Managing Director of Hoburne Holiday Parks, James Lapage, has completed a 350-mile cycle ride around all seven Hoburne parks to celebrate the company’s centenary.
He left Hoburne Doublebois in Cornwall last Wednesday (May 2) and arrived at Hoburne Park in Christchurch, Dorset, yesterday (Monday May 7), raising a massive £8,000 for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.
James and his sister, Sue Marchant, who lives in Newbury, crossed the finish line 100 years to the day that the Hoburne story began. The current Chairman’s great-grandfather John Burry bought ‘Hubborn Farm’ at auction on May 7 1912 and this is where Hoburne Park in Christchurch stands today.
As part of its 100th birthday celebrations, Hoburne has pledged to raise £100,000 for CLIC Sargent.
Events took place across the parks over the weekend, including the giant ‘Sammy Wiggle’ at Hoburne Park and a balloon race from Hoburne Naish in New Milton, which saw more than 300 multi-coloured balloons released into the sky.
To sponsor James please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JamesLapage or call 0844 288 2012.
Bookings at Dorset-based Hoburne Holiday Parks are up 11 per cent on this time last year.
The seven parks across the south and south west are almost fully booked over the Easter holiday period – with just a handful of last minute spaces available.
It is a similar picture looking ahead to the Jubilee celebrations in June, with the parks 95 per cent full already.
Hoburne’s chairman Rosie Kennar said: “It’s great to see so many people choosing to stay in the UK for a break in a year when we celebrate all things British. For that to coincide with Hoburne’s centenary celebrations this year is just the icing on the cake.”
Managing Director of Hoburne Holiday Parks, James Lapage, is cycling hundreds of miles to help children with cancer travelling long distances for treatment.
James will be cycling 350 miles between all seven Hoburne Parks from Hoburne Doublebois in Cornwall to Hoburne Park in Christchurch to help mark the company’s centenary.
He and his sister, Sue Marchant, who lives in Newbury and will be accompanying him on the ride, aim to cross the finishing line on Monday May 7 – 100 years to the day that the Hoburne story began. The current Chairman’s great-grandfather John Burry bought ‘Hubborn Farm’ at auction on May 7 1912 and this is where Hoburne Park stands today.
“I want to raise at least £5,000 and I have got £3,700 so far, which is fantastic. It’s a great driving force when I am cycling in the cold or the rain wondering what on earth I am doing,” James said. “I have never done anything like this before. The first time I got on a bicycle for more than 30 years was on holiday in November 2010. I got my own bike last summer and have been training hard this year, but May is still coming round really fast.”
The longest distance he will cycle in any one day will be 80 miles from Hoburne Cotswold to Hoburne Bashley in the New Forest.
As part of its 100th birthday celebrations, Hoburne has pledged to raise £100,000 for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.
It may only be the second week of 2012, but already booking figures at Hoburne Holiday Parks are more than 10 per cent up on this time last year.
Holiday bookings have increased by a massive 50 per cent on January 2011 at Hoburne Park in Christchurch, Dorset. Across the company’s seven parks in Dorset, Hampshire, Devon, Somerset, the Cotswolds and Cornwall, an 11 per cent rise is reported.
The family-run business, named Company of the Year at the recent Dorset Business Awards, celebrates its centenary this year. Its story began at Hoburne Park on May 7 1912 when local man John Burry bought what was then called ‘Hubborn Farm’ at auction.
His great-granddaughter and Hoburne’s chairman today, Rosie Kennar, said:“These booking figures are a fantastic start to what I am sure will be an exceptional year for us. To reach our centenary at the top of our game as we do is such an achievement. I am so proud of all we have accomplished and continue to achieve.
“The popularity of holidaying in the UK continues to grow and we look forward to welcoming even more families and couples to our Parks to join in our celebrations this year.”
With many tour operators increasing the price of summer holidays abroad this year, Hoburne Holiday Parks, which has already seen advance booking figures increase year-on-year, is poised for a further rise in reservations as families reluctant to sacrifice their break away from it all look for holidays closer to home.Chairman of Hoburne Holiday Homes, Rosie Burry, talks to BBC News at Six about the growing trend in holidaying at home in the UK
The bookings boost over the past few months has followed the rise in popularity of UK-tions – holidays in the UK – last summer, when the combined force of the credit crunch, the strength of the euro and fuel increases pushing up the price of long haul flights convinced many families to send foreign breaks packing.
Now with the likes of Thomas Cook increasing prices by eight per cent in 2009, the euro stronger than ever, the economy in turmoil and climate scientists predicting that the UK will enjoy a hot summer, more and more people are set to revisit the holidays they loved as children and book British seaside or countryside breaks.
Managing Director of Hoburne Holiday Parks, James Lapage, said:
“The economic downturn is pushing families to cut their spending, but they understandably don’t want to give up their holiday. It’s been a harsh start to winter. Not only are people concerned about what is around the corner, but the freezing temperatures are now taking their toll. It’s little surprise that families are looking forward to getting away from everything together and great news that 2009 is set to be in the top five warmest years on record.
“Families can look forward to getting out and about exploring the great outdoors together or enjoy playing by the sea along some of the most stunning coastlines. Our Holiday Parks across the south from the Cotswolds to Cornwall have a wealth of natural treasures on the doorstep just waiting to be found or rediscovered. Whether you want a quiet escape or an activity-packed break, we have it all – and nobody needs to go anywhere near an airport check-in queue or bureau de change.”
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