Fuel-sipping Swift may be frugal motoring answer

Suzuki Swift drive by Steve Rogers

The cost of a tank of fuel has gone berserk so what we need are cars that can squeeze every mile out of every drop of petrol.

Diesel used to be the answer but not anymore with it costing an extra 10p a litre, or 45p a gallon. Hard to believe isn’t it?

Unless you are ready to go down the electric car road the way to go is hybrid and here is a good one that might not be on a top five shopping list. Suzuki Swift has not got the badge pulling power of supermini favourites like Fiesta, Peugeot 208 or Skoda Fabia but may be it should because it can top 60 miles to the gallon.

For the record Swift, in its current shape, has been around since 2005 and unlike its competitors has not changed a great deal mainly because they got it right first time becoming the Japanese Mini with a shape that tells its own story.

Plenty has happened under the skin and the third generation facelift is the most significant. There have been a few nips and tucks to pretty up the body but the big changes are out of site - a new platform and self charging hybrid technology.

Until now Swift’s 1.2 litre engine has been restricted to what they call ‘mild’ hybrid which lowers emissions and sharpens the stop-start response. But the new Dualjet engine’s 12V hybrid is now self charging and done wonders for economy. The new unit has lifted fuel consumption from low fifties to all but 60mpg and I did even better returning 62.6mpg over 400 miles which in my book is outstanding.

The downside, if indeed you can call it a downside with today’s fuel prices, is lack lustre performance. Swift by name but certainly not swift by nature. Acceleration is tame and flat in the mid range so whipping down a couple of gears and a taking little more time is the way forward when overtaking.

That said Swift is a smashing car to drive with sharp steering, good balance and poise when pushed, the sort of car to make the perfect hot hatch and you can get close to that with the Swift Sport model.

Swift has not grown in size but the new platform has created a little more cabin space so there is ample room for four adults, even tall people, because headroom is excellent. Probably best to avoid three in the back, it would get a bit cramped.

Boot space has never been a strong point for Swift and still isn’t although a few extra litres have been found.

There is a big drop into the boot well which is not ideal but without it the boot would be a good deal smaller. A two level floor is common enough these days and would solve the problem. How often do we use all the boot space anyway?

There is no doubting Swift’s value for money with a strong spec at entry level. LED headlights, air conditioning, rear view camera and Smartphone link with DAB radio all part of the package while on the safety front you get automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Notable additions at SZ5 level are navigation and keyless entry.

Against its rivals Swift is well priced although this facelift would have been the time to take a critical look at the cabin trim which has far too much hard plastic and gives that cheap look.

But you can’t help coming back to the conclusion that Swift is an enduring, loveable car and one of the most economic superminis money can buy.

Fast Facts

Swift SZ5 Hybrid

£18,499 (starts (£15,499)

1.2 litre Dualjet; 83bhp

0-62mph 13.1secs; 112mph

59.7mpg

Global star in tune with Eisteddfod's peace message

 

* Anoushka Shankar will perform at the Eisteddfod. 

The hypnotising sound of the sitar will be creating a buzz when seven times Grammy nominee Anoushka Shankar performs in Wales for the very first time.

Shankar will be taking centre stage at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod at 8pm on Friday, July 8, and tickets are on sale now as the event prepares to celebrate its 75^th anniversary.

She was taught how to play the instrument by her father, the legendary musician Ravi Shankar, who performed with The Beatles.

Father and daughter worked together with George Harrison to create the landmark album, Chants of India, but Anoushka has carved out a remarkable career in world music in her own right.

The English-Indian-American musician has collaborated with artists including Sting, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck and her half-sister, Norah Jones.

She has performed at the BBC Proms and Glastonbury and has won legions of fans worldwide, but Llangollen Eisteddfod is her first appearance in Wales and she says she is very excited by the prospect.

After the Second World War, the original concept for Llangollen Eisteddfod was a musical event that could promote education and international peace and goodwill and these are ambitions close to Shankar's heart.

She said: "My father, Ravi Shankar, had a core belief in the concept of peace through music and I was immersed from childhood in experiencing the transformative quality of music.

"It feels like society as a whole can forget how investing time, effort, money and energy into the arts actually brings about an 'upliftment' of society as a whole into connection and peace."

Shankar has herself frequently performed at benefit concerts and in 2018 she embarked on a short US tour to help raise funds for the non-profit organisation, Help Refugees.

