Mazda bucks EV trend with super-clean diesel

Mazda CX-60 diesel launch by Steve Rogers

Here we are in the middle of the electric revolution and one car company decides the time is right for a new diesel. And a big one at that, an in-line 3.3 litre.

But this is Mazda we are talking about, a company that is anything but conventional when it comes to everything motoring, particularly engines.

It is taking a pragmatic approach, happy to follow the Government edict to be all electric by 2035, but still have a range of super clean, economical petrol and diesel engines in the bank for those who prefer to stick with the good old internal combustion engine. And there will be plenty who will, after all lots of enthusiasts still enjoy driving classic cars.

Mazda’s UK boss Jeremy Thomson is all for the company’s ‘multi-solution approach’ with more efficient internal combustion engines and a range of electrified powertrains.

He told me the new diesel is designed to meet the needs of customers who want an efficient, long distance driving car with great towing capacity, and rural Wales is one of its target areas.

So has Mazda pulled a rabbit out of the hat or built an engine that no one will want? The company is realistic, predicting no more than 15 per cent of the CX-60 cake, with the majority favouring the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.

That said this is the world’s cleanest diesel, capable of mid fifties to the gallon, powering a sizeable SUV with a towing capacity of 2,500kg - music to the ears to people like me who tow a big caravan.

Mazda has gone for an inline 6-cylinder rather than a V6 because it vibrates less and to be fair it does not feel like a heavyweight under the bonnet, in fact the engine weighs around the same as the 2.2 litre four cylinder diesel which is a measure of how much weight has been saved.

It comes with a choice of 196bhp or 254bhp, the latter powering the all wheel drive version. The engines are very refined, both helped by a 48 volt hybrid power unit to boost economy and acceleration as well as lowering engine emissions. The lower powered version feels punchy enough until you get behind the wheel of the ‘bully boy’ which benefits from an extra 100Nm of torque and is a good bit quicker with foot flat to the floor in the mid range.

It loses out on economy, 56 to 53mpg, and costs more because of all wheel drive and a higher level of equipment, but there is no need to be put off by going for the rear wheel drive entry level. Mazda has always been more generous with its basic specification compared to premium German rivals - yes Mazda has climbed into the upper class - so the Exclusive Line is not that poor a relation of the CX-60 trio.

For £42,990 you get the digital binnacle with excellent head up display, the central 12.3in touchscreen which can be operated by a rotary controller, glad Mazda is sticking with that, it is much safer than fingering the screen while on the move, and the heating controls are physical switches. Other niceties include navigation,  heated front seats, and smart phone connectivity.

An extra £1,900 adds a pack that includes a 360 degree view camera, wireless charging and a full suite of safety features which is well worth considering.

Moving up to Homura brings in the more powerful engine, all wheel drive and pretty much the comfort pack (£1,400 extra on Exclusive-Line) that includes powered and ventilated front seats and heated outer rear seats. Top of the range Takumi is more plush with leather and fabric finishes but the £1,900 package with the safety features is still a £1,900 extra.

All Mazda’s favour enthusiastic driving and even this big SUV is a pleasure to drive, flowing through twisty roads thanks to its taut suspension set up which can be switched on the fly between comfort, off road and sport. I will even go so far as to say it is good fun although not quite as well planted as my current Audi Q5 Sportback test car.

Whether you think it is bold or barmy the addition of a powerful, economic diesel to the CX-60 range is a worthwhile option especially when many rivals have ditched diesel for good.

Fast facts

CX-60 Takumi 8sp auto

£50,730

3.3 litre turbo diesel; 248bhp

0-62mph 7.4secs; 136mph

53.3mpg combined

139g/km. 1st tax £285

Boot: 570-1726 litres

Insurance group 39

Canal walkers raise over £20,000 for children’s hospices

* A group of happy canal walkers.

* Striding out in a good cause.

Hundreds of walkers put their best foot forward and took on the 10-mile Llangollen Canal Walk on Sunday raising more than £20,000 for Hope House Children’s Hospices.  

The event saw walkers cross the start point at Trevor Basin before heading over the world-famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and following the canal all the way to The Poachers pub at Chirk for refreshments before heading back to receive their special medals.  

The event was sponsored by the Principality Building Society and was supported by volunteers and marshals from the Wrexham and Erddig Rotary Club. 

The event was rescheduled due to the snow in March with some walkers choosing to take on the walk at a different time. 

One of those was Jane Williams, from Wrexham, who has been doing the walk for 10 years in memory of her son Evan, who died suddenly in his sleep just weeks before his 13^th birthday. 

She said: “I can honestly say if we hadn’t had Hope House I don’t know what we would have done. 

“By walking the Llangollen Canal Walk and raising this money for the hospices you’ve made sure families like mine continue to get the support when they need it the most.” 

Fundraiser Cat Dowdeswell said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our amazing supporters who have joined us on our Llangollen Canal Walk, raising £16,000 so far with more money still coming in.  

“This money will be supporting seriously ill local children and their families, and without this fantastic support we simply wouldn’t be able to be here for those that need us the most.  

“A huge thank you also to our super team of volunteers and our event sponsors Principality Building Society who have helped make this such a great day and sent a team to help us on the day.” 

If you have been inspired to take part in an event or fundraise for Hope House Children’s Hospices then please visit hopehouse.org.uk/events to see how you can get involved.  

MS welcomes talks for direct trains from Wrexham to Liverpool

A North Wales MS has welcomed talks to establish regular direct trains between Wrexham and Liverpool. 

Ken Skates (pictured) raised the matter in the Senedd recently and was told that Transport for Wales (TfW) is working with the Liverpool City Region and MerseyRail to put on more services and remove the need for passengers to change at Bidston.

Former Transport Minister Mr Skates, who represents Clwyd South, said the move would be ‘brilliant’ for his constituents and commuters across the region. 

The UK Government has responsibility for rail infrastructure, and Mr Skates wants Tory Ministers to commit to ‘long-overdue’ investment in the North Wales network. 

“I’m really pleased to hear Transport for Wales are working with partners in Merseyside to try and deliver this,” said Mr Skates. “It would be brilliant and I’m pleased the Welsh Government has identified the Wrexham-Bidston Line as a key route for our region.”

In a letter to Mr Skates, Minister Lee Waters said: “Thank you for raising the important topic of the work Transport for Wales (TfW) are undertaking with MerseyRail.  

“I thought it would be useful to write to you, as TfW are engaging regularly with the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and on how they, and MerseyRail, can work together to deliver improvements for passengers on the Wrexham to Bidston Line. TfW have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with LCR to work collaboratively on projects that impact upon the cross-border economy. The Wrexham to Bidston Line is a key focus of this collaboration. 

“TfW are working with LCR to develop the business case for increasing the frequency of services on the line. Linked closely to this is a joint bid from TfW and LCR to the Union Connectivity Fund which aims to enable the use of MerseyRail’s brand new Stadler 777 fleet on the Wrexham to Bidston Line. The extension of these new trains would then ultimately enable direct services into Liverpool from this line rather than the current need to change trains at Bidston.  

“TfW are hopeful that they will hear the outcome of this bid in the very near future and I would be happy to provide you with an update on this once the outcome is known.” 

Mr Skates said: “It’s fantastic to see TfW and the Liverpool City Region working so closely for people both sides of the border. Cross-border relationships are so crucial for our corner of Wales in promoting economic growth and shared solutions such as this.” 

He added: “This project would be a real boost for Wrexham. Investment in rail infrastructure in North Wales is long overdue, and I urge UK Government Ministers to approve the bid.” 

Tower Road to be temporarily closed for gas main works

* The area affected by the temporary closure to traffic of Tower Road.

Denbighshire County Council has notified of a temporary traffic order closing Tower Road, Llangollen, for is entire length, from April 24-May19 to allow gas main replacement by Wales & West Utilities.

There will be a traffic diversion route along Dinbren Road, Wharf Hill, Mill Street and Abbey Road. 

