Issue no 6
Mersea Island Holiday Park presents
February 2018
Park life
What’s happening at
This year is going to be an exciting one at Mersea Island Holiday Park and we have got exciting news to share with you about some new additions to the park. Thanks to a £70,000 by our owners Away Resorts, we have two holiday cottages available for guests to enjoy. The Oyster Cottages have always been on the park, but thanks to some refurbishment work, they are now available for visitors to stay in.
Mark Brightman General Manager
A very Happy New Year to you all! I Hope you had a great festive break and that 2018 has got off to great start.
Each cottage can accommodate up to six people, with two bedrooms and a sofa bed in the lounge. And the cottages both have their very own hot tubs. Along with the new cottages, Away Resorts has invested £100,000 tidying up the roads and doing some general park maintenance to make sure everything sparkles for 2018.
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How would you like to earn
thousan ds
of pounds simply by letting out your holiday home? Last year some of our owners earned up to £6,500 from their holiday homes – without having to do any hard work. We took care of it all for them, from marketing to handing over the keys and even the cleaning. We can do the same for you too. Just imagine what you could do with that money – help towards the annual running costs for your holiday home, treat yourself to something nice, maybe build up some savings for later on.
HOW OUR MANAGED LETTING SERVICE WORKS:
1. 2. 3.
Following the success of last years events, We’ve got some exciting events and parties planned this year, both park wide and exclusively for you as holiday home Owners, so have your diary ready! On top of these, to keep you in the loop with the new investment, we are hosting two exclusive events for you to meet our holiday homes sales team and have a chat about our 2018 plans accompanied by something delicious. On 3,4, 10 and 11 February, join us for some chocolates and fizz. 17, 18, 24 and 25 February we will be serving up a cream tea or two. So do make sure you pop in and have a chat, We would love to see you.
You sit back, relax and let us do all the hard work!
Don’t forget to bring in your membership cards to be renewed. For all of you that haven’t got any please bring in some pictures as soon as possible…while we have a great team returning year on year, some new team members wont know you and to avoid any confusions its easier to have your cards handy.
Gas With the cost of bottled gas escalating and the advantages of going onto piped gas we have made the decision to stop delivering bottled gas from the 1st March. Rest assured that we have kept the installation price at the competitive price of £110inc VAT. Contact Guest services to arrange for your Holiday Home to be connected before the 1st of March
Party Time The Owners welcome back party on the 17th March with a 70’, 80’s and 90’s theme will be awesome and a night not to be missed… With cabaret and a disco too. So grab your dancing shoes, wear your best flares and get your funk on.
All you need is your owners accoun t number handy
Welcome Explore & discover your away resorts
Don't forget you can download our Away Resorts App from the app store or google play store today. It's jam packed with handy features, like ordering a new gas bottle, booking activities and holding all your holiday home ownership documents.
sign in copyright © 2017 away resorts
Visit Guest Services to find out more and to help you decide if letting your holiday home with us is right for you
The pool will be open for the February half term to get you back into the ‘swim’ of things, then every day from the 30th March.
pp a r u o d a o l Dow n
A complete service from the people who know your holiday park Some holiday owners manage the lettings themselves, and that’s certainly an option. The down side is that you have the stress of being responsible for everything, from start to finish. We’ve deliberately designed our service so it takes care of everything. It means no worries for our owners and a perfect stay for your holiday guests.
Swimming Pool
Membership Cards
You decide the dates you wish to let your holiday home out. You decide how you would like your sublet money paid to you three times a year.
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events
On park
Easter Egg Hunt Sun 1 April
Hop along and join in the fun! The hunt begins at 11am, don’t forget your basket!
Colour Festival Sat 4 - Mon 6 August
Local
events
Out and about Mersea Food and Drink Festival Starts: 26 - 27 May 11am - 5pm Mersea The festival is a celebration of the food and drink for which the area is rightly proud and has often become famous for producing. Wander from stand to stand, chatting to the producers and sample their delicious wares! Free admission www.mersea-fdl-festival.com
Mersea Island Carnival (Date not available when going to press, but do check the website for further updates ) Usually held mid June, watch the streets of Mersea Island come to life with their carnival procession.
