Motor Caravanner – May 2026

Reliable motorhomes & aftercare to match

New & pre-owned models

In-house service centre

Range of accessories

Habitation checks & class 4/7 MOTs

CHAIRMAN'S CHAT

WITH SUE PILKIW

am really pleased to begin my May Chat with the good news that our Sussex Group were successful in forming a Committee at their EGM in March. I would like to thank the retiring committee for stepping into the role last year and for keeping the Group rallies going until the new committee was elected. I wish the Sussex Group and their new committee every success for the future.

Our Club depends entirely on the enthusiasm of its members… all of us contributing to ensure its success. Each and every one of us has something to offer, starting with attending rallies. Our Rally Officers work hard to find sites that give us the chance to travel around and find a pitch at a reasonable price, which can be an increasingly difficult task in the current financial climate. But our Rally Officers persevere, and deserve our thanks, even when we think that the

amenities or ground conditions or anything else that’s been organised, could be improved on. If something is a matter of concern, please do raise it with the stewards, talking it through to resolve things. But, at all times, please try to bear in mind the effort our volunteers have put into organising the event.

Not everyone who attends rallies is in a position to offer to steward one, but all of us can ensure a friendly welcome to our fellow ralliers. Every member, whether a “seasoned” rallier or a first time rallier, can offer the hand of friendship. Indeed, I have seen how quick everyone is to offer their support if someone has a problem with their motorhome. Whatever the problem is there is bound to be someone else who has experienced it and is ready to help!

The show season is about to start and our Club pitches have been booked. The Club’s

volunteer Marshalling Teams are ready welcome you, starting with Newbury which is just before our National Rally at Statfold Country Park. Remember, to be sure of a pitch with the MCC at the shows or with your Group at the National rally, you need to book.

I find it quite remarkable that for over 60 years, our Club has thrived and grown through the enthusiasm and dedicated service of volunteers, and the warm welcome, a sunny smiles, and helping hands of our members, all offering the chance for us gather together and form friendships that last for years.

Looking forward to meeting new friends and old at our National Rally.

Publisher/Editor: Mark Shreeve T: 01502 725839

E: mark.shreeve@micropress.co.uk

Deputy Editor: Gemma Mathers T: 01502 725808

E: gemma.mathers@micropress.co.uk

Advertising: Henry Stephenson T: 01502 725854

E: henry.stephenson@micropress.co.uk

Chloe Lewis T: 01502 725802

E: chloe.lewis@micropress.co.uk

Club Contacts

www.themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT

Chairman:

Sue Pilkiw (07837 386104)

Vice Chairman:

Keith Poole (07736 544490)

Members:

Alistair Bartlam (07754 131893)

Carol Biggs (01473 620933)

Keith Boreham (07730 189940)

Derek Clarke (07931 733656)

Kim McKelvie (07961 282133)

Selma McMullan (07752 678454)

Martin Woolven

Teresa Woolven (07477 988422)

Steve Wynn (07916 131892)

MCC Sec & Administrator: Ron Harris 10 Duddage Manor Business Park, Brockeridge Rd, Twyning, Tewkesbury GL20 6BY T: 01684 311677

E: info@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Office opening: Mon-Thu 9-5pm Fri 9-2pm

MCC Office Administration: Penny Stoyles

CoM WITH REPONSIBILITIES

CL & Night Stops:

Carol Biggs (01473 620933)

Disability Advisor:

Keith Poole (07736 544490)

keithp@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Haven Liaison:

Alistair Bartlam (07754 131893)

Head Show Marshals:

Mick & Sue Pilkiw (07837 386104)

suep@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Homecraft Coordinator:

Selma McMullan (07752 678454) homecraft@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Magazine/Handbook :

Sue Pilkiw (07837 386104) suep@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Health & Safety Officer:

Keith Poole (07736 544490)

keithp@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

CoM WITH REPONSIBILITIES

Exhibition Stand: Keith Boreham (07730 189940) and Lynda Hidderley

CLUB OFFICIALS

Casual Campsites: Kate Jones (07747 000587) katejone@googlemail.com

Financial Officer: Paul Maguire (07973 827506)

Webmaster: Anna Billson webmaster@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

To email a member of the Council of Management please use first name & first letter of surname followed by @themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk ie suep@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Please note that some of these contacts will be changing as a result of recent AGMs.

Jackie Birch 07786 024492 westcountry@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Jan Tree 07966 430801 sussex@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Sharon Jarvis 07428 909442 kent@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Liz Dyer 07899 848074 essex@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Sandra Glendenning 07876 473055 anglia@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Heather Hayward 07948 395599 eastwessex@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Peter Ingham 07815 789909 chiltern@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Bob Smart 07943 075876 eastmidlands@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Gail Cole 07881 691211 severnvalley@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Ian Hill 07749 349678 nwmidsnwales@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Stephen Wright 07966 224196 lancashire@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Elaine Jakeman 01924 682148 yorkshire@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Ian McCaskie 07962 115860 northerncounties@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Aileen Clark 07771 845199 scotland@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Alastair Bartlam 07754 131893 westwessex@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Sheila Revill 07796 188220 swpeninsula@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Heulwen Hewitt 07913 810417 swwales@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Peter Moore 07790 779024 nenevalley@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Heather Jennings 07875 191797 isleofwight@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Jacqueline Hutchinson 07717 161840 northernireland@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

As N. Ireland Group

Wendy Jefferson 07714 616715 motorcycle@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Publisher/Editor: Mark Shreeve

E: mark.shreeve@micropress.co.uk

T: 01502 725839

Contributors: Jack Bancroft, Kavanagh Deville, Frances & Michael Howorth

All opinions expressed in these pages are those of the Editor and his contributors and do not necessarily represent official Club policy. All Material copyright. The Motor Caravanners’ Club Ltd 2025. All Rights reserved. While every care is taken when accepting advertisements neither the Club nor the Publisher can accept responsibility for unsatisfactory transactions which arise. Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd.

The opinions, advice and information contained in this publication are offered solely to inform members as to matters which will be of assistance to them.

The Motor Caravanners’ Club and Countrywide Publications accepts no responsibility for any opinion, advice or information expressed by any person in any article contained herein and members should seek their own counsel on matters before acting or relying on any opinion, advice or information.

Club News

SHOW YOUR COLOURS

AT THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL

STATFOLD COUNTRY PARK, STAFFORDSHIRE

This month the Club's National Rally rolls into Statfold Country Park, Staffordshire – our annual event where MCC members across the British Isles can meet up and enjoy 5-days of fun and top class entertainment.

This is a very picturesque venue to hold our National with grass parking and stone roads around four areas of the field. There are four elsan points around the site and toilets and showers for members to use.

Statford Country Park is not only a fabulous setting; it has a very large steam museum with over thirty restored and working narrow gauge steam train engines and for the duration of the National members can enjoy discounted entry.

Members will be issued with a wristband to wear all the time, not only giving them acess to the marquee at night, but also for the Steam Museum. A 25%discount will be available on presentation of your wristband which can be used

with train rides, as well as entry to the museum and the Vintage Fairground museum. For those that like to roller skate, there is a hall where you can watch others or pay to have a skate yourself. There is a food counter in this hall and the steam museum.

If you only want to go to the Vintage Fairground then your wrist band will get you free access to walk in, but you must still buy tokens for the rides.

Normal price to enter is £15, for senior citizens the price is £12,

and a 25% discount will be applied for your day visit.

Visit www.statfold.com to check out the venue.

We have booked an even larger marquee this year for a weekend packed full of fun, with live entertainment each evening. The marquee is will be 40m x20m with the stage in middle on one side and tables set in half round format so all can see the stage. Evening entertainment begins on >>

The HPC Hydraulic Levelling System is truly a step ahead for motorhome owners. Covering all requirements expected from a levelling system. it is simply and quickly operated using the on-board touch-screen controls or operated remotely from an iPhone 5 and above or an Android phone via a Bluetooth free app. Accompanied by the AS Air Suspension system, all your suspension and levelling needs are catered for. At AS Air Suspension UK Ltd, we seek to continually improve and stay ahead of our competitors. Using innovative materials to reduce the weight of the systems, without any compromise to quality. Ferry Good for Al-ko

The banner parade offically opens the National Rally on the Friday night.

the Thursday night with Maet Live and the Never Neverland Experience. We then step back in time on Friday with Flashback 60s and 70s before one of the National highlights on Saturday night – Party Night. You have to be there to see and experience all the fun! This year's theme is 'Colours'and by now each Group has been assigned a colour and plans are in full swing.

Ska Britania and Kool Britania will get us all in the party mood and as always fancy dress is encouraged!

draws the event to a close on Monday night.

There is also a full programme of day-time activities on site including a table top sale, a silent auction, a Fun Dog Show, craft sessions, quiz and much more.

The business part of the weekend takes place on Saturday 23rd May when the Club holds its AGM at 2pm. Following the AGM there will be a Members’ Meeting where

Members clowning around at last year's National 'Party Night'.

First time National rallier?

We will be holding a gathering on Thursday for you to come along to ask any questions about the National rally, meet other first timers from different Groups and meet some representatives from the Council of Management.

For those who arrive after Thursday, there will be a second firsttimers drop-in session on Saturday, and to give all first time National ralliers another chance to come back with any questions that may have arisen. Of course, you can ask those questions at any time – your Group Marshalls and the National Rally Working Team will be happy to help. Chance to meet with people who hold various responsibilities in the MCC:

• Scribes: Come and meet someone from the magazine team who will be happy to answer any questions

• Enjoy rallying? Two meetings for you to come and find out more about:

• Casual Campsites: meet Kate Jones our Casual Campsite organiser

• Camping Abroad: Steve Wynn will be there to answer any questions about our rallies abroad

• Health and Safety: Are you responsible for Health & Safety for your Group? Or are you interested in the issues? Come and meet Keith Poole, our Health & Safety Officer.

• Disability: A chance for anyone to come and discuss Disability issues with Keith Poole, our Disability Advisor.

You have just a few days to send your entry for the Homecraft Competition to Selma at homecraft@ themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk. Closing date for entries is Friday 8th May 2026. Items made in the workshops can be entered at the rally. Categories are listed below, for full details and entry rules see p100 of this year's Club Handbook.

1. PHOTOGRAPH THEME: A pretty garden 2. PAINTING THEME: Evening sky with the sunset 3. DRAWING THEME: Still life (black & white) 4. PAPERCRAFT 5 WOODCRAFT

MATERIALS

SEWING

WOOLCRAFT 9. SUGARCRAFT 10. FLOWERS

11. FORAGED FRUIT JAM 12. CHUTNEY

13. BAKING: Bara Brith recipe 14. NATIONAL CRAFT CATEGORIES: Items made at the National 15. GROUP ENTRY: A vintage funfair festival

HAVEN DISCOUNT DEAL BOOKING UPDATE

Our Club discount deal with Haven has proved a great success again this year. For members who have not yet booked there has been a change to the website booking procedure in the last few weeks. As such I have produced this step-by-step guide for members which I hope you will find helpful when booking:

Stage 1: Once logged in via the MCC website click the link under discounts and offers.

Thornwick Bay: One of the places to stay with our Haven discount deal.

In this case click continue to see the MCC deal.

Stage 8: You might be presented with this page which informs you of the price change. Click the “book with new price” tab.

Stage 9: If you have booked previously with Haven you’ll be asked to log into your account. If this is your first time you’ll be asked to create an account. Just follow the instructions on the webpages.

Stage 2: The next page you will see is the details of the parks with the offer. Scroll to the bottom of the page, at the final sentence click on the word HERE in blue.

Stage 3: You are then presented with the Haven MCC deal web page.

Stage 4: Enter the number of guests and click search.

Stage 5: Click motorhome on the accommodation and enter the length

of your motorhome. Click on where to find the park you want to book.

Stage 6: When you click on the when tab your presented with a calendar, here click on the start and finish date, remember 5 nights for the full MCC offer.

Stage 7: You’ll then be presented with a number of available pitch types. Shown here is just the one available. Click on the one you require to book.

Stage 10: Enter you other guest details if you clicked 2 at the start of your booking.

Stage 11: Your then presented with this page which confirms your requirements. Note the MCC discount.

Stage 12: Final page before payment. Follow the onscreen instructions for the payment of the Haven Park.

Ali Bartlam, Group Liaison Lead

CASUAL CAMPSITE UPDATE

The dates of this year's Casual Campsites are as follows:

PRE BALLOON RALLY

3-6 August

Walcott Rugby Club, Albert Field, Lansdown, Bath BA1 9BJ

£17 per unit per night

Easy access to Bath for visits to this historic city.

BALLOON FIESTA RALLY

5-10 August

Parsonage farm, Long Ashton, Bristol BS419LU

£16 per unit per night

Adjacent to the site of the Balloon Fiesta with launches, night burns and much more.

LANDSDOWNE CAMPING

7-18 September

Landsdowne Camping Site, Hundred End, Lancashire PR4 6XP £11 per unit per night

Village within reasonable walking distance. RSPB close by. Buses to Southport and Preston. Watch magazines and facebook for further information

Ann Edwards, during their EGM/Easter Rally at Bexhill. This was Ann's final rally where she was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Pictured left to right are Carol, Martin, Alastair, Claire, Ian, Derek, Ann (seated) Kim, Charlotte, Gordon and Carol.

Located in Blair Atholl, Perthshire. Just 90 minutes from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

Choose from a variety of pitches to suit all needs, including fully serviced touring and tent pitches of all sizes. Our 5-star facilities include five luxury heated shower and toilet blocks.

