHQUAKE
For your convenience you can donate using this link: www.dec.org.uk

From seasonal RECEPTIONIST to A seat on the board! 11 February 2005
Hampshire's award-winning Sandy Balls Holiday Centre has appointed a new director to its board. New to the board but not to the centre, former senior manager Tracey Farmer has been promoted to Marketing and Retail Director.
Sandy Balls welcomes over 50,000 guests each year to its green and wooded 120 acre centre in Fordingbridge. The company looks to recruit people of all ages, with great customer service skills, who can play a part in maintaining its first class reputation. Tracey's business background centres on Sandy Balls itself, having worked there for 19 years - the majority of her working life. In 1986 she joined the centre as a seasonal receptionist and then progressed from secretary to reception manager and supermarket manager - eventually gaining responsibility for all the shops at the centre. Then, two years ago, she was promoted to senior management.
Andrew Howe, managing director of Sandy Balls, commented, "We recruit attitude and train for skills - and Tracey's promotion is a natural progression. Her ability to see things from a guest's point of view, and the way in which she understands customer service is a natural gift.
"We encourage our staff with training and opportunities for promotion to fulfil their true potential, and Tracey is living proof of that." Tracey added: "I am really looking forward to the challenges ahead with the development of the centre. Sandy Balls has evolved hugely over the past 19 years, and I have been privileged to see its growth at first hand.
"Now as a director, I can contribute further with ideas and plans for marketing - and spearhead the centre's drive forward into the future."

Park The Car .co.uk  8 February 2005
"Do you have a space on your drive or in your garage?"
The UK is in a bad way when it comes to car, caravan and motorbike parking. With many multi-stories closed, and many formerly cheap sites signed over to expensive permit parking, the UK's consumers and commuters face a battle every day simply to park their car.
It is for this reason that Neil Betts of Norwich has decided to implement a new initiative to do something about it. He has set up a website called parkthecar.co.uk which allows people with a spare parking space or garage to advertise. The advantage of this idea is that home owners find a way to earn a little extra cash and it creates a new supply of spaces that we surely need.
Mr. Betts is sure of the potential to create new spaces. "I have become frustrated at the lack of parking availability seemingly everywhere I go and have decided it is time to do something to help. We have a wealth of parking sitting around us but it remains unused as there are little options".
When asked how the idea would work in practice Mr. Betts said "The website allows people to advertise free of charge and create an extra income either as one-offs or a long-term arrangement, for instance with somebody commuting. Moreover, it will create a cache of spaces for caravan owners, commuters, Sports fans near the football ground, Wedding guests near local churches, and of course Christmas is coming!, the list goes on, all of which will be available on the site."
Launched in January 2005 and to be completed in March, www.Parkthecar.co.uk is aiming to acquire a list of parking spaces and garages for caravans, cars and bikes that might ease the pressure.

The Best in Europe 4 February 2005
A Devon caravan park has scooped the title "Best Family Campsite in Europe" competing against over 2000 parks in 11 countries.
The Alan Rogers Guide announced Woodlands as the winners of the new award at the International Holiday Exhibition in Utrecht, Holland. Rod Wheat from the market leading guide told us that readers who had stayed in the touring park near Dartmouth, in Devon had sung Woodlands praises and recommended them for an award. A team from Head office carried out rigorous research and two inspectors tested all aspects of the caravan holiday by staying at the Park themselves. Woodlands came out top and was the only park in the UK to win one of the eleven European awards.
Rod said "Many parks claim to be child friendly but Woodlands was the best in every respect. It is an excellent holiday and leisure centre with amazing facilities, it really does offer something for everyone".
Designed by the Bendall family themselves Woodlands Caravan Park has unique terraces for ten or more pitches surrounded by lush hedging which provides shelter, privacy and a village green atmosphere with space for small children to play safely.
The judges were highly impressed with the superb quality of the facilities which were designed for comfort and space with immaculate services. The extensive landscaping appealed to the experts who appreciated the beautiful planting and numerous trees which blended into the glorious countryside and the woodland beyond.
Families who camp at Woodlands have free use of the 60 acre Leisure Park packed with venture play, rides and massive indoor playcentres. The Alan Rogers judges commended the tranquillity of the caravan park which appealed to customers seeking peace and quiet out of the school holidays. The Best Family Site in Europe Award is to be presented to family director Chris Bendall at the National Boat, Caravan & Outdoor show on Friday 18th February.