West Mersea The regatta is a must see event for the whole family, it has been running since 1883, with over 100 boats taking part, split over seven different races. Waterside Attractions include displays, stalls and entertainment in the car park as well as a grand fire work display at dusk!
This is a rare opportunity to visit Mersea Island’s most famous archaeological relic which is situated just up the East Mersea road as you come onto Mersea Island. It is a conspicuous mound on the left, thought to be a Roman burial barrow, dated 100-120 AD!
www.merseacarnival.co.uk Find out more about this interesting site on the Mersea Island Museum website: www.merseamuseum.org.uk/ mmbarrow.php
Sun 26 Aug The annual tradition that is the ‘Cream Pie Fight’ returns. Our largest gathering of guests, armed with cream pie plates, have the biggest, messiest fun fight of the year.
Halloween at Mersea Island more actioned packed than ever! With our spook-tacular schedule of Halloween activities and entertainment. It’s time to create some fang-tastic memories!
Fri 26 - Sun 28 Oct
There are some amazing off-park events happening around Mersea Island over the next few months.
Waldegraves Holiday and Leisure Park An exciting day for all ages, an annual Summer Show, held at the Waldegraves Holiday and Leisure Park is the biggest annual undertaking and one of the most popular activities of the Summer on Mersea Island. Attractions include Craft Stalls, Games a fun Dog Show and a transport display of classic cars and other vehicles. www.merseaislandlionsclub.com/ summer-show-news
Mersea Barrow Historic Open Days Up the East Mersea Road
Cream Pie Fight
Inspired by the famous Indian ’Holi Festival of Colours’, a programme of family events daytime centred around colour throwing powder. Cameras at the ready, this weekend is as fun to watch as it is to take part.
www.mersearegatta.org.uk/
Starts: 8 - 9 September
Bring the family down to sample some delicious local cuisine. Family and good times what more can you ask for?
Halloween Weekend
Starts: 11 August 11am - 5pm
Starts: 1 September 11am - 5pm
Sat 11 Aug
A lively colourful weekend featuring our brightest Saturday of 2018.
Mersea Island Lions Summer Show
West Mersea Town Regatta
Foodstock Festival
Colchester If you fancy travelling a little further a field than the beautiful scenery and breathtaking views that surround you, then the thriving town of Colchester, (situated 9 miles southeast of Mersea Island) promises to please. Recognised as Britain’s oldest town, with a wealth of historic architecture, there is always something more to explore. Here are a few days out that you should not miss:
Colchester Castle A must-see for anyone visiting the town for it’s history. A Norman keep built on the foundations of a Roman Temple destroyed by Boudicca, it now houses Colchester Castle Museum, home of many nationally important treasures. It is also an excellent starting point for discovering the many other historic sites around town. www.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/venues/ colchester-castle
Colchester Roman Circus Centre The Colchester Roman circus (chariot-racing arena) was discovered in 2005. It was built in the early 2nd century AD and seems to have been in use for about 150 years. It is the only known Roman circus in Britain. www.romancircus.co.uk
Firstsite Firstsite is the town’s contemporary art gallery, housed in an impressive golden building designed by awardwinning architect Rafael Viñoly. With regular exhibitions, a cafe, cinema screen, and children’s activities there is always something going on. It is conveniently situated next door to the smaller Minories Gallery, which has a busy programme of equally engaging exhibitions. www.firstsite.uk
Hot
Squeaky Clean Don’t forget, its still not too late to book your deep clean before we start to get really busy! Contact Rayleigh.donovan@awayresorts.co.uk or guest services on Mersea.island@ awayresorts.co.uk
owners events
A duck walks into a bar... Our Muddy Duck bar will be open everyday from the 30th March, however do not despair, it’s open every weekend from the 9th February (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Quack.
