Over the weekend of 7th-9th July 2006, Lickhill Manor Caravan Park celebrated it's 50th anniversary. The Park has managed to trace the very first touring caravan sold from these premises by the family firm which was known then as Jubilee Caravans, with the help of the Historic Caravan Club of which I am a member. It is a 1955 Car Cruiser, which is now once again in the ownership of the Park, and on show to campers. It was found abandoned in a farmer's field, and has been lovingly restored by HCC member Dai Lawrence. You may remember the Park proudly showing the caravan on a carnival float in 2006.

The Park, which is situated on the banks of the River Severn at Stourport on Severn, was established in July 1956, when Mr David G. Lloyd Jones, the father of the present owner, purchased 12 acres of orchard, and obtained planning permission for a park of 60 caravans. Mr. Lloyd Jones, the owner of Jubilee Caravans of West Bromwich, had originally visited Stourport in 1955 to buy a boat, and had ended up buying Lickhill Manor Hotel, a stunning William and Mary House. The first customer to use the newly opened Lickhill Manor Caravan Park in July 1956 was Mr Robert Paskin.

Mr. Lloyd Jones had long been associated with the caravan industry and was a member of the National Caravan Council (which today represents our major caravan manufacturers and organisations). Jubilee Caravans had originally belonged to a Mr Smart who had owned a Midland chain of shoe repairers and had a workshop and team of craftsmen for shop-fitting, which he turned into his new caravan manufacturing business. This was in direct competition with the then market leader Eccles Caravans of Stirchley, Birmingham in 1935, the jubilee year of king George V and Queen Mary. Several craftsmen from Eccles joined the new venture including the first foreman Mr Charles Chapman, the son of the Eccles foreman, who remained at Jubilee for the next 22 years. The Eccles main agent for the Midlands, Mr Elias (Bill) Sumner was so impressed by the quality of the product that he took on the Jubilee agency at his Dudley garage in 1936.

In 1937 the company leased larger premises in Wednesbury, but went into liquidation later that year. The company was sold as a going concern to Mr Sumner who revived the business and retained the workforce.The business quickly became sucessful gaining a reputation for quality, but caravan production was suspended in 1939 as a result of WWII and the company constructed basic ambulances, trailers, canvas covers and prefabricated wooden assemblies for aircraft and gliders.When caravan production resumed the company's 20ft models sold out imeediately and soon there was a long waiting list. In 1947 Mr Sumner's eyesight was failing and his great friend Mr Lloyd Jones became a director and the business became a limited company named Jubilee Bus Bodies Ltd. In 1950 there was a catastrophic fire after which the company resumed production with greatly reduced prroduction levels and staff numbers. When Mr Sumner died 2 years later, Mt Lloyd Jones took over the business.

In 1954 the company set up a retail company called Hillandale Caravans, run by Mr Eddie Bristol, selling all makes of caravans directly to the public. A year later Lickhill Manor, which was a large manor house with extensive grounds was purchased at Stourport, with the intention of obtaining planning permission for a caravan park. The company began to struggle to compete with the plethora of large new manufacturers due to the size limitations at it's factory and in July 1964 twelve 22ft caravans were produced specifically for the showman and travelling market. Mr Lloyd Jones hit the road with the prototype behind his car and took it to every possible selling agent in the UK. The present owner recalls accompanying him as a young lad on some of his business trips to Blackpool, Great Yarmouth and even Germany. The company's business in this specialist area of touring and living 'vans continued successfully even after it was sold by Mr Lloyd Jones in 1972 upon his retirement until the slump of 1980.

In 1980 the Park gained a permanent licence for 24 tourers with electric hook-up and in 1986 Mr. Lloyd Jones retired form the business which was purchased by the present owner, his son Denys. In 1992 he purchased a further 29 acres, of which 14 acres became today's superbly located riverside rally field. In 1994 he bought another 23 acres, which is today a beautifully landscaped area with wildlife habitats and pools attracting a wide diversity of bird, animal and plant life. 1995 saw the site licence increased to the current capacity of 120 touring units (tents, caravans & motorhomes) in addition to holiday homes.

Today the Park occupies some 65 acres around the 17th century manor house, alongside the River Severn. It's a short riverside stroll from the town of Stourport and is open all year round bringing visitors and much needed business to the area. The Park is the only 5 star rated park in the Midlands by Visit Britain and has been awarded the prestigious David Bellamy Gold Award for 4 consecutive years 2001-2005. This award rewards parks that have created the most successful good ecological systems, and wildlife habitats.

This article was published in several national caravan publications. As a caravan journalist and qualified historian I am interested in writing about the history of other local caravan sites. Have you got any information or interesting photos to help with this project?