Achieved News

Jenkinsons Caravan World will have some new features to come on line, it may take some time but hopefully it should be well worth the wait. Classic Caravans, that too is to be updated very soon with new “finds” that Andrew has recorded over the last year. Some will have interior shots where it has been possible to do this so adding more interest to this popular part of the web site. Visitors to this section have been keen to see more classic caravans, so hopefully Andrew will be providing enough to keep them satisfied.

Andrew Jenkinson is a name that’s going to become better known with both caravanners and within the caravan industry over the next 12 months. With exclusive caravan merchandise and a higher writing profile Andrew hopes to further strengthen his promoting of the caravan industry, something he has always had a passion for. So here is a message from Andrew himself

Jenkinsons Caravan World has now been up and running for nearly 2 years and has proved a successful web site. I intend to further strengthen this by adding more features-but it all takes time so please be patient. Thank you all again for those who visit it on a regular basis and also for those who have purchased books and cards. I hope you find my latest motorhome book as enjoyable as the caravan ones.

I would be pleased to hear comments about all my books, this helps me to plan future books. 2002 has been a great year for tourers and motorhome sales, and it looks like 2003 is going to be as good. Most dealers I have spoke to have reported good sales on both new and used. Shortages have arisen and it seems that any multi berth tourers are going to be in big demand as families come into caravanning-many for the first time which is excellent news. New tourers too have become scarce so for 2003 it’s a case of order early!

Ralph Lee MBE

Some sad news has come in the way of two of the caravan industries oldest pioneers. Firstly Ralph Lee MBE died in September, Ralph was a great caravanning pioneer in which he travelled abroad to all sorts of countries even before the Second World War. With his wife and two daughters Ralph covered thousands of miles and later became a firm favourite of owning Cheltenham caravans, in fact Pat Lee married the son of the founders Cecil Gardener. I was very lucky to meet Ralph on several occasions and spent time listening to his caravanning adventures. Ralph was very proud of his MBE and the fact that he had designed and built his own house and several caravans in the 30’s. Ralph will be missed and could be classed the grandfather of caravans as we know them today.

Sam Alper OBE

Another sad event a few weeks after Ralph was the death of Sam Alper, an industry legend. Sam Alper OBE was a real PR man for the caravan movement but also brought the hobby to the man on the street with his Sprites. Alper had begun building caravans in the late 40’s with his brother Henry. Henry decided to sell his half to Sam so he set about making caravans that everyone could afford. Dealers didn’t like his caravans, not because of the style or price, it was down to quality, how could you make a cheap caravan without it falling to bits a year later.

Sam decided to take his vans on endurance runs and made sure he wrote and photographed his trip. Sam soon won the dealers over and by the early 60’s he had taken over and merged with other caravan companies, forming the biggest caravan / motorhome manufacturing base in the world. Caravans International became a household name, as did Sam’s. He put professionalism into the industry and supported dealers to promote not just his own caravans but caravans in general. He left the industry in 1982 and concentrated on his vineyard and conference centre. Sam’s interest never went away from caravans and I was lucky enough to meet Sam and stop with his family. Sam will be missed, he was a true stalwart for the caravan industry and he helped to bring it forward to what it is today. Sam was articulate and had hobbies which included painting and being a sculptor-both he showed talent for. Sam Alper OBE won’t be forgotten.

To find more out about Sam Alper and his famous Sprite caravans read Andrews two caravan history books

Family archives reveal some early photos of caravans

Although my grandparents began caravanning in the early 50’s, I had not found any photos of those early caravans that they or my parents had. However after some detailed searching through the vast family photo collection (my father was keen along with my brother on photography) I found a few hidden gems! Not the best quality shots but at least an image of some sorts is captured. I know somewhere there could be some more shots, hopefully these will be found and will appear on the web site. I plan to have the ones found plus captions as to the year etc on line soon so please do watch this space!

Stop Press

David Hayes will be now taking on full responsibility in running and adding to Jenkinsons Caravan World. Park Media has done a fantastic job but due to other commitments and changes within that company, David Hayes has been taken on to maintenance of this website. We wish him well and I know David has some great ideas and plans to further strengthen Jenkinsons Caravan World.

David is keen on caravanning and runs the Knowsley & Dovedale caravan websites. So it will be a case of watch this space!!

Click on the images above to read about David collection of caravans and Mike's 50 year old Dovedale caravan, the only one we know of still in existence

I will be giving a run down on the top used tourers for both first-timers and experienced caravanners alike. Also new tourers will be featured along with buyer's tips. A used selling scheme for those with classic tourers who for a small fee will be able to sell then on Jenkinsons Caravan World. Another service will be answering questions on makes and models of the caravan world with a copy of the brochure (where able) sent to the enquiry, although a charge will have to take place for these services. 

More Andy's Classic Caravans will feature in the left to rot feature, plus more link ups. The Jenkinsons Caravan World shop is now on line where such items as classic caravan cards and postcards are now on sale, this range will shortly be expanded to include T-shirts of classic caravans on them. Finally a car / caravan window sticker of Jenkinsons Caravan World will be available, so watch out for those when your out and about.

In fact anything to do with caravans and motorhome info will be coming on-line too. Jenkinsons Caravan World is going to be on every caravanners internet website hit list. Most of the stuff on now is being transferred to an archives section should you want to check it out. Keep logging on and you will discover some changes are on the way.

Andrew Jenkinson

Caravan journalist/Author/consultant (historic)/Motorhome new/used tests/tourers new / used tests