More recently, she has turned her considerable talents to writing film scores, including the music for the series, A Suitable Boy, adapted from Vikram Seth's novel, which won an Ivor Novello nomination.

"I am finding the idea of composing for visual mediums more interesting after a couple of decades of primarily touring and writing albums," she said.

"It certainly draws a new and different audience but also requires something different of me as a musician which I find challenging and fulfilling."

The Llangollen festival has become an established and much-loved home for world music, so Shankar's appearance is a natural fit.

The evening programme celebrates her father’s legacy, as well as featuring orchestral arrangements of Anoushka’s own eclectic output.

She will join forces with Austrian percussionist, composer, Hang-player and Björk collaborator Manu Delago and the strings of the Britten Sinfonia, for an evening that promises to transport the audience on to a wild and mystical ride.

"Manu is one of my favourite collaborators," said Shankar. "He's a brilliant musician and also we wrote many songs together over the years, so getting to replay them with him now, years after we used to tour and play them together more frequently is a genuine treat."

She says her music is always evolving and the audience at Llangollen can expect some new interpretations for her first Welsh performance.

"I can't pick favourites but in context of Jules Buckley's gorgeous arrangements for orchestra. I particularly love hearing this version of Land of Gold come to life," Shankar added.

"It's amazing hearing a song that started as a duo, then a song, grow across orchestral strings."

The festival, which helped launch the careers of opera superstars Luciano Pavarotti and Sir Bryn Terfel, had to be cancelled in 2020 for the only time since its inauguration due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2021 it took on a virtual format, with performances streamed online, but this year the music and dance extravaganza is back in the town where “Wales welcomes the world”.

Preparations are well under way for this year’s festival, which starts on Thursday, July 7 and culminates with Llanfest on Sunday, July 10, when the eisteddfod will join forces with the Llangollen Fringe Festival.

During the four-day event, there will be a host of new attractions and activities on the revamped outdoor site, including music, dance, talks, comedy, food, drink, shopping, workshops and pop-up entertainment.

The competitions will reach a crescendo on the Saturday night with 'Choir of the World, and the contest for the Pendine International Voice of the Future, featuring the finest young singers from across the globe.

* To buy tickets go to www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk/tickets_for_llangollen_eisteddfod/

Walkers raise £2,500 for hospital in memory of Gareth Heald

* The walkers are greeted by members of Gareth's family, including his mother Nesta Hughes, outside Anfield football ground.

A group of men raised £2,500 for charity by walking from Llangollen to Liverpool in memory of their friend who passed away last year at the age of 45.

Gareth Heald was born and raised in Llangollen, attending Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Dinas Bran and singing in St Collen’s Church choir.

Later he moved to the south of England and became finance director for a firm in London, living in Hertfordshire with his wife Rachel and son George.

* Gareth Heald who died last summer.

Gareth died suddenly in the summer of 2021 and a collection taken at his funeral in St Collen’s Church raised over £2,000 for the Great Ormond Street children’s hospital in London where son George received dialysis treatment after he became seriously ill in 2020.

After the funeral four friends from his school and university days decided they would also like to make a special gesture to support the hospital in his memory – trekking from the home of his mother Nesta Hughes in Maesmawr Road over to Anfield football, legendary home of Liverpool FC of whom Gareth was a long-time supporter.  

Over two days on a recent weekend they covered the 60 miles to the ground, managing to collect over £2,500 in sponsorship cash.

They were greeted outside Anfield by Gareth’s friends and family, including his mother Nesta.

She said: “His friends Mathew, Andrew, Simon and Arran did the walk and we went over there to thank them for their efforts, which were amazing.

“I’d also like to thank everyone who pledged cash to the walk. People were stopping me as I was shopping in town to offer donations.”   

* The four walkers set off from Maesmawr Road, seen off by more of Gareth's friends. 

Local MP explains why he backed Prime Minister in confidence vote

Clwyd South’s Welsh Conservative MP Simon Baynes (pictured) has explained why he supported Prime Minister Boris Johnson in yesterday’s crucial confidence vote.

Mr Johnson won the backing of a majority of Tory MPs in last night’s ballot which commentators see as a significant revolt against his leadership.

 

The PM won 59% of the vote, meaning he is now immune from a Conservative leadership challenge for a year.

 

In all, 211 Tory MPs voted they had confidence in the PM's leadership while 148 voted against him.

 

Mr Johnson has described his confidence vote win as "decisive".

 

The result sees the prime minister remain in office, but critics said the scale of the rebellion against him showed his authority had been weakened, with some calling on him to resign.

