Caravanner of the Year on BBC this April!
Comments
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I agree with you Tin Wheeler. The program was a comedy of errors, and caused a lot of laughter. Had it been an episode of Boomers we would all be praising the program. Sadly it was not billed as a comedy, fun yes, however there is a difference between
fun and comedy. This program was a right royal farce.0 -
I used to be proud ofthe CC and not anyone say a bad word about it, but, when it makes so say devolted CC caravanners into fools, its wrong!
As many have found out today, there are elite and valued members, and then there are members who do not count within the CC. I have found that I am classed by the CC at the bottom of the pile!
If I had a £80,000 set up, would I be accepted and allowed on sites, I would also be invited to appear on TV shows, because I would be part of the 'look at me, I am the big I amI I too would probably jumped through hoops to get my 15 seconds of fame again, just like those on that TV showed did! But does it do the CC's name any good?
why was I not chosen??
Is it because I drive a 9 year old car and tow a 23 year old caravan that I am separated within the Caravan Club!
also, being single, would I have been chosen to take part? I doubt it! I can't even get a booking on a site without it being cancelled!
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Tin wheeler you are missing the point we could be on a pedestal but are not and really enjoy our hobby and the people we meet from all walks of life. We do not want the Club to be elitist and can't believe how seriously some people take a fun programe that
when all said and done has shown our hobby as fun and diverse. For some members to attack people who have taken the time to enter when they have not is beyond belief (or maybe they did enter but did not get through )Thats quite a climb down from your earlier stance. Nowhere have I criticised the people who took part - let's be absolutely clear on that.
My gripe, like that of a lot of others, is that this was billed as a serious competition and that is the point
you are missing. There is a difference between fun and farce and CC allowed it to become a fiasco with the Chaiman looking less than clever. Do you not think that I enjoy the same on site experiences as you? Elitism tends to come from those
who cause offence to others while boasting about what they have and there is no way that I am elitist.how is it a climb down when all I have done is reliterate what I previously posted please read my whole post before you jump on my back for stating a fact of what type of unit we have and if you must please get your facts right the car we have is not the
camping equipment the van is and at no point did I say you specifically where elitist or did not enjoy our hobby but some previous posters have taken this item far too seiously " asking the CEO" to resign.Well there you go. If you can't see why I called your outfit 'camping equipment' or the difference in stance between your two posts then I'm afraid you doubly convince me that you, yourself, well and truly fit the age old image of a CC member - one most
of us had hoped to have vanished for ever.0 -
I agree with you Tin Wheeler. The program was a comedy of errors, and caused a lot of laughter. Had it been an episode of Boomers we would all be praising the program. Sadly it was not billed as a comedy, fun yes, however there is a difference between
fun and comedy. This program was a right royal farce.Nail on head, LR.
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The Gogglebox families seemed to enjoy the programme!
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The Gogglebox families seemed to enjoy the programme!
Indeed they did. They thought it was a hilarious farce.
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The Daily Mail - 1 star out of 5. I personally wouldn't say this was a positive review
A new cliche is born. We now have an expression that means something is even more boring than ‘watching paint dry’ or ‘watching grass grow’. The Beeb has invented a format that is literally as dull as watching a caravan reversing.
Caravanner Of The Year (BBC2) didn’t feature just one vehicle travelling slowly backwards. It showed us six of them. And they had to do it twice — once around a hay bale, and once around a tree. And then through a gate.
Moreover, this proved the most important part of the programme. It was billed as a contest between half a dozen couples, ardent caravanners all, to discover who was most at home with life as a holiday nomad.
They would be tested on their ability to thrive in a mobile cubicle, cooking on hobs and washing in buckets, while withstanding the worst of the British summer weather. Extra marks, we were promised, would be awarded for arcane caravan knowledge
and chintzy decor.But the producers had no idea how to evoke that atmosphere. They tried a cheesy soundtrack, the likes of Swinging Safari and Herb Alpert’s Spanish Flea. They invited each couple to give us a guided tour of their prized vans, with the camera zooming
in to capture every knick-knack and Formica surface.And there was plenty of Carry On Caravanning smut, as the contestants wrestled to pitch tented extensions to their living quarters. The campsite rang with fruity cries: ‘We’ve got an erection!’ ‘We’ll give it a bit of a tug!’ ‘We don’t do droopy!’
