Sites Directory and Handbook 2013/2014 - Interview with the Editor

With the latest Sites Directory and Handbook due on our doorsteps before Christmas, I caught up with the editor, Julia Wennell, who was happy to share with us the new features we can expect in the 2013/2014 Edition.

How long have you worked at The Club?

I joined The Caravan Club in 2004 initially working in Sites Marketing. Throughout my time in The Club I have also worked in the Contact Centre and in Membership Marketing, so I have a broad knowledge of The Club and a good understanding of member’s needs and requirements. At the beginning of 2012 I became the Editor of The Sites Directory and Handbook.

What can members expect from the 2013/2014 edition of the Sites Director and Handbook?

Back in January we did some membership research to get an understanding of what members used the Sites Directory and Handbook and map for, what they felt worked and what they thought needed improvements. The information was used as the basis for changes to be made to the handbook and map. Members were generally happy with how the Sites Directory and Handbook has been produced in the past and it was only small changes they suggested.

So we have made the following changes:

We have increased the size to A5.

We have included information on Dealers throughout the UK.

Club Sites are now listed in regions as opposed to counties.

All indexes are now at the back – including the Club Site index – to make it easier to access quickly.

We have comments from members who have stayed on the Sites – many of these have come from reviews and Club Together!

The latitude and longitude coordinates have been included for all Club Sites.

We have included public transport information for Club Sites with regards to nearest train stations and bus stops and their destinations.

CL sites are now highlighted if they are also Club members.

All CLs are numbered within the handbook. The numbering refers to the Sites Directory and Handbook map to make it easier for you to locate CL sites.

We have used symbols for facilities in the CL and Commercial sites listings in order for us to be able to include more information on each CL. But don’t worry the symbols are all on a fold out page on the back cover so you can always have it to hand.

CLs are now listed by the name of the site as opposed to the owner’s name.

All of the regions on the map are colour coordinated so they respond to the Sites Directory and Handbook listings.

The map has increased in size in order for us to include the numbered CL sites.

We have some ‘zoom in’ areas on the map for any particular area that is congested.

The Sites Directory and Handbook will now arrive on your doorstep before Christmas – sooner than ever before.

Have you enjoyed working on the Sites Directory and Handbook?

I have loved working on the Sites Directory and Handbook as I have been able to work with so many different people within The Club and on our network. It’s been a really interesting project to work on and I have tried to keep focused on member requirements throughout, to make sure people can get the most out of their handbook. I really hope that you find it useful and that it will help you plan your trips for next year.