Caravan theft from farm in Cheshire

A touring caravan was stolen from a farm on Chester Road in Tabley, Cheshire on Monday, November 22.

The Bailey Ranger caravan was taken at 11.28am by a blue X-reg Land Rover, which entered Holly Tree Farm, off the A556.

The owners said they saw the vehicle being driven in the direction of Mere Golf Club.

The car was later found abandoned in Manchester.

Mother's torment as son dies in caravan fire

A Fife mother has described the agony of having to wait nearly three weeks for confirmation her son died in a caravan fire.

Mark Feenie (39) died following the blaze at a caravan park where he was staying in Kintore, Aberdeenshire, in the early hours of 31st October.

But Grampian police only confirmed his tragic death to mum Margaret on Friday after formally identifying the body.

Margaret, of Kelty in Scotland, said, “It‘s been absolutely terrible. Everybody knew about it – it was all over that he died and everyone was phoning up. We received sympathy cards weeks ago.

“It was like being in limbo – the police said they were 99 per cent sure (it was him) but couldn’t confirm.

“We don’t know what happened. He had been for a drink after work and the caravan went on fire when he was sleeping. He obviously didn’t wake up.”

Margaret added, “Everybody seemed to know him. He was a happy-go-lucky person, was a good friend to his mates and a good workmate to his colleagues.

Grampian police confirmed they attended a fire within a caravan at Hillhead Caravan Park, Kintore, along with Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, shortly after 1am on Sunday 31st October. Investigations concluded the fire was not suspicious.

Dorset caravan site owner fined over power cut

A council has hailed the conviction of a caravan site owner after people in 17 homes were left without heating overnight following a power cut.

Ian Stainer, owner of the Silent Woman caravan park at Coldharbour, Wareham, was prosecuted for breaching the terms of his licence.

He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £6,328 costs by Bournemouth magistrates on Monday.
Purbeck District Council said the power cut was on 20 December 2009.

It said an elderly resident was admitted to hospital with suspected hypothermia.

The court was told after the power cut struck, Mr Stainer arranged for an electrician to visit the following morning but did not inform Scottish and Southern Energy.

The council said the next day the electrician told the energy company about the cut, which was fixed that afternoon.

Councillor Beryl Ezzard, Purbeck Council's housing spokeswoman, said: "This should send a clear message to all site owners that they have a responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of all of their residents."

Houses evacuated after caravan fire

Houses had to be evacuated on Tilston Avenue, Latchford, Warrington during the night of the 23rd November after a caravan with gas cylinders inside was set alight.

Crews battled the blaze at 8.30pm after flames from the caravan caught the front of the house.
The owner suffered minor burns after trying to remove a cover from the caravan.

Tony O'Dwyer, green watch manager at Warrington Fire Station, said: “It can’t be stressed enough the dangers that gas cylinders present to both the public and firefighters when they become involved in fire.

“They become unstable and are highly dangerous and can pose an explosive risk. Neighbours were allowed to return to their homes the same evening.

The cause of the fire is being investigated after the caravan was almost completely destroyed by the flames.

Leading caravan park owner looks to double in size

Holiday park operator Parkdean wants to more than double the size of its business in five years after an acquisition spree.

The Newcastle company, which has more than 2,000 staff, is already the UK’s third biggest caravan park operator after Park Resorts and Butlins’ operator Bourne, but believes it can now reach its longheld target of running 40 sites within four or five years as the UK holiday market grows.

Parkdean said it has seen sales rise again from £120m last year and profits jump from £31.5m as more holidaymakers head to its 24 sites across the country.

Chief executive John Waterworth said: “I think the future is looking particularly strong for the UK holiday market at the moment.

“People are realising how easy it is to holiday at home and it has been an even better season than last year. We are seeing a lot of people going for weekend breaks as well as the one big summer holiday.”

He says the company’s growth has been fuelled by the popularity of booking trips direct with the company, either through its Gosforth call centre or online, as opposed to buying caravans.

