Holidays just got greener as caravan park harnesses the power of the sun!
One of the North Wales coast’s ‘greenest’ caravan parks has just become even more eco-friendly after harnessing the area’s famous sunshine to help power its mobile homes – and save themselves money in the process. Energy experts Hafod Renewables have just installed an 86-panel solar array at the Ty Gwyn Caravan Park, at Towyn, Abergele, where the Owen family have been welcoming visitors since 1938. The third generation of the family, brother and sister Rhodri and Angharad, have been stepping up their ‘green’ credentials with renewable electricity tariffs and recycling policies and the new £23,000 system will save them over £4,000 a year and pay for itself within six years. Hafod Renewables Managing Director David Jones is at the UK’s largest holiday park show, the Holiday Park and Resort Innovation 2019, at the NEC in Birmingham this week to bang the drum for renewable energy in the tourism industry and to showcase the Ty Gwyn project. He said: “We want to try and educate the holiday park sector that there are cleaner, more sustainable and cheaper ways to provide electricity for their sites. “This makes sense for sites like Ty Gwyn because they’re busy from Easter through to Halloween which are also the sunniest and warmest months of the year. “Here at Ty Gwyn they also have a number of buildings with roofs suitable for solar panels and so the new system is spread over five different buildings and generates 34.4 kilowatts of electricity which is enough to run eight homes and easily tops up their mains supply.” It’s a perfect solution for Rhodri who had been faced with rising electricity costs, increasing demand and possible supply issues on the park which is just yards from the beach at Towyn. He said: “We are very proud of our green credentials and are delighted to have been able to work with Hafod Renewables. “As a high consumer of energy, part of our green drive is to move all our electric to cleaner energy sources and alongside the solar, we have also switched our mains electricity contract to a green tariff. “Our customers have an increasing awareness of green issues and are looking to exceed their expectations on this. “Our Swn Y Mor Restaurant and Bar uses local suppliers, recycles and avoids single use plastics and we hope to have an electric car charging station soon. “If the scheme performs as we expect it will, we plan in time to add more solar panels here.” David Jones set up Hafod Renewables with his father, Richard, in Denbigh in 2011 and the award-winning £1.5 million turnover firm now operates from new off-grid headquarters in Tremeirchion. He said: “There is no subsidy support provided any more for solar schemes but as the cost of solar panels have come down, their efficiency has risen so solar power is still very competitive and in the long-term it will be cheaper than fossil-fuel or even nuclear generated power. “It works very well for businesses which have plenty of roof space and we have fitted systems to dairy farms and even a bakery and although Ty Gwyn doesn’t have a single large roof it has plenty of buildings which are suitable. “This solution made sense for them economically because putting in a solar system reduces their reliance on the grid and means they don’t have to start up their backup diesel generator. “As people run more and more electrical appliances I think a lot of holiday parks will find themselves close to the limit like them so renewable solutions make sense. “This system will pay for itself within six years but it has a 25-year lifespan so that adds up to almost 20 years of free electricity. “It should even be possible to fit panels to the roofs of caravans which could potentially provide the site with all the power it needs at some stage in the future.” Hafod Renewables installed their first system in July 2010 and since then they have fitted over 10,000 solar panels, stacked end on end they would tower over 29,028 foot Mount Everest. In the past 12 months they have provided solar systems for 68 customers, including businesses like Henllan Bakery in Denbigh, dairy farms and even the world’s oldest heritage railway, the Talyllyn, where although Welsh steam coal is still king, solar is now playing its part. They have also installed over 73 air-source systems and over 30 ground-source systems with a 16,000 hen egg producer and the North Wales Wildlife Trust among their customers. David added: “In just a few years almost everyone will be driving electric cars and by then most of our power will be produced by solar, wind, tidal and other renewables. “Renewable energy isn’t a Cinderella-style operation any more. It’s a real contender and one with a better, cheaper long-term future than fossil-fuel or even nuclear generated power.” For more on Hafod Renewables go to https://www.hafodrenewables.co.uk/
Frontier Pitts Work With The Caravan Club’s To Increase Security
Over the years Frontier Pitts have installed perimeter security equipment on many of The Caravan Club sites nationally, to ensure the holiday park sites fulfil their security requirements with cost-effective traffic management. Frontier Pitts market-leading FBX Automatic Barrier is ideally suited for controlling constant access to and from Caravan Club sites nationally. The FBX provides an effective solution to traffic congestion, whilst maintaining a visual security deterrent. The FBX Automatic Barrier is manufactured in boom lengths up to six metres, up to five metres for booms with skirts, and each boom can be fitted with warning lights and signs to the customer’s specification. The FBX is able to be raised or lowered through a complete 90-degree arc in as little as 1.8 seconds, depending on boom length, with operation being instantly reversible. The FBX is designed for reliability and durability, featuring sealed-for-life, no-maintenance bearings on the drive shaft; while both barriers and control cabinet are supplied with a 20-year protective alkyd paint finish as standard. The FBX accessories options include a variety of warning signs, lower folding skirts, boom lights, articulated boom, over-ride key switch, magnetic locks for the end-rest, with a choice of ‘pogo stick’ or fixed end-rests. However when The Caravan Club approached Frontier Pitts to install an entrance security system at their new Cadeside caravan storage compound in Taunton, Somerset they voiced concerns that the visual deterrent of the automatic FBX barrier no longer provided enough security. To overcome these concerns, Frontier Pitts were awarded the contract to supply and install a heavy-duty Roadblocker with traffic lights and control cabinet. The ‘Parking height’ model of Roadblocker was installed, with a card reader system to permit entry and exit from the site, and a vehicle induction loop system either side of the roadblocker to ensure the unit raises safely once a vehicle has passed over the ground sensors. Roadblockers and Rising Kerbs are designed to offer an impact-resistant barrier to vehicle access and are well suited to ‘High Security’ sites. Such installations range from car parks through to anti-terrorist protection of defence installations. There are five models of roadblockers available, starting with the ‘SMT’ Surface mounted roadblocker which requires minimal civil works. The ‘Parking’ Roadblocker is manufactured with a lifted height of 353mm, the ‘Security’ Roadblocker with a lifted height of 533mm, and the ‘Special Lift Height’ Roadblocker with a lifted height of 800mm. Frontier Pitts has also recently introduced their fifth model to their range of roadblockers called the ‘ATTB-80’, a model which has been successfully crash tested and has a lifted height of 800mm. The Roadblocker is a rugged underground rising kerb which is hydraulically powered for reliability and strength, and can manufactured in lengths of up to 4000mm. The unit consists of two major parts; the base unit and the rising lid. The base unit is manufactured from heavy gauge steel channel, and contains a number of sealed-for-life ball bearings. The rising lid section is a welded fabrication of heavy gauge steel channel upon which the chequer plate road sections are bolted. The curved perimeter skirt of the Roadblocker is made from a mild steel sheet, and the higher lift versions are fitted with a patented double-lift skirt. A heavy gauge, mild steel angle trimmer frame is installed in the second pour of the concrete foundations, with Spragg tie bars fitted to ensure fixing. The Roadblocker is finished with a scratch resistant, alkyd paint finish. The standard finish is chevron style yellow and black stripes. The electrical and hydraulic control systems are contained within a weatherproof control cabinet which is mounted upon a separate foundation near the Roadblocker. Accessories available for the roadblocker are manual release valves, which in an event of a power fail the manual hand pump can be used to raise and lower the unit. Frontier Pitts also highly recommend installing traffic lights with all roadblocker systems, to ensure the driver of the vehicle is aware when it is safe to proceed. The Terra 180 Swing Arm Barrier is another solution which has been successfully impact tested and offers anti-theft protection with a manually operated barrier system which is ideal for sites with no power supply. The FBX Automatic Barrier and Roadblocker/Rising Kerb, as with all Frontier-Pitts products, is entirely designed and built in Britain to the most stringent international standards. Frontier-Pitts, based in Crawley, Sussex, is the acknowledged leader in perimeter security equipment. Its complete range of products and services is the result of decades of experience. It has offices in Hong Kong, France and China, with over 30 per cent of production exported, and customers in more than 100 countries. Full project management capability includes design, manufacture, civil and electrical services, site surveys, installation, spare parts, refurbishment and fully comprehensive customer services. Constant product R & D is allied to continuing quality improvements in manufacturing and dedicated customer service. This includes producing one of the strongest Roadblockers on the market. The new product is based upon the Terra Blocker design (crash tested in the 1970’s) which has been performing at more than 3000 installation sites worldwide for 30 years. Following months of in-house design and computer simulations, the new ATTB-80 was successfully tested by MIRA independent Crash Laboratories in January 2005. Frontier-Pitts has the full ISO 9001 accreditation. For further information, please look at our website www.frontierpitts.com or Telephone 01293 422800
Its time to get prepared for more first-time campers!
