Tag Archives: Manchester

A visit to Manchester.

17 Saturday Feb 2018

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One of my children – Anna – is by way of being a standup comedian and I was in Manchester this week watching her gig. Obviously I am totally biased but it was another excellent performance, a fifteen minute chat with edge which got lots of laughs and applause.

Later that evening I walked the mile home and in doing so walked past Manchester Southern Cemetery. This is Europe’s second largest municipal cemetery and takes a long time to walk past even at eleven o’clock at night along Barlow Moor Road. It is the final resting place of Sir Matt Busby, L S Lowry, Tony Wilson “Mr Manchester” and Ernest Marples and many other famous people. One of the signs also reminded me this is a famous Commonwealth War Graves Commission site with some 1228 identified casualties.

So, as I wandered home smiling at Anna’s act I resolved to return to the cemetery in daylight and have a wander round. Readers of this blog will know I have an interest in WWI and WWII history and it often escapes notice that many casualties – of many nationalities – were returned to the UK for operations and treatment but, sadly and inevitably, perished as a result of their wounds and of course they were afforded in death the same respect as had they perished in the active field of warfare.

During the First World War, Manchester contained between thirty and forty war hospitals including the 2nd Western General Hospital and the Nell Lane Military Hospital for prisoners of war. Many of those buried in the cemeteries and churchyards of the city died in a long list of Manchester hospitals. It is to the enormous credit of Manchester that the city cared for so many casualties many of whom survived even though by today’s standards medical knowhow for trauma injuries was in its infancy.

There is also a screen wall (one of my pictures) bearing many names who were cremated and, of course, rightly honoured.

For me these visits remind me of the numbing number of casualties, that it remains as important as ever that we remember and, above all, we avoid for ever conflicts of this scale.

For some factual information I have referred to the CWGC website:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

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Interview with Caravan and Motorhome Club peeps.

27 Saturday Jan 2018

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SOURCE: Caravan Times

Interview Exclusive With CAMCs Head Of Communications And Events

By William Coleman

Last week I ventured up to Manchester to the Caravan and Motorhome show to speak first hand with senior members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club about what they had in store for their members during 2018.

So with both the Scottish and Birmingham NEC Caravan and Motorhome shows only a handful of weeks away I wanted to speak with The Club about how they prepare for the show and what it means to them to have such a presence. As an industry leading holiday provider I feel they do a great job with communicating with their customers, and the public in general. So here is my interview with CAMC’s very own Brian Morgan.

The Club always have such an impressive stand and presence at the shows. How far in advance does the planning start?

It’s an ongoing process, we exhibit at both NEC shows, Manchester and Glasgow, as well as a number of outdoor shows and events throughout the year. We are always in ‘show mode’!

What goes into making sure you have something for everyone at the show?

We make sure we have details of all Club products and services available for show visitors, we can help them from the very first stages with inspiring them to choose the right leisure vehicle for their touring group, to sharing ideas of where they could have their adventures and giving them help and advice along each step of the way and, of course, make their actual holiday bookings for them. Our show staff have such a vast amount of knowledge and experience and they love being at the shows and talking to people. We really do have a great team, not only at the shows but at head office and throughout the site network.

It is quite clear that The Club invest heavily in listening to their members, how can members communicate with you so they are heard?

It’s really important for us to listen to our members to hear about what they want and need from us. We have our Club Together forum with over 400k registered users, our social platforms are a great way for members and future members to interact with us, we carry out regular research and surveys with our members to hear from them – first-hand – about their views. Our Magazine is also a great source of information for members. And, most importantly, we act upon this information we receive. We provide over 60 relevant member offers (everything from discounts on outdoor clothing, fuel discounts, unbeatable ferry offers), our ongoing sites investment programme, we represent the members views through parliamentary channels and other associated bodies such as Transport for London and the FIA to name but a few.

As Matt Allwright said at the Manchester show, ‘there’s nowhere our members haven’t been’ and we are keen to provide the platforms for members to share their knowledge and experiences as they, in turn, inspire others to have great adventures.

At the Manchester show you had Matt Allwright open the show and do a acoustic set with his band ‘The Walnuts’. Will we see Matt again in Birmingham this February?

Yes! Matt will be with us on Club Day (Tuesday 20 February), he will again be hosting a series of informative forums for show visitors. Matt is a Club member and really enjoys getting away with his family in his campervan.

The shows are a fantastic way for members, new and old, to have face to face interaction with key members of The Club. What aspect of meeting the public do you enjoy the most?

You will always find me at the front of the stand, encouraging people to come and say hi to our team. I really do enjoy that aspect of my job. It’s so important to get to meet and talk to people, face to face, you can’t beat it.

And lastly what can we expect from you guys at this years Glasgow or the NEC shows?

We are heading to Glasgow soon, it really is a terrific show. We will be opening the show on Club Day with our Director General, Nick Lomas, the show Director, Jamie Taylor, and there will be a performance for show visitors by a really talented local quartet called the Capella String Quartet, so if anyone is in the area, come and say hi. And then we are at the NEC, Matt Allwright will be with us and we will have an exciting announcement to make, so make sure you are there on Club Day!