The order says that pedestrian access along the road will be maintained throughout the closure period.

Police appeal for witnesses after road collision

North Wales Police have appealed for witnesses to a road traffic collision in Ruabon yesterday (Sunday) which left a motorcycle rider seriously injured.

They say: "At approximately 4.50pm on Sunday April 2 a collision occurred between a black C180 Mercedes and an orange and white motorcycle on the A5152 Ruabon Road, near the Puleston Industrial Estate.

"As a result, the rider of the motorcycle suffered serious injuries and has been airlifted to Stoke University Hospital.

"Sergeant Jason Diamond from the Roads Policing Unit, said: 'We are appealing for anyone who was in the Ruabon Road area around the time of the incident or who have dash cam footage to contact us. 

'We are also asking the rider of the second motorcycle that left the scene of the incident to contact us. We believe that this motorcycle was white, yellow and blue and neither of the riders were wearing motorcycle clothing or helmets. 

'If anyone has any information about this collision please contact us on 101 quoting incident number A047466.'”

Round Challenge's awards now on show in tourist office

* The Flame of Hope trophy and certificate are now on show in the Tourist Information Office in Castle Street. 

The Flame of Hope trophy recently awarded to the Llangollen Round by Cancer Research UK is now on display in the town's Tourist Information Office for everyone to see. 

The often gruelling 35-mile run/walk through the beautiful yet tough terrain of the hills surrounding the town was launched in 2012 by members of the Llangollen Ramblers group and is based roughly on the Alpine Walk Tour of Mont Blanc.

The amount raised for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) by the challenge has climbed steadily from £33,000 to last year's total of almost £120,000 which was boosted by government returns on charity donations.

The 2022 Round attracted over 500 entries from across the UK and abroad and saw 238 walkers or runners finishing it in a single day with another 189 completing it in two. 

In recognition of this massive cash support for CRUK and the involvement and commitment of around 100 volunteers who run the event, the Round was selected for the Flame of Hope Award.

These national awards are CRUK's annual accolades to celebrate the achievements of its most outstanding and inspiring volunteers.  

This year they received a record-breaking 835 nominations from staff and volunteers across the country.

Judith Smith, one of the Round's founders and organisers, said: "The Flame of Hope is one of several national awards made annually by the charity and we are so pleased to have won it. 

"It was presented to us at a ceremony in Manchester. If you played any part at all in the Challenge, that trophy is yours also. Go and take a look at it!

S4C highlights disagreement over Eisteddfod's motto

* The headline on the story about the Eisteddfod's motto.

A story on S4C TV's news website says Llangollen Eisteddfod has "discredited" itself by expressing the intention to change its motto, according to a letter from a number of opponents.

The full story, which appears in the Welsh language, says: 'The letter from Professor Gruffydd Aled Williams and others calls on the Eisteddfod to "refrain from any further action in terms of removing the motto" and that doing so shows a lack of "respect" for the Welsh language.

In a statement earlier in the month the Eisteddfod said that the motto "A white world will be a singing world. His poems will be civilized" will be changed by 2024.

There were concerns that part of the motto that celebrates "byd gwyn" was translated to "white world" in English. 

But the letter writers said they "absolutely reject the basis of this argument.

"Many expressions from many languages of the world could cause offense to different factions if they are translated literally and incorrectly without considering the proper methods and traditional practices of the languages from which they were translated," said the letter.

"We do not know of examples of languages where its speakers agreed to renounce the use of completely innocent and acceptable expressions because of the possibility that their literal and inadequate translation could offend someone somewhere.

"It seems, however, that the International Eisteddfod wants to make an exception for the Welsh language in this regard, subduing and degrading it compared to other languages.

"We are sorry that this case, motivated by ignorance and misunderstanding, has discredited the Eisteddfod and made it a laughing stock."

When asked on S4C News he added that he would "very much hope that no poet worth his salt would receive a commission" to create a new motto.

"This decision stems from gross ignorance of the cultural situation in Wales, and it is actually a serious cultural threat," he said.