It’s become common knowledge that motorhoming is on the increase, the world over, and with an estimated 225,000 motorhomes in the UK, according to the National Office of Statistics, this figure is only set to rise. So, what does this mean for park and industry operators? Erwin Hymer Centre’s RentEasy manager, Stuart Phipps gives his perspective on how to best cater for millennials as they come of age and gear up to seize the lion’s share of the camping market’s growth. According to Curbed magazine, millennials are the largest set of campers, accounting for 41 percent overall, and by 2025, the number of 30 – 45-year-olds will have grown to 72 million people. It’s relevant data for everyone in the industry and particularly those who are considering their green credentials, hook up facilities and bandwidth capabilities. First-timers Significantly, this generation, across the globe, accounts for a growing number of first-time motorhomes and in 2018, 56% of first-time campers were millennials. We regularly speak to renters who are taking their motorhome to a campsite for their first time. Although they have often done their research when it comes to wi-fi availability at a site, they still have the expectation that they can use their high-energy equipment. For example, appliances like hair straighteners, kettles and microwaves will have adverse effects on low amperage campsite supplies. This could lead to nuisance tripping of the supply inside the motorhome. We always advise our first-time motorhome customers before they head off on their excursion, that most campsites will have 16-amp hook ups available, which is ample for their needs, but to check on the park operator’s website first. It’s also interesting that there is a growing number of people, not necessarily first-time campers, who want their motorhome holiday to be a more self-sufficient experience. This has led to a rise in the installation of leisure batteries and the use of solar panels, as more people hunt for secluded locations, to enhance their wild camping experience. All these trends are set to multiply and motorhome dealers and park operators alike, need to be ready to cater for this unique and diverse set of camping enthusiasts who are set to reign.
How Wi-Fi Can Help Create Memorable Experiences at Holiday Parks
Wi-Fi accessibility while in the great outdoors was previously taboo; however, for the modern holiday maker, the option to stream movies, keep up to date of business or communicate with family and friends over the internet, makes for a convenient and pleasant getaway. Online accessibility in hotels is a necessity so why should it not be available while on holiday and away from the hustle and bustle? Apart from the convenience, it is also safer and practical, providing guests’ peace of mind they can connect to the internet at will. A closer look at the reasons to provide guests with Wi-Fi can help you create incredible holiday experiences. The Importance of Being Connected As a leading service provider, we at Camping Connect find that Wi-Fi is an important part of a pleasant guest experience. With the following reasons to stay connected whilst on holiday, learn how to transform your holiday park, lodges, wigwams, pods, safari tents or yurts into a truly memorable getaway for every guest. Entertainment for the Whole Family A rainy day makes outdoor activities and sightseeing rather tricky. Wi-Fi allows guests to stream Netflix, Catch up TV or have young ones watch movies, to pass the time. Find Things to Do Staying connected can help travellers find hidden sightseeing treasures along their trip. Endless Travel Options Mobile and fast internet availability in remote destinations can increase traveller interest and overall bookings or lengths of stays, don’t get filtered out from booking sites with that Wi-Fi toggle. Access Online Subscriptions Guests will appreciate remaining connected to their paid subscriptions of Sky Go, Now TV, Netflix, iPlayer and related entertainment accounts. This means accessing preferred movies and series whenever and wherever. Discovering Nature Trails Online searches help guests find nearby nature trails, and area maps. Make Reservations with Ease Bookings and reservations can be made while on holiday without having to travel miles to access the internet. Creates Routine For children and adults managing disabilities or illnesses, internet accessibility while on Holiday can maintain a routine and help them stay in touch with friends and family and medical care. Entertains Teens Most teens get bored on a family holiday. With Wi-Fi access, everyone stays happy being able to connect to their peers and keep up to date of the latest media. Keeping Businesses Connected As more people work remotely, incorporating Wi-Fi for Holiday Parks and Campsites is more appealing for guests who need to