Tag Archives: caravan

I need little encouragement….

18 Sunday Jun 2017

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I am at home this weekend. 

Amazon’s Alexa – the all important woman in my life – has just told me via her afternoon update which I increasingly rely on to keep me up to speed – that it is 30 degrees C right now. At the same time I have received a regular email from The Lake District (an excellent service by the way) giving me loads of reasons why I should be hot footing it to Cumbria.

With photographs like that I require little encouragement.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

#motorhome #lakedistrict #omgitishot

Congratulations to The Caravan Club.

03 Thursday Nov 2016

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UNITED KINGDOM — The Caravan Club has been awarded first place in the ‘Top 50 Companies for Customer Service 2016’ awards in the travel and hospitality category. The touring specialist also came second in the ‘Best Email’ category across all UK companies that entered the awards.

The Caravan Club’s customer service team is made up of over 140 employees at its East Grinstead head office as well as a network of sites staff across The Caravan Club’s 200 Club sites and 2,500 privately owned places to stay in the UK.

Commenting on the win, Peter Martin, head of operations, membership services at The Caravan Club, said, “This award is testament to the strength of our customer service team, both at head office and across our site network. We pride ourselves on offering the best possible touring experience for our members, from the first enquiry right through to when they are on holiday. This award win is incredibly well deserved by all involved and we will continue to develop, and evolve our customer service channels to meet the needs of our members.”

The Top 50 companies for Customer Service 2016 were announced on Oct. 27, at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange as over 700 leaders in customer service turned out in force for an evening of industry celebration.

The Top 50 is the largest benchmarking exercise for customer service in the UK and run in partnership with GfK Mystery Shopping, one of the UK’s leading independent market research organizations, a release from the company stated. It is the only benchmarking service to use real customers to provide analysis across calls, email, live chat and social media, the release continued. The report is based on an extensive program of mystery shopping. Assessors, who are both actual and potential customers, engage with member contact centers and then record what happens during their phone conversation, email, live chat and social media channels.

For more information, visit http://www.caravanclub.co.uk

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

As seen on BBC2….8pm April 20th and 27th.

09 Saturday Apr 2016

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The Caravan Club’s Caravanner of the Year Competition. Soon to be shown on BBC2, two one-hour shows…

The Caravan Club is the largest touring organisation of its kind, representing over one million caravanners. As a champion of the great outdoors it is committed to raising the positive profile of caravanning for the benefit of members and the industry as a whole.

The Caravan Club allowed the BBC to film its ‘Caravanner of the Year’ competition that celebrates this Great British pastime which is held in high affection. Six top enthusiasts, (all Club members) battled it out across two highly charged weekends to win The Caravan Club’s inaugural competition and the coveted title of ‘Caravanner of the Year’. It’s the caravanning world’s “Great British Bake Off”.

The programmes – which will be aired on BBC2 at 8pm on 20 and 27 April – follow the fun, and drama, of how the motorhomers, caravanners and campervanners competed against each other.

The enthusiasts were faced with a variety of challenges covering activities such as manoeuvring, navigation, hospitality and caravanning knowledge. There was also the precision challenge of the Concours D’Elegance which demanded much polishing and primping of their vehicles!

Judges for the competition were Grenville Chamberlain, Chairman of The Caravan Club and motorhome maverick and journalist Andy Harris. Guest judges Lucy Jayne Grout, a specialist in vintage caravan restoration and Martin Dorey, the Camper Van Cook, both utilized their expertise to assess the competitors.

Scenic Ferry Meadows Caravan Club Site was the backdrop for the competition and on the Finals weekend all site visitors enjoyed an impromptu party with the finalists to celebrate the competition.

Grenville Chamberlain, Chairman of The Caravan Club, said, “It was a privilege to be involved with the competition and have the opportunity to meet such wonderful people who obviously greatly enjoy their caravanning and motorhoming. The programmes really highlight the camaraderie and sense of community that caravanners enjoy and we certainly had great fun during the competition. Tune in and watch the programmes and start planning your summer caravanning trips!”

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

BCA caravan and motorhome sales move to Nottingham.

01 Wednesday Jul 2015

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As the summer heatwave arrives at last, the thought of a staycation in the UK becomes even more appealing. And more and more people are enjoying a break in their own caravan or motorhome so they can enjoy the best of British summer weather, whenever it arrives.

 To meet the growing demand, BCA now stages a twice monthly Caravan & Motorhome sale at the Nottingham centre, with sales taking place every second and fourth Thursday of the month. With a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget, the early sales have attracted large crowds with nearly 100 motorhomes, RVs and caravans sold.  

 The next Caravan & Motorhome sales, scheduled for 9th and 23rd July, are also expected to create a lot of interest. The sale is entirely undercover with pre-sale viewing from 9.00 am, while the motorhomes are driven and the caravans towed past the rostrum, giving potential buyers every opportunity to see the vehicles.