And this means the business, the second most profitable in its sector, can start to buy more sites and build up its 24-strong portfolio.

Many of its sites are in the South West, particularly after it bought Exeter-based Weststar Holidays three years ago and it is now looking elsewhere.

Although this is unlikely to include many sites in the North East. It currently has none in the region and Waterworth says most here are too small for its business model. Its smallest has 150 caravans and its biggest in Porthcawl in Wales is the biggest in Britain with 2,000 plots.

Waterworth said he had hoped to grow earlier but the economic downturn and uncertainty about where people would spend made him cautious of moving too fast.

Pensioner dies in Sussex mobile home fire

Police and fire officers were continuing their investigations today (Monday, November 22) into a mobile home blaze at Yapton, West Sussex, in which a pensioner died.

Firefighters from Littlehampton, Arundel and Bognor were called to the Woodlands Park static caravan site just after 4pm on Sunday the 21st.

Smoke was billowing from the mobile home and fire crews had to wear breathing apparatus to make their way into the lounge area, where they found a man in his 60s. He was declared dead at the scene.

Firefighters used high-pressure water jets to put out the flames.

Police said arson was not suspected, nor the involvement of a third party. Officers are working with West Sussex Fire and rescue service to establish the cause of the fire.

Couple escape harm as caravan fire threatens home

Police are investigating after fire ripped through a caravan and spread to a house while a couple slept upstairs.

The blaze started in the caravan in the front garden of the property in The Avenue, Hartshill, Staffordshire on Saturday 20th November.

An off-duty police officer raised the alarm after riding past the house on his bike and noticing the caravan was alight.

Neighbours said he banged on the door of the house and awoke the couple inside before calling 999.

Three fire crews from Longton and Newcastle were called to the scene at about 3.45am and managed to bring the blaze under control within half an hour.

Scenes of crime officers spent Saturday morning examining the scene to try to establish the cause of the blaze.

The front door and entrance hall of the detached house were badly damaged by the fire and the caravan was destroyed.

A neighbour said: "Few people would have been around at that time in the morning, so we dread to think what could have happened if the policemen hadn't happened to be there. He deserves high praise for his actions."

A spokesman for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Our officers left the scene about seven hours later and left the inquiry in the hands of police forensic experts who were still gathering evidence.

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "The circumstances are unknown as yet and are being looked into by ourselves and the fire and rescue service. At present we can't say if it was started deliberately."

Dorset man held following caravan fire

A man has been arrested after a caravan was destroyed in an early hours fire in Dorchester.
Police, firefighters and paramedics attended the blaze in St George’s Road just before 3am on Saturday 20th November.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious and have arrested a 40-year-old Dorchester man on suspicion of causing a fire with intent to endanger life.

Neighbours reported seeing fire engines and police cars in the area as well as the damage from the blaze.
The caravan was burnt down to its wheelbase and material from the inside, including a blackened kitchen sink and springs from a mattress, was strewn across the ground.

Duty Inspector Matthew Chutter said: “At 2.45am on Saturday, November 20, officers were called to reports of an unoccupied caravan on fire at St George’s Road.

“Dorset Fire and Rescue Service also attended.

“Following enquiries at the scene a 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing a fire with intent to endanger life.

“He is currently in custody and helping officers with their inquiries.

He added: “We believe that no one was inside the caravan at the time of the fire and we are treating the fire as suspicious.”

Two retained fire crews from Dorchester were called to tackle the blaze.

A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a call at 2.18am on Saturday, November 20, from the Dorchester area to a report of a caravan on fire.

“Two crews were mobilised and once on the scene they found one touring caravan on St George’s Road, Dorchester, to be well alight.

“Crews extinguished the fire using two hose reel jets and used two sets of breathing apparatus.

“The fire was extinguished by 2.45am. Dorset Police were requested to attend due to the suspicion of malicious ignition of the caravan.”

Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses to the fire. Anyone with information should call PC Chris Meade at Weymouth police station on 01305 222222.