TSUNAMI APPEAL 2 February 2005
Sandy Balls Holiday Centre Hosts TSUNAMI Appeal for devastated families
Award-winning family holiday centre Sandy Balls is throwing open its doors to help families on the other side of the world in aid of the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal.
The New Forest centre will join forces with the British Red Cross and DEC Emergency Appeal this Saturday (5 February 2005), and host an all-day event to raise much needed funds for the devastated survivors affected by the disaster.
The action-packed family day is open to both the centre's guests and day visitors, and will take place under cover, so there will be no chance of wet February weather spoiling the fun!
Tracey Farmer, marketing and retail director at Sandy Balls Holiday Centre commented, "We are a family orientated holiday centre and wanted to help in some way the families affected by this atrocity."
Among the attractions will be a bouncy castle, children's games, a ventriloquist, magicians, face painting, juggling show and even gladiator jousting. This fantastic day of fun lasts from 10am to 5:30pm, and admission is free. For further details telephone 01425 474239. www.sandy-balls.co.uk

DISCOUNTS ON ATTRACTIONS FOR SWIFT GROUP OWNERS 29 January 2005
Swift has teamed up with Freedom Connections, Britain's leading provider of tourist attraction incentives and information, to provide owners of Abbey, Ace, Bessacarr, Sterling and Swift models, with an assortment of special offers including discounted admission or two for one entry at hundreds of visitor attractions across the UK.
"We are delighted to make our offers available to Swift Group customers", says Marcia Davies, Freedom Connections' Marketing Manager.
Attractions range from National Trust properties in Scotland to steam railways and vineyards in Southern England. Just about every type of interest is catered for, from castles to cathedrals, museums and gardens, famous ships and theme parks.
The Freedom Connections discount card will be mailed to all current owners in early January, contained within the pages of the annual newsletter. New owners will receive their card in the owners pack contained within all new vehicles. The card, designed to be used in conjunction with a complementary guidebook containing details of participating attractions and the offers available for each.
To receive the guidebook, owners simply have to register their card, which can be done via the Swift Group website www.swiftleisure.co.uk.
"Once you have the Freedom Connections card there is no restriction on the number of times you can visit the same attraction and it can be used at any time subject to the printed conditions. Whether you're on holiday, enjoying a short break or taking a day trip from home with your family, Freedom Connections offers total flexibility" says Marcia.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ALL HOLIDAY HOME OWNERS 20 January 2005
The OFT has issued a consultation document titled "Guidance on Unfair Terms in Holiday Caravan Agreements". The last date for responses from interested parties, including owners and groups, is 31st January 2005. The document can be downloaded from the link www.oft.gov.uk/news/consultations/index.htm It is 72 pages long so can also be ordered by tel 0870 60 60 321 and obtained through the post. This is free.

Now Phoenix follows the fashion for caravan parks Matthew Goodman, (The Times) 16 January 2005
PHOENIX Equity Partners, the private-equity firm best known for its investment in Jimmy Choo shoes, is understood to be close to buying Weststar Holiday Parks for about £30m. The firm has been keen to break into the caravan sector for some time and has now entered into a period of exclusive negotiations to buy the privately owned Weststar. It is expected that a deal could be announced within the next month. If Phoenix succeeds with its purchase, it would be the latest in a fevered round of acquisitions that have been made in the caravan-park industry in the past few months. Late last year, ABN Amro Capital, the private-equity arm of the Dutch bank, swooped on two major operators, acquiring GB Holidays and Park Resorts in quick succession. It plans to merge the two to form a big industry player. Parkdean Holidays, the only quoted caravan-park company, also got in on the act, buying five sites from the market leader, Bourne Leisure. Weststar owns three parks, two in Cornwall and one in Dorset. The business was started by Sonia and Brian Meaden when they bought their first park at Mullion on the Lizard peninsula in 1988. Today the business is run by their daughter, Deborah, who is the majority shareholder as well as chief executive. Accounts for the company's holding company, the Generations Group, show that the business made an operating profit of £2.3m on sales of £11.3m for the year to December 2003, the latest period for which figures are available. The talks with Weststar come as yet another caravan-park firm draws interest from the private-equity world. Cinque Ports Leisure, which in November hired KPMG to look at its strategic options, is said to have attracted offers from a number of firms. Phoenix declined to comment on Weststar last week.

ABN looks favourite in caravan park race Matthew Goodman.. 18 December 2004 (The Times)
FRESH from snapping up caravan park group GB Holidays, ABN Amro Capital is favourite to win the auction to buy Park Resorts for about £160m. The private-equity arm of the Dutch bank is thought to have eased ahead of fellow bidders for Park Resorts, including L&G Ventures and Phoenix Private Equity, and could complete a deal before Christmas. Industry sources said that although ABN Amro had not entered exclusive talks, and negotiations may yet fall apart, it seemed highly likely that the firm would end up merging Park Resorts with GB to create a 34-strong British caravan park giant to challenge market leader Bourne Leisure. A sale at the levels being indicated would represent an excellent return for Park Resorts' current owner, Close Brothers Private Equity. It bought the business in 2001 when it backed a £46m management buyout of 12 sites from Bourne. It has since added three more parks. Based in Hemel Hempstead, the business has a turnover of £60m. There has been a flurry of interest in the caravan parks sector in recent weeks. The latest to come on the market is Cinque Ports Leisure, which recently hired KPMG to explore its strategic options. ABN and Close Brothers both declined to comment on the deal.

Caravan park duo to land windfall Matthew Goodman. November 28, 2004 (The Times)
TWO south-coast entrepreneurs are in line for a multi-million pound windfall after appointing advisers to consider a sale of the caravan-park company they founded in 1983. Peter Bull and Jim Watson have hired accountant KPMG to explore strategic options for Cinque Ports Leisure, which they started from a single caravan park in Rye. Today it has 19 sites across the south coast. Cinque Ports is valued at between £130m and £140m, including its debts. It made operating profits of almost £10m last year on sales of £43m. The move comes in the wake of the recent sale of rival operator GB Holiday Parks, which was bought by the private-equity arm of ABN Amro, the Dutch bank. ABN is sure to be a prime contender to bid for Cinque Ports if the owners press the button on a sale. Other bidders might include Nomura, the Japanese bank, which was the underbidder for GB, and Parkdean, the quoted caravan group. Bull and Watson are not the only people trying to sell caravan parks. Close Brothers Private Equity has put its Park Resorts business on the market and could raise over £160m from the deal. ABN Amro, L&G Ventures and Phoenix Equity Partners are likely to be among those interested in buying Park Resorts. Caravan parks have become sought-after investments. The sector has boomed in recent years, with some hot summers and terrorism fears making British holidays more attractive.

Three wins for Avondale in the Caravan Industry Awards 11th November 2004
From a total of 145 entries, Avondale Coachcraft has picked up three awards in the 2005 Caravan Industry Awards presented at the recent Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show at Earls Court. In the coveted Tourer of the Year Awards the brand new Club Class Avondale Osprey was top single-axle tourer in the 'A Class Tourer over £15,000' category and second overall in the class. In the Motorhome Awards the 4-Series Seaspirit won the 'Cramer Award for Best Motorhome Kitchen', topping its second place in last year's awards. And in the 'Website' category Avondale was the top combined tourer and motorhome site and second overall. In the Practical Caravan Tourer of the Year Awards, also announced at Earls Court, the Avondale Argente 650-6 was voted the winner in the 'Best 5/6 Berth Family Tourer' category. Commenting for Avondale, sales and marketing director Martin Howlett says he was delighted with the success of the all new Osprey on its first outing at a national exhibition, adding that the judges' appreciation was mirrored by that of the buying public, who gave the Avondales and the twin-axle new Land-Rangers a great reception at Earls Court.

Caravan park group towed off for £105m By Dominic Walsh, The Times. 5 Nov 2004
THE £105 million auction of GB Holiday Parks, the privately owned caravan park operator, is understood to have been won by ABN Amro Capital, the private equity group, after a closely fought contest with Nomura's asset finance arm. The Times understands that the Dutch-controlled firm is backing the current management team, led by Philip Mason, managing director. Mr Mason led the £40 million management buyout from Queensborough Holdings in 2001. Nomura last night confirmed that it had withdrawn from the process, but neither ABN Amro nor UBS, the investment bank handling the auction, would make any comment. Although Royal Bank Private Equity, which funded the original MBO, is selling its controlling stake, Mr Mason and his colleagues are believed to be retaining a stake of about 25 per cent, with ABN Amro Capital acquiring the balance of the equity and gearing up the balance sheet. Since the original buyout Mr Mason has expanded the Winchester-based company from 14 sites to 19 with an estimated total of more than 8,000 caravan pitches. Locations include Camber Sands, near Rye, as well as Clacton, in Essex, and Whitley Bay. Despite its downmarket image, the caravan industry is said to be booming, with latest statistics from the National Caravan Council (NCC) suggesting that it is a £3 billion industry, accounting for one in every five holiday nights in this country. Graham Beacon, the NCC's director-general, said: "With camping, it is the most popular holiday choice in Britain, representing 70 million holiday nights." ABN Amro is understood to be paying £5 million more than the £100 million asking price.

