Letter from the C&MC to all their members

[Jim]

Now normally I would have scoffed at the true member's club bit, but the way they have come forward to help motorhome fulltimers has changed the way I think about them. fair play They are confident too and bookings are open for the end of June



Dear Mr Brown

I wanted to write to you personally about your Club and the challenges we face over the coming months.

First and foremost my thoughts go out to all of our members, staff and friends of the Club who have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and we hope that by pulling together we can get through this very difficult time.

Since we were founded in 1907 we have served and represented those who are united in a passion for the great outdoors. We have provided sites and places to stay, advice, travel assistance and financial protection to generations of caravanners, motorhomers, campervanners and campers. Over the past 113 years we have survived the hardship of two World Wars, petrol rationing in the Suez crisis, the three day week, Foot and Mouth in 2001 and now we face the global Coronavirus pandemic.

A true members’ Club

It is vital to remember that the Club is a true members’ Club that is owned by you, the members and run by members (the Executive Committee). They are elected from amongst you and volunteer to be your board of directors. (They receive no pay for their tireless hard work). Thanks to prudent management and years of support from members like you paying their subscriptions and buying our services, we have built up an unrivalled network of sites and Certificated Locations across the UK. As a members’ Club we pay no dividends to shareholders or bonuses to directors so that any surplus funds are used to invest in sites and services for you. This year we are committed to investing in Cayton Village in Yorkshire, Penrhos in Anglesey and Troutbeck Head in the Lake District.

Working together to ensure our future

We need you to maintain your subscription to help tide us over during this financial uncertainty. In return we will continue to provide our call centre and online services in full, our magazine will continue to be produced (you can download our app to read scores of back issues), our social media will be more active than ever, whilst our award-winning Club insurance and caravan cover continue to provide protection.

I am also pleased to confirm we have opened our UK site bookings through to 30 June 2021 to give you, as members, priority for a full year’s touring ahead.

We have received so many messages of support for our staff during this difficult time and I personally thank you for those messages. We are a club built on a passion for the great outdoors by like-minded people and we must do everything we can together to ensure our wonderful club remains wonderful for the next 100 years.

Please support us if you are able by continuing to be a Club member.

Nick Lomas
Director General
Caravan and Motorhome Club

 

[M-J]

Got this earlier, love the please support us by continuing to be a club member but no mention of any alternative for those just renewed.

 

[KUSKUS]

Yes I thought that they might extend membership for another six months , wishful thinking but we can book halfway through next year, that's a real bonus ?

 

[Puddleduck]

I was so pleased that they have supported the full timers that I am happy to "waste" some of my annual fee.

Far more kind than the "friendly" club.

 

[Gaston aires]

C and M C have come in for quite a bit of stick from the Funsters community over the years, personally I have always found them friendly and helpful. Sure you get a few jobs worth types, but it’s a large club with lots of staff. Their prices come in for criticism at times, usually during peak season, but having extensively travelled through Europe and the USA, like for like they are competitive prices on excellent sites.
They have also stepped up to the plate during this crisis as much as they can, more so than the “friendly club”
Well done them.
Phil

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Odd-no-more]

I'm with the other lot, but I will renew when it's due, while I'm not totally happy with them, I would rather they are still be around when it's all over

 

[WESTY66]

I was thinking of joining either the CCC or the C&MC and this has just tipped me in favour of the C&MC. I was going to join the former purely because I think it’s out of order block booking Sites “just in case we might go” and there’s people who like me work, and other people who have other commitments who don’t know 12 months in advance whether we/they can commit to a booking or not, not being able to get on the more popular sites. Now I know that a large number book in advance KNOWING they will use the booking and that’s perfectly fair and reasonable.
But the commitment the C&MC have shown to full timers in their hour of need overrides any gripe about whether I can get on a site or not. I will join the C&MC purely for this reason alone?

Ady

 

[Ivory55]

I think both clubs will loose members when this is over as people struggle to make ends meet. Some will sell their van or caravan some might be lucky and just park it up, but there will be a down turn.

 

[Beemobile]

Yes I thought that they might extend membership for another six months , wishful thinking but we can book halfway through next year, that's a real bonus ?

 

[PeteH]

Did I miss something? Where is the "help" for Full-timers?. They have reopened the bookings BUT how will that help?. Your only allowed 28days (Max) and then have to move. With the current "anti movement" brigade on full alert, That could be problematical?. IMV, some help but only a short term fix at best?.

