The big winter shut down
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They would be OK in a mild winter BB but in a sustained cold spell the MHSP is likely to freeze unless heated. We have been on sites several times in the colder weather, where the only place to get water, and dispose of waste / cassette has been at the heated toilet block.
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as mentioned earlier, no need for wardens at all.....or showers, or toilet blocks.....for the sites that 'might be able' to make a go of it all year round...
The depth of winter is when I personally would choose a site with facilities.
card entry, easy entry barrier systems, auto charging via member card (for those who wish to sign up, but a condition of access for this type of low cost, low charge site......say £10 a night), a dozen or so pitches, mostly HS close to barrier,
So, a dozen (say) pitches on a 100 pitch site, no facilities and with a card operated barrier. What could possibly go wrong?
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without dragging up the 'over there' theme, many of the posters who advocate these simple, automated, low overhead, low cost facilities, see these types of site work all the time in other places, and are likely to be MHers.
those raising objections have probably never used this type of facility and are likely to be caravanners.
the thread is about trying to make the most of the clubs existing facilities with regard to the changing demand for all year round touring, especially with the new 'target market' and CC 'motorhome awareness'.
it can be done (or at least trialled
) but, like all things CC, there needs to be the will.....
opening up a range of sites like these (perhaps) should be thought of as an extra facility over and above those sites, with facilities, that open in winter already.
this would allow those who wish to tour with 'normal CC' facilities, the ability to do so....
surely we (the club) should be looking at enhancing the CC service offering to maximise choice for its customers....
perhaps, one day..........
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without dragging up the 'over there' theme, many of the posters who advocate these simple, automated, low overhead, low cost facilities, see these types of site work all the time in other places, and are likely to be MHers.
Not of course used them BB but the ones we have noticed were serviced by the same lads that cleaned the blocks and cut the grass on the municipal site. So yes would work as an outstation to an existing site.
However, totally unattended in winter🤔. I suppose they could be run in conjunction with the nearest site even in winter, however these are likely to be further away and on minimum staffing themselves. So are unlikely to have the capacity to take on the extra responsibility.
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I can't see Black Knowl being open all year round David, the Ober water often overflows during the winter months and access would be unpredictable. Judging by all the hardstandings going in on the site, there'll be even more pressure on local water courses.
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Agree David it would be good if Bladon Chains stayed open, as you say Blenheim Palace host lots of events leading up to Christmas. It would need some development though.
The Blenheim Estate are selling off so much land in and around Woodstock for housing the club will be lucky to keep the site! 😞
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Not sure why folk are arguing for unmanned non facility stays on a CAMC site for a tenner when for the same, or maybe a couple of quid more per night, you could give your custom to a CL/CS owner who'd probably welcome the extra income - might even make all the difference between closing down and open for some of them?
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I could be dreaming but I have some recollection of the Club asking about unmanned book-in systems in one of those member surveys we used to have a few years ago. I don't think the idea was to have unmanned sites but just to speed things up when the site was busy and try and prevent queues building up at site entrances.
David
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Alan, i dont give a flying fig what the CC decide to do or dont do, i get my value from ferry prices, use of some CLs and the odd site or two over new year or when in the UK in the summer.
however, the OP was about making best use of the clubs resources during the off season, an oft talked about subject and one which usually engenders the same responses.....
some.... yes, what a great idea heres some thoughts to perhaps help it work..
others....why bother?, and then come up with a totally negative reaction to a facility they're not interested in using....
the club has recognised the changing customer demographic (even to the unnecessary changing of the brand name) so they must be serious about the rise in motorhome membership.
however, the ideas i mooted were aimed at all members.....HS, easy entry, waster/waste readily available etc.....suitable for caravanners as well as motorhomers.......
as it happens, I've used a fair few of these automated 10-20 HS pitch areas, 'over there'..
they may be here too, i dont know, but im just recounting the fact that a simple, automated system can, and does, work....anywhere, of done right....
just reducing the number of pitches and doing away with unnecessary staff favours neither group (of members) over the other....however, keeping it simple (and cheap) seems a win-win for all, to me....
so, why not use (some of) the club infrastructure to keep the financial wheels turning over winter and to provide a low cost based service at this time?
however, if frozen taps and failing barriers can kill an idea stone dead, so be it....
im off to France where the taps and the barriers workwink
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I'm not sure opening up otherwise closed sites, with inherent maintenance costs in British winters, even if all 10 available pitches were used, would be cost effective and thus making best use of the club's resources, though. Don't most MHs head off to warmer climes November to February?
