Groundsheets
I am aware that several independent campsites are not allowing groundsheets or mats on grass pitches or even the grass fingers around hard-standing pitches.
Grass pitches used for more than a week with groundsheets that are not lifted frequently will disable that pitch for a few weeks allowing enough rest time to recover. Site staff do not have the time to check every awning daily but rely on guests to do the right thing. Sadly, pitches are lost daily across the network.
The other side of the coin would mean more pitches would be available if groundsheets were barred on club sites.
I am neither for or against this. It just a case to raise the issue and see what your thoughts are?
.copy and paste from one site
Pitching:
Please park your (unit) caravan/motorhome/tent in the middle of your allocated pitch.
DO NOT PARK SIDE-ON YOUR PITCH.
Pitches are available from 1:00pm
Day of departure please vacate your pitch by 11.00am.
We do not have fully service pitches
Groundsheets / mats are not permitted on the grass pitches
Comments
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Its rarely an issue for us as we always try and get a hardstanding. On the odd occasions when we are on a grass pitch the worst we do is put a small mat in front of our step into the motorhome. As we are rarely on site for more than 3/5 days it does very little damage. I suppose the advantage of grass pitches is that the site staff can change the pegs so that units are parked over worn out grass.
David
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I recall from our visit to Seacroft which is used by week long stayers that the large grass area was covered by awning sized bare/light grass patches and also a few pitches were roped off to allow the worst affected areas to recover.
I seem to recall that breathable groundsheets should be used or rather advised on club sites?
The last time I was on grass was about 2003 so as DK not an issue for us.
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It's disappointing to see the damage done by the use of groundsheets but for some who need to make use of awnings for sleeping it's unavoidable. It might be better to discourage use of groundsheets where possible. We stopped using them years ago and now only use a wind out awning, grass or hardstanding we don't need anything under our feet.
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Many sites accept tents. Tents have groundsheets.
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Are you only thinking of this Club’s sites? My horizons are wider than that.
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Well the OP posted on a club forum in the UK sites and touring section so I'm assuming that at least it's about UK sites, and as MW talks about across the network and if groundsheets were barred on club sites so it is aimed at club sites. So if your if horizons fall outside of that then they are irrelevant really to this thread.
Also The OP is talking about caravan and MH pitches not tent pitches. As PD says tent pitches on club sites are on separate areas to pitches for caravans/MHs so again your post about tents really doesn't come into it I would say?
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I fail to see what can be done tbh🤷🏻♂️. Site staff have no time to check for damage they just deal with the consequences that are left. The damage is from those who don’t care & won’t change until C&MC have a management plan fit for purpose to mitigate or stop the actions leading up to the damage🙁
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We prefer grass pitches in summer - usually on CLs and CS's - and use a breathable carpet in the awning which does very little damage other than slightly discolouring the grass.
What does cause damage is where the 4 wheels, corner steady pads and in our case, where the base of the E&P hydraulic rams have been. Plus, our Kampa awning has large triangular pieces of black fabric around the outside poles which effectively shuts out all light to the grass.
Can't really do a lot about it.
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Its the large muddy patches that I object to not the small areas damaged by wheels etc. It is rare these will be blocked from light by the next van to use the pitch and they recover far quicker than the awning spaces. There is one solution, make more grass pitches non awning which might also result in a site being able to increase pitch numbers.. With the increase in motorhome use, most not using awnings, sites like Godrevy would greatly benefit from such a policy..
peedee
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Some pitches get so over used they are very unpleasant as the season goes on. I presume on some sites they don't get taken out of action? We've had to go on mud on occasions, not a good experience and not one to be repeated if it can be avoided. Seacroft, Incleboro and others come to mind.
Over use kills the grass and it can take more than a year to recover. You can see the damage if visiting these sites at the start of the season.
On all grass sites in popular areas there must be pressure to keep pitches open.
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We use a Kampa breathable groundsheet its very lightweight and never damages the grass even after 2 weeks when lifted the grass is only very slightly discoloured no mud and the groundsheet stays clean how it does it I dont know, we've used it for a few years now without problems before we had a supposed breathable that was a perforated rubber material but the grass grew through the holes.
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On numerous all grass sites or those with large areas of grass it is possible at times ,,if site layout allows to adjust the pitches so that the areas of inconsiderate groundsheet use can be under the LVs of later users to give some chance of recovery, ,,otherwise it is a case of taking them out of use and reducing the site capacity ,or the site staff getting more adverse remarks from disgruntled visitors when they bald areas are the only pitches available to them
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Morning
It does get frustrating when pitches are left in a poor state. Having worked at Godrevy Park for four years, and other all grass sites it's a constant problem that's only getting worse.
