Interesting CC Wardens (1 Viewer)

[scotjimland]

It is a private company and also a club

Resolutions passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company in 1959 paved the way for the incorporation of The Caravan Club Ltd, a private company limited by guarantee.



http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/17686546/the_club__how_it_works_2015_-_feb_15.pdf

 

[FJmike]

I chucked in my membership a few years ago when the CCC were at a European conference and were very vocally opposed to any country having Aires. Thought it no odds to them but then realised that CCC is run by caravanners who are extremely jealous that aires are for motor homes only. This coupled with every time we used a CCC site we always seemed to get the grotty pitch that no one else wanted.

 

[MattR]

Granted.. but those facilities have been paid for by members of a club that has rules. I'm pretty sure that almost all petrol stations have water. Bottled water is available for pennies. It's not hard to get water at all.

I understood that the situation involved members that wanted to stay but couldn't because the site was full and they were denied water, even when offering to pay.

I believe that they were in a rural area without easy access to shops or garages.

In my experience, it isn't always as easy to get water as you suggest; maybe we don't go to the same areas.

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[Khizzie]

I understood that the situation involved members that wanted to stay but couldn't because the site was full and they were denied water, even when offering to pay.

I believe that they were in a rural area without easy access to shops or garages.

In my experience, it isn't always as easy to get water as you suggest; maybe we don't go to the same areas.

That was my understanding as well.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Private co with no share holders,,,,,BUSBY.

It's not possible to be a limited company, which they are, and have no shareholders.

There might not be many shares but they are out there and someone owns them.

 

[Flamenca]

It's not possible to be a limited company, which they are, and have no shareholders.

There might not be many shares but they are out there and someone owns them.

It certainly is. All you need is a director and company secretary. It is only a plc which needs additional shareholders.

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[Deleted member 29692]

It certainly is. All you need is a director and company secretary. It is only a plc which needs additional shareholders.

And in that case the director has to own the shares. It might only be one share, that's perfectly acceptable, but it still has to exist.

Just to correct you on the other point. It is not a requirement, or even necessary, to have a Company Secretary any more

 

[Ivory55]

Am sure a lot of people who work with the public would think that the public should go on training courses for manners etc.

 

[Flamenca]

And in that case the director has to own the shares. It might only be one share, that's perfectly acceptable, but it still has to exist.

Just to correct you on the other point. It is not a requirement, or even necessary, to have a Company Secretary any more

Yes Nick, I stand corrected. I did not write the first sentence very well, I intended it to mean shareholders other than directors. I concede that I am of date on the matter of Company Secretary

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[The Wino]

Used the late arrivals at edinburgh at the weekend the wardens were very helpfull I suppose like any organisation some good others bad some a bit power crazy!!

 

[Deleted member 29692]

They are not a private company they are a CLUB...

They are also a private company
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/00646027

Taken from their last set of accounts:

"The Caravan Club is a company limited by guarantee .... and operates a membership club for mobile caravaners"

Even in their own words they put the company first and describe the club as no more than a part of the company. The club is operated by, and is part of, the company, not the other way round.

They also show a Share Premium Reserve account. This is interesting behaviour for a members club as it suggests that someone has paid for an interest, or otherwise invested, in the company. It's not a huge amount of money but it is there.

The same set of accounts lists their issued share capital as £100. No information about how that is distributed or held though. Nothing wrong with that, they don't have to provide such information although I'd guess from the age of the company that there are 100 £1 ordinary shares held by someone somewhere.

 

[nelly]

The bit i do not understand is we book into a cc site go to pitch and never see the warden again unless he is cutting the grass. When do all these problems start.

Neil

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[Deleted member 29692]

It's quite a good business model actually.

Operating a "members club" gives them a ready made captive customer base for their main business, selling pitches on their sites. That works all the better if they can keep the club members convinced that it's really all about them.

 

[Muddibootz]

It's quite a good business model actually.

Operating a "members club" gives them a ready made captive customer base for their main business, selling pitches on their sites. That works all the better if they can keep the club members convinced that it's really all about them.

I must admit I've always thought of the CC or the C&CC as companies than clubs. Both happen to run, in my opinion, some pretty good sites in some good locations (which I use) and some other sites in not such good locations (that I don't use). Being in these clubs gives me access to some sites I wouldn't have access to as a non-member and discounts at others. I don't have (or require) a feeling of being in a club any more than buying the Britstop or ACSI guides (both of which I use). I have met grumpy wardens at sites owned by both clubs but they are a very tiny minority compared to the good ones I've met. I've met a slightly higher proportion on commercial sites to be honest.

 

[Photo4x4]

I knew a couple who were always complaining about other people being rude to them. To be honest I can understand why, they were the most miserable moaning people you could ever meet who also happened to be world experts on everything, no wonder they rubbed people up the wrong way!

KH

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[Tea Bag]

Hi.
Take a step sideways. "Discourage wild Camping" Why would they say that ? I would imagine,both clubs would want to extend the site numbers,in very scenic areas,so just imagine.
They apply to the local council of the area they would like to open up a site on. "Any objections?" . "Yes,there have been several cases of unauthorised camping at this spot,litter scattered all over,toilets being emptied in the area ,we don't want anything like that in our area" Plus the support of Nimby's .
That leads nicely into this. There are grumpy Council workers at planning,grumpy Wardens, and there are also thoughtless m/homers...
Tea Bag

 

[busby]

It's quite a good business model actually.

