Groundsheets

Its the large muddy patches that I object to not the small areas damaged by wheels etc. It is rare these will be blocked from light by the next van to use the pitch and they recover far quicker than the awning spaces. There is one solution, make more grass pitches non awning which might also result in a site being able to  increase pitch numbers.. With the increase in motorhome use, most not using awnings, sites like Godrevy would greatly benefit from such a policy..

peedee

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Some pitches get so over used they are very unpleasant as the season goes on. I presume on some sites they don't get taken out of action? We've had to go on mud on occasions, not a good experience and not one to be repeated if it can be avoided. Seacroft, Incleboro and others come to mind.

Over use kills the grass and it can take more than a year to recover. You can see the damage if visiting these sites at the start of the season.

On all grass sites in popular areas there must be pressure to keep pitches open. 

We use a Kampa breathable groundsheet its very lightweight and never damages the grass even after 2 weeks when lifted the grass is only very slightly discoloured no mud and the groundsheet stays clean how it does it I dont know, we've used it for a few years now without problems before we had a supposed breathable that was a perforated rubber material but the grass grew through the holes.

On numerous all grass sites or those with large areas of grass it is possible at times ,,if site layout allows to adjust the pitches so that the areas of inconsiderate groundsheet use can be under the LVs of later users to give some chance of recovery, ,,otherwise it is a case of taking them  out of use and reducing the site capacity ,or the site staff getting more adverse remarks from disgruntled visitors when they bald areas are the only pitches available to them

 Morning

It does get frustrating when pitches are left in a poor state. Having worked at Godrevy Park  for four years, and other all grass sites it's a constant problem that's only getting worse. 

You always have rule 6b and 2d in your pocket. Maybe a subject to raise for the next operations forum in September. It's on my list.

JK

The Club’s grass pitches are under pressure nowadays with the amount of visitors, strict pitching protocols and the fact that there is little wriggle room in terms of spacing. Everyone is forced to pitch up in almost the same position, there’s often only hours between outfits, and the posts can hardly be moved to make sure spacing is maintained. Add in the dislike of many visitors to do without anything separating feet from grass, and it’s a balancing act the Club isn’t going to win easily. 

We used to stay a month on a grass pitch in Cornwall, all weathers. We used to move our van and awning at the end of week 2, usually rotating it 90 degrees. (No motor mover by the way, never owned one) Had little in way of a groundsheet inside awning, just something to step out onto at door. Every few days, we would move everything else heavy inside awning, so the grass didn’t sour underneath anything. We would leave the awning sides up in good weather to stop the skirts souring the grass. It still left the odd patches of marked grass, but nothing like the slimy mess we saw others leave behind at times. 

Grass pitches? Love them in good weather. My answer would be heavily discount a grass pitch if someone doesn’t put a groundsheet (of any kind) down. Charge them if they do. Make it £10 per night difference. (Overnight sleepers in awnings only pay for nights they sleep in awning, so occasional visitors accommodated)

Tents are different, they do need groundsheets, and most tents nowadays come with them sewn in. So don’t have “fixed” pitches on grass.🤷‍♀️

Knowing this Club and it’s Membership, the grass is more likely to be done away with totally, and horrible rubble like HS put down. Can’t have nature spoiling one’s “camping” experience.

You always have rule 6b and 2d in your pocket. Maybe a subject to raise for the next operations forum in September. It's on my list.

But 6b is obviously not followed by many and is 2d ever enforced?

peedee

I prefer grass but it is not always practical to pitch on it. It is a real shame some spoil it for others. I do have a breathable groundsheet but I mostly use it to cover those dusty bare patches more ofter encountered "over there" While the Club has a policy of increasing hardstandings, I hope we will never see all sites like car parks with all pitches hard standing.

I will be sorry to see the passing of the fredom to select pitch type on arrival. The new booking system will leave me little choice but to book hard standing when advance booking because the state of the weather will not be known much more than a week in advance.

peedee

We have a breathable ground sheet, well 'carpet' really, we use HS exclusively but it feels better to walk on.

The consensus appears to favour breathable grounds? But as Rocky says how would such a ruling be enforced.