Issue 2 - April 2001
In this Issue:- Editors Column Members' Letters Rally Reports Chairman's Chat Secretary's Report Dates for your Diary
EDITORS COLUMN
If you received the last (first ) issue you will see that the format of this issue of the Newsletter is different. This is because Cassie has suffered a family tragedy which is taking up almost all of her spare time. So you will have to put up with me being deputy temporary acting, assistant editor for this issue.
Our second rally at the Lincoln Music Festival went very well - see Mike Waterfield's account elsewhere.
The next 3 rallies all come together - Shepton on Sept 14/16, immediately followed by Brean Sands for 5 days and then York the following weekend. We have booked for Shepton and York but don’t yet know about Brean Sands. Hope to see you at one or more of them.
That's all for now, so keep on enjoying your Benimars and keep the letters, articles and adverts rolling in - remember it's your club and your newsletter.
PS Judy and I have just returned from a week in Scarborough, with 4 of our grand children - but don't worry I am sure that we will be better in time for Shepton! By the way, we bumped into Mick and Joyce Carter there, in their Aero 5000.
Ron Smith
Your Committee
Chairman & Events Co-ordinator Ron Smith
Secretary & Membership Secretary Celia Rustom
Newsletter Editor & Press Officer Cassie Hersee
Treasurer Pip Rowe
Chief Marshal Alan Verity
PETS & XMAS IN SPAIN
FRENCH AIRES
Great to know that the Benimar Club has got off the ground. Having just got back from 10 weeks in Spain and 2 in France we were not able to attend Peterborough.
Coming back through France, we used several Aires de Service and thought that members might like information on these very useful night stopovers.
LA MAILLERAYE SUR SEINE
30 km west of Rouen.
This delightful Aire Communale is right on the banks of the Seine with room for 20 vans. Maillleraye is a small community with bread shop, cafe/bar, tabac and a small shop for provisions. Parking is on the Quay Paul Gerardeau which is at the bottom of the town and is free. Jetons are available at the Mairie for water and electrics. If you are heading for Le Havre from here, there is a very pleasant route which takes you over the Brotonne Bridge; this costs a motorcaravan 12 Francs.
CAYLUS, 44km north of MONTAUNBAN in the TARN et GARONNE
This has parking for 10 vans and is just below a mediaeval town. Parking is close to a small lake and leisure area with a short walk up into town which has all the necessary shops, cafes and restaurants. There is no charge for water or waste disposal here.
If visiting FIGEAC in the LOT region there is parking for motorcaravans out on the D19 towards LE FRAYSSE. This will take you around Figeac to a very large car park, then you can descend the ESCALIER DU CALVAURE into the town. This is a zigzag stairway that takes you into a very large market on Saturdays. Let's hope that everyone puts pen to paper and we look forward to meeting you later in the year.
Carol & Len Pardy
P.S. Our Aero Anthus has no draining board, but we found a superb lightweight plastic plate rack and cutlery holder with tray underneath at John Lewis. It stores in the grill when travelling and works very well.
FROM THE FROZEN NORTH 1
Congratulations on getting the club off to a good start. Although my wife and I are not rally-persons, enjoying a peaceful life when on holiday, we are sure that the club will be of great interest and benefit to Benimar owners in a number of ways
We are pleased to note the item about RDH bringing a fitter and spares to shows, because distance has been one of our difficulties The editor claims to live in the "Frozen North", but to us here in Inverness, they are denizens of the "Deep South".
To go to RDH for repairs is a 1.000 mile round trip, which is a lot of miles to put on the van. To solve our most tedious problem- a leaking Electrolux air-conditioning unit cost us 1500 extra miles. RDH were in no way to blame for this, but the Electrolux service left a lot to be desired. When they refused to accept liability, RDH paid for a replacement unit for us and arranged for it to be fitted at our home. We have found Rod and the Richards regularly patient and helpful and any small faults have been rectified as speedily as possible. We had a small modification to our Anthus, whose kitchen worktop was a bit lacking in space. At our suggestion. a pull up shelf was fitted to rise into the door space. This has been a great boon and did not cost very much.
Last Summer, we spent three weeks in Bavaria and the Black Forest, taking in the Oberammergau Passion Play. The van behaved very well throughout. This year it's two weeks in Norway, plus all the splendid weekends in Scotland.
What a great way to live.