"I wish the Eisteddfod well, but they have taken a particularly, particularly unfortunate, empty step."

Asked for a response by llanblogger, the Eisteddfod commented: "T. Gwynn Jones’ words have travelled from Llangollen around the world, spreading the Welsh message of peace, and our motto has served us tremendously well for 75 years; we are rightly proud of it in its intended meaning and translation. 

"Our current motto and much-loved shield will remain part of the Eisteddfod’s visual identity in 2023, and the Board will spend the next 5 months in consultation with our stakeholders on the best way forward for 2024 and beyond.

 

"We want to clearly state that we have not at any point implied any racism. The Eisteddfod is, and has always been, a beacon for togetherness."

And from a further update provided to volunteers and company members 23 March, the Eisteddfod added: "The Board fully recognises the original intention of the poetry, and values its significance in the Eisteddfod’s history, as well as its place in Welsh culture and tradition. The motto, which surrounds the shield, will continue to be used in 2023, on trophies, medals, on the Pavilion stage, and around the site.

"The Board is committed to involving volunteers and company members in the future decision making around the motto, following the 2023 Eisteddfod."

British Water Ski Championship regional heat coming to Llangollen.

* Top-class water-skiing could be heading for Llangollen.

Dateline: April 1

A llanblogger exclusive can report that initial ideas are being promoted to bring to Llangollen one of the regional heats of the 2023/4 British Water Ski Championships.

Group spokesperson David Davies says that our stretch of canal here in Llangollen from the Horseshoe Falls to the Llangollen Marina offers an appropriate measured distance for the event.  

He explained: "Currently used by unpowered craft, canoes and more recently paddle boarders, the route offers considerable skill tests.   

"These include even for the experienced skier the  challenges of the  narrow bridges, angled curves of the course, variable grading of the canal base and the continuous flowing current.

"Logistics at either end of the course are well provided with parking at Llantysilio Green and access to the start and parking and services at the finish in the Eisteddfod field car park adjacent to the Marina."

He added: "Detailed talks are yet to be arranged with the Canal and Rivers Trust and the British Water Ski and Wakeboard Association, but we see this new initiative as another first in promoting Llangollen and a further welcomed boost to the tourism opportunities for the town."

Minor works to start on Four Great Highways project

* The steps at Lower Dee Mill Park.

Minor works are to start in town on Monday (April 3) in connection with the Four Great Highways project.

A spokesperson for the project said: "Ground investigation works are being carried out to help us better understand the ground conditions at the Wharf and Lower Dee Mill Park in Llangollen to inform the detailed design of the project.  

"The techniques that will be used may result in intermittent noise associated with the drilling of boreholes to extract the material to be sampled.  This will involve some path closures for short periods during the week for the work to be carried out.

"The work will be limited to the following days and will take place during normal working hours.  Please note there may be some slight variation to the following schedule."

Date	Location	Disruptions / Closure
Monday 3 April 2023	Lower Dee Mill Park	Temporary closure of the path and metal stepped access will be required.   Alternative steps and access available further down Mill Street.
Tuesday 4 April 2023	Lower Dee Mill Park	Temporary closure of the path and metal stepped access will be required.   Alternative steps and access available further down Mill Street.
Wednesday 5 April 2023	Llangollen Wharf	Temporary closure of stepped access.   Ramped access will be available up to the Wharf.
Thursday 6 April 2023	Lower Dee Mill Park	No path closures

The spokesperson added: "We apologise in advance for any disruption caused and would also like to reassure you that the areas affected will be left in a safe condition once the work is complete. Thank you for your patience and understanding." 

Person taken to hospital after incident on Horseshoe Pass

Leaderlive is reporting this afternoon (Friday) that a person was taken to hospital following a road traffic collision near Llangollen this morning. 

* For the full story, see: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23426402.person-taken-hospital-crash-horseshoe-pass-llangollen/

Man dies after road traffic collision near Corwen

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting that a man has died following a road traffic collision near Corwen yesterday afternoon (Thursday, March 30).

* For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/23425422.man-dies-corwen-traffic-collision-bus-car/?fbclid=IwAR3hR5xqRS_e7rVjfmtC1haBm3WLtYl7mZ5yvTWJFjun0LE6e3Uqbfz-LCk 

Parks Project gets £2,217 boost for Pengwern adventure trail

* Jess Evans accepts the cheque from Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin and North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop. 

A Llangollen scheme was amongst the winners of a special £120,000 fund to help communities across North Wales announced at a dedicated ceremony in the White House, Rhuallt last Wednesday.

The Your Community, Your Choice fund supports grass-roots projects and is supported by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) and North Wales Police. 

After applications were shortlisted, the North Wales public was asked to vote for their preferred projects and over 16,000 votes were cast across the region in the online ballot.

Amongst the four winners in Denbighshire was the Llangollen Parks Project, which will use the £2,217 it received to provide adventure trail equipment in Pengwern Park.

This will be added add to the £1,300 the project has already secured from another source.  

Project spokesperson Jessica Evans said: "We hope to go ahead with installing the equipment within the next few months." 

This year’s awards were even more significant as Your Community, Your Choice is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2023 and, over the past ten years, a total of over £500,000 has been awarded to more than 150 projects working to reduce crime in their areas and to support the priorities in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan. 

The funding for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest from the Police and Crime Commissioner. 

In recognition if this 10-year milestone, the funding available to winning projects this year was increased to a total of £120,000, shared across 25 projects.

North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “I am delighted to see so many excellent and deserving winners receive funding that will help transform communities across North Wales. Your Community, Your Choice is a true collective effort – from my office, the police and PACT, to local communities, the organisations who apply, and to the public who vote for them.

“Everyone has a stake in the success of Your Community, Your Choice and, over the past 10 years, it has shown the difference it can make in offering community groups new opportunities. These organisations give their time and energy to help their local area and the initiative is a great way to give back and help these organisations achieve their aims. They help to keep our neighbourhoods safe and secure, and to meet the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan. And the fact that part of the money comes from funds seized from criminals also helps show to people that crime doesn’t pay, but community activism does!”

Pengwern Community Hub's April what's on guide

 

Plan ahead for Easter countryside visits, says council

Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB are advising people to plan ahead for Easter visits to county countryside beauty spots.

As the Easter holiday fast approaches people should check ahead to see if facilities are open and where possible access quieter sites and walks to help avoid parking issues and busy periods.

A large number of countryside beauty spots have become more popular since people were asked to stay local during the pandemic and drivers are urged to be mindful of finding suitable areas to park or alternative transport to sites so as not to disrupt surrounding routes into the areas.

The Council has introduced a series of measures at Moel Famau to relieve congestion in the area. New double yellow lines are part of a series of measures, including additional parking spaces and road side parking provision that is hoped to improve visitor flow.

Last year saw grid lock as cars parked of the verges blocked the road – and on a number of occasions preventing emergency vehicles being able to access the area. Parking enforcement officers will patrol the site.

Visitors are also urged to respect the countryside and be sensible by parking responsibly, not littering and only riding bikes on permitted routes.

If the weather is fine over the period, people ae urged not to have BBQ’s, camping stoves or campfires on the moorland areas of the AONB because of the significant risk of fire.

Dog owners are also reminded to act responsibly and keep their pets on leads when walking through the countryside around livestock especially as lambing season continues

For more information on planning your trip ahead, visit https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/   and follow the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB on Facebook and Twitter.

Tourism leader welcomes Riverside Park make-over

* The 9-hole bespoke mini golf under construction.

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has welcomed plans to give a popular Llangollen park a new look.

Mr Rowlands, chair of the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism, said: “I am delighted to hear about all the work which is going to be carried out to enhance and develop Riverside Park. 

“The town is an extremely popular tourist destination and as a very keen supporter of attracting visitors to this lovely part of the world it is good to see work being carried out to upgrade recreational spaces.

