December Magazine

24

Comments

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #32

     

    Of concern must be how the Club covers the changes in legislation. They have to find £1 million. Where do you think that is coming from? I'm pretty sure it won't be from Alan Rogers or travel and insurance!

    peedee

    Concern to who, every business knew it was on the way, no surprises! Where would you prefer it to come from and where not? I'd bet this essential expenditure is already being targeted if not already met!

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #33

    Not the doom, gloom and despondency some often suggest when advocating change!

    Of concern must be how the Club covers the changes in legislation. They have to find £1 million. Where do you think that is coming from? I'm pretty sure it won't be from Alan Rogers or travel and insurance!

    peedee

    Given the clubs cash reserves £1,000,000 is not a problem. To me some of this needs to be used to get more sites for members.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2016 #34

    Not the doom, gloom and despondency some often suggest when advocating change!

    Of concern must be how the Club covers the changes in legislation. They have to find £1 million. Where do you think that is coming from? I'm pretty sure it won't be from Alan Rogers or travel and insurance!

    peedee

    Given the clubs cash reserves £1,000,000 is not a problem. To me some of this needs to be used to get more sites for members.

    .I think thats what is mentioned in the.AGM 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,642 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #35

    Social Complexes Brue, ??.  Does that mean pubs, discos and resturants. Frown    Not for me I'm afraid !

    Cheers ................K

    Nor us... what a waste of cash! There are plenty of Commercial sites offer that sort of thing. 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,642 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #36

    Social Complexes Brue, ??.  Does that mean pubs, discos and resturants. Frown    Not for me I'm afraid !

    Cheers ................K

    Nor for me. 

    Nor us - there are more than enough commercial sites out there providing that type of facility! Sad

    OOPs hadn't read as far as this before I posted the exact same comment. Great minds think alike, MWink

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #37

     

    Of concern must be how the Club covers the changes in legislation. They have to find £1 million. Where do you think that is coming from? I'm pretty sure it won't be from Alan Rogers or travel and insurance!

    peedee

    Concern to who, every business knew it was on the way, no surprises! Where would you prefer it to come from and where not? I'd bet this essential expenditure is already being targeted if not already met!

    It would appear the Club will have little choice but to increase site fees, it said as much a year ago when it did put up prices for 2016, so it will be of concern to many members. Other site operators may or may not have to do the same.

    Am I personal concern, no not particularly.

    As for dipping into reserves, yes you could do that in the short term but it isn't a good way to run a business, income must at least match costs with preferably a return on the outlay.

    peedee

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #38

     

    Personally I don't mind where the profit comes from within the business. Without full details it is difficult to know the full picture. How much site income is spent on improvements, maintenance, future sites etc ......
    oh yes and on better provision for motorhome waste

    corners, just replying to Easys comment where he was obviously having a pop at the club for spending money on something he sees as only of a benefit to MHers.

     

    I wasn’t having a pop at motorhomers BB as I think that the motorhome waste should be updated. Can’t say that I personally look forward to more serviced pitches at £4 a night surcharge.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #39

    It looks as though income will be harder to produce if fewer people are buying new vans (also stated in the AGM) therefore income needs to be increased by site usage. I wonder if some of the price freezes will help the CC compete with other organisations?

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #40

    Not sure the club will have trouble maintaining income if sales of new caravans slows. It probably means people are hanging on to the old ones for longer. The problem for them could be the fall in the pound against the Euro 

    as it could discourage some to go abroad. If I am right there may be some good bargains on the ferries when they see the numbers travelling dropping of.

     

    The clubs insurance is probably the best on the market but it can be higher than the opposition and people will be tempted away if things get tight.

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
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    edited November 2016 #41

    At the end of the day there isn't enough information in the annual report (no doubt deliberately) to allow properly informed comment / criticism.

    For example I suspect Ralliers cost the club quite a bit - but there's no way to be sure on the information available.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #42

    At the end of the day there isn't enough information in the annual report (no doubt deliberately) to allow properly informed comment / criticism.

    I couldn't agree more, it seems to me useful information from the Club is increasingly difficult to come by inspite of all the avenues open to the Club to diseminate it.

    peedee

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #43

    If you go into "my profile" the lead member can view the consolidated accounts via pdf. I discovered this by putting in financial statement into search, I hadn't noticed it was available on "my profile."

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,642 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #44

    That's handy to know, brue. Will have a look and see what I can make of it.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #45

    Happy reading! Winking

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,642 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #46

    Might be a good cure for my insomnia!Wink

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #47

    That's handy to know, brue. Will have a look and see what I can make of it.