Follow scenic trails to Blair Castle & Gardens, where our guests enjoy free entry to the gardens. On site, visit The Larder Organic Store, use the laundrette, or enjoy breakfast and pizza at The Shieling catering hut. Families love our playground, games room, playing field, and bike hire.

www.atholl-estates.co.uk Book your stay today.

APPEALING ACTIVE

Gentleman Jack spends a few days with the latest Auto-Sleeper…

Left: General view forwards and rearwards of the Active KB 635’s interior. A popular coachbuilt layout, but here in a high-top panel van conversion.

Below: AutoSleeper Active KB 635 on Fiat Ducato XLWB.

Cook’s Tour

Active is a recently launched range of panel van conversions from our longest established motorcaravan converter, and as such will be of interest to many members, especially given the observed trend among a growing number to downsize from their current coachbuilt. All Actives are based on the XL version of the high-top Fiat Ducato, with a maximum weight of 3,500kg. The latter combined with the availability of automatic transmission ensures that they can be driven by anybody with a UK driving licence for a car. The featured model (KB 635) has a layout which we think will ‘push all the right buttons’. For ‘Sleeper aficionados’ it’s a Kingham, but with a half-dinette replacing the inward-

Above left to right: Two separate half-height hanging wardrobes are opposite the kitchen. Driver’s view of the instrument nacelle and controls mounted on the steering wheel. The ‘business bit’ boasted an equine count of 140, plus a two-pedal drive via the latest eight-speed automatic gearbox.

OTR (on-the-road)

facing two-seat settee. For newer converts, it has a forward lounge, a centrally-placed nearside kitchen, and opposite cook’s quarters is the wardrobe. 635’s ‘European-style’ double-bed with washroom alongside in the offside rear corner. Even just a cursory glance at the exterior reveals the Active to have a higher ‘Eye Candy Quotient’ than many, a direct result of the Broadway Crew’s decision to specify the SEVEL-glazed base vehicle, whose flush, bondedin, full-length, side windows gives a more ‘automotive’ stance. KB 635 is a two-berth, though a cost-option elevating-roof crown provides an additional longitudinal double-bed. >>

A two-berth it may be, but (usefully) it safely accommodates three passengers making it feasible to use as an ‘only vehicle’, providing the dreaded height barriers don’t feature at the far point of the commute to work/child care/wherever. It is a common misconception that the current X/290 series of Ducato hasn’t changed since its inception in 2015. In fact, there has been a raft of improvements and upgrades, resulting in a much more civilised drive. This was even more apparent with the test vehicle’s AT8 eightspeed torque-converter automatic gearbox and two-pedal drive. This

latest gearbox – which I think is of Japanese design – performed well, with a noticeable improvement in gear change smoothness during press-on miles, plus a much quicker response on engine stop-start at traffic lights and when joining the carriageway from stationary. There are three operational modes, Normal, Eco, and Power. Eco lowered the change-up points to 1,500rpm or less, Power shifted them upwards to above 2,500rpm. Please note that specifying the new ‘cog box’ will reduce available payload by 60kg.

Standard Ducato springing gave a very balanced ride, though it is firmer

Forward lounge-diner seats four comfortably. Extending table added flexibility. Green runner motif is on the cab seat headrests. Not to have a removable carpet under the table seemed a bit parsimonious. A glance through advertising images appears to suggest that it hadn’t just gone AWOL on the test vehicle, but isn’t an item supplied as standard.

than that offered by the Transit or Sprinter. The only criticism I had of the driving experience concerned the view from the driver’s pew...more on that later.

Main salon

Entering via the side sliding door is not aided by any grab handles, but is made easier by the standard fit electrically-operated slide-out step. Adjacent and forward is the four-seat lounge-diner consisting of a halfdinette and a brace of swivelling cab pews. This area’s floor is at the same height as that in the cab, thus there is a step down to the rest of the `van. The seating area is positively blessed with windows, and the table ‘grows’ to be within reach for all. Despite the dinette seats doubling as travel ones (hooray), I found them comfortable, without the ‘sit-up-and-beg’ feel

Above: Shower room is behind the grey tambour door in the rear offside corner There are two slimline wall cabinets further up the exterior walls. Left: Immediately forward of the comfort station is a dressing area with additional storage and an illuminated mirror.

Knowledge base

Auto-Sleepers is our oldest volume motorcaravan manufacturer. Its first motorcaravan was actually a DIY exercise in the very late 1950’s by founder Calverley Trevelyan. Based on an Austin J2 it was designed for a touring holiday in France, during which he was accompanied by his wife and sons Anthony and Charles. The latter were crucial in the development of the company, which started trading in 1961. Auto-Sleepers are based in the Cotswold village of Broadway and have been part of the Trigano group since 2017. Trigano is a Europeanwide amalgam of leisure vehicle manufacturers employing over 11,000 people in 14 countries.

that many have. The centrally-placed half-height wardrobe accommodates more than usual because it has an extra angled section...presumably designed to separate outdoor jackets from the rest?

Galley

It is centrally-placed with the majority on the nearside, only the fridge is across the aisle. Equipment consists of a combined gas-fired oven/grill plus three-burner hob, a stainless-steel sink with monobloc mixer tap, pop-up mains sockets, and a decent amount of worktop. The culinary-advantaged can add to this by deploying an additional slide-out work surface which parks above the fridge. A microwave could be easily retro-fitted in the locker above the hob. Natural and artificial task lighting is good.

Above and left: Centrally-placed galley has plenty of storage and a sensible amount of worktop ‘as is’, but even more is available from an additional slide-out work-surface located above the fridge.

Comfort station

Located in the rear offside corner, its positioning determines its long and narrowish character. That said, most folk will find it easy to use. A tambour door helps to dispel any claustrophobic feelings. Just further forward is a dressing area with an illuminated mirror and storage. Those with hair on top of their head (not me then!) can perch on the corner of the bed to style it, or when applying make-up. Storage in the ‘wet’ room is courtesy of two slim cupboards. We would store most toiletries in the cupboards under the dressing mirror. A sponge bag or two can be left under the sink. Endless hot showers were promised from the latest Truma CombiNeo gas/230V boiler. A software fault meant I couldn’t test this, but initial reaction from owners of `vans equipped with Truma’s

Top: Permanent rear corner bed felt comfortable. LED ‘strip’ lighting is under the side high-level lockers. Above and left: Oodles of underbed storage. Truma Combi-Neo boiler looks small... because it is! Corner plinth base panels are doublehinged and move out of the way to facilitate storage of long narrow loads

latest, has all been positive. The loo cassette is retrieved via the nearside rear door...that’s one less aperture cut out of the bodywork then!

Berths

KB 635’s permanent rear corner double-bed will be the ‘deal maker’ for many owners. For the benefit of new recruits...a reminder that all such arrangements for the somnolent ‘trap’ one partner against the wall, requiring them to climb over the other for (say) nocturnal visits to the loo. The bed is a decent size and its height from the floor is a perfect compromise at the accessibility/ storage interface. In addition, because the bed isn’t converted from seating, the optimum mattress density can be specified. Also, there are no uncomfortable ‘joins’ as is

frequently the case with beds made from seating. Mentioned earlier (but worth repeating), there is a cost option to have an elevating roof-crown, whose canvas-sided room accommodates an additional longitudinal double-bed. Junior motorcaravanners and the ‘young at heart’ will love it up there...especially when the sides are zipped away.

Mod cons

Most of the ‘white goods’ have been mentioned elsewhere; thus we’ll concentrate on the bed and what’s underneath it. Very little compromised the huge storage area, which is easily accessed from the interior via a lift-assisted hinged base. The CombiNeo is much more compact than its predeccessors. There’s additional under-bed access available via the rear doors, even

Above from L to R: Horizontal sections of silver-grey air vents were reflected in the windscreen. New design of cab door window blind impeded the tester’s view of the nearside wide-angle mirror. Right: Flush fitting bonded-in habitation glazing looks the part!

with the mattress down. The bed’s forward-corner base panelling hinges out of the way...enabling long items such as skis to be carried...providing they are safely secured of course!

I would have liked

A re-think on the inclusion of shiny silver-grey dashboard vent trims and on the design of the latest generation cab window blinds. (See accompanying photos.) The bright fascia vent trims resulted in distracting reflections on the windscreen when driving. They look

attractive when stationary, but...

The cab window blinds significantly restricted my vision of the nearside wide-angle door mirror. I’m 5’ 10.5” tall, and I reckon shorter drivers are likely to be affected more by this. We have the previous design of cab blinds in our own SEVEL based coachbuilt and there haven’t been any concerns among drivers, including those who are ‘verticallychallenged’. However, ‘ours’ has longer mirror arms than those on the test vehicle.

Tech Talk Auto-Sleeper Active KB 635

Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato XL high-top five-door panel van

Motive power: 140bhp turbo-diesel engine driving the front wheels via an eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox

Will it fit? Length: 6.363m/20’ 11”. Width: 2.26m/7’ 5” (+ mirrors). Height: 2.615m/8’ 7”

MTPLM: 3,500kg

Payload: 557kg. As tested: 468kg

Sleeping berths: 2 (4-optional)

Travel seats: 4 (including driver)

Kit count: Bonded athermic glass windows, blinds and flyscreens, Relux foam cushions, 3-burner hob plus combined grill/oven, fridge, Truma CombiNeo gas/230V boiler, 230V hook-up, leisure battery, 25-litre underfloor

LPG tank

Warranties

Auto-Sleepers: 3-years, water ingress: 6-years.

Conclusion

It is an Auto-Sleeper at a sharp price. We loved the layout and think it deserves to sell well.

Auto-Sleeper Active KB 635 kindly offered for evaluation by Auto-Sleepers Ltd, Orchard Works, Willersey, Nr Broadway, Worcestershire, WR12 7QF www.auto-sleepers.com 01386 858 343. Special thanks to Emma Franklin. E &OE

Fiat: 2-years. Emergency Assist Breakdown Cover: 1-year

Upgrades: (* = fitted to test vehicle)

Automatic transmission*: (+60kg) + £2,995

Fiat Active Premium Pack*: (+15kg) Alloy wheels, 7” infotainment console, rear vision camera, Sargent tracker, cab air-con, cruise control, sat-nav. + £2,000

Fiat Active Campervan Tech Pack*: (+23.5kg) 100W solar panel, external bbq point, TV/Wi-F i aerial/router, 100Ah Lithium leisure battery. + £1,070

Fiat Active Campervan Comfort Pack*: 2 X scatter cushions, Flyscreen to side door, REMIfront cab blinds, removable carpets. + £1,180

Elevating roof crown with Sky Up lifting system: (+100kg) + £6,000. (Panorama sides to roof + £919, Polisoft insulated roof tent + £1,119)

Optional body colour: + £795

Sargent Tracker Subscription*: + £100 yearly

Bottom line: Prices from £ 69,749 OTR. As tested: £77,094 OTR

Frances & Michael Howorth investigate the motorcaravan rental market, seeking out small independent rental companies and the dealerships that offer rentals on a try-before-you-buy basis.

WHEELS WITHOUT WORRIES

Not everyone wants, or needs, to own a campervan or motorhome. Buying a motorhome involves a significant upfront investment, along with insurance, maintenance, storage, and depreciation. Rental companies remove those barriers. Instead, they provide access to a fully equipped vehicle for a set period, allowing people to experience touring life on their own terms.

They also solve a practical problem for occasional users. For them, hiring makes far more sense than leaving a vehicle unused for most of the year. It allows travellers to match the vehicle to the trip, choosing a compact campervan for a weekend

break or a larger RV for a longer tour.

RV rental companies also play a key role in introducing new people to motorcaravanning. First-time users often prefer to “try before they buy.” Hiring gives them the chance to learn how everything works, from hook-ups to water systems, without committing to ownership.

The appeal of renting spans a broad audience. Families often use rental motorhomes for school holiday adventures, enjoying the freedom to travel without fixed accommodation. Couples, particularly those approaching retirement, may use rentals to test whether full ownership suits their lifestyle.

There is also a growing segment of experience-led travellers. These

are people drawn to the idea of slow travel, outdoor living, and the freedom to change plans at short notice. For them, renting an RV is less about the vehicle itself and more about the style of travel it enables. RV rental companies exist because they make motorcaravanning accessible and the trend is catching on here quickly. The UK represents one of the fastest growing markets in motorhome hire with the US around 40%down on previous years and places like Australia and NZ suffering from the current unrest in the Middle East.

But who runs these rental companies and what do each of them do? In this feature, we look at small independent rental companies

“They solve a practical problem for occasional users. For them, hiring makes far more sense than leaving a vehicle unused for most of the year.”

and the dealerships that offer rentals on a 'try before you buy' basis. We also look at the large Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lenders that follow the AirBnB style of business model, but first we investigate the large corporates.

Large corporate companies

Tourism Holdings Limited is a huge company listed on the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges. As a holding group they operate a global family of RV brands, delivering to hundreds of thousands of customers around the world every year across operations in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, USA, and Canada with franises in Southern Africa and Japan. Collectively THL represents over 30 brands, each with its own brand equity and local heritage in the markets they operate. They design and build KEA, Talvor, Windsor, Winnebago (ANZ), and Coromal RVs, and rent them through their RV rental outlets. They rent across the Maui, Apollo, Britz, Mighty Campers, and Cheapa Campa, brands in New Zealand and Australia using the CanaDream, Road Bear RV, and El Monte brands in Canada

and the USA. In the UK, they operate Bunk Campers and Just Go, and through the latter, operate Hertz Motorhome Hire.

