VANLOVE FEST 25 GET TO KNOW: MORTICIA MCVAN
One of the things that makes Vanlove Fest truly special is the people. Not just the ones you dance next to, camp beside, or share a drink with—but the incredible individuals who come to share their passions, skills, and stories through workshops and discussions across the festival weekend.
Our workshop leaders and guest speakers are the heart of the Vanlove experience. They’re real people, living real adventures—and they’re here to connect, inspire, and offer something valuable to everyone who stops by their space.
In our ‘Vanlove Fest 25: Get To Know’ blog series, we’re giving you the chance to get to know them a little better. We've asked our workshop hosts and speakers a few questions to help you find out what drives them, what they'll be sharing, and why they can't wait to be part of Vanlove Fest 25. Let’s start with Morticia McVan!
Who are you, and what do you do?
My name is Paul Meadows, though you might know me better as Morticia McVan or Wittering Trucker—depending on which social platform you follow me on! By day, I’m an HGV tramper with nearly 20 years of life on the road under my belt.
What first sparked your love for vanlife / life on the road?
I first fell in love with the idea of building a van about eight years ago, after helping a mate with his conversion. After my marriage ended and with a job that keeps me away all week, it just made sense to build my own van and call it home whenever I wasn’t on the road for work.
What can people expect from your session at Vanlove Fest?
At Vanlove Fest, my goal is to help demystify the process of re-registering a self-built van as a Motor Caravan. It’s something that can feel a bit overwhelming or confusing—especially with changing DVLA guidelines and the paperwork involved—but it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you're just starting your build, midway through, or already on the road and wondering if your van qualifies, I’ll be sharing clear, practical advice on what the DVLA is actually looking for, how to meet the criteria, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Describe your dream van in 3 words.
What's my dream van? I already drive it! Only thing i would change is her age and huge mileage.
What’s one vanlife myth you’d love to bust?
The myth id like to bust is that it's actually quite easy to get your van changed to a Motor Caravan. Come along to my talk to learn just how easy it is!
What’s your go-to comfort ritual on the road?
My go too comfort ritual on the road is cooking a really good steak on the induction stove. Simple things!
What does ‘Vanlove’ mean to you?
Vanlove to me means the freedom to travel and not stress about getting to a hotel etc. You can park pretty much anywhere you want and have a different view most days. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Where can people follow your journey or connect with you online?
If people want to find me on socials, search for either Morticia McVan or Wittering Trucker on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
Join Paul aka Morticia McVan on Saturday on the runway as he breaks down everything you need to know about getting your campervan officially reclassified with the DVLA.
Buy tickets and find out all you need to know about Vanlove Fest 25 by clicking below:
