Hi Steve
I live here at Billing Marina and would like to set the record straight if I may?
The Marina is situated next to Billing Aquadrome, it all belongs to the same company. I have lived here since September last year and I LOVE IT. The park is accessed via 24/7 security, you then access the Marina with an electronic gated access and it is not possible for a non resident to get on to the Marina. There are a range of people living here on the Marina, Self Employed people,retired people, Directors all the way down to a cleaner at Althorpe House! however there are no 'Pikeys'. Yes there is a very nice Travellers site about 3 miles away, it is very clean and tidy but it is not on the Billing Park.
There is a mobile security on the park which patrols through the night, and in the park rules 'Teenagers who reside on the park must be in by 2300'. As I don't live on the park itself I can not confirm if this policy is strictly adhered to,however as we are talking about the Marina I am digressing.
We do as one member has stated 'police' the Marina ourselves,anyone unfamiliar would be challenged and yes it is possible to leave your boat unlocked here, don't know of any other place on water or land where you could do this in todays crime ridden society. :-) everyone on here is very friendly and help each other out, one lady across the gantry does not drive, so her neighbour takes her to the laundry, whilst I take her shopping. I allow another lady to use my laptop and she in turn will sit with my dogs for me.
The facilities here are fantastic, included in your mooring fee (ours being (£2,200 for our 60' boat)are passes (for four named people) for a superb heated indoor swimming pool at the Venue Complex, complete with Jacuzzi, Flume and childrens area. Entry to all the events throughout the year held here are included in your mooring fee. A fishing pass is also included.
One member posted with reference to 11 month stay and this is correct, you have to vacate for 31 consecutive days to comply with council rules. The whole of the park is closed 6th Jan to 6th Feb, and all residents of the Park have to leave for the said 31 days, as a new marina resident we are not obliged to take our 31 days at this time,we can take our 31 days at any time, so we are going up on the cut for ours.
with regard the Sewer, occasionally it does smell here however Billing can not tell the wind which way to blow! and I do know that there was a complaint made to the sewerage company and they were looking into it, and to be fair i have not 'smelled' anything since before christmas.
There is laundery, shower blocks, Indian and Chinese Restuarants, a lovely Garden Centre which is in the 'Billing Garden Village' which has some lovely shops including a Fishmonger which I highly recommend.
I think for my mooring fee I get value for money, I would be interested to see how many Marinas in the UK also provide the same level of facilities as Billing.
Lastly I am not employed by Billing and these views are all my personal ones and my experience of living here.I could go on and on, I hope this sets it all straight as I love living here and would hate for anyone else to be put off. My friend here on the Marina , had a lodge for a month on the Park while she was waiting for her boat to arrive and she enjoyed her time on the Park. regards Sue aka ILOVEMYNARROWBOAT