The Caravan | Post No. 1 | Moving Day (October 2024)
This post covers the transportation of the caravan to our house in readiness for renovation and transformation into a studio/shop for The Badger Sett Studio which I intend to open for visitors from time to time. The renovation is running alongside my working days as a full time artist and so, with the run up to Christmas (my busiest time) and mixed British Northern weather, fitting in caravan time amongst my art work has been challenging!
I hope you enjoy the first of many future blog posts about our Caravan.
The Damage
The Caravan frame knocked out of shape due to the damage inflicted by a fallen tree
Ever since the caravan was hit by its neighbouring fallen tree in 2021, our family had been trying to decide what the best plan of action would be. Most importantly we needed to guarantee its future for another 100 years. We also wanted to ensure it was going to get used more than it had been and also that it would need to have relatively regular maintenance to ensure the fabric of the caravan would last. With the caravan measuring approximately 4m x 2m we have a perfect spot in our front garden that is flat, well protected but also allowing clear access all around it with good ground (something that was definitely lacking in its current spot). So the decision was made that if we were going to move it to be with us in North Lancashire it needed to be now whilst it was in a dilapidated state rather than once it had been renovated.
The Caravan since 2021 in its protective tarpaulin
Alterations
Removal of the roof and the top of the end exterior cladding revealing the back of the inside panels
In order for the caravan to be moved, it would need to be reduced in height to conform to the British road height restrictions as it would be transported on a fairly high lorry bed. We also needed to make sure the framework was solid so added some timber to strengthen and also had to remove the iron ceiling arch. Every piece removed has been kept to make sure we can accurately replicate or reuse.
With the ends removed, the hand forged iron bar that supports the roof timbers midway is clearly visible
Researching Hauliers
It turns out that there aren’t many companies in the Cumbria area that are either capable of moving something of the size and weight (roughly 2 tons) from the location it was in or keen on moving anything slightly out of the ordinary. We found a terrific company on the West Cumbrian coast who, having seen photos of the move, thought nothing of the challenge and agreed to do the job. A day was booked in late October 2024 and a one man crew with a Hiab arrived accompanied by typical Cumbrian weather (rain & sun at the same time). The Hiab was really quite wide for this particular road (thin enough to not have a white line down the middle!) so my partner Steve and I spent the next 40 minutes squeezing traffic through the gap!
In the sling ready to lift
The Lift
As I have mentioned before, this caravan holds a great personal history with me and my family and so I was incredibly apprehensive about the move. After the serious damage I was so worried that it might fall apart (!) but Steve was certain it was 100% solid and, of course, it was. Marshall’s Sons & Co certainly built something made to last!
On the blocks ready for securing
Standing on the road as it was lifted high over a hedge and on to the Hiab was nerve-wracking but I was also surprised at how emotional I felt. As it seems like a part of the family, seeing it hanging there after everything that had happened to it was actually quite sobering! It only took 10 minutes for the driver to get it on its slings, lifted and settled on the bed of the lorry. After it was secured properly on to its blocks, the caravan was then ready for the 40 minute journey to North Lancashire.
A final strap down before its 40 minute journey to its new home
New Home
We arrived home ahead of the lorry but it wasn’t long before the happy sight of the familiar green sides came round the corner and into view. It was a good opportunity to have an even better look underneath whilst it was still on the lorry.
A good view of the underside before lifting off the lorry
It was far simpler taking the caravan off the lorry and into our front garden with no traffic to have to contend with! It was carefully lowered on to a hard surface where it will remain for the winter whilst we do the work on it before it gets pushed on to its permanent home.
On its hard ground ready for renovation. The different sized wheels front and back are evident in this image
Please do check back soon for a new update on the next stage...