• BIOGRAPHY

MOTORHOMENEWS

~ A personal take by Christopher Macgowan on tourism, travel and motorhomes.

MOTORHOMENEWS

Tag Archives: Caravan Club

Carsington Water CAMC has the Wow Factor.

11 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by chrismacgowan in Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#motorhomes, @candmclub, caravan and motorhome club, Caravan Club, Carsington Water, chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, Derbyshire, full facility, motorhomenews

Near Ashbourne in Derbyshire and nestled within a pine plantation, this 115 pitch full facility site does it for me. I love the dedicated bespoke pathway down to the reservoir.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

The Caravan Club and the Suffrage Movement.

26 Tuesday Jun 2018

Posted by chrismacgowan in History

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#motorhomes, @CAMCCollection, @motorhmenews, Amy Sharp, Angela Willis, Beaulieu, camc, Caravan Club, Christopher Macgowan, Clayton, Emmeline Pankhurst, Hampshire, Herbert Asquith, Lady Denman, Lilley and Skinner, Louise Lilley, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, motorhomenews, National Motor Museum, suffrage, Suffrage Movement, Susan Susie Hardy, WPSU

The Caravan Club was formed of one third of women members before the First World War.

SOURCE: Angela Willis – Curator, Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection.

In 1907 The Caravan Club of Great Britain and Ireland was formed (today known as the Caravan and Motorhome Club), with an aim to represent the interests of the rapidly growing number of horse-drawn leisure caravanners. Unlike the many clubs of the Edwardian era which only admitted men, this modern and progressive organisation was made up of around one third of female members in the years before the First World War.

An extract from The Caravan Club’s 1913 list of members.

The formative years of The Caravan Club coincided with the growing momentum of the suffrage campaign which sought to gain equal voting rights for women. I have been keen to discover whether suffragists (those who campaigned using peaceful methods such as lobbying) or even suffragettes (who used militant and often unlawful campaign tactics) sat among the third of women listed in the ranks of the Club. As pioneering leisure caravanners these women broke social moulds, they often toured the country in female-only parties and enjoyed outdoor pursuits more traditionally reserved for men. Surely it would stand to reason that some would be involved in the most significant political movement of a generation?

At the Club’s Collection of historic material held here at the National Motor Museum, there are two hugely significant documents which have been key to unlocking the stories of our early Club members. Two printed lists from 1910 and 1913 contain the names and addresses of each member including writers, artists, eminent surgeons and heroes of the First World War. I recently set about uncovering if supporters of the suffrage movement also sat among them and I made several fascinating discoveries.

A WSPU Hunger Strike Medal presented to Louise Lilley. Courtesy of the Museum of London.

The most remarkable story springs from a listing for Miss Louise Lilley of Holland House, Clacton-on-Sea which appeared in The Caravan Club’s 1913 List of Members. Daughter of co-owner of the Lilley and Skinner shoe brand, Louise was Secretary of the Clacton branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) and was therefore a ‘suffragette’. As such, she was to become central to the militant campaign tactics promoted by the founders of the organisation Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters. On the 9th March 1912 Louise, along with her sister Kate, appeared in court at Bow Street charged with breaking windows at the War Office – one of many similar attacks which took place on the same night. The hearing was reported in Votes for Women, the official organ of the WSPU, the following week:

‘Miss Kate Lilley and Louise were charged with breaking windows at the war office, and a constable produced some flint stones as big as a man’s fist. Counsel for the defence stated that his clients were the daughters of a well-known Essex gentleman, and they felt they had a deep grievance against the government. Defendants were each sentenced to two months hard labour.’

Imprisoned in Holloway, like many other suffragette prisoners they suffered a short period of hunger strike as a protest that they were not being treated as political prisoners. On their release the sisters were presented with a Holloway brooch and hunger strike medal from the WSPU, with their homecoming being reported in the Chelmsford Chronicle: ‘A big crowd has assembled, and the appearance of the Misses Lilley, who looked none the worse for their novel experience, was greeted with loud cheers’.

