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Gazebos

MaxHeadroom replied on 15/06/2017 20:32

MaxHeadroom profile picture Member

MaxHeadroom

Caravanner from Cheshire

Posted on 15/06/2017 20:32

Hi all,

        We recently enjoyed another stay at the lovely Coniston Park Coppice club site. The weather, on the whole, was lovely and the grounds and facilities up to there usual high standard. Unfortunately, as happens in the lakes, it rained some of the time. One such occasion was early evening after cooking on the cadac outside so, as we had a nice secluded corner location with our friends (and their caravan), we thought we'd make the best of it and put up a small gazebo so we could still enjoy the great outdoors while it rained.

         The next day whilst the warden was on his rounds he asked us to remove the gazebo as they weren't allowed under the rules. He was polite and courteous about it and we duly obliged albeit somewhat confused as all we wanted to do was to enjoy outdoor living - which caravanning is all about!

       I agree that wild parties and noise should not be encouraged/allowed but a gazebo (after all it's just an umbrella with four legs) I would have thought should be permitted in order to keep dry and enjoy the great outdoors.

Was this an over zealous decision by the warden or is it really a big no no?

Regards,

Andy.

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justjn replied on 01/11/2017 14:47

justjn profile picture Member

justjn

Posted on 01/11/2017 14:47

we had our motorhome damaged by a gazebo/shelter on a  rally.  It was the marshallers equipment. It remains to be seen how this goes with regards to insurance which by the way happens to be with the caravan club.

DSB replied on 01/11/2017 15:21

DSB profile picture Moderator

DSB

Caravanner from Staffordshire

Posted on 01/11/2017 15:21

I'm not a fan of gazebos, mainly for the reasons stated.  With a strong gust of wind it is possible for it to take flight and could subsequently cause damage.  I think windbrakes are also prone to collapse under strong gusts, but probably less prone to 'travel' - gazebos have a roof which can have more of a balloon effect.

We've stopped using parasols too (the sort that go in the middle of a table or into sand on a beach).  We once experienced a mass flight of parasols some years ago on a beach in France which could very well have caused personal injury - I certainly wouldn't leave one up unattended.  I'm neurotic enough about the awning, and that usually has the sides in and is attached to the caravan, so is less subject to a balloon effect and less likely to travel.

Personally, If I was using a gazebo, I'd take I'd down immediately after use.

David 

Tigi replied on 05/10/2020 19:34

Tigi profile picture Member

Tigi
Posted on 16/06/2017 18:08 by TomSue

Oh dear, what a shame you couldn't enjoy it. We've been on sites where people had gazebos. And you are probably members who keep all the rules. We thought the new image of the new club this year was for members to enjoy the outdoors and to feel the spirit of adventure. We are presently on a beautiful site in France and are certainly feeling the sense of adventure and freedom here. A lovely welcome when we arrived and no list of rules and threats of having to move if we were to pitch cms away from the peg. In fact a huge pitch and you can park on it anywhere you like. It took us ages to decide where to pitch, we're so accustomed to parking on the peg! The toilet blocks never close and they are very clean.Although we think rules are necessary, the club seems to be stifling the sense of adventure & freedom. What a shame! No list of rules here and yet it is tidy, not one piece of litter, very peaceful, everyone enjoying themselves while being mindful of others.

Posted on 05/10/2020 19:34

Ah well, case proven me lord, the peg removes all this having to make a decision. Trouble is one mans sense of adventure and freedom can be anothers pain in the a... some rules are not such a bad thing.

Alan R replied on 05/10/2020 19:56

Alan R profile picture Member

Alan R

Posted on 05/10/2020 19:56

To Add to the confusion.

Next year we are planning a family get together while out in the van. I was on the same site we will be on recently so took the opportunity to ask a member of the warden team if we would be allowed to put up a shelter behind our awning.

His clear answer was YES.
I do have enough common sense to 1, Peg it down well or 2, Take it down if very windy which knowing the site well would be a possibility.

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