Best Wishes
Ben & Barbara Cheetham
FROM THE FROZEN NORTH 2
You would think that seeing a Benimar in the Highlands would be a rarity but not so, recently for Lorna and Nichol Thomson. First of all while negotiating a narrow road in Aberdeenshire near Lumphanan, we nearly collided with an Aero 6000 - well maybe a slight exaggeration! Secondly while returning home from a shopping trip we saw someone we met at Lincoln in their Benimar but characteristically we have forgotten their names. We waved vigorously from our white Peugeot 205 but received only blank stares! The registration was DFP 66 - well I think that was it but the memory has possibly failed me again. (No it hasn't - it belongs to Don and Freda Pilz - Ed).
We assumed that they were making for the campsite at Culloden Moor. Thirdly while visiting the local camp shop with our Benimar, a gentleman rushed over to introduce himself as an Anthus owner based in Inverness. Of course I have forgotten his name as well (See previous letter - Ed)
Meantime we have the usual influx of Spanish registered vehicles, many of which are Benimars a now they know that the rain falls on more than the plain in Spain! So we are alive and kicking up North. We really enjoyed the rally at Lincoln and look forward to meeting everyone next year at Peterborough, if not before.
Spain now beckons us for a spell and so do give us a thought at all the forthcoming rallies. If you would like an e-mail from Peniscola then do send your e-mail address to thomsonil@hotmail.com and we will oblige.
Special greetings to Ian who offered so much useful advice at Lincoln - keep it coming Ian. How are all the gas grills purchased from East Coast Leisure? (Discount was promised BOC members on any further items purchased.) We have now discarded the BBQ in favour of the grill, finding it so convenient and easily cleaned, Any tried and tested recipes from the wonderful chefs who gave us such a spread at Lincoln would be appreciated. Meantime, enjoy your 'vans and drive safely.
With best wishes
Lorna & Nichol Thomson
Due to their inability to recall names I was going to send Lorna and Nichol a book II have on "How to Improve Your Memory" but I can't seem to be able to find it- Ed
WORLD CENTRE & FRANCE
Greetings and felicitations from Bristol, which as everybody knows, is the centre of the civilised world, Well, the general election has taken place and if like me, you thought it was a rather sad affair, what with each party trying to tell us just how bad the others were maybe this will give you a laugh and cheer you up a bit.
One of the reasons I’ve decided to write this missive is to dispel the slanderous myth put about by my children that the old man is computer illiterate (although I did have a slight problem locating the starting handle). Another reason was that if one of us starts the ball rolling maybe other members would follow.
So, first off, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to Ron Smith for getting the club off the ground, and for all the hard work I am sure he had put in doing so. Second, again a big THANK YOU to all the members who have taken up the challenge in becoming its first officials. As yet Marge and I have not had the pleasure of meeting any of you at a club rally. We however hope to remedy this oversight in September at Shepton Mallet which is just after our summer holidays - suntans will be displayed for a small fee, This year we are off to Chambord on the Loire valley. If you haven’t stayed on a French campsite you have never lived "la bon vie". They have something for everyone. Our kids who are Josh and Carrie aged 11 and Chris who is 9, love them. They have everything from terrific swimming pool complexes for the daytime to discos and entertainment at night. Another rather minor reason for going is, of course, the excellent and dirt-cheap vino!, better than tranquillisers when the little darlings stress you out.
Well that's it for now; I hope you got a laugh out of it and you will all feel the urge to put pen to paper and let us know who you are.
Cheers me dears.
Pete & Madge Conner
PS If anyone has been to Spain on holiday over Christmas/New Year period we are looking for information on good sites as we may go this year.
CLUB LOGO
You asked for suggestions for a design of the club badge. May we suggest using the Benimar logo itself which appears at the top of all paperwork from RDH . Except replace the writing across it with the club name. I have asked Rod Harris about using the logo and he said that if it was what the majority would like then he could see no problem with Benimar allowing us to use the logo, he could be asked to approach Benimar on our behalf.
Bye for now.
Sheree & Jim Morgan
See also item in Chairman’s Chat
ADVERTS
FOR SALE
TOWSURE towing A frame and brackets for Fiat Cinquecento or Fiat Panda, also tow hitch (complete) for Cinquecento - bargain £80 the lot.
OMNISTOR 2 bike carrying rack for motorhome. vgc, complete with new bracket - £50.