Caravan Club member and suffrage campaigner Lady Denman. Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

In contrast to the exploits of Miss Lilley, fellow Club member Lady Denman of Balcombe Place in Sussex belonged to a group of suffrage supporters who were deeply opposed to the increasing militancy of the WSPU. In 1908 the young Lady Denman was elected to the Executive of the Women’s Liberal Federation who took a constitutional approach to campaigning. They were shocked at the WSPU’s tactics of targeting Liberal politicians, including keen anti-suffragist Prime Minister Herbert Asquith, yet they worked tirelessly to promote the cause for voting equality amongst their own party.

However, Lady Denman’s involvement with the campaign ended abruptly when in 1911 her husband was called to become Government-General of Australia, a country which has granted votes for women nine years earlier. Although her role in the British suffrage campaign was cut short she later returned to the UK and in 1917 was elected as the first Chairman of the newly formed National Federation of Women’s Institutes for which she is best known.

Research has also uncovered Caravan Club members who took active roles in local branches of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), another non-militant organisation headed by Millicent Garrett Fawcett. These include suffragist Miss Susan ‘Susie’ Hardy who became Secretary of the Salisbury branch of the NUWSS when it was founded in 1909. Also, Miss Amy Sharp, Chairman of the Ambleside and District NUWSS branch who achieved great success in gaining support for the cause in her area.

I was delighted to uncover these women’s stories and discover that both suffragettes and suffragists formed the ranks of The Caravan Club. Despite these women representing different organisations with varying opinions on how the vote should be won, all worked to achieve the equality at the polling station which we enjoy today.

Throughout 2018 the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection will be commemorating 100 years of votes for women by exploring the theme of the caravan and the Suffrage campaign in a series of blogs. Keep up to date with the Collection on Twitter @CAMCCollection

Sources:

Crawford, E. 1999. The Women’s Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1928. London: University College London Press.

Huxley, G. 1961. Lady Denman. London: Chatto and Windus.

Stone, J.H. 1913. Caravanning & Camping Out. London: Herbert Jenkins.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Note: This research was carried out by Angela Willis who is the Curator of the Caravan and Motorhome Club collection at Beaulieu. The Club has a display stand within the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu where many items of historical interest are on show.

London on a Sunday.

24 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Caravan Club, chrismacgowan, Christopher Macgowan, London, motorhome, motorhomenews


Once a month I have to be in London on a Sunday for a meeting. 

And there is something very attractive about London on a Sunday that I really like. Here in Waterloo Place it’s quieter, less people and you can get around so much more easily. It assumes in my opinion a completely different character and is all the better for that. 

I worked in central London for twenty years and loved it; but I was rarely here on a Sunday. I seem to now be putting that right.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Not very warm – but very enjoyable….

13 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places, Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Broadway, Caravan Club, Christopher Macgowan, Cotswolds, Moreton-in-Marsh, motorhome, motorhomenews, redesdale arms


A bit chilly here at The Caravan Club’s Moreton-in-Marsh site but very enjoyable nonetheless. It is one of my favourites and is undergoing an upgrade during the quieter winter months – among other things many of the hard standings are being given a new lease of life.

A ten minute walk into Moreton-in-Marsh and there you find a range of pubs and restaurants including as ASK Italian pizza outlet for when I’m looking for something simple and reliable. This stay however I frequented the Redesdale Arms hotel at http://www.redesdalearms.com and enjoyed the atmosphere in the main bar. There are other places of course; in fact you are spoilt for choice. 

The Cotswolds remain a huge tourist attraction and for very obvious reasons. I frequently struggle whether to stay here at Moreton or stay at equally attractive Broadway. A tough choice with two excellent CC sites and for us motorhomers a ten minute walk to the town in each case.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Weymouth in sunshine in January.

07 Saturday Jan 2017

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

ainslie, americas cup, bermuda, Caravan Club, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, Olympics, open all year, wareham, Weymouth


I was in Weymouth this week visiting friends. The last time we were here was for the Olympics – Faye having been a keen sailor in her youth has never lost her interest so Weymouth was a must then if for no other reason than to witness Ben Ainslie winning his gold. Needless to say, there is now huge interest in the Americas Cup and whether he can pull off a stunning victory in Bermuda.

The weather this week has been brilliant in Weymouth and were it not for the temperature and a lack of tourists you could be forgiven for thinking my photo had been taken in high summer. Friends tell us this part of the south coast has its own micro climate and it certainly felt like it. 