 

Mr Baynes said in a statement this afternoon (Tuesday): "I voted for the Prime Minister in yesterday’s confidence vote. 

"He was democratically elected in the 2019 general election with a majority of 80.

"He has got the big decisions right on vaccines, supporting people through the Covid crisis, delivering on Brexit which the majority of people supported in the referendum and the 2019 general election, leading international support for Ukraine and delivering the lowest level of unemployment since 1974."

Llangollen's Nic organises well-being retreat

* Nic Wagstaff of Inspire-Rewire and creator of the first Me-Time Festival in Chester.

* Festival-goers around the campfire.

The first well-being retreat with a festival vibe is being held in Chester later this month, and its Llangollen founder is on a mission to get people to "take time, to make time".

Mum-of-one Nic Wagstaff knows the importance of taking time out from a hectic schedule, working full-time and looking after a young family. 

She has experienced burn-out and fatigue and now teaches others how to avoid the anxiety that she went through restoring her energy levels and focus.  

Nic is best known for teaching wellness entrepreneurs how to run their own retreats, as well as running her own successful well-being business Inspire-Rewire, including organising retreats and mini-morning retreats in Chester and around north Wales. 

She was inspired to create the Me Time Festival – taking place on Sunday, June 26 at Cheshire View, Christleton, Chester, from 10am-6pm - to allow attendees to press pause on their busy lives and take time out for themselves. 

Nic said: “It struck me that we are all so busy running our lives we often forget to take time out for ourselves. This is very much a recurring theme for women so I came up with the idea for the Me Time Festival.  

"I wanted to create something that would press pause on the noise and busyness in their lives and offer a one day retreat with a festival vibe combined, to dip in and out of activities to explore what works for them.

“Once you arrive and step into the festival, the day becomes your own adventure. For some of those attending it will be the first time they’ve experienced anything like this.  

“There is a chance to dedicate an entire day to yourself exploring new interests or just shutting out the noise to reconnect with the best version of you.” 

Each area of the festival has been carefully thought through for ambience and featured areas for talks, workshops, classes, therapies and outdoor chill, with the flexibility to bring your own picnic or afternoon tea platter, and enjoy and ‘just be’ on the meadow overlooking the rolling hills of Cheshire. 

Nic has handpicked all the local exhibitors and experts herself to ensure there will be something for everyone to explore, chill or maybe expand their horizons.    

People who attend can take their pick from a wide range of activities or activities like Tai Chi, Yoga, sound healing and massage. 

Expert speakers and practitioners will be giving insights into gut health, hormones, hypnotherapy, CBT, energy healing, self-sabotage, motivation and more, or connect deeper, interactive smaller discussion sessions. Plus there’s a chance to indulge in a little retail therapy with natural products, art and other lovely gifts for yourself or others. 

* Tickets for the Me Time Festival* are currently available at www.inspire-rewire.com/metimefestival

Prices are £80 (without afternoon tea) or £95 (including afternoon tea)

*An early bird offer is available quoting METIME2022 until Friday, June 10, offering a 10% discount.

Line-up so far for Llangollen Fringe's 25th anniversary year

* Ebony Steel Band are among the acts appearing at the 25th Fringe Festival.

Llangollen Fringe  Festival will this year celebrate its 25^th  anniversary with a bumper edition from July 22-30 which organisers say promises to be the biggest so far

Headlining acts announced include: ROGER ENO – a renowned composer, pianist and pioneer of ‘ambient music’.

He has recorded and released many albums of his work, including ‘Rattle That Lock’, with DAVID GILMOUR (PINK FLOYD), the acclaimed ‘APOLLO’ in 1983 a collaboration with his brother BRIAN ENO as well as 2020’s ‘Mixing Colours’, the duo’s striking collaboration, released in 2020. 

For the Fringe Festival, Eno will perform music from these works and his most recent solo album ‘The Turning Year’

Joining him at the festival are THE TURBANS, with members from Turkey, Bulgaria, Israel, Iran, Greece and England who bind together music from ‘manywhere’ and whom BBC 6 Music’s MARK RADCLIFFE described as “really a force of nature”.

Also appearing are rocking supergroup WARMDUSCHER, who bring together members of bands such as: FAT WHITE FAMILY and INSECURE MANY and have been selling out venues across the UK and Europe with their incendiary live show. 