 

“I am also pleased to see this sort of investment in Llangollen which can only enhance and improve the area for local people and visitors alike.”

Contractors are currently working on a raft of new features for the Llangollen site including a new 9-hole bespoke mini golf which is due to be finished end of March with holes representing places and features of interest within Llangollen and the Dee Valley. 

This will include an active travel interpretation map for the area and replaces the old course at the site.

New play equipment for the 5-12 year old age range is also going to be installed early April and work is underway at the bandstand to install electricity power points to increase opportunities for entertainment along with seating block created in to the bank area for spectators.

Green infrastructure has also been introduced sat the park with trees to create shade, wildflower planting and shrub planting around the park. Also a green space area will be extended by introducing grass up to and around the blocked dragon area.

The work has been made possible through the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics funding round for 2022/23.

Paul Evans, Plas Newydd Site Manager, said: “ While planning this work, we worked closely with Llangollen Fringe along with Llangollen Parks Community group and Llangollen Town Council, who both provided some of the match funding towards the project.”

Cash boost for Pengwern Park

* Llangollen Parks Project has picked up a cheque for £2,217 from the North Wales Police Your Community Your Choice scheme.

The money will go towards providing adventure trail equipment in Pengwern Park and will add to the £1,300 the project has already secured from another source.  

Project spokesperson Jessica Evans said: "We hope to go ahead with installing the equipment within the next few months." 

Live show about death coming to the Town Hall

A live show about death is coming to Llangollen Town Hall next month. 

Outside the Box is presented by Liz Rothschild, a performer, celebrant and award-winning burial ground owner.

The 55-minute theatre show includes stories with props, music and post-show talk.

 

Themes touched on are how our society handles death and dying, talking or not talking about death, funerals and the full range of options available, involvement of children, preparing for end of life, funeral poverty and comparisons with practise in other countries.

 

The show’s pre-publicity says: “Her unique insights and experiences have created a highly original and beautifully cathartic show, combining mercurial tales and miraculous truths, collected over the years from life’s finishing line.

“Funny, wise and taboo busting, Outside The Box confronts the ‘Elephant in the room’ with grace and humour, asking its audience to embrace mortality and look on the bright side of life, with a weave of untold and surprising stories, a hint of history and some pithy commentary on the funeral industry from one who knows.

 

“The overall message of these pieces is that engaging with our mortality, rather being depressing, brings relief, connection and inspiration.”

 

Outside the Box, is coming to Llangollen Town Hall on Friday April 28, at 7pm, as part of a national tour. Tickets: £10 and: £8.00 concession.

 

* Booking: https://llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk/. Enquiries: facilities@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk call: 01978 861345.

Tale of Llangollen man who made Prince Charles bomb

* Queen Elizabeth II crowns Charles Prince of Wales during his Investiture ceremony on July 1 1969, as Home Secretary James Callaghan looks on. AP Photo, File.

* Dai Bonar, David ‘Dafydd y Dug’ Burns and Glyn ‘Lone Wolf’ Rowlands at the end of the FWA trial. Raymond Daniel. 

* Author Arwel Vittle outside Caernarfon Castle. 

A bomb was made out of a Horlicks tube in a bid to derail Prince Charles' investiture in Caernarfon by a Llangollen man dubbed "The Barnes Wallis of Wales."

But the device, created to free the Welsh from the "English yoke," barely caused a ripple when it was tested, leading the Free Wales Army (FWA) and its self-proclaimed leader, Cayo Evans back to the drawing board.

The anecdote, told by journalist Lyn Ebenezer, features in a new book called Charles and the Welsh Revolt by author Arwel Vittle who was raised in Carmarthen and now lives in Caernarfon in Gwynedd.

The book explores the explosive start to King Charles III's royal career and how, according to nationalists, the "archaic and oppressive (royal) tradition has been a blight on the nation for centuries," since Edward I deposed the last native Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1282.

It also details the bizarre plots which included "kamikaze dogs" and manure to disrupt the 1969 ceremony at Caernarfon Castle, which also saw four other bombs planted by the militant group, MAC (Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru).