Dan Scott, General Manager in charge of Marketing and Communications in the UK and Europe said: “We champion a way of travelling that creates true value for the people, places and environments we touch. Together, we are more vertically integrated,

globally connected, and ambitious than anyone else in the RV market because we design, build and rent.”

We are not quite sure why roadsurfer chooses not to use a capital letter at the beginning of its name. Perhaps it is to make our life difficult when using spell checker! Yet, the giant rental firm has established itself as a global leader in campervan and motorhome travel since it was created in 2016 by five childhood friends who, after struggling to find the perfect campervan for a group trip, asked themselves – how do we make this easier?

Keen to simplify the experience, they developed one of the first fully online campervan booking platforms. Beginning with just 25 vehicles, roadsurfer have now expanded across 16 European countries, with approximately 10,000 campervans, motorhomes, and RVs, ranging from compact classic VW campervans to fully equipped sprinter-style campers and larger sized motorhomes; catering to every type of traveller whether solo, a family or a group of friends. Every vehicle is dog-friendly and comes with essential camping gear. Vehicles are regularly refreshed and typically stay in the rental fleet for 6-24 months, keeping it modern and up-to-date with the latest models. To create a genuine sense of community and personal connection, >>

every vehicle includes a guest book where travellers can share stories from their road trip, and each camper is, by tradition, named after its very first holidaymaker.

UK stations include London, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh and in Ireland – Dublin. The company entered the North American market in June 2022, opening its first US station in Los Angeles. Vancouver and Calgary in Canada have recently opened hire centres.

Hippie Campers offers budgetfriendly, colourful campervan rentals designed for young travellers, couples, and small families, primarily operating in Australia and New Zealand. Part of the Apollo Tourism & Leisure group, they provide reliable, compact "Hitop" (2-berth) and "Endeavour" (4-berth) vans equipped with kitchens, fridges, and bedding,

allowing for one-way rentals. Other large corporate companies in the market include Indie Campers and McRent.

Small independent

When it comes to smaller companies one stands out as being ultra small! Scotland Escape runs the small, curated pair of two well looked-after campervans named Freddy and Dolly. They’re modern, reliable, and thoughtfully equipped with everything guests need for a comfortable road trip. The company approach has always been “quality over quantity”.

Owners, Gemma and Campbell, perhaps better known for their guidebooks, are planning a controlled expansion of their rental business by partnering with other van owners so they can grow while maintaining the personal touch their customers love.

Also in Scotland, Scottish Tourer Campervan Hire have a fleet of 24

(pet & smoker free) motorhomes that are all brand new and built to their specifications. All hires include privileged membership to Prestige Campsites during the duration of the rental.

Outside of Scotland, if you are planning a UK weekend break, a family adventure, or an exciting European road trip, Staycation Motorhomes are a family run business based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Offering affordable luxury motorhome hire, their vans range from two to six berth and are fully equipped with everything you would need from plates and cups to a bike rack and awning. Christian Kelly started the company in 2020, having been in the motorhome industry for 15 years. He told us: “We took the plunge and bought our first new motorhome, a Rollerteam T-Line 590. With very little marketing the bookings started coming in quickly and within 2 months we had bought our next van. We now have a fleet of nine including six Rollerteam models and three Auto-Trail, all with different layouts and sizes so we have something to suit any requirement. All our motorhomes are under two years old and come complete with all the things a hirer would need. Customers only need to bring bedding, towels, and of course food and clothing.

“We attract a wide range of hirers of all ages and can hire to anyone >>

Strangers in your campervan?

Why are thousands of people letting strangers into their campervans? Because they turned out to be families, retirees and couples. People who treat your motorhome with the kind of care you'd hope for, because it's their holiday too.

Stop paying for a campervan

List your campervan and cover your expenses. Find out how much you could make with our earnings calculator that spends its time in storage

aged between 30 and 79. We get customers from all over the UK, Europe and the US. In general, most hirers stay in the UK with the NC500 route, and Cornwall proving to be the more popular destinations, but we are seeing a lot of interest and bookings for people wanting to travel into Europe as well.”

Big Blue Campers in Worcester have a wide range of VW camper vans for hire, providing a home away from home experience. LandCruise Motorhome Hire are conveniently located in Chichester, West Sussex; a fantastic location for those wishing to rent a motorhome to visit Brighton, the New Forest, Dorset, the Isle of Wight or South Downs National Park.

Easicampers is a family-run motorhome & camper rental company with bases in Edinburgh, Wolverhampton, Wigan, Blackburn, and Preston, offering motorhome hire and campervan rental throughout the UK.

Adaptive Motorhome Hire stands out in this somewhat crowded market because it focuses on something most operators overlook

islands and highlands. However, Swift Go is not a business that can be sustained by the Try Before You Buy contingent alone and they also cater to general holiday makers for whom renting is a ‘bucket-list’ experience; a mixture of couples, friends and families who see motorhome hire as an adventurous road trip and an opportunity to reconnect with each other and the great outdoors.

– true accessibility combined with a personal, human approach. They are a family-run social enterprise based in Kent, offering inclusive travel through wheelchair accessible motorhomes designed for comfort and independence.

Try before you buy

Some companies acknowledge that rentals are a useful opportunity for those who want to gain an extended ‘live-in’ experience rather than just a test drive at their local dealer. Such offerings help customers to fine tune their buying criteria and work out what they see as essential and where they might be prepared to compromise.

Kevin Foulkes is the Managing Director of Swift Go. Part of the Swift Group, his company is supported by over 60 years of manufacturing experience. He opened his first motorhome rental depot in Manchester with 48 vans in 2018, adding 60 in Edinburgh the following year. Depots are based close to areas of incredible beauty such as the Lake District, North Wales and the Scottish

In 2006, Steve Lumley found himself at an unexpected turning point and had the opportunity to take voluntary redundancy. Instead of panicking, he asked himself what better way to reset with young children than to buy a campervan and head off to Europe? So, he did exactly that, buying a VW T4 Westfalia California campervan and spending three and a half months travelling across Europe with his then 1 and 3-year-olds in 2007. It was a wonderful chance to spend time as a family and for Steve it was a lifechanging experience. As he drove, he developed and grew ideas and made plans that became the foundation of Campervantastic

The company is based in Forest Hill, London, where it has operated for nearly 20 years. From its warehouse, office, and showroom, the company serves customers across London and the wider UK, with both in-person services (vehicle handovers, accessory fitting, click-and-collect service) and an online store. The fleet size is around 20, consisting of VW California Ocean and Beach

Campervantastic Directors Steve and Kate

campervans and Grand California motorhomes, all factory produced by VW. The fleet is regularly updated to ensure customers benefit from the latest models and features. Vehicles are typically sold at the end of each season (around September), to make way for new models in the Spring – usually around two years old and still under the builder’s five year warranty. This approach keeps the fleet modern, well-maintained, and aligned with current innovations and in turn offers news owners a quality well maintained vehicle.

Impressively, almost 20 years on from that first trip, Steve still has his first T4 campervan. The build quality, design, and level of equipment have really stood the test of time and having experienced many generations from T5, T5.1, T6, T6.1, T7, and Grand California motorhomes his trusty old T4 still remains his favourite!

Peer to peer

Airbnb is a company most people instantly recognise, and describing P2P campervan rental companies as “Airbnb on wheels” helps people grasp the idea quickly, connecting

private campervan owners with those looking for flexible, and affordable ways to explore.

Goboony, together with Yescapa, currently offers the largest selection of peer-to-peer campervans in Europe. They have more than 28,000 vehicles available across 10 countries and the network continues to grow.

Essentially the two brands are under the same ownership umbrella. The core offering is the same, and all vehicles are bookable on either platform. The main difference is simply geographic. Goboony was the market leader in the UK and Northern Europe, while Yescapa led in France and Southern Europe. By merging, they combined resources and operations. Their business model is a marketplace, which means they connect travellers and owners. The company handles all the booking system, payment, vetting, and paperwork, while the owner will handle the maintenance and cleanliness of the vehicle and the handovers with customers.

Earnings for owners depend on several factors. Availability is key: summer is the busiest period, so owners who block out peak dates

for personal use will naturally earn less. Pricing strategy also makes a significant difference, as does allowing pets, which is a major driver of demand. In short, the more flexible, competitively priced, and widely available a campervan is, the more bookings a van will attract.

Campervans are also offered through the Airbnb site, although they are difficult to find. Other companies in this marketplace include Outdoorsy and Camplify

When it comes to smaller P2P companies perhaps the best known is Quirky Campers. Available in the UK and New Zealand, they are a collective of like-minded campervan owners, each handcrafted and different from other factory-built vehicles.

RV rental companies exist because they make motorcaravanning accessible. They remove the financial and practical hurdles, broaden the appeal of the lifestyle, and allow more people to experience the freedom of the open road. Whether for a weekend escape or a once-ina-lifetime journey, they offer the chance to try out wheels without worries.

IN ThE BEGINnINg

We have chosen Auto-Roller as it was a key player in the ‘Italian Invasion’ of the second half of the Nineteen-Nineties and for most of the Noughties. Auto-Roller was founded in Italy back in the late Nineteen-Seventies to provide parts for trailer caravan assembly. Their first coachbuilt motorhomes rolled off the (then brand new) Tuscan production line in the mid Nineteen-Nineties. [1...1998 Auto-Roller 2].

Building initially for the burgeoning home market, they successfully undercut their larger Gruppo CI rivals, who then took them over. Auto-Roller grew exponentially and soon became a favourite of British purchasers looking for better value for money and a different interior vibe from the home-grown product. Auto-Roller led the development of vacuum-formed plastics to make integrated washroom furniture [2], and also the use of designer soft-furnishing fabrics [3]. Similarly, it was an early adopter of the drop-down transverse double-bed immediately behind the cab. [4...Roller Team T-Line 590].

TwO FOR TwENtY-SIX

Since changing moniker to Roller-Team (‘Auto-Roller’ became a range name), the company has repositioned itself as a worthy midmarket contender offering well-equipped, design-led, contemporary, motorcaravans - but crucially - still at sharp prices. We’ve chosen the hightop Livingstone DUO [7] and the Pegaso 745 A-Class [8] to represent their current offering. Roller Team is now part of the Trigano empire and managed in the UK by Auto-Trail.

COuLdA ShOuLdA

Could have been hugely popular…indeed should have been hugely popular…but wasn’t! First-up is the badge-engineered Pegaso range [5], formerly marketed under the flagship Granduca badge. Unfortunately, its launch coincided with a global economic downturn. Secondly, a raft of six-berth coachbuilts featuring longitudinal bunk beds towards the rear [6]. Aimed at large families, they were hugely popular in Europe, but much less so in Blighty.

KIT THAT COUNTS

Frances and Michael Howorth review must-have outdoor gear for a pitch perfect life on the road this coming summer

Awell-planned motorcaravan adventure depends as much on what you carry as where you go. From dependable coolers that keep supplies fresh, to compact BBQs that turn any stop into a feast, we have tested the best in outdoor accessories that can transform life on the road. Add in sturdy tables and comfy chairs for relaxed evenings, alongside a few non-essential luxuries that include portable log fires and solar chargers, and you will discover we have found a setup that delivers comfort, flexibility, and true off-grid freedom, wherever we choose to park.

bulkiness can limit the number of occasions when we use it But a new, ingenious, collapsible cooler has hit the market, and it combines the convenience and packability of a soft cool bag with the durability and performance of a hard cooler.

making it perfect for spontaneous beach trips and overnight campsite stays.

Each cooler features a removable and washable TPU liner that provides full leakproof protection, while an antibacterial treatment prevents the growth of bacteria to keep your cooler fresh and clean for longer. Thoughtfully positioned side handles make lifting the cooler in and out of your van easy and clip in place to secure it when collapsed.

Free Power

Coolers

We absolutely love

volumes of food next adventure or trip. When you’re ready to head out, it to in an instant, giving and cool plenty of

We absolutely love our Coleman Xtreme wheeled cooler with its all-terrain wheels and telescopic handle. We use it to transport large volumes of food and drink. But even we concede its

Designed for anyone short on storage space, Coleman’s Snap ‘N Go coolers take up minimal space when stored, without compromising on cooling performance. Available in three capacity sizes; 33, 42 and 52 litres, these Snap ‘N Go coolers collapse down to a third of their size when not in use. That means you can keep one tucked away in your campervan or car, ready for your next adventure or even a food shopping trip. When you’re ready to head out, it snaps up to full size in an instant, giving you space to pack and cool plenty of food and drinks. Ours keeps food and drinks cold for up to 36 hours,

We have solar panels fitted to the roof of Voyager and get a perverse sort of pleasure not having to pay for an EHU if we don’t need one. Who needs to pay for power when it comes free from the sun. That’s why we are so chuffed with our Solar Powerbank. One in the Powertech range of products from Wolf International, the SPB-24 Solar Powerbank is the ideal choice for all your device charging needs. The portable power source with a capacity of 24000mAh provides us optimised charging for our iPhones,

ALL MODELS

VENTURA AIR VITA FREE-STANDING AIR AWNING

VENTURA AIR LUX PORCH AWNING FOR MOTORHOMES AND CAMPERVANS

VENTURA AIR ANNEX FITS

VENTURA AIR ALTO PORCH AWNING FOR MOTORHOMES

tablets, headtorches, and cameras. And with the wireless charging we can charge our phones without the need for a charging cable. The solar panel keeps it constantly charging even in low light conditions. The power bank has Micro USB and Type-C inputs and QC 3.0, Type-C and USB outputs and can charge several devices simultaneously. It weighs only 553g, has an A-grade Lipolymer battery, LED flashlight and LED indicators showing charging status and comes complete with protective tech case. All in all, a good piece of kit.

