The future
I have been a member for 3 years now, I don't think i can continue my membership for the years ahead. As a young family i find this club not exactly "family friendly". More to the point, I have been looking at the make up of the people at the head of the table, the council members and commitee.
We live in a diverse country and our nation is much better for that amazing diversity. Unfortunately the club seems to be a relic of the 70s, diversity seems to be something we as a club are unaware of. I'm sure they are all doing a great job but how can we go ahead without our club reflecting the make up of the country and the people they represent. Dont get me started on age groups being represented. I have no idea what ages everyone is, but i don't see young families represented and once again, they can't be ignored. Unless ofcourse the club is for elderly white people only. Again, this is no criticism of those people.
The easy answer is anyone can apply or put themselves forward. But the aptmosphere has to be right, it has to be friendly to people from other groups to be able to apply. Is it? What is the cub doing to encourage more diversity? Younger representation? It has to be more than just a token "anyone can apply". And this direction has to be from the leader, Mr Lomas.
On the basis of the above, I can't continue to be a member when it comes time to renew.
Comments
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I don’t see Ieaving will do anything to heal any division you might feel exists but I entirely get your comments about young families.
It’s ultimately your decision of course. Have you considered the C&CC as an alternative?
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I agree fully with you they are at least 30/40 years behind. They have no chance of changing the attitudes of the membership(the vocal ones) because they have closed minds-its the silent majority that will make a difference but their silence is deafening☹️. It was an uphill struggle for the club just to get a more inclusive name when it introduced the word motorhome to its title. Even now periodically their is a grumble re the name change. Whatever you decide for your future Malnik I wish you well.
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Malnik, I admire and approve of your sentiments, but frankly you don't need to be in any sort of Club to make good use of your Motorhome and enjoy the opportunities for travel which it gives you.
I have met motorhomers in far flung corners of ten or twelve countries - and none of them ever gave a thought of belonging to any Club at all. I envied what they did and where they went - and if I were 40 years younger I would be with them.
Please don't trouble yourself with the make up of this Club - it's just a curious British organisation which meets the needs of some people. I don't think you need this Club, or any other, at all.
Good wishes to you.
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And this direction has to be from the leader, Mr Lomas.
I have an element of sympahy for your post Malnik but some of us have not always been Club members only as oldies. Most joined when the nest was full and have enjoyed the experience even if major holidays were not taken at Club sites because of more thrilling childrens opportunities elsewhere.
Mr Lomas is not the leader, the Excutive Committee set policy, advised by a number of committees and Club Council. Mr Lomas and his team carry policy out. One the problems I see to increased diversification is that other than staff posts the policy forming bodies are served by Club volunteers, co-opted or otherwise, which generally means it is only the retired who have the time to fill these post.
peedee
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Anyone with a young family would only use a Club site if the parents love interacting with them, if parents want to 'dump' them for the day then there are plenty of offerings from the all singing and dancing sites that's like camping in a kids playground.
I have had my share of children, bringing them up and interacting with them but these days I choose the Club sites for the lack of them, probably why I prefer CLs or CSs.
But the main reason both Clubs appeal to me is the other offerings besides the sites, once they are gone or not giving value then I'll be walking also.
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I too agree in essence. But with one other thought. Those who bring about change do move out of their comfort zones. It takes a deal of courage to do so, especially in this day and age, where image, peer pressure and a resistance to change exists far more so than when I was a deal younger.
This particular Club tries in its own way, but it is deeply conservative, reactive rather than pro active, and the white, ageing, economically comfortable does dominate. It is what it is, just a holiday company embraced by on the whole nice people for whom it delivers what is required in one way or another. There are other similar models available, some offering more diversity, some being even more insular.
Before you jump, why not suggest a family, under 40’s sub group be represented at the next AGM? Or any other diversity group you think needs help to become Members? At least it could go both ways, if considered, then from little acorns something big might grow. If it’s not considered, then you can judge if it is a Club you want to pay into?🤔
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The cc have been until just in the last few years,for caravan and motorcaravan owners ,where as the ccc have until recent? years been for tenters which may still be there main market
,It is quite noticeable ,that a lot of newer/younger families are taking up Camping with tents as the tcc have also noted
,and when on sites and speaking (up to this last few months)while at the "men only? washing up areas,the main reasons it seems for many?is costs and lack of parking spaces at home,when a tent and even a small trailer can be stored,1 -
JV, have you ever paused to consider that some of your insights, snippets of information, suppositions drive home the very message that others think about the Club?
Where does the “recent tent” thoughts come from? I camped under canvas with this Club thirty odd years ago. I wash pots with all sexes at the pot wash stations, have done for thirty plus years.
You are jumping to the conclusion younger families are buying tents......no they are not, they are buying campers, caravans and motorhomes as well. Don’t automatically “post hole” people on their age, perceived income or family group make up. Please.
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The last few sites we have been on, both when kids were not in school and when they were, covered all types of camping accommodation. All types were in evidence but without doubt caravans were predominant. Strangely the large C&CC sites we used were about 50/50 caravans to motorhomes and with only a few tents and trailer tents.
