Below is extract from email I received from cmc contractor for metered electricity announcing the end of the trial and indicating the next steps:-
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Important Update: Smart Metering Trial Closure and Refund
Dear Member or Guest,
We are writing to inform you that the Phase 1 Electric Smart metering trial has now concluded.
Refund and Account Closure.
To finalise this phase, we have refunded any outstanding funds remaining on your Metermac account. These funds have been returned to the bank account originally used for payment and should appear within the next 5 working days. Your Metermac account will now be closed, and all associated data will be deleted.
Introducing Phase 2.
We are excited to announce that we have replaced the trial system at Wyatts Covert and Steamer Quay Club campsites with a brand new app-based system. Based on valuable feedback from our members and guests, this bespoke system is designed to be simple and flexible. Key features include:
● No more top-ups: Payment is taken automatically for the electricity used when you unplug from the socket.
● Easy Management: Use our new CAMC electric app or the on-site kiosk.
● Transparency: Track your usage in real-time and view your full history via the app.
Future Visits
If you plan to return to Wyatts Covert or Steamer Quay, you will receive detailed instructions on how to use the new system in your pre-departure communications. You can also find details on the CAMC website under "Electric Smart Metering." Our onsite teams will also be available to assist you upon arrival.
If you have any questions regarding your refund or account closure, please email metering at camc.com with the subject line "Metering Question" and include the name and email address linked to your account.
Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to improve your experience. The Caravan and Motorhome Club Team
Meter Macs Limited - on behalf of CAMC
Basildon, Essex, SS143BN
support at meter-macs.com
If you do not wish to receive further communication like this, unsubscribe here.
Hoping this information will be useful to campsite members
------------- Best Regards
David
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 13/1/2026
And what happens if you don't have a smartphone??? We do, but we know people who don't.
We were on a private owned site last year and when arriving, Reception would do it for you if you were unable, and you left a deposit with them. If you did not need any extra top up the deposit or what amount unused was repaid to you on leaving the site
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 13/1/2026
And what happens if you don't have a smartphone??? We do, but we know people who don't.
Does the kiosks on site require a smartphone in order for them to work?
I too know of folks who do not have smartphones and they are not able to pay for their parking at cashless car parks.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
1) Smart phone is not a problem for me, I've got one, but not all have! Phone signal on many camp sites I've visited is another matter entirely!
I might as well be carrying a brick 'cos a smart phone is not a phone without a signal! Plenty of times I've been on sites where the phone signal is either absent for my network, or so weak and unreliably it's as good as absent! Any alternative kiosk to a smart phone HAS to be independent and self contained.
Don't even suggest site Wi-Fi as way of connecting to outside world! - CAMC's site Wi-Fi is usually awful, clunky to sign up to and signing too many rights away to BT last time I looked, expensive if using the higher data level service too! Last couple of sites I've been on, the site-wide Wi-Fi wasn't working at all!
2) On a number of occasions I've had my EHU cut off (wrong breakers reset, or plug removed and replaced) by other users on a shared bollard! That would no doubt prematurely trigger the end of use billing! You would then have to initialise the EHU contract afresh when you reconnected!
It's bad enough getting back to your van to find Fridge and heating controls off/reset to default, but having your billing compromised as well is not going to make me a happy bunny!
I am glad I carry 2 smartphones and have all 4 major service providers covered, so that I do not have to play the mobile phone signal coverage roulette game anymore!
The CAMC club sites I had stayed with last year all had 'heat maps' for their wi-fi signals, and they were also available to view on their site listings.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
I agree, everything needs a smartphone these days.
A few weeks ago we were booking an apartment holiday, but discovered just before pressing the pay button, that entry to the apartment was via an app on my (non existent) smartphone. Emailing the letting company I learnt they were having numerous complaints about the system from people like me, so they were reverting back to key safes and just texting the code to you.
Oh dear I'm feeling very old I remember when camping was to get away from it all and was a simple process, recently my daughter asked us to join them at a parkdean site what a palaver first booking must be done on the web (didn't work) finally got a phone number with the usual message "you can do this on the web" finally got a booking to be told they wanted a photo from either a current passport or driving licence.
what with that and the price told them where to stick their pitch now weve got third party electric rip off meters coming in, glad I can still find simple farm sites
If you buy tickets for the Edinburgh Tattoo, the tickets are sent to your smartphone, which I don't have. Three years ago when we went, I collected the tickets from the ticket office the day before, no problem there. The last 2 years that option wasn't available, as I found when I rang up the week before to ask. They said they would post them to me, at a cost of £5, which I had to accept. The postal option isn't offered when you make the purchase, in my case 11 months earlier.
We don't use Club sites, with the exception of Burford when we visit OH's nephew. Always CLs/CSs. They sometimes have electric meters but they are either coin operated, or read by the customer or owner.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
I am semi-retired and am still working and have to keep up with medical and other technological advances.
I update my mobile phone and laptop once every 3 years, and take out support packages in case of malfunctions and breakdowns, as I need to be continuously contactable for my line of work.
When I am fully retired, I may not update my phone and laptop as frequently as I do now.
However, when I am out and about even when I am not working, I like to be able to access the internet.
Therefore, a good smartphone is essential for me personally.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets