Littlehampton closed down

A near neighbor has a static/seasonal and touring pitch site. He says that the tourers are much more difficult to satisfy than the statics. The statics have the same people week in week out and know what to expect and are more laid back. He feels the tourers bring their frustrations etc  of normal life with them and no longer seem to enjoy their holidays. So much so that they are changing the tourist pitches to statics. (I also think they are much more profitable when you add in the sales commission on new units from the figures he tells me),  Could the trend to interfere in site running actually lead  directly  to fewer pitches and the loss of weary wardens.

I think "interfere in site running" is way off beam.  Moans and complaints are one thing but who of us is able to interfere in site running?

Across the country sites are being turned from tourers to static accommodation because it is far more profitable for site owners. It’s been a slow change for several years but now the pushing of second home ownership has escalated. I’m sure the difficulty in finding decent towcars is playing a part too as site owners sense a possible lessening of tourer use.

I think that if younger people are to be attracted to the job of warden there are a number of issues to be addressed.  Living accommodation is one.  Short term contracts is another.  Younger couples are more likely to have children - so there are clearly issues about schooling.  Of course younger people can have the patience & knowledge of older people, and those skills/knowledge would need to be tested during recruitment.  However, I would think it is also quite a lonely job in its own way - where is the support for a warden couple, when things get a bit difficult?  And I dont just mean from head office; if you are, e.g. working in a pub and a customer gets difficult, there is usually someone more senior ON SITE to help out.

I do think the vanning knowledge of wardens is important.  There are many new caravaners & motorhomers that have been supported by a bit of timely advice from a knowledgeable warden - helping them get to grips with their outfit, and hobby.

Sadly DK, there were only three questions asked at the AGM today. One about could the Club help CLs with electric car charging, one about charging for on Site wifi, and one about electric metering. Nothing else. No one from the floor asked a question under any other business, no further questions considered from no doubt lots submitted electronically. I was very surprised.

No mention of Site closures, staff shortages.

With Covid cases around 50,000 a day at the moment, there are probably quite a few club staff in that number to add to other staffing problems. It would be better if the club gave a reason for the closures.

I wasn't able to watch the AGM today. Did they give any indication that there were more questions that would be answered later? When they first did this format they only replied to a few questions at the AGM but answers were given later to all questions asked. What I couldn't find this year was a list of questions submitted but I thought that was because I didn't sign up for the presentation. It will be a shame if there were only the number that you mention.

David

No nothing mentioned, but it did say all questions submitted would get a response of some kind (I can’t remember, possibly by email) I would think there will be a list of questions submitted and answers as part of posting AGM onto website. 2020 Q&As are listed at the moment. 

I have to admit to being distracted doing other things during certain points in meeting, but don’t think I missed much. I do recall another question asked around insurance and age, that was from the floor I think, just after Treasurers report. 

Our conversations would have been in Welsh so there is always the difficulty with literal word translations. He was however convinced that more people today want to tell you how to do your job.