Benimar Owners Club Magazine

This issue is much smaller than usual. There are two main reasons for this :-

Firstly, I had intended to feature the new ‘van that Benimar were building; one for RDH to show at the NEC and one for Judy and myself. The result was a total cock-up as far as I am concerned and therefore there is no feature.

Secondly, I haven’t received much in the way of material. There are 2 letters, one from a non member and one from a member who is not renewing. Richard Hall (now an Associate member) sent in a joke and that is it !

Good job there are the minutes from last year’s AGM or it wouldn’t be worth issuing.

The Club is fast approaching it’s 4th birthday and also a bit of an upheaval.

I am standing down as Chairman, Magazine Editor and Press Secretary at the AGM.

I have explained the reasons behind this rather sudden decision elsewhere in the magazine (see Chairman’s Chat on page 11),

So, for the Club to continue we will need to find a new Chairman, a new Magazine Editor and a new Press Officer.

I have already spoken to Roy Gill regarding the Chairmanship and he is willing to undertake this task (unless anyone else is keen to do it).

Next the Magazine Editor. This post is vital in a Club like ours because of the geographic spread of our membership it is the only way all members are kept in touch. In my last editorial I asked for volunteers to edit or assist in the Winter issues. (This was quite unconnected to the current situation). Not surprisingly, I have not heard a single word in response.

For anyone who is tempted, let me say that, essentially, the magazine need only be a news letter with the diary dates, any rally reports and letters received and, once a year, the minutes of the AGM.

It needs to be posted to all members and issued at least 4 times a year. I will give the new editor all the help I can to get to grips with it.

So, if you wish the Club to continue, do consider if you can undertake this vital role. If you need any advice or information on what is at stake, just give me a ring or e-mail.

Colin Varley is now an associate member and therefore the position of Chief Marshal will also become vacant.

The post of Press Officer is of relative minor importance. I have undertaken this as an addition to the Editorship. It entails keeping the Club visible in the national motorhome press.

If you would like to volunteer for any of the above posts please write to me before the AGM.

The AGM will be held during the National Motorhome Show at Peterborough, at 2pm on Saturday April 23rd.

Carl Petersen

While not a member I thought that your members may find the following of use:-

I have just had the 230V heater element fitted by an approved workshop to the existing truma gas fire in my X reg Anthus SL.

When I went to pick up the van I was presented with a very charred and blackened section of the truma corrugated metal/paper pipe that is fitted to the exhaust side of the fire. The workshop had discovered that the gas fire was placed directly onto the van floor and this also was charred and blackened and fitted a metal plate to prevent it happening again.

We have experienced no obvious smell of burning over the three years we have owned the van and it is serviced each year.

Dear Ron,

We are sadly not renewing our BOC membership this year as we have joined the Burstner Owners Club and booked 3 rallies with them. We did consider staying with you as we have enjoyed the few rallies we have joined or gate crashed (!) and have been made very welcome. Belonging to two clubs would be spreading ourselves even more thinly as we are not active ralliers

Also sadly because we consider that RDH are one the best motorhome dealers we have ever dealt with being highly professional in all respects.
We are now proud owners of a Burstner Delfin and would advise anyone to test drive a three litre Renault Master before changing vans.
We still have a one piece mattress for a Europe ST (blue cover) and would accept offers if any one is interested as we need the space !
Hope we will see you on the road or perhaps at a show.

