It’s 40 years and counting for Geoff and Elaine at Wayside
It’s the summer of 1983. Margaret Thatcher has just won a second election victory for the Conservatives, Rod Stewart was riding high in the charts with Baby Jane – and Geoff and Elaine Dent have just bought their first caravan at Wayside Holiday Park in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors.
Fast forward 40 years – and 75-year-old Elaine says it was the best decision the couple ever made apart from getting married.
“I think the fact we are still at Wayside and loving every minute of it speaks for itself,” said Elaine. “It’s been a fantastic 40 years here – the perfect way to escape the hurly burly and stresses and strains of everyday life.”
To celebrate the Dents’ 40 years at the award-winning Wayside, owner Mark Goodson presented them with a very special bottle of champagne.
Mark praised Geoff and Elaine, saying they were the perfect holiday park residents – kind, courteous, helpful and appreciative.
Elaine, who is a hairdresser, based in Hull, recalled:
“Back in 1983, we had a big decision to make. Should we go on our annual holiday to Italy or should we take the plunge and buy a static caravan and spend the summer at Wayside, which had been recommended by a friend? Forget Italy, we said, and we were right.
“Our first caravan cost just £850 and didn’t have either water or electricity. That didn’t matter. We had fallen in love with the peace, tranquillity and beauty of Wayside and were prepared to rough it for a while until we could upgrade. Over the years we have bought bigger and better caravans, but we have never, ever thought of leaving Wayside.
“Let’s face it, even if we won the lottery, we wouldn’t move. Wayside has been a very precious part of our lives. We would never turn our backs on such a wonderful holiday park.
“One of the big plusses is that the holiday park is within a very short walk from the village of Wrelton, which has a great pub, the Buck. Pickering is just three miles away, with the magnificent Yorkshire coast close by. And the historic city of York is within easy driving distance.”
Mark commented:
“I would like to extend the warmest of thank yous to Geoff and Elaine. We are consistently amazed and humbled by the positive comments we receive from our owners on site. It’s wonderful to hear their kind and supportive words.
“We believe, like Geoff and Elaine, that the peace, beauty and serenity at Wayside makes our holiday park the perfect place to relax and to escape the challenges of everyday life.”
Mark explained:
“If you are thinking about buying the ideal holiday home over the next few months, now is the time to look. We have a number of spare pitches and new lodges on the park, which are ideal for anyone wanting to get away from it all and making a home in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK.
“We are within easy reach of Yorkshire’s breath-taking coastline, historic market towns, world-class heritage and mile upon mile of superb walking country. Set amid North Yorkshire’s rolling, wood-fringed fields, its beauty and tranquillity are ideal for those who want to recharge their batteries.”
The last word goes to Elaine:
“Mark and his team at Wayside, especially his long-serving friend and right-hand man Trevor, have looked after us so well over the past 40 years. They run the park brilliantly and deserve all the success and the accolades they get.”
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Couple celebrate 40 years at Wayside park near Pickering
It’s 40 Years And Counting For Geoff And Elaine At Wayside