Gone - but not forgotten!
Comments
-
I wonder how many have been lost as against new sites set up by the CC. Its sad to see any site go of course, but some were probably not cost effective - I would think Elvaston would be an example as it flooded rather a lot.
0 -
Not a site, but back in the late 1960's we used to go to the New Forest most weekends and could pitch up virtually anywhere. Mains electric and toilet blocks were virtually unheard of then, so gas and the outside porta potty ruled
0 -
Some of those sites mentioned if I recall where wanted back by the land owner to turn into golf courses. One is now just farm land (Gosford Gardens) and another was Stanford Hall which is still a caravan park.
Can anyone remember the site that was at Wick in Scotland?
The loss of club sites is following that of cl's obviously not on the same scale but nevertheless should give cause for concerns.
A few years ago I believe there was mention of building a new site at Prestwold Park near Loughborough. What happened to the plans for that?
0 -
It's serious point that ttda makes about new sites.
I can't say I'm overjoyed about the direction the club is going in. We need a clear plan of building new sites, with a variety to suit all tastes instead of giving access to commercial sites to piggy back on the club's membership. Members are quite capable of finding these sites themselves if they want to but where is the replacement for Much Wenlock? When are we going to get a site in Essex or on the North Wales coast?
They're not really doing a great deal to encourage families either as the facilities for children tend to be abysmal. Nothing financially to stop them having a site with a bar and lounge areas for those that want them.
If they do get round to it try throwing the existing template away and get some new ideas in. Use energy efficient means for toilet blocks, have more showers than Cubicles, build Wi-Fi friendly areas, proper playgrounds, hedged pitches. Make CC sites an enjoyable place to be rather than the utilitarian places a lot of them are at the moment.
0 -
I would think that the points you make are already well up the "to do list" and most IMHO can been seen in all the upgraded sites that we have visited, With nearly 200 sites and some fifty plus years old,when the only large vans were normally seen behind ford transits, It will always be what can be done with space available, and satisfy an ever increasing demand for pitches,
0 -
I wonder how many have been lost as against new sites set up by the CC. Its sad to see any site go of course, but some were probably not cost effective - I would think Elvaston would be an example as it flooded rather a lot.
Went there a number of times and don't recall flooding?
0 -
I wonder how many have been lost as against new sites set up by the CC. Its sad to see any site go of course, but some were probably not cost effective - I would think Elvaston would be an example as it flooded rather a lot.
Went there a number of times and don't recall flooding?
,,...I do not ever remember it flooding ,it was owned by the council ,it did suffer from vandalism when closed
0 -
It can only be a matter of time before the CC sell off their sites. We've already seen clear evidence of them attempting to do so.
They don't seem to be terribly good at running them efficiently (constantly hiking prices / extending peak periods, taking forever to carry out minor improvements, giving confusing messages to their site managers and leaving them incapable of managing their sites affectively.....etc).
I'd say that within 5 to 10 years the CC will simply be agents for commercial site operators......the first signs of this are here already, with their promotion of certain commercial site chains.
0 -
A few years ago I believe there was mention of building a new site at Prestwold Park near Loughborough. What happened to the plans for that?
I think they decided it wasnt cost effective. Shame though - we were looking forward to having a club site in that area.
I'd say that within 5 to 10 years the CC will simply be agents for commercial site operators......the first signs of this are here already, with their promotion of certain commercial site chains.
I agree Ian - the AS sites paying to be included in the CC listings is not a good omen. The club sites will just become franchised out to the highest bidder.
0 -
Hemel Hempstead (Breakspear Way) was also very vunerable to "problems" from the other frateranty, The council who owened it were in the process of arrangeing to open a new site on , i think, a big new sports complex, with the cc given the lease, but the whole thing fell through because of access and local opposition
0 -
It can only be a matter of time before the CC sell off their sites. We've already seen clear evidence of them attempting to do so.
They don't seem to be terribly good at running them efficiently (constantly hiking prices / extending peak periods, taking forever to carry out minor improvements, giving confusing messages to their site managers and leaving them incapable of managing their
sites affectively.....etc).I'd say that within 5 to 10 years the CC will simply be agents for commercial site operators......the first signs of this are here already, with their promotion of certain commercial site chains.
Ian.. We know what you would say about most things
0 -
It can only be a matter of time before the CC sell off their sites. We've already seen clear evidence of them attempting to do so.
Not seen this 'evidence' any details?
There was a long running thread earlier this year, when JayEss and others spotted that the CC had put forward at least three of their prime sites for redevelopment for housing.