Telephone 01482 868953

IN ATTENDANCE: Ron Smith, Judy Smith, Geoff Follows, Edna Follows, Colin Varley, Francesca Varley, Moya Warner, David Warner, Pip Rowe, Vic Paine, Carol Smeaton, Paul Smeaton, Julia Tinsley, Alex Waugh, Gerald Dickerson, Jill Dickerson, Carole Marston, John Marston, Anne Mitchell, Ken Mitchell, Barb Jones, Mel Jones, Terry Gordon, Val Gordon, Bernard Marshall, Jean Marshall, Beryl Peer, Dennis Peer, Nichol Thomson, Lorna Thomson, Roy Gill, Sylvia Gill, George Pennington, Mary Pennington, Ian Tilley, Sylvia Tilley, Peter Jennings, Vi Jennings, Chris Anderson, Richard Hall, Agnes Johnston, Ian Johnston, Alan Williams, Jo Williams, Nobby Bennett, Anne Bennett, Ann Pool, Brian Swanson, Mary Adams, George Adams, Philip Bradbeer, Jean Bradbeer, Bruce Lawson, Janet Lawson, Mavis Baldwin, Brian Baldwin, Graham Baines, Chris Baines, Keith House, Gloria House, Dave Hill, Evelyn Hill, Dave Reader, Joan Reader and Honorary President Steve Reynolds (RDH).

The Chairman, Mr Ron Smith, opened the meeting at 2.10 pm, welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending.

1. Apologies for absence had been received from Roger and Helen Foster, Geoff and Jane Perry, Mike Rondel and Ruth Sangan, Terry and Sheila Sweet, Malcolm and Sarah Shillabeer, Peter and Joy Wilson, Jean and John Porter, Ray and Carol Beach, Dennis and Rita Wells.

2. The minutes of the 2nd AGM, which was held on the 26^th April 2003, were taken as read and signed by the Chairman.

3. Matters arising. With regard to the wiring diagrams none have been forthcoming up to now and unlikely to be available as there are so many variations, each ‘van being built individually

This report is essentially for the calendar year 2003, being the Club Year, although I’ll mention a few things from this year.

Overall 2003 has been a mixed year.

Membership has continued to rise, offset by the number of non-renewals, but the number of members contributing to the Club does not seem to have increased.

As from the start of 2004 we are all individual members of ACCEO. Besides supporting the organisation, which represents clubs such as ours, there are discounts on offer and the chance to partake on other associated club rallies.

On the plus side there was

A Spanish Rally in March which incorporated a visit to the Benimar factory.

A French Rally in September with a week in the Pyrenees followed by a week in Argeles sur Mer.

There was good attendance at the Outdoor Show Rallies of Peterborough, Lincoln and York.

The Eden Camp, Cirencester, and the Eastbourne Airshow Rallies were all excellent but poorly supported. These 3 were the only UK ones we managed to organise ourselves.

On the minus side we had to cancel intended Show Rallies at Shepton Mallet, Newbury, and Great Driffield. No other Club Meets were offered. This trend seems to be continuing this year. We have already had to cancel Shepton Mallet in January, Great Driffield in March and Newbury in May, due to lack of volunteer marshals. Eden Camp was much better supported with 12 ‘vans and such a success that Paul and Carol have been persuaded to do more. Colin and Frances have kindly volunteered to marshal at the Stratford Show 18-20 June 2004.

The Worst Postcard Competition attracted 13 entries. Not bad for a start-but hopefully we can do much better this year. I have received 2 so far.

The website is now well established with over 5000 hits and much use of the Benichat forum page.

RDH is celebrating 20 years in business (Reynolds Driver Hire - it was much later on when Steve branched out, quite by accident, into Motorhome hire and later Benimar Motorhome Sales). He has now added Chausson Motorhomes to his empire. To celebrate 20 years, RDH is promoting various activities over a 20-week period starting now. There will be an Open Weekend at the Beeston Emporium on 24^th/25^th July with a band and BBQ on both days. There will be an informal gathering in a CL campsite rally field about 8 miles from Beeston with a shuttle bus service to and from RDH. Further details will appear in the next Magazine and on the Website.

Finally I would like to express my thanks

To RDH for their continued support, including magazine colour pages, Meeting room for the AGM and wine for the BBQ.

To the committee members and auditors for giving up their time and working hard to ensure the club survives and indeed progresses.

To Pip Rowe for her excellent job as Treasurer.

To Vic Paine for an excellent website.

To Jane Perry for her excellent job as Membership Secretary and sorting out ACCEO.

To Judy for her long suffering support.

To all those members who have marshalled or helped on rallies and those who have contributed to the Website.

