Caravan Club Centres
In 1935 The Caravan Club encouraged groups of 12 or more members
in a local area to join together and form a Centre. A year later
the first Centre, Northumberland & Durham was formed, closely
followed by the Yorkshire and South Western Centres.
Gradually more Centres developed as membership numbers
increased. Today, The Caravan Club has 70 Centres throughout the UK
and Ireland. The Caravan Club Collection holds a variety of
memorabilia relating to Caravan Club regional Centre
activities.
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London Centre anniversary pennant, 1958London Centre anniversary pennant, 1958
The London Centre was originally formed in 1937 and split into North and South in 1945 following a rapid growth in members. In 1958 the two London-based Centres reunited for a rally to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the original London Centre formation. This unusual pennant representing the London skyline was produced for the event.
Centre ceramics, 1960sCentre ceramics, 1960s
This decorative ceramic tea set was probably produced to commemorate the split of the Sussex Centre into North and South in 1968. The set includes the South Sussex Centre logo.
Centre Rally programmes, 1950s - 1980sCentre Rally programmes, 1950s - 1980s
Caravan Club Centres organise an extensive programme of rallies for members to attend throughout the year. These programmes were issued as a point of information of forthcoming events for members.
Clockwise from top left: Sussex Centre, 1953; Upper Thames Centre, 1965; Midland Centre 25th Anniversary, 1962; East Dorset Centre, 1989 and West Warwickshire Centre, 1973.
Members supplement, 1950 Members supplement, 1950
First produced in 1949, The Caravan Club Members Supplement was issued regularly with a copy of The Caravan magazine to offer additional information to Club members. These Supplements contain extensive information about Centre activities. This example from 1950 lists the attendees of various rallies.
Somerset & Bristol Centre Dinner & DanceSomerset & Bristol Centre Dinner & Dance
Members of The Caravan Club’s Somerset and Bristol Centre enjoy their 11th annual dinner and dance. The event was held at The Berkeley Café, Bristol on Saturday 21st November 1959 where a menu of kidney soup, roast chicken and peach ice cream pudding preceded an evening of dancing.
Home Counties North & Essex Centre albumHome Counties North & Essex Centre album
This fascinating album contains photographs of rallies enjoyed by Home Counties North Centre members, and later the Essex Centre following its formation in 1951.
Featured in the bottom right is the Essex Centre’s tea party at the 1961 National Rally held at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire.
South London Centre Outfits in Brighton, 1954 South London Centre Outfits in Brighton, 1954
A Ford Zephyr Six and Bailey Maestro caravan outfit take the lead as members of the South London Centre are escorted through Brighton towards the Sheepcote Valley Site.