Bang-up-to-date Beemer ... at a price

* The new BMW X3 on the road.

* The cabin of the new Beemer.

BMW X3 road test by Steve Rogers

My BMW loving friend has got himself into a fix.

David has been driving his 420d for nearly a year and although he loves it he struggles to get in and out.

I should say David is nudging 80 and has had a new hip - 60 years prancing around a badminton court has taken its toll on his joints - so having to drop into and climb out of a low slung 420 is becoming a painful stretch. And he is taking stick from his wife who would have preferred an SUV this time round but you know what boys and their toys are like.

David always thought SUVs, even BMWs, had shabby handling, made for people who just want to get from A to B and couldn't care less about a car with street cred.

Then he and his good wife Margaret had their heads turned by my X3 test car. We went through the usual 'what's this, what do you think of it' questions and things got more serious when I took them for spin. They slid effortlessly and painlessly into the seats, were impressed with the quality finish, noting the dashboard looked virtually the same as their 420.

Even before we drove off Margaret was convinced they had made a mistake and should have had an X3, and David was veering to the same conclusion when he experienced the none too shabby performance and surprisingly good body control when I negotiated a roundabout a little quicker than normal.

They are not alone of course. The shift to crossovers-cum-SUVs, call them what you will, has been like a runaway train in the last few years. You may remember it all started in 2007 when Nissan came up with a new take on the family hatchback. Qashqai captured the imagination and raised the bar so high it started a trend that just keeps on rising.

But X3 was around in the days when it was easy for the premium set. Back in 2003 there was very little choice and the then newcomer was able to ride on the back of the impressive X5, not that it was in the same league.

Fifteen years on and we are living in a different world - SUV world. One in three cars leaving the BMW production line is an SUV and with so much quality opposition the German marque has really turned up the wick for the third generation X3.

It has become a big family car - the same size as the original X5 - and those who can afford to shell out nearly 40 grand are in for a real treat. You know what to expect from BMW, quality, precision and attention to detail is here in spades. The cabin is beautifully appointed putting X3 right up there as a contender for best in class.

I'm a huge fan of the new Volvos with their switch free minimalist cabin designs yet I was more comfortable tackling everyday tasks in the Beemer. It is bang up to date with a digital binnacle display, which includes the excellent head up display for speed and navigation directions, but the centre console has a more familiar look and is backed up by an infotainment centre that no longer needs a brain like Einstein to fathom.

Functions like radio, mobile phone, and navigation are behind a 10in screen with selections made via a rotary controller in a panel between the front seats. It is one of the easiest systems to work in any car.

The biggest difference over the previous X3 is how it drives. It sits on a new chassis and with modern construction technologies is lighter than the old car. Don't be thinking this drives like  a 3 or 4 Series BMW because it doesn't. It is still a fairly heavy all wheel drive car yet is surprisingly agile through twists and turns.

Granted my test car was the 8-speed M sport but I was quite happy driving in comfort mode which coped well with poor road surfaces.

You get a choice of two and three litre diesels and a new 2-litre petrol although the smaller diesel would be my pick because of its generous spread of torque, strong performance and economy.

So a big step up for X3, a technical tour de force with its driving dynamics and safety systems, but no longer having the luxury of very little opposition. It is now a case of circling the wagons with Audi, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz  even Alfa Romeo presenting formidable challenges.

To come up with the perfect SUV would need elements from all of these but for now my money would still go on the Jaguar F-Pace... if only it could have the BMW 2-litre diesel!

Fast Facts

X3 xDrive M Sport

£41,990 (Tested £48,745 with options)

2-litre TD; 190bhp

0-62mph 8secs; 132mph

56.5 mpg combined

This test: 39mpg

144g/km. 1st road tax £515

Insurance group 29

Sun shines on railway's new season

* The Class 104 heritage diesel railcar at Carrog Station. Picture by George Jones. 

Llangollen Railway started the new season with the sun is shining.

The first train left Llangollen at 10.40am with the Class 104 heritage diesel railcar carrying families enjoying half-term for a ride through the lovely Dee Valley to Carrog.

