In 1972 Jim Pearman left the Stroud company producing the upmarket caravan,  Safari.   Jim and his Wife, Anne, started their own Company and  named it Cotswold Coachcraft, the business was based in Grimsby and production commenced on Windrush caravans, named after the well known Cotswold river.

 

As a small company they produced quality coach built caravans with the Safari shaped front and rear panels.   The roof was in three panels lengthwise and was often referred to as the "Welton" caravan roof.

 

From the firms inception and throughout its life, Windrush caravans won awards at Earls Court Caravan Show.   Changes and improvements saw the van in front of competitors on a regular basis.   This, coupled with competitive pricing, established a solid platform and appealed to an ever widening number of new owners.

 

In September 1975 the inaugural rally took place at Donnington Park with some 30 vans in attendance and the Windrush Club was launched.

 

As a national club the rally programme rapidly developed and weekend rallies were amended to five days.   This assisted the distances that members covered and was a key factor in the growth of many genuine friendships throughout the Country.

 

A regular bi-annual rally was held in conjunction with a factory visit.   This complimented the blending of members from all parts of the Country.

 

In later years, after a change of ownership, Cotswold Coachcraft was acquired by the Swift Group.   Outstanding customer orders were produced and then the factory was closed with no further production of the coach built model.

 

Today, due to the many friendships formed over the years, the Windrush Club is still very much an active club and now welcomes new members whatever caravan you may have.   The Club also has a licence to hold much longer rallies and we now see many rallies of seven or fourteen days.