Park Home People - Willowbrook Park

I’ve heard several people say that when they retired they planned to put their feet up for a bit to think about their next steps.  For many people that doesn’t really happen though as something happens to speed the process up and take them in one direction before they’ve really had a chance to worry about it.

That’s what happened to John Roberts, who manages Willowbrook Park in Lancing.  Before retirement John was a detective sergeant in the police force, working mainly in plain clothes in the regional crime squad targeting criminals.  When he was approaching 30 years in service a brief illness kept him off work and after that the opportunity of looking after the park presented itself and he took it.  John says: “That worked out just right actually.  My family are nearby and the role was the perfect change for me, I really enjoy it.”

John had already been connected to the park for some time though and his progression into managing the site was as natural a move as I’ve ever heard of. His in-laws used to live on the park and his father in law kept the site running for several years, followed by his brother-in-law John and his wife Sue. There was a bit of a transitional period with a couple of changes but John stresses that there was never a problem.

“As Patrick Luard was a chairman of the South East region of the British Homes & Holiday Parks Association the park has always been run really well and staff have been well supported.” John says.

In 2000 John and his wife Janet fully immersed themselves in life on the park by buying a Linden Cottage park home which he’s obviously really pleased with, which enabled them to manage the park on-site.

John enjoys working on the clerical side in sales and customer service, and as the residents’ first point of contact. He’s quick to tell me that people on the park help each other and that there’s a keen sense of community.  One such example is Dave Carter who writes a quarterly newsletter called the Willowbrook Warbler. Downloadable from the website, it’s a great insight into the feel of the park and rather a good read.

I’m sure with his personality John must be a real asset to the park.  He has rather a wicked (forgive me John) sense of humour which could easily be missed. He shared with me that one of his favourite past-times was taking an afternoon stroll to the beach 300 yards away.  I understand that this walk often also involves a very pleasant ice-cream or two enjoyed at the seafront café. It sounds really idyllic and I’m sure it is.  Being John though, on a relatively recent daily constitutional he spotted walkers he knew up ahead, got close and ran past them as if he’d just run a marathon.  Impressive stuff John and I’m sure they didn’t doubt you for a minute!

The park does sound brilliantly located though, near to the beach and sailing club and on flat level ground, which often helps those who prefer gentle walks.  It’s also got great transport connections and as Lancing is one of the largest villages in England, shops are within easy reach. The location also delivers a bit of a quirk of nature where weather is concerned too – the South Downs are just North of the park and John says they do seem to deflect the rain a bit. A brook meanders through the park and ducks, swans, moorhens and kingfishers can all be counted as part of the resident population.  The park is 12 acres in all with 142 properties on site. 

That’s quite a number to look after but it’s clear that John knows what he’s doing, and is actually very serious where park business is concerned, doing everything by the book.  In fact John has gone a step further on behalf of his residents in a move which I think is a really great idea.  Until a couple of years ago the underside maintenance of the homes was done by a father and son team but as the father got older and it was no longer practical for them to continue John sought out another solution. 

Park Home Chassis Services came to the park to inspect a second hand home and impressed John, so he negotiated a routine visit to the park at least once a year to check the homes for any potential issues so they could be addressed quickly.   By co-ordinating it so PHCS check properties on the park at the same time it also means an economy of scale with any repair work needed.  It all makes total sense.   

John also had work carried out on his own home and thoroughly recommends it.  He says: “I just wanted to make it all easier for the residents. Time passes and it’s easy to forget these things otherwise.  With PHCS at least we know all our residents have the right support to hand if they need it.  It’s their choice if and when they have the work done but this way it’s easier for them to keep their homes well-maintained and they don’t have to worry.”

In a nutshell:

• This park seems to have particularly strong management in place, but without being impersonal.  That’s a great mix. 
• PHCS visits periodically and provides a free inspection service to residents so they are aware quickly if any work is advisable.
• With the beach nearby, no hills to negotiate and beneficial weather conditions this park has lots of great selling-points.
• PHCS advises that location can influence the condition and lifespan of a park home chassis, and recommends periodical inspections for those living within 5 miles of the coast to protect against rust corrosion.

For further information on Park Home Chassis Services, visit www.parkhomechassis.co.uk, email info@parkhomechassis.co.uk or call 0118 984 3107  For further information about the park call 01903 752755 or email enquiries@willowbrookpark.co.uk