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Celebrating 50 Years of Caravan Industry & Park Operator Magazine!

Caravan Industry & Park Operator - a vintage caravan

We're celebrating a golden anniversary this year, 50 years after the first Caravan Industry & Park Operator magazine was published!

Caravan Industry & Park Operator is the independent caravan trade magazine for products and services, including park utilities, insurance, transport, park and site news, consultancy, events, security, legal advice and safety. In print since 1968, it's the oldest and most trusted industry magazine and has stood the test of time.

Pair to wed whose young love blossomed at The Orchards

Two children who had stars in their eyes after meeting on an Isle of Wight holiday park almost 20 years ago made a return visit to the island recently. But shortly after pitching up at The Orchards in Newbridge, it became clear that this was going to be more than just a stroll down memory lane for the couple.

That's because Rachel Hughes' childhood sweetheart, Jonathan Palmer, had brought with him not only a tent and cooking stove, but also a proposal of marriage.

The couple had met as 12-year-olds while on holiday with their families at The Orchards – and it was beside the park's heated outdoor pool that they had exchanged their first kiss.

New MPPT pro delivers superior charging rates for solar-powered caravans

A new multi power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller designed to give caravan owners up to 20% more energy per day from their existing solar panels has been launched by Solar Technology International. The PV Logic MPPT Pro is a compact, 15 amp solar charge controller with unique single or dual battery charging capabilities. The device can increase the charging capability of any 12V or 24V solar panel (up to 220W) by as much as 20% per day through its ability to map the voltage from the solar panel to suit the condition of the battery.

Workmates steer touring caravan creation to soap box derby victory

Workmates at a Shropshire caravan, motorhome and campervan dealership have won a soap box derby organised by a wildlife charity in the county for the second year running.

Last year, touring caravan engineer Ian Hart won the inaugural derby organised by Cuan House at The Edge Adventure in Much Wenlock. This year, Ian crashed in the first race, opening the door to workmates at Salop Leisure in Shrewsbury, Adam Franklyn and Nick Wood, to take the title.

Buzz at bee-friendly park tipped for top tourism award

Honey bees, butterflies and bats have helped a Lancaster holiday park to wing its way into the finals of this year's prestigious Lancashire Tourism Awards.

Moss Wood in the village of Cockerham has been shortlisted in the "sustainable tourism" category of businesses making exceptional efforts to protect the natural world.

Now the final hurdle for the park will be a face-to-face interview with the judging panel before the winner is finally revealed at November's glittering awards ceremony.

Family-owned Moss Wood has already had its environmental policies and green tourism credentials put under close scrutiny in the competition.

Wales park in the pink after scooping top floral accolade

Petal power: Tree Tops propagates 16,000 plants each year to maintain a riot of colour throughout its grounds

Judges have described as "inspirational" a North Wales holiday park, Tree Tops holiday park, which landed a gold honour in this year's keenly contested Wales in Bloom awards.

Tree Tops Caravan Park at Gwespyr, near Holywell, seized the top spot for the 26th year running in the caravan park category of the competition.

First chance to see 2019 caravan and motorhome models at Shrewsbury show

Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the UK’s largest free caravan and motorhome show in Shrewsbury, where 2019 models will be revealed by leading manufacturers later this month.

The West Midlands Caravan & Motorhome New 2019 Model Show is being hosted by Salop Leisure at the company’s headquarters alongside Shrewsbury bypass at Emstrey from September 29 to October 7.

“Why wait an extra month for the NEC Motorhome & Caravan Show, when you can see a large selection of the new 2019 models for the first time right here in Shropshire?” asked Ed Glover, Salop Leisure’s marketing manager.

Perthshire park's new family owners woo luxury lovers

Summer has seen the launch of a substantial investment project at Callander Woods Holiday Park in Perthshire following its acquisition earlier this year by Wood Leisure. The family-owned parks group – founded nearly 40 years ago – has already introduced new luxury holiday homes and camping pods, and secured a five-star quality grading from VisitScotland.

Callander Woods, set at the eastern gateway to the Trossachs National Park, will also be adding ten extra weeks to the holiday year from 2019 by remaining open until the end of December.

The upgrade plan has so far seen a fleet of new, luxury, top-end caravan holiday homes take the place of the park's previous stock, providing a luxury living experience for rental guests.

Latest innovations and holiday homes were unveiled alongside Park Homes by Willerby

Last weekend (8th- 9th September) Willerby launched the 2019 collection at The Lawns in Cottingham.

Despite the wet weather, the crowds turned out in their thousands with over 17,500 guests stopping by to view the new collection from the UK’s largest manufacturer of holiday homes and lodges.

In a first for the company, this year Willerby revealed its brand new Park Homes by Willerby collection which launched in May this year with three brand new models. Those on display at the show were the charming Charnwood and dazzling Hazlewood both set within Willerby’s beautiful English rose themed garden.

Campers enjoy the freedom of short breaks as UK heads towards largest leisure vehicle show

More than 8,000 caravan and camping sites across the UK enjoyed the warm summer, with the two largest clubs reporting bookings up on last year and over one million leisure vehicles currently owned in the UK according to the NCC*, the event arm of which runs the UK’s largest leisure vehicle event, the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2018 in October.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club, with nearly a million members and 2,700 locations, saw a 12% uplift in 2018 summer bookings over 2017. There was also a 17% year-on-year increase over the May bank holiday across its sites network and a 5% growth in August bank holiday bookings. The August bank holiday produced record bookings for the club.

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