Back in 1956, a small Dorset town was manufacturing a range of caravans known as Bluebirds. Very few exist today – but one of these Bluebirds has returned home and become a regular visitor to the area after a long stay in the Netherlands.
Sue and Dave Threadingham are the owners of a 1956 Bluebird Cambrian built in Poole, Dorset. Sue explains how the caravan returned home. “It was one of 11 exported to Bussem in the Netherlands when new. We first saw this caravan in the Netherlands in 2006. The owner (a friend) had taken out the curtains, cushions etc and was using as a library/quiet room within his warehouse. The surfaces held all his car books, as he is a classic car enthusiast. Where the table should have been was an engine with a glass top for his ashtray and coffee cup. He had lovely old Philips valve radio to listen to. He did not want to sell the caravan, even though he said he would never sleep in a caravan.”
Sue continues, “ The following year he came to visit us in Kent. He had his adult son with him and asked my husband to show him our cars (a 1939 Austin 8 and a 1946 Standard Flying 12). Then he came up with the proposal, or trade, that we could have the caravan if they could get my husband’s Standard. We had the Standard for 22 years but we liked the caravan so much, that it felt right to let the car go.”
Having reached an agreement, the two vehicles were exchanged. The Bluebird caravan arrived at their home in November 2007. There were some changes from the vehicle seen during Sue’s visit the previous year. The car engine table and other additions had been removed, and replaced with the original Bluebird cushions, table and other fittings. There was even a history of the vehicle, which has had many different owners around the Netherlands, including being used as holiday home on the German border.
Sue Threadingham and her pups camping in their vintage Bluebird Cambrian. [Photo/Sue Threadingham]
Sue promptly began the task of returning the caravan to its 1950’s glory. “It has been huge fun finding all the 1950’s equipment and memorabilia which adds so much in interest and appeal to the caravan. Boot fairs and charity shops have been a godsend for obtaining “stuff” of interest and use.”
Just looking around the interior of the van is like stepping back in time. On the shelves in the little kitchen area are 1950’s tins of Ovaltine, boxes of Oxo cubes, a meat safe and cooking utensils. There is a whistling kettle on the hob shelf while magazines and newspapers laid out on the table contain the latest fashions, knitting patterns plus news about the Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley and the Cuban revolution. The interior is just one room, kitchen area on one side, living area converting to sleeping quarters on the other.
Within months, Sue’s cherished Bluebird Cambrian was on the road again, touring around the south of England visiting shows and rallies. The pretty Bluebird quickly attracted attention. It is believed to be the only one of its kind that is still on the road and in use today. “Through attending shows and using it for holidays, we have met so many interesting people just from the interest shown in the caravan and we have much enjoyed almost twelve years of use. It has been mainly Steam Fairs [events focusing on steam powered vehicles], The War and Peace Show, and others alike; but we also attend smaller events in order to help with charity fund raising. Dorset is the furthest south we have been and Ashby de la Zouche in Leicestershire, the furthest north.”
Such visits enabled Sue to expand her collection of 50’s memorabilia, as well as useful additions to the caravan itself. She says, “The first year we attended the Great Dorset Steam Festival we did not have an awning with it. An elderly gentleman who was a day visitor from the Isle of Wight turned up with one for sale. It was perfect for our caravan – right age, right color – how lucky we were. With an awning it is possible to display so much more.”
Despite its age, this little Bluebird needed little attention. The front framework was renewed after two years wear, but otherwise all it needs is regular repainting and annual maintenance.
While at the shows, visitors are welcome to come in and look around. “The things I display cover the interests of a wide age group to the viewing public. For many years at the Great Dorset Steam Fair we had a family whose children insisted on coming to the caravan section as their first port of call as the children wanted to see “what the Bluebird caravan had in it this year that was different to the previous year”. They would come in and stand and look and spot what was new. It makes us feel appreciated and all our efforts so worthwhile.
Earlier this year, I had a Russian lady and her little daughter come in and the child happily played ‘tea party’ at the table while the lady looked around. People of a certain age remember using this caravan for their holidays and see items they can recall. A common comment is that “Granny had one of those,” laughed Sue. “It is lovely to hear their stories and so lovely that they appreciate how our van is kitted out.”
“The most commonly asked question we get is “Do you sleep in here?” – and we often wonder if they believe us when we tell them that we do. It actually isn’t that much different to sleeping in a modern caravan apart from not having a built-in toilet and wash room. We manage with a toilet tent. No fridge and microwave, but we cook up amazing meals on the 1950’s two burner stove and we do have a grill as well. I have an antique, original fold up (portable) oven I can use on top of the burners for heating pies and such like. TV we do not miss when we are away. We do have a small radio to keep in touch with day to day news.” Sue can literally say with confidence, she enjoys living in the past.