Get out the Barbie

You have to ask yourself what summer evenings are for, if it is not for lighting up the barbie beside

chance to own one. Besides some minor upgrades to the internal

versatile options meaning we can grill, roast, fry, bake, or boil. And its cool-to-touch exterior, means there is no heat transfer through the base, so it is safe to use on our camping table.

Now we know several of our friends would tell us that not every campervan has the space for a good BBQ. And until recently we might have agreed with them. But now we have found what is being called the world’s smartest portable gas grill. Not only is it smart, but it’s also really compact and can be carried by even the smallest of campervans. Smart and compact are great assets but add in quick to the mix, and you really do have a winner on your hands.

This delightfully designed folding BBQ can be ready to cook in under a minute. Simply unlock, flip, plug into a gas supply, and start grilling. The double-sided cooking surface allows you to control temperatures independently, so meat can sizzle on one side while vegetables or pasta cook on the other – a remarkably versatile approach to outdoor dining. We admit it is our go-to device when we want a cooked breakfast and it’s difficult to know if neighbouring campers stop to talk to us about the device because they are after a bacon sarnie or are just as intrigued by its design as we are. >>

Table & Chairs

We favour using our bbq on top of a table but would rather not use the same one we eat at. So began our hunt for a compact folding table that you can cook on without it feeling like you are balancing your bbq on top of quivering jelly! Searching led us to the Brunner Accelerate folding roll up table.

It is available in two sizes. We chose the smaller four person table which is 120 x 80cm or the six person table at 146cm x 80cm. Both tables sit at a comfortable height of 70cm. It has been tested to hold up to 30 kgs!

What makes this table so sturdy, is the central cross bar that locks into place. This prevents any movement or twist in the hinged legs. After setting the table up there is adjustment in one of the legs, you put this leg on the low point of ground and simply screw the leg down to the floor to stop the table rocking. Simple yet effective.

The Accelerate uses aluminium slats to form the top. Popular with many tables, the slats are unrolled onto the table frame and locked into place using simple stud fixings. Made from lightweight aluminium with a natural silver finish, the frame edges are black to match the fixings. Leg hinges are steel and plastic, as are the feet and tube end caps. It is a very stylish looking table. The tabletop has a built-in spirit level and the whole thing comes complete with a storage bag for when it’s not in use. Folded and packed away, it measures just 150cm x 20 x 20cm, making it easy to stow when not in use. It might not be the cheapest table on the market, but we think it’s one of the best, and well worth the money.

The table we eat at also comes from Brunner and it is just as secure.

Stable tables need sturdy supportive chairs, but we simply do not have the space on board Voyager to carry those large recliners that would not look out of place on a cruise liner’s deck. So, we bought Sunset Chairs for reclining in from Helinox. These tall, supportive chairs are crafted for comfort and made from a durable, heavyweight recycled polyester canvas. Longer leg poles make it easier to get in and out, and the high back adds increased neck and shoulder support. And when we need to make a move, their compact, collapsible frames pack into a handy 52cm x 12cm x 12.5cm zipped case carrying case. Weighing 1.7kg when packed up they can hold up to 145kg when assembled. Taller and more upright than the Sunset, we use >>

the Café Chair for dining. The seat height works with a standard table and pairs perfectly with our Café Table. Portable, light, stable and comfortable, the Café Chair is ideal for cooking, dining, or camp card games.

Ultimate Terrain Wagon

Carting kit around the campsite has just become a whole lot easier now that Coleman has launched their new Ultimate Terrain Wagon. We use ours to carry paddleboarding equipment down to the water or transfer all our picnic stuff to the beach when we camp beside the sea. Built to glide effortlessly over any surface, from sand to gravel, it makes it easier than ever to haul your gear to and from the campsite. Featuring wide, extra-sturdy, all-terrain wheels, the wagon’s generous 132 litre capacity is ideal for transporting camping gear, coolers and festival supplies, while the impressive 180kg load limit and handy bungee cords ensure you’ll be able to carry everything you need in a single trip. Hardwearing, heavyduty polyester fabric and removable reinforced base offer long-lasting durability, while the strong steel frame provides extra sturdiness for repeated outdoor use. Additional storage pockets

on each side allows us to carry camping chairs, windbreaks or other essentials, freeing up space inside the wagon for our extra gear. The long, folding handle provides good manoeuvrability even on uneven terrain. The wheels can be detached effortlessly with a clever one-touch button system, allowing you to lift the wagon into your car boot while fully loaded without it rolling around or taking up more space than necessary. When not in use, the wagon folds down accordion-style to fit compactly into its own carry case.

Campfires

The end of a feature about outdoor accessories should finish like a good day camping. And at the end of the day, we love nothing more

than sitting around a campfire. But in some campsites that is simply not an option or was not, until now! Let us introduce to you the world's first truly compact, portable log fire.

Meticulously engineered for warmth, ambience and effortless portability the Alogfire

Mini redefines outdoor ambiance. Built for efficiency, it operates with a minimal footprint and maximum impact. It is a proper portable campfire that sits outside the van on a tabletop. Its yellow dancing flame technology gives you a real campfire feel, not that harsh blue cooker flame. The glass windproof panel keeps the flame steady around campsite setups, even when the weather turns, creating a natural “sit round the table” warmth without smoke, ash or mess. The included grill expands it's versatility and allows us to boil water or heat a pan, while staying warm outside.

As ever, it is the small details that make the biggest difference to life on the road. From keeping food fresh and cooking with ease, to relaxing in comfort and staying powered off grid, the right kit transforms a simple pitch into a proper home from home. We have tested all this this gear in realworld conditions, not showroom settings. Each item has earned its place aboard Voyager through practicality, reliability, and ease of use. We believe that when buying outdoor accessories, you should invest wisely in the essentials and add a few well-chosen luxuries, and then every stop becomes more enjoyable. For us, that is what motorcaravanning is all about. Freedom, flexibility, and the confidence to park up anywhere and feel completely at home.

Over

Our pick of the products

1. Milenco Commercial High Security Steering Wheel Lock Gold Sold Secure and police recommended theft deterrent. Compact, strong, attack-resistant. £84.95 | leisureshopdirect.com

2. Caravan Crazy Plastoform

Acrylight Framed Window

Perfect for flat sided camper van conversions. Flat outer frame and outer pane; hidden hinge; low product weight; blind and flyscreen. £545 | caravancrazy.co.uk

3. Bailey Endurance 'Adventure Pack'

Take your travels to the next level:

• Rhino roof rack and ladder

• Roof-mounted off-road lighting

• 2x 100w solid Truma solar panels £1,250 | baileyofbristol.co.uk

4. Avon 84Ah Lithium Leisure Battery

Equivalent to 150Ah traditional leisure battery, with Bluetooth state of charge App. £299 (S/S promo) | bblbatteries.co.uk

5. Isabella Draught Skirt

from under your campervan.

Avoid annoying draughts and cold from under your campervan. £115 | isabella.net

6. Diamondbrite Graphene Pro Detailer

The ultimate solution for enhanced gloss, durability, and protection. £16.99 | diamondbrite.shop

gloss, durability, and protection. £16.99 | diamondbrite.shop

7. Fiamma Garage Slide Deluxe

7. Fiamma Garage Slide Deluxe

bike rack that is quick and easy to

Furnish your locker with a practical bike rack that is quick and easy to use and can be fully dismantled. £750 | fiamma.it

8. Isabella Nanna Chair

A lightweight and comfortable camping chair with 3 adjustable backrest positions and padded seat. £59 | isabella.net

9. County Battery Fuller FB110L Leisure Battery

Perfect for those that require a battery to be mostly used when travelling to sites with EHU. £141 | countybattery.co.uk

10. Oyster Sat-Tech Tecklift Complete

Stow your e-bikes with our electric bike lift at the touch of a button. £1,169 | ten-haaft.com

With over 40 years of expertise and German engineering, myCOOLMAN fridges are built tough, packed with smart technology, and have been proven in Australia’s harshest conditions. They deliver an ultra reliable, premium performance trusted by adventurers worldwide.

Every myCOOLMAN fridge combines a powerful German-engineered compressor, heavy-duty construction and the option of a magnetic Power-Pack, ensuring a fully operational portable fridge / freezer.

GROUP NEWS & DIARIES

ANGLIA

Group news coordinator: Jade Soanes

T: 01502 725840 E: groupnews@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

Post: Motor Caravanner magazine, Countrywide Publications, Reydon Business Park, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6DH

Deadline: 5th of the month for inclusion in the following month's magazine

Thirty-one vans turned up for our St Patrick’s rally at Whittlesey, with members from four different areas. Friday night the urns were on for those that wanted a cuppa. Once everyone had got a drink we played three games of bingo followed by a music quiz. Saturday was a free day to explore Whittlesey, catch the bus to Peterborough or visit one of the local cafés or pubs for lunch. I did pop into Weatherspoon’s and from what I saw they did very well out of us being at Whittlesey with lots of members going there for lunch. Saturday evening, we were back in the hall for our St Patrick's celebrations. The hall and tables had been completely transformed by Toni and there were Irish decorations everywhere. The room looked amazing. We then had Irish stew and baguettes that Julie and Paul had cooked, with everyone going up for seconds. This was followed by some members performing some Irish songs. There were song sheets on all tables so everyone was able to sing along. A great night was had by all. Sunday morning urns were on again, and after the chairman’s chat we had the raffle.

Forty-seven vans from seven different areas turned up for our Easter rally at Wells. Thursday night we had a Majority quiz which was different to our usual quizzes but everyone enjoyed it. More vans turned up on Friday and in the evening, we met up in the hall for hot cross buns, which were followed by our usual Friday night game of bingo. Saturday morning, we had a table top sale in the hall which was profitable for some. In the evening, we had Gemma B singing and she kept us entertained with a good selection of songs to dance to. Sunday morning, we had an Easter egg hunt. Each easter egg had a number inside it which related to what prize you had won. Prizes ranged from Easter eggs to bottles of wine, and beer, with all boxes having at least

one egg and another prize in them. All members loved the twist we did on the easter egg hunt, and it's been a few years since I have seen members running off at the start of the race to look for the hidden eggs.

Games were also put out around the hall for people to play. We also had competitions for best decorated Easter bonnet (ladies and gents), best decorated egg and best decorated card. Sunday evening, we presented all winners with their prizes and this was followed by a music quiz. To finish the evening off we then had the raffle as some members were going home the next day.

Monday evening those of us that were still there had a horse racing night. Many bets were placed and laughs were had by all.

We are now taking deposits for our Christmas and New Year Eve rallies; these need to be paid by the end of August to secure your place.

Upcoming rallies: 1-4 May at Sheringham High School, NR26 8ND. 5pm start (not bookable). 4-8 June at Hunstanton Community Centre PE36 5BW. 1pm start. Bookable to Teresa on 07739 463321.

CHILTERN

Our Easter Rally was held at Cottesloe School, a great rally attended by 23 units (two Severn Valley, one East Wessex, three East Mids, one Kent, 16 Chiltern). With easy access to the buses, visits were made to Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury. Jointly hosted by two couples – Miranda and Ian, Noreen and Martin – we were well entertained in the warm school hall. Thursday evening started off with a team quiz. Friday everyone contributed to a most welcome faith supper. On Saturday evening a fiendish 1% quiz was held which was a new diversion to our usual socialising. The raffle was also drawn which attracted

the usual friendly comments for winners. Sunday afternoon the hall was open for board games which proved popular and the evening judging of the decorated Easter bonnets and cards.

As one member commented "I am only half way through the rally at Cottesloe School and have enjoyed it so much! This morning I was awakened by the dawn chorus and my app told me the birds were a wren, jackdaw, great tit, magpie, blue tit,wood pigeon, gold finch, green finch and a robin. It was absolutely lovely and the sun was out!" Thank you Val.

Upcoming rallies: 8-10 May at Valley Farm, Farmoor, OX2 9NL. 5-7 June at Aston& Cote V.H. OX18 2DU. Rally cancellation: 16-21 July at Abingdon CC. Unfortunately due to the host site double booking, we have had to cancel this rally. Substitute: 16-20 July at West Oxon Steam Fair OX29 6UU. What3Words: ///archduke.stocks. soulful. www.westoxonsteam.co.uk. Booking required. Email mccchilternbkgsec@gmail.com or text Shirley 07974 012757. Stewards: To be advised. Costs: Discounted fee (inc fair entrance) £75. Adjacent to A40, buses to Witney and Oxford.

EAST MIDLANDS

The Casino Night Rally at Gainsborough proved to be a fantastic weekend enjoyed by all who attended. Rally stewards Pauline, John, Lynne and Colin gave everyone a warm welcome and ensured everything ran smoothly from start to finish. Twenty-six vans arrived and were neatly parked up: 15 from East Midlands, eight from Anglia, two from Yorkshire, and one from Nene Valley, making for a friendly and lively mix of members.

Friday began with a relaxed afternoon tea, coffee, and plenty of chatter in the hall. Later that evening, acting chair Sandra officially greeted everyone before the social fun began. Bingo and a general knowledge quiz kept minds sharp, while background music set the perfect tone for a laid-back evening catching up with friends old and new.

Saturday was left free for members to explore the charms of Gainsborough at their own pace, with coffee and conversation back in the hall during the afternoon. The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday night with the Casino Night, the main event. Everyone looked splendid in their evening wear and threw themselves into the spirit of the occasion. The room buzzed with laughter, good-natured competition, and plenty of cheering. Congratulations went to Ali Insley, winner of the Snail Race, with Graham WarrinerUtting as runner-up. The overall Casino Night winner was David, while Sandra earned the well-deserved title of Winning Croupier for the evening.

Sunday morning brought the traditional coffee morning and chat from the acting chair, followed by the raffle. Prizes were claimed, friendships reaffirmed, and everyone was wished a safe journey home. It was a truly enjoyable weekend full of laughter, good company, and great

entertainment. We’re already looking forward to seeing everyone again at the next rally!

Upcoming rallies: 5-7 June at Husbands Bosworth Gliding Centre, Husbands Bosworth Airfield, Lutterworth, LE17 6JJ.

EAST WESSEX

Our rally at Weeke School, Winchester, was enjoyed by all. Friday evening was our normal get together for chit-chat and catch up. Saturday was a lovely sunny day albeit a little on the chilly side. Most people headed into Winchester either by bus or for the fittest of us on foot.

On Saturday we enjoyed a horse racing evening where we had some fun egging on our horses! We also had a few games of card bingo which is everybody's favourite, and also a great raffle.

We welcomed our Honoury Life President Carol Forfar and her daughter Julie who visited us for the evening which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Sunday morning was also bright and chilly, we finished off the rally with our Chairman's chit-chat where we welcomed new members Philip and Jackie Gates, and visitors from Sussex.

Our Easter rally at Burnham Copse School Tadley was well attended. We welcomed first time visitors to East Wessex: Steve and Hazel from Chiltern group; Tony and Stacey from Severn Valley. Also three units from West Wessex. Thursday was usual meet up and chat, catching up with each other’s busy lives.

Good Friday saw people doing a variety of things from going out to lunch, visiting Basingstoke or just a walk or wander up to the local shops. I believe a few bargains were had in the charity shop! We met up in the hall for tea/coffee and hot cross buns in the afternoon.

Friday and Saturday evenings were filled with fun and games. Card bingo is always a must, but Larry showed us a new game. He called it the pole game and it is a version of what he and Sheila saw in the Maori village on their trip to New Zealand. It was great fun and everyone joined in and had a good time. We also played sudden death skittles which was won by Steve from Chiltern.

On Sunday morning Brenda put on an Easter Egg hunt for us, so that kept us busy looking for those elusive eggs! Several people went out for Sunday lunch or met up in the hall and played some card games or dominoes. Also there was a jigsaw on the go all weekend and also a wasgij! Both were finished by the end of the rally. We had an Easter bonnet parade on Sunday evening and more games including the pole game again, and left right and centre which was won by Lorraine. It was a great rally and was enjoyed by all.

It has been decided to make all East Wessex rallies bookable for the foreseeable future; this is because of the rising cost and availability of fuel during the troubles in Iran at present. Please book with Dave Hayward on >>

GROUP NEWS

davehayward56@gmail.com or call 07948 395603 and always check our website for details at www.east wessex.uk

Upcoming rallies: 14-19 May at Beehive Field, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1UA. Check website eastwessex .co.uk for details and directions. 21-26 May is the MCC Club National Rally, Statfold Country Park, Tamworth B79 0BU. 4-7 June at Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley Abbey, SO31 5GA.

ESSEX

This weekend saw us at Chelmer Valley High School for our second rally of 2026. We had a great turnout of vans with visitors from Kent, Anglia and Chiltern groups joining us. Friday evening we all met up for the Vice Chairman's welcome. A game of bingo was had with lucky Liz winning a line and full house. Raffle tickets were sold and we had a dance.

Saturday evening saw us all getting involved for Brian and Donna's 80s night. It was great to see people involved getting dressed up for the night. We had a great 80s themed quiz which got our thinking caps on. The raffle was drawn and the lucky winners were very happy with their prizes. A parade took place for everyone that had dressed up and it was decided that John and Julie as Hi-di-Hi yellow coats were well deserved winners. This was followed by Brian's 80s playlist that got everyone up and dancing. Sunday morning saw us having a cuppa and the Vice Chairman's chat before bidding our farewells after a great weekend. Donna

Our next rally is 8-10 May at White Roding Sports and Social Club. Start time 2pm.

ISLE OF WIGHT

Happily our rally season has now started with campsites opening after closing for the winter season. Our first rally of the season took place in April with quite an improvement in the weather. The Orchards is a popular site with full facilities including a swimming pool.

Another breakfast meet took place at The Tide Mill and was well attended by members. Group continued with their

monthly breakfast meets during the winter months.

Only a small number of our members are attending the National Rally this year but we are looking forward to few days of fun and catching up with old friends.

Our rally programme is on our website www.mcciow.com and all rallies are bookable. Contact our rally officer Andrew at cherylclapp@hotmail.co.uk.

Upcoming rallies: 8-10 May at The Fighting Cocks PO30 3AR. 5-7 June at Comforts Farm PO31 8LS. 19-21 June at Georges Pony Field PO32 6LW.

KENT

Our St. Patrick’s rally on the weekend of the 13-15 March was at Abbey School in Faversham. This is a new venue to us, and it did not disappoint with it only being a short walk into the town for its many bars and eclectic array of shops. Our thanks go to Martin and Sue for hosting an Irish themed weekend with a quiz on the Friday night. Saturday night was all about the Irish fancy dress, dancing and eating quite a lot of food as people shared platters across the tables. The throw a £1 coin to win the bottle of Irish whiskey was well fought over and we were able to collect a nice sum of money which was given to our club charity the Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance. It was a great weekend in the spirit of the Kent group: friendship, food and fun!

What an Easter extravaganza we had at Palm Bay, the weather was good to us and those who came enjoyed a walk into Margate and for some a cycle ride into Ramsgate or Broadstairs... our friends from Anglia did it in style on a bicycle made for two! Others took the bus into the Broadstairs Food Festival. Friday night was themed as “All things TV” and Sharon and Lorna compered us through some old style TV quizzes which led to some well fought battles over the Easter Egg prizes. It seems we are all kids at heart when it comes to chocolate! Food seemed to a be a theme for the rally with hot cross buns on Friday morning before setting out for our adventures and then we were awakened with sausage and bacon breakfast baps on Easter Sunday! Our thanks go to our chefs Dave, Mark, Martin and Tony and their respective spouses! There was great entertainment from our very own member John and his electric ukelele band, “The Bay Kats.” I for one was not sure what to expect from a ukelele band but what we got was stupendous and they will be returning!

21-26 May – MCC National Rally and AGM – There is a good group of Kent members attending! If you would like to join us, then please contact Sharon via the details below so that we can let you know what our theme will be for the Party night and whether you would be keen to have a gathering over the course of the weekend.

4-7 June at The Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood TN12 6PY. The historic Hop Farm has the largest collection of Victorian Oast houses. Set in the stunning open fields of Kent. We will be using the Little Monktons area of the camping field. There is an onsite café. Start time 2pm.

Essex Group

18-21 June at Hamilton Farm, Stone Cross Road, Ashford TN25 7JJ. Small private campsite just outside Ashford. It has a private airfield and an onsite café. Start time 2pm. Please contact Sharon on kent@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk for any bookable rallies.

LANCASHIRE

Lancashire kept the spirit of fun and togetherness continuing the year as it started. There were two rallies in March, the first was at Hoghton village hall 6th to 8th March, hosted by Eric and Barbara Hodgson, and saw an impressive turnout with twenty-eight vans, made up of 26 Lancashire, one NWM&NW, and one from Yorkshire.

Friday night kicked off in the hall with the sale of bingo tickets, raffle tickets, and bonus ball, followed by bingo called by our very own Allan Parker. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a ‘special’ quiz prepared by Eric, we then spent time catching up with friends and listened to music hosted by Jimmy along with some dancing.

Saturday morning, for those feeling energetic there was a tai chi session with Stephen and Janet followed by a crafting with our crafty crafter Ann. Saturday lunchtime, the hall was filled with the comforting aroma of homemade soup, prepared by some of the ladies. Simple food that brought everyone together. Some then stayed in the hall to chat and others went for a walk to explore the local area. Saturday evening, we all met in the hall for ‘Take your pick’, Barbara brought a new game with her that kept every engrossed for quite some time, this was followed with music from DJ Jimmy and dancing.

Sunday coffee morning the bonus ball and raffles prizes were drawn, the Chairman David then wished us all a safe travel home.

Next rally was at Park High School 20-22 March, hosted by Hilary, Tony, Deena and Eddie. There were 23 vans – 20

Friday night started off in the hall with the sale of bingo tickets, raffle tickets, and bonus ball, followed by bingo called by our very own Allan Parker. This was followed by an ‘easy quiz’ prepared by Deena. Time was then spent catching up with friends and we listened to music hosted by Jimmy along with some dancing.

On Saturday morning, Stephen and Janet led a tai chi session followed by a crafting with Ann, table decoration for the evening were made along with decoupage cards. This weekend the sun made a rare appearance and the weather was warm. Saturday afternoon, some of the group sat out in chairs and on the benches to enjoy the weather, others took a walk into the town for lunch and shopping.

Saturday evening was the main event as Lancashire like to have fun and party, and as this was St Patrick’s weekend there was no option but to dress the hall, get dressed up in all things Leprechaun and green! The members were treated to homemade cakes, a St Patrick's day quiz, Irish music from our DJ Jimmy a great game of ‘Play Your Cards Right’ followed by dancing. Carol got the group up for ‘Working Man’ and ‘Dreamy’ which was much more successful than the last time! This was followed by Best of Friends. A great time was had by all.

Sunday was our usual coffee morning, bonus ball and raffles prizes were drawn, the Chairman David then wished us all safe travels home. Scribe Deena

Upcoming rallies: 1-4 May at Halsall School L39 8RR. Please note 5pm start. 21-26 May is the National Rally B79 0BU. 11-16 June at Victoria Park Southport PR8 1RX. Bookable. 25-28 June at Wigan RUFC WN1 2SJ. Bookable.

MOTORCYCLE

Hi all, as you receive this magazine we should be on our first rally at Skipton, enjoying the glorious Yorkshire weather, with ride outs planned and fun to be had. It will be great to meet up again and see new motorhomes or motor bikes for some of you.

Martin has written this month's review with a taster of what’s to come: I have a couple of rides planned at Skipton. The first to The Parkers Arms in the trough of Bowland, where they do fantastic pies and the second to Katrina’s Cafe, near Skipton (let’s hope she does us proud). Next we move onto Drax where we are planning on a ride to Squire's Cafe one day and The Zoom Cafe Bar via a ride over the Humber Bridge (don’t look down!) A few of us are planning on riding to the National AGM on Saturday 23 May.

Full details can be found on our website www. motorcyclegroupmcc.co.uk, under Rally and Rides Information, then click Programme.

NENE VALLEY

Barnstones rally, 20-22 March. After our disappointment at having to cancel Bledlow because of the weather we certainly made up for it at Barnstones. We welcomed >>

GROUP

21 vans from Nene Valley, Chiltern, East Midlands, S&W Wales, NWM&NW and Severn Valley, all ably parked up by Jonathan and Flora.

On Friday evening we crossed the road to the community hall where we were treated to a sumptuous ploughman’s supper to celebrate Sandra’s 80th birthday. Peter and Sandra certainly know how to put on a spread, washed down with copious amounts of wine! This was followed by a quiz by Jonathan on London’s Underground Stations which was very informative and not too difficult for most.

Saturday, some caught the bus and taxis into Banbury, whilst others made the most of the glorious weather and sat out in the sunshine. On Saturday evening, Denis and Jane, Steve and Di treated us to a belated Valentine's evening with flowers on the tables and a delicious chilli supper that was eagerly consumed. Chef Denis, with his assistants, did us proud. The latter part of the evening was taken up with the ‘Barnstones Derby’, with the vintage hobby horses given an airing from their stables and plenty of volunteers to ride the course. Bets were the magnificent sum of 20 pence with all monies being paid out to the winners. Everyone in the room was involved in the Derby and all the horses survived! Another magnificent raffle and Bonus Ball with thanks to everyone who donated prizes. A big thankyou to all our caterers for your hard work and Jonathan and Flora for stewarding. Pat

Upcoming rallies: 19-24 June at Wareham Rugby Club, Bestwall Road, Wareham, BH20 4HY. £14pupn, bookable. 24-29 June at Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, Southampton, SO31 5RA. £19pupn, bookable. 29 June-5 July at Weymouth Rugby Club, Monmouth Avenue, Weymouth, DT3 5HZ (joint meet with West Wessex Group). £14pupn, bookable. For booking details please see our website www.nenevalleymcc.co.uk.

NORTHERN COUNTIES

Thanks to Mark and Sue for hosting our Catterick Racecourse rally. It was Mark's birthday on Saturday, not that he mentioned it much! We had 47 vans, two from Lancs, eight from Yorkshire, and 37 from Northern Counties! This rally was an invite to our friends the Yorkshire group. We played bingo on Friday night called by our Vice Chair John. Birthday boy Mark won the final game of bingo! Mark then did a quiz, round one was related to his birth year (1968, but don’t tell anyone!) Round two was all about Yorkshire.

On Saturday morning Sue took us on a walk, 24 humans and six dogs joined a nice walk in the sunshine, obviously ending up in a pub! The landlady looked shocked as we were queuing out the door to get served! But her takings were up thanks to many drinks and food orders! Some sat out in the sunshine as it was such a nice day.

On Saturday night the room was decorated for ‘Marks Birthday’. We had a guess the ‘baby’ competition, which included a cutest baby vote! Chris Stevens from Yorkshire won the cutest baby, though Mark asked for a steward’s

enquiry! Ellen Hanby guessed the most ‘baby’ faces, that result also needed a stewards enquiry?! We also played music bingo, which went on longer than it should have done. Mark has promised to tweak it for the next time! The hosts put on hot dogs and birthday cake! Thanks to helpers Lilian, Janet, and Linda! And finally, we played a birthday-themed Left Right game.