Ms Pip Rowe reported that the 3rd year’s Income was £2529.64. Expenditure was £1410.31 leaving an excess of £1119.33. (£3 of each £10 club membership sub has been forwarded to ACCEO which has cut down the income from membership subs by approx £450.) Ms Rowe thanked the Auditors Gerald Dickerson and Geoff Perry and Jane Perry for banking the money. The accounts were proposed by Frances Varley and passed unanimously by the members.

Jane Perry apologised for being unable to attend the AGM and asked the Chairman to report the following on her behalf. The year ended with 143 ‘vans (283) members. 56 new ‘vans throughout 2003.

There were 33 non renewals (i.e. 2002 members not renewing for 2003).

Currently there are

149 ‘vans in the club

57 new ‘vans since 31/3/2003

37 non renewals.

7. MAGAZINE EDITOR’S REPORT/PRESS OFFICER

Ron Smith reported there had been 4 issues of the magazine during 2003.

End of March - first colour cover and centre - 24 pages

End of June - colour cover and centre - 24 pages

End of August - colour cover and centre - 24 pages

End of December - colour cover and centre - 20 pages

(End of March 2004 - no colour - only 16 pages)

Ron thanked RDH for contributing to the high cost of colour printing, and hoped their support will continue. However if he does not receive sufficient content he will not go to the expense of colour. So, if we would like a decent sized magazine with some colour content, then it is up to us to supply him with the articles and pictures (e-mail preferred as it saves a lot of typing) but snail mail is acceptable.

Ron said he couldn’t believe that most of us have nothing that is of interest to other members. Remember the Club is all about sharing experiences (good and bad).

The Handbook (Issue 4) and list of Registration Numbers and Members Phone Numbers was issued with the June Magazine. There will be a similar re-issue with the next Magazine. If you have changed your registration number, address, e-mail, or gender, be sure to let Jane Perry (or Ron) know.

He ended on an upbeat note as he has already received more contributions for the next issue than for the last one.

Once again Roy thanked Ron for his help and guidance over the past year plus his co-operation in distributing information regarding the rallies.

This year, as last year, some rallies have not taken place at the major events due to the lack of persons wishing to marshal these events.

For those who have marshalled events in the past year, many thanks from the members for a job well done.

If any member wishes to show people the area in which they live and there is a spot where a rally can be held, please contact Ron, who has all the details of requirements or refer to the Benimar Owners Club handbook page 8. If you do decide to organise a rally please give Ron plenty of notice then there is a chance to publicise the event in the newsletter.

Marshals are still required for Shepton Mallet - September.

A brief discussion then ensued re marshal duties when it was suggested that members might be put off

at the thought of organising BBQ’s quizzes, coffee mornings, etc. It was pointed out that the basic Marshal duties are all that is needed and BBQ’s etc are purely optional and Marshals should do whatever they feel comfortable with.

A question then arose re 3^rd party liability cover for non-members/general public who may be injured by Club events. It was suggested that ACCEO may cover this but Ron said he would look into this aspect of the insurance. It was pointed out that Marshals should take reasonable care to see Campers know of any hazards on the site.

9.1 To replace paragraph 3(c) of the constitution to read, "The annual subscription shall become due on the 1^st January each year. Members are encouraged to pay his/her subscription from the 30^th of September. Any member not paying his/her subscription by the 31^st December shall be considered to have resigned from the Club and shall forfeit all rights and privileges.

Proposer Paul Smeaton

Seconder Richard Hall

Voting Unanimous

9.2 To amend paragraph 3 (b) of the constitution to read ...... ‘together with the annual subscription and joining fee submit it to the Membership Secretary.’

Proposer Gerald Dickerson

Seconder Keith House

Voting Unanimous

10. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

CHAIRMAN: Ron Smith             Keith House, Nobby Bennett                            Unan.

SECRETARY: Chris Baines       Vi Jennings, Geoff Follows                               Unan.

MEM. SECRETARY: Jane Perry                                                                               Unan

TREASURER: Pip Rowe                                                                                            Unan.