French speed warning 1 Nov 04
Be warned if you are planning a touring holiday in Fracne. You could now face a jail sentence if caught speeding. The French government has recently urged the traffic police to use their full powers to punish offenders. Last year there were twice as many pople killed on French roads that the UK. Driving more than 30kmh (19mph) over the limit, drivers could also have their licences confiscated with immediate effect, leaving them stranded by the roadside. Increased fines will also play a part in the tough new strategy. Those caught speeding could face an on-the-spot fine of €90 (about £60). If a driver is unable to pay for a fine given to them for speeding, the police have the powers to immobilise the vehicle until the fine has been paid. Motorists will also be liable to incur a charge of €20 if they commit a parking offence.

Japanese hit on caravan craze Matthew Goodman, The Times 17 Oct 2004
JAPANESE bank Nomura is closing in on a deal to buy GB Holiday Parks, the caravan site owner, for more than £100m. It faces competition from ABN Amro Capital, the private- equity arm of the Dutch bank, which is also keen on the deal. The two firms are locked in a contract race to buy the business from Royal Bank of Scotland, after making it through to a final round of bidding.
They beat off stiff competition from a group of private- equity houses, thought to include L&G Ventures and Electra Partners. If Nomura or ABN Amro falter, one of the underbidders may be invited back into the process. Nomura, which paid £245m for the concert and exhibition venues Earls Court and Olympia last May, wants the group for its property assets.
GB Holiday Parks hired UBS, the investment bank, last August to auction the business, which operates 19 parks across Britain, with a total of more than 7,000 caravan pitches. Royal Bank's private-equity division bought GB Holiday Parks in March 2001 when it backed a buyout of the business from Queensborough Holdings, a leisure conglomerate that has since been broken up.
The buyout was led by chief executive Philip Mason, who has grown the Winchester-based company from 14 parks over the past three-and-a- half years.
The caravan business is a booming £3 billion industry. According to the National Caravan Council, nearly a fifth of all holiday nights taken by Britons are spent in caravans. Parkdean, the only quoted caravan park group, last month announced an upbeat trading statement, with sales across all its businesses ahead of last year.

Caravan thieves strike in county 10 Oct 2004
Police have said several caravans have been stolen from Somerset in the last few weeks, including two from the Street area.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said the force was now carrying out extra checks on caravans and urging people to report anything suspicious.
Pc Jon Gray said: "If people are suspicious they should make a note of any vehicle registration and report it.
"Making a few simple steps can deter the thieves."
Pc Gray added: "Caravans should always be immobilised - use a sturdy wheel clamp, and lock the coupling head into a cover with a good-quality hitch lock.
"Consider fitting a tracking device so it can be traced if it is stolen. "

Stolen caravan found using tracking device 3rd Oct 2005
Police are warning caravan owners to use sophisticated security measures after a tracking device helped them recover a stolen vehicle.
The white Fleetwood Valanti 560/4 carvan was stolen from a farm in Fradley, near Lichfield, at 5 pm on Wednesday.
The owner, a 61-year-old man from Burton upon Trent, had left the caravan stored in the remote field. Thieves drove to the farm, hooked up the caravan, and towed the vehicle away.
An alarm system was triggered and the farm owner alerted the police.
Inspector Mike Koram, commander of Burntwood and District Local policing Unit, said: "This resulted in a tracker device being activated in the stolen caravan.
"It was located a short while later, abandoned at Churchbridge in Cannock."
Details of this type of alarm system can be found on ATA Security Systems

Escorted Self Drive Motorhome Tours 27 Sept 2004
Safaris are becoming very popular, people like to travel in groups for many reasons. It can be great fun to travel in groups and there is also added security for everyone travelling together.
Motor Home Direct is offering European motorhome safaris, Dutch and German Christmas market tours, and the Loire Valley tours by motorhome.
There are many reason people choose to take a motorhome tour with a group of people rather than just on their own, such as the extra security by always having somebody on site with you, having extra manpower and skill sets to tackle any problems that may arise and a real sense of a group or individual adventure.
Motorhome guided tours

