Not to be missed
The Bancroft tribe use many different sizes and types of campsite, both at home and abroad. Previously, these have all fallen into one of two ownership categories: 'commercial' or 'club'.
The vast majority of club sites are owned or managed by the Camping and Caravanning Club or the Caravan Club. The remaining few are owned by company, naturist, or motoring clubs.
Commercial sites are owned by multi-national companies, local businesses or (more usually) the local farmer and his family.
This month, we stayed on an excellent campsite which didn't really fall into either category. The site an exciting new development and, judging by our visit, looked to be a very promising way forward.
The Teversal campsite
appears in the Camping and Caravanning Club's Big Sites Book but is actually a franchise operation.
The franchise holders, Chris and Jane Woods, are justifiably proud of what they have created in Silverhill Lane, Teversal (just a hop skip and a jump, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts).
The site has got everything you'd expect in the way of well-kept amenities, but we're going to focus on a few of its other attractions.
The most obvious is its location, opposite the Silverhill Wood country park which itself is a superb example of what can be achieved in an area previously scarred by the extraction of coal.
This may be why the name is familiar to you, Silverhill was a famous colliery in its day and along with dozens of neighbouring mines were one of Nottinghamshire's major employers and top wealth creators. But all are gone now. As we are running out of North Sea gas, the total and irreversible closure of so many pits may be a decision politicians live to regret.
We thought it fitting for an area previously known for honest toil undertaken by brave men, to have a new lease of life as a safe and relaxing country park for all to enjoy. A peaceful and quietly heroic tribute to those whose lives (and often loss of life) was inextricably tied to Old King Coal.
Do venture onto the Teversal Trails. They are delightful country walks that follow former colliery railway lines.
Many would feel that Chris and Jane don't need to do any more for their guests, with this marvellous facility on their doorstep. Especially when the proximity of all the attractions of the Peak District and rural Nottinghamshire is taken into account. Of course, they would wish to differ.
Three brainwaves have already been acted upon.
Each is aimed at helping motorcaravanners get even more out of their stay. First is the purchase of a small economical car, now available for hire and especially suitable for exploring those areas where guests may not wish to take their motorhome.
Second, they have a new
six-berth static holiday home for hire. I'm always being asked about sites which offer extra accommodation suitable for friends or relatives who wish to accompany you on holiday but don't have their own unit, so this should prove very popular.
Finally, wireless internet access is freely available throughout the campsite.
Carnival time
After getting lost in the centre of Cromer, as reported in last month's column, we did manage to find our way to one of East Anglia's most popular events: the Cromer Carnival.
It lasts for a week, takes place every August, and is particularly suitable for motorcaravanners. There are many local sites, and several clubs run holiday rallies to coincide with the event.
We stayed for a week at a rally run by the Anglia Group of the Motor Caravanners' Club. They took over a local school field and buildings for ten days. The location had the distinct advantage of enabling us to attend any of the carnival events without having to
move our 'van.
Day visitors should aim for the clifftop car park on Runton Road, which extends onto the grass for the duration of the carnival. Here there is plenty of space for all-day motorhome parking. Please don't upset the residents and organisers by staying on the car park overnight, it is not allowed.
Throughout the week, the carnival included all these great traditional and modern fête activities at more than 20 different locations.
Amusements were divided into two groups: those for children took place during the day and those for adults, mostly in the late afternoon and evening.
In addition there was a huge variety of activities and displays suitable for all, taking place in the arena adjacent to Runton Road – everything from dog shows, through chariot racing, to the awesome precision flying of the Red Arrows. I personally couldn't keep away from the dog shows. We enjoyed several pleasant evenings, too, listening to everything from local 'prog' rock to Matthews Norfolk Brass.
This carnival is very popular with Kyle our very own junior motorcaravanner and senior muck magnet. In recent years there has been a rather worrying decrease in the number of events organised specifically for children at local fairs, fêtes and carnivals. ('Health and Safety' apparently, though I think that often it's the jobsworth interpreting the rules that's to blame, rather than the legislation itself).
It was, therefore, particularly reassuring to see that the Cromer Carnival Committee had arranged a full programme of well-organised events especially for the kids. They enjoyed innocent pastimes such as: catching crabs off the pier, kite flying and competing in a sandcastle competition.
And, if you're all carnivaled out, the town and surrounding environs have much to offer. You must visit the new lifeboat museum on the promenade or go to see the renowned end-of-the-pier show.
Slightly further afield is the Muckleburgh (military) Collection which fascinated Kyle and where he had an exciting trip on a 6 x 6 'Gamma Goat'. And, for anybody who loves seals, a boat trip to Blakeney Point is an absolute must. Don't forget your binoculars and camera.
Weighty matters
Recently, while barrelling north in our Pollensa, 'Fenland Drifter'. I was flagged down and 'requested' to leave the carriageway of the A1 to have our 'van inspected by what I think was a joint operation staffed by the Highways Department, traffic police and HM Customs and Excise.
The 'van was weighed and the VIN plate, RFL, insurance and MoT were all checked. The last two were checked via a computer link, the former by eagle-eyed operatives.
Then, the engine and fuel tank were examined, presumably to see if it was running illegally on 'red' diesel. And finally the tyres.
Ours was the only motorhome among a sea of mostly East European registered lorries. I was treated with politeness and courtesy throughout and waved on my way in around 15 minutes.
Actually it was no surprise that our 'van was well within the MPTLM as its generous payload, had been, for me, a significant purchasing factor and anyway I had weighed it only a couple of months ago.
After successfully passing the inspection I asked one of the team whether (a) they stopped many motorhomes and (b) what proportion were overweight. His candid reply was that in the past they hadn't really seen the overloading of 'vans to be much
of a problem so didn't stop many, but
had been stunned by some recent inspections.
A quarter of all those stopped were overweight, most only slightly, so were allowed to proceed after emptying their (full) fresh water tank. But a small proportion of the 'vans were seriously overweight, some by 500kg or more, on a 3500kg or 3850kg chassis.
A frequently occurring feature on those most seriously overweight is attributed to a motorbike being stored in, or beyond, the rear overhang.
In one case it was a Harley Davidson on a 3500kg British built coachbuilt motorhome! How it hadn't broken the back of the 'van was a mystery to the inspector and to me!
Be aware though, travelling in an overloaded motorhome is potentially very dangerous. You might only find out about the problems of increased braking distances or overloaded tyres when it's too late.
The full ramblings can be found in the March 07 issue of Practical Motorhome
Happy motorhoming!
Jack Bancroft |