If you have a hot tub, we want you, your family and friends to use and enjoy your hot tub safely. It is important to be aware of the potential risks that can arise from hot tubs. Hot tubs are a recognised source of diseases caused by infections agents including the bacteria that causes legionnaires’ disease. There have been a number of outbreaks of Legionnaires’ diseases, including fatalities which have been linked to poorly designed and/or managed hot tubs. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by legionella bacteria infecting your lungs. It’s usually caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. This means that other park guests may be exposed to it even if they are not using your hot tub. The Health & Safety Executive Guidance (HSG282) ‘The control of legionella and other infectious agents in spa-pool systems’ explains how to manage and control the risks from legionella and other infectious agents. We expect you to maintain your hot tubs in a safe condition to ensure the safety of your family, your guests and others using the park. The complete guidance document may be downloaded free from the HSE website and we strongly advise you to do so. http://www.hse.gov.uk/ legionnaires/spa-pools.htm We also advise you to follow any other recommendations for the hot tub manufacturer and/or supplier. Please note if you are subletting your Holiday Home, you will be deemed to be undertaking a commercial operation and your legal responsibilities with regards to the management of hot tubs will be more stringent. This will include the completion of suitable and sufficient risk assessment and implementing a strict water testing regime and management procedures. When your hot tub is not in use, it must always be covered with a suitable and secured lid to prevent accidental access by unsupervised children and potential drowning. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sat 17th March Welcome Back Party 7pm - 11pm Join us a weekend of events all the a retro twist from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s!.
Private sublets If you sublet your holiday home privately, please remember the key handling and responsibilities lie with you, the owner, to look after. Any complaints need to be dealt with by you to advise your guests accordingly. Unfortunately, we have no knowledge of the booking or what is communicated with each guest. In all instances, a guest will be directed back to the owner.
Contact details Can we please remind our owners to pop into Guest Services when you are next on park to check your contact details with us. It might be that you have moved address, changed your telephone number or e-mail address over the winter and we need to know. Sometimes we need to get messages or updates out to you quickly either by a text message or e-mail, so it is important we have the right details on file so you don’t miss out on relevant park information.
Sat 12th May A Night at the Races 7.30pm - 11pm Put on your lucky pants and see if you’ve got what it takes to pick a winner?! Nibbles and drinks will be provided to get you into the spirit. Prizes to be won!
Sun 3rd J une Learn Something New 2pm - 4pm A chance to try your hand at something new. Please keep an eye out for further information.
Sat 23rd J une Fancy Dress Party Fairytale Creatures 7pm - 11pm It’s midsummer, the perfect time to let your inner magical creature come out to play. We’ll be enjoying a weird and wonderful fancy dress party with a whole host of fantastic fairytale characters, plus plenty of nibbles and drinks.
Sat 18th Aug Super Heroes and Villians Theme Party 7pm - 11pm Calling all superheroes, get here in a fl ash! It’s time to take a leaf from Rodney and Del Boy and dig our your trusty Batman & Robin outfits. WOW, POW, BAM!
Sat 18th Nov End of Season Party James Bond Theme 7pm - Late Come dressed to kill, whether as Bond himself, one of his arch enemies, or perhaps a gorgeous Bond girl. Whichever it is, prepare to kiss goodbye to a wonderful season with a party royale!
1,2,8,9,15 and 16th Dec Salt and Soup 12pm - 2pm Pop in for a chat over some warming soup and a nice crusty roll! We’ll also be offering FREE bowls of salt for you to place in your holiday home, as well as a smoke alarm battery. This is available to all owners who pop in and see us between 12pm-2pm
Drivers To keep the park safe for everybody, Please don’t forget that the speed on the Park is 10mph, and of course, the drink driving traffic rules still apply!
Use of images and Social Media A gentle reminder that use of any Away Resorts images or text from the website, social media or any other marketing source is copyright without permission. We kindly ask that no information belonging to Away Resorts is used without written agreement. We also ask that inappropriate language is not used on Social Media, any inappropriate posts will be removed.
Sat 28th J uly Pool Party with BBQ 6pm - 8pm Get your bathing suit ready, grab your nearest & dearest and come enjoy the pool party of the year. With a delicious BBQ, ice cold drinks and lots of fun and games.
