Thirsk is a lovely setting, as oft mentioned in reviews, an excellent location for access to the small town and all its joys. Visiting over many years. found it a friendly and enjoyable place to visit.
These are my comments, that it is time that the club took notice of the feelings of aggrievement and dissatisfaction that have been a topic of discussion by many other members too.
The excuse stated is that the site is not owned by the club, but rented from the racecourse, which does not excuse the absolute lack of any investment in the site.
A landlord accepts fees from the leaseholder, the club accepts fees from the members and both have an obligation to provide a minimum service which frankly is no longer being provided.
I suggest the following points and would ask other members to join in my requests.
Grab rails in the shower cubicles , these should be mandatory for safety due to the high step into the actual shower area. The showers are functional and kept clean but are dangerous for less than able bodied as the step is approximately 8”, not safe in a wet slippy environment.
Grass cutting or lack thereof. The grass is cut by the racecourse on race days and not in between those dates, resulting in an unacceptable length of grass on what is a solely grass site, access can be awkward, especially when it rains, as it does. A growing number of unfilled grass pot holes, rendering the site very uneven and full of potential trip hazards.
The race course could be contacted to cut round the roadways possibly once a week outwith the race dates cut, this has been an arrangement made by prior wardens.
The wardens, although part time, could be provided with a small mower, for even a minimum 1 hour a week tidying up roadways and even pitches.
With a small investment some plastic grid style matting could be laid, the cost shared between the racecourse and the caravan site as both would benefit from a firmer surface.
An unusual caravan site in that there is a perception of a lack of security, mainly due to the lack of a barrier. I suggest a visual gate system, fold back aside during the day, pulled across at night, not actually locked, 8pm to 8am, start and end of wardens hours maybe, 2 sets of concertinaed, folded back gates across the entrance, not interfering with the race day parking and normal access. Greater minds could improve this idea!
There are 3 taps, but only 1 drainage point at the top of the site. There is a drain manhole next to pitch 10 that could made into a second grey waste point.
The other suggestion would be for a change round in the service building, swapping the indoor Wardens Office, with the dish wash area, bringing daylight and a sense of belonging to the wardens. This would give them a more visible role on the site.