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO HELP OTHERS 3 Sept 2004
Our very own Caravan Forum is slowly taking off. Every day there are more postings from members who have problems or questions and from those offering advice to answer these. However, we need more contributors. It is sad sometimes to see a genuine problem enquiry going unanswered. Please don't be shy - check out the forum from time to time and offer your advice or suggestions to help others. Caravan Forum

Historic estate pitches in with camp site plan 1 Sept 2004
THE Capital is set to get its first new camping and caravanning site for decades under plans to create a £2 million facility on the outskirts of the city.
A 20-acre site on the historic Dundas Estate has been earmarked by the UK-wide Camping and Caravanning Club for what would become the organisation's first venture in the Capital.
The plan is to set up about 150 pitches on agricultural land at Craigbrae Farm, Kirkliston, to create what would become Edinburgh's third official camping and caravanning site.
The two existing facilities, at Mortonhall and Silverknowes, have operated for more than 30 years and are often full during the peak summer season.
The lack of camping space in Edinburgh has led to fly camping in areas such as Holyrood Park during the Festival.
The company planning the new site believes it will provide a big boost to the city's tourism industry, bring huge benefit to businesses in the Dalmeny, Kirkliston and South Queensferry areas, and be useful for people using the Rosyth-Zebrugge fast ferry service.
BRIAN FERGUSON: CITY COUNCIL REPORTER
Full story on The Scotsman

SCAM WARNING! 30 July 2004
We have heard that some advertisers have been approached by people (usually from outside the UK) who offer to buy an advertised vehicle on behalf of a client. The scam is that the seller receives a cheque for much more than the agreed price and is then asked to refund the difference. We have had feedback from advertisers who have confirmed that the cheques are worthless, or even stolen. Unfortunately they have sometimes only discovered this after having to pay out a considerable amount in bank charges. We advise that any approaches from such people are ignored.

Caravans banned to the slow lane 9 August 2004
The Highways Agency has devised a plan to alleviate holiday traffic congestion at the expense of caravanners. Drivers towing on the M5 are being asked to stay in Lane 1, with slow-moving heavy goods vehicles, in a bid to ease congestion for traffic using the other two lanes while a climbing lane is constructed.
The scheme, put in place in early August, applies to the stretch of the motorway three miles south of Junction 19, and has generated outrage from caravanners and site owners alike.
The Highways Agency is keen to stress that the move is only a request and will not be enforced by police.
While the move is designed to alleviate jams for other motorists, it could create havoc for caravanners. The AA predicts that, if they comply, caravanners could experience tailbacks of up to ten miles as they crawl behind lorries going as slowly as 10mph.
The AA is concerned that the move will not create the desired effect. "It seems there is a need to be seen as taking action," said a spokesman. "We believe the restrictions will disenfranchise caravanners, who are able to maintain speed limits."

Charging for water 23 July 2004
It has come to our notice that High Range park in Aviemore, Scotland, is charging tourers for water taken from their metered standpipe. There have been several angry postings about this in our Caravan Forum and that of Practical Caravan (www.practicalcaravan.com).
We contacted High Range about this, and received the following reply:
"Further to your email re water charges, we would like to confirm that the water to fill an aquaroll and motor home tank is dispensed by metered bollard operated by cards (available from reception) cost per card 30 pence = 17 litres. Due to the high cost of purchasing water from Scottish water this charge is under review and could increase in the near future. There is no extra charge for awnings or for the showers."
If anyone would like to express their opintion on this charge, you can contact High Range by email: Click here to email

Motorcaravan of the Year Awards 21 July 2004
This years' MOTORCARAVAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS will be presented to the winners at the Motorhome & US RV Show, Shepton Mallet, on 11th September at 7:30 in the Showering Pavilion.
This years winners are as follows:-
Small constructor class
Any motor caravan produced by a company building less than 50 per year. 'Cavarno' on short wheelbase Ford Transit 280, built by Horizons Unlimited in conjunction with Roy Wood Transits Ltd and shown by Roy Wood Transits.
Van conversions class
Any panel van conversion up to a price of £60,000 'Caletta' on medium wheelbase Fiat Ducato built by Nu Venture Motorhomes and shown by P & P Car & Camper Sales
Coachbuilt class
Any coachbuilt up to a price of £60,000 Laika Ecovip H.600' on Fiat Ducato Al-Ko built by Laika Caravans S.p.A. and shown by Lowdham Leisureworld
Supervan class
Any motor caravan costing over £60,000 'Coachmen Mirada' on American Ford chassis with V10 6.8-litre petrol engine built by Coachmen Recreation vehicles and shown by Travelworld.

