30 Tuesday Sep 2014
Posted in History
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On Sunday evening I attended the very moving nightly ceremony at the Tower of London where names are read out of casualties from the First World War. Surrounded by a growing carpet of ceramic poppies and finished by the Last Post this is a not to miss ceremony during the 100 year commemorative ceremonies of The Great War.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
28 Sunday Sep 2014
Posted in Politics
Tags
ANPR, Christopher Macgowan, DfT, DVLA, motorhomenews, tax disc
The tax disc on my motorhome obligingly runs out at the end of this month. How nice to renew online and no longer bothering about receiving the wretched thing through the post and trying to tear it out of its perforations without ruining it!
In my former life we campaigned to get rid of it and how nice to see it coming to pass. Compliance with payment is already high (always room for improvement of course) and ANPR is the main route for catching those who have not paid. The days of a policeman wandering along a street looking at tax discs is long gone.
Doubtless some criminals will try to exploit the new system and the DVLA and the DfT will need to be on their toes – but all in all a big improvement I feel. And lest you are doubting the wisdom of the move, when did you last receive a physical television licence??!!
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
26 Friday Sep 2014
Posted in Marketing
Next to the A14 on the west side of Ipswich the new premises are well placed and easy to find. The location is Farthing Road, Sproughton, Ipswich IP1 5AP and features a big outside stock of new and used motorhomes and caravans supported by a workshop.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
24 Wednesday Sep 2014
Posted in General
Tags
Christopher Macgowan, Grenville Chamberlain, motorhomenews, SEAT Leon ST, The Caravan Club, towcar
The Volkswagen Group continued its dominance of The Caravan Club’s prestigious Towcar of the Year competition by lifting the trophy for a seventh consecutive year.
The competition’s 39 entries were split into six price classes and two weight categories, ranging from the Dacia Logan MCVLauréatedCi at just £12,114 to the all-singing, all-dancing Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury 3.0 SDV6 at a shade over £60,000. The diverse entry list included small 4x4s, saloons, estates, hatchbacks, SUVs, large off-roaders and an electric/petrol hybrid.
Each towcar endured the same gruelling series of trials – not only being judged on its towing performance over a testing circuit at the Millbook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, but also for its ‘caravanability’ – ie how much typical holiday gear and caravan paraphernalia it could accommodate, how easily it could be hooked up to a caravan and the quality of towing information contained in its handbook. Value for money (initial purchase price and running costs) was also added to the marking equation.
Seven driving judges put the cars through their paces and evaluated each one’s dynamic abilities and ergonomic qualities. Tests included a mid-range 30-60mph acceleration assessment, high-speed towing appraisal, reversing, emergency braking, ride and handling evaluations as well as hill-stop and restart trials.
Price Class wins in the competition went to: the Fiat Panda 4×4 1.3 MultiJet; Peugeot 308 SW PureTech 1.2 e-THP stop-start; SEAT Leon ST FR 2.0 TDI; Volkswagen Golf SV GT 2.0TDI DSG; Volvo XC60 D5 AWD R-Design NAV; and the Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury 3.0 litre SDV6.
From these Class winners, the SEAT Leon ST forged ahead to take the overall victory, earning comments such as, “the SEAT’s engine kept its torquey feel and produced punch whenever and wherever it was required”, and “even at increased speeds, it remained unruffled and composed”.
All-Wheel Drive vehicles competed in two additional categories – ‘All-Wheel Drive Under 1800kg’ and ‘All-Wheel Drive Over 1800kg’. First place in the lighter category went to the Volvo XC60 D5 AWD R-Design NAV, while the Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury 3.0 litre SDV6 took the honours in the heavier group.
The results of the competition were announced at The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards ceremony, held at the Royal Automobile Club in London on 24 September.
For the 2015 competition, the Judges’ Special Award went to the Mitsubishi Outlander GX4hs 2.0 PHEV – the PHEV hybrid’s innovative electric/petrol technology was assessed shoulder to shoulder against more traditional vehicles.