Disabled man starts his own caravan business

Greg Mort, a father-of-two from Bristol who suffered brain damage and lost the sight in one eye following a car accident, has set up his own business building versions of Romany caravans.

The former photographer had previously found it difficult getting work, saying he had applied for at least 50 positions, but established Gregs Gypsy Bowtop Caravans with the help of Working Links, the Bristol Evening News reports.

He now makes between three and four models a year, selling them for approximately £9,500 each, or renting them to holidaymakers for £600 over the course of a weekend, although they are also available for weddings and festivals.

So impressive are his efforts that Suggs, lead singer of Madness, intends to use one for his summer tour next year.

New 9 hole golf course planned for Worcestershire caravan park

A nine hole golf course is set to be built on land belonging to the Ranch Caravan Park, in Honeybourne, Worcestershire, after the proposal won the backing of Wychavon councillors.

The site is located on the western edge of the village, surrounded by agricultural land, and covers 30 hectares including the holiday park, which covers about 17 hectares.

The proposal will involve the relocation of 70 holiday home pitches to an adjoining field and the formation of the nine hole golf course for use exclusively by residents at the caravan park.

Herefordshire caravan club raises funds for charity

A caravan park near Bromyard, Herefordshire, has given £2,200 to charity after holding two fund-raising weekends.

Saltmarshe Leisure Club has donated £1,200 to West Midlands Air Ambulance and £1,000 to Help for Heroes.

The club, at Saltmarshe Castle Caravan Park, held fun nights on Hallowe’en and the August Bank Holiday.

The money was raised through collections, raffles and staff donations on both nights.

Caravan park expansion gets green light

Tourism in Cumbria has been boosted after plans for a £2 million holiday park expansion were given the go-ahead.

Port Haverigg Holiday Village’s capacity will increase by 50 per cent and include a cafe, tourist information centre and public toilets.

The 190-caravan site will see a 100 static caravan expansion as well as pitches for 20 motor homes, 30 touring caravans and 30 camping pitches.

The site, which is within a short distance of the Hodbarrow nature reserve, will also include landscaping to help support the area’s wildlife.

Co-owner Steve Attwood said new jobs could be created, adding: “It has taken two-and-a-half years to get this far. It is a major development but planning was the biggest hurdle.

“It should benefit the local economy, people who have saved to come on holiday will spend money in the shops, the garage. It goes right down the line.

“I am ecstatic, it has taken so long we opened the bubbly. I am over the moon.”
Work on the site will begin in spring and Mr Attwood says he hopes the area for touring caravans could be completed by early summer.

But the area for static caravans will take longer due to work on a sewage system.

Planning approval comes just months after Mr Attwood unveiled proposals to transform a 20-acre site adjacent to the caravan park into an entertainment mecca including a dry-ski slope, bowling alley, driving range and crazy golf.

South Lakeland council hold caravan safety conference

South Lakeland District Council joined with other local authorities in Cumbria and Lancaster to hold the first caravan conference on Tuesday to raise awareness about health and safety in caravan parks.

The event was at Fallbarrow Caravan Park in Windermere and more than 100 people who either own or run a caravan site attended.

Topics on the day included health and safety, gas and electrical safety, fire risk assessment, play equipment and play areas, grounds maintenance and providing safe water supplies.

The conference is particularly relevant in view of the recent spate of caravan related fires.

Three praised for bravery in battling caravan fire

Three neighbours who tried to save a pensioner from a caravan blaze have been commended by a coroner.
David Clarke, Glyn Smith and partner Gail Southgate raised the alarm and battled with the flames before firefighters arrived but they were unable to save the life of 72-year-old Ho Simpson when her caravan caught fire at the Trentside Caravan Park, in Beeston Rylands, in the early hours of April 15 2009.

An inquest at Nottingham Coroners' Court heard that Mr Clarke, of Beeston, awoke at about 3am to see embers falling from the bottom of his neighbour's caravan.
He ran to help but couldn't get inside so he used a garden hose on the fire, while Mr Smith called the fire brigade.

"Dave tried to open the door to the trailer and I shot round the back, because there was a big propane gas bottle, to try to turn that off," said Mr Smith, of Brinsley.
"My partner tried to hose underneath because there were cinders dropping down.
"Dave managed to spot her through the door. Because Dave was quite overcome by smoke and heat, I held the hose into the front room to try to keep it away until the fire brigade came."

Station manager David Stevenson, of Notts Fire and Rescue Service, said it was believed the blaze was started by a cigarette, which smouldered on the living room floor for hours before bursting into flames as Mrs Simpson slept in her bedroom.

Dr Chapman praised her neighbours for their attempts to save her life.

"The fire brigade turned out very rapidly but you still had seven minutes when you had a fire and the possibility of a gas explosion," he said.
"Clearly you have not been able to stop it. But I want to say publicly that you all did extremely well that night."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Thieves raid caravan park in Dorset

Thieves have raided 22 sheds at The Creek Caravan Site at Ringstead, near Weymouth, which was unoccupied at the time.

The thieves caused extensive damage and the owners are still assessing what was stolen.

There are 30 caravans at the site, most of which have a shed next to them to store tools and other items although none of the caravans were touched during the raid.

Freda Fisher, a director at the caravan site, said: “It was during the night, one of the caravan owners came on to the site the next day and said at least 10 of the sheds had been broken into.

“It was actually 22 sheds and they had also got into electric boxes and where the tools were kept.
“They actually got away with really very little – they took a strimmer and for some reason they left a power drill but took all of the drill bits.”

Mrs Fisher said all tenants are warned about leaving valuable items on show and to secure the sheds but conceded they were still ‘vulnerable’ to thieves.

Fellow director Bill Jesty, 83, said he saw a young male in a white N-reg Peugeot driving round the area the day after the break-ins were discovered.

Inspector Les Fry of Dorchester Police said the break-ins are believed to have occurred between 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 2 and 3.

Witnesses or anyone with information can contact Dorchester Police station on 01305 222222.

Two bonfire night caravan arson attacks in Wales

Police are hunting arsonists who set fire to caravans in late night attacks on bonfire night.

They struck at Sunnyvale Holiday Park on Foryd Road, Kinmel Bay where a static caravan was set ablaze.

Two fire crews from Rhyl were sent to the blazing holiday home at 10.28pm but the caravan was totally destroyed.

A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the caravan was already well alight when firefighters got there and heat also damaged an adjoining caravan.

The fire service said the owners of the chalet were out and had to be contacted to be told what had happened.

In a second attack, North Wales Fire Service said an arsonist targeted a chalet-style caravan at a park about three miles away.

Crews were called to the 300-caravan Whitehouse Leisure Park on Towyn Road, Towyn on Friday at 11.20pm but once again the caravan was destroyed by fire and smoke. An adjoining caravan and a car were also damaged.

Park owner Mark Whitehouse said: “It was an upsetting incident. The owner of the caravan was present prior to the fire starting, so the exact cause has not been ruled in or out.”

The owner did not believe it was a deliberate fire but the fire service later said it was being investigated as arson. Further crews examined the scene and left at lunchtime on Saturday.

Caravan park expansion delayed

Plans for an extension to a Borders caravan park have been put on hold by councillors.

Scottish Borders Council was being advised to approve the proposal for 46 static homes at Eyemouth Caravan Park.

The project has drawn a number of objections due to visual impact and loss of open space.

Councillors continued the application in order for talks to be held about moving the caravan location and improving screening.

Caravan theft suspect caught on Google Street View camera

Police have released a Google Street View image of a man which is believed to have been taken at around the time a caravan was stolen in Derbyshire.
The £12,000 white Abbey Adventura caravan went missing from outside a house in Cauldwell Road, Linton, sometime between 9.30am and 2.00pm on 5 June 2009.
David and Rebecca Soanes’s 11-year-old son Reuben stumbled upon the potential evidence while surfing the site to find an image of the family’s detached home. It is thought the Street View car could have been passing shortly before the theft and the balding stocky man was recorded on the driveway of the Soanes family’s home, with a green 4x4 that police suspect was used to tow away their caravan.

Wheel clamps securing the caravan were removed and left behind, but despite forensic examination of the scene the stolen vehicle was never traced.

Pc Adrian Mason, who is investigating the theft, said: "I've made extensive inquiries since the image was discovered but because the registration plate of the 4x4 is blanked out we have been unable to trace the man through his car. That is why we are appealing for the public's help."

It is unclear if Google retained the original picture with the registration plate unobscured, and if so, whether it provided the information to police or not.

In the meantime anyone who recognises the man should contact Derbyshire police.

North East caravan club donates money to charity

Funds raised by a North East caravan club is to be presented to the Right Worshipful Mayor of Durham, Councillor Mamie Simmons at Durham Town hall on Wednesday, November 17 for her charity fund.

The Freedom North East 2000 Caravan Club raised £624.72 at a three-day rally in June to celebrate the club’s 10th anniversary and raise money for charity with various events over the weekend.

Elaine Bell, Secretary of Freedom North East 2000 Caravan Club said: "The club did not have a nominated charity to support, but when the Mayor attended the celebration event and members heard of the charities she was supporting, they requested any money raised at that event be donated to her appeal fund."

Councillor Simmons added: "The club's donation to my charity appeal is very generous and I am grateful to everyone who took part in the fundraising activities. The money will be well spent by St Cuthbert's Hospice and Diabetes UK."

In previous years Freedom North East 2000 Caravan Club has raised money for a variety of causes including The Great North Air Ambulance and Hartlepool and District Hospice.

Garage fire destroys static caravan

A fire at a garage wrecked a large static caravan, a vehicle and wooden storage sheds and brought down overhead power lines.

The fire broke out at Shute garage on the A35 at Shute near Axminster in Devon and whilst the cause of the fire is currently unknown it is being treated as suspicious.

All the destroyed items lay within a gated compound, said police. The damage to the power lines affected power to two businesses and around eight homes, although power was later restored.

Crime scene investigators and fire officers are still investigating the blaze.

Theme park owner taps in to staycation market

Merlin Entertainments, the company behind leading theme parks such as Alton Towers, Chessington and Legoland, is taking advantage of the UK's growing "staycation" market by agreeing a marketing deal with camp site and caravan park accommodation search website pitchup.com.

Pitchup.com will provide camping, caravanning and lodge options for users seeking accommodation near any of the 23 UK Merlin Entertainment attractions.

A dedicated web pagehas been set up to display all local accommodation options for anyone wishing to visit the attractions - see www.pitchup.com/merlin for further details.

Swift Challenger stolen from driveway

Police are appealing for information after caravan worth £15,000 was stolen from the driveway of a property in Long Hanborough, Witney, Oxfordshire.

The caravan was stolen at 12.55pm on the 2nd November from a property on the A4095 Witney Road.
PC Laura Pagan said: “The caravan is a Swift Challenger 540 model and we believe that a dark blue Vauxhall Zafira people carrier was used to steal it.

“This vehicle was seen in the vicinity at the time of the theft and was last seen heading along the Witney Road, towards Witney.

“I would urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible.

“Did you see a people carrier matching this description, towing a caravan? Have you been offered a caravan like this for sale?”

Anyone with information should contact PC Pagan via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

New Bailey models to be fitted with TRACKER

Stolen vehicle recovery expert, TRACKER, has been chosen to supply its TRACKER systems to Bailey Caravans’, bringing unrivalled protection to its flagship Unicorn range and the Pegasus range. Under the new agreement, TRACKER Caravan Monitor will be factory fitted to 11 models in total, providing customers with one year’s free subscription.

TRACKER Caravan Monitor has an intelligent movement sensor that is activated as soon as thieves attempt to tow the caravan, offering protection in the UK as well as parts of Europe. The unit is armed and disarmed using a key fob operated alarm system. If thieves attempt to tow the caravan when TRACKER Caravan Monitor is armed, a motion alert will be sent to the TRACKER Control Room.

“The Bailey name stands for first class build quality and award winning design and through our partnership with TRACKER we can now bring market leading, added value security to our customers,” says Simon Howard, Marketing Director for Bailey Caravans. “With coverage in France, Spain, Italy, Poland and Russia, TRACKER Caravan Monitor is a highly attractive benefit for caravan owners.

Martin Forro of TRACKER concludes: “Bailey Caravans has chosen TRACKER to bring added value to customers purchasing its ground breaking caravans. Caravan theft is a very real threat and the launch of TRACKER Caravan Monitor offers affordable protection for customers, providing complete peace of mind.”

Another key benefit of a tracking system is that most insurance companies will provide a discount for an active tracking device being in place on your caravan - see http://www.my-caravan-insurance.co.uk/ to compare caravan insurance prices and see how much you could save.

Static caravan deemed too old for caravan park site

A disappointed static caravan owner has warned other holidaymakers to be wary after being told he has to leave a site in the Severn Valley because his mobile home is too old.

Stanley Lamb, aged 83, said he was told his 1990 model caravan was no longer acceptable at the Riverside Park, Little Clevelode, Malvern because it was 20 years old.

Hopefully it will only be a matter of time before an EU law is passed to prevent such blatant caravan ageism!!

Caravan fire in Cheshire makes three in one week

Fire crews were called out at 5.20am on the 2nd November to a caravan fire in Rowton, Chester.

The touring caravan, which was parked on a driveway at a house in Moor Lane, Rowton, was ablaze when the fire service arrived and the caravan was destroyed.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire Service said: “Our main concern was keeping the area safe due to the presence of gas canisters and ensuring the fire did not spread to the property.

“The caravan was well alight when we arrived and there was minimal damage to the house.”

Fire investigators and the police are carrying out an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

There have been a number of caravan fires in recent weeks and owners are reminded to take all necessary precautions to avoid any risks of fires starting.

Caravan sector recovery continues

An improved industry outlook and cost reductions have helped a leading UK caravan retailer boost its profits by almost 20 per cent.

Discover Leisure plc produced an operating profit in each of the six months to August 2010, with a strong sales performance assisted by a rise in demand for leisure vehicles, particularly touring caravans.

Posting its first full year trading results since it underwent a major restructuring, the group posted gross profits of £7.49million - up from £6.29m the previous year.

David Morrow, chairman of Discover, stated that the improved results were attributable to a range of factors stating: " Our supplier relationships are strong and the group has reduced operational losses.

"Net debt is also down significantly following the successful completion of the sales of six of our seven surplus properties.

"An improved industry outlook, with the rate of decline in UK market for leisure vehicles slowing and turning positive in some sectors, for example the tourer market, bodes well for the Group's continued recovery."

The upturn in the touring caravan sector was also recently identified by Swift caravans and so it the outlook is positive for this part of te leisure sector.

Caravanning couple reach rally landmark

Caravan enthusiasts Dave and June Robinson celebrated their 1000th attendance at a caravan club rally since they started holidaying on the road 28 years ago.

Former businessman Dave, 66, and June, 63, an advertising executive, have travelled the length and breadth of Britain towing their touring caravan behind them.

Dave, from North Lodge, Chester-le-Street, County Durham said: “You cannot beat a caravan holiday – the fresh air, the social life, the friendship, we love it. The social life at rallies is excellent, there have even been some romances blossoming over the years.”

Dave’s hobby has occupied a substantial part of his life as, although now retired, he previously ran a business transporting caravans to their owners and is still vice-chairman of the Durham Centre of the Caravan Club of Great Britain.

Man dies in caravan fire

A man has died following a fire in a caravan in Kintore, Aberdeenshire in the early hours of the morning of the 31st October.