KEYBOARD a l2v small, various sounds, excellent condition - £40
PLASTIC SPRINGING system for solid base (not slats) under mattress. very comfortable, bought Dusseldorf Motorcaravan Show for £80, as new - will sell for £35
All the above items from Mike and Angie Waterfield, Tel: 01752 300122
(Plymouth)
Don't forget that you can advertise in the Newsletter, and it only costs 4 postage stamps (preferably unused British!)
2nd Benimar Owners' Club Meet at Lincoln
The second meeting of the BOC took place over the weekend of 13th to 16th of July, at the Midsummer Music Festival at the Lincoln Showground. Ron asked for a volunteer to do the write-up for the meet. Angie immediately put her hand in the air and said "Mike will do it", so I got the job !
The weekend started on Friday afternoon with the majority of the units on site by the evening. 12 units were booked in, one with some friends in a caravan and one unhooked unit who managed to park alongside, making 14 in total. not had for our second meet, and considering we are spread so far across the country (from Inverness to Plymouth).
Friday evening was spent van hopping, and generally getting to know one another. Our dog Susie, a Shitzu, also made friends with Jessie the Rotwieller belonging to Honor and Tim next door.
Saturday morning started off with reasonable weather and remained that way throughout the day , with most people visiting the show, and enjoying the daytime music which was a feature of the weekend. The festival proper started at 6pm with the Glen Miller Orchestra, and about halfway through their performance the heavens opened, for about 10 minutes all that was visible was a sea of multicoloured umbrellas. I hope to be able to include a photo! The rest of the evening was dry, but even a Scotsman commented on how cold it was. The best way to keep warm was to dance on the soggy dance floor. However I am sure that everyone enjoyed the entertainment and the evening went well, with the top of the bill being Paul Jones and the Manfreds.
Sunday morning was again dry and a little bit sunny and Honor organised a wonderful communal barbecue at lunchtime, how she did it for £l each. I will never know and that included a Sweet!
Sunday afternoon saw us erecting Tim's Safari Room, (he'd had it for 2 years and it had not previously been out of the bag). A pleasant evening was spent by the remaining 4 units in the safari room, finishing the remains of the barbecue, together with extra chips made by Honor. Thanks again. The weather during the evening was pleasantly sunny , but as someone pointed out had it been sunny the previous evening we would not have been able to see the performers on stage due to the glare (You can't please some people!).
Monday was gloriously hot and sunny; just what we didn't need for a long trip home. We were reluctant to leave but as we had to call in on RDH on the way home left the site at midday. Those that stayed on until Monday were treated to the Red Arrows flying past in formation before landing at their base, which I am told is in the surrounding area (It's just across the road from the Showground - Ed)
Looking forward to meeting everyone again at Shepton Mallet in September, with a follow on Rally at Brean Sands. We can personally recommend this site as extremely good value. We attended the previous follow on rally after the Stratford Show in June.
Mike & Angie Waterfleld
Technical Matters / Interchange / Improvements to your Benimar.
Here are a few fixes that I have made to Violet (our Europe 6000 ST).
Passenger seat box
You may have seen the handy box attached to the passenger seat in the Benimar Top. This is a Fiat accessory (part no, 1326213080) and costs £8,83.It is a black wire box that is convenient for keeping your maps, road atlas, site guide etc handy en route. It is easy to fit requiring two holes to be drilled in the seat base and either a square hole cutting for the lower clip, or (as I did) sawing off the clip and drilling a further hole to secure it with a home made clip.
Passenger Door Pocket
Again a Fiat accessory, but I have mislaid the part number of this one, that is easy to fit. You need the 4 fixing screws and perhaps the 4 plastic push-in retaining nuts. Offer up the pocket and locate where the fixing holes are on the door. Pierce the trim and if you are lucky the plastic nuts may be already there. Try a screw in to find out. If they are not there you have to prise off the lower half of the trim until you can access the holes for the plastic nuts (careful not to break the trim retaining clips), The pocket costs in the region of £8.
Front Mud Flaps
Fiat front mud flaps are available for £18,67 a pair. The part number is0005907300 and they come complete with screws and fixing bracket, and are very easy to fit.
Rear Mud Flaps
I am hoping that these will reduce the amount of spray that gets thrown up, plasters the back of the van, and covers the bikes with grime even though they have a cover over them. I got the idea at the Peterborough Show from Ian Johnston who had already made some. Obtain a mud flap made for trucks (the anti spray type). This is easier said that done. I managed to get one via a contact in the trade. I think the standard size is 24” x 42” (60cm x 105 cm). Cut 2 pieces 24” x 15" and attach with a piece of angle iron, (dexion or similar) to the chassis. You will find 2 convenient holes just forward of the rear spring bracket. Then secure the flap at the top, to the square section floor bearer, with a couple of small angle brackets to give a better location .