‘That’s a taut awning!’
But none of it worked. This was all as ill-judged as a barbecue weekend at Skegness in February.No one regretted it more than the chairman of the Caravan Club, Grenville Chamberlain, who tried to demonstrate the best way to tow a van up a muddy slope and ended up ripping the bumper off the back of his deluxe chalet-on-wheels. His pride and
glory was mangled — and it happened on TV. Never has a Caravan Club chairman looked so crestfallen.0 -
Tin wheeler you are missing the point we could be on a pedestal but are not and really enjoy our hobby and the people we meet from all walks of life. We do not want the Club to be elitist and can't believe how seriously some people take a fun programe that
when all said and done has shown our hobby as fun and diverse. For some members to attack people who have taken the time to enter when they have not is beyond belief (or maybe they did enter but did not get through )Thats quite a climb down from your earlier stance. Nowhere have I criticised the people who took part - let's be absolutely clear on that.
My gripe, like that of a lot of others, is that this was billed as a serious competition and that is the point
you are missing. There is a difference between fun and farce and CC allowed it to become a fiasco with the Chaiman looking less than clever. Do you not think that I enjoy the same on site experiences as you? Elitism tends to come from those
who cause offence to others while boasting about what they have and there is no way that I am elitist.how is it a climb down when all I have done is reliterate what I previously posted please read my whole post before you jump on my back for stating a fact of what type of unit we have and if you must please get your facts right the car we have is not the
camping equipment the van is and at no point did I say you specifically where elitist or did not enjoy our hobby but some previous posters have taken this item far too seiously " asking the CEO" to resign.Well there you go. If you can't see why I called your outfit 'camping equipment' or the difference in stance between your two posts then I'm afraid you doubly convince me that you, yourself, well and truly fit the age old image of a CC member - one most
of us had hoped to have vanished for ever.As a new member (2 years) how can I disappear when I have only just arrived it seems to me that if I have my own opinion and do not agree with the Usual Suspects of how it's always been then I am up for all the verbal abuse that has previously been
directed at Granville well bring it on. We find all the Club sites we have visited ( over 30 in 2 years) to be clean well laid out and very good value for money and would highly recommend the CC to anyone.0 -
I think this discussion - as often us the case - is getting away from the crux of the issue. since when does expressing an opinion about this programme suggest that person doesn't enjoy their caravanning, or using club sites and meeting other members? Those
are separate issues. My take on it is the programme title and being supported by the CC suggested some degree of serious intent. It clearly wasn't intended to be taken seriously - which in itself I also don't mind. Maybe the CC genuinely thought they were
promoting it as a bit of fun. However I do mind when the chairman of the CC for which I pay to be a member behaves in the way he did. The comment about his crockery was cringeworthy enough without the off reading antics and simply sends out wrong messages
To young families the club should be encouraging into the fold and those who struggle to afford to shop in ikea to equip their 'vans. I accept the club have responded to the forum comments however that response does not address many concerns being expressed
and so has simply compounded the situation. There is a saying about holes and digging, perhaps the CC should take note.....0 -
Tin wheeler you are missing the point we could be on a pedestal but are not and really enjoy our hobby and the people we meet from all walks of life. We do not want the Club to be elitist and can't believe how seriously some people take a fun programe that
when all said and done has shown our hobby as fun and diverse. For some members to attack people who have taken the time to enter when they have not is beyond belief (or maybe they did enter but did not get through )Thats quite a climb down from your earlier stance. Nowhere have I criticised the people who took part - let's be absolutely clear on that.