However, there are plenty of CLs with HS open all year which would surely welcome the extra custom?
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BB~:
The problem I have BB is that you are talking about what you think that CC should provide. We are talking about Winter sites here. We are also talking about a membership described by many as 'Old Farts' ( I misquote but you get the picture). Well I really like the non facility sites but I seem to be in a minority. However I believe that I am in a majority that want full facilities in Winter.
You suggest hiving of part of the site in Winter, presumably with the remainder of the site secured and for the section of the site that is accessible to have chemical disposal etc, I have some problems with the concept. 75% of CC sites are closed in winter and presumably because they are remote or less popular. Do you really believe that such sites are going to appeal to members at possibly £14 or £16 a night? Many motorhomers that you seem to feel would be attracted seem to like sites where they can access transport. Doubt that many closed for winter sites provide. Many of the 25% of CC sites that are open (presumably the more attractive ones for the time of year) are pretty quiet outside weekends and I doubt that busy at weekends. Given that do you seriously think it worthwhile for the CC to make the changes necessary and obtain planning consent, in order to provide such a service to members in areas where the main sites are not profitable?
I don't. If such provision was popular enough in Winter why would it not be in Summer? If it were profitable then how come somebody is not providing? If they are why not use them? The CC is in the business of providing managed sites. Do you see a great opportunity?
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but the sites arent the 'end' theyre the means to explore in winter.
based on the OP i was advocating trying something different to test the real demand, against the 'perceived demand' of the regular topics we get in this area.
one way would be to just make the weekday price a tenner at all 'open in winter' sites.
we"d soon see if it was price that was keeping the punters away.
test this out on a few sites, if demand is really there, then look at the remaining 'open in winter'sites....and then to the sites that are closed, possibly to part open them...
however, as CC already does everything right (perfect sites, opening times, prices, rules) i really wonder why anyone ever bothers to open a thread and debate anything that the club hasnt already thought of.....which is everything apparently.....
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You are talking of using an existing site with buildings that need to be secure from the small area that you wish to be an aire in affect. Also drainage etc where you wish on said aire. Not a cheap project for a dozen outfits (mainly used at weekend) in the off season in apparently less popular areas. £10 a night wont cut it BB
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You put your point of view, BB, as you are perfectly entitled to do.
Others present a different point of view, as they are also perfectly entitled to do.
They do not deserve the sarcastic throwaway paragraph with which you end your post, do they?
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When we were there earlier this year there were volunteer wardens on site who looked after the place, although we did have to book in and pay at the Maragowan site. Talking to them it appears that they spend most of the season there, only heading home occasionally.
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if you note (rather than just having another go at me) you'll see that earlier Easy tossed two 'throwaways' at me.....its not all right to give a litlle back?
and now Corners seems to be having a rest, are you marking the posts in his absence?
we have a team of moderators dont we?
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Oh dear! He started it, not me?!!
I didn't think it was "having a go", I thought of it more as asking for a bit of tolerance! And you reckon Corners is easily offended!
Still, how about answering my earlier point about using CLs instead of having a go at me?
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Even if the Club opened more of it's sites, I doubt we could be tempted away from a lot of the lovely small private sites we have found for Winter use. Free reliable wifi, heated shower rooms, honesty box for home made bread, meats, ice creams. £15 a night for all that, a bit less than the Club can do it for, and there are a lot of examples out there.
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