Which do you prefer?

IamtheGaitor
IamtheGaitor Forum Participant Posts: 529
edited May 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Having been on a site we have been going to for years, at least 4 times a year, I noticed this time since the wardens changed it is different. Before it was quite strictly wardenned, this time there were loose dogs, ball games going on, more noise, longer grass, more parking on wrong side of the peg or well away from the peg.  Non of these impacted  on our stay in either a positive or negative way really, and maybe it was just because it was a busy bank holiday weekend,  but was curious as to which is generally preferred - strict wardenning or more laissez faire attitude to wardenning?

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited May 2017 #2

    Certainly no loose dogs or ball games. Particularly no ball games!

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #3

    Strict wardenning , can't have people enjoying themselves when going away ,this is serious stuff this caravaning/motorhoming coolsurprised 

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2017 #4

    It seems rather pointless to have rules and then not bother to enforce them. Why have them in the first place? And after all, most are pretty sensible and just there to ensure what any decent person would do anyway.

    Can't say that I'm overly concerned about the grass not being cut, but I suppose it demonstrates that the site staff take a pride in their site.

    Which site was this?

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited May 2017 #6

    If anybody visits the same place time after time I guess it would be seen at it's best and at it's worst over the years??

    Same as the 'Ferry Meadows' thread?

  • IamtheGaitor
    IamtheGaitor Forum Participant Posts: 529
    edited May 2017 #7

    True EJB but we have been on Bank Holidays  (summer, Christmas etc) before and the difference is noticable (this time and last time were the same 'new' wardens) in comparison to the way it was run by the previous warden team. 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #8

    We've not been on a club site for more than a year now, just circumstances. However one reason I belong to the club is the club's standards on site. Such as no loose dogs, no ball games no late/early vehicle movement decent security. If the club are permitting wardens to allow standards to slip I'm not impressed. Has the matter been brought to HO attention? If the thread by Wayne &Judy regarding ferry meadows is correct this isn't the only site. But in fairness the club cannot explore the issue unless it is pointed out to them. In an ideal world reviews should pick this up - assuming a review to this affect has been left. And such threads as this on CT should flag it up for onward transmission. 

    Be interesting to place a similar comment on CAMC fb site where responses seem to happen for each comment by a named person 😉😉

  • IamtheGaitor
    IamtheGaitor Forum Participant Posts: 529
    edited May 2017 #9

    Bakers2, it didnt negatively impact on us, and the wardens were lovely and friendly so I wont be reporting it as I don't really think it would be fair to do so - and that is also why I am not going to name the site.  It would be petty to complain about something that really wasn't a problem - it was just an observation that it was a very different site purely because of the different wardenning styles. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited May 2017 #10

    We stayed at an Muc site and the owner stated that he has far more control over what cc members got away with than cc wardens on their sites ,as there was no one to answer to if the member complained undecided

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #11

    I prefer stricter rather than sloppy, especially re no ball games, no loose dogs, and at least trying to pitch correctly.

    Would not want a neighbour so close that the 3m rule was not observed, especially if it inconvenienced others.

    There is no reason for the rules not to be followed and wardens should remind people of this, and enforce it.

    Long grass would not bother me.

    None of the rules are so onerous that they would affect anyone's enjoyment.

     We all want to relax and enjoy our break, which I would not be doing if worrying about dents and scuffs on my outfit from balls, or dogs lifting their legs on my Aquaroll or awning!

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited May 2017 #12

    We rarely visit locations more than once so we never really form an opinion...it's just somewhere to stay for a night or two.

    It must be a bit frustrating for regulars when a favourite site doesn't turn out too well and leaves a bad tastefrown

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #13

    That seems fair enough but loose dogs worry me personally, despite our son having one who I adore, I am very wary of them especially if there is no one to ask if they're ok.  Similarly ball games if it's younger children with a soft ball that's one thing but bigger ones with harder balls us another. Any damage done causes bad feelings and expense. Most worrying is the distance between units.

    There is a review or thread about Clumber Park regarding damage to facilities and things that was posted yesterday. I'll try to find it and add it.

    It seems sad that there is no respect for rules, the wardens can't have dyes everywhere and we have no idea about HO back up with such matters. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays I expect there is no one to assist them!

    Edit it was a review on clumber park link 

    https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/reviews/club-site-reviews/clumber-park-caravan-club-site/pick-your-dates-carefully-no-sleep-alert/

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2017 #14

    Apparently, CAMC wardens at their induction meeting this year, were told not to say 'No' to anyone on their sites. Maybe some are taking this far too literally?

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,403 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #15

    Although I think they may have said "no" when Wayne & Judy turned up at Ferry Meadows at 11:40 this morning, Ian! wink 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,072 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #16

    We don't use Club Sites very often, and when we do they tend to be the smaller, no facility sites, or selected larger ones out of season. Of the ones we have used, we had no complaints regarding any of the warden staff.

    Personal opinion, but I think the issues are more to do with the people who use the sites nowadays. As with life in general, some folks exhibit scant regard in terms of respect to others, be it noise, dog walking, ball games, etc.... A tiny minority think they can get away with very bad behaviour. I don't think this is an issue for the Wardens alone to have to tackle, they need the reassurance that the Club will back them up if it comes to removing membership, which is the only way to keep the majority of nice well behaved members happy.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #17

    Totally agree Takethedogalong. How can you expect a warden to 'patrol' if they have no powers? 

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2017 #18

    Agree entirely. The site staff do not appear to be supported by HO at all in enforcing rules. Indeed, they appear to be pressured into ignoring rules.

  • PITCHTOCLOSE
    PITCHTOCLOSE Forum Participant Posts: 658
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    edited May 2017 #19

    Most rules follow commen sense and decency, it is a shame that we have to put them in black and white,the problem lies within the club I have never seen anybody kicked off a club site for there behaviour but I have seem them removed from commercial sector,the last time was last  year when a group of friends where yapping in there awning well past midnight, the owner came and had word, the next night the same happened and the next morning they where asked to leave and no amount of grovelling would change his mind.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #20

    What do I prefer?  

    Well, there's a nice, low key site here in Cornwall, on the edge of the moors, with about 25 or 30 pitches, where the owner offers tea, scones and clotted cream to new arrivals, and in summer invites visitors to use the family swimming pool.

      In general I prefer owners to wardens. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited May 2017 #21

    @ ttda .... Personal opinion, but I think the issues are more to do with the people who use the sites nowadays. As with life in general, some folks exhibit scant regard in terms of respect to others, be it noise, dog walking, ball games, etc.... A tiny minority think they can get away with very bad behaviour.

    Maybe the CC should have a vetting procedure for all potential members innocent

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,690 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #22

    I think it's something to do with the larger, generally impersonal sites where people think they can get away with unacceptable behaviour because they're part of 'the crowd'. I am mindful of the lovely couple who were Wardens at Rosedale Abbey until they moved on at the end of last year.  They set the whole tone of the site with their warm and friendly personalities and the obvious care they had put into making it attractive. No one would have dreamed of doing anything to offend them or other campers - a bit like being on a CL really. The larger sites tend to be anonymous with no sense of 'ownership' by the wardens being possible - and, sadly, there are those who are only too ready to take advantage.