    Best of luck, there is no real detail about revenue streams and costs like there used to be.

    peedee

  • PhilMidlands
    PhilMidlands Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited November 2016 #48

    I was pleased to read the AGM questions from the floor, thanks Ted for representing CLs! And also the person who questioned the Caravanner of the Year exploits. However the reply from A. N. Other that she found it amusing and so did others in her office
    probably wont be representative of the potential new members which the club needs to attract.

    Write your comments here...The statement from the floor by the ex very respected chairman was absolutely 'spot on'. The whole competition portrayed us as 'clowns and idiots'. I think Bob was very brave to make the speech at the AGM and spoke the thoughts
    of everyone that I have met who saw the programme. Well done Bob.

  • Surfer
    Surfer Club Member Posts: 1,303
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    edited November 2016 #49

    I was pleased to read the AGM questions from the floor, thanks Ted for representing CLs! And also the person who questioned the Caravanner of the Year exploits. However the reply from A. N. Other that she found it amusing and so did others in her office
    probably wont be representative of the potential new members which the club needs to attract.

    Write your comments here...The statement from the floor by the ex very respected chairman was absolutely 'spot on'. The whole competition portrayed us as 'clowns and idiots'. I think Bob was very brave to make the speech at the AGM and spoke the thoughts
    of everyone that I have met who saw the programme. Well done Bob.

    How do they go about nominating a chairman and then voting in that chairman and not another nominee?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #50

    You can also view the accounts lodged with companies house

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,669 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #51

    BB, quite a few MHers seem to like the serviced pitches, probably as it saves them moving off the pitch if staying for several days.

    Have noticed this at sites such as Chatsworth, Stonehaven, Black Horse Farm, and Barnard Castle.

    Most do not hook up to the services, but presumably like the convenience of their own water and drain very close.

    Could be trying to guarantee a hard standing???

    peedee

    As far as I can remember, Stonehaven and Barnard Castle are all hardstanding, BHF has only a very few grass pitches, and Chatsworth is flat with mainly hardstanding or very short and firm grass....while since we were there.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2016 #52

    BB, quite a few MHers seem to like the serviced pitches, probably as it saves them moving off the pitch if staying for several days.

    Have noticed this at sites such as Chatsworth, Stonehaven, Black Horse Farm, and Barnard Castle.

    Most do not hook up to the services, but presumably like the convenience of their own water and drain very close.

    Could be trying to guarantee a hard standing???

    peedee

    ...But then at the price of M/vans they probably think nothing of the add costWink

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited November 2016 #53

    Oh yes we do.Willvnot consider some of the excessive CC prices. Better options elsewhere. Price of my vehicle bears no relationship to what I consider reasonable usage costs.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited November 2016 #54

    Like it or not CC pitches will mainly be h/standing within a few years. With the boom in Motorhome use and the decline of towed caravans use the need for firm pitchs where M/homes can go out for the day and return will be essential.

    Cheers.................K

    Cheers ..................K 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #55

    I think the club install hard standings on all pitches they can as not only are they better for motorhomes but they are also more likely to remain useable when grass is out of commission. It therefore helps with income and prevents many late cancelations.
    I think as far as the club is concerned grass pitches are on the way out.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2016 #56

    I think the club install hard standings on all pitches they can as not only are they better for motorhomes but they are also more likely to remain useable when grass is out of commission. It therefore helps with income and prevents many late cancelations. I think as far as the club is concerned grass pitches are on the way out.

    ...The problem of putting in hardstandings is the loss of pitches on the site overal,and its more pitches not less that is neaded 

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited November 2016 #57

    Oh yes we do.Willvnot consider some of the excessive CC prices. Better options elsewhere. Price of my vehicle bears no relationship to what I consider reasonable usage costs.

    Im afraid i agree....paying a specific price for one thing doesnt mean youre happy paying a specific price for another....

    i like to weigh up value with each purchase (often this process takes nano seconds, obviously) but i wouldnt consider paying anything extra for a serviced pitch as i dont need one...

    a full fresh fresh tank and our large waste tank is pretty much a serviced pitch as far as im concerned....

    i dont see why serviced pitches should be confined to HS as this means those that want a serviced pitch are taking a HS whether they want one or not...

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
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    edited November 2016 #58

    Oh yes we do.Willvnot consider some of the excessive CC prices. Better options elsewhere. Price of my vehicle bears no relationship to what I consider reasonable usage costs.

    Im afraid i agree....paying a specific price for one thing doesnt mean youre happy paying a specific price for another....

    i like to weigh up value with each purchase (often this process takes nano seconds, obviously) but i wouldnt consider paying anything extra for a serviced pitch as i dont need one...

    a full fresh fresh tank and our large waste tank is pretty much a serviced pitch as far as im concerned....

    i dont see why serviced pitches should be confined to HS as this means those that want a serviced pitch are taking a HS whether they want one or not...