Sat 15th Sept Music Legend theme night 7pm - 11pm Join us with a night celebrating a lineup of musical greats while dressed up in the most coolest and craziest fancy dress outfit you can think of.
We are already busy working on the 2019 events diary. If you have any ideas you would love us to consider, please get in touch via email to: holidayhomes@awayresorts.co.uk
To make a booking: For bookings please call Guest Services. All events are ticketed and on a strict first come first served basis so please book early.
Cancellations and locations: Please visit Guest Services for more details.
Our Investments Every year we’ve invested in our parks to give you the ultimate in holiday bliss!
Winter 2015 £0.5 Million
Winter 2016 £0.7 Million
Fancy £500, £750 or £1000 off your pitch fees?
Don’t keep it
a secret
A great many of the Holiday Home Owners here at Mersea Island have joined us because they were recommended to the park by their friends or family members. You can’t keep a good thing secret for long!
Love is… a holiday home! If you find yourself falling in love with Mersea Island and always counting down the minutes until your next visit, then you may also find yourself telling your nearest and dearest about it too. Whether you want to enjoy holidays with family or friends or you just want them to have as much fun as you do, don’t hide your light under a bushel. For a start, the bushel might spontaneously combust from your excitement. Secondly, it’s nice to share.
How about £1,000 in Pitch Fee Credits? Do we have a deal for you? You bet! If you recommend a friend who becomes a holiday home owner here at Mersea Island then you get some additional benefits. Not only can you enjoy holidays together, we will give you an account credit of £500 once they have taken over their holiday
home. The second person you refer will earn you £750 and the third is worth a whopping £1,000. Bring your friends and help save on your pitch fees. For referrals to escalate, all sales must be complete within a 12- month period.
Winter 2017 £0.2 Million
Total: £1.4 Million
Holiday homes for sale
Call us now
on 0120
6 38325
You could even have a new location on the park when you upgrade.
only £39,995
2018 ABI Summer Breeze -
only £52,995
All you have to do is complete an owner referral form and send it in to us and let us do the rest. Alternatively, you can bring them along or even call to make an appointment for them. Simple!
Brand new
2 Bedroom | 36ft x 12ft Fresh, elegant interior design Double glazing & Central Heating Sleeps up to six
2016 BK Sheraton MK7 -
How it works
2 and ask fo part ex r your change quote t oday
2 Bedroom | 39ft x 12ft Front opening doors Spacious, open-plan lounge Free standing three-piece suite One that must be viewed
No hard sell promise Yuck, don’t you hate a hard sell? We do too. It’s not our way. We think we have a great offering which doesn’t need a hard-ball pitch because you don’t need a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. We promise that we will treat your referrals with absolute respect and courtesy and that includes giving them the option to say ‘no thanks’. No pressure.
only £54,995
2018 ABI Bramshaw
Brand new
- 2 Bedroom | 38ft x 12ft - Exclusive to Away Resorts - Built-in Bluetooth surround sound system - Front patio doors - En-suite bathroom including a bath
only £99,995
2017 ABI TriBeca -
Purchase a holiday home between 5th January and 19th February 2018
Exclusive
to Away Resorts
2 Bedroom | 44ft x 14ft Freestanding roll top bath Separate family bathroom Be the envy of all your friends
and take your pick on one of
these fantastic offers 0 Finance %
1 year’s free insurance and 5 Free gas bottles^
20% off
any decking **
£1000
High street vouchers
only £149,950
2017 Willerby Pinehurst -
New model
2 Bedroom | 40ft x 20ft Luxury lodge with ample space Large, plush freestanding sofas. Vast amount of storage space.
*0% finance of up to a maximum of £25,000 over a maximum of 48 months. Only available on holiday homes purchased between 5th January – 19th February 2018. *Finance subject to status written details available on request. Away Resorts Ltd is a licensed credit broker authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. **Decking supplied by Away Resorts recommended supplier, subject to pitch alteration form being signed off. ^1 Years FREE Insurance with Leisuredays, gas bottle credit added to your account once you complete on your holiday home purchase. £1000 high street vouchers paid on completion.
Pop into the Holiday Home Sales Office to find out more | Open 7 days a week