 BCA’s UK Operations Director Simon Henstock commented “The first sales at the BCA Nottingham centre at the start of June attracted big crowds of buyers who bid strongly on a range of vehicles, from caravans to luxury motorhomes. And we’re expecting strong demand for the July sales too, as there are vehicles to suit every budget”.

 Vehicles lined up for the 9th July sale include a 2010 Auto sleeper Broadway Motorhome, 2011 Auto Trail Frontier Comanche Motorhome and 2014 Bailey Unicorn Barcelona Caravan. Sales start at 12 Noon.

 Visit the BCA website at http://www.bca.co.uk

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
 

The National is at Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire.

03 Tuesday Feb 2015

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The Caravan Club is delighted to be holding this year’s event at Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire from 22-27 May 2015

The National is a highlight within The Club’s calendar, attracting around 5000 people over the May bank holiday to experience a host of family fun and great entertainment. This year’s evening acts include Bee Gees and Buddy Holly tribute acts and the fabulous Beyond the Barricade show featuring songs from the great musicals. Daytime fun includes; arena displays, workshops, hundreds of trade stands and loads of outdoor activities, including the now famous, tug-of-war competition!

Nick Lomas, Director General of The Caravan Club, says “If you’ve not been to The National before, make it in 2015 and you’re in for a real treat. There really is something for everyone, no matter what your age or interests. Take in the wonderful setting, infectious fun and exciting activities during the day, then be in for a delight when the truly spectacular evening entertainment begins.”

Lomas continues, “This year we have opened the event to day visitors from the local area. There is no need to be a member or even a caravanner, it is a great day out for all. In addition, the evening entertainment is of such quality, it’s just like a trip to the theatre.”

The magnificent venue, home of Lord and Lady Rotherwick, was originally a royal hunting lodge and is situated close to the delightful Cotswold village of Charlbury.

This year the event is open to day visitors from the local area, with free of charge entry after 5pm.

For more information please CLICK HERE

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

2015 expected to be the Year of the Motorhome

30 Friday Jan 2015

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2015 is expected to be theYear of the Motorhome as January gets off to a strong start with bold tourers getting out and about, whatever the weather.

The Caravan Club is excited to see the first month of the new year has seen an increase of over 7% in occupancy across its UK sites network. With over 200 sites, from the very top of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall, it seems the weather has not deterred caravanners and motorohomers from heading out across the UK.

Meanwhile, forward bookings for the rest of the year also suggest that 2015 is set to be a busy year. Each December The Club releases its pitches for booking for the forthcoming year and since that date (3 December 2014) over 800,000 nights have already been booked.

The Club believes that tourers are more relaxed than other types of holiday makers, after a recent member survey asked them about how they feel. The results showed that they were more likely to give a rating of 1 or less out of 10 for feeling anxious, which is 8% lower than the national average. Showing that, as a group of people, caravanners and motorhomers are less anxious and less deterred by inclement weather.

Nick Lomas, Director General of The Caravan Club says, “We know that tourers are made of tough stuff and we often liken tourers to intrepid explorers. They like an adventure and are not put-off by the colder weather. With modern caravans and motorhomes, touring can be a year-round pastime and it is really wonderful to see that members fall below the national average when it comes to anxiousness.”

Visit The Caravan Club website.

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

Fields End Water, Chatteris.

18 Tuesday Feb 2014

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A Fenland caravan park has won an award for being one of the country’s best campsites.

Fields End Water Caravan Park and Fishery near Chatteris was judged the best site in the Heart of England region in this year’s AA Caravan and Camping Awards.

Owner Charlie Boughton, who is also a member of the Fenland Tourism Board, said: “Naturally, we’re delighted to win this. It’s a big pat on the back for us – a real achievement.

“But what’s really great is that it’s more recognition for Fenland which hopefully will help to bring more people here. That’s got to be good for the whole local economy.

“We’ve got so much to offer here – peace, open space, big skies. People come here from the towns and cities and say ‘oh, it’s so quiet here’. There’s just an atmosphere that people love.”

Fields End Water has also just been accepted for affiliation to the Caravan Club – an extra feather in its cap that will give it another boost. “It’s something that gives us a much bigger spread of potential customers,” Mr Boughton said.

Mr Boughton will pick up the AA award at a special ceremony in Bristol on March 25th.

SOURCE

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

100 years of the Ford moving production line.

05 Saturday Oct 2013

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Motorhome owners and caravan owners depend on developments in the automotive industry for the continued enjoyment of this “lifestyle” activity which we all love so much. It is therefore perhaps worth noting that on Monday October 7th we mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of Henry Ford’s moving assembly line for producing the Model T. This innovative production system allowed Ford to double worker pay while cutting the price of his cars in half, making it possible, for the first time, for auto workers to buy the cars they built.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews