Railway volunteers in running for top award

* The new track looking west into the station site.

The Llangollen Railway Trust is in line for an award for the work put in by its volunteers to complete a new track layout for the Corwen station project.

The Trust has been listed for the Heritage Railway Association's 2020 Award for Large Groups for the completion of the trackwork to connect with the extension railhead into the station site.

There are five entries in the Large Group category with competition from projects including the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway, TalyLlyn Railway, Isle of Wight Steam Railway and the Volk's Electric Railway at Brighton.

The winner will be unveiled at the annual Heritage Railways Association Awards night to be held in Birmingham on February 8 when the shortlisted entries in all categories are announced.

George Jones, spokesman for the Corwen project, said. "We hope the immense effort to infill the gap in the embankment and lay a new rail formation across it during the course of the past eight months will receive appropriate recognition at the awards ceremony, although we recognise we are up against some stiff competition."

Following the Golden Fishplate occasion on December 10 the volunteers continued to work laying track for the siding and completed the 300 ft length on December 21. There is a now an impressive length of double track on the final approach to the Corwen terminus where once there had been a void in the embankment.

Looking forward to the New Year, the project members plan to concentrate on completion of the island platform with the insertion of drains, installation of lamp posts and running-in board, and the final pair of canopy columns, with a need to level up the infill material and spread fine grain sand ready for the pavers. 

There is also the matter on completing the gap in the platform wall, which has provided road vehicle access, with the final layer of easi-blocs and platform edging.

All this represents a lot of work for the project volunteers, who are mainly retired and working on the basis of three day a week.

Ballasting, packing and alignment of the track in the platform loop, with the aid of a hired in tamper machine, will follow before an official inspection later in the year.

If all this can be achieved, the new station will open on a date to be announced in 2020. It is all subject to available resources and continued support to complete the project.

Hard to see the road ahead for comeback Camry

* The revived Toyota Camry (above and below).

Toyota Camry road test by Steve Rogers

Toyota is turning into a company of comebacks.

First we had Corolla, back after 13 years on gardening leave, and now the Camry has been given a second chance 15 years in exile.

It's a strange one because Camry was loved the world over - a staggering 19 million sold since 1982 - yet it couldn't do the numbers in Britain. 

Thirty years ago this was the sort of car most people aspired to, downsizing hadn't entered our vocabulary, but we preferred our Ford Sierras, Vauxhall Cavaliers, and Volkswagen Passats to a Camry or Mazda 626.

Bringing Corolla back made total sense because people are still buying family hatchbacks, but Camry? It is in the same league as Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia etc where sales have plummeted as customers turn to SUVs and smaller cars.

Premium models like Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series are coasting along but Camry is not in that league and wouldn't you buy a Lexus, the luxury arm of Toyota, instead?

Not everyone thinks that way so here are a few positives to get us in the mood with Camry. It's well built, roomy with space aplenty front and back, and it's a hybrid. Mark my words there will be plenty of action on the hybrid and electric fronts in 2020.

Yet my first impressions of Camry were a bit dulled. There was a dated look to the dashboard, a mixture of the future (touchscreen) and past (big switches). Then I drove and did not like the feel of the brakes. The pedal did not have the usual progressive feel; all a bit too sharp and took a while to produce smooth braking. Minor stuff in the scheme of things although I believe first impressions count for a lot, particularly when parting with big money for a car.

Oddly enough I got to like the big, clearly marked illuminated switches because it harked back to the days when life was easy. You got straight on with it rather than spending 10 minutes, or more, trying to fathom the touchscreen just to get some heat or change the radio station.

Readers may recall my silly rant a few weeks ago with the voice control on the Lexus UX. As a sister car the Camry uses much the same technology and although our friend rejected my request to change the radio station she did manage to input a post code for navigation so let's just leave it at that.

Go for the top of the range Excel and you will get a decent amount of kit for your money. Toyota has weighed in heavily on safety so there is a full range of features to keep you safe. I was particularly grateful for the rear cross traffic alert when warned of an approaching car when reversing out of a parking space with a van alongside blocking my view.

Excel sits on 18in alloy rims with low profile tyres so road thumps are often felt although generally the ride is all you would expect from a large family saloon where the emphasis is on comfort rather than sharp handling.

Which brings us on to the hybrid engine. Camry gets the larger 2.5 litre petrol which combined with the electric motor pumps out a healthy 215bhp. It is the only choice and a drawback for fleet sales where there is still a market for diesel but Toyota is sticking to its guns.

