Caravanner of the Year on BBC this April!
Comments
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Well, what a furore, wherever you look on social media. And rightly so. What on Earth is the Caravan Club thinking? You've managed to make all of us caravanners look ridiculous, by putting geeks and eccentrics in front of the cameras! Surely the Caravan
Club should be promoting caravanning and not opening us all up to ridicule and perpetuating old myths. You have perpetuated a widely held view (and one that hitherto has only been promoted by Top Gear) that we are all eccentrics and geeks! The Caravan Club
has truly let us all down. Your Communications Department really has messed up this time. And how you are going to limit the damage with another 'episode' scheduled Heavens only knows. This has done irreparable damage and made fools of the vast majority of
your 'normal' members. You should hang your heads in shame.Write your comments here...
Oh dear. I hope the contestants in last night's programme are not reading these comments. They might well be offended to be called geeks and eccentrics. I know I would. There are all sorts of people who caravan and are members of CC and I don't think
we should be rude about any of them.0 -
Dear Mr Chamberlain,
I drive a motorhome and I am having difficulty lining the centre of my wheels to show the makers logo centred correctly. Will this barr me from club sites.
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What a waste of air time, this could have been such a great TV show, as for the chairman thinking his caravan was a 4 x 4 all terrain vehicle.......well I'm gobsmacked................or was it a BBC stunt !!!! unbelievable !
Anyway in a nut shell we are a laughing stock, thanks CC
With the right down to earth folk and script it could of been brilliant
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For thise who missed the show
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b078cw0t/caravanner-of-the-year-episode-1
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I do wonder how long the club will allow honest comment from their members via this thread. It's not the first time that quite innocent threads discussing senior CC management decisions have mysteriously disappeared.
Once the CC chairman has done the honourable thing and resigned, the CC will be able to continue as before, but hopefully will have taken note of the management failure in partaking in this programme which has spoiled the reputation of the CC in the short term.
K
disappearing threads...its just happened. One member asks for CEO's email, I find it on the www and within minutes of posting it on here, kaboom, it's gone.
He doesnt need to reseign, I'm sure he's very capable. Just needs to address those with complaints. Sorry is such an easy word coupled with an explanation around the why's and what was hoped to be achieved. The shouters and naysayers need addressing, even if it is a difficult set of persons to engage.
I'm sure it would go a long way with the members, complaining or not.
Censorship of threads however just invokes mistrust.
One other thing I need to point out to Mr C is that the caravan club do operate a wonderful towing course which may in future save him any further future embarrassment of destroying the rear of his caravan.
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Dear Mr Chamberlain,
I drive a motorhome and I am having difficulty lining the centre of my wheels to show the makers logo centred correctly. Will this barr me from club sites.
Easy, pop the centre caps out with a screwdriver and then put them back the right way up. I do this everytime I pitch on a CC site, don't you?
It's the little things.I've never thought to arrange my underwear into colour groups but I'll try that in future.
As for using white gloves to check for cleanliness, the last time I saw that was the drill instructor inspecting my kit at RAF Swinderby, just before he threw everthing I'd ironed out of the 1st floor window. Is the Chair ex military I wonder?
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Our chairman has been well pilloried in this thread, and justifiably so! I'm prepared to accept that originally this was entered into with the best of intentions, however, as filming progressed and the programme makers requests became more unlikely, he
should have pulled the club's involvement, not to have done so shows extreme naievity. The question arises: was he under pressure from the DG and the paid management of the club (or company) to continue?Will he resign? - Unlikely
Will anyone do anything about him come the AGM? We'll have to wait and see, but probably unlikely. So we, as members, will get what we deserve.
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I am not a shrinking violet and really don't care what people think about our hobby. But what does concern me is that we all need to use the roads to enjoy our holidays with the van. Lots of other drivers do not have much respect for us at the best of times.