remain connected to the internet. Creating a Full-Service Holiday Sites offering guests Wi-Fi are more popular than those that do not. Create a full-service holiday with simple, fast online accessibility for all. At Camping Connect, we believe in creating the ultimate holiday experience for every camping and caravan adventure. Whether planning an extended trip with the touring caravan or getaway at a luxury lodge, you no longer have to be disconnected from the online world. Our WiFi makes it easier to check an email, keep your business operational or keep family entertained while in the heart of nature. Impress your guests by providing five-star WiFi service that performs just like home broadband. Connect each family, van or lodge to secure, personal WiFi network and allow them to stream films and media content to smart TVs, gaming consoles, or laptops. Also, help guests to take advantage of smart sockets along with WiFi-enabled gadgets such as Alexa and Google Home. Camping Connect offer a premium WiFi service for your holiday makers which comes with: – A full detailed site survey to guarantee perfect coverage. – A home broadband experience, perfect signal in every lodge, caravan or pitch and fast enough to allow guests to stream Netflix and connect smart TV’s. – A dedicated broadband and grant funding team to ensure you obtain the maximum funding to get fast broadband into your park – where ever you are. – Different business models to suit every park with a 7 day support team and a 3 year WiFi warranty.
Legionella Risk Assessments For Holiday Parks
Holiday and Caravan Parks are great locations for families to spend time together and share memories however they are also great locations for Legionella Bacteria to colonise and form substantial risk to Guests and employees. If the conditions are right, legionella bacteria will thrive, so actions must be taken to control the risks and keep people safe. Enviroliance looks at why you need legionella risk assessments in your holiday park. Here are some key FACTS about Legionella Bacteria and Legionnaires Disease: Legionella Bacteria thrives at temperatures between 20˚C and 45˚C Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of Pneumonia cause by Legionella Bacteria Those who are elderly, infirm or have a weaker immune system are at higher risk The ACoP L8 is the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) approved code of practice on the Control of Legionella Bacteria within water systems. It details legal duties that Responsible Persons have within each Holiday and Caravan Park to minimise legionella risk to the public. Holiday and Caravan Parks can be a sector with increased risk due to seasonality of use where guests may be more likely to visit during the summer moths. In quieter periods there is more chance of water stagnation due to less demand for water, which is provides favourable growing conditions for legionella bacteria, especially when temperatures begin to rise. In Holiday Parks, like anywhere else, Legionella bacteria can thrive in Hot and Cold-water systems and can be found lurking in swimming pools, showers and hose pipes…basically anywhere that contains water! The greatest danger comes from outlets that produce aerosols including hose pipes and showers where the droplets can be inhaled into the lungs potentially causing infection. What does this mean for Park Owners and Duty Holders? It is a legal requirement for Park owners and Duty Holders to have a Legionella Risk Assessment carried out at every site to understand the water systems in place, their general usage and whether any risks exist which could provide favourable conditions for Legionella Bacteria to colonise A Risk Assessment will identify potential sources of risk and provide suggested remedial actions in order to minimise the risk. It will also allow a system of control measures to be put in place, including: Temperature monitoring Flushing regimes to minimise water stagnations Cleaning and disinfection of showerheads hoses Cleaning and disinfection of domestic hot and cold water storage vessels and associated services Servicing of Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMV’s) – these need to be in working order to prevent scalding as well as creating an ideal environment for the bacteria It can be daunting when faced with Legionella Control regulatory requirements especially with many other duties placed on Park owners and operators. However, setting out a robust control programme with routine monitoring throughout the year not only reduces the risk to guests and staff but will also reduce pressure on Park owners, allowing them to manage their water systems and associated risks in confidence. Enviroliance is best placed to offer companies across all industries, independent advice, guidance and bespoke solutions on every aspect of water.