Grenville Chamberlain, Caravan Club Chairman, commented, “It was great to see such a diverse variety of vehicles entered into this competition. Whether people want to tow a small trailer tent or a large, twin-axle caravan, there is a vehicle choice to suit all needs. On behalf of The Caravan Club, our congratulations go to all the winners, and a special mention to SEAT for their victorious Leon. I am sure we will be seeing competition entrants on Club sites in the near future.”
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
20 Saturday Sep 2014
Posted in Exhibitions and Shows
Tags
Christopher Macgowan, Fiona Bruce, motorhome, motorhomenews, NEC, Nigel Mansell, The Caravan Club
Sporting legend Nigel Mansell and TV’s Fiona Bruce to open the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2014. Former F1 World Champion, and British motorsport royalty, Nigel Mansell, and renowned TV broadcaster Fiona Bruce, will officially open the Motorhome & Caravan Show on Tuesday 14th October at Birmingham’s NEC.
Famous for his love of racing, Nigel is also a passionate caravanner. Along with guest of The Caravan Club, Fiona Bruce, Nigel will be opening the event and he will be speaking in the Show’s Experts’ Theatre about his career and caravanning experiences – no doubt along with sharing his opinion on Lewis Hamilton’s chances of winning the current Formula One World Championship.
More than 400 exhibitors, including all the major UK and European manufacturers, will be at the Show from 14th – 19th October. Thousands of visitors will attend the event, and millions of pounds worth of sales are expected over the six days.
Nigel is the only driver in history to win both the Formula One and the Indy Car World Series in successive seasons, yet away from these exploits his family has enjoyed caravan holidays for more than 20 years.
Nigel says: “I have enjoyed caravan holidays for decades, and continue to do so. My family and I enjoy the freedom that comes with caravanning, and we’ve regularly visited Wales over the years to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
“It’s amazing to see how far the industry has developed in recent years, there are some great looking vehicles out there that are more technologically advanced than ever. I’m delighted to open the show and will no doubt be browsing the new models myself!”
Visitors can also see journalist and presenter, Fiona Bruce, throughout the opening day, which is also Caravan Club Day, as following her joint Show opening she will be at The Caravan Club’s Lounge (20.79), hosting a set of forums and interactive sessions .
Well known for her love of the outdoors, The Camping and Caravanning Club President, Julia Bradbury, will be at the Show too, on ‘Friendly Friday’ – Friday 17th October, on stand (8.10).
The Motorhome & Caravan Show is the UK’s only national event for the motorhome and caravan industry where all the major manufacturers launch their exciting new 2015 models hot off the production line. The Show fills 11 giant halls at the NEC and in 2013 more than 100,000 people from across the UK visited.
This year hundreds of products will be on sale, many at Show only prices, for people to buy and browse, including caravans, motorhomes, campervans, trailer tents and folding caravans, luxury lodges and caravan holiday homes, not to mention thousands of outdoor accessories, gadgets and campsite and destination ideas.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
18 Thursday Sep 2014
Posted in Places
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
18 Thursday Sep 2014
Posted in Exhibitions and Shows
Tags
chrismacgowan, christophermacgowan, Fiona Bruce, Motorhome and Caravan Show, motorhomenews, NCC, NEC, The Caravan Club
Not long now to the National Caravan Council’s (NCC) show at the NEC Birmingham. The dates and times are: Tuesday 14 October 2014 – Sunday 19 October 2014, 10am – 6pm. I shall be using the temporary site for some of the time – and don’t forget the M6 Toll Road price reductions you can get via the Club website. Goodness knows how much money I have saved on this since the benefit was introduced!!
