Club events

First organised by The Caravan Club in 1954, the British Caravan Road Rally became a popular annual event on The Club’s calendar. Competitors were tested on night driving and navigation, manoeuvres, braking and speed during the course of a weekend, all with their caravan in tow! These items are part of a collection from the late Edgar Thorne who, along with his Austin A105 and Ensor Elect caravan, was a regular competitor at the events.

This pennant is a rare memento of the fourth British Caravan Road Rally competition held in Brighton, 1958.

This edition of The Caravan Club’s Magazine En Route features a bird’s eye view of The Clubs 60th anniversary National Rally. Held at the Royal residence of Sandringham, over 3,175 caravans were pitched at the event. Two weeks of solid rain before the anniversary rally made it memorable for the mud!

Rally plaques and pennants are a popular memento for National Rally attendees. The Caravan Club Collection contains an extensive selection of plaques and pennants commemorating these popular events.

Held at the Grosvenor House, The Caravan Club’s annual dinner and dance in 1957 was a special occasion to celebrate 50 years since the Club’s formation.

Fellowship pennants were first introduced in 1949 in a scheme to recognise members who were active participants of Club rallies. Fellowship was awarded to Caravan Club members who attended four or more meets (rallies) in a year.

The venue for The Caravan Club's annual dinner and dance was the Café Monico, Piccadilly Circus, until its destruction during the World War Two bombings. The cover illustration shows an example of the original Club pennant hanging from the Café and a selection of horse-drawn caravans in the foreground.

Menu card for The Club’s Annual Dinner held at the Café Monico, Piccadilly Circus. The image shows fictional stone-age caravanners, a reference to the name of Club founder J. Harris Stone.

Club members prepare their cars and caravans for the Concours D’Elegance section of the British Caravan Road Rally competition. During the Concours caravans assembled at Brighton seafront to be judged for their appearance.

Onlookers at a British Caravan Road Rally watch a competitor complete the reversing section of the event.

Members gather at The Club’s Annual Dinner held at the Café Monico, Piccadilly Circus, in 1930. Guests include the Chairman Lord Ailesbury (standing), Club founder J. Harris Stone (far left corner) and Ottoline, the daughter of Dr William Gordon Stables.