The contribution to Vittle's book from Ebenezer recalls travelling to a remote area with Evans in the run up to the royal proceedings.

"What was there was about 20 FWA lads testing a new bomb," Ebenezer says.

"The bomb had been made out of a Horlicks tube and the guy who made the bomb lived in Llangollen.

"Cayo introduced him as 'The Barnes Wallis of Wales,' whose bomb is going to release us from the English yoke."

Barnes Wallis was an English engineer and inventor best known for inventing the bouncing bomb used by the Royal Air Force during World War II.

Recalling the bomb being tested, Ebenezer remembers taking cover behind a stone wall.

"I saw the smoke rise from the bomb in the wall, and then after a few seconds came a noise: ‘Pffft.’

"A cloud of smoke rose up but no stone was dislodged!

"Sheep were still quietly grazing and none raised their heads.

"And I remember Cayo’s words clearly: 'F**k it, boys – back to the drawing board!."

The FWA first appeared in public at a 1965 protest against the construction of the Llyn Celyn reservoir near Bala.

On one occasion, an FWA member fitted a harness to his dog, which he said would be used to carry sticks of explosive gelignite.

He had dozens more dogs all trained to carry magnetic devices under Army vehicles.

The story about these "kamikaze dogs" duly appeared in newspapers and prompted hundreds of angry letters from dog-lovers.

Another "plot" included hiring a helicopter to drop farmyard manure on the Prince of Wales' investiture.

The consequence of the stunts and exploits of the FWA diverted attention from the "real bombers," the MAC, masterminded by John Jenkins who was radicalised by the drowning of the Tryweryn Valley above Bala in Gwynedd.

The Welsh nationalist and British Army soldier was jailed for 10 years for organising explosions in a campaign of sabotage against the investiture.

One device exploded unexpectedly killing two members of the MAC in Abergele.

The following day, two more bombs were planted in Caernarfon.

One exploded in a police constable's garden during a 21-gun salute.

Another was planted at Llandudno Pier where the Royal Yacht Britannia was expected to moor, but did not go off.

The second Caernarfon bomb was found by a 10-year-old Buckinghamshire boy playing football while on holiday, who lost part of his leg when it exploded.

The late Jenkins is quoted in Vittle's book as saying: "How the hell do you expect people to celebrate their own defeat?

"To celebrate the fact in the last 700 years, we hadn’t moved forward an inch and had moved back a couple of yards.

"To commemorate it is one thing, but to celebrate it is another story."

Jenkins adds: "The only way to be heard is to kick up a fuss. And you’ve got to kick up a fuss that really threatens.

"That’s why we had to make direct threats to Charles. They were never meant to be carried out, of course. What would be the point of the political fallout from killing him?"

Author  Vittle, who runs a translation company, said it was "interesting" to hear the first hand accounts of the activists and extremists at the heart of the protest movement.

“It was a tense time not only with the bombing campaign, but also Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s non-violent protests and large rallies and Plaid Cymru getting its first electoral successes. I wanted to look at what caused this extreme reaction around Charles’ Investiture, whether it was worth it, and whether it could all happen again.”

The father-of-three and author of popular histories, including I’r Gad, a photographic history of Welsh language protests, and Valentine, a biography of Lewis Valentine, the first president of Plaid Cymru, said: "I thought it would be interesting to look at Charles' formative years in public life as Prince, which started with a bang as it were, because of the political atmosphere in Wales, which at the time was pretty febrile.

"With Charles becoming King and his coronation yet to take place, I wanted to write a popular history book which was a good read as well as informing.

"Speaking to many participants, it was good to hear first hand, what it was like to be part of that period - things that aren't documented in many other history books.

"Many hadn't spoken out about their experiences before - particularly around the secret police and surveillance - some people compared Gwynedd at the time to being like a police state like East Germany and (the then) Czechoslovakia - it was interesting to lift the lid on that."

* Charles and the Welsh Revolt is published by Y Lolfa and available to buy online and in all good book stores.