For the civil service and public sector since 1923

1933CSMA allowed Manchester Group to buy a caravan at a cost of £28 for use by members. This was the first of two caravans that members could hire for touring holidays. The second caravan was purchased in 1935 but due to excessive repair costs, both caravans were sold in 1938. The CSMA Atlas was published in four volumes in 1933-34. Each sold to members for 2/- (10p) including postage and packing. In the first year 6,800 volumes were sold when there were only 13,643 members.

1935The Gazette started featuring advertisements for various handsomely discounted products, exclusively for members. Member testimonials were offered as proof of total product and service satisfaction. 1931 was the first year high-quality, discounted oil was sold to members, among other products.

1937A cartoon from CSMA’s club magazine, The Gazette, illustrated the various motivations for joining among members. Today, as in the past, member participation in club activities is always encouraged.

1938CSMA-branded spark plugs became available after the Motor Trader’s Association voiced concern over CSMA-discounted sales of brand-name products. CSMA agreed to sell only own-brand items to members.

1939 45,000 members

1961Whitemead Forest Park had a £3m investment to expand what it offers visitors as a popular destination for camping and glamping in the heart of the Forest of Dean.

1974CSMA members received discounted roadside repair and tow-home services from Auto-Speed Recovery (ASR) for only 50p per call (about to £6 in 2018 money). Unfortunately Auto-Speed folded soon after launch. Luckily, National Breakdown Recovery Club (NBRC) succeeded where ASR had failed, eventually leading to CSMA developing its own breakdown and recovery service, Britannia Rescue, in 1983.

1987The in-house CSMA Travel Service was replaced by the CSMA/Hogg Robinson Travel Desk. The new telephone booking service handled more enquiries in its first three weeks of operation than the old CSMA Travel Service handled in all of 1987.

1994Ghyll Manor Country Hotel in Rusper, West Sussex, became CSMA’s third country club since 1946. The 17th-century house combines old-world elegance with modern convenience. Members and non-members alike can choose from a main house suite, stable mews rooms or one of seven cottages. In 1998, it was awarded Les Routiers’ Gold Key Trophy for highest standards of cuisine, housekeeping, service and warm welcome.

2008Wheel Farm Cottages, near Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, North Devon, were close to beautiful coastline and feature a converted 17th-century water mill nestled on seven acres of landscaped gardens. The restored cottages offer an indoor pool, sauna, tennis court and play area for kids.

2010Manleigh Holiday Park, near Combe Martin, North Devon, opened to offer members a fantastic variety of accommodation from log cabins and chalets to static caravans, nestled in picturesque countryside with a great on-site bar and restaurant. Manleigh and Wheel Farm were both sold in 2016.

2013CSMA opened Parkergate, Keswick, Cumbria. Ideally located in England’s Lake District, this collection of cottages has proved the most popular of all CSMA’s leisure sites.

2017Whitemead Forest Park had a £3m investment to expand what it offers visitors as a popular destination for camping and glamping in the heart of the Forest of Dean.