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I was young once!!! We started caravanning in our early thirties with two young sons. The Club facilitated our travels both in the UK and in Europe. There is a danger of over thinking some things. As a motorhomer I could see that there might be reasons why the Club doesn't meet your requirements because it is still has the baggage of just being "The Caravan Club" Many of the people that contribute to the running of the Club are volunteers and by the nature of things older people generally have more time so it is not surprising that it seems to be biased towards older people making decisions. Having said that I am sure the Club do have an eye to the future. A couple of examples. They have started to provide more tent pitches which I am sure will be used more by young people. They have also introduced static accommodation of sites which is likely to appeal to a younger customer base. It would be interesting to know where you think the Club has overlooked the obvious?
David
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Good points DK. I had forgotten the alternative accommodation, friends of ours have had to give up their van, after decades touring. But they are still members and rocking the Glamping Pods up at Coniston. They are family friendly, two adults, two children, all mod cons provided.
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jumping to conclusions? you seem to live it seems in as the latest speak Bubble ,and in the many years that we have been members of this club, have seen and noted very many changes in both the membership, and how peoples attitudes have changed towards how they now holiday and what they expect/want for their money,
The tent comments i made are as your comments about other types of LVs,but it is all subjective
The clubs outlook is seems is stiil evolving ,they have had holiday lets for many years on some sites and are now( as many others) putting pods and even Airstream caravans on sites
on siAs you say Please! also take note of when others do not "jump to conclusuions" but put what has been noted on the 200 plus nights away we have until this year spent mostley on cc sites
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Agree with the above comments from DK and TDA, the clubs are making an effort to get a range of accomodation choices on board for the future which means more families can go together and friends can meet up too.
As for putting yourself forward to offer your services how do you know you won't be welcomed unless you try?! I'm sure the club would be pleased to see new faces offering their time and energy.
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I agree our “speak bubbles” (🤔) do differ. I agree the Club has evolved, it’s possibly reached the 1990’s now. But there’s no getting away from the fact that the Membership has aged with it. And it’s still predominantly white, ageing and more affluent than the general population. That’s not the Club’s fault, in many ways it’s possibly a strength. But it’s an invisible barrier that the Club is probably looking to change.
It’s also operating in a much bigger market as well. Lots more alternative provision out there, some very family friendly, some not family friendly at all. We don’t know what the OP truly means or wants from the term diversity. There are many family groups we see happy to be Members, but we also know other families that wouldn’t take Membership if paid. If it’s something beyond “family” then it’s a different aspect of diversity. Perhaps the OP might feel able to contribute more, but if not then that’s ok.
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Following on from that, are you going to join in the online AGM via Zoom, Malnik? It's the ideal place to ask a question about diversity and age groups/families.
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Living in the latest ‘speak bubble’ is far better than the mid to late 20th century ‘speak bubble’, it’s the future that pays/will pay the Bills & ensure survival hence the reasons for inclusivity & not the same old same old. The C&MC are walking a very thin line of trying to please all of the people all of the time. It just ain’t possible.
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Not quite sure how the club can make itself more"family friendly"isn't that in direct relation to geographic/ size of site?. Take Alderstead Heath site for example , it caters for tents , has glamping pods ,has excellent walks from site , good play facilities , Tourer explorer for the youngsters, very close to main transport hubs, though appears to be in the middle of nowhere. Can't disagree with the age demographic , but as someone posted earlier , the more youngsters who put themselves forward for election the better the outcome.
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I would think "walking a very thin line" trying to please even the majority let alone every one ,,,seems to be what very many organisations have been doing for more years than the late 20th century and it is it seems getting thinner with the later generations
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If this was over the last few months i have seen the same thing. I put it down to the facility blocks being closed on the CCC sites i've visited. Caravans and motorhomes have full onboard facilities for the most part. Difficult to shower in a tent.
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I am not sure I understand your post, but our early days 1983/4/5/6with a Camper van included Berwick Seaview, North Ledaig, Market Rasen, Hexham back when it was on network, Yellowcraig, Killin, and a few others now only memories. We might have done Ayr as well, if there’s a Club Site there.....
I have camped at Leyburn a few times, Hexham, Castleton, Wincanton, Fakenham, one or two others.
I don’t recall much about the 1960’s other than my Dad being excited about a football event. I think my pram might have had a flag on it.....
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I was just commenting on some of your post
Racecourse sites "Trax" before the club were asked to run some of them, ,always took tents
Motor caravans were not accepted on cc sites untill sometime in the 1960s
Like wise caravans and much later motor caravans were not accepted on ccc sites
,some one will know the dates
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One C&CC site had facilities open and the other closed but the type of camping unit mix was much the same.
I could not fail to notice one tent with two adults and four kids plus dogs with an extra kitchen tent and what seemed to be a toilet and another shower tent. Dad spent his days trundling barrels between service point and camp
. They had a black bladder hung from a handy tree to heat the shower water. Judging from the kids protests it did not work too well. All good entertainment. 0 -
1935 saw caravans on CCC Sites. It might be your “past”, but for me it’s “history”. Likewise the 1960’s, I was still a babe with a rattle then.
Let’s agree on this current century being considered recent history. Before that is consigned to the sepia tinted nirvana of How it Used To Be.
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Can’t you get some caravans (and motorhomes) with similar built in water features🤣
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