We have stayed at Putts Corner many times; it is one of our favourite sites. Although inland, there are a lot of nice places within easy reach, either by bus or car, and there is a nice pub if you don't mind a short walk through the woods at the top of the site. So we were looking forward to being at Putts Corner again.
The site is usually very well kept; grass cut, hedges trimmed, nice flower beds etc, tidy. Now this is not the case!
The grass and hedges have been left to 're-wild'. In other words the grass and hedges are no longer trimmed. Hedges are overgrown, there is no control of brambles or nettles. The grass around the pitches is long, soon to be hay.
I become worried about the risk of fire around our pitch. An fire would have easily set fire to the awning and possibly the caravan (like most caravans we have a gas bottle - even worse consequences!). Also there were long brambles growing out of the hedge next to the pitch, (which my husband trimmed to ensure that we were less likely to catch ourselves on them).
A notice at reception said that the wardens welcomed feedback on the re-wilding. I approached the wardens (now managers) with my safeguarding fears about this. My concern was that people smoke and use barbecues on sites so there is a risk of fire. Any fire could impact on my safety, my outfit's safety and the safety of other campers as it could easily spread. Their response was aggressive to say the least. One warden asked me how long I would like the grass to be, asking me to specify a length! I explained again my fears of the fire risk causing a safeguarding issue to all campers. Eventually he said he would take a look at it. We went out, and came back later to find that the grass directly around our pitch had been cut back to about 6 inches, long lengths of the cuttings were strewn everywhere. What a mess.
I have 2 more bookings at other CAMC sites in the near future so phoned ahead to these sites to be reassured by them that 'No Mow May' was not extended to 'No Mow or tending the site all year' for all CAMC campsites.
We looked at other sites for our next visit to this area and found more than a few that were excellent, very neatly kept and cheaper than the prices now being charged by the club. Due to all of the above we will not be staying at this site again.