My gripe, like that of a lot of others, is that this was billed as a serious competition and that is the point
you are missing. There is a difference between fun and farce and CC allowed it to become a fiasco with the Chaiman looking less than clever. Do you not think that I enjoy the same on site experiences as you? Elitism tends to come from those
who cause offence to others while boasting about what they have and there is no way that I am elitist.how is it a climb down when all I have done is reliterate what I previously posted please read my whole post before you jump on my back for stating a fact of what type of unit we have and if you must please get your facts right the car we have is not the
camping equipment the van is and at no point did I say you specifically where elitist or did not enjoy our hobby but some previous posters have taken this item far too seiously " asking the CEO" to resign.Well there you go. If you can't see why I called your outfit 'camping equipment' or the difference in stance between your two posts then I'm afraid you doubly convince me that you, yourself, well and truly fit the age old image of a CC member - one most
of us had hoped to have vanished for ever.As a new member (2 years) how can I disappear when I have only just arrived it seems to me that if I have my own opinion and do not agree with the Usual Suspects of how it's always been then I am up for all the verbal abuse that has previously been
directed at Granville well bring it on. We find all the Club sites we have visited ( over 30 in 2 years) to be clean well laid out and very good value for money and would highly recommend the CC to anyone.Once again, you have missed the point/points. I said nothing about you, personally, vanishing. This debate has nothing to do with CC sites. That is completely off topic.
You are fully entitled to your own opinion and I will defend your right to hold it. What I won't defend or condone is the putting down of other posters as you did in your first post on pg78. Telling people to get a life and that they belong in the House
of Lords is not being respectful to other posters which is in breach of the guidelines. Similarly telling people how well off you are in terms of your outfit could be seen as insensitive and undiplomatic. Do you now understand why I said what I did?In terms of the issue under discussion in this thread, I have made my opinion of CC's behaviour clear to you. You disagree which is fine but please do not resort to the type of comments you made earlier simply because you disagree with my view as you have
done exactly what you suggest of others.0 -
I think this discussion - as often us the case - is getting away from the crux of the issue. since when does expressing an opinion about this programme suggest that person doesn't enjoy their caravanning, or using club sites and meeting other members? Those
are separate issues. My take on it is the programme title and being supported by the CC suggested some degree of serious intent. It clearly wasn't intended to be taken seriously - which in itself I also don't mind. Maybe the CC genuinely thought they were
promoting it as a bit of fun. However I do mind when the chairman of the CC for which I pay to be a member behaves in the way he did. The comment about his crockery was cringeworthy enough without the off reading antics and simply sends out wrong messages
To young families the club should be encouraging into the fold and those who struggle to afford to shop in ikea to equip their 'vans. I accept the club have responded to the forum comments however that response does not address many concerns being expressed
and so has simply compounded the situation. There is a saying about holes and digging, perhaps the CC should take note.....Good post, Flatcoat.
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Tin wheeler you are missing the point we could be on a pedestal but are not and really enjoy our hobby and the people we meet from all walks of life. We do not want the Club to be elitist and can't believe how seriously some people take a fun programe that
when all said and done has shown our hobby as fun and diverse. For some members to attack people who have taken the time to enter when they have not is beyond belief (or maybe they did enter but did not get through )Thats quite a climb down from your earlier stance. Nowhere have I criticised the people who took part - let's be absolutely clear on that.
My gripe, like that of a lot of others, is that this was billed as a serious competition and that is the point
you are missing. There is a difference between fun and farce and CC allowed it to become a fiasco with the Chaiman looking less than clever. Do you not think that I enjoy the same on site experiences as you? Elitism tends to come from those
who cause offence to others while boasting about what they have and there is no way that I am elitist.how is it a climb down when all I have done is reliterate what I previously posted please read my whole post before you jump on my back for stating a fact of what type of unit we have and if you must please get your facts right the car we have is not the
camping equipment the van is and at no point did I say you specifically where elitist or did not enjoy our hobby but some previous posters have taken this item far too seiously " asking the CEO" to resign.Well there you go. If you can't see why I called your outfit 'camping equipment' or the difference in stance between your two posts then I'm afraid you doubly convince me that you, yourself, well and truly fit the age old image of a CC member - one most
of us had hoped to have vanished for ever.As a new member (2 years) how can I disappear when I have only just arrived it seems to me that if I have my own opinion and do not agree with the Usual Suspects of how it's always been then I am up for all the verbal abuse that has previously been
directed at Granville well bring it on. We find all the Club sites we have visited ( over 30 in 2 years) to be clean well laid out and very good value for money and would highly recommend the CC to anyone.Once again, you have missed the point/points. I said nothing about you, personally, vanishing. This debate has nothing to do with CC sites. That is completely off topic.