(You should hear some of the comments from the locals in Devon) But when driving skills and silly decisions ( by the Chairman) are portrayed like this it just makes other road users think the worst of us. Good on the ex HGV driver though.0 -
Millie, I feel sorry for the people who agreed, signed up, to compete, but it was their choice, and recent TV programmes always look for the quirky and downright oddball. It should have been used in a positive way, mum and son together having a good time,
nice couple taking care of and still enjoying a wonderful vintage van, two camper types, lovingly embracing the difference that is camper vanning. But no families, no children, just list making obsessives, an anorak toting along his poor old Mum, and three
couples clearly in the wrong Club (vintage and camper vans). The other two, MH and big modern van are the Club's staple fare. I can forgive all the contestants, they have to a certain extent fallen into the "be on TV trap" and did on a few occasions show skill,
determination and ingenuity. but I can't and wont forgive the Club. They had a prime opportunity to show the fun and friendly side of the Club and failed miserably probably putting off the next generation of members.And I would like a clear and honest answer regarding who paid for the damaged caravan. The sort that usually has to be ground out of MPs.
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It was a disgrace. I have had a few calls from friends this morning simply poking fun at our leisure activity. The review in todays Daily Telegraph gave it a poor review with many comments on this forum picking up on the same issues they did. Representative?
Motorhomes outnumbering caravans?I serioulsy hope someone is held to account. I bet the caravan manufacturers and other caravanning clubs are literally sitting in meetings today with their head in theri hands thinking how could you do so much damage to an industry worth Millions.
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It is heartening to see the membership almost totally united in shouting "That is not US!" but remember the programme we cringed through last night was the final cut. That was after Grenvile and Co, the CC marketing people and the caravan manufacturer representatives
had spend over a month cajoling and pleading with the BBC to tone it down. I would love to see the first version!0 -
The grapevine says our Chairman is the head judge!
peedee
Personally, I think whether you agree with the competition or not, it will help raise the profile of caravanning. It sound like it might be good fun to watch. Whether it is good publicity or not?...... well you know what they say....... there's only one
thing worse than bad publicity - that's no publicity at all!!I'm looking forward to watching it.
David
It certainly raised the profile of caravanning. As for publicity always being good. Not on this occasion. I have removed my CC badge in embarrassment.
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I do wonder how long the club will allow honest comment from their members via this thread. It's not the first time that quite innocent threads discussing senior CC management decisions have mysteriously disappeared.
Once the CC chairman has done the honourable thing and resigned, the CC will be able to continue as before, but hopefully will have taken note of the management failure in partaking in this programme which has spoiled the reputation of the CC in the short
term.K
disappearing threads...its just happened. One member asks for CEO's email, I find it on the www and within minutes of posting it on here, kaboom, it's gone.
He doesnt need to reseign, I'm sure he's very capable. Just needs to address those with complaints. Sorry is such an easy word coupled with an explanation around the why's and what was hoped to be achieved. The shouters and naysayers need addressing, even
if it is a difficult set of persons to engage.I'm sure it would go a long way with the members, complaining or not.
Censorship of threads however just invokes mistrust.
One other thing I need to point out to Mr C is that the caravan club do operate a wonderful towing course which may in future save him any further future embarrassment of destroying the rear of his caravan.
Why would they pull the Chairman's email address if it is readily available from other sources on the Internet or has he already resigned and it is no longer a valid email address?
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It is heartening to see the membership almost totally united in shouting "That is not US!" but remember the programme we cringed through last night was the final cut. That was after Grenvile and Co, the CC marketing people and the caravan manufacturer representatives had spend over a month cajoling and pleading with the BBC to tone it down. I would love to see the first version!
Good Point; perhaps they will do an out-take programme. I wonder how many caravans Grenville destroyed before he got it just right.
or how many sucessfull attempts were made, but damage was needed for the entertainment value.