Venue details:
The NEC Group, Birmingham, B40 1NT
Caravan Club stand numbers:
Main Club Stand and Lounge – 20.79
Overseas Travel Stand – 20.15 – 20.17
Pricing:
Adults £8, seniors £7,
Kids under 16 go free
Car Parking: Free Parking
To book tickets call 0844 338 7799 or visit http://www.theticketfactory.com
Member offer Member offer – ticket discount
Book tickets early and benefit from a special Caravan Club members advance ticket price starting at just £6.25 Seniors (60+ years), £7.25 Adults, Children under 16 years are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult or senior. Parking and a show guide are included, subject to availability and a £1 transaction fee applies on all advance ticket purchases.
Visit http://www.caravanclub.co.uk for details.
The Motorhome & Caravan Show returns to Birmingham’s NEC. Come and see manufacturers showcase their new 2015 models fresh off the production lines. There’s a huge product range on show, including caravans, motorhomes, campers, trailer tents, folding caravans, caravan holiday homes/lodges, campsites & destinations, tow cars, 4X4’s and thousands of accessories. So much choice all under one roof!
Visit http://www.motorhomeandcaravanshow.co.uk for more information.
Caravan Club Day Activities
Fiona BruceOn Caravan Club Day, Tuesday 14 October, TV’s journalist and presenter Fiona Bruce, will be on The Caravan Club Lounge (20.79), hosting The Club’s Experts Forum to show visitors. A jam-packed schedule of expert speakers will be there covering all topics to do with touring, Club products and services.
Visit the Main Stand for your chance to win an Adria Altea 362 LH Forth and a host of other exciting prizes!
Overseas Travel Stand (20.15 – 20.17)
The Club will be providing the Overseas Travel Sites and Ferry Bookings once again.
Caravan Club members! Book your holiday abroad with The Club between 14 October 2014 and 31 January 2015 and you could WIN back the cost of your holiday!*
*Prize draw value up to £1000 for one Caravan Club travel booking taking place in 2015 to include one or more of the following products: overseas sites, ferry or Eurotunnel crossing, Camping Cheques, overseas tour, Red Pennant overseas holiday insurance. Standard Caravan Club prize draw terms and conditions apply.
Stay over at The Caravan Club’s Temporary Campsite
NEC temp site October 2014. Make the most of your time at the show with The Caravan Club, who are offering an on-site temporary campsite complete with catering, bar and evening entertainment during The Show.
Find out more by calling 01342 336666
Manoeuvring – Oct NEC
Free Motorhome Manoeuvring Taster Sessions
The Caravan Club is providing free expert tuition.
Please note: you will need your driving licence to take part. Visit The Club’s Main Stand (20.79) to make your booking.
Free Towcar Taster Sessions
Manoeuvring TOW CAR October NEC 2014Your chance to have a go at towing with The Club’s expert course instructors.
Please note: you will need your driving licence to take part. Visit The Club’s Main Stand (20.79) to make your booking.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
15 Monday Sep 2014
Am spending time in Umbria and based mainly around the gorgeous town of Orvieto which is about two hours north of Rome.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
12 Friday Sep 2014
Posted in Sites
The recently extended Caravan Club site at Southport is a must to visit. Virtually on the beach and five minutes walk from the Park and Ride and no more than fifteen minutes walk from Lord Street – how many high streets have shops with permanent awnings these days? – not many – this is a gem if ever there was one.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
08 Monday Sep 2014
Posted in Sites
I don’t know about you but I do find The Caravan Club’s “Check Late Availability” feature on its home page incredibly useful. I am an all year round user of my motorhome and frequently I make up my mind to travel at very short notice and the Late Availability feature is easy to use and mostly comes up with a site very close or quite close to where I want to be.
In theory I prefer to plan ahead but sometimes it’s just not possible and with the nice weather we are experiencing at the moment it is a really good way of finding an available site. Stating the obvious, I do not expect to find availability on the Club’s most popular sites – obviously not – although sometimes I get lucky – but I am personally not wedded to a particular set of sites and am always interested in trying somewhere new.
Have a look at http://www.caravanclub.co.uk
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