Rounding off the week  are the genre-bending and supercharged Scottish trad trio TALISK on Friday July 29and London’s EBONY STEEL BAND on Saturday 30, the legendary Steel Drum ensemble perform their much-loved album PAN MACHINE, an interpretation of the classic KRAFTWERK album ‘Man Machine’ in its entirety, which includes seminal hits such as ‘The Model’ and ‘The Robots”

There is also a welcome return for stand-up comedy – with ‘THE CHASE’ star PAUL SINHA headlining the opening night of the festival, as well as new venues being incorporated into the official festival line up with Gales Wine Bar, The Bridge End Hotel and the Three Eagles Restaurant hosting live events throughout the week.

Organisers say more events to celebrate the 25^th year are still to be added.

Tickets for all headline shows are on sale now, as well as festival passes. Priced at just £75 the festival pass allows access to all of the main events across the nine days so is great value for money.

* Festival tickets and dates and times for all concerts and events are available from www.llangollenfringe.co.uk or by calling the Fringe box office:  0800 1455 779

Cheers! Railway's real ale trains are back after three-year break

Fans of brilliant beer are looking forward to the return of the Llangollen Railway’s popular Real Ale Trains this weekend after a three-year absence. 

The pandemic and last year’s financial troubles have prevented such an event from taking place since autumn 2019. 

The Welsh Phoenix /Ffenics Cymraeg will be running all day on Saturday June 11, with three3 daytime trips and two in the evening, leaving Llangollen at 6 and 8pm.

The bar will be based in an historic British Railways former travelling cinema carriage, which was restored and converted into a bar back in 2014. 

Visitors can enjoy a pint of draft craft ale or a glass of wine whilst enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Dee Valley. 

* The railway's function coach will host the real ale trains.

The bar will be stocked with four local beers from Porthmadog-based Purple Moose and Stonehouse Brewery from Oswestry. 

The train will be hauled by a 1959-built Class 26 diesel locomotive No 5310. 

Volunteer organisers Iain Ross and Terry Pickthall can both usually be found at work on different parts of the railway, with Iain a steam and diesel locomotive driver and fitter. 

Terry is also a diesel locomotive driver and acts as the railway’s press officer. 

He said: “Iain and I thought it was high-time we helped resurrect our very successful Real Ale Trains and are looking forward to serving people a pint or two. 

"We managed our 1960’s weekend real ale festivals for many years with great success, but have not run a bar on a moving train before. 

"We’re both getting some practice in at pouring beer into a gently swaying pint glass, as we all know spillage of fine ale is a heinous crime."

Iain said: “We’ve all worked very hard through some very tough times to get the railway back on its feet and can now start to try and bring back some of the great events that we all took for granted, like our Real Ale Train and Classic Transport Weekend, which will take place on July 2 and 3." 

Tickets for the trains are available from the railway’s website and ideally need to be purchased in advance for the evening trains or from Llangollen station booking office during the day, which will be open on Saturday 11^th between 10am and 3pm.

Evening tickets cost £25, which includes two return trips on the train, a commemorative Llangollen Railway pint glass and a pint of draft beer of your choice (or glass of wine).  A full day ticket is available for £40.

Town Hall tea dance brings jubilee celebrations to a lively conclusion

* Julie Thomas's zumba group in action on the dance floor. 

* Dancers present a lively jive.

* A sequence dance in full flow.

Llangollen's official two-day Platinum Jubilee celebrations were brought to a fitting end with a tea dance held in the Town Hall this afternoon (Sunday).

Brilliantly organised by town hall facilities officer Charlie Jones, the free event saw a series of colourful and lively demonstration routines performed by three local dance groups.

A team of volunteers served a delicious afternoon tea consisting of sandwiches, cakes and scones with jam and cream on tables set with china teacups and saucers, white cloths and proper napkins evocative of the 1950s when the Queen came to the throne.

* People chat over afternoon tea at the meticulously laid out tables.

Roadworks alert for Regent Street

 

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Regent Street, Llangollen 07 June - 09 June   Delays likely - Traffic control (two-way signals)   Description: MJ QUINN TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING WORK - TO REPLACE FRAME AND COVER   Works location: S/0 INN REGENT STREET JUNC OF CHURCH STREET   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Openreach.   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: BC006MQONSAWN0POWD5L0P4T

Llangollen celebrates Queen's Platinum Jubilee in style

* Market Street was closed to traffic to allow stalls and entertainment.

Llangollen has been celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in style today (Saturday).

