Should site owners do more to stop caravanners 'herding' on campsites?
- Thursday, 14 February 2008
- 3 Comments
NO SAYS JAKE PARKER
I don't think this actually happens. I've been caravanning for over 30 years and have made a large number of caravanning friends over those years and when we get together on a site, whilst we obviously try to locate orselves close to one another, we also maintain the correct distance between out vans, specified by the two major clubs.
We certainly don't need to be told to keep our distance.
I can't remember even seeing two vans pitched too close together. Even if this did happen I think people in charge would step in anyway because they would be held responsible if there was a fire or another emergency.
I mean, when did you last hear of a van catching fire as a result of being too close to the van that was on fire next to it?
YES SAYS RAYMOND TAYLOR
Psychiatrists tell us that the herding instinct is a strong motivator - and there's no better place to see proof of it in action than on a campsite that doesn't have marked pitches.
As soon as a van pulls up in a quiet spot you can bet, before the day is out, there will be two more tucked up tight either side while the rest of the field is still half-empty.
Campsite owners could do more to discourage herding. I don't want them to impose the regimentation of marked pitches, but they ought to try lateral thinking. Perhaps they could place a few notices around the site, have a quiet word with those who begin to set up alongside another van - or even issue, to those who want it, a small board to place near the van requesting newcomers to respect their solitude if space permits.
Reader comments
Add your commentsFebruary 18 11:15
gordon jones
I have never been on a site where we were "herded" together. The vast majority of site managers and wardens, are most stringent about respecting another camper's space. The only exception was a private site, where we were invited to park 'where you can find a pitch'. A few had parked in close proximity to friends, with no thought of safety (fire etc) or respect for others. That is only once in the last 20 years. So I don't think it is a problem.
March 30 18:44
Chris Goodman
As always it is just the thoughtless, selfish minority who try to "bunch" with scant regard for safety spacing and no regard to the privacy of their neighbouring outfits. I was faced with an irate female who attempted to pitch next to her friends but as her electric connecting lead was not long enough she pitched right by the front offside corner of my van - I could not fully open my side window!! - and her lead was pulled taut.
A polite request to move further away was ignored and only when I threatened to call the site owner and make a formal complaint did she move safely distant from me.
Never a year passes without me observing bunching with no regard to safety or privacy of others.
I strongly feel that owners/managers should be required to mark out pitch boundaries and direct such badly pitched units to move.
March 30 18:45
Chris Goodman
As always it is just the thoughtless, selfish minority who try to "bunch" with scant regard for safety spacing and no regard to the privacy of their neighbouring outfits. I was faced with an irate female who attempted to pitch next to her friends but as her electric connecting lead was not long enough she pitched right by the front offside corner of my van - I could not fully open my side window!! - and her lead was pulled taut.
A polite request to move further away was ignored and only when I threatened to call the site owner and make a formal complaint did she move safely distant from me.
Never a year passes without me observing bunching with no regard to safety or privacy of others.
I strongly feel that owners/managers should be required to mark out pitch boundaries and direct such badly pitched units to move.