We have just returned from a week away in Kent, whilst there we heard that the camping & caravanning club had folded. Is there any truth in this? or is it just a rumour?
Caravan and camping club
- Thread starter Pauline_374453117
- Start date
I hope not, we've booked our summer holiday to france with them. Can't find anything on the net about this.
Julie
Julie
Parksy
Moderator
We've just come back from a weekend rally with our d.a. so I'd say that this is an untrue rumour.
No, wasn't an outfit, it came from another caravanner who had been told by a caravan club warden, who went on to say that the caravan club would be buying some of the sites!
I am just back from a weekend Caravan Club rally that was being held at the same venue as a C&CC Rally, so I see no evidence that the club has folded.
Not a member of the C&CC but can't really see it folding after anouncing membership up plus adding 4 or more site's this year, both clubs are saying it's never been as busy.
NigelH
NigelH
Parksy
Moderator
Hi,
We rejoined the C&CC. In the first magazine we recieved, there was an article by the president (David Bellamy) slating off those of us who tow with a 4x4. Twelve months later, we didn't renew.
602
We rejoined the C&CC. In the first magazine we recieved, there was an article by the president (David Bellamy) slating off those of us who tow with a 4x4. Twelve months later, we didn't renew.
602
Dear All,
No idea where this has come from, but the C&CC are in fine fettle
Regards
Nigel Donnelly
Editor
Practical Caravan
www.twitter.com/pcaravan
No idea where this has come from, but the C&CC are in fine fettle
Regards
Nigel Donnelly
Editor
Practical Caravan
www.twitter.com/pcaravan
602, l am just about to change my Shogun for another one, was thinking of joining the C&CC as well as the CC but now you tell me Mr Bellamy as decided to join the 4x4 hate group l think not, always thought we lived in a country that allowed freedom of choice.
Plenty of other cars with worst emissions than 4x4's.
Have him try getting around in winter where l live might change is mind, some how l doubt it.
NigelH
Plenty of other cars with worst emissions than 4x4's.
Have him try getting around in winter where l live might change is mind, some how l doubt it.
NigelH
Parksy
Moderator
With the greatest respect if an article allegedly written by some old weirdy beardy tree hugger at some unspecified time is enough to put you off joining any club then perhaps that particular club wouldn't suit you anyway.
The majority but by no means all of those that I see at C&CC rallies tow with 4x4s without untoward comment or a second glance from anybody.
You use what suits you, whatever David Bellamy or anyone else says or writes is irrelevant.
The majority but by no means all of those that I see at C&CC rallies tow with 4x4s without untoward comment or a second glance from anybody.
You use what suits you, whatever David Bellamy or anyone else says or writes is irrelevant.
I have been a member of the C&CC for a few years, I read the article and it did not concern me one little bit that I drive a 4x4. Each to their own and after all it is only the opinion of David Bellamy writing an article in a magazine.
The "old weirdy beardy tree hugger at some unspecified time is enough to put you off joining any club" but the little Hitlers on C & CC sites beat him hands down which is a good reason not to renew!
Parksy
Moderator
Are the 'little Hitlers' the wardens the members or the kids? From what I've read on here and on other forums both clubs are similar in many respects.
The only reason I am a member of the C&CC is for the reduced membership fee and other benifits available from the RAC. Have never used a CC or C&CC site - always used commercial sites and in many instances they are cheaper than club sites plus many commercial sites offer 10% discount to club members.
Silly man he is! We switched to a 4x4 after countless occasions of being stuck on a web/muddy grass field and having our caravan stranded. Some newer 4x4s are more economical and efficient than a big estate car
I remember the article in question. David Bellamy said nothing against 4x4s, except that he appealed to those using them not to use them irresponsibly, causing damage to the countryside. Not a very radical position, one would think. The C&CC itself has never taken an anti-4x4 stance - indeed, they put on many events sponsored by manufacturers of the said vehicles and frequently give them good reviews in the magazine.
As for membership, we have been members for 23 years, and in the last year have introduced two sets of new members, one of whom drives a 4x4.
As for membership, we have been members for 23 years, and in the last year have introduced two sets of new members, one of whom drives a 4x4.
Parksy
Moderator
We've been members of the C&CC for nine years but we rarely use their main sites which we consider to be a tad over priced compared to some commercial sites with more facilities.
We've never yet met a 'little Hitler' type although one or two would benefit from a spell at charm school. Having said that we don't go away to become bezzie mates with a site warden, we just deal with them as necessary and then let them get on with whatever they do while we get on with our caravan break.
We often use the C&CC certified sites which because many are also open to tent campers generally have toilets and showers, most are reasonably priced.
Just recently with much trepidation we have tried D.A. rallying.
Our fears were groundless, we have enjoyed them and been made to feel very welcome at the rallies so we have found a very inexpensive way of using our caravan without any need to book. We don't have to go if the weather is bad and can decide at the last minute which one to attend.
We don't need to save up in order to go and our caravan would just be left in storage so it's a win - win situation for us.
I'd say that it is worth paying the membership fee for either of the clubs just to attend the rallies.
We've never yet met a 'little Hitler' type although one or two would benefit from a spell at charm school. Having said that we don't go away to become bezzie mates with a site warden, we just deal with them as necessary and then let them get on with whatever they do while we get on with our caravan break.
We often use the C&CC certified sites which because many are also open to tent campers generally have toilets and showers, most are reasonably priced.
Just recently with much trepidation we have tried D.A. rallying.
Our fears were groundless, we have enjoyed them and been made to feel very welcome at the rallies so we have found a very inexpensive way of using our caravan without any need to book. We don't have to go if the weather is bad and can decide at the last minute which one to attend.
We don't need to save up in order to go and our caravan would just be left in storage so it's a win - win situation for us.
I'd say that it is worth paying the membership fee for either of the clubs just to attend the rallies.
Parksy, I have to agree with your point about not going away to become best mates with the site wardens. In fact the most annoying one we have come across recently on a C&CC site was the chap who just tried too hard - spent ages telling us about all the features and facilities on his site, of which he was quite justly very proud, when all we really wanted to do was choose a pitch and get set up. But you can't please everyone. In all our years of membership, I have only come across two who I thought let the side down, and both of those were many years ago.
The other thing that put us right off was attending one of their DA meets. As newbies on our first meet we were alloccated a real cr***y pitch because the others were reserved for friends who were coming later or the next day. After being told this we never bothered with them for the rest of the weekend and did our own thing.
Never went on another rally for several years until two months ago when we went on one arranged by T & T forum. We were made to feel welcome and enjoyed our weekend and are looking forward to their next rally. We also organised a ukcampsite meet early this month where every one was made wwelcome and no one kept pitches for those coming later etc.
CC & C & CC rallies are just too cliquey for us and we have no interest in ever attending either one of those rallies. Both rally clubs are too snooty for us!
Never went on another rally for several years until two months ago when we went on one arranged by T & T forum. We were made to feel welcome and enjoyed our weekend and are looking forward to their next rally. We also organised a ukcampsite meet early this month where every one was made wwelcome and no one kept pitches for those coming later etc.
CC & C & CC rallies are just too cliquey for us and we have no interest in ever attending either one of those rallies. Both rally clubs are too snooty for us!
Parksy
Moderator
Hi Ian
I've read about the T&T rallies and they seem very friendly and well run which is great. I think that I read somewhere that UK campsite are organising a rally to the Twinwoods festival in Bedfordshire over the August bank holiday so I will look out for them there.
It's a shame that you have been put off attending d.a. rallies and although I'm sure that all forum rallies are friendly and well run they can't be held as regularly as local d.a. meets because of the distances involved where attendance could be from all over the country.
I don't know which district association of the C&CC you tried rallying with or who the stewards were but our experience so far has been vastly different to yours thank goodness.
We have never been 'allocated' a pitch unless you count a vague gesture in the general direction of those already present as 'allocation'.
We have been allowed to pitch pretty much where we wanted to within reason and we have not been aware of any 'pitch' being reserved for anyone.
On our rallies so far there have been no 'pitches' as such, we simply try to keep about 20 feet away from the next unit for safety and privacy.
Wile it is obvious that some rally members know each other and rally together we haven't seen this as 'cliquey', people have been at pains to be friendly and to invite us to sit with them in the evenings outside having a drink and a chat.
Last weekend the stewards and their friends sent their children round early on Saturday evening to knock on the door of every unit attending. We were all invited to join the stewards round their fire brazier, we took our seats and drinks and sat inside the circle of windbreaks where we spent a very pleasant evening chatting with experienced ralliers and fellow newbies like ourselves.
Of course not everyone on the rally sat round the fire, some had made other arrangements but contrary to what we had been previously been led to believe we found absolutely no evidence of 'snootiness' at all.
We are not members of the Caravan Club but from what I hear their rallies are similar to the C&CC ones that we now attend and I would recommend rallying to anyone who wishes to obtain more use from their caravan over the weekends without booking or spending large sums of money whichever club they may be in.
I've read about the T&T rallies and they seem very friendly and well run which is great. I think that I read somewhere that UK campsite are organising a rally to the Twinwoods festival in Bedfordshire over the August bank holiday so I will look out for them there.
It's a shame that you have been put off attending d.a. rallies and although I'm sure that all forum rallies are friendly and well run they can't be held as regularly as local d.a. meets because of the distances involved where attendance could be from all over the country.
I don't know which district association of the C&CC you tried rallying with or who the stewards were but our experience so far has been vastly different to yours thank goodness.
We have never been 'allocated' a pitch unless you count a vague gesture in the general direction of those already present as 'allocation'.
We have been allowed to pitch pretty much where we wanted to within reason and we have not been aware of any 'pitch' being reserved for anyone.
On our rallies so far there have been no 'pitches' as such, we simply try to keep about 20 feet away from the next unit for safety and privacy.
Wile it is obvious that some rally members know each other and rally together we haven't seen this as 'cliquey', people have been at pains to be friendly and to invite us to sit with them in the evenings outside having a drink and a chat.
Last weekend the stewards and their friends sent their children round early on Saturday evening to knock on the door of every unit attending. We were all invited to join the stewards round their fire brazier, we took our seats and drinks and sat inside the circle of windbreaks where we spent a very pleasant evening chatting with experienced ralliers and fellow newbies like ourselves.
Of course not everyone on the rally sat round the fire, some had made other arrangements but contrary to what we had been previously been led to believe we found absolutely no evidence of 'snootiness' at all.
We are not members of the Caravan Club but from what I hear their rallies are similar to the C&CC ones that we now attend and I would recommend rallying to anyone who wishes to obtain more use from their caravan over the weekends without booking or spending large sums of money whichever club they may be in.
We once attended a rally with the CC and experienced exactly the same as Ian with the exception of one English couple who used the weekend rally as a stop over whilst touring Wales. One other member was very friendly and helpful when a fuse went in our unit. Since then we have kept in touch with him and now he has his own business for caravan servicing we use his company regularly.
Parksy
Moderator
Just to further illustrate my point about the convenience and flexibility of rallies we were all set to attend one this weekend but because of heavy rain here in the Midlands we've decided not to go. Our late decision didn't cost us anything and we will go on another one when the weather is dryer.
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