A tale of two sites
Recently visited two sites and the differences were startling. Stopped for a couple of nights at Chapel Lane and, having ben there many times, was disappointed by the run down appearance of the site. In spite of having 70 occupied units, only the small ( 3 male wc's) was open! Both this block, and the slightly larger one, are ancient, with shower water running across the floor, poor ventilation, discoloured grout and a general air of decay. Most of the hard standings are covered in weeds and the tarmacked areas have months of organic debris lying about.
On then to Hawes and what a difference. This site is looked after to the nth degree and is beautifully presented by the hardest working team of wardens I have observed in a long time.
I notice that planning permission has been applied for for camping pods. Members have Caravans or Motorhomes and do not use pods therefor why are they needed? The money needed for projects like this should be used to upgrade poor sites which DOES benefit members. Site fees are now very high and I for one resent poor sites!
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Both members and non-members use pods and cabins, Novaman. CAMC is obviously looking to the future by installing them as the availability of decent towcars decreases and fuel costs still remain high.
It’s a shame you didn’t ask the wardens at Chapel Lane about the poor state of the site and closure of the facilities as there could be any number of reasons. People will no doubt appreciate being warned about it. 👍🏻
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My main grump over the last few years has been the condition of facility blocks on quite a few sites, some are very poor indeed and in dire need of updating. It must be difficult for site staff to keep things looking good when the facilities are in urgent need of an upgrade.
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The pods are/were (by trying to book a few and by looking when on site) very popular both with those members like myself who want to bring family members with them or don't ant to tow/drive a MH anymore especially in the winter, and by people who don't have an outfit yet want something different from other self catering accommodation.
It gets people on club sites and generates income.
There are some sites that the club can't upgrade the facilities as the site isn't owned by the club, is Chapel Lane one of them?
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I think the problem with whether site facilities are upgraded is often dependent on the ownership of the site. If the Club own a site outright it is a fairly easy process. However if the site is leased, as so many seem to be, I can see the club being reluctant to invest in things that might not provide a return. They need a long term guarantee. As members, of course, we have no idea of these arrangements until we see details of a site upgrade or we are told the lease has not been renewed!
David
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There is also quite a cost difference between the two sites mentioned £8 / £10 a night this June for two on a standard hardstanding. If upgraded Chapel lane prices would almost certainly increase. We have always found it a perfectly adequate site. It’s not really a holiday destination, often running at well below capacity, Crufts accepted. Personally I see no good reason for spending lots of money trying to make it more appealing.
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I've accepted this in the past and I tend to use our van facilities but when OH decided to use the showers at a CAMC site this year he wasn't impressed. No shower curtain and two hooks for clothes etc, all very dingy and worn. This was just after we'd been on a private site with luxurious individual facilities for a lot less money.
Although the sites might be leased it now seems that prices can be increased whatever the condition of the worn out facilities.
Mind you we have been directed to cold cobwebbed converted cowshed showers on private sites in the past but I hope CAMC doesn't follow that trend..
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I have visited Chapel Lane more times than any other site and, in my last review, I made the point that each time I come it feels more run-down than the time before.
On my last two visits it looked particularly care worn, not helped by long-term residents with various elements of largely ramshackle outfits sprawling over every square inch of their pitches. The OP point about hard standings full of weeds and various organic detritus spread around is one with which I would certainly concur.
I did wonder, as DK surmises, whether this was one of those sites on a lease which might now be now getting short and at risk of not being renewed. It certainly has that feel about it - although there is also a storage site there.
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We have used Chapel Lane almost every year for the past 20 years on our way south for our main summer trip and a couple of years ago we stayed there for a week. I must admit we do like the site and would go again but it is getting a bit rub down we noted that last year when the grass was badly overgrown and the pitches were full of weeds also the vans that appear to be there full time don’t help
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If you are unhappy with ChapelLane pay a visit to Marc and Angela’’s site at Somers Wood at Meriden - about 15 minutes round the M42. We knew it when they started from scratch and have built up to 48 pitches now. It’s well run, but you won’t gain on price. They follow Chapel Lane prices pretty closely, but give a couple of pounds off for CAMC members.
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I'm afraid I agree with the issues at Chapel Lane. I stayed there the last Sunday ( going into Monday) of the Easter school holiday, but was charged the holiday price even though the holiday was effectively over, my choice I realise.
But I was disappointed to find they had closed one of the shower blocks, presumably to save money and/or work for the wardens meaning there were only 3 showers in the other block. I actually had to queue for a shower, the first time that has happened on a club site for a long time for me.
It's a great shame if Chapel Lane is going downhill as it is a great location for us as we shuffle north to south. Certainly I was left feeling that I might try an alternative site, but difficult to beat the easy motorway access and the farm shop next door.....
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