A very lame response was given by CC management, saying it was all a big mistake.......honest.
They then consistenly refused to answer members' questions on the subject.
0 -
It can only be a matter of time before the CC sell off their sites. We've already seen clear evidence of them attempting to do so.
Not seen this 'evidence' any details?
..I think it was the Scare when a firm of estate agents thought it might make money in some councils "local plans"
0 -
It was a lovely ste at Ardgarten.On the river side with views down the loch. We used it a lot and the only one in that area. Noticed it closed and went into disrepair. The CC & C had a site on theother side of the river. No idea why it closed.
They were a heck of a place for midges and ticks in the forest too. They closed as they were going to start up an adventure centre in the youth hostel(?). However it is now posh Cabin site run by Forest Holidays.
https://www.forestholidays.co.uk/locations/scotland-holidays/argyll-holidays
0 -
Coed Helen springs to mind.
Coed Helen Closure
Published: 01 November 2011
Coed Helen Caravan Club Site closed for the winter season yesterday, 31 October. We regret to inform you that the management contract on this site has come to an end and therefore will be removed from the site network for the 2012 season.
Is that the one at Rhayader. Kept intending to visit there but it had gone by the time we got round to it. Think it's now a commercial site.
0 -
Almost sure it was.
Probably right, OH said the same.
Still it's gone, anyway.
0 -
I wonder how many have been lost as against new sites set up by the CC. Its sad to see any site go of course, but some were probably not cost effective - I would think Elvaston would be an example as it flooded rather a lot.
Went there a number of times and don't recall flooding?
Was definitely wet when we were there and the toilet block need a lot of tlc. They also had a lot of problems with the local youths getting in and stealing bikes etc.
0 -
It was a lovely ste at Ardgarten.On the river side with views down the loch. We used it a lot and the only one in that area. Noticed it closed and went into disrepair. The CC & C had a site on theother side of the river. No idea why it closed.
They were a heck of a place for midges and ticks in the forest too. They closed as they were going to start up an adventure centre in the youth hostel(?). However it is now posh Cabin site run by Forest
There used to be three sites at Ardgarten. CC. C&CC and Forestry Commission. Only the Forestry site remains as cabins only. The area used by both the clubs were supposed to become an upmarket hotel complex. The last time I was in the area nothing had happened and both sites were returning to nature.
0 -
Coed Helen springs to mind.
Coed Helen Closure
Published: 01 November 2011
Coed Helen Caravan Club Site closed for the winter season yesterday, 31 October. We regret to inform you that the management contract on this site has come to an end and therefore will be removed from the site network for the 2012 season.
Is that the one at Rhayader. Kept intending to visit there but it had gone by the time we got round to it. Think it's now a commercial site.
Write your comments here...Twas at Caernarfon but the lease expired. It was good for a weekend, able to walk into Caernarfon town and also along the estuary embankment.
0 -
Thanks WN. Then another that's closed is the Rhayader site near Builth Wells. It used to be one of the cheaper, non-facility sites I think. Must have closed at least 4 yrs ago and probably a lot further back..
0 -
Coed Helen springs to mind.
Coed Helen Closure
Published: 01 November 2011
Coed Helen Caravan Club Site closed for the winter season yesterday, 31 October. We regret to inform you that the management contract on this site has come to an end and therefore will be removed from the site network for the 2012 season.
Is that the one at Rhayader. Kept intending to visit there but it had gone by the time we got round to it. Think it's now a commercial site.
Write your comments here...Twas at Caernarfon but the lease expired. It was good for a weekend, able to walk into Caernarfon town and also along the estuary embankment.
Indeed, it was also well sheltered from the wind.
0 -
New sites were discussed when I attended one of those meetings with members of the hierarchy. The Club's response was that it was increasingly difficult and time consuming to find and develop new sites. The short term fix is to provide AS or similar to fill
in gaps in the network. The CC continues to endourage new CLs.There is bound to be a timelag between the closure of a site and the opening of a new one. The CC should not start the work until its has confirmation the site will close on a specific date otherwise it will be accused of site duplication. Then they have
to find a new site, get the appropriate planning permission, possibly fend off Nimbys, and start building. They do work on new sites which are not replacing existing sites that close but even so, say it can take 6 years to open a new site. Having had experience
of building new commercial properties, I can understand why some will take six years or longer.0 -
Much Wenlock is closing too
0 -
It looks like rowan park in bognor regis is going so will only leave littlehampton and brighton on sounth coast
0
