Is the Golden Age Over - Portinscale

[mickymost]

Yep, spot on Michael.
But the TRUE wildcampers on here reckon that unless you are surrounded by by farmland, wild animals, and the great outdoors you are no “wild camper”, you are simply a pale simulation of what wild camping is all about.
I love all of the above, but I also know that some prefer more urban locations.
We are all wild campers but with varying preferences.

Thank you Bill for your lovely reply and comments

Im a bit confused at present as you say the TRUE wildcampers on here like farmland animals great outdoors etc rather than the alternative being some Urban Pois im just wondering how many TRUE wildcampers on this Forum arent just loving the countryside POIS and are happy to mix it up with some Urban spots.Just recently im thinking some supposed TRUE wildcampers on here are just looking for a fight an argument and wonder if actually they own a Motorhome or Campervan themselves.Bill what do you think?

regards Michael

 

[maureenandtom]

Quite a long time ago – ten years or so - there were a number of surveys and examinations carried out in a number of countries. Most official in that they were carried out on behalf of Governmental tourism bodies. I used to have, and probably still have, if I could find them, surveys from Australia, New Zealand, Florida and Italy. All of them stressed that the motorhome hospitality industry was worth more to local economies that other forms for tourism. They were talking of our sort of motorhome tourism – not the sort that uses campsites. I guess that they were taking out the cost of accommodation from the equation – but maybe not. I don't know.

The one I can find a copy of easily - though not commissioned by any governmental body you can get from my dropbox if you want. It's fairly old but I think probably still valid. This one is a European-wide survey.

The dropbox link is Dropbox - The european motorhomers-summary of Answers to International Survey.pdf

About a year ago there was a Northern Ireland council carried out its own similar survey. I never saw a result but, some time soon, I'll look it up and ask for a copy. Unless anyone already has it? It'll be interesting to see a modern survey.

The thing is – we're not poor relations; we are an asset.

 

[mickymost]

Quite a long time ago – ten years or so - there were a number of surveys and examinations carried out in a number of countries. Most official in that they were carried out on behalf of Governmental tourism bodies. I used to have, and probably still have, if I could find them, surveys from Australia, New Zealand, Florida and Italy. All of them stressed that the motorhome hospitality industry was worth more to local economies that other forms for tourism. They were talking of our sort of motorhome tourism – not the sort that uses campsites. I guess that they were taking out the cost of accommodation from the equation – but maybe not. I don't know.

The one I can find a copy of easily - though not commissioned by any governmental body you can get from my dropbox if you want. It's fairly old but I think probably still valid. This one is a European-wide survey.

The dropbox link is Dropbox - The european motorhomers-summary of Answers to International Survey.pdf

About a year ago there was a Northern Ireland council carried out its own similar survey. I never saw a result but, some time soon, I'll look it up and ask for a copy. Unless anyone already has it? It'll be interesting to see a modern survey.

The thing is – we're not poor relations; we are an asset.

Without being racist or predudiced and I apologise in advance but proper travellers/gypsies/romanies etc can park up without reason wherever they want and are left alone

We are the upmarket relations in a way and are tidy when we stop and take our rubbish away with us but are not allowed to enjoy the freedom this travelling lifestyle brings and are constantly battling with authorities to find someplace free (or low cost within reason)to park up,to enjoy the area and surroundings
So why are we a problem what can be done to promote us and the advantages we bring to local communities?

 

[Fisherman]

Thank you Bill for your lovely reply and comments

Im a bit confused at present as you say the TRUE wildcampers on here like farmland animals great outdoors etc rather than the alternative being some Urban Pois im just wondering how many TRUE wildcampers on this Forum arent just loving the countryside POIS and are happy to mix it up with some Urban spots.Just recently im thinking some supposed TRUE wildcampers on here are just looking for a fight an argument and wonder if actually they own a Motorhome or Campervan themselves.Bill what do you think?

regards Michael

I rather think that some folk just think of themselves and their preferences only.
So long as they can get access to the type of pois they desire they quite frankly don’t give a hoot about anyone else. They self define wild camping as involving the great outdoors, and almost despise anyone who wants to go to a seaside resort or a larger urban poi.
They seem to revel in the loss of another urban poi, pointing the blame at their fellow campers, supporting narrow minded vindictive councils.
We were even informed on here recently that most of the losses in pois are urban, as if this is ok. The fact is the urban pois are limited, whereas you will always be able to find somewhere to stay in rural locations. There are many were I live not listed on here. I intend doing a recy soon and sending them to poi admin with photos.

 

[Fisherman]

Quite a long time ago – ten years or so - there were a number of surveys and examinations carried out in a number of countries. Most official in that they were carried out on behalf of Governmental tourism bodies. I used to have, and probably still have, if I could find them, surveys from Australia, New Zealand, Florida and Italy. All of them stressed that the motorhome hospitality industry was worth more to local economies that other forms for tourism. They were talking of our sort of motorhome tourism – not the sort that uses campsites. I guess that they were taking out the cost of accommodation from the equation – but maybe not. I don't know.

The one I can find a copy of easily - though not commissioned by any governmental body you can get from my dropbox if you want. It's fairly old but I think probably still valid. This one is a European-wide survey.

The dropbox link is Dropbox - The european motorhomers-summary of Answers to International Survey.pdf

About a year ago there was a Northern Ireland council carried out its own similar survey. I never saw a result but, some time soon, I'll look it up and ask for a copy. Unless anyone already has it? It'll be interesting to see a modern survey.

The thing is – we're not poor relations; we are an asset.

What’s forgotten is councils are heavily subsidised by national government, and we contribute greatly to the national economy. We pay hundreds of millions in vat each year in van purchases, fuel duty must also run into hundreds of millions, and of course road tax not to mention the thousands of people we keep in tax paying jobs, who would otherwise be unemployed depending on social security instead.

