Guestbook

Well done committee! It is about time a stand is taken against the greed and ridiculous fees imposed upon all by the Chestnuts. Keep on fighting!

A big thank you to the committee for all your hard work!

Howdy Hi, Howdy Ho, Caravanners’ – Well another season at Cranfield has come to a watery end! Eight months of barbequing under umbrellas and munching soggy sausages – are we all wise in the head? Oh! the joys of Caravanning! I know I’m a bit over the top, but with pitch fees at nearly £1,600 I’m reminded that although the fees are as expense as those lovely sites with lots of amenities and things to do in the South of France – this is still only rain soaked ‘Norn Iron.’ On the plus side one of the brilliant things about this year has been the number of new friends I have made through our fledging residents’ association the CCPRA. We caravanners’ have been shouting from the roof tops for years about the injustices of the Holiday Caravan Park industry, to no avail – the CCPRA have worked really hard and instigated a process that if all goes according to plan will give caravanners’ consumer protection rights ‘with teeth’ to defend ourselves from an industry which is completely unregulated and grossly unfair. I look forward to having a natter with my caravanning chums at CCPRA meetings over the winter. Tell fellow caravanners’ about our CCPRA website and to register their support for John McCallister’s private members bill for Caravanners’. Well, I’m off to wrap my new bikini in the ‘Tele’ for the winter. It’ll keep it in good nick for when I next take a dip. Better warn Carlingford - to watch out for the Tsunami in the Lough on Paddy’s Day ‘09!

I can honestly say I have had a great summer down at Cranfield and its all thanks to the CCPRA. By forming we have made so many new friends and spoken to people that before we would only have politely nodded. I just wish the Site Owners could understand how this feels and maybe instead of always taking from the Residents they would give something back in return ( like paying for the upgrade of the site themselves)

Many thanks to the CCPRA to try and get us out of the dictatorship we've endured since the Jim Chestnutt regime took over the site. Many thanks along with a vast majority of residents for taking this step. Every success for the campaign!!

Re my previous comments, of course I was referring to Cranfield Point, not Soldiers Point. It is still a pleasant stroll round Soldiers Point to Greencastle.
silly me!!!

I entirely agree with all the opinions expressed.
But what have Newry and Mourne Council done for the caravanners?
How about better launching facilities for boats, the seaweed cleared from the beach, and a path re-instated round Soldiers Point. It used to be so pleasant walking round the point to the other beach, but now the stink of rotting seaweed, rocks and rubbish make it more like an obstacle course.
The Council must be getting tens of thousands of pounds in rates from the site owners.
The next campaign perhaps?

The sooner caravan owners have rights the better.

I always thought that when I had children, I would be able to take them to spend their summers at Cranfield, like I did for 20 odd years. Unfortunately, it really seems like this will not be the case. Come next year, our site may too be an empty one. And all because our site owner can't understand that to improve your business, you invest YOUR OWN MONEY!!!! Such a pity!! What makes it worse is that this year, we helped pay for his "improvements".

Unfortunately my & my family's time is up at Cranfield. We have young children we wanted to share our summers at Cranfield but sadly the astonomical price increases & having to replace our shed have forced us to sell up. We started at Cranfield 14 years ago when we got married with a used caravan and in 2000 bought a brand new van and it now looks like we are going to lose almost £30,000 on the price we paid to the price we are now being offered but no doubt the van will be sold for around double what we will receive. All the while the site owners are rubbing their hands with glee with all this money they are making families like my own are forced into these decisions that end up costing us thousands of pounds.

Totally Gutted.

Our site has yearly increase in fees with no improvement or increase in services!

I am an 83 year old widow and I am forced to buy a box at £600 which I can't afford, and I probably wont be here much longer. If I give up my caravan I wont get paid for the box and I couldn't take it home.

I want to see fair prices given for caravans and to be able to sell our vans to our friends. It would be nice to have a chip van on site and more for teenagers to do. Am fed up having to go up and open barrier everytime friends come to visit.

Site fees should only go up in line with inflation. we would like to come to our van all year round

We pay enough money to our site owners and would like to be able to come all year round.

Have we no rights. Many site owners are like the LANDLORDS of old "Do what I say or ELSE"

Happy in our site but we would like the ability to come to our van all year round. We pay enough so should be able to use it.

We demand fair play and the right for happiness

Keep up the good work, behind you all the way! About time site owners had some accountability and we had some rights.

Site fees should only go up in line with inflation. We should not be asked to change caravans in 10 years. How could pensioners (who enjoy their caravans) afford this? We should not be forced to change boxes either!

We should not be forced to replace wooden boxes with steel ones. The new law should only be for new residents coming onto site who have not boxes!

Great to see this Association up and running. We wish you every success in all that is done to help us caravanners!

Thank you folks for all the fun over the summer, even though the weather was anything but good, but the craic was still there!