The railcar offers best views of the line at this time of the year with its front and rear window positions so passengers can see where they are going - or where they have been.

The late winter sunshine enhanced the views of the valley with some trees and bushes showing the first signs of spring.

After some winter management of the lineside vegetation improved views of the valley and its remoter areas have been opened up for passengers to enjoy the area of outstanding natural beauty.

At Carrog a 40-minute stop over allowed time for a hot drink in the station tearooms or a walk down the lane to Carrog bridge over the River Dee before joining the train back.

Others stayed until a later train taking the opportunity to walk a section of the Dee Valley Way.

A railway spokesman said: "The passenger numbers on the first train were encouraging with several families travelling to take advantage of the half-term offer when first child goes free and second half fare when with a full fare paying adult.

"Trains in the second part of the week and at weekends will be with a steam engine."

Food bank gets £250 boost from Christmas Festival

* Austin Cheminais, left, hands over the £250 cheque to Pastor Brian Smith in the food bank storeroom. Flanking them are Pat Smith and Christmas Festival Committee members Ian Parry and John Palmer.

Members of the committee which organises the annual Llangollen Christmas Festival went along to Matt’s Food Bank in the town to hand over a cheque for £250.

The money was part of the proceeds from last year’s festival the remainder of which - £1,000 – was recently donated to the Welsh Air Ambulance Service.

The food bank has been operating in Llangollen for the past eight years and currently distributes basic supplies to around 400 people a year.

Vouchers for the bank are available from a variety of places in the town, such as the One Stop Shop in Llangollen Library, the Citizens' Advice Bureau, the health centre and all three schools.

Donations of food are always welcome at drop-off points including the Co-op in Regent Street and a typical shopping list includes everything from breakfast cereal and biscuits to tinned meat and fish to sugar and dried pasta and rice.

Handing over the cheque to Pastor Brian Smith and his wife Pam, who run the food bank, Christmas Festival chair and town councillor Austin Cheminais said: “We’re delighted to be able to support this very worthwhile local cause which does so much good in the community.

“When it came to deciding which local charity to help with proceeds from the festival the food bank was the overwhelming choice of the committee.”

Pat Smith said: “We’re very grateful to the committee for this very generous donation.

“Their support also helps to give us a higher profile in the area.

“Once people have their vouchers for the food bank they can either come along to collect their supplies or we can arrange to have them delivered to a local pick-up point if that’s better for them.” 

Two Operatic productions up for amateur stage Oscars

* A scene from last year's production of My Fair Lady.

* The cast of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on stage.

Llangollen Operatic Society has been nominated for more amateur stage "Oscars".

In this year's Wales and Ireland Regional Annual NODA Awards the society's junior section, the Young 'Uns, is line for Best Youth Group Musical for Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which was produced by Pamela Williams.

Shea Ferron gets a nod for Best Supporting Actor for his appearance in the same show. He played the Pharoah interpreted as a bequiffed, hip-swivelling Elvis.     

Young 'Uns is also nominated for Best Youth Performer 21 and Under - Cassius Hackforth and

Best Supporting Youth Performer 21 and Under - Celyn Orton-Jones and Erin Roberts.

The society itself is nominated in the Best Show category for its 2018 production of My Fair Lady.

Further nods for the My Fair Lady team are for Best Stage Management and Technical and Best Performers - Bill Hughes (Alfie Doolittle) and Alison Ravenscroft (Supporting Role as Mrs Pearce).

Jo Lloyd, who directed both Joseph and My Fair Lady, said: "It was an honour to cut my teeth in the director's chair for two productions last year.

"I am very proud to say that both productions have been nominated for the NODA awards.

"Congratulations to the production team, cast , crew and all involved - fingers crossed!"

Helen Belton, producer for My Fair Lady, said: "Having been on stage a number of times I decided to try my hand at producing, and what a show to choose for my first.

"There was so much to do, to oversee and to co-ordinate but I'm grateful to everyone for the way in which the volunteers and cast get involved with Llangollen Operatic Society with the utmost commitment and professionalism. A massive team effort.

