Fresh water yes or no?

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  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #242

    For what it's worth, can I summarise how I would deal with the op's question if I were a warden:

    Some sites have a problem with a certain group of caravan users who tend not to pay for pitching, but would like to use the facilities.

    If I was approached by someone looking for pitch and I didn't have one spare - based on me having walked the site many times that day, not just on whatever the computer said - I would assess whether they fell into the above group (not difficult, especially
    if they were hoping to pay for a pitch) and if they weren't, I would let them empty their waste and fill their water (probably escorting them) and suggest a contribution to the flower fund / RNLI / local charity etc.

    Then I would wish them luck in finding a site (after looking for availability on other local CC sites) and telling them when I would have availability, if they'd like to come back.

    Job done.

    ..Would you like to volunteer on a site and see what its really like trying to "placate" the.modern "holiday" personWink

    Whats a 'modern holiday person' and why would you want to placate them if they were dealt with as in the above suggestion and as in TTDA's experiences?

    surely, they would respond in the manner that they had been treated.....something like..."thanks a lot for the water and the toilet emptying, here's a few quid for the Lifeboat Fund, have a great day"....

    not really an issue, is it?....

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited August 2016 #243

    In my experience.....no, it isn't an issue.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2016 #244

    For what it's worth, can I summarise how I would deal with the op's question if I were a warden:

    Some sites have a problem with a certain group of caravan users who tend not to pay for pitching, but would like to use the facilities.

    If I was approached by someone looking for pitch and I didn't have one spare - based on me having walked the site many times that day, not just on whatever the computer said - I would assess whether they fell into the above group (not difficult, especially
    if they were hoping to pay for a pitch) and if they weren't, I would let them empty their waste and fill their water (probably escorting them) and suggest a contribution to the flower fund / RNLI / local charity etc.

    Then I would wish them luck in finding a site (after looking for availability on other local CC sites) and telling them when I would have availability, if they'd like to come back.

    Job done.

    ..Would you like to volunteer on a site and see what its really like trying to "placate" the.modern "holiday" personWink

    Whats a 'modern holiday person' and why would you want to placate them if they were dealt with as in the above suggestion and as in TTDA's experiences?

    surely, they would respond in the manner that they had been treated.....something like..."thanks a lot for the water and the toilet emptying, here's a few quid for the Lifeboat Fund, have a great day"....

    not really an issue, is it?....

    ..You do like your jokes Undecided

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #245

    It's all to do with the approach I find, be polite, be realistic in your expectations, understand both sides of an issue.

    I remember the evening at Exeter when a passing van called in, and wanted to park up and use facilities despite Warden telling them site was full. Next day brought complete mayhem, full on Traveller invasion, swearing, assault, Police on site, tourers leaving
    by the dozen. Not saying that the case put by the OP was Travellers, far from it obviously, but sometimes experiences can lead to a wary approach.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #246

    It's all to do with the approach I find, be polite, be realistic in your expectations, understand both sides of an issue.

    I remember the evening at Exeter when a passing van called in, and wanted to park up and use facilities despite Warden telling them site was full. Next day brought complete mayhem, full on Traveller invasion, swearing, assault, Police on site, tourers leaving
    by the dozen. Not saying that the case put by the OP was Travellers, far from it obviously, but sometimes experiences can lead to a wary approach.

    ....agreed, but wouldnt the production of a membership card (and verification of same) ease the conversation along the 'right' path....Happy

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #247

    It can and it does! But we were not trying to drive onto the sites of course.

    I can understand the person who was refused being miffed, which they obviously were reading the MF thread, but they just got rather caught out badly, perhaps forgetting this is UK and not the more relaxed Continent. Never been, but I understand sites are
    few and far between in Northern Scotland, so planning needs to be good? I would just have found a cemetery as I said earlier. Most have taps, for flowers etc.., then grey waste down a culvert, can't do much regarding elsan unless you find a public loo ( which
    admittedly are either scarce or locked at dusk!). It's all in the planning!Happy

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2016 #248

    I do know some wardens who would look after a member in this situaton but most will tow the party line

    Wardens are people. I suspect tha tmost people would, when somebody wanted to book in but the site was full, accomodate them with both waste and water

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #249

    The site this event occurred at was described as remote and far from any other. If it was Altnaharra CC site, which fits the bill, a MH arriving and collecting water from the one ordinary service point (no MHSP there) then leaving again would be very noticeable on such a small site. Whilst it wouldn't bother most of us, you can bet that someone would complain to CC and drop the warden in it for breaching policy so the warden might have been exercising some self preservation tactics.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2016 #250

    It's all to do with the approach I find, be polite, be realistic in your expectations, understand both sides of an issue.