Source: Caravan Times

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

If it’s Thursday it must be Manchester so Friday will be Chester.

20 Saturday Jan 2018

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Just a small section of the Caravan and Motorhome Club stand.

Chester Fairoaks CAMC site.

The Caravan and Motorhome 2018 Show is on at the moment at Event City in Manchester. I attended the opening day on Thursday and it looked well attended to me. The organisers are probably hoping that 20,000 people will visit and if the people traffic on the Caravan and Motorhome Club stand are anything to go by it would not surprise me if that target is met. The cold weather does not help but offsetting that is the enormous population in and around Liverpool and Manchester which provides the bulk of the visitors.

One delightfully “British” thing happened to me. I dutifully followed the visitor parking signs in my motorhome and in due course arrived at this huge space sandwiched between the Event City exhibition centre and Trafford Park retail outlet. As I got to the front of the queue a man wearing a high viz jacket emblazoned with the parking contractor’s name approached me waving his arms. “You can’t bring that thing in here!” he announced sternly. “But it’s a motorhome show!” I protested. He was having none of it and I couldn’t help but note the difference in attitude in Manchester to that at the Dusseldorf Show. Sometimes I despair!!

Later that day in the early evening I drove along the motorway to Chester in sleet and light snow. The wardens at the CAMC Chester Fairoaks site were still in the office at 7.30pm together with their delightful cat – even the cat provided a much more welcoming experience than had the parking attendant earlier. My AutoSleeper Malvern took its customary eight minutes to set up and in no time at all a glass of wine had been poured, supper was cooking and I was on WiFi via my annual subscription which I can cart from site to site.

All was well with the world.

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Snake Pass, Derbyshire.

27 Sunday Dec 2015

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Having spent Christmas in Manchester with daughter Anna and her family I left behind today the flooding in Manchester itself – far more serious flooding elsewhere of course – and set off on one of my favourite drives along the Snake Pass in Derbyshire in the general direction of Sheffield. It was almost impossible to comprehend such a glorious day today (Sunday) having had such downpours on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 

My heart goes out to those families flooded yet again in Cumbria and Lancashire and those in York and Leeds who have been evacuated. What a dire end to their Christmas.

I wish you a very Happy New Year if you are on your travels or your house is unaffected and I wish you better days ahead if your life has been turned upside down by the weather.

PS. Might your new year resolution be to subscribe to my motorhome e-newspaper which is FOC and published on Sunday evenings? I do hope so. It is at http://paper.li/motorhomenews/1394765219 and when it pops up there is a box for your email address on the right hand side – no more information required! Many thanks!! (Forever the optimist.)

Christopher Macgowan

@motorhomenews

Manchester show Jan 15 to 18 2015

08 Saturday Nov 2014

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New models unveiled at The Caravan & Motorhome Show

The Caravan & Motorhome Show will be pitching up at Manchester’s EventCity from 15th-18th January 2015, offering a huge choice of the latest models of touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes. There will be over 300 exhibitors showing new motorhomes from all the leading manufacturers. In 2015, the show will feature more product launches than ever before, with new layouts being exclusively unveiled by leading manufacturers Bailey and Swift.

Visitors can enjoy exclusive show-only offers, exciting new show attractions and stock up with all the holiday essentials at the Towsure Accessory Superstore, whilst browsing the latest models from leading brands including Swift, Bailey, Elddis, Lunar, Coachman, Adria, Compass, Xplore, Auto-Sleepers, Bürstner, Knaus, Chausson, Auto-Trail, Autocruise, Moto-Trek and many more.

The four-day event includes Great Days Out – showcasing leading tourist attractions and offering inspirational new ideas for fantastic UK places to visit. Plus, there will be discounted ticket offers that are exclusive to visitors of the show.

Confirmed for 2015 are a whole host of attractions to fill your next UK holiday with, including The National Football Museum, Wychwood Brewery, Gulliver’s Kingdom, Ullswater Steamers, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, Visit Ribble Valley and more.

Those new to touring can benefit from The Caravan Club who will be offering visitors the opportunity to have a go at one of their free taster sessions – choose from ‘Motorhome Manoeuvring’ or ‘Tow Car Try Before You Buy’.

After this, visitors can swing by The Food & Travel Stage to see Simon Reeve, Charley Boorman and Martin Dorey from ‘One Man and His Campervan’ cook up their favourite dishes and tell tales from their many adventures.

The box office is now open and tickets are available at caravanshows.com or by calling 0844 873 7349 where a booking transaction fee applies. Advance booking closes 9pm Wednesday 14th January. Standard advance ticket £8.00; on-the-door £9.50.

The Show is being held at EventCity, Phoenix Way, Off Barton Dock Road, Manchester, M17 8AS and opens on 10am Thursday, 15 January 2015, closing at 5.30pm Sunday, 18 January.

Read the latest show news in the digital version of MMM magazine.

Source: MMM

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

The Glory Years return.