You are fully entitled to your own opinion and I will defend your right to hold it. What I won't defend or condone is the putting down of other posters as you did in your first post on pg78. Telling people to get a life and that they belong in the House
of Lords is not being respectful to other posters which is in breach of the guidelines. Similarly telling people how well off you are in terms of your outfit could be seen as insensitive and undiplomatic. Do you now understand why I said what I did?In terms of the issue under discussion in this thread, I have made my opinion of CC's behaviour clear to you. You disagree which is fine but please do not resort to the type of comments you made earlier simply because you disagree with my view as you have
done exactly what you suggest of others.Ok Tinwheeler to say your quote about you, yourself were the exact type of member you hoped would disappear was not directed at me personally I find incredible but hey how life is too short. We have different opinions and that is the beauty of a democracy.
I have now spent too much of my time on here for tonight and wish all my fellow members of the Cc a good night.0 -
If its caravanner of the year then only caravans/trailers towed by a vehicle should have been included
Write your comments here...I agree, it certainly was not a realistic comparison when our ex trucker colleague navigated the roundabout with his Jeep and twin axle and the VW Camper guys pushed their mini trailer " oh we never reverse with it" ...how do you
compare that? When the ladies were asked to drive when most had allegedly never towed it got rather stupid..however it gave Andy something to giggle about.0 -
Once again, you have missed the point/points. I said nothing about you, personally, vanishing. This debate has nothing to do with CC sites. That is completely off topic.
You are fully entitled to your own opinion and I will defend your right to hold it. What I won't defend or condone is the putting down of other posters as you did in your first post on pg78. Telling people to get a life and that they belong in the House of Lords is not being respectful to other posters which is in breach of the guidelines. Similarly telling people how well off you are in terms of your outfit could be seen as insensitive and undiplomatic. Do you now understand why I said what I did?
In terms of the issue under discussion in this thread, I have made my opinion of CC's behaviour clear to you. You disagree which is fine but please do not resort to the type of comments you made earlier simply because you disagree with my view as you have done exactly what you suggest of others.
Ok Tinwheeler to say your quote about you, yourself were the exact type of member you hoped would disappear was not directed at me personally I find incredible but hey how life is too short. We have different opinions and that is the beauty of a democracy. I have now spent too much of my time on here for tonight and wish all my fellow members of the Cc a good night.
Goodnight, smj, but I'm afraid you've still misunderstood. Sleep on it, eh?
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For those of you who didn't actually contact the CC directly; this is the reply I've just received.
Thank you for your email. We appreciate you taking time to contact The Club and we have taken on board the points that you raise.
Reviews of the Caravanner of The Year programme in the national media have been, in the very large majority, positive. The amount of coverage that we have received equates to over 30 million of the general public having had the opportunity to see, hear or read
about The Caravan Club – this is unprecedented in The Club’s history. BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show presenter, Chris Evans, talked positively about the programme, two days in a row. The day after the programme he said ‘what a show… it was brilliant last night…
we’ve got another Bake Off on our hands’. The BBC One Show also invited participants, their vehicles and judges to be on the show where we took the opportunity to talk about the many benefits of our pastime and encouraged people to get out and explore the
great outdoors.The overwhelming sentiment on social media following the airing of the programme was positive, and we ranked fourth in Twitter trends on the night. Many of our industry colleagues in caravan and motorhome manufacturing and retail have actively engaged in
supporting this initiative.We appreciate your feedback and we are sorry you were disappointed with the programme.
Write your comments here...... and that is word for word the same as the response that I received. It beggars belief that those in HQ actually believe that the Mackey taking press and commentators are actually commentating positively.
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Do not watch Google box but as some claimed the contributors liked it.