Eurotunnel welcomes LPG for domestic services 14 July 2004
Eurotunnel, the market leader for cross-Channel travel, has announced that with effect from 28 June, caravans, campervans, motorhomes and other recreational vehicles fitted with LPG tanks for the purpose of heating, lighting, cooking or refrigeration will be able to use the shuttle service from Folkestone to Calais/Coquelles. The news means that even more caravanners and motorhome owners can now enjoy the speed, frequency and reliability of crossing the Channel with Eurotunnel.
Eurotunnel is the fastest way to cross the Channel, just 35 minutes from platform-to-platform and with up to 4 passenger shuttle departures per hour at peak times. Eurotunnel is also a popular choice with caravanners and motorhome owners because they can stay with their vehicle throughout the journey.
Customers travelling with vehicles fitted with LPG tanks for domestic services have to adhere to a few simple conditions:
 • The tank must be part of the standard equipment of the vehicle
 • The maximum capacity of the tank should not exceed 93 litres (47kg)
 • The tank/vehicle must be fitted with a capacity gauge
 • The tank must not be filled to more than 80% of its capacity (73 litres)
 • All valves must be in the 'off' position
Daniel Spinath, Director of Eurotunnel's Passenger Division, said: "I'm delighted that we have been able to find a way to accommodate caravans and motorhomes fitted with LPG tanks for domestic services. We look forward to welcoming many more caravanners and motorhome owners onboard Eurotunnel."
What's more, caravans go free and campervans go for the same price as a car when you book a Flexible Short or Long Stay Return*. For details, log on to www.eurotunnel.com or call 08705 35 35 35.

Caravan restrictions on motorway 10 July 2004
BBC News, 10 July 2004
Caravans and trailers are to be restricted to the slow lane on a section of the main holiday route into the South West.
The government is to introduce the experimental restriction on a stretch of the M5 this summer.
The RAC says if the initiative creates smoother flowing traffic it will be a positive move forward.
But caravan site owners fear the rule will encourage holidaymakers to go the other parts of the country.
The AA says it has concerns about the way the scheme will be controlled.
The association says if lorries, trailers and caravans are forced into one lane, it could create queues 10 miles long, travelling at two miles an hour.
Some caravan owners are angry and say they are being singled out for special treatment.
Ian Gray, the proprietor of the Riverside Caravan Park in Plymouth, says modern cars and caravans rarely cause a problem on motorways.
He said: "Modern cars can pull vans at the speed of the motorway. It's only a problem occasionally on narrow country lanes.
Bank Holidays
"It's just one of the government's ideas, and they do get some funny ones.
"But if they go ahead and publicise that the restriction to caravans is only coming into the South West, it's bound to affect our trade.
"People may just decide to go to the New Forest, Scotland or elsewhere and that will be a bit devastating to us."
The Highways Agency says if the summer trial is deemed successful, it could be implemented for Bank Holidays and other weekends when heavy traffic is anticipated.

Environmentally friendly golf
Professor David Bellamy OBE visits Multi award winning Oakdown Caravan Park at Sidmouth in Devon. The occasion was to open the Franks Families newest attraction "Oak Mead Golf". This is a 9 hole 748 yard par 3 Approach course that has many environmental qualities including a Lake and a Dew Pond.
For more information, visit Oakdown's website www.oakdown.co.uk

Parkdean Holidays winter losses widen 30 June 2004
- Holiday park owner Parkdean Holidays has posted a half-year loss for the low-season winter months but says advance bookings for the 2004 peak summer season are 5.2 percent ahead of 2003. The operator of 15 caravan holiday sites across south-west England, Scotland and Wales added that it expects a satisfactory outcome for the year to end-October. Pre-tax losses widened to 5.6 million pounds in the 26 weeks to April 30 from 3.8 million in the same period in 2003. This was largely due to first-time winter losses incurred by two new sites in Cornwall which the company bought last year
Source Reuters UK article By Lara Smith Tue 29 June, 2004 09:18

Want to be a TV STAR? 25 June 2004
You could take part in a new TV Programme Produced by Shine for Sky1.
They are looking for interesting characters that are willing to be involved in the show. Do you know of some one who is caravanning/camping mad? Have you a bizarre story involving a motor-home? Do you go on holiday to the same place every year and meet the same people? Perhaps you know people that argue about who has the better caravan? Is your caravan the best on Park? Or are you proud to have the cheapest static caravan in the area?
Sky will pay contributors a fee and pay a finder's fee to people who give assistance in finding people.
If you contact James on 02073138030 or email james.rotheram@shinelimited.com who will explain the programme in more depth.

