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Bailey Retreat
January 27th, 2012 
CaravanOwnersClub
Designed for people who know where they are going – the Bailey Retreat is a new kind of leisure vehicle introduced to cater for the growing number of people who do not tour with their caravan but prefer to site it in one place throughout the year.
Whilst it is possible to use our existing caravans in this way they are built primarily as touring vehicles and consequently certain elements of the design will be not be ideally suited for this purpose.
A Retreat Leisure Home, on the other hand, has been developed specifically for this type of holiday with emphasis given to the features required for extended use in a single location. It offers the best of both worlds in that it can provide you with the permanency of a holiday home whilst at the same time giving you the flexibility of a touring caravan, allowing you to re-locate to an alternative location should you so wish.
It is a leisure vehicle which will appeal to both new and existing caravanners by providing them with a convenient and cost-effective way of acquiring their own place in the country.
Fully Equipped for Outdoor Living
The most obvious difference between a Retreat and a traditional caravan is the size. As it is not designed to be towed by the owner, the weight of the vehicle is no longer a key consideration. This therefore gives us the opportunity to build a larger caravan, which has an internal length of 7.29m (23’11”) and an internal width of 2.32m (7’8”), with over 25% of more interior floor space than a standard twin axle tourer.
Models are constructed using the same high performance Alu-Tech bodyshell featured in other Bailey ranges which is insulated to Grade III classification standard, allowing you to holiday all year round, and are supplied with an extended bodyshell integrity guarantee* to provide you with long term peace of mind. An impact resistant GRP outer skin provides extra durability whilst a reinforced floor and a heavy duty AL-KO chassis ensure that a Bailey Retreat is built to last.
For more information on the Alu-Tech construction system please visit www.baileyalu-tech.co.uk
Designed for outdoor living Retreats include many practical features, such as external BBQ and 230v sockets and a large exterior access storage locker, while super-pitch-friendly vehicle services and a chassis mounted onboard water tank make them ideally suited for extended periods of use.
Ease of ownership is of paramount importance with this type of product and it has been designed very much with convenience in mind. As part of the sales agreement your supplying retailer will, for a fee, transport and locate your Retreat to a site of your choice anywhere in the UK and will then provide on-going mobile servicing support as required under the terms and conditions of the Bailey warranty*.
Welcome home
The extra room inside a Retreat is immediately apparent the moment you step across the threshold. Longer and wider than a conventional caravan it also features a headroom of 1.96m (6’5”) throughout which together combine to create light and spacious interiors which are beautifully showcased by large Polyclassic windows, complete with pleated cassette blinds, and Heki II panoramic roof lights the length of the vehicle.
Plus to ensure that this unique vehicle looks as good by night as it is does by day the 12v volt lighting system has been totally upgraded with new fittings and switching to give you greater variety and control.
Initially available in a choice of two layouts, the four-berth Willow and six-berth Sycamore, both of which feature bespoke floor plans made possible by the extra space. Key Features include:-
- Beautifully designed open plan living and dining areas, including a wrap round sofa in the front lounge with domestic standard “Sherwood” soft furnishings.
- Well appointed kitchens equipped with the latest appliances including a dual fuel hob including an electric hotplate, a stainless steel 700 watt microwave oven and a Dometic 117 litre fridge freezer
- Cleverly designed washrooms containing a large circular shower cubicle and a host of practical items most notably the Thetford C-260 ceramic bowl cassette toilet, heated towel rails and a linen basket.
- Luxury end bedroom suites featuring a pocket sprung mattress double bed dressed with an optional co-ordinating bedding set
Made to make your life easier
Inside Retreats are as stylish as they are practical.
Interior décor, featuring the new ‘Walnut’ furniture finish has been expertly crafted to give models that unmistakable touch of class. Superior quality cabinetry including Italian design wood frame doors, durable laminate worktops and chrome finish fixtures and fittings enhance the level of refinement, whilst new design elements such as the contrasting kitchen locker system, including a dedicated drinks cupboard, a Belfast style washroom sink and swan-neck mixer taps give models that all important wow factor.
Specifications are comparable with those of a top of the range touring caravan. The Alde central heating system, including a 24 hour timer and heated towel rail is fitted as standard and this combines with the market leading thermal properties of the Alu-Tech body shell to make a Bailey Retreat the ultimate four season vehicle.
Whilst the in-house home entertainment system, includes two branded Radio/CD/MP3 players with iPod connectivity and stereo speakers (one in the living area and one in the bedroom) and pre-wiring for satellite television allow you to specify a system to suit your own requirements.
Summary
The Bailey Retreat Leisure Home has been introduced to reflect the changing way we are choosing to enjoy our leisure time.
Designed specifically for the growing number of people who do not tour with their caravan but prefer to site it in one place throughout the year it provides the permanency of a holiday home whilst at the same time giving you the flexibility of a touring caravan.
It is new type of leisure vehicle that allows you to visit your favourite holiday destination time and again safe in the knowledge that your home in the country will be waiting there to welcome you.
Terms & Conditions apply. Please visit Bailey Retreats for more information on the Retreat warranty & the Retailer Service package
Launch Timetable
- Full product micro site on the new Bailey Retreats will go live w/c 06/02/12
- Release of information on the new Retreat Leisure Homes is embargoed until 06/02/12
- Models will go on display for the first time at the Motorhome Caravan & Camping Show 2012, ExCel, London (Stand N160 – Entrances N4 & N5) 14th – 19th February 2012.
- Display models will be arriving at selected Bailey Retailers from mid- March 2012 onwards
Concordia from Dunster House
January 27th, 2012 CaravanOwnersClub
The original Stealth range in general has been cut back to the above five models, the layouts left are all popular ones. The Q58 for instance is the single axled fixed bed end washroom model which features a spacious end washroom. The X58 features front full width washroom, central dinette, L shaped mid centre kitchen and full rear end island bed design. The T58 offers a full six berth family model with rear end fixed bunks also a separate central shower / loo is placed opposite the side kitchen. The front end has a double dinette that converts to a double bed. The Q63 is a twin axled tourer offering a large front end dinette, side kitchen with wardrobe opposite and large side fixed bed and full width end washroom.
Spec has mainly been kept over from the 2011 models. New fridge is fitted while kitchens includes duel fuel cooker and microwave. AKS hitch, alarm are all included still making these distinctive looking tourers well equipped for the cost.
Dunster House roll out a new range of tourers – Concordia – it’s a range so different for them-they actually look conventional-but one which should gain admirers.
Concordia is the new range from Dunster House, a new closely secretive range the company finally lifted the wraps off at the October NEC show. Three models are in the new range, which look very promising with excellent popular layouts. New looks and a major styling exercise and the hard work that owner Alex Murphy’s design team put into the Concordia stands out.
Concordia range
Harmony £17,995
Berths: 2
Width; 2.33 m
Shipping length; 6.35 m
MTPLM; 1360 kgs
MIRO; 1233 kgs
Serenity £19,399
Berths: 4
Width: 2.33 m
Shipping length;7.58 m
MTPLM: 1540 kgs
MIRO: 1374 kgs
Tranquillity £19,595
Berths: 5
Width: 2.33 m
Shipping length: 7.49 m
MTPLM: 1580 kgs
MIRO: 1403 kgs
Exteriors are more conventional in profile than the previous Stealth tourers; however they have managed to keep the distinctive original Stealth feel to the new range. All exterior side walls are finished in tough GRP skin with a good overall finish. Front GRP panels are made using 4mm grade thickness which increases strength. Alloy wheels and Al-Ko chassis with AKS hitch are all part and parcel of Concordia range. No ATC is fitted or spare wheel these being available as extras. A new rear GRP back panel is employed adding more style to the Concordia range.
Concordia interiors sport new styled furniture design finished in “Signature oak” offering continental overtones in style but still staying in within most traditional buyer’s tastes. The silver type finish for locker doors and drawers also adds to the new Concordia’s for 2012. Large front window sills offer integral twin central drawers plus a pull down cupboard which includes a cool box as standard. Quality LED lighting curtains (the original Stealth’s lacked curtains) as well as flyscreens and blinds make an appearance in the new Concordia’s. Controls for the standard Aldeheating and CD/radio are centrally placed in all front roof lockers.
Settee style couches in the front dinettes have easy glide out bed-making facilities, while cocktail cabinets come with smart blue LED lighting (Harmony and Serenity only) while in the family tranquillity model a solid rear bunk partition door is fitted. Kitchen sinks now have a low profile glass top complete with a clip on drainer. Angled central mains plug and TV aerial connector is a new idea placed in the front dinette areas of the Concordia range.
The model range:
The Harmony is the smallest layout a two berth complete with large end washroom and spacious front end dinette. Side kitchen comes with side dresser and shoe cupboard combined. Weight and price of the Harmony is very competitive. The Serenity is the fixed bed end washroom four berth layout. This to comes with a cocktail cabinet plus the side fixed bed has been designed with no boxed in bottom as is usually the case. It allows easy access for easy storage beneath an idea that Dunster House boss thinks is better than having the side bed base fully enclosed.
Next is the single axled Tranquillity a full blown family tourer which offers the rear end being divided off with a solid partition. Side double bunks are fixed and opposite a side dinette is placed. Also a small wardrobe and cupboard is fitted in this area too, making it compact and ideal for children to use during the day. Side kitchen is placed opposite the main wardrobe and adjoining shower and toilet. Dunster House have added a separate shower cubicle while the front end dinette makes into a double bed only.
Stealth Range
Intrepid Q58
Berths: 4
£17,355
Length; 7.34 m
MIRO; 1486 kgs
MTPLM: 1645 kgs
Intrepid X58
£17,355
Berths; 4
Length: 7.34 m
MIRO:1443 kgs
MTPLM: 1596 kgs
Intrepid T58
Berths; 6
£17,800
Length: 7.34 m
MIRO: 1443 kgs
MTPLM: 1618 kgs
Intrepid Q63
Berths; 4
£19,250
Length: 7.84 m
MIRO;1607 kgs
MTPLM: 1766 kgs
The original Stealth range in general has been cut back to the above five models, the layouts left are all popular ones. The Q58 for instance is the single axled fixed bed end washroom model which features a spacious end washroom. The X58 features front full width washroom, central dinette, L shaped mid centre kitchen and full rear end island bed design. The T58 offers a full six berth family model with rear end fixed bunks also a separate central shower / loo is placed opposite the side kitchen. The front end has a double dinette that converts to a double bed. The Q63 is a twin axled tourer offering a large front end dinette, side kitchen with wardrobe opposite and large side fixed bed and full width end washroom.
Spec has mainly been kept over from the 2011 models. New fridge is fitted while kitchens includes duel fuel cooker and microwave. AKS hitch, alarm are all included still making these distinctive looking tourers well equipped for the cost.
Swift do £4 million in Manchester
January 27th, 2012 CaravanOwnersClub
A move of venue to Event City and a string of new model launches helped the market leading Swift Group to start 2012 in style by doubling last year’s sales performance with a record breaking £4million in sales at the Caravan and Motorhome Show in Manchester.
With the full range of the new Sprite and Sprite Lite models on show for the first time, together with 6 new models across the Challenger Sport and Eccles Sport ranges, the company’s strategy of delivering an impressive line up of more affordable and lightweight products proved to be a real recession breaker. Sales of tourers almost doubled to just over £2.5 million.
Motorhomes also followed the trend with more competitive pricing, sector leading specification and the launch of a new Autocruise van conversion with a family layout. Sales of the Group’s motorhomes were up by 135% to £1.65 million.
“Sales of our new layouts were particularly strong and this high level of demand means that early production batches of these models are now sold, giving us the flexibility to focus more of our production on these products that have a clear consumer demand. With the number of people attending the Manchester Show also breaking records it is very encouraging to see that people still consider caravanning important in what are very difficult economic times.
“By giving people products that are more cost effective, better designed and in the case of our tourers, lighter and easier to tow with smaller cars, we are seeing some very positive results,” Nick Page, Swift Group Commercial Director commented.
Swift also launched their new ultra modern Auvergne holiday home range at the show. This 3 model range offers true open plan living in a stylish contemporary design and proved an instant success with the public.
Happy Campers
January 27th, 2012 CaravanOwnersClub Evidence collated by The Camping and Caravanning Club has revealed that camping really does make you richer in mind, body and soul.
Over 60 research studies reviewed by leading academics at Liverpool John Moores University and an online survey proved conclusively that those people who camp are happier, have closer family relationships, are healthier, less stressed and are more socially connected.
‘Real Richness – The List’ – which includes statistics and stories of those who camp and how camping has in many ways transformed their lives – was released by the Club today.
The findings come only months after Prime Minister David Cameron revealed plans to measure the nation’s happiness.
Some of the key findings include:
93% of campers say camping can make you happier
77% of campers are satisfied with their quality of life compared to 59% of non-campers
21% of campers feel stressed on an average day compared to 33% of non-campers
91% of all children say spending time exploring the outdoors with their parents makes them happy
80% of children who camp feel their parents are less stressed when they go camping and three-quarters say their parents shout less!
Seven in 10 people agree that camping is accessible to everyone regardless of income
79% of kids who have never camped say they would like to
One in three campers think that camping is a great way to lose weight
84% of campers think camping can make you healthier and nearly half think the pastime should be prescribed on the NHS
73% of adults suggest camping is something every child should experience and half say it should be on the national curriculum
The likes of adventurer Ben Fogle, television presenters Julia Bradbury and Sarah Beeny and environmentalist David Bellamy have all backed the research.
Fogle said: “I’m a big fan of camping. I’ve camped all over the world on all sorts of adventures and I often head off to Scotland, Wales and Cornwall to just chill out under canvas. And it’s not just been a solitary affair; my wife and I camped in Sweden and whenever I can I take Inca, my black Labrador with me too!
“The findings of The Camping and Caravanning Club research that show campers are richer for it are no great surprise to me. For me it definitely chills me out and I find it’s a fantastic way to switch off from my manic schedule. I can totally see how camping is great for families too and I can’t wait to get my growing family into the camping habit and introduce them to all the joys and fun it brings.
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“What I really hope though is that these findings will encourage anyone of any age who hasn’t experienced the joys of camping and caravanning to give it a go. There are so many ways to camp nowadays and so many wonderful places to see, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth – how good is that!”
The observation that camping offered greater riches for mind, body and soul was first introduced over 100 years ago by the Club’s founder, Thomas Hiram Holding.
Matthew Eastlake, Marketing & Communications Director at The Camping and Caravanning Club, added: “At the Club, we believe that being rich isn’t only about money. We think it’s about a truer kind of wealth.
“Because it’s not about how much you’ve got materialistically; it’s about how happy you feel. We hope that people will be inspired by our findings and the stories of those who feature within our ‘Real Richness’ document and get out camping as a result.”
A research team led by Dr Kaye Richards, a Senior Lecturer in Outdoor Education at Liverpool John Moores University and Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society, believe advocating ‘access to camping for all’ may now be more relevant than ever before.
Dr Richards said: “It seems that something transformational often happens when we camp that doesn’t happen when we just go for a walk, a bike ride or a day out – a greater immersion in nature which we get by being there at dusk (to see or experience the sun setting) and at dawn (to perhaps hear the dawn chorus and see the sun rise) is something that differentiates camping from what others are saying about the benefits of doing other activities in nature.
“Camping should be an important consideration in the current climate where we understand mental health, family cohesion and connection with nature to be key influences on an individual’s well-being and quality of life.”
One of the many stories the Club gathered about how camping has enriched people’s lives came from an anonymous contributor, who said: “I left my ex-husband after domestic violence over many confidence-destroying years. With less money to spend and three children to entertain on holiday on my own, I hired a motorhome. I had never driven anything bigger than a family hatchback!
“We had a wonderful time. One child was in charge of securing everything before we drove, one in charge of hooking up at the sites and the youngest was in charge of entertainment – he chose Status Quo for the entire holiday as this was what he called ‘road movie music’.
“The children and I got our confidence back through the responsibilities and freedoms of that first camping holiday and now we camp for sheer pleasure.”
Northern Ireland Caravans Bill
January 27th, 2012 CaravanOwnersClub Caravan owners will be better protected from bad practice by site owners, following the Assembly’s approval of the Caravans Bill today.
More than 14,000 static holiday caravan owners across Northern Ireland will have increased protection including the right to a written contract and to have a greater say in how their caravan site is run, following the Assembly’s approval of the first private member’s Bill ever passed here.
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, welcomed the Bill, saying: “This Bill is the first ever in the lifetime of the 1st and the 2nd Assemblies. This is some achievement – one for which John McCallister deserves great credit. For years, some caravan owners here had to, at the drop of a hat, accept changes made by site owners. This has meant raised fees, moved caravans and even eviction from sites, without much protection. This Bill will make a difference to those people, by clearly setting out in law the obligations for site owners and holiday caravan owners.”
There are also more than 300 families, many of whom are elderly, living full time in residential caravan sites (often called ‘park homes’). The Bill will also provide security of tenure to them and their families, protecting them from illegal eviction and sharp practice.
Minister Attwood continued: I’d like to pay tribute to John McCallister, the Bill’s sponsor, for his considerable efforts in completing the Caravans Bill which will make a difference to the lives of static caravan owners, in both the residential and holiday sectors, throughout Northern Ireland.”
He continued, I’d also like to acknowledge Margaret Ritchie’s significant role in the development and re-drafting of this important Bill. I’m also pleased to have had the opportunity to help and I’m grateful to Executive colleagues for their support on the Bill over the last year.