23 Thursday Jan 2014

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More than 25,000 caravan and motorhome enthusiasts are expected to descend on the city as industry bosses claim a ‘return to the glory years’ of camping holidays.

The four-day Caravan and Motorhome Show 2014 will be held at the Event City complex in Trafford Park from tomorrow with 27,500 people set to attend.

The showpiece is one of the biggest events in the calendar for the £6bn-a-year industry and the predicted record turnout is said by experts to mark a change in fortunes for traditional UK breaks.

Caravan and motorhome sales are currently experiencing a five per cent improvement year-on-year and campsites have also saw visitor numbers climb 15 per cent in 2013.

Sam North, director of the Caravan and Motorhome show, said the flexibility of camping and caravan holidays during uncertain economic times has seen a renaissance in their popularity.

He said: “We’re seeing lots more interest coming from newcomers for this year which bodes really well. As consumers look to leave holiday decisions later, having the freedom to hit the road at a moments notice is even more appealing.

“Sales of caravans and motorhomes are looking at growth of around five per cent this year – which represents more than £35 million – and goes a long way to support our economy as it leads to follow on spend at campsites, local pubs, seaside resorts and other tourist attractions.”

Touring holidays fell out of favour with many British holidaymakers as package breaks and low-cast airlines became more popular in the mid-1990s.

But the industry has reinvented itself in recent years, removing the homespun image of yesteryear and attracting new customers with hi-tech portable homes which have given rise to the term ‘glamping’ – or ‘glamorous camping’.

Mr North added: “The products themselves are getting better and better.

“Freeview TVs, Bluetooth sound systems, central heating are amongst the amazing finishing details being turned out.“We’re seeing lots more interest coming from newcomers for this year which bodes really well. Last year also saw current caravanners take more holidays than the year before so things are really looking up.”

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

MANCHESTER EVENT CITY A HUGE SUCCESS

27 Friday Jan 2012

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SOURCE: Exhibition News.

Clarion’s Manchester Caravan and Motorhome Show has reported a 42 per cent year-on-year visitor increase at its new home at EventCity.

The organiser claimed 31,489 visitors attended this year’s consumer show from 19 to 22 January including 8,000 on its opening day, more than double that recorded in 2011. The Caravan and Motorhome Show was formerly held at Manchester Central but relocated this year in order to increase floor space by 50 per cent. Clarion show director Sam North confirmed the organiser’s intention to return to EventCity in 2013 and said 70 per cent of this year’s exhibitors have rebooked for next year. He pointed out the show’s largest exhibitor, Swift Group, doubled its sales performance this year and took £4m in sales as a result of the new move and the release of several new models.

This year’s show was co-located with the Destinations, the Holiday and Travel Show, which brought 3,000 visitors to Motorhome and Caravan, Clarion said.

“We are extremely pleased with the response to our expanded show and new Manchester venue,” North said. “There is a substantial caravan and motorhome community in the North West and the queues outside the doors before the show even opened was a clear sign there is a real demand for such a show. This was the first time EventCity at the Trafford Centre had held such a major consumer exhibition. We had some small technical event issues initially but these were soon rectified and we are absolutely confident it will make an excellent venue in 2013 – particularly now that the caravan and motorhome community can see it was such a success”.

EventCity MD Andy Orr said the venue looked forward to working with Clarion to produce several more events.

“EventCity is delighted to have partnered with Clarion in breaking all records for the Caravan and Motorhome Show,” he said. “The size and location of EventCity provided the show organisers with the room to expand the event, which helped them to achieve record attendances, record number of exhibitors and record sales.”

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

CARAVAN CLUB TO JOIN CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME SHOW IN MANCHESTER NEXT YEAR.

13 Saturday Aug 2011

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The Caravan Club has announced its intention to return to The Caravan and Motorhome Show.

The new style show is to be held in Manchester, at a new location, opposite the thriving Trafford Centre in ‘EventCity’, and welcomes visitors to a whole new experiance.

The ever popular show is to highlight its growth with a 50% increase in the size, offering visitors a wider spectrum of caravans, motorhomes and accessories to enjoy and revel in, all under one roof.

The welcomed changes are set to hit in 2012 when the show opens fresh into the new year on the 19th of January, with Caravan Club Day, and a celebrity member to welcome visitors to the show, and open ‘The Club Lounge’.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

SALFORD QUAYS AND THE LOWRY

02 Monday May 2011

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I am visiting my daughter in Manchester this weekend and had a chance to pop in to Salford Quays – home of The Lowry, Imperial War Museum North, a chunk of the BBC formerly in London and lots, lots more.

It is quite a place and I urge you to visit. This must be one of the best examples we have in the UK of a city rejuvenating itself. I used to spend a lot of my time early in my career in Manchester in places like Salford, Barton Dock Road and Urmston. As we all know such places have changed beyond what any of us could imagine and much of it due to old industries collapsing, horrible redundancies and an urgent need to reinvent and rejuvenate. It has not been easy and certainly not without considerable pain, but on a gloriously sunny day in Salford Quays you have to acknowledge the considerable achievements that have been delivered and which look superb.

Christopher Macgowan