Emergency services received reports of a fire at Hillhead Caravan Park in Kintore shortly after 1.00am but unfortunately were too late to save the occupant of the caravan.

The dead man, named as Mark Finnie by neighbours, was found fatally injured inside the caravan. A Grampian police spokesperson said that investigations into the cause of the fire were continuing.

Major expansion plans at Swift

Swift Holdings UK Ltd is seeking permission to build 108 homes on land to the west of Dunswell Road in Cottingham in order to fund the expansion of their business.

Swift, the UK's biggest manufacturer of touring caravans and motorhomes, owns the site which was previously used to manufacture and store caravans.

According to a report to councillors, the sale of the site is expected to raise £6.65m which will finance the construction of new highway improvements and "crucial" expansion of commercial activities.

Hull Council is also backing the development due to its "essential role in securing the expansion of the existing company".

Officers have recommended approval, saying that while the development is relatively high density and on the outskirts of Cottingham, it has a "relatively high quality design" and contains a large area of open space.

Swift is the only company in Europe to manufacture touring caravans, motor homes and holiday homes and the group recently signed a £30m financing agreement with GE Capital to help fund its increase in sales.

The firm cut more than 300 jobs during the downturn but during the past year has added about 200 bringing the workforce back up to 900.

Swift's recovery is reported to have come about as a result of the increasing popularity of holidaying in UK and the weakness of sterling and expects to see sales return to about £200m this year.

New facilities for Staffordshire holiday caravan park

Visitors to a caravan park near Lichfield in Staffordshire will soon be able to enjoy a game of bowls or tennis after proposals to build new facilities were given the go-ahead.

Lichfield District Council planning chiefs approved the plan for a tarmac tennis court and crown green bowls facility at the Kingfisher Holiday Park at Fradley Junction.

The scheme will see the caravan site’s boundary being expanded to accomodate the new features for its guests.

Seton Sands Holiday Park wins Bellamy Award

Seton Sands Holiday Park on the Firth of Forth has received a David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award in recognition of its efforts to boost the environment.

The David Bellamy awards recognise initiatives involved with conservation, recycling, cutting down on waste, and promoting wildlife.

As well as implementing initiatives to be energy efficient, park bosses have organised three beach clean-ups this year and constructed a path which allows customers to explore a nearby meadow.

On hearing the news, park general manager Becky Roberts said “This is fantastic news and my thanks go to the team here who have worked very hard at improving our green credentials”.

The park plans to further improve its energy efficiency by installing more low-energy light bulbs, sensor lighting and increasing its recycling rate.

BMF supports 2011 Boat and Caravan Show

The British Marine Federation (BMF) has confirmed its support of the Boat and Caravan Show on 22-27 February 2011.

Now in its 4th year, the annual event at the Birmingham NEC is increasingly popular with both visitors and exhbitiors alike.

Executive director of the BMF Howard Pridding said "The BMF is pleased to support the Boat and Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham - an increasingly important show in the industry calendar. We look forward to working with Ocean Media to encourage BMF members to exhibit at an event that can help them develop and grow their businesses."

Show director Andy Gibb said "What makes our show unique is that we offer boating exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their products to an audience of new, potential boaters not delivered by any other show in the industry calendar - caravanners, motorhomers and campers. We are delighted to be working with the British Marine Federation, bringing to members a potential audience of over 83,000 visitors."

Theft from caravan in Somerset

Police have appealed for help in identifying these three men following a burglary in Brean.

A grainy CCTV image of the trio has been released by police as they investigate a burglary from a caravan.

A police spokesman said "The three men may be able to help with our enquiries into a case of burglary from a caravan at 12.30pm on 2nd October at a public house premises in Brean". 

Anyone with any information about the three men, who are shown wearing dark clothing, should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555.

Caravan arson attack in Oxfordshire

Fire crews were called out to three suspected arson attacks in Oxfordshire over the weekend, including one attack on a caravan.