Elfin Kitchens launches comprehensive new website
Elfin Kitchens has launched a new improved, redesigned and feature-packed website, showcasing the company’s full range of pre-built, compact steel kitchens. The site can be viewed at www.elfinkitchens.co.uk and has been designed with all types of customer in mind, including landlords, building contractors, architects and homeowners. Visitors to the site can find comprehensive details of every kitchen Elfin has to offer, as well as information on the additions and accessories available. Plus, a newly introduced filter allows users to find the kitchen best suited to their needs by choosing from a range of different sizes, colours and features. This also allows for a quick and simple comparison of the different ranges (Entry, Economy, Economy Plus and Premium models), depending on the application. The website is further bolstered by dedicated sections containing FAQs and installation guides, as well as the latest case studies and company news. The site also details the latest sale items and special offers, alongside the latest exhibition dates, videos and social media posts. In addition, a commercial area has been incorporated with larger applications in mind, and features the new “Project kitchens” area for developments requiring 50+ kitchens of similar design. This allows customers to link up with the Elfin team directly, with the company offering a bespoke design service to meet their exact needs. Commenting on the new site, Bob Andrew, Managing Director at Elfin Kitchens, said: “We supply kitchen units to projects of all sizes throughout the UK and work closely with customers throughout the supply chain to ensure products are supplied on time and to the exact specification required. The new website adds to this process, allowing existing and potential customers to find out more about the different kitchens available, their features and benefits, as well as suitable applications. Not only is the new site functional and looks great, it is also an essential tool bringing us and our clients even closer together.” Elfin’s compact kitchens are manufactured to fulfil all aspects of modern living – regardless of the space available and the unit’s size. As a result, there are no compromises in the construction process. For over 10 years, the company has been redefining the UK market, offering intelligent and practical solutions that always deliver durability, style and flexible design. With an expanding portfolio of products, Elfin Kitchens is now the home of compact living. For information on Elfin’s entire range of kitchens and accessories, visit: www.elfinkitchens.co.uk
New Owners App puts the power in holiday home owners’ hands
Elite Dynamics, a leading provider of software solutions for the Holiday Parks industry, has launched a brand-new Owners App to strengthen communication between holiday park operators and their holiday home owners. The App is available as part of the award-winning EliteParks software solution and helps to connect owners with the holiday parks operations and financial processes, automating many labour-intensive tasks. In what promises to make life a whole lot easier for holiday home-owners, the App will allow them to view and change their contact preferences, view and pay any outstanding invoices, print account statements, create maintenance requests, buy and schedule the delivery of miscellaneous items and receive personalised notifications Elite Dynamics have worked closely with existing holiday park customers to develop the Owners App and have included various functions and features based on first-hand customer experiences – all with a view to improve the overall journey for customers as well as increasing efficiency within operations. Jamaine Campbell, co-founder and Commercial Director of Elite Dynamics, said: “Nowadays people want to easily access information and contact people when and where it suits them, and Apps are being used for everything; from shopping and banking to ordering takeaways. Even when they’re not on the park, owners will still be able to access their account and even make sure any outstanding maintenance work is dealt with prior to their next visit. “Holiday home-owners are crucial to the success of a holiday park business and by developing this App, we are helping our customers demonstrate to owners that their needs will always come first. It’s a game changer in outstanding customer service as well as improving office efficiency.” The EliteParks Owners App is the newest addition to its award-winning range of software solutions. For more information on the App or to arrange a demo of EliteParks software, visit https://www.elitedynamics.co.uk.
