Caravanner of the Year on BBC this April!

Oh dear... I'm afraid we were laughing, but from pure horror as much as anything else

a couple of comments... 

Firstly why was the youngest person 42... Really?  Maybe the applicants were a bit thin on the ground, but seriously, could you not have found a young couple or two to represent the future.  That this guy was with his mum rather than a friend/wife/partner is even more cringeworthy and reinforces a stereotype that in 4 years I've only ever seen once.  For clarity, I'm 42 and my Hb is 39...

secondly if one of the challenges was to make both people take part in the challenges, why on earth would you not have made sure the women could actually manoeuvre their vehicles.  fair play to all of the ladies for giving it their best shot despite the reservations and useless instructions from their partners and very obvious nerves.  Really caravan club... You should not have allowed your female members to be portrayed as subservient and a bit woolly, and their partners as somewhat misogynistic and overbearing.  

Many, many of your members are female (myself included) and  many of us either share the towing or do the lions share... Some don't and that is fine as if you don't feel confident then towing is not a good idea, regardless of your gender... I'm  going to be generous here, and suggest that maybe the intention was to show that even someone who didn't know what to do, could still do ok (male or female) but I'm afraid this felt like it backfired and was something from the 1950's not 2106...

so no doubt I'll get the odd sarky comment tomorrow as I think the programme reinforced the view that we all wear hideous clothing (bobble hats and cagoules are compulsory attire) are petty, old fashioned (not in a chic retro way) and are pretty hopeless... But whatever I face, I pity the people who actually took part, as I fear they have been portrayed in a manner in which they were not expecting.

 

Write your comments here...  

Message to "Suppy from Kent" from my wife "Jenny from Cumbria":- "WELL SAID ". 20 years of caravaning and we have never met anyone like these folk on a caravan site. Where did they find them??

So will Grenville be Chairman by the end of tomorrow?  Bye, bye Grenville!!  Okay Rochelle, you promoted this; so what have you got to say?  We are in 2016 not 1956.  The club needs to move forwards with the times, not backwards.  Great entertainment. If it wasn't so serious, or promoted by club management.  All I can hope is that the CC made a profit out of this farce so my dues or site fees don't need to go up next year.

Bob (Mr Lynnruby)

This programme was an utter disgrace and embarrasment. We rarely use C C any more. I think those at the top have lost the plot. If it were not for the CL's we would relinquish our membership.

I'm sure the general feeling of members will filter through to the powers that be, not only from Club Together but from other sources too, but I am going to be interested to see how it develops in the second programme.

I woder how much the contestants were prepared for what tasks they had to do before they allowed themselves to be put forward as finalists?  I just got the impression that they all seemed more concerned about the presentation of their vehicles rather than manoeuvring the vehicle and putting up awnings?

David 

David, I have a lot of respect for you as a Champion on CT but I think, in your unique position, you need to ensure the views of members reach the powers that be rather than hope they filter through. Frankly, I don't find the first paragraph of your post reassuring in the least. I had hoped that you would work for us all which means representing our views. I am disappointed in your response although I do appreciate the responsibility for this issue is not yours. 

I agree that we need to see how the second program pans out but the first episode alone gives serious cause for concern about The Caravan Club and, in particular, the Chairman. Bugs has very eloquently stated the relevant points above.

What was wrong with it  as comedy goes it was hilarious, even supped another cider in between laughing at the quality of the contestants  It was laughable and had eccentricity in abundance, can't wait for next weeks final, might record it as well for when I need a pick me up.

Has it done any harm! Well yes I'm sure it has and will have given the 'haters' of our pastime a little more ammunition with which to descibe us as bufoons, on the road and off it. Certainly bad publicity for all Motorhomers and vanners alike and will take a bit of shaking off.

Do I care, no, couldn't give a toss really. I caravan for myself and not interested in what others think.

My wife and I watched this to see who these 'experienced caravanners' were and to see what tasks they were asked to do.  We sat there gobsmacked to see the so called best 6 that the CC had whittled down.  As for the cleanliness task any reasonable caravanner will be off in the highlands of Scotland living the outdoor life and won't have time to have the caravan 'spic and span' - don't get me wrong I keep my caravan fairly clean but this was ridiculous.  As for the chairman to make an a** of himslef in ripping the backend off his caravan (hope our membership fees don't go towards reparingin this) - has the Caravan Club been sponsored by Jeremy Clarkson so that he can poke more fun at us.  All in all a fairly embarrassing programme to watch - just as I am in the process of converting a couple of colleagues into this glorious pastime. I have caravanned for 28 years and am not a glory seeking person who could have done those tasks easily (except for the thorough cleaning).  Not sure whether I will watch the final but will be intersting to see what 'tasks' are set for the 'Caravanner (not motorhomer) of the Year'.  Disgusted............

What was wrong with it  as comedy goes it was hilarious, even supped another cider in between laughing at the quality of the contestants  It was laughable and had eccentricity in abundance, can't wait for next weeks final, might record it as well for when I need a pick me up.

Has it done any harm! Well yes I'm sure it has and will have given the 'haters' of our pastime a little more ammunition with which to descibe us as bufoons, on the road and off it.

Do I care, no, couldn't give a toss really.

It's quite clear CC don't care about the membership or the future of vanning, Dave, when they can allow their name and facilities to be used in such a way. As I said before, a darn good comedy but it demonstrates very poor judgement on the part of CC.

I have shared the towing with hubby for nearly 40 years and I am more proficient in reversing the van.  I am darn sure that I am not the only CC female member who can do that, so why did they choose 6 couples who were locked in a 50's timewarp.  Was this one of the criteria?

We watched it, cringed, but stayed with it to the end and will be watching next week's just to see what they have to do in the final.  More springcleaning, flower arranging and folding toilet paper, origami, perhaps?  Wonder what the first prize is for being Caravanner (Idiot) of the Year.  Haven't had any texts yet, just a phone call from horrified daughter and a post on facebook from niece.  Glad I'm retired and won't have to go to work tomorrow and be the butt of jokes from non caravanning workers. 

Sorry Tw, was still editing after you quoted. Agree it was poor judgement if they were trying to convey a message on the positives of our pastime/hobby.

The worse part is the title, it portrays a programme of a serious nature.

 .....  

Many, many of your members are female (myself included) and  many of us either share the towing or do the lions share... Some don't and that is fine as if you don't feel confident then towing is not a good idea, regardless of your gender... I'm  going to be generous here, and suggest that maybe the intention was to show that even someone who didn't know what to do, could still do ok (male or female) but I'm afraid this felt like it backfired and was something from the 1950's not 2106... ......

 

Don't let the user name confuse you .... it's my wife's. 

In the last 3 & a bit years I've not managed to get my wife behind the wheel of my towcar when solo let alone while towing .... apprarently it's too big and it has a 'funny' column transmission selctor 

user names can be deceptive... And clearly I meant 2016' not 2106... although I wonder if big white boxes will still exist then