My Poor Experience Of Melrose Gibson Park Club Site

It's such a shame that this is the experience you had on your first encounter of a caravan club site. As a caravan club member of many years standing I have never encountered a reception that you describe - quite the reverse  - very helpful wardens when I rolled up in my ancient caravan-always pleasent and helpful with great attitudes- I would say what you encountered was more the exception than the norm  as I am sure you will find in any future trips to caravan club sites.

Sorry to hear about your problem, I am sure it will must be a one off. All the sites I have stayd on over the 10 years or so membership I have not come across this only great help from all wardens and fellow caravaners on site. Please don't class this as the norm, hope your future stays are as good as they usually are. Welcome to the club Enjoy. 

1 - You arrived before the stipulated arrival time.

2 - If you'd taken the time to read the site details leflet you'd note that TV hook up leads are available for hire as well as sale.  This alone gives a big clue as to whether the site has a good TV reception or not.

3 - Club rules, and the site details leaflet clearly state that visitors to the site should make themselves known to the site wardens.

You seem to have got rather hot and bothered about a few minor incidents, are you sure you've taken up the right passtime?

1 - You arrived before the stipulated arrival time.

2 - If you'd taken the time to read the site details leflet you'd note that TV hook up leads are available for hire as well as sale.  This alone gives a big clue as to whether the site has a good TV reception or not.

3 - Club rules, and the site details leaflet clearly state that visitors to the site should make themselves known to the site wardens.

You seem to have got rather hot and bothered about a few minor incidents, are you sure you've taken up the right passtime?

Write your comments here...Ye Gods, he was 15 minutes early,do we have to arrive on the dot perhaps having travelled several miles ? Also he says he did report to the office, I do not expect to chase around a site to find a warden, if this is the case, I have joined the wrong club.

Lez Taylor

I see, another one who thinks that the rules are there to be broken.

Read the OP again. His visitors did not report to reception.

Hi sorry you had a bad experience. We have only been motorcar avaning and club membes ab out 18mths. There's loads to learn and read and newbies cannot learn it all in one first trip. Most wardens are really friendly and if you tell them you are new and yours plans re visitors etc to site most are only to glad to explain in an appropriate manner what's what. Re the 12 noon arrival thing, it's a bit of an amonaly as some sites stick to it rigidly and others are more relaxed about it and 15 mins is not usually an issue unless the site is very full at high season or access / egress is tight for vehicles either leaving or arriving. Do a bit of research & reading before you go and hopefully you'll like us really enjoy your new hobby

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience craigsmith and I really hope this doesn't put you off staying at other Club Sites in the future. I have forwarded this onto our Sites team for their reference. Arrival time on Club sites is normally after either 12:00 or 13:00 and this is particularly important when sites are busy. Like AandJ says there's a bit to learn but you will generally find most people are more than happy to help if you have any questions or queries. I hope you have a better time on your next visit to a Club Site and please do not hesitate to contact The Caravan Club if you have any questions. 

The reason the 12 o'clock rule is there is so that the wardens have time to clean up after everybody who leaves the toilet block like a pigsty!! I have stayed at Gibson Park on several occasions and have never had a problem arriving after 12. As already stated, read the site rules and pay attention to the road markings at the gate - easy!

our first caravan was a 1990 swift bought last year, we stayed at temple hall cl, i can only say exactly the opposite to what craigsmith said about the site he visited, allthough we arrived late afternoon i cant comment about the 12;00 rule but the helpfullness was out of this world, the owners very friendly and the site is immaculate we were not judged by the age of our van or even our ages my wife & i are both 43 with daughter 13yrs & son 7 yrs we also had our border collie, the other members on the site were very friendly & when i told them that was our 1st time carravanning they all offered help & advice  just a knock on their door away. i have been back to temple hall again at easter just before we changed the caravan to a 2004 elddis crusader (which is itching to get tried out), the whole family enjoyed the experience & meeting so many friendly people

i hope your next trip will be as good as mine have been so far