5 Gas Safety Tips For Park Home Owners
Jacqueline Gallazzi-Ritchie is the director of the gas safety and boiler replacement company All England Gas. Here, she shares what park home owners need to know and do to keep themselves safe with her 5 gas safety tips! Gas Safety Week every September sees organisations from across the UK will be working to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly-maintained gas appliances. A lot of this advice tends to be aimed at those with traditional brick and mortar homes, but it’s an issue that also affects those who live in park homes. So, here, I’m going to share my top tips to keep park home owners safe. 5 Gas Safety Tips For Park Home Owners Only use Gas Safe registered engineers It’s incredibly important that gas appliances are only ever installed or serviced by engineers who are on the official Gas Safe Register — you can check this by asking any boiler engineer who visits your site whether you can see their membership card. This should show a yellow Gas Safe Register triangle (not the orange CORGI registration badge that was replaced back in 2009). This card will also outline what kinds of jobs they’re qualified to work on. So, for example, someone might be able to fix a boiler, but might not have the necessary skills to install a gas fire. Make sure your gas appliances are checked every year Get into the habit of having your boiler serviced once a year. Not only will this give you peace of mind, but it could also help to save money as a Gas Safe engineer will be able to spot any issues or causes for concern. These can then be addressed quickly, before any more damage is caused. It’s also a good idea to have boilers serviced if you have recently bought a park home, as the previous owner mightn’t have put enough effort into maintaining it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry where gas and boilers are concerned! Install carbon monoxide alarms One of the biggest dangers associated with gas boilers is carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur if a boiler becomes faulty and begins to leak this potentially deadly gas. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm in your home will alert you if it detects the levels rising in the air. Carbon monoxide detectors can often be picked up from a DIY store for as little as £20 — just make sure your chosen one has a British or European Kitemark, so you know it’s reliable. Learn how to spot and treat carbon monoxide poisoning I would also recommend learning how to spot and treat carbon monoxide, just in case. Each year, there are around 60 deaths caused by accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in England and Wales, so you can never be too careful. The main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning you need to look out for are: • Tension-type headaches • Dizziness • Feeling and being sick • Tiredness and confusion • Stomach pain • Shortness of breath If you suspect that someone is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, turn off all gas appliances, open windows and doors, evacuate the home, contact a gas engineer, and make sure those affected get check out by a doctor. You can also call the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999 if you think there might be a major gas leak in your site. Address any boiler problems immediately Finally, if you spot any boiler issues between services, it’s vital that you contact an engineer as soon as possible. If problems are left to fester, they can become much worse and possibly even dangerous. If left for too long, it’s likely they’ll cost a lot more to repair, or you might even be forced to replace a park home’s boiler completely. It’s much better to address any problems you notice sooner rather than later. So, if a boiler is behaving strangely — perhaps it’s making strange noises or not doing its job properly — deal with it as soon as possible. Check a company’s status on the Gas Safe Register website, or call 0800 408 5500.
Eviction And The Caravan Sites Act 1968
Part of running a caravan site involves the collection of debt and eviction of tenants – for a variety of different reasons you may need to remove tenants from your site. Shelter explains that park home residents who have a contract with the owner of a protected site may be protected under the Caravan Sites Act 1968. This applies to all occupiers of park homes who: a) live on a protected site (one which requires a site licence, or would if it were not owned by the local authority), and b) have a residential contract with the park owner (this includes agreements under the Mobile Homes Act 1983). How you remove tenants from your site is of paramount importance and, if not done carefully, could result in a lengthy and costly lawsuit. How residents are protected from harassment is defined in the Caravan Sites Act, as amended by the Housing Act 2004, as any action that interferes or is likely to interfere with the peace and comfort of the occupier, or the persistent withdrawal of services or facilities reasonably required for the occupation of the caravan on the site. These acts must be carried out within the knowledge that they are likely to cause the occupier to abandon the caravan, remove it from the site, or to refrain from exercising any right in relation to the caravan. Park home occupiers covered by the Act are protected from eviction during the period of their contract – and after their contract expires, unless a court order for possession has been obtained. Occupiers are protected against the actions of site owners and their agents. Offences under the Act are both civil and criminal offences, and action can be brought in the same way as action under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. If you are having issues with a tenant and they are reaching the end of their contract, or if you feel they have breached the terms of said contract, then get in touch with a specialist legal advisor who can guide you through the process of eviction.