On Sunday morning the weather turned as we all left after a great weekend. Mark just wants to say a special thank you to Marylin Barge for organising the making of a fantastic birthday card, and to all the members who signed it and joined him in celebrating his birthday.

N. IRELAND

13-15 February saw us in Magherafelt, with 32 vans attending. Our hosts Jacqueline and Mark and co host Mary and Stephen treating us to another great rally.

Friday 5pm sharp saw Jacqueline and Mary taking names and distributing programmes and love heart sweets, while Mark and Stephen used their expertise parking the vans. The hall was set out and decorated with the help of Billy. Tables were tastefully decorated. Humphrey put in his welcome appearance.

Kicking off Friday night with a well supported and popular Mr & Mrs game. There were eight eager couples vying for the coveted trophy. Four couples, two rounds and the winner of each round then answered questions on their partners. Carol and Ivor won first round and Sandy and Lowry won the second round, overall winner was Sandy and Lowry, congratulations well done.

Couples took advantage of the decorations, photo props and resident photographer Jacqueline. Background music was later played by Billy, while everyone enjoyed the craic.

There was a chance of crafting on Saturday morning with Selma (hope you're feeling better). Saturday night we were entertained by Dave Kane, with a mixture of music to suit all tastes. Interval with the raffle, music finished on time a great night was had by all.

Ballycastle Rally Report – Thanks to our hosts Moira and Hugh, Caryn and Garry for ensuring safe parking of 38 vans. A good turnout indeed. Friday evening Caryn in teacher fashion conducted a game of Dingbats, ensuring she lifted each team’s quiz sheets, not one second over the called end of each session. Very good game. Overall win by team Nitwits. Thanks to DJ Robbie for playing some background music, whilst we chatted and caught up, with friends old and new.

Saturday was dry which was a bonus after approximately 57 days of rain. This meant a pleasant day was spent for some watching the waves coming in to the shore, whilst others went on the ferry to Rathlin Island, did some retail therapy in town and visited restaurants. In the evening Niall ensured we were kept on the dance floor till midnight.

Sunday morning the chairman welcomed all to the coffee morning. He especially welcomed new members

GROUP NEWS

Sigita and Ramunus, who seemed to enjoy their first rally receiving a free night voucher in the raffle and a weekend voucher in the number plate draw. Lynette also, once again, was the lucky recipient of a number plate draw. Happy birthday wishes went to Joycelyn and Pat. Best wishes were given to our rally officer on a speedy recovery from a dislocated shoulder.

A reminder of our members meeting at the end of the month and still some available spaces at the NW200 rally in May for anyone still wanting to book was given. See website. The chairman wished everyone a safe journey and as we drove off homewards after a very rainy and stormy night the sun came out. Another thoroughly enjoyable weekend. Thanks again to all. Irene Hewitt

NWM&NW

A fantastic turnout of 34 motorhomes made their way to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port for what was our very first rally at this venue. The museum kindly offered free entry for all attendees, and members took full advantage – exploring the historic docks, enjoying the exhibits, and soaking up the atmosphere.

The weekend was shaping up to be a memorable one, with plenty of good company and good humour. Unfortunately, the arrival of some uninvited visitors brought an abrupt end to the fun. After careful consideration, and with everyone’s safety in mind, the decision was made to close the rally early. A real disappointment, but the right call. Upcoming rallies: 1-5 May at Newport Rugby Club. 15-21 May at Shrewsbury (Pre-National). Entertainment on Saturday and Monday. Martin Wilks

SCOTTISH

Hello fellow members. Our first rally of the season at Foresterseat CP was attended by 14 Scottish members. Being largely a cold weekend, this was an excellent turnout. Thanks go to Eric for booking in vans in the absence of a host. Twenty four members enjoyed a meal on Saturday night at Sinclairs Kitchen. It was lovely to see the group together enjoying a meal and drinks, after a long wet winter. We gathered socially on the three nights using the club tents. Two heaters gave a little heat but the last night was rather cold as it was only plus 2C outside. Despite this, members enjoyed one anothers company, banter and some inner heat. Keith produced a quiz and brain teaser on the third evening to exercise our grey matter. Coffee morning was held on Sunday morning. Thanks go to Richard and Katrina for the use of their pop up tent as a coffee shelter.

We now have an update for the meeting at Milton of Crathes. The walkers will be passing by from 9.15am till 12 noon on Sunday, during which time the car park will be closed. However, the organisers have assured us that in an emergency the walkers will be stopped to allow exit from the rally field.

The group intend participating at the National with as many individual entries as we can muster. Thanks go out to Donald Smith for putting together the main group entry with help from others. This is a model of a fairground attraction. That’s all for now. Regards, Squeezebox

Upcoming rallies: 5-8 June at Milton of Crathes, Banchory. Starting time after 2pm. Costs £12p.u.p.n with Aileen and Ian hosting this rally.

SEVERN VALLEY

13-15 March at Croft Farm Water Park, Tewkesbury. We had 27 vans, 20 Severn Valley, one motorcycle, two S&W Wales, one SWP, one Chiltern, and two NWM&NW.

Facilities included electric hook up, toilet and shower block, on site bar/restaurant serving food and an option to stay for a carvery on Mothering Sunday. There was a bus route in to Tewkesbury from the main road, and in the middle of the campsite was a beautiful lake with swans and ducks; you could do also water sports such as paddle boarding, Kayaking etc. The path around the lake to the bar was very pretty when lit up in the evening.

On the way to Croft farm, we had rain and hail but by the time we arrived it had stopped and it promised to be a dry and sunny weekend. Hosts were members Phil and Sally who booked everyone in, parked members up and gave us an information sheet with opening times of bar on site, local pub, number of local buses and areas where dogs could be walked and let off the lead.

On Friday members explored their surroundings and settled in and some caught the bus in to Tewkesbury. Unfortunately, our chairman was not well and had to return home Friday afternoon. Friday evening members joined up in the bar for a drink and a catch up.

Saturday morning as promised by the weather forecast it was dry, warm and sunny, so excellent weather to go out either for a walk or again some members caught the bus in to Tewkesbury and from there some members went on to catch the bus to Evesham as well before coming back to croft Farm.

We went to the local pub opposite the entrance to the campsite for a couple of drinks, it was a good old-fashioned pub with low wooden beams and dogs were welcome too.

Saturday evening was a relaxed affair with members once again meeting up in the on-site bar for drinks or a meal (pizzas were homemade and looked really nice). The people running the bar were very friendly and accommodating and allowed members to park their mobility scooters inside the bar as well as being dog friendly. Saturday night was chilly on the way back to the motorhome but once inside was nice and warm.

Sunday coffee morning and raffle, Vice Chairman Tony Barnsley thanked Sally and Phil for hosting and also thanked everyone for attending the rally. Committee member Mike Cooper announced he is setting up a WhatsApp group for Severn Valley members providing rally information and

any updates; when this is set up it will be announced on Facebook and the website. This is another platform for members to access if not on Facebook. The raffle was held and various prizes were won from all the different MCC groups before Tony wished everyone a safe journey home.

S&W WALES

Hi everyone, as I type this, the rain is lashing down and the wind is howling! Did you remember to turn your clocks forward by 1 hour on 29th March?

5-8 March saw the club rally at Tycroes Rugby club. 19 vans were expertly parked up. Friday night in the club was Six Nations, Wales v Ireland (away). Wales sadly lost but, gave Ireland a run for their money. It was quite a brutal match and we were treated to (what is now known as the try of the Six Nations) Rhys Carre (Prop) scoring a magnificent try. It has pride of place on most media platforms. We followed this with the customary bingo and music from Keith.

Saturday the weather was unfortunately quite mixed, but that didn't stop some members take a bus ride out and about. In the evening we had a quiz and raffle. There was also a local artist singer/comedian who sang songs from the 60s and 70s. The Chair person (Sue Howard) welcomed first timers Louise, Damien, Keiren Ettridge and Alison Wright. The lucky van winner was Peter Day.

Brynhyfryd Farm, Llandielo, 20-22 March. Hosts for this rally were Sandra, John and Barrie. A lovely small site complete with EHU on hard standings, showers, toilets and a dedicated dog walk area. 24 vans in total were neatly parked up which included the hosts. The sun shone the whole weekend.

Saturday some folks either walked or drove into Llandeilo. In the afternoon we had a quiz and played card bingo. Some stayed up into the late evening relaxing and star gazing snuggled up in front of a real wood fire pit.

Sunday at 11am our coffee morning and a raffle was held with many prizes on offer. Thanks to those who donated extra prizes. The lucky van winners were Judith and Nigel Davies. We gave our congratulations and wishes to Carol and Chas Clayton on their upcoming 58th wedding anniversary. We welcomed two newbies who joined our club which were Neil and Kelly Pope.

Our next rallies are as follows: 30 April-2 May at Sully Sports Club CF64 5SP. May Day weekend. Arrive after 1pm. There is a very large carboot on Sunday. 28 May-2 June at Aberystwyth Rugby Club SY23 1HL. Arrive after 12pm. For all bookable rallies please contact the Rally Officer Keith Howard on 077915 624227 or keithjhoward17@gmail.com. Barrie A Lewis BEM

SWP

I am writing this on the hottest day of the year so far and it is only April. Please see the report on our Easter Rally below.

Another fun SWP rally for Easter at Trevornick Holiday park. We had 29 Vans in total, 19 SWP, seven West Country, one West Wessex, one Severn Valley and one lovely lady from Kent. The rally was run by Tony and Trish who did an amazing job.

We were blessed on Thursday with good weather to park up the majority of the arrivals who settled themselves in, met old and new friends, some went walking and obviously some went to Woody’s bar to catch up on the news.

Friday further arrivals to welcome whilst members took the bus to Newquay, Perranporth and Truro and others had some lovely walks. We held our meet and greet in the afternoon with hot cross buns. Some members played bingo and of course others met up in Woody’s bar.

Saturday everyone went off to do something – walking the coast path, bus trips, shopping and sampling the hospitality of the local area. A group played Cornhole – ie chuck the bean bag in the hole in the afternoon. It was quite competitive and the final between the team of Sandy and Mark played Linda (our chair) and Alan Newbery was of course won by Sandy and Mark. It was nice to see Ian and Sandy Swain who also paid us a visit. One of our visitors had a birthday that day and was also fortunate to win the bingo in the entertainment venue. Others of course may have gone to Woody’s.

Sunday and Monday were windy but dry with sunshine. This allowed members to go off and have lunch in the pub, walks to the beach and along the coast path. Sunday night we met again in the lounge room and played SWP games – ie “Name that tune”, 007 Bingo and Play Your Cards Right with Tony and Mike as “the dolly dealers” and Easter Egg prizes. Great fun was had. Monday we had a coffee morning, drew our cash raffle with five prize winners and awarded the prizes for the "Disney" drawings in the vans and Trish’s Easter Quiz. Some members in the evening may have paid their last visit of the trip to Woody’s bar.

Upcoming rallies: 14-18 May at Little Winnick Pentewan, St Austell PL26 6DL. 11-16 June at Bude RFC, EX23 8QG. Van reg will need to be submitted to host two weeks prior to attending due to ANPR system. Do not just turn up as you will be issued a fine. 25-29 June at Home Farm Camping, Green Lane, Marazion TR17 0HQ.

SUSSEX

The Easter Extravaganza started with a bang! Our Friday night entertainment – Keith Ryder plugged in his amp and literally BANG the amp gave up. Professional as ever Keith recovered the evening by various twists and turns of buttons and got us all up dancing.

Saturday brought us the EGM. An impassioned speech from Ann, our Sussex Life President and MCC member of 63 years, prompted nomination forms for four committee members to stand who were all voted in unanimously. Congratulations to Sussex Committee Mike Reading, Jan Tree, Jeane Boyce, Clive Edmonds. >>

Motorhome, Campervan & RV insurance

The rally list in the year book now stands – hooray. Celebratory wine and cheese at 3.30 welcomed the new committee and toasted the old committee.

Big Yellow Taxi – what a fantastic find by Kim and Martin. An amazing group of men who filled the dance floor from the first note.

Our 'Miss Dynamite' Mel entertained us on Sunday evening. Of course the floor was full again. She sparkled from her clothes to the fantastic music. She again performed her famous Barcelona; those who hadn't witnessed before were amazed. Others sat and listened to her voice range.

Easter Monday woke us with blue skies and sunshine. Some went early to head for that 'W' word on Tuesday. The rest of us sat and chatted our way through the last evening and planning the next meeting dates. Carole

Upcoming rallies: 16-21 June at Hurst Green TN19 7RA.

WEST COUNTRY

Nineteen units attended the rally at Unity Farm Brean, the weather was a little windy to say the least but members enjoyed the venues on site and got out and about. Thanks to Angela and Ian, Jim and Jen.

By time you read this out rally at Parkers Farm Ashburton with have happened but more on that next month. Looking forward we have Warcombe Farm, Woolacombe from 12-17 May. The next thing is the National Festival at Statfold Country Park, near Tamworth, 21-26 May. Following this on 3-7 June we have our charity rally at Merry Harriers, Woolfardisworthy near Bideford. This will raise money for our chosen children's charity including the pitch fees. Please support this good cause.

WEST WESSEX

The West Wessex Group launched their first rally of 2026 with a return to one of their most popular venues: the welcoming and well-kept South Lytchett Manor.