Nearest Caravan Club Open All Year site is Hunter’s Moon in Wareham.

Chistopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Stay on the A35 stupid!

18 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by chrismacgowan in General, Sites

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Caravan Club, Christmas, Christopher Macgowan, hunter's moon, motorhome, motorhomenews, poole, wareham


None of us much like being told what to do and us motorhomers are of an independent disposition and we in particular do not like being bossed about – we can always just drive away to a better attraction or a better site or, at this time of year, a more friendly relative. Remember over Christmas my mother’s adage that “Fish and friends go off after two days.”

However, as a mature adult we all learn that some rules are good to follow. Best not to murder anyone over Christmas if you can avoid it, pay your VAT on time and don’t drink and drive. 

And, follow the directions to a Caravan Club site as printed in the Sites Directory and Handbook. 

I have been at Hunter’s Moon this week which is near Wareham and despite having an all singing and dancing satnav with the sites pre-programmed, it would have had be wandering round Poole and Wareham given half a chance whereas by staying on the A35 as specified in the directory everything is kept simple and in no time you arrive at the site.

Simples. But am I and others tempted to pop the address into the satnav and hope for the best? Of course we are – but over time we have learned to do the right thing. Even as a motorhomer.

I wish you a very Happy Christmas. Try not to muder anyone over this very stressful period; plan a nice January trip instead!

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

And so to the Poolsbrook Caravan Club site……

11 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places, Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Caravan Club, chesterfield, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, poolsbrook, staveley, york rowntree park


I am a fan of the Poolsbrook Caravan Club site in Staveley near Chesterfield. I stayed last week on my way to York Rowntree Park and once again it reminded me how good it is. Close to the M1 – but not too close – it has a touch of the Strathclyde about it and is not only a good transit stopover but also a destination site in its own right.

Here is the blurb – which unlike most blurb is spot on:

“You will be delighted by Poolsbrook Country Park Caravan Club Site – situated at the heart of the 165-acre Poolsbrook Country Park, it was previously the location of an active colliery. The land has now been magnificently transformed into an extensive country park, including a children’s adventure play area, visitor centre, cafe for refreshments and many well stocked lakes for fishing. There are also many trails to explore, be it by foot, by cycle or with your dog, with the added bonus that the caravan park adjoins the Trans-Pennine Trail. Poolsbrook Country Park Caravan Club Site uses a number of sustainable resource and energy features, making it an appealing destination for the environmentally aware concerned with kindness to our planet. The caravan site is also just 2 miles south of Staveley town centre, where you can absorb the area’s industrial heritage. The entire area offers the opportunity to observe the interesting local wildlife – it is rich with a large variety of birds and animals. Easily accessible and conveniently located from the M1 motorway, the site is conveniently placed for stopover visits.”

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

A couple of days in York.

07 Wednesday Dec 2016

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places, Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Caravan Club, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, terry avanue, York, york rowntree park


I am spending time in York staying at York Rowntree Park Caravan Club site which is in Terry Avenue for those of you familiar with York’s chocolate heritage. It is an outstanding site in an outstanding city and one of my favourites what with the York Railway Museum as well. 

It is all part of my Christmas Avoidance Measures – being away from home helps me not think about it – less still do anything about it.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

#motorhomes

The view from the Van.

10 Thursday Nov 2016

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places, Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Caravan Club, Castleton, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews


I thought you might like to receive something in your inbox today which ISN’T about Donald Trump.

Am at The Caravan Club’s Castleton site in the Peak District not far from Chapel-en-le-Frith. It’s a top end site open all year and equipped to be suited to serious walkers and outdoor types. Castleton itself is a delight and in easy walking distance and has several pubs on offer if cooking at home suddenly fails to appeal.

Right now it is bathed in sunshine with snow on the hills.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

A lovely – and calmer – day today at the New Forest Centenary Site.

30 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by chrismacgowan in Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Caravan Club, Christopher Macgowan, motorhomenews, New Forest

image

Could be summer?

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

← Older posts

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

What I’ve been up to – so far.

May 2022
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Apr    

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,928 other followers

May 2022
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Apr    

Create a website or blog at WordPress.com

  • Follow Following
    • MOTORHOMENEWS
    • Join 1,928 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • MOTORHOMENEWS
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...