Found out C&MH Club sites are expensive

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  • Twos more then one
    Twos more then one Forum Participant Posts: 373
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    edited July 2020 #62

    Tin Wheeler accept my apologies

     

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #63

    indeed best is subjective, but it's very obvious that the best pitch is the one those pesky VW owners had chosen that you wanted

    and you didn't just:

    ...noted 2 almost identical VW's on opposite pitches sat in the middle ocean of gravel...

    what you noted was;

    Those who want to pitch a VW/similar camper in the middle of a huge awning pitch ..... there were two at the site I was at last week while I squeezed onto a blue peg as that was all that was available at the time.

    You did write that. That is you noted they were on a bigger pitch and you were on a smaller one. Easy to fix though, book an awning pitch or go to where you will be given a pitch. 

  • Twos more then one
    Twos more then one Forum Participant Posts: 373
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    edited July 2020 #64

    Why are you attacking me personal ,what is your problem, 
    As a member of the club  for over 20 years, i am an entitled to my views~
    Just to make a point i have seen the Club morph  from a members centered club,  to a commercial company centered company ,yet still wants  to portray it self still as a members centered club, which it no longer is 

    As for if i chose to stay as a member, unwelcoming comments such as: 
    Like we have said, if you don't like CAMC procedures don't use them.

    I will make that  choice my self ,and ignore such unwelcoming comments 

  • vbfg
    vbfg Forum Participant Posts: 504
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    edited July 2020 #65

    I am a single motorhomer with 2 dogs so the C&MHC's prices are usually quite reasonable for me.  I stayed at a site the year before last which cost £24.00 a night and the facilities block was nearly as old as I am, but it would have been the same cost if a family had stayed there, so it is swings and roundabouts.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2020 #66

    no white pegs available at the time of booking .... but it was the site we wanted

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited July 2020 #67

    I don't think it would be the same price for a family as prices given are for one adult and vehicle, each and every adult would add to the total sum. Only children under a curtain age would be free. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #68

    No worries.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2020 #69

    vbfg didn't say it was a club site ..... 🙄

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #70

    Setting aside price here, I get where the OP is coming from.

    We have a LONG van, while pitches on club sites MAY be of a good width, length can vary, and actually so can width.

    While most sites have all good size pitches, there are some where this is not necessarily  the case, e.g. Cirencester.

    As OH is disabled, we had requested a pitch close to the disabled facilities, we do know this  is not guaranteed and depends on what is available on the day.

    Despite the fact the site knew how long our van was, they had allocated us a pitch that was too short for our van, and sloped in the wrong direction, meaning there would be an impossIbly high step into the van for OH.

    We looked at the pitch and saw it was not good, but the one opposite was a bit better, but still one of those where you need to park the towcar  across the front.

    We decided to take that pitch as there was plenty of room to have the rear of the van hang over the grass, if not, there was no way we could have parked the car across the front.

    We put the van on the pitch and then spoke to the wardens, pointing out that there was no way a van our size would fit on any of the available pitches and be able to park the towcar across the front.

    They seemed surprised!  Why?  They had been given the van size, do they take no account of this?

    Walking round the site the next day, we saw many larger pitches, the newer larger ones, many occupied by small outfits, they are understandably taken first.

    But  if the Club Is going to genuinely accommodate all outfit sizes, they should actually look at outfit sizes and set aside suitable pitches.

    First come first served works when all pitches are of the same size, but not otherwise.

    Before anyone points it out......yes, it is our choice to have a longer van, but where it is within the max size for the site, all pitches should be suitable, or pitches should be allocated.

    We would have no problem paying a pound or two extra to ensure the pitch is of a suitable length.

     

     

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #71

    Kj, I don’t think there’s any "should" about this. It’s clearly something you would like but "should" suggests a diktat. I think "could" is more apt and it's something the club needs to decide, not you or I.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #72

    There are sites, Rowntree at York is one, where they do set aside pitches for longer vans, there are others where it is stated pitch allocation may be necessary, but 95% of the time having a longer van is not an issue.  We check max lengths and avoid unsuitable sites, there are a few we cannot use.

    However, if the Club accepts a booking, and pitches are of variable size, to fulfill the booking, pitch allocation may be necessary.

    My point is that, despite wardens having outfit sizes available, they quite often do not seem to take any notice of the info supplied.

    We do not expect any special,treatment, just that a pitch of a suitable size, where we are shorter than the site max, should be available.

    I do not think that is too much to expect.

    We are flexible when necessary, we have no problem with half the van hanging over the grass, but not all wardens are happy that you are not fully on the hardstanding!