You always have rule 6b and 2d in your pocket. Maybe a subject to raise for the next operations forum in September. It's on my list.
JK
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The Club’s grass pitches are under pressure nowadays with the amount of visitors, strict pitching protocols and the fact that there is little wriggle room in terms of spacing. Everyone is forced to pitch up in almost the same position, there’s often only hours between outfits, and the posts can hardly be moved to make sure spacing is maintained. Add in the dislike of many visitors to do without anything separating feet from grass, and it’s a balancing act the Club isn’t going to win easily.
We used to stay a month on a grass pitch in Cornwall, all weathers. We used to move our van and awning at the end of week 2, usually rotating it 90 degrees. (No motor mover by the way, never owned one) Had little in way of a groundsheet inside awning, just something to step out onto at door. Every few days, we would move everything else heavy inside awning, so the grass didn’t sour underneath anything. We would leave the awning sides up in good weather to stop the skirts souring the grass. It still left the odd patches of marked grass, but nothing like the slimy mess we saw others leave behind at times.
Grass pitches? Love them in good weather. My answer would be heavily discount a grass pitch if someone doesn’t put a groundsheet (of any kind) down. Charge them if they do. Make it £10 per night difference. (Overnight sleepers in awnings only pay for nights they sleep in awning, so occasional visitors accommodated)
Tents are different, they do need groundsheets, and most tents nowadays come with them sewn in. So don’t have “fixed” pitches on grass.🤷♀️
Knowing this Club and it’s Membership, the grass is more likely to be done away with totally, and horrible rubble like HS put down. Can’t have nature spoiling one’s “camping” experience.
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I prefer grass but it is not always practical to pitch on it. It is a real shame some spoil it for others. I do have a breathable groundsheet but I mostly use it to cover those dusty bare patches more ofter encountered "over there" While the Club has a policy of increasing hardstandings, I hope we will never see all sites like car parks with all pitches hard standing.
I will be sorry to see the passing of the fredom to select pitch type on arrival. The new booking system will leave me little choice but to book hard standing when advance booking because the state of the weather will not be known much more than a week in advance.
peedee
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We have a breathable ground sheet, well 'carpet' really, we use HS exclusively but it feels better to walk on.
The consensus appears to favour breathable grounds? But as Rocky says how would such a ruling be enforced.
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I will be sorry to see the passing of the fredom to select pitch type on arrival. The new booking system will leave me little choice...
There is one solution, make more grass pitches non awning which might also result in a site being able to increase pitch numbers. With the increase in motorhome use, most not using awnings
So on one post you decry the lack of freedom for you personally, yet on another you want to take away a freedom from others, (caravanners especially perhaps?) to suit your preferences? hardly fair PD?
On the club sites I use I see many MH with awnings of one kind or another, even on grass.
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The question is more one of do the canopies and awnings have a groundsheet down, rather than whether or not an awning or canopy is in use, regardless of the outfit. 🙂
It won’t matter if it’s on HS, or dare I say sunbaked Earth. But it will on lawn like grass that’s starved of light, oxygen and has heavy objects on it. I believe that’s the science🤔
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We did the change over around 2000. Question for you around MHFun, do you have to subscribe to get access to their CL options? Wondering as it might be another touring option for us. We use Britstops, other options.
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I hope he does carry on Corners, I would like a reply to my genuine question😁
We hope to be out again next week, looking at a grass pitch CL. Not booking though, phone call night before. There are other options in area.
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I never suggested that he doesn't carry on with your question TDA
I'm not or won't be affected by any changes to the use of groundsheets but wouldn't support any changes to the detriment of either MH or caravans.
(Like you I'm wondering what the cost is for joining MH Fun, I've never paid to join an online forum)
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That doesn't give any indication of prices at all, it's just the login page
I assume you know the price so can't understand at all why you don't simply give it rather than posting a link? Certainly quicker just to give a price? You must have your reasons.No matter this is off topic, not taking the thread forward so I'll stop. Apologies to the OP.
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I would question the assertion that most motorhomes dont use awnings, looking around me here motorhomes are probably in the majority and almost all have some form of awning or canopy errected .
That supprises me AD, that is not my experience but then I don't always restrict myself to Club sites. Last site I was at, not one of the the motorhomes even bothered to wind out a canopy. but it is as TTDA points out, it is all a question of whether a ground sheet is used or not.
peedee
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