About the Club

The Club

The Motor Caravanners’ Club was formed in 1960 by a group of like-minded enthusiasts who were unable to find an organisation catering for the needs of an ever increasing number of motor caravan owners. The Club remained loyal to those early expectations and now owners throughout the UK can benefit by being a member of a club run by volunteer Motor Caravanners’ solely for Motor Caravanners’.

How the Club works

The Club is a limited company, limited by guarantee, run by an honorary Council of Management (COM) they are volunteers elected by members from club members. The COM has a maximum of 15 members. COM members serve on committees responsible for recruitment, membership services including disabilities, marketing, finance, group liaison, administration and the National Rally. The chair persons of these committees together with the Club Chairman and Vice Chairman also form Disciplinary and Executive Committees.

In addition to these posts COM appoints a Company Secretary/Administrator and an Office Assistant, together they provide administrative services from the Club’s registered office at: “The Motor Caravanners’ Club Ltd”; Wood Farm Estate, Marlbank Road, Welland, Malvern, WR13 6NA. The office is open during normal business hours Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm; Friday 9am-2pm and can be contacted by phone on 01684 311 677 or e-mail info@themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk

The COM also appoints a Financial Officer to oversee all financial matters including the preparation of the Club’s statutory accounts for audit and presentation to the members at the AGM. There are also a number of other officers with specific skills who advise COM.

Joining the Club

Membership of the Club is only open to owners of motor caravans and comprises up to two named adults. Members are initially allocated to geographical Groups defined by their postcode and also have an option to join special interest Groups based on a particular hobby or interest. Transfers between Groups are available. Children and Grandchildren under the age of 18 are considered to be part of the member’s family. Subscriptions are payable annually from the date of joining and subscription payments can be made online, by direct debit or by phoning Head Office and using bank card. Additional adults are charged an appropriate fee when participating in rallies and other Club activities. Online joining facilities are available. The health care card can be obtained on line.

Disability Advisor

The COM relies on the services of its’ own Disabilities Advisor for guidance on Mobility matters, including advice on motor home adaptations for members. Conversions of motor caravans have increased considerably in recent years and such members have found the Club particularly suitable to their circumstances.

Associate Membership

Those members, who for whatever reason, are unable to continue to use their motor caravan but wish to stay in touch with friends, are able to change their membership to Associate Membership with an approval letter from their Group Secretary. They will also continue to receive their magazine and participate in rallies and social activities, but they will not be able to stay overnight in their own Motor Caravan under Associate Membership but can stay overnight in a friends unit, provided it is legal and safe to do so.

Groups

The Group Committees manage their own affairs, subject to the Constitution for Groups (CFG). As Group committees and the Council of Management (COM) are elected from ordinary members, these rules are in place to guide them in running the affairs of the Club and its Groups.

Groups committees organise regular rallies, usually over weekends and that includes

Christmas and the New Year as well as other Bank Holidays. You will find that most motorcaravanners’ use their ‘vans all year round Winter and Summer. They also organise holiday rallies with trips and entertainment. All these events are advertised in the monthly magazine.

For a high percentage of Club members’ Continental travel has always been popular. Going abroad is far easier as only one currency is used now in most countries. Touring advice can be found on the Website. Many Club members have a wealth of experience on a range of topics from travelling abroad and taking your pets with you and wintering in Spain and Portugal. The Club is a full member of the Federation of International Camping Clubs, FICC and also has a special Interest Group which has membership of the Federation of International Camping Motorhomes, FICM. The Club regularly participates in rallies organised by both bodies.

Camping Card International, CCI can be arranged for you from the office and remains at a cost of £6.00. Overseas Insurance can also be obtained, see the details in the Handbook. If your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is in date you can continue to use it. The NHS website has the latest advice and we would recommend that members take out their own personal health insurance if travelling abroad.

Sources of Information

“Motor Caravanner” is sent free to every member. The magazine, website and now facebook are some of the ways we can keep in touch and for the Club to talk to members and members to each other. The magazine contains comments from the Chairman and members on motorcaravanning matters, COM news, details of council decisions, news and information. We welcome letters, news and articles from members. Group News includes write ups on past and forthcoming events and rallies. Members’ vans and articles for sale are listed in the Members Bazaar. Major show reports and motor home tests also appear. We encourage dealers, converters and accessory providers to advertise their wares. The magazine also highlights Insignia and other special offers available to members. Names and contact details and telephone numbers of all Council of Management (COM) members and all of the Club officials appear in the magazine each month.

We have a dedicated webmaster and he is always willing to help, he has designed and built a comprehensive range of pages under the “useful links” area. Information can be found on most areas’ of motorcaravanning. The Club’s online shop is available at www. themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk. Most Groups have their own website. The Club officers and many of the supporting officers are available via e-mail or telephone, their contact details are published on the Clubs’ website and in the monthly magazine.

National Rally and Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Members’ Meeting is held at the National Rally, where members have the chance to air their views. Over the weekend the Groups Conference is held and gives representatives the chance to discuss matters relating to Group activities. Members throughout the UK gather for this one large rally around the late Spring Bank Holiday. This event is a mixture of renewing old friendships and making new ones. We also welcome trade stands including dealers and accessory suppliers together with a small provisions shop and fast food outlets. The event is so important that the National Rally Committee spend a whole year organising it. We have Live Entertainment each evening, Coach Trips to surrounding places, Homecraft; inter Group Quiz, Silent Auction and demonstrations over the duration of the rally.

Safety

Health and Safety is the responsibility of each individual. Ensure that the ‘van’ is regularly serviced and properly maintained. Gas, Water and Heating appliances should be checked by qualified technicians. Ensure that a simple safety routine is done each time you drive off or leave a site. Where a number of ‘vans are

gathered together consideration must be given to others whilst looking out for your own safety. The Club issues guidelines in The Constitution for Groups (CFG) for the parking of ‘vans’ at organised rallies. See the plan in the CFG, it tells you about the distance between ‘vans and access for emergency vehicles also distances for awnings and gazebos’. Pets, particularly dogs, must be kept on a lead at all times and exercised off site, or in a designated area. Owners must clear up any fouling. Site owners have their own Health and Safety policy and the COM act on advice from the Government Health and Safety Authority and will authorise any required alterations in rules and procedure regarding safety issues. If you intend to rally at a school venue never arrive before the start time, this could upset the local community when collecting children and they have nowhere to park. Early arrivals may invalidate the Club insurance.

Only use powder fire extinguishers on electrical fires and water should only be used on grass fires to stop them spreading between ‘vans. All ‘vans should be able to leave a site by forward motion without hindrance.

Guidelines within The Motor Caravanners’ Club Constitution for Groups and the Memorandum of Articles of Association make motorcaravanning as safe as possible. The latest and most up-to-date copies are available online.

Benefits of Membership

A Club run by Motor Caravanners’ solely for Motor Caravanners’. A Council of Management (COM) responsible to Club members. Committees used in specific areas. Specialist officers appointed to key roles on COM are available to members. Discounts are available on motor caravan insurance once you are a member. A range of Club insignia and products are available at competitive prices. Best price ferry crossings by booking direct once you are a member. Camping Card International can be purchased via the Club office. Visits and rallies available on the Continent and further afield. Member Discounts and Disability Discounts. Motor Home Friendly Parking all over the UK. Overseas Travel Advice is available on the website. Annual Handbook guide for CL’s, NS’s and Safe Knights within the UK. Extensive range of local, weekend and holiday rallies, all year round. Area Groups covering different parts of the UK. Casual Campsites. Special Interest Groups: Motor Cycle Group, SERG (Selected European Rallies Group)