    It is a small problem as far as we are concerned, we rarely travel in peak periods, but I can see that it could be a problem for some

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2020 #73

     ... and it was also the length of our blue peg pitch that was lacking ... we were as far back as we could be & the A frame was encroaching on the site road. As KJel implies, why does the club ask for the size of your caravan if they don't do anything with it?

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #74

    there you go then, all totally fair, you couldn't expect a white peg in the manner you described no matter how much you would have liked the wardens to allocate you a pitch.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #75

    I am not attacking you peronally at all. I am merely asking you what you found so annoying as you posted about using another site?

    And I really can't see what is unwelcome about saying if you don't like club procedures don't use them, the only thing perhaps 'unwelcome' for you is that it is the truth.

    I mean do you really buy things that you do not like?

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #76

    We do find this sometimes, we were hesitant at first, but these days we just put the van as far back as possible and do not worry.  No way would we let the hitch be too close to the road.

    If the warden were to object, we would point out that they knew how long our van was before we arrived.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2020 #77

    you're the master at reading stuff into posts when it's not there

    Where/when did I ask a warden to allocate me a pitch? I suggested that it was a good idea if they could ie like the other club do and then as KJel suggests, you'd get a better spread of units that fitted the available pitches.

    And perhaps the white pegs that were actually empty while we were there were booked by people that booked them with little intention of using them ... maybe a deposit would have focused their minds?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2020 #78

    our 'van was as far back as it could go ... there was a bush behind us. The A frame was only just encroaching. And as the traffic was only doing 5 mph, there was little chance of anyone hitting it! 🤣

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #79

    I do wish you would make things up about what I posted ED. I never said you asked a warden to allocate you a pitch, I'll repost my post with what I actually said, I posted:

    'you couldn't expect a white peg in the manner you described no matter how much you would have liked the wardens to allocate you a pitch'

    see the difference, would have liked, not asked. And where did I get that 'liked' from, well in your post below where the parts in bold that suggest you would have liked the wardens to act in your favour:

    Far fairer? For who? Those who want to pitch a VW/similar camper in the middle of a huge awning pitch ..... there were two at the site I was at last week while I squeezed onto a blue peg as that was all that was available at the time. A warden might have made it fairer for me!

    But in essence the warden could not have made it fairer as you booked a non awning pitch and those VW campers had booked a an awning pitch.

    Now for your last statement:

    And perhaps the white pegs that were actually empty while we were there were booked by people that booked them with little intention of using them ... maybe a deposit would have focused their minds?

    I'm not sure what this means at all. Earlier you stated they were taken by VW campers? Are you now saying there were pitches that were not used? What is it you are saying, VW campers on a non awning pitch or empty pitches? I find it confusing. Were they available all the time you wanted them? Did you check daily in case there were any pre 72 hour cancellations?

    Of course maybe they booked those pitches and COVID 19 got in the way of their stay. Can't see a deposit making any difference there?

    And of course the club has said and proved that deposit just makes the kind of situation (no shows or very late cancellations) you describe worse and 

    The thing is you booked quite late and therefore had to take what was available. Book earlier is the only solution. 

    Of course another interesting thing is that you changed your booking for this site, for good reasons, so you used the no deposit system to your advantage then but complain when it does not work in your favour in this case?

    Have you considered those of your first choice of site looking at your 'empty' pitch and saying the same thing about you not paying a deposit and perhaps you paying one would have focused your mind? It's all relative isn't it?

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #80

    Secateurs?

    Van far more important than  bush!

    We were on  Merrose Farm site,  pretty narrow site roads, we were way back over the grass, no problem with warden.

    But the people opposite, despite having space in the usual place on their hardstand, insisted on parking their car parallel to the road, in front of their awning, so part of the car was actually on the road, and as said, road was already    very  narrow.  Seems some caravanners have very little common sense!

    The space left was very tight when vans and MHs were departing.

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,810
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    edited July 2020 #81

    😂

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2020 #82

    I am very much against allocation of pitches on CMC sites. On a number of sites there are pitches set aside for large outfits which is fine but I wish to choose my own pitch, not based on size but on factors such as orientation and shade.

    With regard to 1pm arrival it may suit some but not me. I am usually awake and up before 6.30am, If I am going to use the site shower I will be there before 7am and usually coming out by then. OH is usually up by 7 and showered etc by 7.30 ready for breakfast.  By the time we have had more coffee, a chat and caught up with news etc I can be ready to go in a leisurely fashion by 10am. The actual time of departure is then based on arrival time at the next site. That usually means, for us, if it is 1pm arrival twiddling thumbs for over an hour.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2020 #83

    Before anyone points it out......yes, it is our choice to have a longer van, but where it is within the max size for the site, all pitches should be suitable, or pitches should be allocated.

