The early days
This gallery shows some of the memorabilia taken from the very
beginning of The Club. These articles are some of the oldest in the
collection and included is The Club's prospectus and application
form from its very first year.
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Club Prospectus and Application Form, 1907 Club Prospectus and Application Form, 1907
This is the earliest known example of a Caravan Club members’ prospectus and application form. Included is an area to supply a reference of good character, a requirement of joining The Club in the early days.
Newspaper article, 1910Newspaper article, 1910
The Cult of the Open Air article from The Daily Graphic features an early Club meet (rally) held at Cane Hill, Coulsdon. Featured at the bottom is an early example of a motorhome.
The Caravan Song, 1910The Caravan Song, 1910
The Calling of the Road became the official song of The Caravan Club in 1910. The words were written by founder of The Club, J. Harris Stone and the tune was composed and sung by a Miss Dorothy Grierson.
Insurance Service leaflet, 1912Insurance Service leaflet, 1912
An insurance service was first introduced to Caravan Club members in 1912 and supplied by the British Crown Assurance Corporation Ltd. The service not only offered cover for the caravan, it also insured against the fatality of a towing horse! The annual premium for such cover cost £1 and 15 shillings.
Caravan Club Pennant, 1910Caravan Club Pennant, 1910
This design for the original Club pennant was created by competition winner, a Miss Whistler of Bridgwater. The ‘V’ was originally a horseshoe but was changed due to forward thinking that motor vehicles would soon replace the towing horse. Ironically, the horseshoe was reintroduced to The Club’s logo in the 1930s and its presence still remains today.
Permanent pitch notice, 1914Permanent pitch notice, 1914
Manor Farm, Highgate, was The Caravan Club’s first permanent pitch for which they paid five pounds a year in rent. Services provided for visitors to the pitch included stabling and fodder for horses and fresh dairy produce from the farm.
Membership receipt, 1918 Membership receipt, 1918
This early receipt of membership shows the entrance fee at 15 shillings and six pence. The receipt was also signed personally by Club founder J. Harris Stone.
Horse drawn caravan, 1900s Horse drawn caravan, 1900s
This early horse-drawn caravan is believed have been owned by a Mr Craufurd who joined The Caravan Club in 1918. Notice the bicycle stored at the rear of the caravan.
Caravan Club New Forest meet, 1914 Caravan Club New Forest meet, 1914
The Fowler family relax outside their horse-drawn caravan at The Club’s New Forest Meet in Cadnam, held between May 30th and June 8th 1914.
Caravan Club New Forest meet, 1914Caravan Club New Forest meet, 1914
Club members stock up on provisions from the mobile grocer at the New Forest Meet in Cadnam.
Caravan Club New Forest meet, 1914 Caravan Club New Forest meet, 1914
Club founder J. Harris Stone, hands out mail to members from his caravan doorway at The Club’s New Forest Meet in Cadnam.
The first Club meet, Ockham, 1908 The first Club meet, Ockham, 1908
A scene from The Club’s first ever meet (rally), which was held in a field opposite the Hautboy Hotel at Ockham, Surrey, in May 1908.