We always spend locally wherever we go.
We generally prefer cooking our own meals, because this is part of the camping experience for us.
But we spent over £500 in Arran Active last year in clothing, and we buy snacks and coffees wherever we venture.

But do we really have to do this, I don’t think so.
Should councils only provide services for those who provide their local areas with profit, or are they not liable to provide for everyone of us, from children, the unemployed, poorer members of our country, and even visitors from abroad.

Things have to change or sales of Motorhomes will start to fall, and many will find themselves looking for alternative employment.

 

[Borders2]

One of the marvels of the modern age is that we can do "this" right now which is to communicate instantly.

30 years ago this was impossible, and if concils then were behaving as they are now then communicating with them would be pretty near to impossible apart from sending thousands of letters.

However.......... we are in the happy pposition that we can mail every council and MP with the click of a mouse so........... I suggest that we put together a package showing the upside of our "hobby" and point out to the (lol) so called great and the good and send it to every councilor, MP and Lord. And keep sending it until the penny drops.

As the TV chappie says, the power is in our hands. Let's use it?

B2

 

[maureenandtom]

A very important point which is almost invariably overlooked by those of who think we bring bans on ourselves is this following.

Those denigrating us point to (sometimes fake) pictures of motorhomes crowded into a particular location – invariably during daylight.

Yet the bans are invariably for overnighting. That picture in Whitby or that (fake) picture in Keswick does not result in a ban on daytime parking; it results in a ban on overnight parking. We never seem to make much of that – only once that I can think of. The problem allegedly complained of continues to exist. That ban in Whitby will not solve the problem of a full car park during the day; it will just mean a deserted car park during the night – when nobody is bothered anyway.

The fake reporting in Keswick https://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forum...-looking-good-future-3.html?highlight=Keswick - post 24.

From the (fake) article at Call for action after caravans turn Lake District road into 'shanty town' | Times & Star – though the fake picture was removed when one of our members objected to the newspaper.

"Coun Duncan Miller said: "We should be saying to the county council enough is enough. We don't mind motor homes and caravans sitting there during the day but there should be a sign saying no overnight parking." "

Scarborough council included a ban on (I think Royal Albert Drive or West Cliff) saying that daytime numbers meant that they had to ban overnighting because of complaints from overlooking properties having their view ruined. The ban was lifted, and nobody had red faces, after it was pointed out to the council that Royal Albert Drive (or West Cliff maybe) was under cliffs and affected nobody's view – unless perhaps from the sea looking towards land.

There are no properties there to have their views ruined. Just one more instance of a council saying what sounds reasonable rather than basing their ban on facts. If nobody had gone and looked at, or knew, the location then some of us would have said something like, “well l wouldn't want my view ruined either so it's our own fault” and the lie would have been accepted as gospel and the council only doing its job.

The outcome in Whitby was that, till this day, there is no ban on Royal Albert Drive where the council attempted to impose one using lies to try to achieve their objective. Sometimes our submissions do work and we should unite in fighting these bans.

 

[caledonia]

The Golden age certainly ain’t over for me. Just get out and enjoy the places we can park and have fun finding new ones. Many on here have tried to fight the fight and if it was as easy as the Fisherman thinks it is to tell the councils the are doing it wrong Mo and Tom would have done it. Life’s to short get out and enjoy it.

 

[Fisherman]

The Golden age certainly ain’t over for me. Just get out and enjoy the places we can park and have fun finding new ones. Many on here have tried to fight the fight and if it was as easy as the Fisherman thinks it is to tell the councils the are doing it wrong Mo and Tom would have done it. Life’s to short get out and enjoy it.

What a load of tosh,

First where on here have I said it was easy caledonia, please show me.

Also why do you insist on only referring to myself as if I am alone with my thoughts.

Just getting ready to head out of Dingwall heading further north, towards Thurso, I am enjoying myself.

Shame you cannot head back to Musselburgh now, I hear they have put signage up not only there, but in other locations. :lol-049:

 

[caledonia]

You must have a stop at Latheronwheel while your up that way it’s lovely. Try and enjoy yourself and don’t take the NOP signs to personally.

 

[malagaoth]

Without being racist or predudiced and I apologise in advance but proper travellers/gypsies/romanies etc can park up without reason wherever they want and are left alone

Not quite true....but you probably knew that

"bid to remove 'travellers' from shopping center car park"
Council goes to court over travellers in shoppers' car park - Devon Live

Traveller families to be evicted from car park - Mid Ulster Mail

"Travellers set up camp on Sainsbury's car park - but are evicted within hours"
Travellers set up camp on Sainsbury's car park - but are evicted within hours - Birmingham Live

"TRAVELLERS who were evicted from a park and ride "
Travellers 'move into Tesco Cowley car park' | Oxford Mail

 

[Fisherman]

You must have a stop at Latheronwheel while your up that way it’s lovely. Try and enjoy yourself and don’t take the NOP signs to personally.

Will take a look at that one Caledonia, but we are heading for Thurso.
I have a friend up there and he is letting us use his drive and his leccy.

 

[malagaoth]

Will take a look at that one Caledonia, but we are heading for Thurso

Latheronwheel is on your way there at Dunbeith just before the A9 to Thurse splits from the A99 to Wick

nice harbour with toilets or if you drive 100 yrds further passed the harbour there is a small slightly sloping carpark beside a picnic area.

Last time I was there I was totally blanked by a local quite a change from all the friendliness I had encountered previously on my trip

 

[Fisherman]

I will take a look on the way home on Sunday.
Sounds like one for the future cheers.