    I remember the evening at Exeter when a passing van called in, and wanted to park up and use facilities despite Warden telling them site was full. Next day brought complete mayhem, full on Traveller invasion, swearing, assault, Police on site, tourers leaving by the dozen. Not saying that the case put by the OP was Travellers, far from it obviously, but sometimes experiences can lead to a wary approach.

    ....agreed, but wouldnt the production of a membership card (and verification of same) ease the conversation along the 'right' path....Happy

    ...No as the travelling fraternety have "membership cards",

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2016 #251

    I can regail another wardens experiance ,from a site in Kent (not cc now) when a couple arrived saying they were on another site but could they come to this site,as where they were was not suitable, it was lucky that a member who was on site came in and said there were 7 Traveller vans parked on the aproach road to the site,the "couple"then started to get agressive to both the warden and the members saying they were coming anyway as it said on the site entrance non members welcome,the warden phoned the police and the very brave member backed his car blocking the entrance,if the travellers had got on it would have been a real problem,but as the entrance was blocked they left after the police arrived,

     

    Ps If travellers are in the area or have been moved off some where I understand that all site in the area are now put on alert by the outhorities? i know when the Horse fair at Stow on the Wold is coming up all site in the area are "reminded"Wink 

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2016 #252
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  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #253

    So this thread has gone from a member asking for some water to a full blown site invasion of certain typesUndecided

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,390 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #254

    If you can find a copy of the March 2005 mag, in the Council's report published in it, it clearly stated "the Club would not allow motorcaravanners to call at its sites simply to empty tanks and replenish water supplies and then move on." The reason given was it encouraged wild camping.

    I don't have a copy of the magazine but I know this because I had an exchange of views with the club over it.

    I also recall the then Chairman Bob Black, addressing a meeting  in Italy made a similar statement against the setting up of aires.

    peedee

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited August 2016 #255

    At Brighton site they regularly have to fend off certain types.....

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2016 #256
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  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #257

    The site this event occurred at was described as remote and far from any other. If it was Altnaharra CC site, which fits the bill, a MH arriving and collecting water from the one ordinary service point (no MHSP there) then leaving again would be very noticeable
    on such a small site. Whilst it wouldn't bother most of us, you can bet that someone would complain to CC and drop the warden in it for
    breaching policy so the warden might have been exercising some self preservation tactics.

    Have you seen this policy TW?

    Of course not. I'm referring to the information given to the complainant by CC which I mentioned earlier. Unless we start doubting her veracity, we have to take it as being correct at that time.

    See also PD's post.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #258

    So this thread has gone from a member asking for some water to a full blown site invasion of certain typesUndecided

    it's a little deeper than that I think HD. A member of another forum, who rarely posts on here, cherry picking a two year old post from elsewhere, and throwing it into the CT cauldron, to see what else will be tossed into the witches brew, and giving it
    the odd stir when needed. They are quite within their rights to post of course, as is any Tom, Dick, Harry or none member on this open forum. But it is still a somewhat sophisticated method of getting members to comment on Wardens, and CC generally, and no
    doubt having a bit of a laugh at the posts and debates generated. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2016 #259

    If you can find a copy of the March 2005 mag, in the Council's report published in it, it clearly states "the Club would not allow motorcaravanners to call at its sites simply to empty tanks and replenish water supplies and then move on." The reason given was it encouraged wild camping.

    I don't have a copy of the magazine but I know this because I had an exchange of views with the club over it.