"My Fair Lady will be very special to me for a long time to come. An award would be a wonderful bonus for everyone."

Shea Ferron, who has just finished appearing in the Young 'Uns' latest production, Grease, said: "I am very privileged to have been nominated for the NODA of Best Supporting Actor. It’s great news to find out after just finishing Grease."

Last year, after being nominated in a number of categories, Young 'Uns landed NODA's Best Musical award for its production of Bugsy Malone.

North Wales still safe place to live, says AM

An Assembly Member says North Wales still one of the safest places to live.

Speaking in a recent assembly debate on Wales’ Final Police Settlement for 2019/20, Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government Mark Isherwood (pictured) referred to the increase in funding for police forces in Wales - up by 5.3% in North Wales.

He said the 7% council tax police precept increase in North Wales - or 38p per week for the average household - would enable the recruitment of 34 additional officers and six staff.

Mr Isherwood also spoke of the issues highlighted at last month’s North Wales Police briefing.

He said: “We heard that North Wales is still one of the safest places to live, that they were focussed on prevention, but that crime is evolving to cyber, child sexual exploitation , modern slavery and domestic violence. 

“They told us that they were having to detain too many people under the Mental Health Act because other agencies were not there for the people concerned and that ambulance availability and response times were resulting in them being used as the first point of triage, despite not being efficient paramedics.

“There is also continuing concern about the Welsh  Government’s handling of the Apprenticeship Levy, with Welsh Police Forces denied access to £2 million they contribute annually for training. 

“Despite receiving more Treasury net funding than previously for this, an extra £600,000 Home Office funding for Police Training in 2018/19 – and £400,000 promised for Police training, the Welsh Government still has missing cash from previous years contributions which should be addressing this gap.”   

He added: “The UK Government has, since 2015, raised its contribution to overall police funding in line with inflation, including specific areas such as cybercrime, counter-terrorism and tackling child sexual exploitation. 

“Prior to then, it also had to contend with £545m worth of cuts to the police inherited from Labour’s final budget in 2010, to be made by 2014."

Mr Isherwood added: “The latest ONS release on Crime in England and Wales states that over recent decades we’ve seen continued falls in overall levels of crime but in the last year there has been no change.

“As this states, the Crime Survey is the most reliable indicator for long-term trends and police recorded crime statistics do not always provide a reliable measure of levels and trends. There has been no change in commonly occurring types of violent crime. Although assault admissions increased, they were still 33% lower than in 2008.”

North Wales growth deal to be discussed at conference

Companies in Denbighshire are invited to attend an event focused on how they can benefit from the North Wales Growth Deal, as part of Denbighshire County Council’s March for Business month.

The North Wales Economic Ambition Board – which consists of representatives from all six local authorities, colleges, universities, and the private sector – has secured a £240m commitment from the UK and Welsh governments for the deal and will push for further investment over the coming months.

The conference and networking day will be held at the OpTIC Centre in St Asaph between 12pm and 2.30pm on Wednesday, March 6, where organisations from across the county can find out more.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: "The deal could enable investment of up to £1billion in North Wales and more than 5,000 jobs could be created.

"As a Council we are supporting businesses in the county and we want to work closely with them and part of this is to make sure they are as informed as possible about the Growth Deal, so they can share in the benefits this investment will bring.

"We will continue to work closely with the county's businesses to ensure they are involved as much as possible in the Growth Deal for North Wales.

“This event, like all of our March for Business programme, has been designed to meet the needs of businesses in the county.”

March for Business includes 25 events offering more than 100 hours of business support at venues across the county.

Ashley Rogers, chair of the North Wales Business Council and member of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, said: "This is arguably the biggest investment across North Wales for decades and it has some direct benefits for our local businesses.

"We are all working together to create high value jobs for the region, improve skills and training, enhance digital and transport infrastructure and develop North Wales as a world leader in low carbon energy, manufacturing, tourism and agriculture.

"Our ultimate aim is to increase the economy to £20bn a year by 2035 and bring the area's gross value added figures in line with the rest of the UK.