Hosts Judy, Roy, Dick and Babs somehow managed to arrange wall-to-wall sunshine for the entire weekend – not the first time their rallies have been blessed with glorious weather. Warm days always add an extra sparkle to a rally, and this one was no exception.

A fantastic turnout of 30 vans supported the event, including seven first-timers who received a warm MCC welcome. For the statisticians among us, the membership breakdown was: West Wessex 18, SWP two, Isle of Wight one, Sussex three, Kent one, Severn Valley two, West Country two and Anglia one.

The site’s excellent location meant ralliers could easily explore Poole, Bournemouth, Weymouth and Swanage, with a conveniently placed bus stop right outside the entrance. Those preferring a gentler pace enjoyed a short stroll to the Courtyard Craft Centre, home to a collection of independent Dorset makers, a well-loved tearoom, and the delightful ‘Buttons and Bows’ – a shop supporting local crafters, running an online store, and organising craft fairs across the county. It’s a treasure trove for anyone seeking unique or personalised gifts.

A big thank you goes to everyone who supported the book sale in aid of the West Wessex charity, 'BOOBS', over the weekend. It was a pleasure to come together, make new friends, and enjoy the start of another rallying year. We look forward to seeing you all again on future adventures.

Upcoming rallies: 21-26 May is the MCC National Rally, booking required with MCC direct also contact marshals for your group (West Wessex Chris and Margaret – 07748

If you are going to the National and haven’t been contacted please contact Kate Jones. >>

Sussex Group

West Wessex Group

661035, purple dress code). 4-8 June at Holme Bush Inn, Corfe Mullen, BH21 3RZ. 18-22 June at Petruth Farm Cheddar, BS27 3XW. URGENT: host needed, contact Andy Mundy if you can help 07746 058602. 29 June-5 July at Weymouth RFC, DT3 5HZ. 16-20 July at Wareham RFC, BH20 4HY.

YORKSHIRE

Marsden cricket club on 27 Feb-1 March. We had 21 vans: 20 from Yorkshire and one from Durham.

Hosts were Sarah and Eoin Dugdale. On Friday night they put hot food on for those who wanted it. There were choices of: chicken bhuna, chicken tikka masala, chilli, jacket potatoes and a variety of pizzas. What a wonderful spread. They had assistance from Ken and Sandra Andrews. Delicious. We had quizzes after the supper.

Saturday was a day to wander into the town or round the reservoirs, or rest up for the evening. The evening was filled with games, and lots of chat. A really enjoyable evening. Then on Sunday it was pack up and head home.

Ripon Rally on 20-22 March. Breakdown of attending vans was: Yorkshire 20; Northern Counties 11; Lancashire five; Scotland two; Severn Valley one and East Midlands one. Thank you all for joining us!

There was a layer of mist over Ripon racecourse when we arrived on Friday afternoon. We were expertly guided through the tight spot to the grandstand parking area by one of our hosts and were set up and ready for the weekend ahead in minutes. The grass was damp on the dog walks but this did not deter us heading over to Bell Furrows lock to hunt for a geocache.

We were kept busy on Friday night, catching up with old friends, a selection of Dingbat style quiz sheets, bingo and an interactive quiz that you joined in on your phone, hosted by Northern Counties' own Neil Huggon.

Saturday saw many of the group head out on a walk along the riverbank, while others strolled along the canal towpath into Ripon town or simply made the most of the sun on the racecourse grounds when it finally appeared.

Ripon is a lovely town with a variety of independent shops, cafes and pubs as well as the bigger chains for topping up with

Yorkshire Group

essentials. Plus a great market square where you can sit and watch the world go by as you snack on a locally made, award winning pork pie from Appleton's Butchers.

Saturday evening came around and the members were treated to games of card bingo, table quizzes and a team game of table pong which was won by the ladies!

A coffee morning on Sunday rounded off a great weekend. Yorkshire Vice Chairman and co-host, Malcolm Core, thanked Neil Huggon for the quiz and arranging the walk; Elaine and Heather for making sure everyone had hot water and biscuits for their coffee/tea; Gill and Steve Aggett for co-hosting and seeing visiting vans through the tight spot to the grandstand parking area and of course, his wife Carol for the games and quizzes.

Skipton rally on 27-29 March. The Yorkshire Rally at Skipton Craven Auction mart was well attended with 25 members attending. 16 from Yorkshire, seven from Northern Counties and two from Lancashire. Four first timers attended. Heather did a great job parking up the vans.

The weather was dry and sunny and many members walked along the new footpath to the canal and into Skipton about 20 minutes from our parking area. In the evening we had use of the café room and Chris, the host, provided entertainment with dingbats, quizzes and music quizzes which were well received.

Saturday started with a bit of rain but soon cleared and again members enjoyed the walk and lovely market town of Skipton. A few members ventured to the farm shop and café and came back with bags of goodies.

Saturday evening was a game of bingo – a favourite with the Yorkshire lot and another round of quizzes – and we all had a bit of a sing along with some of the music quiz tunes. All in all, a very good weekend, full of fun and laughter.

Upcoming rallies: 15-18 May at The Derwent Arms, Osbaldwick. Booking online now open. 28 May-1 June at Bridlington RYC. 12-16 June at Malton and Norton RUFC.

Campsite Directory

Camping Los Gallardos

In

•

• Bowling greens

•

of Spain - near Mojácar

• Busy bar, restaurant & shop

• Full services (Inc: UKTV hookup & much more)

Family-run park overlooking Port-Eynon Bay. Pitches for motorcaravans, tourers and glamping

Cornwall’s 5 Star Holiday Park on the Beach

Untitled-1 2

Pitch Up On the Beach in Cornwall...

www.pentewan.co.uk

01726 843 485 | info@pentewan.co.uk

Pentewan, Saint Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6BT

• Open March through October

• Walking distance to Kirkwall town centre

• Motorhomes, Caravans, RV's and Tents

• Electric Bike Hire

• Camping Pods

• 80 Pitches TEL: 01856 879900

Cherry Tree Springs Touring Park (formally Cherry Tree Touring Caravan Park)

12/06/2025 15:37:36

Open 3rduntilJan

The perfect adults only site for those looking for peace and tranquillity in rural surroundings, yet only a 15 minute walk along the coastal path from the park to the beach; look no further than Cherry Tree.

We welcome touring caravans, motorhomes, trailer tents (but not tents). Dogs are welcome (max 2) and there is a small dog exercise area at the entrance to the site.

Book direct: www.springsholidayestates.co.uk or call Reception on 01507 441626

info@cherrytreesite.co.uk Huttoft Road, Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire, LN12 2RU

www.littlebodieve.co.uk

Tel: 01208 815547

Bodieve Road, Wadebridge, Cornwall PL27 6EG

Static Caravans • Motorhomes Tents • Tourers

A family site within a short walking distance of Wadebridge town. Come and explore beautiful Poldark country, only 10 mins drive from the fishing village Port Isaac, of Doc Martin fame, Rock and Padstow with many restaurants, including the famous Rick Stein & Paul Ainsworth. We are only a few minutes cycle ride down into town where you can join the Camel trail either along the estuary to Padstow or inland towards Bodmin moor – both are very scenic.

ROMAN ROADS AND ROLLING COUNTRYSIDE

Hertfordshire offers city dwelling motorcaravanners an easy escape into a landscape rich in history and gentle countryside. Here, just north of London and south of Birmingham, ancient routes meet modern roads, and market towns sit comfortably beside open farmland, making it an ideal region for an unhurried touring itinerary.

history alone. Quiet lanes lead to traditional villages, farm shops, and waterside walks along the River Ver. For motorhome travellers, the appeal lies in its balance. You can explore historic landmarks by day, then either retreat to peaceful rural settings by evening or enjoy good food and culture in the centre of town.

of Britain’s most evocative visitors can wander from the impressive St Albans Cathedral reach of convenient routes. Yet this corner

At its heart lies St Albans, a city where Roman heritage still shapes the streets. Once known as Verulamium, it remains one of Britain’s most evocative historic destinations. Today, visitors can wander from the impressive St Albans Cathedral to the tranquil green spaces of Verulamium Park, all within easy reach of convenient parking and touring routes. Yet this corner of Hertfordshire offers more than

We began by parking Voyager in the Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre car park, and strolling through Verulamium Park towards the Cathedral. Just as you leave the park and sitting prettily beside the river, is Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, famously reputed to be England's oldest pub, claimed to date back to AD 793. The current octagonal building was likely a 14th-century dovecote or pigeon loft from a nearby monastery, rebuilt on the current site around 1600. Formerly known as "The Three Pigeons"

the river, is Ye Olde Fighting England's oldest pub, claimed 14th-century loft from a nearby

in 1756, the establishment was serving beer as "The Fighting Cocks" by 1807, reflecting its history of cockfighting. Despite its claims to be over 1,200 years old, the 793 AD date has only appeared on early 20th-century postcards, not original records. Oldest or not, the pub is one of around 60 in the city of Real Ale and it is clear to see why CAMRA was founded in the city from where, even today, it campaigns to save historic pubs from closure or redevelopment. Passing through Waxhouse Gate, we reached the High Street, a pretty, independent shopping boulevard with stunning architecture and walked to meet our tour guide beside the Belfry Tower. It is open to the public from April to September and, weather permitting, can be climbed to enjoy stunning views across the city.

the current site around 1600. Formerly known

Sheldon Ringrose, an official St Albans Tour Guide, greeted us with a winning smile and outlined the city centre tour she would take

Frances and Michael Howorth set off to tour Hertfordshire and discover the historic delights and cultural insights that St Albans and its environs have to offer.

us on. We started by visiting the St Albans Museum and Gallery, filled with excellent storytelling and exhibitions before walking through the market place. Whilst strolling, we noticed many locally installed blue plaques which pepper the city, commemorating notable people. These include Stephen Hawking, who lived and studied here as a child, Elsie Toms, St Albans’ first female mayor and a tireless campaigner for women’s rights, and Frederic Kitton, Dickens’ foremost biographer. It was his work that helped shape how we understand Dickens today. The plaque dedicated to John Ball commemorates one of the leaders of the Peasants Revolt in 1381. New plaques are coming soon and will honour Samual Ryder, of Ryder Cup fame and Thomas Coleman, a noted racehorse trainer who moved to St Albans around 1820 where he became a successful hotelier and sporting impresario.

We enjoyed lunch in town at Havin, an independent, family run Turkish kitchen overlooking the Clock Tower views. The restaurant was opened by husband-and-wife Nevin and Mahmut, who originate from Southeast Turkey, where food was always at the heart of their lives. They believe good food brings people together and their

menu, using freshly sourced local ingredients, together with herbs and spices sourced from their homeland, ensured we enjoyed an authentic Turkish eating experience. With lunch done and dusted,

Suffolk

Suffolk, the county that first sees the sun rise over England, is awash with beaches, forests, meadows and heaths. Pay a visit to Lowestoft, the country's most easterly town. Foodies will love Bury St Edmunds with its many award-winning fine dining establishments, while beer lovers can enjoy a pint, or three, of Greene King from a brewer whose art has been practiced hereabouts for more than 200 years. History buffs can enjoy visits to Sutton Hoo or Framlingham Castle, and some of the country’s best preserved medieval dwellings

and feeling rather full, we headed for St Albans’ Cathedral dedicated to the memory of Britain’s first saint, Alban. Here we immersed ourselves in 1700 years of history, marvelling at Britain’s longest

in Lavenham. There’s also plenty of fun stuff for kids, including rare breed farms, animal and wildlife parks, museums, forest playgrounds, children’s festivals, and crabbing –said to be Suffolk’s county sport. Stay at Mill Home Farm Caravan and Camping Park, in Saxmundham or Run Cottage Touring Park, Woodbridge IP12 3RQ. Who can resist the quaintly named Cakes and Ale Holiday Park in Abbey Theberton, near Leiston? Check out the February 2023 edition for yet more ideas on where to go, what to see and where to stay.

Framlingham Castle

St. Albans Cathedral.

nave, a stunning collection of medieval wall paintings, a Norman crossing tower and two beautifully restored medieval shrines. We particularly enjoyed meeting the Dean, The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore (above) who makes sure the cathedral is easy to access for tourists, yet at the very same time retains a parish church feeling for her local worshippers. She gleefully showed us the spectacular stained-glass windows that date from between 1376 to modern day, including the magnificent Rose Window, added in 1989, replacing an earlier Victorian plain glass window. Climbing the Norman crossing tower requires dexterity plus a head for heights but if you dare, the resulting views across the city and its adjacent parklands are reward enough.

Odyssey is on London Road. It offers a plush experience and is perfect for those of us who love to blend art, and culture with history! Sitting down in a swivel armchair to watch a brilliant movie while being served with a cheese plate, tortillas and drinks must be the best way ever to watch a classic film.

The next day was market day. Markets have been at the heart of St Albans since they were established in 860 by Abbot Wulsin following a trading tradition that stretches from Roman Verulamium and further back to the even earlier Catuvellaunian settlement of Verlamion. Twice weekly now, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the St Albans’ Charter Market typically starts at 8.30 am and runs through until 4.30 pm. Its vibrant buzz and local characters make for great photo opportunities including market trader Richard Green whose stand – Greens Menswear – on corner of Waddington Road, is just one of them. He is the third generation of Greens to trade here, with his grandfather starting the family clothing stall in 1955, a tradition he is proud to continue.

