November 26, 2009
A Seaton Carew man has managed to turn his passion for caravans into a career path after founding his own business.
Ronnie McKeith set up the Caravan Medic from home and aims to help owners by providing repair, servicing and bodywork facilities for their mobile holiday homes, the Peterlee Mail revealed.
The 53-year-old told the newspaper that he has always had a fascination with caravans and got the idea after spending years looking after his own.
Redundancies at his former workplace prompted Mr McKeith to set up the business after taking a few classes to improve his skills.
He explained that while business has been good, it is starting to slow up for Christmas. However, he expects it to be “bouncing again” come February or March as people look to get their caravans in order for the holiday period.
For more information on The Caravan medic please click here.
November 13, 2009
Delamere Forest was awarded five stars by VisitBritain
Nearly one in five of the sites run by the Camping and Caravan Club (CCC) have now been given five stars on the Tourist Board ratings from Visit Britain.
In another successful year for the club, both its Delamere Forest site in Cheshire and its Cannock Chase site in Staffordshire have been given five stars, taking its number of top-rated caravan holiday destinations up to 19, out of a total of 109 across the UK.
At the same time, Bakewell, Dartmoor Barley Meadow, Derwentwater and Tavistock have all been given four stars by Visit Britain, meaning 83 per cent of the CCC’s network now boasts either a four or a five-star status.
Welcoming the news, director Bob Hill said: “This is not just great news for the individual sites but also for the club as a whole, which is continuing to move from strength-to-strength.
”These ratings provide the reassurance campers and caravanners need about what to expect before they arrive.”
Other five-star sites include Hereford, Barnard Castle, Scarborough and Windermere.
This comes soon after the CCC announced that 24 of its sites are to remain open over the Christmas and New Year period.
For further information on the Club please click here for details
November 9, 2009
The month of November this year marks an important anniversary in road travel. Fifty years ago the Transport Minister Ernest Marples picked up a telephone and opened the first motorway in Britain. ‘My God, what have I started?’ exclaimed the Minister. Perhaps he was prescient in that half a century later there are eight times the users, and with that comes an increase in accidents.
With the figures multiplied across Europe, think tanks and government bodies have applied their best minds to the problem of road safety. And the news is that caravan enthusiasts could soon find every detail of their drive to a campsite recorded by an aeroplane-style black box recorder.
The European Commission has launched Project Veronica to look into how the technology can be used in cars.
The equipment would monitor and record driver actions such as speed, braking and indication, with the ultimate aim of improving road safety.
However, the Institute of Advanced Motorists has warned that the black box would not necessarily cut the number of accidents on UK roads.
“In terms of road safety the only way it affects how people drive is the cultural thing of ‘there’s a black box watching me so I’ll be careful’,” explained chief examiner Peter Rodger.
He said that while this will have an effect on some drivers, others will not change their habits.
Mr Rodger added that the technology will only help tell what happened in an accident, not prevent it occurring.
November 3, 2009
Caravan enthusiasts in Skegness have helped raise thousands of pounds for charity.
According to the Skegness Standard, residents at Taggs Caravan Site clubbed together to donate £7,000 to the Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and Skegness Lifeboat Association.
The funds were raised by holding a number of events, including bingo and raffles during the summer season.
The newspaper revealed that drinkers at the local Tunny’s Tavern have spent the last decade raising cash for the lifeboat service, generating a total of around £25,000.
Caravanners heading to Skegness may be interested in checking out the pier, which has been standing for more than 125 years.
It hosts a ten pin bowling alley, amusement arcades, laserquest, kids’ play area and numerous places to eat.
Other attractions include Batemans Brewery, the National Parrot Sanctuary and Skegness Stadium, which holds stockcar racing events.
Those looking to try their hand at water sports such as waterskiing could also do so at Skegness Water Leisure.
October 28, 2009
Families up and down the country will be dreading the onset of December and the financial upheaval that the month often brings. With children theoretically exposed to more advertising than ever through surfing online, the requests for the latest toy or gadget may concern some parents.
Yet good news comes from the Toy Retailers Association – where every toy on this year’s list costs less than £50. It may not seem like nuch of a saving initially, but compare this to the price of one of last year’s bestsellers. A runaway success was Biscuit, an electronic Golden Receiver which weighed in at a hefty £175 .
This year one of the standout products on the shortlist of 10 best toys isn’t electronic and owes much to old-fashioned fun. The Sylvanian Families Caravan is a simple plastic and fabric toy – but offers youngsters the chance to take their favourite Sylvanians on a voyage around the house.
Gary Grant is the chairman of the TRA and he commented on why traditional has become fun again.