    No need to allocate pitches K but, on some sites setting aside some pitches for larger outfits is sensible.

  • Twos more then one
    Twos more then one Forum Participant Posts: 373
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    edited July 2020 #84

    CS
    I would imagine that most members would like some things to change including yourself 
    All i have done is posted my experiences, if what i am posting is false then by all means correct me , but do it in a reasonable manner
    Correct club sites do have rules for dogs, but non seem to cover nuisance barking, and leaving dogs unattended ,which on the two private site i have just spent a week on , both issues where covered in their rules 
    On one private sites one of the mangers was doing some work ,and a dog kept barking at him .so went across , said something to the owners, and the dog barking issue was sorted 
    on Club sites from my experience on club sites, it a waste of time saying anything to the site mangers  as nothing ever gets done 

     

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2020 #85

    I would imagine that most members would like some things to change including yourself

    The only thing that I would like to change is the 12pm departure/arrival. I would prefer 11am laughing

    I know that would not be universally poplar

  • Twos more then one
    Twos more then one Forum Participant Posts: 373
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    edited July 2020 #86

    CS
    what is you problem ,are these you word or not 

    Like we have said, if YOU don't like CAMC procedures don't use them.

    You is personnel  and whose the WE ?

    So you claiming  members can book a Club site and ignore the procedures 

    You say

    I really can't see what is unwelcome about saying if you don't like club procedures don't use them, 

    You cant, really ?

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2020 #87

    "nothing ever gets done?" we have been members for a few years and do not normally have any issues with site staff ,when approached with an issue ,of course there is always some ,, who do want to or cannot do any form of "confronting?"when it comes to upholding the rules undecided

    But that applies to  "coal face" staff in all industries that have to deal with what is becoming ,a very, at times, hostile publicfrown

  • KeefySher
    KeefySher Forum Participant Posts: 1,128
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    edited July 2020 #88

    To bring this back on topic.

    We too had booked 2 sites that were subsequently unavailable when COVID-19 struck. Easter at Baltic Wharf, Whitsun at Black Knowl.

    By chance managed to book 2 sites the first day of booking re-opening. Off to Southport then Ferry Meadows week after next.

    We have found CAMC sites to be the highest price of all options during the school summer holidays in recent years and have not been prepared to pay those fees. 

    However, the offer on the site night vouchers was available when we booked, so bought just sufficient within £4.50 of the fees giving us nearly a full 20% off fees. In itself that made the fees reasonable and what we are prepared to pay in peak school holidays.

    Then the VAT reduction came along, giving a bit more off. Although that would apply to any sites.

    Those reductions have paid our membership fees for the next year, and a bit more to spend at local businesses offering the reduction in meal prices whilst we are away.

    If CAMC repeat the voucher deal in future, we'll use it for peak summer holidays for sure as it makes fees acceptable to us. If the fees continue to increase at the recent rate without incentives like the vouchers, we won't use CAMC in peak school summer holidays. There are better value sites available for us to go elsewhere as often advised on here, so we will.

  • Twos more then one
    Twos more then one Forum Participant Posts: 373
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    edited July 2020 #89

    Easy T
    The other club does no allocate pitches, they give you a choice of pitches that are still available for the length and width of your outfit including awning or not
    How arrival l before 1pm and departure before 12 effects your  sleeping and waking habits etc  eludes 
    So your maim issue is that  for the few time you book a site the is closer then one hour traveling time, it is some big issue 
    From my experience  how it works on the other club is. a few do not leave till 10 to 15 mins  after twelve, and a few  turn up 10 minutes or so before 1PM but that gaps make it work well 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2020 #90

    We don't use any sites during August. wink

    And usually avoid Easter school break unless in Scotland perhaps

    Willow Bank on the coast road is cheaper than the CMC site but we still use the CMC one despite that. I have used Willowbank about 10 years ago when attending the Flower show and CMC site was fully booked. It was OK then

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2020 #91

    I don't see what eludes you Twos, it is simple. I normally use about 22 sites of various kinds a year. If I am returning home from a site I an normally gone by 9am. If I am moving to a site that is 1pm opening it normally involved me hanging around for an hour or more waiting to hitch and go, I find that a pain. 

    Did I say CMC allocate sites, I had not thought so. The C&CC show you an allocation of pitches whilst I prefer to simply select my own. Pretty simple really.