Worried for the club (price rises}
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Not sure that’s entirely true. There are some excellent overseas holiday deals to be had out there presently, flight prices are only a part of it but if better value and holiday experiences are to be found elsewhere then that may be the ‘modern’ choice.
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I would not dare to challenge your views but I would counter that the club is forward looking and that can be seen in the success of Experience Freedom which is bringing younger families into this outdoor lifestyle. I remember when Experience Freedom was first launched it didn't receive a warm welcome on CT from the more established members as it didn't offer anything to them and seen as another waste of money. Also the Guided Tours didn't receive a warm welcome on CT but many of this sold out very quickly. I do believe that the future of the club is in safe hands.
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Threads are not closed because CAMC is criticised. Indeed, if they were, there would scarcely be a thread left open. There is the world of difference between the sort of criticism we are seeing here and the sniping and persistent 'slagging off' that so often occurs. It is the latter which can be the cause of threads being closed, especially when many of those comments are off topic. It’s absolutely clear than many folk have not read the Community Guidelines and T&Cs, or deliberately choose to ignore them, and that’s the basic reason for the closure of discussions.
With regard to the Committee, I couldn’t care less what age and gender the members are but it is their experience, knowledge and outlook that counts. I think it’s true to say that probably younger folk don’t have the time to give to such a role as they are too busy working and bringing up families but why not get yourself out there and try to encourage some people you may consider more suitable?
Post edited in view of deletion of quoted post.
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Compared to life in an inner city tower block, that’s freedom.
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What would be and what other posts?🤔
If you mean Committee members, I was suggesting encouraging people, not just one person. Why not get involved yourself if you feel that strongly about the current incumbents?
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A few days on from Eurotravelers post and I’ve given this some additional thought and chatted with quite a few fellow campers. The consensus amongst my tiny sample seems to be that with ever tighter budgets people are cutting back on their leisure time and it’s costings.What several said was that they were cutting back and assessing best value and best experience. A common factor mentioned was weather, something which has not helped caravanning at home this season me thinks. Discounted and cheaper package tours and budget cruises are available currently and have been for some weeks if not months. A perfect storm for some in the wider industry possibly but we, the paying customers, can only spend our now limited money once. It has to be said that there are a few, possibly a reducing number, in our society mind where such considerations of costs are less crucial.
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In a moment of weakness I nearly re-joined the club, I wanted to use the Broadway Site and went and checked the price, needless to say I was shocked and have since booked a full facility site nearer to the town itself, and if they thought deposits where the answer to a problem of no shows well, 10% will not have the desired effect you might has well say deposit not required. Anyway I will leave you members to enjoy your club lol.
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" I was shocked and have since booked a full facility site nearer to the town itself."
Nearer to Broadway than the club site? That must be new - we stayed at Broadway several times and I don't remember that (albeit several years ago now!)
Details would doubtless be welcome for many folk looking to stop in that area.
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There’s Northwick Farm but I wouldn’t have thought it was any closer to the town. 🤷🏻♂️
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I have and do, but it is not so very simple as you state for the club. Look at availability in August, see for yourself! If you think that having acres of space is good for your personal choice, think again, the club will not survive long term at this rate or with these rates.
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Look at the availability everywhere Best. The whole leisure industry is having a season to remember this year.
JK
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It seems to me that some people posting on here are just discovering that the world has moved on- but are also showing how out of touch they are with the lives younger people lead.
Let me quote you some local people in their mid 40s. Not retired school teachers with index linked pensions and not London people with big salaries . Just honest, hardworking, local people, without big wages. My neighbours.
The man who strimmed my orchard and split logs from the dead ash tree last week is away toTurkey tomorrow - a week’s package, all inclusive. He drove to Disneyland Paris with his family at Easter but is flying from Gatwick this time. Our cleaning lady who comes in for a couple of hours once a week will be following soon, but says probablyLanzarote. Since my wife had a stroke she needs a carer to help her wash, shower and dress - but the cleaner flew off to Spain for her holiday and the care company had no other spare staff to replace her.
So of course UK caravan sites are half empty - they will never be full again. A few pensioners with dogs will cling on to their old established caravan lifestyle, but the younger people will not come back to it. There are so many alternatives.
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The important bit there DD is that most of that is from membership retention, which as it goes is at an all time high.
JK
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Do you know what the lates figures are JK or are you basing your statement on those last published? (382,000) If the latter I would rephrase that to, it was at an all time high. It will be interesting to see the next set of figures, when published, that will probably at the next AGM. If social media is anything to go by, they will be down.
peedee
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Membership retention figures mean little on their own.
For all we know the whole membership has retained its 'allegiance' for the use of CLs, insurance products or for escorted tours?🤷🏻♂️
as PeeDee says, the anecdotal info here and on other platforms is that site occupancy appears down and members are using other touring options.
....yes, there are many reasons for this (price, terms, deposits etc) and a drop off is likely to be felt across the marketplace, not just with the clubs..
I've 'retained' my membership👍 but not for visiting club sites.
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In reference to your last sentence, why are you being so sarcastic about Members who have not left the Club, as though they are doing something wrong by not leaving, as you have? I am a single tourer so the Club works out cheaper for me at most sites than it would be at many commercial sites and many CLs. I also really like many of the CMHC sites which I have been to so whilst I am definitely not happy about the new booking "experience" and the higher prices, which in my view have gone up far more than most caravan sites have, I will be staying for the present time.
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As I read it JK was saying retention is an at all time high, not the current all time high in membership?
Anyway why rephrase, it is correct and no numbers to show a change either way. Social media doesn't really count, it's actual people who choose to rejoin and/or use club sites.
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Indeed.
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My understanding is when they mention the figure of around 350000/380000 that refers to single paid memberships. When they quote "over a million members" that refers to joint and family membership. So revenue would be based on the 350000/380000 figure. From a publicity point of view "over a million" seems more impressive?
David
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Just drove past the New England Bay site ( now waiting while Mrs C orders on the Mull of Galloway center) and again all these posts recently about this site being less busy are just not true, or at least today. Had a quick walk around the front of the site and it's as busy as our stay 22 years ago. (Where did all that time go?).
I am starting to wonder how many of these sites less busy/empty posts are actually made from people actually staying there?
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I think staycations are out of favour again now..........
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-62252080
Most of my colleagues in work are busy booking package holidays abroad. The crazy weather this year won't have helped.
Two years ago they all wanted a motorhome, nobody ever mentions that now. I suspect a realignment of site prices and van prices will be coming soon.........
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I think I recall it being said at last years AGM that the Club were expecting a difficult year this year, and that was pre the huge energy price rises and cost of living issues. I doubt the next AGM will show the true extent of the Financial situation, as it will be for Financial year ending April 23. The new booking system and deposits didn’t kick in fully until around June I think of this year as well, which might well have a bearing.
AGM is in centre of London again, I can’t see many bothering to get there just to raise a question from the floor about all the changes.
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