    I also recall the then Chairman Bob Black, addressing a meeting  in Italy made a similar statement against the setting up of aires.

    peedee

    That was more than 10 years ago, is it not time it was reconsidered?

    What has changed in the 10 years? 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2016 #260

    If it was considered again I would think there would be even more opposition , and this time by some local councils who are having to cope as is seen by the way more and more parking restrictios are being introduced to prevent just that situation getting
    worse, and unless Aires are put on green belt landSurprised then it is dead in the water

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2016 #261

    Travellers are a common problem around here and so anything that might encourage will be a no-no

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,390 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #262

    If you can find a copy of the March 2005 mag, in the Council's report published in it, it clearly states "the Club would not allow motorcaravanners to call at its sites simply to empty tanks and replenish water supplies and then move on." The reason given
    was it encouraged wild camping.

    I don't have a copy of the magazine but I know this because I had an exchange of views with the club over it.

    I also recall the then Chairman Bob Black, addressing a meeting  in Italy made a similar statement against the setting up of aires.

    peedee

    That was more than 10 years ago, is it not time it was reconsidered?

    I have heard nothing or seen nothing to indicate this policy has changed.

    peedee

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,390 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #263

    Travellers are a common problem around here and so anything that might encourage will be a no-no

    I think that is the difference between the Uk and the rest of Europe, we don't have laws to immediately move those who transgress on. On the Continent they don't mees around if you squat on land you are not supposed to.

    peedee

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2016 #264
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  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2016 #265

    If it was considered again I would think there would be even more opposition , and this time by some local councils who are having to cope as is seen by the way more and more parking restrictios are being introduced to prevent just that situation getting
    worse, and unless Aires are put on green belt landSurprised then it is dead in the water

    My imagination is not so vivid that I can see how the occasional motorhomer calling into a CC Ltd site for a water fill and sanitary service is going to cause major parking problems, traffic congestion or anything else.  Sadly there are those with far more
    vivid imaginations than I that let their imagination run away with them and affect their decisions.  

    Reat your imagination, I can show you the damage done by wild camping travellers if you wish. 

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2016 #266
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  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2016 #267

    I've never read such twaddle about why a motorhomer shouldn't be allowed fresh water & empty tanks, from travellers to 'elf n safety and congestion while driving round the site.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2016 #268

    I've never read such twaddle about why a motorhomer shouldn't be allowed fresh water & empty tanks, from travellers to 'elf n safety and congestion while driving round the site.

     

    Just proves how some have still not seen the real modern  world out there

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2016 #269
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  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2016 #270

    If it was considered again I would think there would be even more opposition , and this time by some local councils who are having to cope as is seen by the way more and more parking restrictios are being introduced to prevent just that situation getting
    worse, and unless Aires are put on green belt landSurprised then it is dead in the water

    My imagination is not so vivid that I can see how the occasional motorhomer calling into a CC Ltd site for a water fill and sanitary service is going to cause major parking problems, traffic congestion or anything else.  Sadly there are those with far more
    vivid imaginations than I that let their imagination run away with them and affect their decisions.  

    Reat your imagination, I can show you the damage done by wild camping travellers if you wish. 

    Thank ET but I've seen it locally.  However, it is not so prolific that we should allow it to change or affect our day to day lives.   

    ...That depends of course whether you live in a "wild camping" hotspot area

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited August 2016 #271

    I've never read such twaddle about why a motorhomer shouldn't be allowed fresh water & empty tanks, from travellers to 'elf n safety and congestion while driving round the site.

    Agreed MM Wink.  

    Absolutely  no  reason  at all  that  they  cannot  fill  /  empty  tanks  as  required,  all  they  have  to do  is  book  in  for  a  night,  then  they  can  use  the  showers  as  well  !!

    They  spend  good  sums  of  money  on  the  m/home  or  camper  and  then  begrudge  the  few  quid  needed  for  a  night  on  a  Club  Pitch.  The  terms  Tightwads  or  Freeloaders  come  to  mind.  And  if  the  site  is  full  they  could  always  stay  on  the  Late Arrivals  pitch  since  nobody  will  be  arriving  who  has  booked  til  the  next  day  at  the  earliest.

    Brian