“The list reveals a trend towards nostalgic characters and brands which have been updated with a modern twist. Consumers are reverting back to heritage brands which will last longer than the Christmas season”.
“With licensed toys combining the fun and familiarity of popular characters as well as collectable, pocket money priced toys making a big comeback this year, we are in for an affordable, family orientated Christmas”.
If you have any budding caravan fans in your family or friend network, you can find more on the Sylvanian Families Caravan here.
(Unfortunately the rather winsome bunnies don’t come with the caravan…)
October 23, 2009
More people than ever are choosing to caravan in the "garden of England"
The number of holidaymakers staying in caravans in Kent next year is expected to rise. Following the publication of figures from the Caravan Club, which showed bookings increased by 40 per cent in summer 2009, Kent Online has reported a rise in reservations for 2010.
Bearsted Caravan Club warden Sue Greenaway told the online resource that the Hollingbourne site had noticed a record number of new caravanners. She said people have purchased either a new or secondhand model and are making the most of it when they can.
“At sites such as those run by the Caravan Club, there are good showers and loos, tidy sites,” she claimed. “You have the freedom to just pitch up.” According to Park Holidays UK, advance bookings are up by more than 65 per cent year-on-year, thanks to a combination of the low value of the pound and the recession. Aside from Kent’s array of Blue Flag beaches, it boasts a range of gardens, castles and cathedrals just waiting to be explored.
October 16, 2009
Sales were booming on the first few days of International Caravan and Motorhome 2009
After a year where sales of caravans and motorhomes increased despite the credit crunch, this year’s major caravan show was expected to continue the trend. However visitor numbers to International Caravan and Motorhome 2009 have exceeded even these expectations.
The number of people attending the show at the NEC in Birmingham has increased by just over 10% for the first two days. Meanwhile exhibitors are reporting bumper sales. The top five caravan manufacturers – Swift, Bailey, Lunar, Coachman and Elddis – sold just under 400 units between them on the opening day, worth over £6m.
Show director Sam North spoke to Caravan Times on Thursday and noted that some motorhome manufacturers had also sold units around the £100K price point. “It seems that manufacturers and dealers are shifting entry-level, mid-range and luxury units.”
He also noted how smaller items are also flying off the stands. “Accessory dealers are also reporting strong sales, with many already committed to taking a stand at next year’s show.”
For those who haven’t yet attended International Caravan and Motorhome 2009, North added that the footfall increase was likely to continue for the rest of the show, which runs until Sunday. “The weekend is traditionally the busiest, when a lot of families turn up, and we’ve done quite well with advance family ticket sales. We have a free crèche and a free activities area, sponsored by Gullivers, so we’re expecting another bumper few days.”
The good news however is that tickets for International Caravan and Motorhome 2009 at the NEC Birmingham are still available on the door at £14.95. Children under 16 are admitted for free.
October 12, 2009
The family-owned Staffordshire theme park won Best UK Children's Attraction for 2009
When taking children away on a caravan holiday perhaps the major issue to consider is activities. Keeping your kids occupied over five or ten days can require some preparation and research, especially when travelling to unfamiliar parts of the country.
If you’re visiting Staffordshire however then some of the hard work has been taken away from you, thanks to the Group Leisure Awards. Last week the readers of the magazine and website voted Drayton Manor Theme Park as the Best UK Children’s Attraction of 2009.
First opened to the public in 1950, Drayton Manor was founded by husband and wife team George and Vera Bryan. 60 years later the park has become an award-winning attraction located in approximately 280 acres of beautiful countryside.
The park is located on the grand estate of the Peel family whose members include Sir Robert Peel – who served as Prime Minister twice between 1834 and 1846. Still in family ownership, the theme park is packed with some of the largest, wettest and scariest rides in the UK. Complementing the adventure park is a 15-acre zoo and the hugely popular Thomas Land™, a park devoted to Thomas The Tank Engine. The park’s new attraction for 2009 is a 4-D Cinema.
Actress Tina Hobley and Jill Greed from "Dancing on Ice" present the award
Managing Director Colin Bryan was presented the award by actress Tina Hobley and Jilly Greed from Holiday on Ice, which sponsored the category. He explained “Not only are we winning industry honours but last season we saw record numbers of visitors come to the Park – so people are really voting with their feet.”
The theme park celebrates its 60th Anniversary at the end of October with a spectacular fireworks display and lightshow. For more information on Drayton Manor Park and the attractions on offer please click here.
A Seaton Carew man has managed to turn his passion for caravans into a career path after founding his own business.
A national newspaper has examined the life of a man who decided to give up using money and live in a caravan.