P.S. Not slagging off the CC, just posing a view.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Otter Spotter]

Out the other side of this crisis I was going to join the CCC ,I am already a member of C&MC but after how CCC have acting during this crisis, no chance, I hope current members walk when they can.

 

[DBK]

Did I miss something? Where is the "help" for Full-timers?. They have reopened the bookings BUT how will that help?. Your only allowed 28days (Max) and then have to move. With the current "anti movement" brigade on full alert, That could be problematical?. IMV, some help but only a short term fix at best?.

P.S. Not slagging off the CC, just posing a view.

The letter doesn't mention it because I suspect they are keeping it low profile. You have to ring them. maz did a thread about how full timers can find a pitch on a CMC site. It's on a case by case basis.

 

[Neil S]

I was thinking of joining either the CCC or the C&MC and this has just tipped me in favour of the C&MC. I was going to join the former purely because I think it’s out of order block booking Sites “just in case we might go” and there’s people who like me work, and other people who have other commitments who don’t know 12 months in advance whether we/they can commit to a booking or not, not being able to get on the more popular sites. Now I know that a large number book in advance KNOWING they will use the booking and that’s perfectly fair and reasonable.
But the commitment the C&MC have shown to full timers in their hour of need overrides any gripe about whether I can get on a site or not. I will join the C&MC purely for this reason alone?

Ady

block booking sites ? do you mean booking more than one site on the same dates

 

[WESTY66]

block booking sites ? do you mean booking more than one site on the same dates

Does that actually happen??

No, booking sites for the year as soon as the booking window is open, not that there’s anything wrong with that if you actually go and don’t cancel a few days before (yes I know there can be unforeseen circumstances) but if there’s no deposit paid there’s no commitment to turn up and take the booking. I’m new to this and it’s only friends who have tried booking a popular site (Rowntree park) that had no availability, yet there was empty spaces (No shows) when they actually rung up on the day.

 

[Neil S]

Does that actually happen??

No, booking sites for the year as soon as the booking window is open, not that there’s anything wrong with that if you actually go and don’t cancel a few days before (yes I know there can be unforeseen circumstances) but if there’s no deposit paid there’s no commitment to turn up and take the booking. I’m new to this and it’s only friends who have tried booking a popular site (Rowntree park) that had no availability, yet there was empty spaces (No shows) when they actually rung up on the day.

As far as I’m aware members cancelling a pitch reservation must do so no less than 3 working days before arrival which allows other members a chance to book .
Failure to do so without a very good reason usually results in black mark against your membership and usually a communication to that effect

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[vin0114]

I too must admit to being totally unaware of any support being offered to our/all fulltimers by CMCC to utilise their sites during the present crisis.

 

[Basildog]

I won’t be using either club in future after they showed their true greedy natures by staying open for far too long despite the closure many other privately owned businesses that realised the seriousness of the situation.
The clubs along with some other leisure industry companies including some dealers were actually encouraging the idiots that flocked to every corner of the country ??

 

[mark49]

I was told last week from office staff that a site they had spaces on we’re being held for longer term members who may turn up!
I wasn’t informed when joining that I didn’t have equal benefits until I’d been a 20 year member. Can’t see me rejoining.

 

[Spawn_e_git]

Membership is £54. I have to have membership as I use their storage facility.
Always liked the sites even though most lack a lot of facilities for young children but that is what Haven are for.
I've boozed far more than £54 since lockdown and I WANT the club to exist and be able to invest after this is over so they can keep the £54. I'm still getting full pay as is the Mrs so I'm not needing this small amount.

 

[PeteH]

Like many, They are going to feel the pinch. They also have to abide by "Rules". As have we all. It`s the management of that situation that will be critical, Remember, perhaps the last time was 1939. and even I was`nt born then!.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Carol]

I'm afraid after personal experience of been turned away from a site in Scotland out of water and not been allowed just a couple of gallons of water to keep us safe and after many e mails and correspondence with the club, told that people like us who had been members for years have to drive past a water tap with a near empty tank because its company policy, then it does not seem like a club that's for the people. I was pleased to see them offering help for the full timers, but I don't think I could trust them as a people's club., ever again.

 

[Spawn_e_git]

I'm afraid after personal experience of been turned away from a site in Scotland out of water and not been allowed just a couple of gallons of water to keep us safe and after many e mails and correspondence with the club, told that people like us who had been members for years have to drive past a water tap with a near empty tank because its company policy, then it does not seem like a club that's for the people. I was pleased to see them offering help for the full timers, but I don't think I could trust them as a people's club., ever again.

Agreed. If you are a current member then I feel that water and waste emptying should be free as long as it's not impeding paying members from using the facilities I.e. just before leaving or just after arrival time.
Problem is there will always be those that will take the piss and once let through the barriers with be in the shower block and clogging up the waste facilities when paying members want to drop/fill and get home/setup.

 

[Carol]

Agreed. If you are a current member then I feel that water and waste emptying should be free as long as it's not impeding paying members from using the facilities I.e. just before leaving or just after arrival time.
Problem is there will always be those that will take the piss and once let through the barriers with be in the shower block and clogging up the waste facilities when paying members want to drop/fill and get home/setup.

We were desperate really we offered to pay for it, but they would not have it, there was no one around we have travelled all over Europe and Morocco and never been refused water but a club we had belonged to for years would not give / sell us any.

 

[Potty]

I won’t be using either club in future after they showed their true greedy natures by staying open for far too long despite the closure many other privately owned businesses that realised the seriousness of the situation.
The clubs along with some other leisure industry companies including some dealers were actually encouraging the idiots that flocked to every corner of the country ?⚠?

Glad they were still open when we returned from France just before the travel restrictions were brought in. Otherwise we would have had a 600 mile non-stop journey from Folkestone to Scotland.

 

[Neil S]

I'm afraid after personal experience of been turned away from a site in Scotland out of water and not been allowed just a couple of gallons of water to keep us safe and after many e mails and correspondence with the club, told that people like us who had been members for years have to drive past a water tap with a near empty tank because its company policy, then it does not seem like a club that's for the people. I was pleased to see them offering help for the full timers, but I don't think I could trust them as a people's club., ever again.

Could you not have booked in for one night and then you would have been able to empty your waste and refilled your water tank if you were so desperate

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Neil S]

Glad they were still open when we returned from France just before the travel restrictions were brought in. Otherwise we would have had a 600 mile non-stop journey from Folkestone to Scotland.

Likewise after a very tiring 700 mile journey in one day from the Spanish Border up to Eurotunnel because of the Covid-19 crisis we booked into Black Horse Farm C&MC site , was so relieved when they answered the phone I expected them to be closed

 

[maz]

Did I miss something? Where is the "help" for Full-timers?. They have reopened the bookings BUT how will that help?. Your only allowed 28days (Max) and then have to move. With the current "anti movement" brigade on full alert, That could be problematical?. IMV, some help but only a short term fix at best?.

P.S. Not slagging off the CC, just posing a view.

The thread you need is here:

Broken Link Removed

 

[maz]

I was told last week from office staff that a site they had spaces on we’re being held for longer term members who may turn up!
I wasn’t informed when joining that I didn’t have equal benefits until I’d been a 20 year member. Can’t see me rejoining.

Interesting. Just wondering if they meant ‘long term touring’ Members - a phrase that is occasionally used for fulltimers?

 

[Gellyneck]

I was told last week from office staff that a site they had spaces on we’re being held for longer term members who may turn up!
I wasn’t informed when joining that I didn’t have equal benefits until I’d been a 20 year member. Can’t see me rejoining.

Never heard of a "membership length of term" priority with C&MC. As an example, we had just bought our caravan (before changing to a motorhome), joined the C&MC and booked a pitch. Father (who had just received his 40th? year sticker) said he'd join us with his caravan just to make sure all went OK. Nope, sorry we're full. We cancelled and both of us went to a commercial site who had availability for us.

Interesting. Just wondering if they meant ‘long term touring’ Members - a phrase that is occasionally used for fulltimers?

I would guess you're correct.

 

[The Wino]

Did I miss something? Where is the "help" for Full-timers?. They have reopened the bookings BUT how will that help?. Your only allowed 28days (Max) and then have to move. With the current "anti movement" brigade on full alert, That could be problematical?. IMV, some help but only a short term fix at best?.

P.S. Not slagging off the CC, just posing a view.

But I don't think either club was set up or aims to cater for full timers. The booking with no deposits thing is a pain they could at least say 14 days rolling only.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}