Booking ahead is unfair at some sites
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”….or even still have aged parents who need to be considered…”
Yes, I think that’s a big consideration. Increasingly my generation take on caring roles as it’s not unusual for those of us in our 60s & 70s to have ageing parents who struggle on to live independently and often need urgent assistance at the drop of a hat. It’s something I struggled with for several years until my mother went into residential dementia care. Different stages of life bring on different issues, but retirement certainly isn’t a super flexible carefree jolly for many people.
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I agree and on top of all that not appreciated. by those who are still earning
We no longer get weekends off, bank holidays off, or up to about a months or more? annual leave
Deposits will be implemented for site bookings, but I think not when booking but be paid say at least a week before arrival or the booking is cancelled
It would then save large amounts at one time being payed if putting a tour together
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This link makes an interesting read some of which are valid points and some of which I don't like at all.
Whatever the Club do there will be members who agree with it and some that don't and it will make CT interesting with the fors and againsts.
And to all you retired members out there, I accept that you have commitments and can't always go away at the drop of a hat. We go away in school holidays due to working in the educational field and the number of grandparents on site with young children having taken them on holiday whilst their parents work was probably the most I've ever seen.
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Last post on the subject because otherwise we will be straying way off topic but the British Hholiday and Home parks association quoted costs of £200 per pitch but think that was back in 2008. The Club could have easilly introduced metering on new sites but has made no attempt.
peedee
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It seems to work abroad. Are the continentals more honest than us. However, if an issue, it could be made one strike and you are out of the site and the club. Although a bit extreme, the club would also have the option of prosecution. It would after all be theft.
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If they are continental magpies then they are a different breed over there
In this country winter moths more so, I have been informed it is not unusual for some members to save tripping the bollard for their pitch, to also After dark to use if available the not used hookup on the bollards with another lead so they can heat their awnings ,
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Well you did get an answer, ie it's not happening any time soon and a reason was given, and I wouldn't expect that the cost would be shared at an AGM would you? And where did you get what cost the club is worried about?
Unfortunately, the cost of infrastructure and subsequent monitoring and payment mechanisms are significantly cost prohibitive at this time
Whatever the cost PD, it cannot be recouped in any other way apart from higher fees, or dipping into the reverses. I think people are more worried about more pitches.
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What time of day/ night are we talking about
In the past and still on some club sites the EHU trips could be tripped and locked ( the one that need turning to switch on with a red button to release), but most sites now you can reset your own trip, ,also on the latest bollards you have to set the trip for your pitch when you plug in, and when you unplug the bollard will trip
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Absolutely. We are in year 7 of caring for my parents. We got one month, (yes one month😢) between my OH retiring, and taking on almost full time caring. Having said that, we took it on, shared with my sister. Lost Dad after four years, but Mum is still with us, dementia is progressing, things we know will get a lot harder. Meantime, we do what we can, when we can. 😁
Just booked a delightful, tiny little cottage, 200 metres from Hadrian’s Wall. Great reviews, got everything we need including dog goes free, wifi, dishwasher, ensuite bathroom, plenty of parking, Vindolanda, Housesteads, The Sill, all on the doorstep. Full week has cost us £235🤩 I was so excited at that price, I even went for holiday insurance (practising for Club deposits🤣) Thats comparable with Club Site nightly prices, a lot less than an Experience Freedom Glamping Pod, and we are getting just so much more.
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In fairness to PD Corners, his question was answered directly at the AGM, and I watched it live on Zoom. The impression I got was that yes, it would be expensive, but that was it, the Club weren’t that interested. If they were, it could be a bit like the roll out of drive over MH wastes, and introduction of other accommodation, tried out at a particular Site, then rolled out gradually to other Sites. I seem to recall back in the 1990’s, this is what happened when EHU points were put into place. Only part of Marazion was hooked up, the paddock wasn’t initially, take up for hook ups built as more vans came out able to plug in, so it was extended to all Sites and all areas. The Club will was there for that, but as I say, perhaps not to give a different choice now?
Technology is changing touring outfits, MH ownership is growing, and it’s far easier nowadays to tour comfortably and frugally if you so wish. We have family Members who do just this, no way do they think Club offers much for them.1 -
I agree that the club isn't interested and as I said it has bigger problems to solve and at least with more pitches they could get more income?
I certainly wouldn't mind, or care is probably a better word, if EHU was an 'added extra' across all sites.
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Yes, increasing pitches at the moment seems to be what is needed😁
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Going back to the AGM answers surely deposits are now cut and dried?
Q) Within the next 12 months is it the intention of the Club to introduce deposits on booking and if so, has the Committee fully considered the flexibility that members currently enjoy in planning and changing bookings without financial penalty. Would deposits be transferable between sites?
A) Following on the success of the Overseas Sites booking engine launched in 2019, we have restarted the Booking Capability programme and we will aim to deliver the new UK sites booking engine by Quarter 2 2022.To remind you of the key features, we will be delivering:
A new interactive map to search for and book sites
Ability to book multiple campsites at same time
Option to choose your pitch type
More availability - by taking deposits to reduce speculative bookings
Fast check in - with payment prior to arrival
The ability to ‘book a year in advance’ was one of the first initiatives delivered by the Booking Capability programme and enabled members to book nearly 750,000 nights for 2021 by the end of 2020.I have highlighted the bit about deposits, that seems like a firm statement of fact to me? Just waiting for the details now?
David
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I suppose they could bring in deposits for any new bookings, to run alongside existing non deposit bookings. However, it would be difficult to bring in pitch type booking (also mentioned) until 2023. Perhaps why they say second quarter 22, as with a year ahead booking that would coincide with the opening of grass pitches in 2023 and the need to have a booking mechanism in place.
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Are you talking about deposits or extra pitches? Yes agree about extra pitches.
However as one can book up to the end of Nov 22 without deposits I can't see how that could be done, it would require a different booking system in place very soon?
Also what is to be gained? Will it reduce speculative bookings for new bookings - maybe, but it certainly won't reduce any speculative bookings already made? And aren't sites like the one in the OP already well booked up for the summer season?
I think you may have confused what aim to deliver the new UK sites booking engine by Quarter 2 2022 means? Actually we're in the dark about what that means? Could be earliest deposit taken for a booking for a year from then?
Interesting to find out, but as I said summer 2022 is already 'booked'
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Yes my thoughts too.
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Don't see why the Club couldn't insist all existing bookings need a deposit to be paid against them otherwise they will be void. Pitch type, a little more tricky unless the Club ask that all bookings have to be remade (unlikely). Agree there will probably be a set date for pitch choice most likely a year after the introduction of the new system?
peedee
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I rather got the impression it was going to be later (late 2022) than sooner.
Thats a bit draconian PD, retrospectively applying deposits to existing bookings.
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Yes, Tinny, I thought that as well. Wasn’t that long ago you had to book a year in advance to ensure a pitch June to end of September. I suspect it might be sacrificed for Carnon Downs, and hope that regulars, will switch to Godrevy.
As for Marazion not being in the right location, it’s about as perfect as you could get for a holiday close to some of the most iconic scenery, history and superb beaches in West Penwith and Lizard. I suspect the coffin has been bought, it was resuscitated last year, but they can’t wait to bang the nails in. Bye bye, yet another Site deemed not raking in enough profit.☹️
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