Operating a "members club" gives them a ready made captive customer base for their main business, selling pitches on their sites. That works all the better if they can keep the club members convinced that it's really all about them.

They are very clever then,,,but other than a decent salary whats in it for them?? Just asking. BUSBY.

 

[Lot lover]

They also show a Share Premium Reserve account.

IIRC this acct represents the difference between the par value of the shares issued and the price at which they were issued and normally may not be distributed.

Finding much about private companies is difficult if not impossible,

Just remember that the sole purpose of any business is to make money for it's owners/shareholders and any benefit derived by any other person is a lucky coincidence.

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[WillH]

We are in both clubs, it's not expensive, it's cheap. In over 25 years never really had a problem with either sets of wardens. Only little hiccough in all that time was a warden at the C&CC site at Ardgartan, since closed, he refused to use the two 'midge-eaters' on site as they used too much gas. Left the next day anyway. As we only generally stay for one or two nights we accept that we may not always get a premium pitch but that's life. We were away last week to a CC site for two nights, only saw any warden when we checked in.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

IIRC this acct represents the difference between the par value of the shares issued and the price at which they were issued and normally may not be distributed.

Finding much about private companies is difficult if not impossible,

Just remember that the sole purpose of any business is to make money for it's owners/shareholders and any benefit derived by any other person is a lucky coincidence.

Yes, you're more or less right about what it's for. There's a bit more to it though.

The point though is that it's cheerleaders always try and claim that it isn't a company, it's a club and only exists for the benefit of its members

For such an account to exist some money has to have changed hands for some shares at some point which seems to me to give the lie to the above.

I know it's a business that only exists to make money. It's not me you have to convince, I've never said its anything else.

You could find out a little more information, especially relating to the distribution of the shares easily enough. All companies are required to have these details, plus quite a few others available at their registered office to anyone who wants to inspect them.

 

[busby]

Well after all this discussion i still think that we have two excellent clubs that both provide an extensive network of good sites,,CL s and CS s ,,rallies both UK and overseas,,discounted ferries, travel advice and back up,,insurance etc etc,,both at a reasonable price and membership is voluntary so if you don't like them don't join. I am a member of both,,i enjoy my winter rally in Spain every year and also enjoy C L s C S s main sites etc . So you pays your money and enjoy or you don't and if you don't you aint got nothing to moan about,,,BUSBY

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[SteveB123]

Well it looks like the CC have finally realised how bad their wardens are. Talking to my niece who happens to be the CC community liaison officer, due to the complaints about wardens they are now putting all the site wardens through a customer service training course.

It's taken them a long time to get the message. It won't encourage me to rejoin or ever use one of their grotty sites again.

But the CC sites are not grotty

 

[scotjimland]

well said @busby

 

[2657]

Taken from their last set of accounts:

"The Caravan Club is a company limited by guarantee .... and operates a membership club for mobile caravaners"

Even in their own words they put the company first and describe the club as no more than a part of the company. The club is operated by, and is part of, the company, not the other way round.

They also show a Share Premium Reserve account. This is interesting behaviour for a members club as it suggests that someone has paid for an interest, or otherwise invested, in the company. It's not a huge amount of money but it is there.

The same set of accounts lists their issued share capital as £100. No information about how that is distributed or held though. Nothing wrong with that, they don't have to provide such information although I'd guess from the age of the company that there are 100 £1 ordinary shares held by someone somewhere.

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/17686546/the_club__how_it_works_2015_-_feb_15.pdf

I have said this before and I am by no means an expert on company structure but I would think that the main reason that a club changes to a private limited company is the same as any firm becomes a limited company, the clue is in the word 'limited'. ie to limit the liability of the members.

This was done for that very reason at a Cricket club that I was a member of.

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[Deleted member 29692]

This was done for that very reason at a Cricket club that I was a member of.

Did your cricket club own and operate 200+ campsites?

 

[Carol]

Another thread here which I cant find again !!! Was talking about a cc site that refused someone water because they weren't booked in. Well I emailed head office to find out if this was club policy ,and got a reply telling me yes it was because it could encourage wild camping ..for gods sake where are they coming from . I am considering cancelling my DD to them and just stick with C&CC who do allow you the use of their facilities ..Roy.

Yes it was me that had that experience I think there attitude to members is appalling.

 

[Jerrymjj]

I've never met an unpleasant warden. Like most things in life, people are what you make of them.

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[2657]

Did your cricket club own and operate 200+ campsites?

Obviously not and less chances of liability claims of all descriptions, but still a worthwhile exercise apparently, even at that level.

 

[Anthea M]

I haven't come across a horrible one yet to be fair, the one in baltic wharf asked us nicely if we could move our van 6 inches to the left though as we weren't completely staight.
I've been on some where the rules are flouted as well.
Some people do take advantage of those sites.

After the recent MH fire( and total destruction) on a CC site Broadway I think the six metre rule vital. Saying that we did stay on some French aires that were very very close. Arramanche comes to mind so close we could hardly open our door!

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Obviously not and less chances of liability claims of all descriptions, but still a worthwhile exercise apparently, even at that level.

Our rugby club has been looking into doing something similar and our advice so far is some other weird arrangement that the RFU is helping us with that I don't understand at all.

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