Caravan clampdown 14 June 2004
Caravans face new restrictions on using South West roads in an attempt to reduce congestion. The Highways Agency want to stop them from leaving the nearside slow lane on some sections of road in an experiment this summer.
Limiting caravans to the inside lane would apply only to uphill stretches where bottlenecks can form, and initially would be voluntary. The experimental plan would be confined to weekends, but could be extended if it proved a success. Caravanners can take some comfort as it's currently only a proposal. A decision on whether to introduce the idea will be made in time for the peak summer period.

Calmer caravanning 10 June 2004
New research shows that caravanning breaks may be the most relaxing type of holiday. The Lloyds TSB study reveals that one in eight of 1474 people polled suffers from holiday tension, with 70 percent feeling stress from airport-related factors, such as crowded terminals or rushing to catch a flight. Psycologist Susan Quilliam, who conducted the research for Lloyds TSB, says "Stress creates hormonal changes in the body; you may not be able to relax sufficiently to enjoy a holiday, often for several days after your arrival." However, caravanning removes many of these stressful situations. "There's no being herded around an airport or on to a tour bus," says Nikki Nichol of the Caravan Club. Nichol adds that caravanners have the freedom to travel where they want, when they want, so there's no stress about catching a flight, which troubled 43 percent of those polled.

Camping Cheque Rallies 18 May 2004
The low-season, cut-price holiday specialists, have branched out into organised rallies. The rallies follow cultural and historical themes with fun activities organised throughout the trip. Next on the rally schedule is a 'Gastronomy' rally that will tour the Loire valley, the Dordogne and the Futuroscope theme park at Poitiers.
The rally runs from 9-25 June, 2004 and costs from £648.55 for two people, plus car and caravan. The price includes a return Dover-Calais ferry crossing, pitch fees, electricity, activities and meals. For a free brochure and more information, call 0870 405 4057 or visit www.campingcheque.co.uk

TIC Warns -- replace tyres over ten years old. 13 April 2004
The Tyre Industry Council have issued a warning to motorists that they should change their tyre once they are ten years old. In the latest issue of the Consumers Association publication "Which", the TIC say that spares, caravan and trailer tyres are particularily at risk of premature ageing.
In the article they also remind motorists that they can check the age of their tyres from the date code on the side wall. The manufacturers policy with regards tyre life is that they will not:
A) Take back for credit any tyres which are more than five years old, or
B) consider for complaint any tyres more than five years old.

Noseweight gauge standard 26 March 2004
A British Standard has been created for noseweight gauges after several years' campaigning by The Caravan Club. The Club has been concerned about the accuracy of some of the gauges on the market, and has been working with the British Standards Institute on the issue for the past four years. The specification BS 7961:2004 will hopefully be adopted by all noseweight gauge manufacturers in due course.

Pet passport update 20 March 2004 From 3 July 2004, the new EU pet passport comes into force. The old certificate ends on 2 July 2004 and there is no guarantee that it will be accepted after this date. DEFRA (Dept for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) will put more information on their website soon, but a summary is at www.defra.gov.uk. The paperwork isn't available yet, but it will be soon.

RADAR USERS RISK JAIL 5 March 2004
Although it has been legal to use radar detectors in the UK since 1999, many European countries have far stricter laws. Motorists trying to avoid Continental speed cameras by using radar detectors could be jailed or banned from driving for three years. The number of drivers using radar detectors to try to avoid foreign speed cameras, which are often hidden behind signs or bridges, is on the up. In Ireland and Luxembourg you could face jail, and in France you may lose your car, and licence, and be fined up to £1000.

CHANGE OF SHOW DATES 16 February 2004
The annual public caravan show at The Lawns, Cottingham, near Hull - the Caravan Extravaganza Weekend - will be held before the trade show.
The new dates are 4th and 5th September.
Over 18,000 people attended last year's show on the public dates. The show features a range of caravan and motorhome related products from over 50 other exhibitors as well as over 300 new touring caravans, park homes and caravan holiday-homes.

