WHAT IS THE ECA ?
The European Caravanning Association was formed in October 1977. It is a small club with membership open to caravan owners, motor caravan owners and trailer tent owners.. Its original aim was to bring together caravanners wishing to foster inter European family caravanning. In achieving this aim it was inevitable that a UK rallying club would evolve where experience and inexperience continental travellers could meet.
HOW DOES THE ECA COMPARE WITH LARGER CLUBS ?
The ECA is a small club, with inexpensive membership, non profit making, run for caravanners by caravanners, any commercial advantages obtained are passed directly to our members.
WHAT DO I GAIN FROM BEING A MEMBER ?
An ever-widening circle of friends throughout the UK, with a least one thing in common 'CARAVANNING' as a leisure hobby. Together with commercial advantages due to the club being a member of the ACCEO (Association of Caravan and Camping Exempted Organisations). Our members receive competitive rates for caravan insurance, breakdown service, holiday insurance and ferry bookings.
WHAT IS A RALLY ?
It is normally weekend meeting of members, preferably at an interesting or picturesque venues. A very informal affair, people doing their own thing during the day, getting together in the evening for a chat, dance, drink or barbeque depending on the time of year and the weather.
WHERE ARE THE RALLIES HELD ?
Many of the on commercial sites throughout the UK with good discounts from the normal site fees, few are held on farm sites with very basic water supply and emptying pit. We try to arrange our rallies to suit all tastes, special events (air shows, safari parks etc.) or at places of interest (historic, picturesque, country walks etc.). Wherever they are you will find the group attending to be friendly and welcoming.
ARE HOLIDAY RALLIES ARRANGED ?
Yes, we have a very enthusiastic section in the south west. Each year one or more of the members arranges at least a couple of week ling rallies on commercial sites in their area. These are always negotiated on the basis of a nightly fee, irrespective of the number of people in the van, awnings at no extra cost, usually this alone can show a considerable saving on the normal site fee.
WHAT ARE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ECA ?
These are clearly defined in our constitution, a copy of which is sent to each new member. Briefly, fellowship, making new friends at home and aboard, pursuit of any commercial advantages for our members, to advise on caravanning, to advise on continental touring, to look after the members caravanning interest.
ARE THERE ANY PAID OFFICERS OF THE ECA ?
No, all committee members give their time free.
DO ALL MEMBERS HOLIDAY ON THE CONTINENT ?
No, some are fortunate enough to do so fairly regularly and are always willing to advise and/or accompany members visiting for the first time. The club occasionally organises rallies abroad, we have as a club visited Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Norway, Italy, Spain and Belgium.