Thousands of UK touring enthusiasts belong
to a caravanning club
- and sometimes more than one. The Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club are certainly the most widely known, but what about the hundreds of smaller owner
and special interest clubs?
While there are thousands
of people who swear by their membership, there may well be just as many who don't see the point in it. Which leaves us with the question: are caravanners still interested in joining clubs?
Facing challenges
Many clubs are reporting that membership is currently static
or even decreasing.
There are now more than 300 caravanning clubs across Britain, all competing for members.
Clubs rely on having a unique selling point - something distinctive to attract new members. So, they necessarily impose boundaries that define what makes them special. Some clubs, especially owners' clubs, have regulations to which members must adhere.
Such regulations can appear
a way of excluding people, but they are intended to help people with similar interests to band together in a group with which they can identify - it's the reason why any club exists in
the first place. This strong sense
of community is an essential
part of the success of clubs.
Clubs have rules with which they must comply, too. The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 requires that they obtain a certificate of exemption before holding a rally. Failure to obtain or keep the certification severely restricts
a club's activities.
Changes in the industry also affect clubs. Bessacarr Owners Club chairman Glyn Walters explained the challenges the club faced when Swift announced last year that it would end production of Bessacarr caravans.
"There was disappointment when manufacturing ceased,"
he says. "Planning our future direction was agonising.
"We considered closing the club or becoming a motorhome-only club, but we didn't want to make
a decision that would force people out. In the end, we allowed members to buy any Swift caravan because we still had a good relationship with Swift through Bessacarr motorhomes."
Couplands and Swindon Caravans are now offering Bessacarr caravans as a dealer special, which has allowed the club to return to its original ownership rules. However, it will honour all memberships from
the interim period.
What do they offer?
Barbara Roberts, press officer of the Swift Owners Club, says that rallies are one of the most important benefits clubs provide.
"People like the flexibility of rallies. They appreciate being able to arrive at any time and know their place will be guaranteed."
Ralliers also like the flexibility
of activities laid on for them. Barbara says: "We give people information on the region and organise some activities, but ultimately people choose what
to do themselves."
Paul Beech, chairman of the Bailey Owners Caravan Club, agrees that rallies are important. Aside from the flexibility, he says members use them as a way to discover new destinations.
"We hold rallies all over the UK, and in France, Spain and Ireland. This gives our members a huge choice of where to visit. Also, as people usually organise ra lies in their own area, visiting members can tap into their knowledge to
see the best a region has to offer."
Paul also believes that rallies provide good value for money. "Because we have a certificate
of exemption, we can rally away from commercial sites, so our
rates are cheaper. A weekend rally costs as little as £12 per caravan.
"And many of the activities
on a rally, such as games nights, are free. Paid-for activities are organised ahead of time, so members benefit from advance
or group booking prices."
Of course, caravanners are
a sociable lot; when on site, they look forward to the holidaymakers on the next pitch coming up for
a friendly chat. Clubs provide another avenue for enthusiasts to socialise and for new caravanners to get practical advice.
Technical guidance is a major drawing card for owners clubs. Good relationships are built with the manufacturers, which can yield a bumper crop of benefits, including factory tours, help from trained technicians and the chance to buy components at reduced prices. Members may also receive cheaper insurance rates
or deals on ferry bookings.
While the clubs themselves
or their members often initiate industry contacts, sometimes
a manufacturer takes the lead.
For example, Airstream recently hosted a rally for the northern region of the Caravan Club at its showroom in Cumbria. Members had opportunities for an exclusive tour of the Airstream facility, an in-depth look at new models, access to two vintage 1964 tourers and discussions with members of the Airstream team.
Why do people join?
Jean Groves is a member of the Historic Caravan Club. She believes people join clubs because they have something in common with other members. They stay because of the friendships they make.
"I joined the club because of
a special interest," says Jean. "Now it's almost like being in a family."
For Jean, membership also allows her to go caravanning more frequently. "I wouldn't normally
go away alone as a single woman, but at a rally I have the security of other people around me without losing the freedom of touring."
"You always make friends on
a rally," says Barbara Roberts,
who, in addition to being on the committee of the Swift Owners Club, has rallied with the club since 1998. "And when you have been a member for some time, you gain friends all over the country. Also, a problem is never
a problem on a rally, because people are happy to help you."
Finding a club
There are several places where you can find information on caravan clubs. We maintain a list on our website Club List and so does ACCEO (tel 0845 419 1520, www.acceo.org.uk). Many dealers can also provide details about owners' clubs.
July 2008 issue
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