van wont start!!

[weeda]

hello me again i dont post and then wen i do i seem to become a pain in the bum!!!
well here goes.... we havent had the van out for a good 5 weeks but usually it starts no problem....well this last weekend he decided he wouldnt start so off i took the battery and charged it over night! left it sat there till this sunday bobbed battery back on and tried him again....nope nothing not even a click! the dash lights came on as normal oil battery and coils but after the first attempt at turning the ignition even they stopped coming on???? now what happens is the lights flicker on but dont stay on and there is nothing at all from the ignition?
i have a 1.6diesel watercooled t25 hopefully got little brother coming over at the weekend to have a look as i have no idea but if i can just point him in the right direction i would be very grateful.
is it worth taking the battery off to charge again? should i try to jump start the van? i dont know what to do and dont want to cause any damage to the van, as i posted before we may possibly be selling him soon so he needs fixing plus we are going to newquay at easter which is a 7-8 hour drive.
many thanks
louisa
(i might add that the weather has been wet wet wet and very windy so does this make any difference as he is out inm the elements)

[eatcustard]

Sound like the battery is shot,
Do you have access to a volt meter to check it (should be around 12.5v)

or

you have bad connections to the battery, check earth straps, and make sure all connections are tight and clean.

[weeda]

i dont have access to a voltometer, i am hoping it is only the battery and nothing more serious, i have suspected it hasnt been holding its charge for a while as when we last used the van it started fine we ran it for a good 20 miles stopped at a shop to get stuff and the little so n so wouldnt start...gave it 5 mins tried again and it started? does this make any difference?

[weeda]

well got the van started turned out to be a flat battery!!! yay so all is looking well for newquay at easter!
thanks for the advice again this site is exellent.
lou