Monthly Archives: March 2014

Motorhomes – the key to the outdoor lifestyle.

31 Monday Mar 2014

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Touring the UK in a caravan or motorhome puts the great outdoors and all it has to offer, right on your doorstep

With modern technology posing a relentless distraction, and many people living stressful working lives, it can be easy to simply grab convenience food on the go, but sometimes it can be easy to forget to enjoy the basic things in life. Take the time to stop and talk to each other, get outside and enjoy your food with family and friends; food that is lovingly prepared and locally sourced, or even better, grown or found by yourself!

This week The Caravan Club hosted a foraging expedition at its Abbey Wood Caravan Site, in London, in order to show that with a caravan or motorhome as your base, you can be less than a few minutes from woodland (or any outdoor habitat), which in turn can provide you with a veritable feast – even in a city such as London!

The Club invited a group of bloggers to attend the day with foraging expert Monica Wilde. Setting off from the site on foot, they returned with their haul for lunch. The group of 15 came back with all sorts of things such as; butter cress, chickweed, cherry blossom, and wild carrot seed. They were also encouraged to turn off their mobile phone devices and immerse themselves in the pleasure of being outside, away from technology, and enjoy the experience fully with each other.

Monica says “It was a pleasure to go foraging with the bloggers at Lesnes Abbey Woods next to the Abbey Wood Caravan Club site, and we had a beautiful spring day for the event. To be honest, we found so much actually within the caravan site that we could have made lunch for everyone from chickweed, bittercress, dandelion and lesser celandine – perhaps flavoured with a clove root and wild mustard dressing – without even leaving the site.”

Sarah, blogger at the event says “We met at The Caravan Club’s Abbey Wood site, just outside of Greenwich. It was so bizarre that this lush open space is in the middle of a quiet, residential area. The log cabins and pine trees made it look like another country – such a beautiful base to set up camp if you are visiting London.”

Greg says, “The foraging event widened my knowledge about the great outdoors and it has definitely made me think twice about the types of food I consume. It was great to see such a beautiful caravan site based in London, in close proximity to miles of woodland.”

Tony Hall Director of Marketing for The Caravan Club says, “The idea behind this event was to highlight the merits a caravan or motorhome can bring to your life. Everyone thinks of it as a way of holidaying in the UK, which it is, but it can be so much more. With a caravan or motorhome every weekend can be a break away from your hectic life, it can get you up close to the action, whether that’s foraging for a meal, fishing on a river, relaxing in peaceful countryside or attending a motor sport event.”

Hall continues, “With a caravan or motorhome you can be closer, in your own space and move at the drop of a hat. It enables you to spend quality time outdoors with the people you love – the world is your oyster.”

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

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Auto-Trail Frontier motorhome to star in Coronation Street.

30 Sunday Mar 2014

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By David Weston of Caravan Times

Auto-Trail will provide a brand new motorhome to one of the country’s most popular TV soaps.

The top of the range Frontier Scout will feature on Coronation Street as character Mary Taylor’s new motorhome.

It is the second time Cheshire dealer Spinney Motorhomes has provided the soap with a motorhome after first supplying a model in 2011.

Spinney Motorhomes are the largest independent motorhome retailer in the North West, with an extensive range of over 100 new and used motorhomes and caravans on site.

Geoff from GTR Group, who bought the motorhome on behalf of the soap, said: “After initially dealing and being pleased with Spinney’s Service Centre, I found no job was too big or too small.

“In my job I sometimes require a very quick turnaround as the vehicle can be used around the clock in any part of the country.

“This spurred me on to consult the sales department for my next motorhome, who I found to be more than reasonable, which has led me to many more dealings with Spinney.

“On the whole, this a company that is competitive and truly values their customers’ needs and requirements.”

Mary’s new motorhome will be on screen in April.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

A Fabyouless Glamour Vanning Weekend in London.

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

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The Caravan Club – in my opinion – does loads to promote motorhoming, caravanning and trailer tenting. For my motorhome interests there are countless examples – from the Motorhome Design and Drive awards, motorhome driving training and a raft of escorted tours as well.

However, my prize for extreme, outrageous and brilliant originality goes in fact to a caravanning promotion this weekend in London! Read on!

Glamour Vanning – a South Bank Premiere!

The Caravan Club invites people to come and try something different this weekend

Many people’s perceptions of caravanning are still stuck in the beige days of the seventies, so shake off those images and come along to The Queen’s Stone Riverside Walkway, OXO Tower Wharf, on the South Bank, London, on Saturday 29 or Sunday 30 March to see how things have changed!

There will be a display of aesthetically pleasing and funky new caravans – the innovative new T@B travel trailers. Their unique, seamless, aluminium-insulated shell construction offers high quality external and internal fittings, making them the perfect vehicles to use as holiday bases; whether going on wild bungee jumping holidays or simply enjoying the peace and tranquility of the countryside.

Seeing caravans in such a unique location will be unusual enough in itself, and that is only the beginning of what will be on offer during the ‘Glamour Vanning’ event.

The Caravan Club has teamed up with the gorgeous people at Fabyouless Card. The Fabyouless Card enables people to enjoy a 25% discount at over 1200 leading beauty salons, nail bars, hairdressers, spas, clinics, gyms and personal trainers – nationwide.

During the weekend a beauty therapist from Fabyouless will be offering free ten minute treatments and consultations to people attending the event – an ideal treat for mum during Mother’s Day weekend. This really is Glamour Vanning!

There will also be entertainment throughout the weekend. Singer Talia Janson, who toured with JLS on their Stadium Tour, will be performing for the crowds on both Saturday and Sunday. Talia is also currently starring in the new TV series ‘Surrey Hills’.