Thanks for all the good comments about our Family Fun Day. Our hopes are for a bigger and better one next year. Let us know if you would like anything added for next year, email cranfield_cpra@yahoo.co.uk with your requests and we will see what we can do.

As a number of the earlier bloggs have said, the number of empty sites is growing, so if Mr Chestnutt is watching this, please look into your heart and reconsider your price rise. The 'Credit Crunch' IS here and will be for a while. What would be better, lowering your prices and have a nearly full site, or keep them going up and have a nearly empty site, Jim, its in your hands for next year.

Ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls, our 2008 season is nearly over but we are not. keep telling your friends about our legislation and keep up the support for John McCallister so he can help us in the years to come.

Dear Bloggers!

Just a little note to thank you all for you kind comments re: the Fun Day and the campaign for Caravaner Rights. Norman did a fantastic job of organising our Fun Day, everything ran so smoothly on the day that we will definitely do it again only bigger and better!! Keep telling your fellow caravaners of our campaign - get them to take a look at this website and add a comment!

The season is coming to the end and I will sorely miss the craic I've had over the summer even though the sun didn't shine too much! I've made so many new good friends through the association and we've had a ball! A good bunch that Mr Chestnutt should be very thankful for - we have total respect for each other thus creating a great harmony throughout the site.

Thanks again everyone!! Will hold 2008 close to my heart! Keep blogging!!

I am totally behind what the Residents Asociation are doing at the present, well done to you all for your hard work and dedication, (at least some people will get off their back sides and fight for their rights!).
i have spent my childhood summers at Cranfield Caravan Park and now that i have a son of my own i would like him to spend many a rainy July afternoon at the caravan, but the caravan fees are crazy and i believe that there will be many empty slabs of concrete in the park in the future(where caravans and good people used to be) as people cannot afford the prices, oh and tell me again what exactly is the price increase for?

Congratulations on a cracking Fun Day. Very impresive. Hope you will be doing another one next year. Hope you get your 'Bill' into Stormont.

Fantastic Website. Lots of news & activities. Already logged on to Mr McCallister's website, great legislation which most definitely will pass through Stormont.One hundred percent behind all of you @ the CCPRA, keep up the good work!!

Swan Song----- Yep I've done it, packed my bags and waved goofbye to Cranfield. Sold my van to a lovely Mr Milen. Gave me a fair price and even tried to talk me out of selling. Wish I could say Mr Chestnut did the same!!!!, I wish you all well in your battle for caravaners rights, My friends and neighbours if I didn't see you before I left I'm sorry but I felt I had to Jump ship before the rush.

Congratulations to CCPRA for a brilliantly successful 'Fun Day'. The amount of hard work put in for the benefit of everyone was incredible - well done!
I would like register our full support for the MLA's proposals to the NI Assembly. Someone has got to put a stop to the greedy site owners who think they can walk all over (previously!) loyal, long-time customers.

I fully support the work that you are all doing. Well done! I am a resident of a neighbouring park and am delighted to see that something is being done to give caravanners more rights. Keep up the good work.

Congratulations Norman on a very successful fun/safety day on Sunday. I know everyone in our family enjoyed it and I hope evryone enjoyed the music (hope it wasn't too loud!!) Well done to all Norman's able assistants also. See you all soon. Keith Mc

Well done folks on yesterday's fun day.....I totally agree about the comments over the increase in fees. I have a caravan on Loughside though unfortunately I am not one of the 'I'M CONSIDERABLY RICHER THAN YOU' brigade with their matching 4x4s, boats, quads and his n hers jet skis and any increase in fees, no matter how big or small, makes me wonder how much longer I can afford to keep a caravan on the site....I'd hate it to get to the point where we had to call it a day.....

thanks for the funday CCPRA

Well done Jim's Angel of Sensibility - LOVE the poem!!
Nice to see so many more encouraging comments. Have a great Fun Day - hope weather improves by then.
No doubt there are certain people praying for rain!

We have been a member of another caravan site for a number of years. I think it is brilliant to see the type of things Jim is implementing and wish them all the best.

Dear Mr Chestnutt
How you must be feeling
When you sent your site fees out
Your Clients hit the ceiling

An enormous hike in fees
Many feel unjustified
You just left many customers
Completely mistified

They don't want your gas
The digital tv isn't great
External phone calls not happening
It aint looking too good, mate!

£550 extra for services
That are not fully up and running
For those that haven't got these yet,
£350 extra, Yeah! That was cunning!

Your empty sites should tell you
Your vision isn't crystal clear
Your money spinning venture
Is out of control, my dear!

Is you head stressed out
As they come to you and moan?
Are you even wondering
Why you stand on your own?

Look at the world around you
Living costs hitting the roof
Oil and gas and mortgages
Its time to face the truth

Why don't you listen
They don't want the fear
of site fees so unaffordable
That they can't return next year!

Your loyal customers are asking
Please can you see their plight
Help them with next years fees
YOUR CHANCE TO PUT IT RIGHT!!!

I have been going to Cranfield for 45 years. Started off staying with my sister and family. Got married bought a caravan and my children had wonderful summers, now my grandchildren are coming, but can I afford these prices. I like Cranfield the way it is Peaceful and Relaxing

Cranfield has gone down hill BIG TIME. I've been up at the van most of July. None of my friends are here and I've nothing to do. I'm so fed up I'm thinking of cleaning my room. Come on site owners buck up and give us something to do or I'll not want to be here. CBB BEENIES don't wash with me. I want some decent things to do.

Hi guys you are doing a good job,behind you all the way

I am a resident of another site and am very interested in the work of the CCPRA, their fight is just and if successful will benefit residents of every caravan park in Northern Ireland. Every caravanner should stand squarely behind them and offer whatever support they can.

Its time the site owners got their heads out of the sand, listen to the people who put you where you are today. or there wont be many more tomorrows.

Well done on the website and campaign. I do not or ever had a caravan at Cranfield but I support your work. I used to have one until end of last year but I gave up the ghost. There is only so much you can take and be spoken to like a nobody!!!

I hope this is the start of more caravan associations for caravan owners. The site owners have taken the mickey out of us customers for too long.

Onwards and upwards.

Great website. CCPRA are making good progress. Totally support the idea that in this democratic world van owners should have a collective voice. I hope our park owners discuss our many issues so we can show the happy and positive side to owning a caravan in Cranfield.

Howdy Hi, Howdy Ho, Campers – Oopps! I mean Caravanners! Congratulations to the committee of the CCPRA for the enormous amount of hard work they have done on our behalf by getting the Association and this fantastic Website up and running. It is about time that we who invest in Caravans on Private Holiday Parks had the courage to address the blatant anti-competitive practices of the Holiday Park industry. Send the one message that the management of Cranfield Caravan Park does NOT want to hear – and that is that the fight to secure legal consumer protection rights as Caravan Owners on Private Holiday Parks goes on – and that we caravan owners support our Association. It is a pity that the knee jerk reaction from the Park management regarding the formation of our Residents Association is to blindfold the messenger and put him against the wall! Instead they should be sitting down and talking to us - their CUSTOMERS – it’s a no-brainer – isn’t it! Have lots of fun this summer. See ya all, in you’re most fashionable swimming gear on the beach!

Michelin Blimp

I think CCPRA are doing a great job - it is great that residents have now got a bit of a 'voice'. My family have been at Cranfield for 50+ years and I have seen lots of old films and witnessed the fun had by everyone. It is such a pity that so many loyal residents (myself included) are now very disgruntled and upset by the changes (not improvements) that are now going on - none of which anyone wanted in the first place. Bring back the good old days when Cranfield was a place you could get away from it all!!

Well done I'm over the moon to add comment to OUR new web site. I'm on the same wave as you fellow caravaners. I'm struggling with finances and its only getting worse something will have to give. I've only one question to the park owners. How is it that other business around the country have updated their services improved there comunications etc at no added costs to the vendor. They were only to happy to have our custom. Is it not the park owners responsibilty to upgrade at there own expense.

I support Zacobe wholeheartedly, having joined caravanners at Cranfield on the year she was born! Then, the site fee was £42 - no electric, no television, no running water, and just a portapotty to empty every morning. We were there to get away from "gracious living" and the children went out and had FUN while the adults socialised. We didn't need television or telephone - we were on holiday!
The site had character in the Old Days, caravans were a lot smaller, thus having plenty of room around them - no cramped conditions.
What does Cranfield offer to warrant the exorbitant site fees? A posh laundry - whoopidoo!!
How about an adventure playground? A good cafe? A decent hall for wet day activities and parties?
Those sit fees would surely cover the cost of an Entertainments Organiser - fancy dress parades, etc. for the children especially.

CRANFIELD CARAVAN PARK SHOULD OFFER VALUE FOR MONEY!!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my many years at Cranfield as have my children.Cranfield used to be a place to relax and get away from the 21 Century, but due to the large price increases this is having to be reconsidered. Can site owners not understand that in the present economic climate people are being stretched to the limit financially, and cannot afford prices rises at the present level.

Hi all, much like Zacobe, we have had our pitch on for over 50 years, handed down from grandparents to parents and on to myself. I would like to say we will be passing our pitch on to our children, but for the extreme increase in the fees and other major increases, I cannot see them wanting to take it over from us. Our loyalty for over 50 years does not seem to matter one bit and this is very heart breaking, knowing our family will not be there for much longer.

I love Cranfield and have done for years! My parents gave me fab summers here at our caravan when I was a child and now I see my kids having the same great summers. But with all the changes and massive increase in fees, I am heartbroken to think that I may have no option but to give up my little bit of paradise! Come on site owners, think less of your pocket and more of your loyal customers!