Shropshire Certificated Location Takes Top Honours at Westminster
Certificated Locations (CLs) are privately-owned, maximum 5-van sites found across the UK, many in idyllic and remote locations on farms, country estates and beside inns, which can provide a valuable additional income stream for local communities. These awards are presented at the House of Commons in recognition of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act (1960) which enables The Caravan Club to grant certificates to landowners to operate CLs. The winning CL is run by Ian and Janet Kelly, ably assisted by their 4-year old son and the family's Golden Retriever, in the beautiful Shropshire countryside. The Kellys are active caravanners and have operated the CL since 2002 when they returned to Ian's 200-year family roots in the quiet farming community of Ellesmere. They have enjoyed welcoming Club members, many of whom have become firm friends, ever since.Ian says that visitors appreciate the quiet location with abundant wildlife set in Shropshire's beautiful rural heartland of hills, meres and canals. Although in deepest countryside the site has convenient access to a wide variety of local tourist attractions, cycle routes and a superb local bakery. "Winning the prize is a great compliment and has made us reflect on what our visitors find special about Birch Hill," commented Janet Kelly. "Our winning formula is a great location with a warm welcome, and we take pleasure in sharing what we have with others. We are particularly pleased to have won the prize for the Caravan Club's Centenary Year"The Caravan Club's networks of around 2,500 CLs remains an extremely popular choice for many of its one million caravanning members. While for many rural communities CLs provide a valuable additional income stream. With the introduction of online voting in 2007, the number of members taking part increased by over 300% so the Kellys can be justifiably proud of their achievement in being chosen as UK winners.