Caravan Club Director of Marketing, Tony Hall, says “We want to show the highlights and benefits of modern day caravanning to people by showcasing this holiday option on the iconic South Bank.”

Actress and Fabyouless Brand Ambassador, Debbie Arnold, says, “The whole team at Fabyouless is really looking forward to the Glamour Vanning event, and we are delighted that Dr Vincent Wong, leading medical aesthetics practitioner, and the founder of La Maison de L’Esthetique, the luxury facial clinic, will be with us on Sunday 30 March to offer free consultations. I will be at the event both days and I can’t wait to look around the funky caravans and get a manicure!”

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

New campervan magazine launched.

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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Warners Group Publications plc, publishers of the market-leading motorhome magazine, Motorcaravan Motorhome Monthly (MMM) and many other outdoor leisure publications are proud to announce the arrival of new magazine Campervan.

Campervan is an aspirational title that aims to highlight the lifestyle benefits of a campervan and how it can enhance your leisure time. It covers all brands of campervans from Fiat to Volkswagen and all types of build – from professional conversions to self-builds. Everything from a Mazda Bongo to a £80K Ducato will be included.

Rather than just being a magazine about buying campervans, it takes the next step and shows people how to best enjoy their campervans and the lifestyle benefits.

Key ingredients to the title are reader-owned campervans – who better to share their camping experiences than fellow readers who have spent their own money on a vehicle to enhance their outdoor leisure time? Reader’s vehicles include everything from a kite surfer’s Toyota Granvia conversion to a keen cyclist’s £71,000 VW T5.

Written by passionate campervan-owning journalists, this title aims to highlight the advantages of downsizing to a campervan.

The magazine has features on touring Cornwall by campervan, 15 great activities to enjoy around the UK (and where to stay nearby) and campervan hire.

New models tested include Westfalia Amunsden, Globecar Globescout, Wild Ax Cutie, Kingston Snowdonia Curve, Romahome R30, Lunar Vacanza and many more.

For those looking to buy their first campervan, the magazine also includes essential buying advice and tips, together with features highlighting the type of conversions available – from basic kitchen pods to campervan conversions purpose-designed for a specific hobby.

The first issue of Campervan is on sale on 17 April and is priced at £3.75. It is available from WHSmith’s, or it can be ordered directly HERE

Editor – and campervan owner – Peter Rosenthal commented: “It’s really exciting to be able to produce a magazine dedicated to the freedom and fun of campervans. No matter what your interests or hobbies, a go-anywhere campervan will enhance your leisure time. You can’t beat waking up in an amazing part of the countryside in your own home-on-wheels and then sticking the kettle on!”

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

Caravans not to face MOT-type testing.

12 Wednesday Mar 2014

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The Caravan Club led the charge on lobbying against caravan MOTs and, following meetings with EU officials, The Club is pleased to see that yesterday’s vote at the European Parliament in Strasbourg confirmed previous indications that caravans (and other light trailers) will not be subject to MOT-type testing.

After a series of meetings of EU officials in Brussels, during November and December, it was clear that Club lobbying efforts had been effective and that it was highly likely that caravans, and other light trailers, would be removed from the scope of proposed testing. The European Parliament Transport Committee voted on 21 January 2014 to accept this, as did the full Parliament on 11 March 2014. Technically, a final confirmation vote by the European Council is expected later in March before we can be completely sure, but contacts in both Brussels and Westminster are confident of a positive outcome.

Tony Hall, Director of Marketing for The Caravan Club, says, “The Club was delighted to have led the way in lobbying against this vital issue and we believe that our efforts were instrumental in achieving this decision, although a final confirmation vote is due to take place at the end of March. This demonstrates The Club’s ongoing commitment to its members who can continue to enjoy their leisure time without unnecessary financial and administrative burdens.“

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

NEC up for sale.

05 Wednesday Mar 2014

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NEC put up for sale by Birmingham City Council

Sir Albert Bore says says council cannot afford investment or capital funding needed to grow the NEC Group.

Birmingham City Council has been a major shareholder in the NEC since 1976. The NEC Group is being put on the market as Birmingham City Council seeks to bolster is struggling balance sheet. The council has been the major shareholder in the business since it opened in 1976.

The group includes the International Convention Centre (ICC) and National Indoor Arena (NIA) in the city centre.

The council argues that in these austere times it cannot afford the investment or lever in capital funding needed to grow the NEC Group in future.

Council leader Sir Albert Bore also needs the windfall income from the sale to pay off part of the city council’s extensive equal pay liabilities.

Coun Bore said: “The NEC Group has reached a point in its evolution where it needs to be able to adopt the financial disciplines of a private, rather than a council-owned company to enable the next stage of strategic development.”

NEC chief executive Paul Thandi added that thorough private investment the group will realise its ambitions to grow as a global brand.

He said: “The city council has been a fantastic shareholder.

“But we need to realise our ambitions through a different capital risk profile.”

In recent years the group has branched out into catering, ticket agency, and venue management businesses and plans to grow these.

Also under construction is the Birmingham Resorts World conference facility at the NEC site.

The two sites will be sold on a leasehold basis, with the NEC site on a long 100 plus lease and a shorter, perhaps 25-year deal, for the ICC and NIA facilities.

Sir Albert added: “An open sale process has been identified through an extensive strategic review process as the way to achieve full value for this internationally-renowned asset, whilst achieving the other principal objectives of enabling the Group to achieve its potential and growing economic impact.”

The city council will invite potentially interested buyers to participate in a pre-qualification process while sale preparations are finalised.

The city council also intends to retain claw-back rights over certain land at the main NEC site, so ensuring that it preserves potential future development value from a highly attractive site that will be adjacent to the Birmingham Interchange HS2 station.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

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