Not moving with the times

Posted on 25/08/2020 12:07 by Rufs

You are not the only person who has suggested that this site has been ruined by being taken over by the Club! The strange thing is if you read the reviews, by Club members granted, they just feel it is not up to standard, small pitches, poor facilities. So what does this mean, that Club members are more discerning and are used to a better quality of site? 

Most club member i have met expect to role onto a site and for that site to be almost identical to the one they were on previously, and previously and previously etc.

As i said Bingham Grange was Quirky, totally different to what you would expect from a club site, but all the better for this, IMO, perhaps that is why we do not use club sites much.

Posted on 25/08/2020 14:39 by Takethedogalong

I quite like that the Club have started using new types of accommodation on some Club Sites. Things like pods, super pods and Airstreams tend to be away from rest of pitches, so are hardly an impact on touring area.

Tents though, would be. We have tented on quite a few Club Sites down the years, and it’s always been in a separate area, a long walk from the loos and showers, and the atmosphere and camaraderie in the tent area is usually different to that in the van/MH area. Folks tend to be outside more, chat more and go to bed a bit earlier with a respect for noise that carries. We have never experienced noisy tent areas on Club Sites.

Our early years touring were spent on a family run combined van and tent site, with everyone happily rubbing along together. The tenters tended to tow big boats instead of a van, hence the tents. Made some lovely holiday friends who we saw year after year. What was noticeable was just how many folks spent hours outside chatting, sharing food, ideas, lots of overseas visitors as well which was really nice. Very very friendly. 

Posted on 25/08/2020 14:58 by DavidKlyne

Looking at it  from the OP's thread title it would seem that the CMC, the largest camping organisation of its type certainly in the UK and probably in Europe, if not the world provides something a lot of people like. It might be seen as mediocrity to some who seek out things which are different. The Club is more like Marks and Spencer its the same signature but decent quality wherever you go. There is a lot to like about that. I think that unlike those of us who are used to travelling abroad independently except say for the crossing booking and insurance there are a lots of people that want the comfort blanket that the Club provides. I don't see that as something that is wrong. People have to be comfortable with what they do and for many it might seem limited compared to what others do but if their lives are satisfied who is anyone to say otherwise?

David 

Posted on 25/08/2020 14:01 by Rufs

Oh! groan, why are you so confrontational ?

Not a given for this member. I visit (normally) about 22 sites a year whilst on tour

Perhaps you are not part of the in crowd that return week after week, month after month, year after year sometimes to the same site(s) that obvisouly think club sites are the greatest thing since slice bread, so not necessarily a personal perception of mine but i would have thought a general perception of the masses, which for whatever reason you do not want to be part of.

I am sure the club take it as a given otherwise they would not keep providing the same as, year after year after year

Posted on 25/08/2020 14:31 by Rufs

I would liken them to the now departed Little Chef, one always knew exactly what one would get, ok but not somewhere for a special dinner

Like it

Posted on 25/08/2020 15:41 by

 Folks (Tenters) tend to be outside more, chat more and go to bed a bit earlier with a respect for noise that carries. We have never experienced noisy tent areas on Club Sites.

The only time that I experienced any noise from Tenters was on the site at Braemar where we backed onto a tent area. There was a motorcycle rally and lots of lads and lasses sat around tables on a covered picnic area probably 70 feet way. A lovely warm evening and we had gone inside to get a meal at around 7pm. When we went back out a few walked up to us to apologise for the noise  .  I told them that it was not a problem and I was happy to see them enjoy themselves. 

One came back with a couple of cans of beer.

I have, on rare occasions, had more noise from caravaners meeting up.