I noticed at Peterborough and Lincoln that most owners have done some modifications to their Benimars -security locks, modified tables, aviaries dog kennels, mirrors, grab handles, safes, etc,
What Improvements have you done? Write in to Cassie and let us all in on it.
Preview - 2002
I have seen photographs of the prototypes of the proposed 2002 model range. The most obvious change is to the front over cab area which is a smoother curve and goes back further than the familiar angular pattern. The result is a big improvement, in my view, and results in an additional 4cm in height (and 1 guess more headroom in the front over cab bed area. The other change is that they have managed to lower the floor a couple of cm by mounting directly on the chassis. Other than that probably not much else - why change a winning formula?.
Lincoln Snippets
Tim had an erection - the first time in 2 years (we are talking Safari Rooms).
Honor, Mary and Judy went on the free bus to Tescos for something for the Barbecue and came back with clothes, crockery, more clothes and oh yes, some food.
Two couples were seriously considering buying property in Spain - hope they wi1l still remain members.
Tim Hewitt brought some very posh Benimar direction signs that he had had made. Look out for them at Shepton and York.
I bought a 6 metre pole to fly the Benimar flag (much better than the bamboo bean stick)
RDH - Who's Who
You have most likely all met some of the staff at RDH, but maybe not all of them. Here is my understanding of the set-up.
Steve and Sue Reynolds - owners of the business and know all there is, but are spending more and more time away in Spain (and why not?)
This leaves Richard (Rick) Black who is Managing Director and computer whiz kid in charge a lot of the time.
The other Richard is Richard Dereck who is the Financial Director.
Rod Harris is Sales Manager and part time racing cyclist.
Newly arrived is Gary Dixon who is the Parts Manager.
Simon Brown is Driver Hire Manager but is getting more involved in the Benimar setup.
Steve Irvine is the chief fitter (ex Corgi) and responsible for health and safety.
Pete Evans is a fitter with responsibility for fitting Van Bitz alarm systems.
Mel Worton is another fitter( ex Brownhills) responsible for cabinet work and the interior generally.
Robert Harbottle is chief valeter and maintains the hire fleet.
A Clerical/Admin Assistant was due to join the team in July but it fell through - so watch this space.
Carol Cooke comes in at weekends to help with the general running.
Not really part of RDH is Phil Adams of Phil Adams Coachworks who does all the bodywork repairs for warranty or accidental damage. Phil is also a Benimar owner.
Talking of Benimar owners, Eddie George of Van Bitz is selling his American RV and takes (took?) delivery of a Benimar Top in July.
Club Notice Board
I have agreed with Rod that we can erect a club notice board in the Conservatory at RDH at Beeston.
Club Discounts
Anderton Spareline
One of the least satisfactory features of the Benimar is the location of the spare wheel. You may have read about the Anderton Spareline in MMM or the Motorcaravanner. It is a metre length of tubing with a female adapter at one end that you screw onto the valve of your spare tyre. At the other end is a corresponding male fitting which you secure at a convenient location. You can then check the pressure in the spare and inflate if necessary, as easily as for the other wheels.
I fitted one and found that the pressure in the spare was 55 psi (10 psi down!). I wouldn't like to change the spare at the roadside - the wheel is so heavy that I had to use a hydraulic jack to raise the spare and cradle in order to engage the holding nuts.
It is obtainable by mail order from Anderton Spareline, 44 Penny Lane, Haydock, Lancashire, WA11 0QS, Tel: 01942 720738.
The retail price is £9.95 (incl P&P).
Anderton have offered the Benimar Owners' Club the following discounts.
10% for 5 or more,15% for 10 or more. so why not get together at a rally and make up a bulk order?
Logo
The response to my request to design a logo to go on our Benimars was underwhelming - zero to be precise. I had designed a simple "boc" that could be easily made from sticky black plastic but it was not received with much enthusiasm. We did have a discussion at the Lincoln Show and something based on the design and colours of the benimar logo (orange, blue and brown, with sun and seagull) was favoured. Don Pilz has given me his design. If you have any ideas, then this is your last chance, send them to me before the Shepton Mallet Show and we will have another attempt.
Book Market
I am proposing to set up a "Book Market. at our rallies, The idea is that members donate any unwanted books to the club and you can then buy them for a nominal sum. Proceeds to club funds (Sounds good eh! Pip). Shepton and York will be the first, so bring along all your unwanted paperbacks.
RDH Service Van
Steve Irvine attended the Lincoln Show and put in a lot of hours sorting various problems and supplying accessories and advice. The Service van will be at the Shepton Mallet Show, but not at the York Show. Having now had experience of this very valuable service, RDH are requesting that in order to maximise the effectiveness that you let them know of any problems that you wish sorting at least 2 weeks prior to a Show so they can order any necessary parts. Do this either in writing by post or email , and prioritise the problems so that the most urgent can be dealt with in sequence, and everyone stands a chance of being satisfied . Many thanks Steve for your efforts at Lincoln.
I now have an e-mail address ( ronsmith2@cwctv.net). This is a cable TV email facility so do not send me any files, pictures or attachments as I probably won't be able to open them - just nice simple text please.
MMM
I suppose most of you have seen the August issue of MMM. If you haven't it is worth buying, It has an article on a Factory Visit to Benimar which includes a brief history of the company. With this issue is a supplement "Guide to Buying a Motorhome”. In this they list their top 10 Motorhomes and a Benimar is included - no surprise there then.
After the initial burst of enthusiasm at the Peterborough Show I thought I would have a very peaceful 1ife. Not so ,Lincoln produced another flurry of interest and ever since there has been a steady flow of new members. We now have 112 fully paid-up members from as far apart as Plymouth to Aberdeen and Lowestoft to County Tyrone.
I do apologise to those of you who thought that the BOC was a figment of their imagination because I took so long to reply to you. I was only doing what Benimar owners do best – travelling.
I have almost completed a database containing members' details and addresses (don't forget to let me know if you move, change your phone number or have a new e-mail address).
What we do need is a logo - do you have any ideas? It should be something that we can use on our stationery, web-site, a sticker for our motorhomes and possibly on a sweat shirt.
2001
Sept 14 - 16 SHEPTON MALLETT
Motor Caravan and US RV Show at Royal Bath & West Show Ground See Motorhome Monthly for details. Too late to book for club area now but you may get in on the day as I have reserved space for 20 outfits. Exhibition area is under cover and there is entertainment in the evenings.
BOC Book Market - see Chairman’s Chat. RDH Service Van in attendance
Marshals _ Brian and Mavis Baldwin. Helpers _ Mike & Angie Waterfield.
Sept 17 -21 BREAN SANDS. Somerset
Follow on Rally at Holiday Resort Unity at Brean Sands. Brean Sands is on the coast just south of Weston-Super-Mare. This is a large commercial site, with many facilities. Price is £20 for the four nights which includes electric hook-up.
For more details phone Paul or Margaret on 01934812051, or catch them at Shepton Mallett Show.
Marshals - Brian and Mavis Baldwin Tel: 02380846799
Sept 21 - 23 YORK
Northern MotorCaravan Show at the Racecourse, York
Top entertainment each night. including Ken Dodd on Saturday but don't let that put you off). Details and booking forms in MMM. BOC Book Market
Marshals - Geoff & Edna Follows. Helpers - Volunteers needed
Nov 27 - Dec 2 Earls Court
Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show. RDH will be there for the first time.
Dec ?? BELGIUM CHRISTMAS MARKETS
If there is enough interest I am planning a short (3 or 4 night) trip to visit Christmas Markets in Belgium (and maybe Germany) , Using either Dover or Portsmouth crossing (depends on what deals I can get), stopping in Mons and another site (maybe Brugge), with time to visit a Hypermarket on the return. Let me know if you are interested.
2002
Jan 11 -13 SHEPTON MALLETT (Provisional)
Feb 16 - 24 NEC
National Boat, Caravan and Leisure Show. RDH will be there
April 26 - 28 PETERBOROUGH
National Motorcaravan Show at the East of England Showground
Advance warning - our AGM will be held during the show.
Marshals - Volunteers needed Helpers - Volunteers needed
July 11 - 14 KENT COUNTY - SHOW (Provisional)
Tim and Honor Hewitt are proposing to organise a rally at this very popular Show - pencil the date in for now and watch out for more details. I can't wait for another of Honor's famous BBQs.
July 20 - 21 LINCOLN
Midsummer Music Festival
Ron Smith