Category Archives: News

Campers and caravanners – be TV Licence aware – Lifestyle and Leisure – Fenland Citizen

Campers and caravanners – be TV Licence aware – Lifestyle and Leisure – Fenland Citizen.

With hundreds of campsites across the UK and over 44 within 20 miles of Wisbech, TV Licensing is raising awareness with first time campers and experienced caravanners alike about the need to be correctly licensed if they are watching live TV from their tent, caravan or mobile home.

 

Figures recently released by The Camping and Caravanning Club revealed a 25 per cent increase in the number of scheduled arrivals on UK Club Sites and Camping in the Forest Sites during May 2013, compared to the same month the previous year and with good weather forecast for the rest of July and hopefully beyond, campsites across the UK are predicting a bumper summer.

With many camp sites across East Anglia now offering Wi-Fi access, campers and caravanners are able to keep up-to-date with their favourite live programmes using hand-held devices, such as tablets and smartphones, as well as laptops.

Mark Whitehouse, spokesperson for TV Licensing in East Anglia, said: “With ownership of tablets and smartphones on the rise and Wi-Fi coverage across campsites becoming the norm, live TV is now accessible to even the lightest-packed camper. So with many people putting up tents for the first time this summer, it’s important campers and caravanners know the law and are correctly licensed. If they are found watching TV without a licence then they would be at risk of prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.”

Anyone camping in a tent or touring caravan and who is watching live TV on any device will be covered if they have a TV Licence for their residential home.

However, static caravans, mobile homes and moveable chalets will only be covered by a residential home licence if the TV in the main residence is not being used at the same time as the TV in static caravan, mobile home or moveable chalet.

In this instance, TV Licensing requests campers complete and submit a declaration form. The form allows the TV Licence holder to state the TV in their main residence will not be used at the same time as the device they use when camping.

Ian Hewlett, The Camping and Caravanning Club’s technical manager, said: “Many holidaymakers use televisions in their camping units so it’s important for the Club to highlight the importance of purchasing a TV Licence. We urge all campers and caravanners to check the licensing requirements if they plan to watch television whilst they’re away.”

For more information about when a licence is needed, visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-youneed-one

‘Camper van of love’ gets Coedpoeth woman to church on time

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/124297/-camper-van-of-love-gets-coedpoeth-woman-to-church-on-time.aspx

A BRIDE used her late father’s camper van to get her to the church on time.

While some brides dream of a posh car or a horse drawn carriage, Amie Tekeian-Gash, from Coedpoeth, wanted a ‘camper van of love’ which has been in the family for 25 years, doing thousands of miles.

Meroojan Tekeian bought the blue Volkswagen in 1988 and took the family on holidays all over Europe including Spain, St Tropez, Berlin and Vienna, never once breaking down.

Mr Tekeian died five years ago but there was still a part of him at his daughter’s wedding thanks to his van, which the family always called ‘The Tecko Van’.

Travelling in the van, Amie arrived in time to marry the love of her life, self-employed builder Chris Gash, 42.

Amie, 27, said: “Dad used to turn up to school to pick us up in the van and I used to be so embarrassed.

“Now I have ended up using it as my wedding car.

“I even said to Chris that if the van breaks down on the way to the wedding then it’s a sign my dad doesn’t want me to marry him.” But true to its form, The Tecko Van got the bride to St Giles’ Parish Church on time and to the reception at Chester Racecourse.

“I felt like my dad was taking me to my wedding and there was a piece of him there,” said Amie, who is originally from the Rhosddu area.

When Mr Tekeian died he was in the process of changing the van’s engine.

But dental nurse Amie, who works in Ruabon, was not going to let the camper van fall into ruin and decided to spend about £5,000 on the van, getting it all done up for her wedding, and passed on her idea to Simon Edwards from Body Perfect garage, Rhosrobin, who carried out the work.

She said: “Everyone around Wrexham knows the van and it is very well known.

“My dad used to own Tekeian’s off licence on Rhosddu Road and everyone knew him and the van.

“Now we are are going to pimp it out on the inside and take it to the VW camper van shows.

“We will never sell it because dad loved it and it was his pride and joy.”

Widnes camping company saved from collapse

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/widnes-camping-company-gelert-bought-4710763

Widnes camping company saved from collapse

100 jobs across North West and Wales saved

Gelert tent 

Widnes-based camping and outdoor equipment specialist Gelert has been saved from collapse after it was bought by retail giant Sports Direct.

Gelert was bought out of receivership by Sports Direct for an undisclosed sum.

The deal saves 100 jobs in Wales and the North West.

Gelert was founded in 1975 in North Wales and imports and sells outdoor and camping equipment from brands including Dunlop, Lonsdale and Karrimor.

It has stores in Porthmadog, Beddgelert, Caernarfon, Betws-y-coed and Dublin, with an outlet store in Haydock and its head office in Widnes.

David Riley and Les Ross, of Grant Thornton, were appointed as administrative receivers of Gelert on Friday to complete the deal.

The Dublin store is not included in the deal and the receivers are still considering its future.

Mr Riley said: “Gelert is a well-established brand and we are delighted to have been able to secure a sale to set it on a new course for the future under new ownership.”