St Albans is blessed with another building of classic beauty

but this time it is in the style of Art Deco. Listed in the top twenty of Britain's best cinemas in the country, and scooping the award for best art deco cinema, The

Verulamium, now St Albans, was one of the largest Roman cities in Britain nearly two thousand years ago. Today you can stroll around the lake and the see the remains of Roman walls in Verulamium Park. Make time to stop at the Hypocaust and Verulamium Museum to view the Roman mosaics and download Romans Unearthed – a new augmented reality app that transforms the Park into a portal to the past, bringing the buried Roman city back above ground through stunning, digital reconstructions. Visitors can stand before the monumental London Gate, explore intricate mosaics and hidden hypocaust systems, meet the people of Roman Britain and try hands-on games and challenges – all activated on-site through the power of a smartphone.

Walk to The Waffle House by the

Verulamium Museum

St Albans' Guide Sheldon Ringrose and Michael on the balcony of St Albans Museum & Gallery

river for a breakfast, brunch or lunch of sweet or savoury waffles, made using white, wholemeal or spelt flour in a working watermill café. But be warned that in busy times you will need to queue as they do not take reservations.

On Sundays, you might prefer a traditional pub lunch roast, with a pint or two of real ale. Where better to head than the adult only, Lower Red Lion, a 17th century ale house on Fishpool Street where the chef is also the landlord? David Worcester is a charismatic landlord and a brilliant chef combining his two roles perfectly.

Andrei Lussmann is another culinary name to remember. He is proud to have brasseries in four of the county’s towns, St Albans, Hertford, Hitchin and Harpenden. We dined at Lussmanns, in the city on Heritage Close choosing our dishes from a menu that is as sustainable as it is delicious. But perhaps the most enjoyable meal we had in St Albans, was a classic pub dinner at The Cock on St Peters Street. And while Natasha Hathaway, one of the owners, does not describe her pub as such, we would definitely rate it as a Gastro Pub and declare it to be the finest we have visited in a long while.

We found visiting St Albans in a motorhome needs careful planning,

Cambridgeshire

Famous for its historic university, Cambridgeshire also includes many museums and art galleries. Packed full of stunning architecture and nature, Cambridge is a beautiful university town renowned for its impact on history. The tightly packed city centre is perfect for exploring ancient colleges, cobbled streets and the picturesque “Backs” alongside the river Cam.

For a unique way to explore, try your hand at punting. The Boathouse is a pub in the heart of Cambridge situated on the river. Whether you

if only because of parking. The city is not short of spacious, easy to access, car parks that are of unrestricted height and, despite the high cost of using them, they are well distributed around the city periphery. Many of them are open 24 hours but none of them allows users of motorhomes and camper vans the ability to legally stay in them overnight. Nor do they offer dedicated van sized parking spaces. In fact, when compared to other cathedral cities in the UK, the likes of Bath, Canterbury, Oxford and Winchester with their campervan friendly, overnight

want to pop in for your favourite tipple, or catch up with friends and family over lovingly cooked food, it’s a great place to rest between visiting other attractions. There is

stay, Park and Ride schemes, St Albans may be missing a trick. It's a shame, because St Albans and its environs have so much to offer visiting motorcaravan owners. The matter is compounded by a distinct shortage of campsites, Club CLs or even Britstops. The good news is that St Albans City Centre BID manager, Vivien Cannon, has the matter in hand. She recognises that overnight provision is important for motorcaravan visitors and is working positively with partners to explore opportunities that will support longer stays and enhance the overall experience. >>

more to Cambridgeshire than just academia. You can visit a World War Two aerial hanger at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, admire a Norman cathedral in Peterborough or you can follow the footsteps of one of the county’s most famous residents, Oliver Cromwell, go to Ely to treat yourself to views of sprawling wetlands from the lantern towers. Orchard Lodge is a Club CL open all year round. Owned and operated by Stephen and Linda Cruttenden and located in Huntington, it is a great place to stay.

Lime Walk in Rothamstead Park, Harpenden

• Secluded, serviced motorhome and tourer sites including adult only area

• Good choice of lodges and caravan holiday homes for sale; owner occupiers, close friends and family

• Superb, tranquil, landscaped park and woodland

• Dog walks & cycle trails

• Sandy beach, 100 acres of woods, meadows

• 9 hole compact golf course, 3 hard tennis courts, volleyball, basketball, shing mid September-mid October

• AA Gold Award 5 Pennant Premier Park

• Attractive lounge, bar and shop

• Some hardstanding available

Outside the city, the Woodland Trust’s Heartwood Forest, offers good outdoor walking opportunities with great scenery. Choose either a 60 or 120 minute loop depending on the weather. Park in the large, free, compacted stone car park with designated blue badge spots, located off the B651 near Sandridge. If you are hungry and in need of a post-walk refuel, we suggest you head for the Potting Shed at Carpenters Farm Garden Centre. It is also home to a shop stuffed full of artisan goods from local makers and bakers, or you could head to the pretty village of Wheathampstead, two or three miles away. Park in the East Lane Car Park and walk through the churchyard to The Brewhouse –a lovely independent café in an old brewery with quirky rooms and artwork, serving excellent homemade cakes and delicious paninis.

Essex

Forget the hype. Disregard reality TV stereotypes. Ignore the gold chains and fake tan labels, Essex is a great place to take a motor caravan. North of London, Essex is a divine destination, even in the depths of winter, which is when we visited.

Set close by saltmarshes and mudflats, West Mersea, is firmly in oyster territory and there are several shops selling them. The town hosts an array of independent shops, guesthouses and restaurants and is most famous for pretty, colourful beach huts. Row upon row of them stand sentry at the water’s edge, like ranks of soldiers waiting to advance.

Enjoy dinner at the White Hart Inn located at the heart of West Mersea

We are a small, family-run site in a walled garden which is sheltered by a belt of large beech trees. Nearby Docking has all the necessary amenities, and there are lovely dog walks around the woods outside the site.

30 pitches (electricity and TV)

Free hot showers

Shaver points and hair dryers

Disabled wash facilities

Dish washing and veg prep

Chemical disposal point

Nearby attractions include Sandringham, National Trust properties, the North Norfolk Coast

village, opposite the church and a delightful museum. Parts of this pub date from the 15th century. Book dinner and perhaps even breakfast the following morning, and chances are, if you ask nicely, they will let you stay overnight in their car park. Pitch your van at Chigborough Farm. Nestled among 130 acres of arable land and fishing lakes, it’s a rural oasis on the outskirts of Maldon. The tranquil, lakeside setting provides the opportunity for a calm, countryside retreat. The campsite is located next to Home Water, the largest fly fishing lake at Chigborough Farm. It's sheltered by hedging on the east, south and west, and has paddocks, open farmland and The Essex Wildlife Trust Reserve to the north.

Relax & Explore

West Mersea, Essex

OUT & ABOUT | EAST OF ENGLAND

Look around Wheathampstead and seek out Rachel Jeffrey’s Jewellery workshop in the Old Mill. Rachel runs jewellery making classes that can last just one day or run over weeks. If you don’t have time to make your own ring or bangle, you can choose from a delightfully full shop of her stunning creations. There is an interesting heritage trail around Wheathampstead village with blue plaques on many houses and several other special points that include a public garden beautifully planted within a rare crinkle-crankle wall, a monument in St Helen’s Church to Apsley CherryGarrard who went to the South Pole with Scott, and the restored railway station used by George Bernard Shaw who lived at nearby Ayot St Lawrence and used the halt to take trains into London. Shaw’s house in Ayot St Lawrence is now run by the National Trust and is open during the summer

Head a little north of St Albans and you’ll find yourself in Harpenden, where Rothamsted Park makes an ideal start to the day. This 50-acre green space is the kind of place that invites a slow wander. Gentle slopes roll away underfoot, edged by ancient hedgerows and

pockets of woodland. In spring, the cherry tree walk adds a soft splash of colour, while veteran oaks and a grand avenue of mature limes give the park a quiet sense of history. It hasn’t always been like this. The land began as farmland, before becoming part of the Rothamsted Manor estate.

it’s an easy stop. Park at Amenbury Car Park, stretch your legs, then reward yourself afterwards. Just across the way, Brad & Dills serves excellent coffee, exactly what you’ll want after a gentle morning stroll.

Today, it feels like a carefully rewilded landscape, where nature has been given room to breathe again. For motorcaravanners,

Bedfordshire

If you are interested in history and the arts or simply want to relax and enjoy quiet, unspoilt countryside, Bedfordshire is a haven of true tranquillity. Full of beautiful little towns and villages, you will never run out of places to explore. Despite its proximity to London, and its superb transport links to the capital, Bedfordshire is predominantly a rural county, with plenty of gently rolling countryside. You can find delightful views and plenty of greenery to explore and get lost in at Dunstable

Further north still, P. E. Mead and Sons Farm Shop and Farm Kitchen on Lower Icknield Way, in Tring, is well worth visiting. It is close by Tring Reservoir and the Grand Union Canal, and both make good spots >>

Downs, the Chiltern Hills, Greensand Ridge and the Forest of Marston Vale. The county is steeped in history, with many kings and queens of England holding court and hunting in its great forests. Queen Eleanor's body was rested overnight in Dunstable and a stone cross was raised to mark the occasion on her way back to London and Catherine of Aragon was incarcerated near the market town of Ampthill during her divorce from King Henry VIII. Use the Club CL at Lower Wood End Farm in Marston Moretaine as your base.

Crinkle-Crankle Wall, St. Helen's Church

St. Helen's Church

to walk in or ride bikes. Nearby, the Real Ale Tring Brewery hosts long and short tours, some including a fish and chip supper. The on-site shop is a good place to stock up on bottles of their Sidepocket –an unmistakably citrus and floral session beer with a crisp dry finish.

the brewery, take a moment or two to browse the offerings at Tring Pickers Antiques or pop into the community run Dunsley Café and Farm Shop where local young people with additional needs, receive teaching that gives them work relatable skills.

the county and the Hertfordshire County Show, running on the 23-24 May, is one of the county’s flagship events, hosting a celebration of everything county, from country living and food to farming and farm equipment offering something special for each and every one of its 35,000+ visitors!

Whether you arrive for the county show, a weekend break or a longer tour, St Albans and its surrounding countryside provide a rewarding blend of accessibility, heritage, relaxed exploration offering an almost perfect “on the road” destination.

A note from the writer...

A small correction to last month's Out & About feature: I mentioned exploring “Eton, Cookham, Bray and Maidstone,” but of course I meant Maidenhead. A slip of the keyboard on my part – apologies for any confusion.

Grand Union Canal

Norfolk

From the bright lights and seaside fun of Great Yarmouth to the tranquillity of the Norfolk Broads and the rich cultural heritage of Norwich, the county’s capital city and UNESCO's first City of Literature, there is much to see and do in Norfolk. Delia Smith, Stephen Fry, Hugh Jackman, James Dyson and Martin Shaw have, at some stage, called Norfolk their home and we envy them that. We spent a week or so in Norfolk last year enjoying the 90 miles of unspoilt coastline, busy market towns, and seaside resorts, and wrote about our experiences in the February 2023 edition. Norfolk is famous for pretty villages, traditional pubs, luxury hotels, country houses, large estates, birdwatching, boating, beaches, and coastlines. Our trip combined many such attractions.

We really enjoyed Holkham Hall, a Palladian style mansion, built by Thomas Coke, the first Earl of

Leicester, between 1734 and 1764.

The village of Banningham with its traditional green surrounded by houses and, a large church with an impressive 15th century tower was another favourite. We strolled through the village in search of its infamous snake pit. Locals believe Richard Cromwell, the son of infamous Lord Protector Oliver, had a 14ft pit dug, into which he put ten venomous snakes. He said that any man who had doubts about the

morals of his wife had the right to throw her into the pit. If she escaped unhurt it proved her innocence!

We enjoyed the town of Kings Lynn and stayed at Mill Cottage Motorhome Pitches, a beautifully laid out and maintained Club CL run by Sharon and Charlie Hunt. As keen motor-homers of many years, they understand the need for safe, comfortable sites in good locations, and they offer just this at the CL.

Holkham Hall

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Are you driving illegally?

When did you last check your motorhome weight? Ministry figures suggest up to 80% of motorhomes may be operating overloaded!

Drive an overloaded motorhome and you not only risk a fine, you also risk your insurance and the safety of you and your passengers!

When looking to buy your next motorhome, insist on an accurate, up -to-date weight ticket! The brochure may state a MIRO or payload allowance, but these f igures can be out by as much as 5% (average 125kg).

This is more likely to be against you than in your favour, so it is always recommended that you visit a weighbridge to check your vehicle’s weight.

Need to uprate to carry more payload?

If you think you might have a payload issue, we can help. SvTech is able to increase/uprate the payload allowance on many makes and models.

Behind the scenes of e very SvTech uprate, testing of a vehicle is carried out to create a ministry recognised test report, which is then use to cover subsequent uprates. This report and testing is vital in supporting an uprate, and is a legal requirement. Do not be fooled into thinking it’s just a paperwork exercise, as offered by others

Reaching 70? Need to consider downrating?

SvTech can downrate your motorhome to 3500kg should you not pass, or wish to take, your medical. You must first weigh the motorhome to find out what payload you will have available at 3500kg . For further guidance on downrating please visit our website at www.svtech.co.uk/motor-home-downrates

To promote road safety, SvTech designed a free -to-use, Load Distribution Analysis (LDA) program which helps the user to know their likely laden weight and how best to position their goods about the vehicle to avoid an axle overload Please visit our website www.svtech.co.uk/lda to find out how you can stay safely within your vehicle limits.

For any questions regarding these matters, please contact 01772 621800 or email, webenquiries@svtech.co.uk

For any questions regarding these matters, please contact 01772 621800, or go to the website to begin an enquiry and receive a unique ID number