TAILORED OS TRAILS 9 February 2004
If you have ever bought a map and only ever used on the smallest corner, or found that the place that you want is falling off the edge then Ordnance Survey now promises an end to these mapping woes with a new bespoke service. OS Select allows you to order Landranger or Explorer maps of an area of your choice, ensuring that all the relevant area is covered. The maps show caravan sites and highways and byways, as well as, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and other tourist attractions. OS Select Landranger maps cost £18.49, with Explorer ones priced at £19.49, and can be ordered by calling 0845 200 2712 or visiting the website at Click Here.

LOOKING FOR A CARAVAN HOLIDAY HOME? 2 February 2004
How would you like your own home from home in the country? Are you looking for a caravan holiday home to buy or rent? To help you localise your search, we have added a new link on each Region page and each County page in our parks directory:
"View caravans that we have listed for rent or for sale in this area."
Click on either link in the region or county of your choice, and it does just what is says on the tin!

CARAVAN ON JERSEY 2 February 2004
Motorcaravans and caravanners will be permitted to drive freely around the island of Jersey for the first time ever, for a trial period from 1 March to 31 October 2004, though the permission comes with a condition. Camping outside campsites on the island is illegal and those with motorhomes are required to return to their designated campsite each night.
As with last year's trial, you must book a site and ferry crossing in advance to receive a permit to visit. All this can be arranged through the participating sites, whose allocations have been doubled for 2004, to allow 30 touring units per site. Size restrictions are: maximum length 9.3m, maximum width 2.3m (which includes any fitting on or attached to the vehicle but excludes mirrors and indicators).The island has many narrow roads, so caravanners are advised to exercise caution and plan ahead.

DAVID BELLAMY GOLD AWARDS 26 January 2004
Three sites owned by South Lakeland Caravans have won David Bellamy Gold Awards. White Cross Bay Leisure Park and Marina, Fell End Caravan Park and Fallbarrow Caravan Park all received the highest grading for their environmentally friendly attitudes to wildlife.

NEW HOLIDAY HOME SHOW 19 January 2004
Brand new National Holiday Home show planned for Manchester. Manchester G-Mex. 18 - 21 March 2004.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Explorer, Author, Fundraiser and Record Breaker is to open the National Boat Caravan and Outdoor Show, fresh from his latest test of endurance - completing seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.
At 59, Sir Ranulph's achievements include leading over 30 expeditions to the North and South Poles, the Arabian Desert, the Nile and to numerous other places, such as the Lost City of Ubar, which he discovered in the Rub al Khali desert. His most recent mission was completing the Land Rover 7x7x7 Challenge for the British Heart Foundation - seven marathons on seven continents in seven days - only four months after recovering from a heart attack and a double heart bypass operation. Sir Ranulph has also written 16 books including the Number One Bestseller 'The Feather Men', as well as 'Mind Over Matter', 'Beyond the Limits' and 'Living Dangerously'.
Click Here

STERLING CARAVAN RANGE 2004 19 January 2004
New Eccles and Eccles Elite ranges head Sterling improvements for 2004.
Bursting with Scandinavian style and packed with exciting new features and layouts across all ranges, the trend-setting Sterling range offers all-new Eccles and Eccles Elite ranges for 2004. An outstanding specification includes new wider bodyshells, stylish allow wheels, sumptuous soft furnishings, and a host of new layouts. www.sterlingcaravans.co.uk

TOLLS NOT FAIR FOR MOTORHOMES 12 January 2004
The opening of Britain's first toll motorway now means motorists have to pay to use a 27-mile section of the M6. Drivers will be charged £2 to drive along what was formerly known as the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. The move comes as part of the Government's strategy to tackle congestion in the Midlands. The first section was opened on 9 December by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling. "What this road is doing is firstly providing much needed additional capacity in the West Midlands," he said, "but it also gives drivers a choice. If a success, the project will support arguments of those who favour tolls to tackle congestion nationwide.
What about motorcaravanners? If you're driving a twin-axle motorhome, you will be charged at the same rate as much larger (and heavier) HGVs and at a lesser rate than a large coach or lorry with just two axles. Maybe the M6 charges should follow suit, instead of being purely height/axle based? Website www.ukmotorhomes.net believes motorcaravanners should pay the same tolls as car drivers, and it is inviting feedback on the subject. The toll operators could charge by size payments at toll-booths and offer special discounts to motorcaravanners who use the electronic tag system, based on vehicles' weight, or MTPLM.
 • For more details, phone 0870 850 6262 or go to the website Click Here

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