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Well, what a furore, wherever you look on social media. And rightly so. What on Earth is the Caravan Club thinking? You've managed to make all of us caravanners look ridiculous, by putting geeks and eccentrics in front of the cameras! Surely the Caravan
Club should be promoting caravanning and not opening us all up to ridicule and perpetuating old myths. You have perpetuated a widely held view (and one that hitherto has only been promoted by Top Gear) that we are all eccentrics and geeks! The Caravan Club
has truly let us all down. Your Communications Department really has messed up this time. And how you are going to limit the damage with another 'episode' scheduled Heavens only knows. This has done irreparable damage and made fools of the vast majority of
your 'normal' members. You should hang your heads in shame.Write your comments here...
Oh dear. I hope the contestants in last night's programme are not reading these comments. They might well be offended to be called geeks and eccentrics. I know I would. There are all sorts of people who caravan and are members of CC and I don't think
we should be rude about any of them.Sorry but they should have thought about that before taking part, they set themselves up for opinions about them being offered as soon as they signed up for the program. Anybody who doesn't understand the producers of programs (and even your local journalist
of the local rag) won't exploit you to attempt to make a name for themselves at your expense should really look into things properly before taking part in such an excecise.0 -
We too watched this with embarrasment and couldn't believe some of the things, like towing up that hill and damaging the caravan. As for a straight awning: what happens to any rainwater, shouldn't that be able to run off? I won't reiterate what has already been said in nearly 400 posts, but I think it was very bad judgment on the part of the powers that be at the CC.
However, I think there is one person who must have liked it and that is Jeremy Clarkson, bet he hasn't stopped laughing yet!!
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I think the thing that sticks in my mind was the chairman of the club ripping the panel off the back of his van and him saying that it was going to cost 1000 - 2000. If this is the chairman of the club what must the public think of the rest of us? Oh! I loved the comb over! Best I've seen in ages! And to think, I'm taking mine out in 2 weeks time. Why will I feel self conscious?? This has certainly raised heckles - and cackles! Spot the anorak? Of course you did!
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Phew, some passionate posts....
CC brand: Although the show may not enhance the brand I struggle to see what the real impact would be. Will membership fall, will CC sites become empty, will CLs take themself off the network?
Personal brand: Well my friends, etc do not really pass any comment on my lifestyle / hobby and most probably - like when my footie team loses - may give me 5 mins ribbing in the pub.
The general public view: Well I think they have far more important things to be worrying about.
IMHO, it's a TV programme and tomorrow's chip paper that most will not dwell on; or take too seriously.
As always, I do respect the passionate responses from those with differing views.
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I don't expect a response here from the CC, it has never happened in the past so don't expect it now. But seriously, do you think they read these comments and others on CT or do you think they believe the committee is so above us that they really aren't
interested in what we think. After all how have members comments on here ever changed any of their thinking in the past. Club my backside!0 -
We are delighted to announce that our ‘Caravanner of the Year’ competition was filmed by the BBC and will be on
BBC2 on 20 and 27 April!We hope it gets you in the mood for getting out there and enjoying the summer season on our wonderful sites network.
The enthusiasts were faced with a variety of challenges covering activities such as manoeuvring, navigation, hospitality and caravanning knowledge. There was also the precision challenge of the Concours D’Elegance which demanded much polishing and primping
of their vehicles!The first programme will introduce the entrants and whittle them down to the three finalists.
Tune in and watch, and don’t forget to tell your friends and family about it too!
Follow us on Twitter
@CaravanClubCOTY and like our Facebook page
Caravanner of the Year and don’t forget to use the hashtag!
#caravanclubCOTYStill delighted Rochelle?
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Phew, some passionate posts....
CC brand: Although the show may not enhance the brand I struggle to see what the real impact would be. Will membership fall, will CC sites become empty, will CLs take themself off the network?
Personal brand: Well my friends, etc do not really pass any comment on my lifestyle / hobby and most probably - like when my footie team loses - may give me 5 mins ribbing in the pub.
The general public view: Well I think they have far more important things to be worrying about.
IMHO, it's a TV programme and tomorrow's chip paper that most will not dwell on; or take too seriously.
As always, I do respect the passionate responses from those with differing views.
Write your comments here...
Well said Mickx. My views entirely.
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Was that the correct phrase / description? 
