Mildenhall site not opening 2017

GarryP
GarryP Forum Participant Posts: 38
edited February 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

I had booked in to the rally to help prepare the site for the new season, however I have just been advised that the rally has been cancelled as this site will not open for the 2017 season ?

What terrible news, we have used the Mildenhall site a lot for the last 30 years and enjoy the site.

As I am now retired we did the clearing the leaves rally last year and were looking forward to it again this year, and it appears a lot of effort, money and time has been wasted on the new hard standing we put down last year for the bins etc !

Can the club give a reason, is it a volunteer staffing problem, bookings, finance or land owners ?
I recall when the full time wardens used to be there years ago and nearly every year they used to say it might not be here the next year, now it has finally happened, is this decision set in stone or could it be reconsidered ?

We are now down to 1 site in Suffolk, none in Essex, so apart from the north Norfolk sites, we are restricted for a short trip mid week in East Anglia, I realize there are CL's but we prefer CC sites.

Garry, I have moved this to UKCampsites, David

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Comments

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #2

    Is this the news that's been HO were going to tell us about? The way it's going all the cheaper sites will be closed down... part of their big plan?

    Garry, if you want to go to that area you can always try Wildemere CL, it's within a short walking distance of the club's site. Can thoroughly recommend it.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #3

    Beat me to it nelliethehooker 😃. Cynical moi?

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #5

    You may think that I couldn't possibly comment 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #6

    laughing

    Just tried to book a week in June but got this message :- 

    Sorry, we are currently unable to return availability for this site for the selected date range. Please try again later.

    No other explanation!  Surprise, surprise!!

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,064 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #8

    It is poor. Bromyard Downs is due to close I think end of this season. The little sites are dropping like flies at the moment, not good. That will be three gone this year with Wincanton no longer available......bloody Jockey Club!

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #9

    Wasn't it on the cards that Mildenhall might close because CC couldn't recruit volunteer wardens?

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #10

    Don't remember reading that, TW, but knowing how HO hide these announcement away in a dark corner it's not really a surprise.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #11

    Are we saying that this club cannot, with the reserves shown in the accounts, afford to employ a warden for this site and this is the reason for closure? So if they are in desperate financial peril can we expect some cut backs in all other areas and which full facility site will be the next to go? 

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2017 #12

     I understand Quite a few years ago,the cc was "supported" by a publishing  company that had a caravan magazine in its portfoliowink

  • youngalan
    youngalan Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited February 2017 #13

    We were possibly going to visit this site this year. Co - incidentally  I have just received an e-mail basically  telling me that the CC has been rebranded ! - I ask the question how much did this cost?  Was it necessary in relation to  providing a service to members by providing a site that  might run at a loss, but at least providing a service to MEMBERS that wants it. Is it time for a BREXIT moment ?

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2017 #14

    No yell   Com yell ment     !!

  • GarryP
    GarryP Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited February 2017 #15

    The club 'whatever it is calling itself now' appears to have transgressed from a club to a business and it looks like they want us to forgo the lower range sites and grab the money from us for the bigger more expensive sites, I havn't even received an answer to my original post, so I don't expect to see an answer from anyone at the club about how much the rebranding costs, but from the costs involved where I worked before retirement, and the sheer waste of disposing of existing stationary & merchandice it won't come cheap, and as club members we will be paying for it !!

  • youngalan
    youngalan Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited February 2017 #16

    I have just clicked onto the link on my E-Mail on these brilliant changes!!!  - need I make a comment !

    No disrespect - but please get into the real world and not into this world of fantasy. WE ARE CARAVANNERS AND MOTORHOMERS !!!!

  • SallyD
    SallyD Forum Participant Posts: 85
    edited February 2017 #17

    When is someone from the club going to answer the original question?

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #18

    Why would they? Sorry but it's not a normal occurrence.

  • GarryP
    GarryP Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited February 2017 #19

    Tinwheeler

    Don't understand the point of your last statement

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #20

    I was only saying that it's rare for CC to respond to issues raised on the forum. Sometimes a member of staff might post but not often. Direct contact is the best way to get answers. 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,647 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #21

    But only if your lucky. Most of the times I've contacted them directly all I've got is an acknowledgement of my post, and not even that at times, and no response!!

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2017 #22

     No we are saying that the club chooses not to fully support such sites. There are many small private sites around the country that have only a part time warden. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #23

    After the launch of the new brand it would be good to get some sort of response or even add some information to the news section in "whats on" (or maybe that should be re-titled "what's happening?") Otherwise it appears like a burying bad news event.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #24

    You may think that I couldn't possibly comment. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2017 #25

    I see in the March magazine (with a new badge?) an article about Constable country and the nearest site are Cherry Hinton and Mildenhall?undecided

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #26

    Thanks Garryp.

    This type of thing really jars me off.  Why do we have to find out important stuff like this from other members, surely its up to the club to make formal announcements about site closures.

    Changing the name of the club has improved communication yet. 

    Summary - must try harder 5/10

    PS Hope Thetford isn't going to close as well

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #27

    Mildenhall is still in the new sites directory (ours arrived today.) Just no info anywhere, all the jargon over the new brand launch and no info about  a site closure. frown

  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited February 2017 #28

    Don't we always find out third hand? 

    We knew much wenlock was going months before the club decided we were to be told. Presumably holding the info back for a suitable magazine article. 

    Communication is dire. 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭
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    edited February 2017 #29

    The club is losing sites far faster than opening new ones. It needs to get out there and find more or just fade away. I know starting new sites is difficult but existing ones can be bought.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2017 #30

    Just where are all these "new" members going to have their pioneering adventures?

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #31

    Glamping on AS sites by the sound of it. Oh joy, now where did I put my Kaftan?

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