If you’ve recovered from some of the sweltering temperatures we’ve had this summer, now might be a good time to kick back and catch up on the latest caravan news and holiday trends.
Here are some of the latest headlines.
Holiday caravan site approved near Ironbridge
The go-ahead has been given by Shropshire Council for the development of a holiday caravan site near the tourist spot of the Gorge World Heritage Site at Ironbridge, revealed the Shropshire Star in its edition on the 24th of August.
The Buildwas Leisure Site– owned and managed by the Montague Property and Marnwood Properties – now has approval for 106 static holiday caravans and 48 lodges.
Concern had previously been expressed about the likely traffic congestion in the area of the 19.6-hectare site near the former Ironbridge Power Station, where there are also plans to build 1,000 new homes.
Dealers prepare for busy month of Warners Shows
Caravan, campervan, and motorhome enthusiasts are in for a bumper month of attractions as show organisers Warners are poised to launch no fewer than three big events during the month of September, reported Out and About Live on the 23rd of August:
- 9th to 11th of September – the South West Motorhome and Campervan Show, to be held at the Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet;
- 23rd to 25th September – the Motorhome and Campervan Show, Season Finale, opens at the Lincolnshire Showground; and
- 30th September to 2nd October – the Malvern Caravan and Motorhome Show is held at the Three Counties Showground in Worcestershire.
Police issue security reminders after recent caravan thefts
On the 24th of August, the Warrington Guardian reported that police patrols are stepping up their response to a spate of thefts and attempted thefts of both caravans and motorhomes in the rural areas in and around Warrington and the smaller communities of Burtonwood, Croft, Lymm, and Winwick.
The Rural Crime Team has invested in an additional, “enhanced caravan scanner” to help in the identification of stolen caravans against a background of mounting reports of thefts in the area – no doubt, encouraged by the successive sunny days of this year’s summer season.
Before you close down the use of your caravan or motorhome for this year, warn the police, make sure that it is securely locked and protected. Specifically, ensure that you have taken from the ‘van or motorhome all items of value, along with any documentation related to the trailer or vehicle.
Lock all doors, windows, and skylights and check that your caravan is registered with an approved identification and tracking scheme. Consider further security measures such as wheel clamps and hitch locks, suggest the police, restrict access to the caravan or motorhome by parking it behind locked gates or bollards and you might even consider installing CCTV.
Caravan owners face a £1,000 fine and 3 points if they don’t follow a relatively unknown mirror law
Do you think you can get away without using towing mirrors when your touring caravan is hitched up? If so, you might want to think again – and save yourself the possibility of a £1,000 fine and three points on your driving licence.
A story in the Mirror newspaper on the 10th of August reminded readers that the law requires the fitting and use of towing mirrors that give you an unobstructed view 4 metres on either side of your caravan and at a distance of 20 metres behind the driver.
When you are no longer towing the caravan, the same law requires that the mirrors are removed.