The first of a two-day package of special events saw Market Street closed to traffic to allow an open-air market to be held with a variety of charity and community stalls.

Organised by Town Council staff and a group of former councillors, this attracted a large number of visitors to see performers including singer Chris Burton and Llangollen Silver Band while youngsters enjoyed a Punch and Judy show.

A second live entertainment programme saw a variety of acts take the stage set up in Centenary Square, with acts including Alfie Thomas, Leonie-Anne Kirkby, the Melodic Mondays and Shea Ferron who also compered.

Throughout the morning the Town Hall was the setting for a Jubilee Market run by members of Llangollen Inner Wheel.

This included plenty of stalls and home-made refreshments.

At 11am St Collen's marked the jubilee with a special Service of Thanksgiving led by Father Lee Taylor.

The Jubilee celebration continues tomorrow (Sunday) with a Vintage Tea Party and Dance from 2-6pm in the Town Hall.

This is billed as an afternoon of 1950s vintage film and dancing with three local dance teachers. Tea is served at 3.30pm and entry to the event is free.   

* Due to the adverse weather forecast it has been decided to use the fallback plan for the Churches Together Openair Service tomorrow Sunday June 5th. The joint service to celebrate Pentecost as well as the Jubilee will now be held at 11am in the Methodist Church in Princess St. All are very welcome to attend. There will be activities for children and refreshments will be served afterwards.

* Town crier Austin Cheminais teaches youngsters how to bellow out a good 'Oyez!' 

* Llangollen Inner Wheel hosted a busy jubilee fair in the Town Hall (above and below).

* Father Lee Taylor with the choir during the St Collen's thanksgiving service.

* Llangollen branch chairman Phil Stroud carries the Royal British Legion standard during the church service.

 * Alfie Thomas takes the stage in Centenary Square.

* Leonie-Anne Kirby sings in the square.

* The Melodic Mndays. 

* Shea Ferron entertains on the stage in the square. 

* Chris Burton plays and sings in Market Street. 

* Llangollen Silver Band were popular with the crowd in Market Street.

* Youngsters enjoy the Punch and Judy show in Market Street.

 * Some of the stalls lining a bustling Market Street.

Ysgol Bryn Collen children have fun celebating jubilee

Ysgol Bryn Collen held a jubilee party on the last week of school.

All the children had a ‘street party’ afternoon tea outside and enjoyed music and bouncy castles.

Couple's romantic marriage proposal on Llangollen Railway platform

The first day of the Queen's platinum jubilee celebration weekend turned into a royally romantic occasion at Llangollen Railway yesterday.

Because Josh Taylor-Smith chose a visit to the heritage attraction yesterday as the perfect time and place to pop the question to his wife-to-be Becky Cook.

A railway spokesperson said of the marriage proposal on the station platform: "They intend to get married at the railway and will begin planning their big day with our team this coming week." 

Last meeting for Llangollen 2020 group

* The 2020 team, from left, Graham Timms, Donna Hughes of Cadwyn Clwyd, Melvyn Mile, Austin Cheminais and Robyn Lovelock.

As the £1.75 million scheme is completed and the road works and temporary traffic lights in the centre of the town disappear the Llangollen 2020 group met together for the last time in Castle Street. 

A group spokesperson said: "The ambitious project was just an idea back in 2017 and it took four years to draw up the plans and find funding from the Welsh Government and Denbighshire County Council. We are immensely proud that the community have been involved throughout that time and have been consulted at every stage. 

"Whilst the work on Castle Street has finished there are still two other projects that the Llangollen 2020 group have been actively involved in that will be built over the next two years. 

"Firstly the A5 Castle Street junction and the junction at Hall Street and Hill Street will be remodelled in the coming months. Secondly the Four Great Highways Project by the bridge will be part of a multi-million pound investment in the Dee Valley which will happen over the next two years."

The spokesperson added: "We would like to thank the huge number of people who have made this project possible. Denbighshire officers and the contractors have been tremendous. 

"We’d also like to express our heartfelt thanks all the great people who live in Llangollen for their support and for being so understanding over the last few months during the construction phase. 

"It has been good to work closely with so many people who have actively participated in the consultations sharing their ideas  about what is now officially Denbighshire’s busiest town centre street. 

"All four members of the team decided to step down from local politics at the recent elections. Although we won’t be involved in local politics any longer we will still have a huge interest in the town and how it develops in the next few years." 

