Joiner reunited with caravan after nearly 50 years

• 28th Feb 2012

A joiner has been reunited with a caravan he built almost 50 years ago after spotting it had been put up for sale in eBay.

Frank Holgate, who is now chairman of a family-owned holiday park in Lancashire, wasted no time in bidding £700 for the caravan and is now proud owner of his creation once again.

The caravan was originally sold by Holgate for £540 back in 1963, when only the most upper-class families were likely to own one. It appears to have remained in great condition throughout the years.

Speaking to The Mail Online shortly after his the purchase, he said: "It was bit of a blast from the past to be honest and makes you wonder where all the years have gone."

Frank Holgate and his relatives have been in the caravan business since 1945 but stopped manufacturing caravans by 1956 so they could concentrate on running quality campsites.

According to cumbriacrack.com, he had been taught the art of joinery by his father William 'Billy' Holgate and began manufacturing caravans from the age of 16.     

"I never expected to come across any of our originals but it's wonderful to have it back with us and we are excited to get some refurbishment plans underway," he said.