    Of the serviced pitches we have used, 2 have been on grass which for a summer holiday was superb; nothing like the feel of grass under your bare feet. 1 was on a commercial site on the coast in Cornwall, the other near Alto Towers.

    We used a CC serviced pitch at Chatsworth in the summer holidays that was HS as there were no grass serviced pitches available. It was very dusty.

    We've used HS serviced pitches on both CC sites and commercial sites in the wet months. 

    Are there grass serviced pitches on the CC network? As they are our preference for summer time use.

    So much easier to just plug the water hose in and attach the pipe to the manifold that is used for both service drain and waste carrier. Also removes the need to carry 2 containers in the front locker.

    As has been our experience thus far in this caravanning lark, the CC serviced pitches are higher cost than commercials, with Chatsworth being the highest pitch fees we have paid to date at £40 per night. Wet season the gap is closer at £4.

    We used a serviced HS (50) at Littlehampton CC site the other weekend. There are several grass pitches that abutt at the rear with serviced HS pitches ie 52, 53, 59-62 and 68-70. It would be minor works to put extra taps on the water point and grid on the
    drains to make these serviced grass pitches for dry season use and would make us want to book them. 

    Littlehampton can't be the only site with an easy method to provide serviced grass pitches.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #59

    I think the club install hard standings on all pitches they can as not only are they better for motorhomes but they are also more likely to remain useable when grass is out of commission. It therefore helps with income and prevents many late cancelations.
    I think as far as the club is concerned grass pitches are on the way out.

    ...The problem of putting in hardstandings is the loss of pitches on the site overal,and its more pitches not less that is neaded 

    Can't see why that should be the case. Pitch seperation should be the same generally except grass pitches may take up more space to allow for the prgs to be moved slightly to avoid damage to grass pitches.

  • N1805
    N1805 Forum Participant Posts: 1,092
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    edited November 2016 #60

    Oh yes we do.Willvnot consider some of the excessive CC prices. Better options elsewhere. Price of my vehicle bears no relationship to what I consider reasonable usage costs.

    Im afraid i agree....paying a specific price for one thing doesnt mean youre happy paying a specific price for another....

    i like to weigh up value with each purchase (often this process takes nano seconds, obviously) but i wouldnt consider paying anything extra for a serviced pitch as i dont need one...

    a full fresh fresh tank and our large waste tank is pretty much a serviced pitch as far as im concerned....

    i dont see why serviced pitches should be confined to HS as this means those that want a serviced pitch are taking a HS whether they want one or not...

    Of the serviced pitches we have used, 2 have been on grass which for a summer holiday was superb; nothing like the feel of grass under your bare feet. 1 was on a commercial site on the coast in Cornwall, the other near Alto Towers.

    We used a CC serviced pitch at Chatsworth in the summer holidays that was HS as there were no grass serviced pitches available. It was very dusty.

    We've used HS serviced pitches on both CC sites and commercial sites in the wet months. 

    Are there grass serviced pitches on the CC network? As they are our preference for summer time use.

    So much easier to just plug the water hose in and attach the pipe to the manifold that is used for both service drain and waste carrier. Also removes the need to carry 2 containers in the front locker.

    As has been our experience thus far in this caravanning lark, the CC serviced pitches are higher cost than commercials, with Chatsworth being the highest pitch fees we have paid to date at £40 per night. Wet season the gap is closer at £4.

    We used a serviced HS (50) at Littlehampton CC site the other weekend. There are several grass pitches that abutt at the rear with serviced HS pitches ie 52, 53, 59-62 and 68-70. It would be minor works to put extra taps on the water point and grid on the
    drains to make these serviced grass pitches for dry season use and would make us want to book them. 

    Littlehampton can't be the only site with an easy method to provide serviced grass pitches.

     I also found your discussion on UK sites & touring similar to this

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2016 #61

    I think the club install hard standings on all pitches they can as not only are they better for motorhomes but they are also more likely to remain useable when grass is out of commission. It therefore helps with income and prevents many late cancelations. I think as far as the club is concerned grass pitches are on the way out.

    ...The problem of putting in hardstandings is the loss of pitches on the site overal,and its more pitches not less that is neaded 

    Can't see why that should be the case. Pitch seperation should be the same generally except grass pitches may take up more space to allow for the prgs to be moved slightly to avoid damage to grass pitches.

    ..Putting in Hardstandings including  grass strips normally means two H/stands from three grass pitches,