"This event will offer a fantastic opportunity for businesses in Denbighshire to make the most of this Growth Deal."

Those attending will find out how the deal could benefit businesses in Denbighshire across a wide range of projects including digital connectivity, land and property development, smart local energy networks and major investments in our universities and colleges.

For more information and to book your place visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/marchforbusiness

How former councillor became a Portuguese citizen

* Stuart Davies skippering his boat off Gibraltar.

* His Portuguese paperwork all in order.

Former Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies untangles a piece of the Brexit maze as he tells how he became a temporary Portuguese citizen ...

My Beneteau 381 boat is based in Albufeira Marina in Portugal and there is a good cohort of live-aboards based there as well.

Beer o'clock conversation has started to turn to what happens to us after Brexit.

Will we be treated the same as non-Europeans etc who are not in the Schengen Area? Will we have to abide by the rule that says we will not be able to stay longer than three months cumulative in any six-month period or will special dispensations be put in place as part of any deal?

Similarly, what will happen to our boats?

In Portugal it is quite straightforward, there is a rule whereby their presence is ok as long as they leave the country every six months in a fiscal year, otherwise a circulation tax is due.

As we long-term berthers understand it, as long as the boat leaves the country in June for a couple of days then all is well, the clock is reset and the circulation tax is not due.

So a quick trip to Ayamonte on the Spanish border about 40 miles away at least once a year solves that issue.

The Schengen Rule thing is a bit different. Basically all EU countries except us and Norway belong to a group which allows free movement across the EU.

We have a dispensation, that’s why there isn't much difference when we visit other EU countries. As it stands after March 29 it looks as if we will have to comply with the rules and will have to have a visa if we stay for more than three months cumulative within a six-month period.

However, a solution has come forward.

Portugal likes us, don't forget. We are both the oldest allies of each other and they value our tourism custom.

We have found out that it is quite easy to get temporary residence for five years and if you want to you can actually apply for Portuguese citizenship afterwards.

All the rules can be found here  https://tinyurl.com/y29w7vsk

So basically myself and my wife took ourselves off to the Camara in Albufeira which is the local council offices. We took with us, passports, driving licences and, most important, the invoice for our mooring in Albufeira Marina.

First stop was the finance office where half an hour, including the ticketed wait, got us a fiscal number, this is something that is unique to Europe where they carry identity cards. The best way I suppose to look at it is that it is similar to our NI number (something that is asked for when ever you do a marina contract in Portugal).

Next stop was across the road in the main council offices where you take another ticket number. We sat down and waited. The numbers are called out quite quickly and soon we were sitting in front of a very helpful Portuguese council officer who knew exactly what to do when we asked for a temporary residence certificate. They are good for five years and cost 15 euros

We presented passports, driving licences, the new fiscal number document and the marina invoice as proof of our residence. The Marina had put on the document our berth number as well so we had an official address in the Marina.

Fifteen minutes and 15 euros later we were proud owners of temporary residence documents which basically allow us to stay in Portugal after Brexit for as long as we like up to five years.

Reading the notes in the link it is interesting that we can now import a car without paying big import taxes and access the health service as well!

As a side note, I learned to speak Portuguese when I worked in Angola. I enjoy speaking it and it certainly helps by showing willing when doing things like this. The two officers spoke some English but they appreciated me being able to speak to them in their language which I am sure smoothed the path.

Bureaucracy used to be very big in Portugal, it is still there but not as much as when I used to crew change through Lisbon back in the 80s. Portugal is a vibrant country and modernizing fast. I said this to the officer and he said he still thought it was bureaucratic but as I said, trying to do what we did in three hours would have taken weeks back here in the UK!

I told this story to some of our friends and they went and did the same, what was also interesting was that in the waiting area there were four British Camper Van applicants, they were doing the same thing but they were being allowed to use their campsite address as the permanent address.

So, combined with the T2L document to show our EU VAT status for the boat, it looks as if we are in as good a position as we can be for March 29. And my advice to anyone going to Portugal for more than three months cumulative in a six-month period is to do what we have done.