Well yes they likes it as entertainment, as a comedy , to be laughed at .
That is the point it was not a supposed to be laughed at, or be perceived as a comedy. The Caravan club promoted and advertised the program as a serious programme ,not a TV version of Carry on Camping
If you promote something as a serious programme, then it is perceived as comedy to be laughed at , like it or not, accept it or not , you go it wrong.
It was like an episode of FawltyTowers, with the Caravan club Chairman taking John Cleeses part.
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Typical response from HO. They must be right, you the members and experienced caravaners must all be wrong. To quote Chris Evans as an advocate of Caravaning says it all. He must have been wringing his hands thinking " I can out do Clarkson" with this sort
of programme for my Top Gear. The club's sole purpose seems to be to keep an over staffed, blighted. out of touch HO operation in force with highly paid jobs. Dont bother with the boring basics but waste time and monies on trivia.0 -
The Goggle Box contributers certainly found it amusing when GC ripped the back off his caravan.
Watched all of Gogglebox last night , didn't see this DD ?
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Perhaps you should save your vote until the club publishes its yearly accounts and membership numbers, (I have no knowledge as to whether they publish membership totals, just guessing), if either decline due to COTY then yes, vote for a new board, but surely
if the finances and membership numbers are both increasing then this is a sign that the board are doing a good job?The Chairman is only a figurehead and the person who has real control is the MD.
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We watched it the afternoon and tend to agree with Alison's view. People who expected it to be a serious view of caravanning and the Club were bound to be on a hiding to nothing. I just can't believe that so many people are so unhappy about a light entertainment
programme. It will never win any awards but I thought it showed caravanning it a reasonably positive light and pointed out quite clearly that its not as easy as it looks.David
It was never intended as a light program and was supposed to be a serious competition. What is light heartee about trying to drive up a hammock and then ripping the rear end off your caravan? You are defending the indefensible!
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The i newspaper viewed it as "light relief" and the Telegraph said "lets turn the camera off and leave them to it next time." It was comic, boring and silly in various degrees. Was the GC "bump" stage managed, that would be the editing style
of the BBC then? Will I watch the concluding programme, yes....will I worry about it or make a an argument on here about it no. It was just another fairly low budget entertainment programme.0 -
Have I been humiliated by a TV programme? Am I ashamed to get my caravan out of the shed? Is everyone in the district laughing at me? Am I going to vote against the Chairman, cancel all my bookings and then resign go from the Club? Well, of course not,
even though a lot of silly people on here have said they are. What a fuss.0 -
The Chairman is only a figurehead and the person who has real control is the MD.
Well I don't know how typical the CC is of a normal business but it is true that the MD has day to day control of the business.
But a Chairman is in charge of the Board of Directors. The Board set the strategy/policy/high level targets of the business and the MD carries out their wishes. The MD is answerable to the Board. So in any normal business the Chairman is far more than a figurehead, he is the ultimate "boss" answerable to the shareholders/members. But then again I've not believed the CC is well managed for years, so the CC may not be normal!
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Being a grumpy old bloke and dedicated caravanner, I initially got quite annoyed with Clarkson et al when they set off on one of their many caravanning jaunts and destroyed the vans but they set off to entertain and amuse and eventually I did giggle and
laugh!However, the programme we watched was titled 'Caravanner of The Year' and that's what we expected. There were some elements of skill involved (could I reverse around a tree - dunno, never tried) but on the whole it was appalling TV and I'm not really sure
what EG is referring to when they point out how well it was received. I would love them to back their statements up with evidence. However, it was just another pointlessTV programme.0 -
Have I been humiliated by a TV programme? Am I ashamed to get my caravan out of the shed? Is everyone in the district laughing at me? Am I going to vote against the Chairman, cancel all my bookings and then resign go from the Club? Well, of course not,
even though a lot of silly people on here have said they are. What a fuss.Write your comments here...it was dire and my OH made me watch it,so when the next episode is on I shall tell her that I have got something better to do -such as going down to the pub .I will not be throwing my Teddy out of the cot about it though.
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