MAGAZINE EDIT /PRESS SEC: Ron Smith                                                            Unan.

EVENTS CO-ORDINATOR: Roy Gill                                                                         Unan.

CHIEF MARSHAL: Colin Varley                                                                                 Unan.

Non Committee Members

AUDITORS: Geoff Perry              Bernard Marshall, Paul Smeaton                        Unan

Alex Waugh inquired if the RDH service van was to be installed in the future. Steve Reynolds replied that an ex Brownhills fitter, with 15years experience, has now been employed and would be attending the next major Shows. Keith House asked for Benimar roof weight loading figures and the building spec. on panels etc. Steve said he would look into it and advise. Ron had asked re roof loading on a visit to the Benimar factory and found that the roof was designed for 2 people to stand on it but not on Luton or Aereo tops. The Benimar factory will not sell spares but will help in an emergency. The nearest agents are at Barcelona or Elche.

RDH has kindly offered to pay for the room for next years AGM as the price has risen considerably.

Steve Reynolds remarked that last night after leaving the BBQ he drove past our Club area and realised what a happy bunch we were compared to the other Clubs. He went on to say that 15 years ago he had 5 trucks, then 7 years ago he approached Peter Geensen of Benimar with a view to importing Benimar motorhomes. After much persuasion he was told if you sell 10 in a year you will have done well. That year RDH sold 100 now there are 800 in UK. Steve concluded by saying "we know we are not perfect, but thanks to your commitment, we will try our best for you."

The next meeting will be held at the National Motorhome Show, Peterborough, on 23^rd April 2005.

The meeting closed at 3.27pm.

Chris Baines

Long Eaton Running Club’s Rod Harris finished third in the Charnwood Hills Race in Leicestershire --------seven minutes off his course best.

He finished in one hour twenty minutes over the 12.5 mile course which covers some 1200 foot of climbs over Bradgate Park, Broombriggs and Beacon Hill.

The above was sent in by Jeff Radford.

An elderly man in Florida had owned a large farm for several years. He had a large pond in the back, fixed up nice; picnic tables, horseshoe courts, and some apple and peach trees. The pond was properly shaped and fixed up for swimming when it was built.

One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over. He grabbed a five gallon bucket to bring back some fruit.

As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee. As he came closer he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his pond. He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end.

One of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!"

The old man frowned, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or make you get out of the pond naked." Holding the bucket up he said, "I'm here to feed the alligator."

Moral: Old men can still think fast.

Thanks to Richard Hall for the above

SEREN Y MOR

I had a letter from Dawn Rogers, who lives in Pembrokeshire, to tell me that she is applying to Pembrokeshire County Council for planning permission for a purpose built Motorhome Stopover / Aire de Service.

Dawn and her family are keen Motorhomers and have enjoyed the Aire de Service facilities on offer abroad. She hopes to start one of her own.

I have written her a letter of support, which may help her application. I will keep you posted of any developments.

John & Miriam Hopkinson of Matlock
James & Carol Fox of Harwich
Stephen & Leena Warnes of Sheffield
Keith & Pat Broughton of Melbourne
Martin & Trisha Panter of Long Eaton
Peter & Betty Fisher of Colwyn Bay
Maurice & Carolin Rayner of Bude
Peter & Linda Bains of Little Eversden

There are about 50 members who have not renewed from last year.

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT

As I stated in the Editorial I am standing down as Chairman, Magazine Editor and Press Secretary at the forthcoming AGM. The reason for this is that I am no longer a Benimar Owner and therefore not eligible to be a full member of the Club.

As you may already know Judy and I were expecting to change our Benimar for a new one built to our design, as described in the last issue of the magazine.

Steve Reynolds also ordered one almost identical, to exhibit at the NEC Show in mid February. The plan was to build them together at the factory.

We had a meeting with Benimar on 18th October last year where the design was discussed and agreed. Since that time we (and RDH) heard nothing from Benimar until they said that the first one (RDH’s) would be ready on 9th February.

It landed in the UK on 11th whereupon Steve informed us that it had arrived and invited us over to view it. He also told us that, for some unknown reason, it had arrived without one of the main features - the raising/lowering rear bed. He was a little noncommittal when I asked about the rest of the van, and said "Come and have a look and see for yourself".

We travelled over to Beeston and were horrified with what Benimar had done.

The main design features were to be :-

1. Rear bed that could be raised and lowered.

2. Linear kitchen and a long settee.

3. Double floor with water tanks installed and locker access

4. TV points at the foot of the rear bed and on the end of kitchen worktop.

Not one of these agreed design features were present.

1. The rear bed was fixed, just as in the CCX model. 2. The kitchen was a large L shape which destroyed the spacious feel to the plan and the settee was much shorter.

3. There was a double floor but the fresh water tank was under the settee (as usual) and the waste tank slung underneath. There was only one access locker to the double floor area rendering most of the space unusable and also totally inaccessible with regards getting to pipe work and wiring. This access door also meant that if you put anything under the settee it would drop down and block the access to the between-floor area.

4. Neither of the 2 TV points had been installed, instead the normal ugly high cupboard was there. The TV point in the rear bed area was to be in a row of 3 cupboards. This wasn’t there either.

We couldn’t believe that they had done this, without a word of explanation or warning, just to supply a ‘van that was nothing like we had agreed 4 months earlier.

Steve was not surprised that we said that we did not want to precede with our ‘van. Even if Benimar had said they would include all the original design features, we no longer felt that we could trust them.

Judy and I had been eagerly anticipating our new Benimar. Although we have been extremely happy with our (now) 5 year old Europe 6000ST we had decided decided that now was the time to change, and changing to a Benimar built to our design was fantastic, too good to be true it turned out.

We agonised over what to do. We wanted to change but if we didn’t have a Benimar, would the club survive?

In the end we decided to buy a Compass Castaway RG at the NEC. This model is the nearest we have seen to what we want (within a sensible price range).

We will continue to be Associate Members of the Club. We would hate to loose contact with the many friends we have made within the Club.

I would like to thank Steve Reynolds for believing in our design and giving us the opportunity, what a pity Benimar cocked it all up.

DIARY DATES

2005

April 22 - 24                 Peterborough

National Motorhome Show
Club AGM and 4th birthday on the Saturday.
RDH Service Van in attendance
Marshals - Colin & Frances Varley
Book using MMM form or on-line

May 13 -15                            Newbury

Southern Motorcaravan Show
Marshals _ Ray & Carol Beech
Book using MMM form or on_line

Early June              S W France

Due to the unavailability of the site this has had to be cancelled.

July 8-15                   Northumberland

Alnwick Rugby Club
Marshals - Anne & Ken Mitchell
AII hard standings. Access to Toilets etc, but no hook-ups. £4 per night Mon-Fri, otherwise £6 pn.

July 15 -17                      Lincoln Show

Midsummer Music Festival
Marshals - urgently required otherwise the rally will be cancelled
Book using MMM form or on-line.

July 23                 RDH Open Day

August 5 - 7              Sussex

Another one of Pip's famous Sussex Rallies, No details yet.

August 12 - 14 Malvern

Western Motorhome Show
Marhals - urgently required
Book using MMM form or on-line.

Sept 16 - 18 York

Great Northern Motorcaravan Show
Marshals - urgently required
Book using MM form or on-line

Oct 7-9 Eden Camp

North of York
Another super rally in prospect at the WW2 museum.
Marshals - Paul & Carol Smeaton

If you know of a suitable venue for a club rally (the handbook tells you what is expected) and are willing to marshal get in touch with the Event Co-ordinator, Roy Gill, to fit it in the schedule.

Roy Gill

I1 see from The Compass Owners Club, which is only slightly bigger than the BOC, that their rally calendar for 2005 consists of 28 rallies, all of them marshalled.
They are well on the way to sorting out 2006, including a 2 week rally in France.

It makes our attempt look a bit pathetic, don't you think?
Ron Smith