Rosneath Castle Park Won ‘Best Caravan Holiday Park for 2024’
Rosneath Castle Park is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious title of “Best Caravan Holiday Park, of last year, – West Scotland” by Luxlife Magazine as part of their annual Hospitality Awards. This recognition highlights Rosneath Castle Park’s continued dedication to providing exceptional experiences for holidaymakers and residents. Nestled on the stunning shores of Gare Loch, Rosneath Castle Park has long been celebrated for its scenic beauty, top-notch facilities, and warm, family-friendly atmosphere. Upon receiving the award, General Manager Richard Quibell expressed his pride in the park’s achievement: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named the best caravan park in West Scotland. This award is a tremendous honour and a true reflection of our incredible team’s dedication and hard work here at Rosneath Castle Park. Their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service to our owners, residents, and holiday guests is what makes our park so special and deserving of this recognition.” This award marks a significant milestone for the team at Rosneath Castle Park, reflecting their consistent efforts to offer a high standard of service and memorable experiences. Whether welcoming long-term residents, returning owners, or first-time holiday guests, the park remains a go-to destination for those looking to explore the beauty and serenity of Scotland’s west coast. About Rosneath Castle Park Located just 45 minutes from Glasgow, Rosneath Castle Park offers the perfect blend of peaceful, scenic surroundings and modern amenities. With a variety of holiday homes and pitches for static caravans, as well as facilities that cater to families, couples, and individuals, the park continues to be a favourite spot for nature lovers and holidaymakers seeking a tranquil escape. About Luxlife Magazine Hospitality Awards The Luxlife Magazine Hospitality Awards celebrate businesses and establishments that demonstrate exceptional dedication to customer service and excellence across various sectors in the hospitality industry. Being recognized by the awards is a testament to the outstanding quality that guests can expect from the winners. For more information on Rosneath Castle Park, please visit www.rosneathcastle.co.uk
Screening the boundaries: planting to avoid disputes
Do you get on with your neighbours? Most of us would like to say yes, but it is human nature to be irritated by certain things about those closest to us. Increased traffic or noise, or even just an aversion to change may lead to issues, and one area which often leads to problems is that of shared boundaries. Some problems can simply be avoided by knowing exactly where the boundary is and, where there is a wall, fence or hedge, knowing who that “belongs” to and who is responsible for the maintenance of it. If the responsibility is yours you may have a right to access to carry out essential maintenance, but it is always worth having a discussion with the neighbour to come to an agreement about this. If trees or other vegetation on or near the boundary cause dispute, you are probably aware that you have the right to prune any growth which overhangs onto your side of the boundary, such as an overhanging tree branch, but did you know that you must offer the prunings back, otherwise you could be accused of theft? However, if you simply throw the prunings back into your neighbour’s garden and they land on something, causing damage, you could also be liable for that. However, if you had not pruned off the overhanging branch, and it broke off in a storm and damaged something on your side of the boundary, your neighbour may be liable for the damage! Clearly this is a thorny subject (no pun intended), but if you find yourself in a dispute with a neighbour you really should seek professional legal advice, but every site-owner should have a basic awareness of their responsibilities and liabilities. One aspect of this that customers come to us for every day on the nursery is when privacy and screening is involved. Overlooking windows, to provide privacy from communal areas of your site, to reduce light pollution, or any one or combination of other factors may lead to tension with people neighbouring your site, but the legal situation there isn’t always as simple as you might think. Under current English law no-one has the right to a view and even the “right to light” isn’t as clear cut as it used to be. As is often the case, there is no one single ideal solution to providing screening for privacy as so many factors will dictate the possibilities. But, as well as the physical and aesthetic limitations of what could you grow there, with a little consideration and common sense it is also worth thinking about what should you grow? Trees and other vegetation for screening unwanted views, for security, and for providing privacy from neighbours, amount to a significant percentage of the enquiries we handle on the nursery on a day to day basis and there are a number of ways to tackle the issue of privacy. For ground-floor eye-level issues a six foot fence or wall is fine, but you would normally need planning permission to erect anything much taller than this. You could plant a hedge, but two or more evergreens planted closely enough together as to form a solid screen could potentially be actionable under the “high hedge legislation” (which was actually an amendment to the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, 2003) if they are allowed to grow above two metres, particularly if they cast shade on a neighbour’s property, so providing privacy can prove more challenging than at first thought. One unusual solution to privacy problems might be the use of “pleached” trees. Pleaching is an old term which relates to the training of trees into unusual shapes for a particular purpose (for instance there is reference to an avenue of pleached fruit trees in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing), but these days it is largely used when a tree or large shrub is trained horizontally on tiers or fanned out on a flat panel, above a tall clear stem, to give a two-dimensional effect, rather like a narrow hedge on a stick! This allows dense screening above a wall or fence without taking up as much space as a solid hedge or unclipped tree might. On our nursery we pleach all sorts of different trees, and we even use “standard” trained evergreen shrubs such as Laurel to produce evergreen screening when the job is appropriate for it, but by far our most popular pleached tree is Hornbeam. Carpinus betulus, or Common Hornbeam, is ideal for pleaching as its branches are pliable and easy to train (as long as training is carried out at the right time of year that is), is not too slow growing but isn’t problematically vigorous, easily forms a dense, twiggy mass when regularly pruned, is hardy, and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Hornbeam grows well on heavy soils, even tolerating short periods of waterlogging, especially during winter, making it a good choice on sites too wet for the majority of evergreens. It has soft leaves with a vivid apple-green colour in spring, which turn golden-yellow in autumn. However, the one feature of Hornbeam which really makes it popular as a pleached tree for screening is its “ever-brown” property, more properly called marcescence. By that I mean that it retains a percentage of the dead leaves during winter, a bit like a Beech hedge does, although Hornbeam comes into new leaf much earlier in spring than Beech does, is better suited to heavy soils than Beech, tends to be more flexible for training, and is faster growing than Beech. Like Beech, this winter leaf retention only happens in the juvenile stage of growth, so regular pruning is required to maintain this, and the leaf retention varies from one plant to another, and can also be lessened on more exposed sites, but nonetheless this “ever-brown” property is very useful for screening, but it is still essentially a deciduous plant and as such is largely exempt from the legislation which might potentially restrict evergreen hedges. Pictured:
Shrewsbury MP pays visit to Salop Leisure
Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley has praised award-winning caravan and motorhome dealership, Salop Leisure, following a visit to the business during English Tourism Week. Dr Buckley, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Local Markets, was taken on a guided tour of Salop Leisure, Love Plants garden centre and Love2Stay, the company’s award-winning touring and glamping resort. “I was delighted to receive a tour of Love2Stay and Salop Leisure by general manager Darren Brown as part of English Tourism Week.,” she said. “What a fantastic contribution they are making to our visitor economy, a thriving business proud of its reputation for high quality customer services.” Dr Buckley was keen to hear about the company’s latest £750,000 investment on five new holiday lodges at Love2Stay and the challenges and opportunities facing the business, which supplies caravan holiday homes to more than 200 parks across the Heart of England and Mid Wales. Salop Leisure is also one of the UK’s leading dealerships for touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans. The company recently retained the title of UK’s top supplying dealer of pre-owned touring caravans in Owner Satisfaction Awards 2025 based on surveys undertaken by Camping and Caravanning Club members and Practical Caravan magazine readers. Mr Brown said: “The visit went very well, generating a lot of positivity. It was a great opportunity to show the MP for Shrewsbury around our growing business and to discuss the role we play in the tourism industry.” Theme of this year’s English Tourism Week, which ended on Sunday, was ‘Supporting people and places to drive growth’. Generating £106 billion and supporting 2.6 million jobs, the English tourism industry makes a significant contribution to the rural economy, supporting village shops, businesses and services in counties like Shropshire. Tourism in Shropshire generates more than £895 million and attracts more than 10 million visits annually. There are more than 840 businesses in the county’s tourism sector, employing around 7,000 people. Shrewsbury MP Dr Julia Buckley viewing amotorhome with Salop Leisure’s general manager Darren Brown during her visit on Saturday. Shrewsbury MP Dr Julia Buckley with Salop Leisure’s general manager Darren Brown with the new Severn View Lodges at Love2Stay in the background.
Retrofit 2025 at the Building Centre
Saniflo is delighted to announce a six-month collaboration with the Building Centre as a Principal Partner for ‘Retrofit 2025 – What’s Stopping Us’. As well as a static exhibition in the organisation’s central London location, there is a full programme of in-person and online events for the duration of the campaign, which is designed to help navigate the barriers and opportunities in the retrofit sector of the built environment. Retrofit 2025 aims to show that tools and solutions to transform existing buildings already exist and to encourage architects, construction professionals, the housing sector, Government and local authorities to take the next steps. With plenty of experience in supporting change of use projects over many decades, Saniflo and sister brand, Kinedo, have not only placed products in the static display ‘house without walls’, but contributed case studies detailing how their products have enabled change of use conversions in the housing and educational sector. Pods adjacent to the static display highlight how a former office building was transformed into apartments in Peterborough, using Kinedo shower cubicles in the bathrooms, whilst a former bank was converted into a world-class dental training school with the help of a number of Saniflo pumps and macerators. A Kinedo Kinemagic Design all-in-one shower cubicle is featured in the ‘house without walls’ along with a Sanicompact WC, which is a space saving, cisternless WC with integrated macerator. The shower cubicle is swift to install and – thanks to its unique design and assembly – requires no tile or grout to create a watertight environment. Consisting of internal glass panels, that sit over the upstands of the shower tray, glass external panels and door, the shower is supplied as a single package complete with shower, valve and handheld shower. Ready to use from the moment it’s installed because no follow-on trades are required, it saves on both specification and installation time. The Sanicompact is ideal for small bathrooms that cannot discharge waste via gravity. The integrated macerator means that no cistern is required and it can also discharge waste from a basin. Amanda Mills, Marketing Manager at Saniflo, has overseen the collaboration and is pleased to partner with Retrofit 2025; “This is a sector that lends itself very well to our products and one we have worked in for a long time. There is definitely more emphasis today on retaining and converting buildings for new uses. Our pump range, in particular, enables developers to discharge waste when traditional gravity drainage infrastructure can’t or is too expensive. Saniflo’s range extends from pumps for single bathrooms or kitchens, through to pumps for whole buildings, or multiple small buildings. Retrofit 2025 offers us a great opportunity to reach a bigger audience to share our products and knowledge. We’re looking forward to attending as many in-person events as possible and to using the facilities at the Building Centre for our own customers.” https://www.saniflo.co.uk
Saniflo UK Launches Trade-First Website
Saniflo UK – a leading supplier of macerators, pumps, and shower systems – has launched a new website at www.sfasaniflo.co.uk, replacing its long-standing domain at saniflo.co.uk. Purpose-built with the trade in mind, the new platform delivers faster access to product data, technical downloads, and support tools, simplifying busy professionals’ specification and installation process. This is the company’s first major digital upgrade since 2018 and represents a significant leap in usability and functionality. The streamlined website gives installers, merchants, and specifiers immediate access to datasheets, installation guides, and key documentation across the entire Saniflo range. Refined product filters and a new product comparator also help professionals quickly identify the right solution for various domestic and commercial projects – from ensuite additions to hospitality refits. Prominently featured installation videos offer practical, step-by-step guidance for common product installs, reducing time on site and helping first-time users build confidence with the range. With future content development built into the platform, the site will continue to grow with new training assets, technical updates, and trade support materials. The website works hand-in-hand with Saniflo’s network of approximately 100 approved UK service engineers, ensuring that installers and merchants can access fast technical back-up and on-the-ground support when needed. Explore the new platform at www.sfasaniflo.co.uk
Attractive landscaping
Peace of mind. That’s what holidaymakers are seeking, and, indeed, what every Park Home operator seeks to provide. And it comes in many forms: the tangible and the subtle. Friendly faces and ready assistance on arrival, comfortable accommodation and appealing attractions will always score highly for the new arrivals, as will the views and the surroundings, but there is the further, subtle, aspect of general appearance. Attractive landscaping, tidy and well maintained green areas will have a subconscious effect on the new arrival – but a good impression will stay in the mind for the future. STM Co Ltd have been supplying SCAG grasscutting machinery for well over thirty years, so they have the confidence to recommend machines that’s ideal for your needs. The machinery is extremely robust: made to last the rigours of use every day, and makes an ideal choice for Park owners with a maintenance team covering a really wide area – or several parks. As to the grasscutting machinery STM supply: the smallest is the 21” pedestrian sized gateway model – still of the same extremely robust build quality – with the rest of the pedestrian “SWZ” range increasing in size on cutting deck width and engine power options: 36”- 61” / 14 – 22HP. Next is the “V-Ride-on” Stand-On range where the operator is positioned on a platform behind the cutting deck for ease of manoeverability in intricate areas or large area work, having 52 – 72” cutting width with power to suit. Next comes the Ride-On machinery range (“Freedom Z”) which includes electric, petrol and diesel, with cutting widths of 36 – 72” with machine frames, power and, again, engine sizes to suit. Debris Clearance equipment is also available from pedestrian blowers to trailed and towed units, culminating in the massively impressive 37HP Windstorm Stand-On blower. Our Nationwide dealership means we can come to you to demonstrate our products on your site and help you select an ideal machine for your purposes. As well as this we supply training and spares back-up; all designed to give you, the site owner, your own bit of peace of mind. The machines are available through the STM dealership network. To find your nearest dealer ring 01789 488450, email info@st-mach.com or look at our website www.st-mach.com
Introducing Rezlok by TLJ, Ultimate Smart Lock
The Ultimate Smart Lock Innovation for Modern Holiday Parks Today’s holidaymakers expect more than just a place to stay. They want comfort, convenience and flexibility for a seamless holiday experience from booking through to check-out.That’s where the Rezlok comes in – TLJ’s next-generation smart lock, purpose-built with you and your customers in mind. Whether you manage luxury log cabins, holiday parks, lodges, caravans, or glamping pods, the Rezlok brings a user-friendly solution that combines security, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology for the latest in Hospitality Automation.Rezlok allows Holiday Parks to digitally transform their whole resort experience to the accessibility of a hotel-style booking. Smart Access, Smarter ExperiencesThe Rezlok allows guests to unlock their accommodation using a Smartphone, Apple Watch, key card, wristband, or fob, eliminating manual keys and reducing the burden on reception and maintenance staff.For further check-in efficiency, the Rezlok’s Bluetooth technology allows guests to download Mobile Keys for contactless entry – making lengthy queuing, lost keys and late-night check-ins a thing of the past.Parks can also use TLJ’s user-friendly app or integrate with your existing one. If you don’t have an app, no problem – our in-house developers can create a custom-built, branded version for you, like we did for Meadow Bay Villages. The Power of IntegrationTLJ’s cloud-based technology integrates with many popular booking platforms, including RMS Cloud, Elite Dynamics, and ParcVu. (Figure 2) Making it even easier to automate check-ins, issue keys, and manage access with just a few clicks.The Rezlok gives you more control over who’s coming and going. Through TLJ’s secure cloud system, you can view access logs, door usage, and real-time battery alerts to help your team prevent issues before they happen – keeping things running smoothly year-round. Hassle-free InstallationThe RezLok is designed to work on virtually any door, new or existing. TLJ’s unique construction makes it compatible with a variety of mechanisms, including multipoint locks – perfect for the lift-handle locks of most caravans.Fully self-contained and battery powered with no hard-wiring required, the Rezlok is tested for up to 20,000 openings. It’s also TLJ’s “smartest” smart lock, offering a range of operator modes, such as stay-open-mode. Most smart locks automatically secure the door when it closes – but holiday parks need more flexibility. That’s why the Rezlok includes a stay-open-mode, perfect for families unloading the car or popping in and out. Built for the OutdoorsThe Rezlok combines smart tech and integration power with a robust design for external installation. It features a sleek, durable build with visible LED indicators giving users instant feedback on lock status. Designed to weather all seasons with IP-rated protection, the Rezlok stands strong against rain, salt air, dust, and beloved British summers. Future-Proof Your ParkWhether you’ve got thirty vans or three hundred, TLJ has a solution. Once installed, our in-house Support Team will keep taking care of you. As your park grows, TLJ has the technology to grow with you.TLJ’s unique platform sets us apart – so rest assured, your locks are built with ongoing innovation in mind. Our aftersales support can be upgraded anytime, with integrations and apps added as needed.The Rezlok isn’t just a short-term fix – it’s a long-term upgrade. Your perfect partner for the modern Holiday Park. Contact: Robyn Dawson 07792556570 / r.dawson@tljgroup.com Website: www.tljgroup.com Office: 68-78 Leads Road, Hull, HU7 0BY 01482 830334
Meadow Bay cleans up with Monty Miracle
A newly-formed holiday park group is using Monty Miracle to keep its famous sites clean, after spotting the product on Tik Tok. Meadow Bay is one of the UK’s newest holiday park groups, having acquired Billing Aquadrome in Northampton, Hayling Island in Hampshire and Golden Leas and Hollybush Farm, both in Kent. The parks offer almost 3000 bases across the UK and welcome hundreds of thousands of owners and visitors every year, and the new owners have invested heavily in the parks to refurbish and modernise them. Monty Miracle is being used to clean and maintain road services, walkways, building exteriors, dirty caravan exteriors, deckings, bin bays and fencing. COO James Flynn comments: “This product has replaced powerwashing and scrubbing with brushes. I first discovered it on Tik Tok when working with a former employer: the product videos popped up and I was impressed with the apparent efficacy and speed so I ordered a few bottles as we had a real issue with algae build up on the caravans. We trialled it on some of the units and we were so impressed. As soon as I moved to Meadow Bay we started using Monty Miracle here too.” Monty Miracle Patio Cleaner is proven to eliminate black spot, algae, lichen and other organic stains on most external hard surfaces such as stone, wood, plastic, concrete and coated metals. The patented liquid solution is simply applied to the surface then left for 6 – 10 minutes before rinsing – its unique formulation eliminates organic growth and organic staining in minutes without an invasive jet wash that can damage surfaces. A hose rinses away the solution with no need to apply any brute force or tireless scrubbing. The formula completely neutralises following the process and is 100% biodegradable so can be hosed off onto the grass or soil, leaving no environmental footprint. Founder Martin Beaumont created the product after working at English Heritage and Shell. He says: “Our product is loved by professional groundspeople and gardeners all over the UK and we’re delighted to see it being used so successfully in holiday parks too. Being quick to use and suitable for a wide range of surfaces, it is a very efficient approach to both cleaning and maintenance and as it is so quick to dry, it is safe to use around children and pets, perfect for the leisure industry.” James concludes: “It’s become a bit of a joke with my colleagues now as they tell me I must have shares in the company – I am always pointing things out if they need a clean, saying ‘Monty would sort that’!”
Thrilling New Zip Wire
St Andrews Lakes, known for its stunning blue lake and diverse range of outdoor activities, proudly announces the opening of its latest adrenaline-pumping experience: a 650m multiline zip wire. Designed and constructed by renowned builder 7×19, this state-of-the-art zip wire promises unforgettable thrills for all ages. Launched in February 2025, the brand-new zip wire at St Andrews Lakes built with an investment of around half a million pounds, promises an unforgettable experience as visitors glide high above the beautiful blue waters, taking in breathtaking views from an unbeatable perspective. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or simply looking for a unique way to enjoy the stunning surroundings, the zip wire will take your visit to St Andrews Lakes to new heights. It allows families and friends to zip together, sharing the exhilarating experience side by side. Adding to the excitement, the zip tower also features a freefall drop activity, offering an adrenaline-pumping plunge from height for those seeking an extra thrill. “We are thrilled to offer our guests a new way to experience the beauty and excitement of St Andrews Lakes,” said Andrew Mackness, Owner at St Andrews Lakes. “Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the zip wire meets the highest standards of fun, exhilaration, and delivers a great customer experience.” The zip wire features stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscape. Visitors can expect an exhilarating ride that provides a unique perspective of the area’s natural beauty. The experience is open to participants aged 6 and up, with a maximum weight restriction of 120kg. St Andrews Lakes offers free parking, and a cafe & pizzeria open all year round, ensuring a memorable day out for the whole family. The attraction also recently launched luxury on-site accommodation for those wanting to extend their stay to enjoy more adventure and the surrounding area. The zip wire and drop opened to the public in February 2025. Tickets are available for purchase at https://ecom.roller.app/standrewslakes/zipwire/en/home. For more information, please visit https://www.standrewswatersports.co.uk