On Friday night, a caravan was destroyed in the suspected arson attack near Didcot.  Fire crews from Watlington and Wallingford were called to the A4074 in Preston Crowmarsh at about 6.35am. Firefighters doused two gas cylinders with water to make sure they did not explode but the caravan was completely destroyed.

In separate incidents, firefighters were also called out to car fires in South Oxford and Bicester, one vehicle was completely destroyed and the other severely damaged.

Pidley couple win top caravan site award

David and Jayne Newman, who run the popular Stroud Hill Park near Pidley in Cambridgeshire, won the top caravan site award at the Farmers Weekly Diversification Farmer of the Year 2010.

The couple received the award at the annual ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on the 7th October.

Guests staying at the Newmans’ 60-pitch caravan site on their 62-hectare farm benefit from an award-winning restaurant serving local produce and home-reared meat, as well as the use of fishing lakes and tennis courts.

All development has been carried out with care for the environment in mind, and wildlife diversity encouraged in the native woodland and wetland habitats.

Judges were impressed by the energy shown by Mr and Mrs Newman in researching their ideas and executing them to a high standard.

They commented “David and Jayne have shown outstanding skill and made the most of the resources available. They understand their customer needs and have tailored their business to suit. They have shown huge energy in converting a small family farm into a successful business offering quality recreation and conservation.”

“We were honoured to receive the award from Farmers Weekly,” said Jayne Newman. “Our motivation has always been to keep the family farming business alive and sustainable. The fact that our diversification plans have worked out so successfully, is down to a lot of hard work and a terrific team here at Stroud Hill Park.”

For further details about Stroud Hill Park visit the website at http://www.stroudhillpark.co.uk/

Driver towed 10 in caravan from Stoke to Gwynedd

A motorist who towed a caravan carrying three women and seven children has been banned from driving for two years.

Sameer Mirzar, 46, of Stoke-on-Trent, drove the 10.5ft x 6ft (3m x 1.8m) caravan for about 100 miles (160km) for a picnic in Llanberis, Gwynedd.

Mirzar, who admitted dangerous driving, was stopped by traffic police after other drivers saw the curtains moving.

North Wales Police told Caernarfon magistrates court it was "totally irresponsible behaviour".

The 10 occupants of the caravan included six children aged between five and 14.

The driver, an airline worker from Saudi Arabia, pleaded ignorance of the law and highway code, adding that he would never put his family in a dangerous position.

Sgt Ifan Jones told the court: "It was totally irresponsible behaviour and could have had disastrous consequences.

"The consequences of this caravan overturning or being involved in a collision are unimaginable. It was risking the lives of innocent people unnecessarily".

Mirzar was banned from driving for two years and must retake his test.

He was fined £900 with £215 costs.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/

UK holiday park operator put on the market

Park Holidays UK, one of the country’s longest-established holiday home and caravan groups, has been put up for sale by its majority shareholder.

The private equity firm Graphite Capital led a £130 million MBO/MBI of Park Holidays in January 2006 and now wants to reap its profits after having built up sales to £64 million and increased the number of parks owned by the business from 19 to 25. The six additional holiday parks are all based in Devon and were acquired in three transactions.

The previous owners of Park Holidays UK operated the business under the name of Cinque Ports Leisure and had been steadily building up the business for twenty years before the buyout.

Graphite orchestrated a refinancing of the company in 2007, resulting in substantial windfalls to the shareholders.

The private equity group has appointed PriceWaterhouseCoopers to find a purchaser for the company, which is expected to fetch in the vicinity of £200 million.

The caravan park sector has traditionally been very fragmented, with a relatively small percentage of the estimated 1500 or so sites around the UK in the hands of larger corporate operators. However in the last three to four years a wave of consolidations has begun, including last month’s deal by Kings Park Capital to purchase a £15 million tranche of caravan parks in Cornwall and Yorkshire.

The sector has become even more attractive of late, as the number of Britons choosing to holiday at home rather than travel abroad has risen. The ‘staycation’ trend has been partly attributable to the downturn in the economy and the waning of the pound against the Euro.