Magic Cove Touring Park

MAGIC COVE NEWS 2011
Written by the boss...... Ouch, I mean her other half!!!!

Well it is getting ever closer to December and my lovely wife is nagging me to get on and write the Newsletter. It’s the fourth year that I have been left to do it on my own and as I sit watching her cutting up the provisional booking slips, I am not inspired. However like most husband’s out there I do as I am told, so here goes with the latest dose of information, drivel and all things Magic Cove.

It was quite an eventful season, but how I wish that I had written the newsletter when it was all fresh in my mind. Bookings were once again up and judging by the provisional bookings for 2012, this looks set to continue. However there will be....

Major changes taking place at Magic Cove for 2013, meaning we will not be taking any provisional bookings during next season. When Magic Cove was built in 1981 the average caravan was only about 4 or 5 metres long and tents were of the ridge design and if it was 4m long it was a very big one. Now some caravans are over 8m in length and many tents are the size of a small house with pods coming out in all directions. The pitches were simply not designed for the units of today. Because of this we have made the decision to increase the size of them. Of course the only way we can achieve this, is to reduce the number of pitches on the site. By the start of next season, we will have a new layout plan and will ask all customers who wish to rebook for 2013 to give us a first, second and third choice of dates and pitches. For anybody who wishes to know more details about these changes, we have detailed information available - Click Here.

Next year’s prices The above changes will mean a new pricing structure. However the good news is that next season the basic pitch fee will remain unchanged. We have made a small increase on the extras and unfortunately electricity goes up by 50p. Don’t blame us; blame our supplier who continually puts up the cost!!!

Improvements We carried out a few pre-season. I went mad with my chainsaw and chopped down the large tree located on pitch 16. I even got Steve from Marver Campsite in the mood and we removed the tree at the entrance. A few had come to grief with their Caravan there, so it had to go. At the same time Steve helped me extend the fence at the far end between the two sites.

Dog Waste Bin This worked well, with the vast majority using it. However there were a few who chose to ignore it and let their dog s**t wherever it wanted to. This is idiotic and makes us extremely mad….grrrr

Recycling Unit (again) While I am on the subject of making us mad, there is something else to moan about….I don’t know how you go about it at home, but recycling does not mean just chucking full bottles of coke and half full milk cartons into the compartments. Also the unit is not meant for banana skins, used nappies and other various undesirables!!!!!

Hand Driers We started the season with new ones; however they did not last very long. My lovely wife decided they were too loud, even though we did not receive any complaints. Hand Driers take two, a little quieter but Lesley is still not happy with them. They remained until the end of the season, but expect Hand Driers take three for next season. This goes to prove the old adage, you can never please a woman. I think that I will open a Hand Drier shop!!

Card Payments During May we decided to move into the 21 century and start taking credit/debit card payments. This now gives you another option and can be used for deposits in January as well as your balance when you arrive. We will still be taking cheques for those who wish to pay that way and also you have the direct bank transfer option, along of course with good old cash!!!.

The New Mower worked really well and is far better than the old one, munching the grass even when wet. A big thank you to Andy and Liza Carr for presenting me with the John Deere hat in matching green. An essential accessory for the mower man. The green machine was also a hit with Katie, who spent lots of time driving around the site on my lap.

Hot Water System We feel we should apologise for the problems we had with the water in July and August. Despite replacing the thermostats we still had issues. The water was in fact too hot despite being controlled by the thermostats. However it would not last very long. The tank is 30 years old and it may be time to replace it before next season. We are considering the possibility of a solar hot water system but this will need to be installed to tie in with our proposed changes in 2013. At that point we will also be building a launderette on site which will include communal washing-up facilities. Other improvements planned for next season include another major change in the washrooms and of course Hand Driers mark three!!!!

Street Party April brought us not only fantastic weather, with the site basking in glorious sunshine, but the Royal Wedding between William and Kate. This meant an excuse for a party and we all know how Magic Cove loves a party. So out came the bunting, tables and union jack table cloths. Many thanks to all who helped out and provided food etc.

Jubilee Next year will see the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, with another street party planned for those who are booked in for the Spring Bank week. Don’t forget your bunting, flags, etc. Her Majesty moved the Bank Holiday back a week to accommodate her Jubilee. This did give us a few problems, as there is a week less next June to fit everyone in.

Facebook Our page has now been up and running for twelve months and we have 162 followers. Come on everyone, I am sure we can improve on this?? So why not join our page to discuss and share all things Magic Cove. It would be nice to see some of our customers uploading more pictures or videos!! Click here to link to our Facebook page.

Norman & Jean Sadly our unpaid site wardens Norman and Jean Marsh were unable to make their twice yearly visits to Magic Cove this year for health reasons. They were greatly missed, not only by ourselves, but also by many of the regulars. They help out in so many ways when we are not around. We hope to see them both back at Magic Cove in 2012. Without Norman & Jean around, the mantel of site wardens was passed to Mick and Maureen Burton who stepped into the breach….

On Tow July saw Harry and Elaine arrive from Scotland. They both love coming to Magic Cove, The journey is hard enough, but this year it was a fraught journey for them. Firstly their car decided to break down when the Turbo died!! They were not going to give up, so were relayed to the site by recovery vehicle. However a tyre then blew out on the caravan while being towed by the lorry. This then became entangled with the caravan electrics causing more damage, However they got here. Well done to the Saunders for their determination.

On your Bike!!! Another person having a challenging journey to Magic Cove this year was regular Phil Whiting. Phil from Lichfield decided to raise some money for Help for Heroes by cycling to the site from home. The journey was not easy, as you can well imagine. Congratulations to Phil who made it in the end and managed to raise £1000 for the charity. We were very impressed Phil, so how are you getting to Magic Cove next year ??!!

Mr and Mrs Magic Cove is renowned for doing well at the Merrymoor quiz nights, but it was nice to hear that when they held a ‘Mr & Mrs’ competition back in August that once again we produced the winners. Big Congratulations go to Karen and Ian Pannett who showed just how much they know about each other and won a free stay at the Merrymoor Inn.

What no Tent!!! You are loading up the car for your camping holiday in Cornwall, so what is the first thing you put in the boot?? Answers on a postcard please to Julian Safe from Birmingham. It can be quite cold in the night Julian!! A trip to Argos was required….doh!! Checklist required next year.

Lucky Escape The Carey family were very lucky to escape unharmed, when their car caught fire on the way back from dropping Anne at the train station. They were flashed from behind so pulled over and got out to have a look. In very little time the car was burnt to the ground.

Wind September saw some of the worst weather of the season with gales lashing the site. However, we would like to say a big “well done” to Laura Bryant and her friends who never gave up, despite their tent taking a battering and no car to take refuge in.

End of Season Party Following previous years’ successful end of season celebrations, the committee opted for a fancy dress theme for this years party. And what a fantastic decision that was. We hired a Marquee for the night and everyone entered into the spirit of the occasion, food was in abundance and drink flowed well. DJ Mick Burton got everybody dancing, but thankfully did not get my wife drunk like he did last year. Congratulations to the prize winners who were Dave Yarde in third place for his St Trinians Schoolgirl, (following a vote off against Lauren’s Space Invader). Lesley in second place for her clown (looked quite scary) and the deserved winner…Mick Burton for his fantastic Abe Lincoln. My Wyatt Earp couldn’t sway the voting, not even with my gun!! Best party ever…..how do we top that???

(The winners Left to Right - Les, Dave, Lauren and Mick)

Busman’s Holiday We decided to camp at the site for the party weekend, so that we could have a few drinkies - the campers took great delight in watching our attempts at putting up a tent (just one argument!!) Had a mega hot weekend to end the season nicely.

Special Thanks go to Mick & Maureen for stepping in as site wardens, Chris, for all your help and advice during the Hot Water saga and finally to our telephonist, babysitter and wonderful Mother, how would we cope without you???

Rainfall Stats in mm from Newquay Weather Station

And Finally Lesley has asked me to inform you all that she is not pregnant, just fat!!!. A couple of customers asked her if she was expecting again? Well I have been done, so if she was pregnant, Wyatt would be getting his gun out again…..Stick ‘em up!!!

Well I think following that comment, it is time for me to shut up before I get into any more trouble. She has proof read the newsletter before sending it out to you, so if it’s still in then I got away with it!!

We look forward to seeing you at Magic Cove in 2012
With best wishes
Lesley, Brian, Lauren & Katie x