No-frills SUV that's strangely appealing

Honda HR-V drive by Steve Rogers

The debate started as soon as the HR-V rolled on to the drive.

David, my Honda-loving neighbour, had seen photographs and did not like the new look so was eager to see the car up close. Compared to his three year old HR-V the third generation model is a radical shift in design.

It is a no frills, smooth sided SUV lacking any wow factor yet strangely appealing. It looks great from the back, its coupe style tailgate set off with a smart full width light bar and the high nosed front is interesting with a pronounced body coloured grille.

The shape is a nod to the first HR-V in 1998, itself radical, neither ugly nor attractive but still one to turn heads. Strangely that model did not last going into hibernation for seven years before returning with a more conventional design.

Back to the here and now and we have a self charging hybrid HR-V that has grown in all directions providing practical family motoring. Flip the tailgate and drop the back seats and you have an enormous area of space.

A lot of thought has gone into the model with some clever solutions to free up space. The hybrid’s auxiliary 12v battery has been moved to the engine bay and the fuel tank to under the front seats which allows the back seat cushions to drop deep into the floor creating a completely flat load area. And, of course, there are the so called magic back seats which lift up cinema style so take a walk through the car!

It is a brilliant idea, perfect for carrying tall plants or a medium sized bicycle and must be patented because no other manufacturer has copied it.

Yet this HR-V flatters to deceive when it comes to space. It is roomy with the seats down but with the seats in place the 304 litre boot capacity is a lot less than many of its competitors. May be Honda decided to sacrifice some boot space for rear legroom which is generous and better than many rivals. That said the middle seat is ridiculously narrow. Strange when everything else is so well thought out.

If David was still pondering the shape he was knocked out by the HR-Vs cabin. It is a simple, uncluttered attractive layout with high quality trim everywhere you look.

As expected there are plenty of high tech bits and bobs, mainly housed in a centrally mounted nine inch touchscreen. There is in car wifi, Android auto, wireless Apple CarPlay and you can run mobile phone aps through the car. To my delight the heating controls are manual and separate from the screen.

Something else Honda is pleased with is the air diffusion system through neat little L shaped vents. Instead of a blast of air in the face with the blower at full pelt air is directed around the cabin and is really effective.

This HR-V is hybrid only the 1.5 litre petrol engine boosted by an electric motor and boy is it efficient. Over nearly 400 miles of mixed driving we never dropped below 58mpg and at week’s end finished on 59.3mpg.

The majority of electric driving is mainly around town or at low speeds but cuts in whenever directed by the computer so don’t be surprised to see the EV light come on doing 50-60mph on the open road. Regenerative braking returns energy to the batteries and has incremental levels via steering wheel paddles. If only all self chargers had the paddle function.

Acceleration is punchy and feels quicker than the official time but slamming the throttle to the floor brings up the only real negative. The engine is instantly noisy and because of the CVT gearbox holds on to the din until lift off. If it was a manual gearbox you would change gear.

I took David for a spin and it was not long before he commented on the improved ride and more comfortable front seat. This HR-Vs revised suspension set up is better able to cushion against poor surfaces and while it not the sharpest handling in the class it is well behaved through twists and turns with minimal body roll and should satisfy any driver.

Honda has priced HR-V to compete with Toyota C-HR its main rival. It starts around £28,000 and is very well equipped from entry level with Advance Style topping out at £33,835. An optional sports package adds £2,250 but is it worth bothering for a family SUV?

HR-V sits in a pool of high flying rivals and apart from a noisy engine under flat out acceleration excels in most areas so make sure it is on your list. As for David, he is still thinking about it.

Fast Facts

HR-V Advance Style

£33,835  - £36,910 tested

1.5 litre petrol hybrid 129bhp

0-62 10.7secs; 106mph

67.3mpg combined

96g/km. 1st tax £135

Boot 304-1274 litres

Insurance group 31

Llangollen Round raises over £85,000 to fight cancer

* Challengers wend their way along the Round's 35-mile route. 

Organisers have thanked all those involved with last weekend's 4th Llangollen Round Challenge.

In a statement they say: "A huge thank you to all those who baked cakes and to all those who helped in any way with the challenge.  

"Almost 500 walkers from all over the country took part, and we even had two who travelled from Poland.

"The current total raised for Cancer Research UK is £85,000 and there's more to come.

"Since we had approximately 85 helpers - well, you can all consider you personally raised £1,000 for Cancer Research UK last weekend!

"Well done - and thank you so very much. More news later ..."