PINELOG WELCOMES NEW PRODUCTION MANAGER

DARRELL FISHER - PINELOG

Chesterfield-based luxury timber lodge manufacturer Pinelog has appointed Darrell Fisher as its new Production Manager.

Bringing 34 years of experience in the holiday home, lodge, and motorhome sectors, Darrell previously worked at Swift Group Ltd, one of the UK’s largest leisure vehicle manufacturers. He started as an apprentice cabinet maker and advanced to Senior Production Manager, gaining expertise in manufacturing, production management, and process improvement.

Darrell was drawn to Pinelog’s vision for growth, saying: “The timing was perfect. When I spoke with Craig Morrison, Pinelog’s Operations Director, I knew this was the right opportunity. The company’s commitment to quality craftsmanship stood out immediately.”

In his new role, Darrell will oversee the transition from design to production, improve manufacturing processes, and ensure customer satisfaction. He is eager to modernise production while preserving Pinelog’s heritage of skilled, hands-on craftsmanship.

Group Chairman Nick Grayson welcomed Darrell, stating: “His wealth of experience and process-driven mindset will help take our manufacturing to the next level.” With nearly 50 years in the industry, Pinelog is known for its high-quality lodges, found in award-winning holiday parks such as Kelling Heath, Darwin Forest, and Mercia Marina.

Pinelog
www.pinelog.co.uk

DEMAND SURGE FOR PINELOG’S DOG FRIENDLY TIMBER LODGE DESIGNS

Pinelog Ltd has seen a rise in demand for its dog-friendly timber lodges, driven by increased dog ownership during the pandemic and a growing staycation market. Chairman Nick Grayson attributes this trend to pet owners viewing dogs as family members, prompting them to seek accommodations that cater to pets.

He noted that holiday park customers are capitalizing on this trend, resulting in more orders for pet-friendly lodges. Dog boarding can cost about £125 for seven nights, so bringing pets on holiday can save money for owners. Research from Verdant Leisure supports this trend, showing 40% of people look for pet-friendly facilities when choosing UK holiday destinations.

Pinelog’s lodges feature amenities like stable doors, vinyl flooring, dog showers, and ‘Mucky Pup’ hoses to cater to pets. Kelling Heath Holiday Park in Norfolk is introducing dog-friendly Woodland lodges in 2024, designed and built by Pinelog with external dog showers among other features.

Similarly, Darwin Forest Luxury Lodges Holiday Park in Derbyshire, owned by Pinelodge Holidays, offers pet-friendly lodges with spacious verandas, outdoor washing facilities, and utility areas with stable doors. The Coppice Spa lodges also feature a unique doggy shower. These lodges, introduced in 2018, have been popular with guests.

Caroline Povey, Associate Marketing Director of Pinelodge Holidays, mentioned that pet-friendly lodges have broadened their market. Lodges with hot tubs and pet-friendly features, especially the Coppice Spa lodges, have the highest occupancy rates.

Nick Grayson added that these designs are ideal for parks like Darwin Forest and Kelling Heath, which offer ample dog walking opportunities. Pinelog’s pet-friendly lodges can be customized to meet the needs of holiday parks. Designed and built at their Chesterfield facility, these luxury timber lodges are an attractive option for holiday parks looking to tap into the staycation market.

Pinelog
01246 942842
www.pinelog.co.uk

THE GLADE by Pinelog are all bespoke and can include a dog shower.

EYES TO STAR-STRUCK NORFOLK SKIES

EYES TO STAR-STRUCK NORFOLK SKIES

KELLING HEATH has designated 10 premium pitches exclusively for astronomers. Pic Andy Green

Renowned as one of the best places in England to discover the dark skies, Norfolk’s Kelling Heath Holiday Park, welcomes astronomers for its Winterfest from Thursday to Monday, November 24th – 28th. Accredited as a ‘Dark Sky Discovery Site’ in 2017, Kelling Heath boasts the highest ‘two star’ site accolade as seven stars of the Orion constellation and the Milky Way are visible to the naked eye from the Park.

Kelling Heath is one of only five Dark Sky Discovery sites in Norfolk. For 2022, 10 premium pitches within the Yellow Dragonfly touring field have been designated as exclusively for astronomers*. These dedicated pitches are perfect for stargazers as they are hidden in a secluded and sheltered part of the Park.

Lucy Cook, Marketing Manager at Kelling Heath says: “We are pleased to welcome more astronomers throughout the year and look forward to building our offering to support stargazing in Norfolk. “We look forward to welcoming stargazers for many years to come.” The British Astronomical Association’s Commission for Dark Skies commended Kelling Heath for its commitment to educating guests and its work in protecting the areas dark skies, leading them to receive a Good Lighting Award in 2019.

The Park provides stargazing information for guests and Holiday Homeowners including leaflets, a dedicated website section and new interpretation boards at its Dark Sky Discovery Site area on Park. Michael Timewell, Director of Blue Sky Leisure, who owns Kelling Heath Holiday Park, said: “Kelling Heath gives many guests their first true dark skies experience. The excitement and wonder you see on the faces of those experiencing the majesty of the night sky at our star parties is something that will never get old.”

“We pride ourselves conserving the natural environment at Kelling Heath, and part of that is achieved by helping our guests make the most of the natural landscape around them in a responsible way – this includes how they interact with the dark skies on Park. Our Countryside Team continue to provide guests with educational talks and dedicated events to help them immerse themselves in the Park’s stunning natural surroundings.”

Super Heroes

Super Heroes

Cost-effective energy efficiency and prudent housekeeping will maximise return on investment when it comes to swimming pools.

Cost-effective energy efficiency and prudent housekeeping will maximise return on investment when it comes to swimming pools.

A popular swimming pool is a must for the modern holiday park; number one for its undoubted pulling power in attracting and retaining visitors year on year.

On the flip side, the average holiday park swimming pool can present a huge drain on business resources both through upkeep and running costs as well as staffing overheads.

Operators find themselves under more pressure than ever to demonstrate effective energy efficiency and prudent housekeeping to maximise return on investment when it comes to swimming pools.

“Most people are now opting for energy efficient pools, more so than ever before,” comments Tim Bareham of Cresta Leisure. “It is partly down to an increase in environmental awareness generally, as well as the rise in energy prices, and of course the allure of cost savings that can be achieved over time.”

Tim adds: “Although energy efficient methods are generally more expensive to install, the benefits are huge. You’ve got to speculate to accumulate.”

Deer Park Golf and Country club in West Lothian, Scotland has enjoyed a 25% reduction in gas and electricity usage in their swimming pool following the installation of Heatsavr.

Deer Park Golf and Country club in West Lothian, Scotland has enjoyed a 25% reduction in gas and electricity usage in their swimming pool following the installation of Heatsavr.

Going ‘green’ is not only helpful in protecting the environment, but it can also translate into cost savings. If it were a superhero then Brenntag’s Heatsavr would have powers akin to the Invisible Man. The Heatsavr is a liquid pool cover that works by forming an invisible monolayer over the surface of the pool, preventing heat and moisture from escaping while the surface is unbroken. There are many other associated benefits that come with having a pool cover. Stopping evaporation also directly effects the quantity of chemicals used to maintain hygienic water conditions. By reducing evaporation you are also reducing the quantity of chemicals normally lost through evaporation. Having a pool cover also reduces the amount of contamination that enters the pool through the water surface, this will also have a direct effect on the rate of chemical consumption.

Deer Park Golf and Country club in West Lothian, Scotland had Heatsavr installed as part of an upgrade that also saw them have new boilers fitted. The work that was carried out saw a 25 per cent reduction in gas and electricity usage since the work was undertaken in August 2013. The country club had previously used a traditional pool cover, but it was ill-fitting because their pool is oval shaped. That meant that heat and moisture were still able to escape, as the cover was only partially effective. Heatsavr liquid pool cover reduces evaporation not only at night but also during the day when bathers are present in the water.

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Norfolk Parks To Benefit From £1.5 Million Boost

nORFOLK

Significant improvements will be made to the facilities at the award-winning Kelling Heath Park and Woodhill Park in Norfolk by park operator Blue Sky Leisure.

Norfolk Parks To Benefit From £1.5 Million Boost

A £1.5m investment in to two of Norfolk’s leading holiday destinations is set to provide a much-needed boost for the local economy as well as the natural environment.

Holiday park operator, Blue Sky Leisure, plans to spend £1.2m improving and adding to the luxury accommodation on offer at Kelling Heath Holiday Park near Holt and Woodhill Park near Cromer. The cash injection will increase capacity at Kelling Heath by 10%.

The remaining £300,000 has been set aside for a two-year refurbishment of the health and fitness club at Kelling Heath, which will include a new spa, steam room, sauna and poolside showers, with phase two including the refurbishment of the changing rooms, reception and gym.

Mark Durrant, operations manager at Kelling Heath says the investment has been prompted by healthy bookings and informed by customer feedback. “Our ongoing investment in quality accommodation and first-class facilities helps us deliver a unique holiday experience. We’ve listened to what our customers have been saying and are dedicated to making continuous improvements to better their enjoyment of the parks.”

A large proportion of the investment will go towards the development of two new areas for holiday home ownership at Kelling Heath, as well as continued refurbishment of the accommodation available for hire at both parks. Facilities for camping and touring have not been overlooked either and as a result of the investment ten new multi-service pitches at Kelling Heath and nine at Woodhill will be created.