Time for Automated Site Check In?
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ANPR would add a significant cost. Contact could still be minimised with payment being made prior to arrival when membership card could be displayed against the "low tech" perspex screen and a barrier card issued.
I know that there have been issues with toilet roll supplies but keypad/key access to the toilet block is ridiculous. There are no golden toilets on CAMC sites.
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DK said "Putting aside the cost implications for a moment....." so why not do that?
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Excellent idea and already the CAMC have a pay before you arrive system with the Enterprise Freedom pods but all payments have to be with EGH and not on site by phone so a problem for off roaders/foreign visitors who arrive late in the day when the EGH office is closed, so to off set this problem you may need a payment machine at the entrance to gain excess like aires in France. I think this system could work really well if money was no object but like most big organisations they always do it on the cheap.
The only problems i can see is the lack of flexibility, no arriving early and if you want to stay longer on a Sunday you may have to pay, choosing your own pitch may have to go on some sites if not all were you have differing pitch size/differing pitches Service/Standard/non awning.
There is a company in France called CAMPING CAR PARK who taken over up to 200 municipal aires from the councils and put in barriers and payment machines where you buy a membership card which you can add pre payment/top up on line this system works really well and if the France can so can we.
Less Wardens Hoorah.
Phil
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"personally i wont be going anywhere this year, dont think it is right that LV's should be touring the country possibly carrying this virus with them, especially if we still have hundreds of people dying daily."
its too early to know what the situation might be at the end of the year, certainly many hope there will be some change to the present circumstances by then, including a reduction in the number of deaths.
the 'basket cases' of Spain and Italy are showing good downward movement in the new cases and resultant deaths figures...
if travelling restrictions are eased, there may still be tight rules arpund some forms of that, including touring.....even if allowed at all.
because this is an evolving situation (and solution) im not saying 'i wont be going anywhere this year' as that's many months away...
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Phil, good post.
as others have said, these systems have been around for a while and are very popular on the continent.
im sure something could be done but the club will have to decide if something like this would be part of a 'new normal' for camping in the months/years to come.
if all they want to do is muddle through and then go back to how it all was then it will be the 'perspex option'
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There is a company in France called CAMPING CAR PARK who taken over up to 200 municipal aires from the councils and put in barriers and payment machines where you buy a membership card which you can add pre payment/top up on line this system works really well and if the France can so can we.
We have used them. They are slightly different in that you don't need to book and don't pay until you leave. In fact it keeps the account open until the full 24 hours have elapsed, in case you have gone out for shopping. The large majority of CC sites are booked in advance for a pre determined stay. A smart card that you can charge, like Camping Car Park, wouldn't be a bad idea though. You could then just hold it up to the reader, no keypad required, the appropriate amount would be debited from your account.
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Most of those we used did it on the cheap, with only one barrier for in and out. That could prove interesting on a CC site.😂
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Actually the club recently purchased a site which did exactly this...You could book and pay for a pitch from the available selection...enter your vehicle reg no and on arrival the barrier automitcally let you through...The site ?? Cayton Village .
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How can you personally touch anyone at a 2mtrs distance🤔🤣
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Automated check in ?...an excellent and future proof progression for the club...and would work for me. Unfortunately, many of our members have learning difficulties.... who cannot even grasp the 5mph or 2mtr dog lead rationale....how would they cope.
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The comments by JV the member for the 20th century are as usual. . .erm. . Usual👍🏻😊
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The Covid19 virus has plunged a lot of organisations into difficulty and no one is to blame for it. The club has an unknown amount of time to prepare for some sort of site opening. My guess is that the club has 6 -12 months at this point. We now know that it is most likely the world is going to have to find a way to contnue with life and Covid. The relatively small investment required by the club would have to be found from somewhere. The cost will be no where near what was squandered on the rebranding farce. As a civil project the club needs to hand it over to a private specialist company. If the bungling club management get any where near the job I dread to think what we will end up with. A lot is going to have to change. Members will have to accept that. The alternative may be for the club to to throw the towel in for tourers. I sincerely hope not.
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Throw the Towel in for Tourers ? Isnt that what the Whole Club is about ? If its not, then perhaps I joined the wrong club nearly 20 years ago ?
There are enough fixed semi permanent Holiday resorts dotted around the Country already that dont require being a member. Change yes, but total change of ethos...errr NO.
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Meanwhile, on a CL somewhere.........you will find two happy bunnies, quietly enjoying themselves, tens of metres from anyone else, maybe paying on the phone, maybe not. Maybe even paying on departure, unless we stay longer.😁
Our one major nail biting issue is just how many CL virgins are going to be out there, desiring the quietness, simplicity and solitude, but with little idea of how to go about it, and moaning because they suddenly find the trade off might be pooping in their own pot😱 Cue lots of ill informed rants about CLs not having enough facilities.........deep joy awaits, although at least the on site entertainment level will be good.....
😎
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Trouble is with some, (well the younger ones it seems) they are very quick to complain about prices ,,but do not ,it seems, mind how much money is spent ,as long as it does not mean it costs them any more,as it seems is the 21st century way of life
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Just spotted >this<. It looks to me as if the Club is already half way to achieving what is being advocated. They appear to be using "Anytime Booking" and this is stated as being capable of being integrated with barrier and ANPR systems.
peedee
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!00% agree with you but dont push it TDA as we dont want the CL's ruined by becoming too busy. The worry is what extra pressure will come to bear on the CL operators. They already have the clubs inpectors nagging them for more and better facilities to enable them to boost their market oportunity. Certainly not what we want them to do. Any way for those who dont already use CL's I dont recommend them as they are not every ones cup of tea. No I think the Club Sites are much better for you.
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There is a company in France called CAMPING CAR PARK who taken over up to 200 municipal aires from the councils and put in barriers and payment machines where you buy a membership card which you can add pre payment/top up on line this system works really well and if the France can so can we.
not against technology, but are we comparing like with like here. I thought camping car park, was as the name implies more of a car park for MH's where you rock up for maybe a 2-3 days, not a camp site where you rock up with your caravan and maybe stay 2 weeks.
So, please tell me what happens if you rock up and the site is full, i assume as you are in a MH it is relatively simple to turn around and find an alternative, not so easy if you are pulling a 7.5 mtr caravan to find that alternative, as i say not against technology but this is the Caravan & MH club so whatever is introduced it has to work for all.
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Obbernackle, So do I
I don’t think Experience Freedom users have similar demographics to your average Club Site Member, either. Just saying.....
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Interesting. I suppose it's a bit different for the pods as you have to pay upfront well before you arrive and you can't cancel 72 hours before with no penalty. Perhaps that could be set as the time you would have to part with your money and fully commit.
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Dont know if it was this specific company ? but a site we had a semi- static caravan on in Lincolnshire, Oakhill Leisure nr.Norton Disney, had just such an ANPR system over 2 years ago. Very efficient once teething troubles were ironed out.
We used the van for visiting Grandchildren, but have since sold it. It was a Coachman 520 nice van, but prefer our Autotrail Campervan.
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well done