The surprise is that in spite of its size economy is good and engine emissions exceptionally low. It never fell below 46mpg and there were trips when I averaged better than 50mpg so as far as hybrid goes I am finally convinced this is a viable alternative to diesel.

I hear fellow motoring scribes digging the knife into the electric CVT transmission - I've done the same in the past - but Toyota has refined the system down the years and I had no complaints this time round. Acceleration is brisk, mid range pick up adequate, and as long as you don't thrash the engine, when it doesn't sound happy, everything is smooth and refined.

Batteries for the electric motor are housed under the back seat which means boot space is not compromised and is a good size.

If hybrid is your bag then you have to look at Camry because Toyota has pedigree and knows what it is doing.

Is Camry set to make the big comeback? It is going to be difficult, the market for big saloons is declining, and Camry is not making it into my top five.

Key facts

Camry Excel hybrid

£31,295

2.5 litre petrol; 215bhp

0-62mph 8.3secs; 112mph

50.4-53.3mpg combined

101g/km. 1st year tax £140

Insurance group 32

Boot: 524 litres

£8m boost for youngsters with extra learning needs

Children and young people in Wales with additional learning needs are set to benefit from an £8m investment.

The funding is part of the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget for 2020-21 and helps children and young people with additional needs to receive a high-quality education and reach their full potential.

The investment will support local authorities and further education colleges in providing education for children and young people with additional learning needs (ALN). 

The new amount is in addition to the £20m package currently supporting the implementation of the new ALN system over this Assembly term.

ALN education is being transformed in Wales, following the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act, which became law last year. A new statutory support system for children and young people with ALN is due to come into force in September 2021.

Making the announcement, the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams said:

“We remain determined to ensure that all learners, no matter their background, are supported to meet their full potential.

“We recognise that local authorities continue to face significant pressures in supporting young people with additional learning needs. The investment we are announcing is specifically targeted to help manage those pressures and provide the best possible education for learners, while implementing our ambitious programme of ALN reform.

“We can be proud that Wales is leading the way with our ALN reforms. Our changes will ensure we identify those with ALN as early as possible, so we can work with them and their families to plan tailored support to meet their needs.

“We are changing the expectations, experiences and outcomes for young people to help all our learners achieve their full potential.”

Sally Holland, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, said: “I welcome the Welsh Government’s plans to give this much-needed boost to the system. My Investigation and Advice Service is contacted more frequently about support for additional learning needs than any other issue and my case work shows that children and young people do not always get what they need. 

“It is essential to invest now, both so that children and young people can be supported immediately and to increase our capacity across Wales before the new law is implemented.”

Concert supports canal boat for disabled trust

A successful concert was held at the English Methodist Church for the Canal Boat for Disabled People Trust.

It featured Cantorion Collen Singers (conductor Eirwen Jones, accompanist Owen Roberts) and their guest soloists Myfanwy Grace, Gabriel, Tom Cowan, James Nicholas and Bili and Joseff. 

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "We would like to thank Aldi, Amacor Capital Ltd, Gwyn Davies, S.J.Newsagents, Spar, and Watkin & Williams for their support and donations and everyone who attended to make it a special Christmas occasion." 

Salon celebrates year of success

* Jades was highly commended in the Christmas Festival shop window competition earlier this month. Here the certificate is handed over to Susan Davies by Santa and Ian Parry. 

A Llangollen hair and beauty salon says its business has been boosted by the growth in wedding venues in and around the Dee Valley.

As 2019 draws to a close Jades Hair & Beauty on Oak Street is seeing out the year with a buoyant business thanks to its loyal customer base who continue to support them.

Business partners and sisters Louise Wilson and Sue Davies say their two-pronged approach to business in nurturing their existing client base and maximising the potential of Llangollen having some of the best wedding venues in the UK such as Tyn Dwr Hall, Tower Hill Barns, The Wild Pheasant Hotel and Trevor Hall has changed the way they position their business.

Louise said: “This year we have been privileged to work with some beautiful brides and their family and friends not only in the salon but also visiting them at their dream wedding venues. I believe our attention to detail and personal recommendations makes us the ideal choice for brides who are looking for that extra special experience on their happiest of days.

"We have had an amazing year and that is thanks to our dedicated team  in the salon and to our clients who remain loyal to us, many of whom have been coming to us since day one.

“This year we were pleased to be nominated at the Welsh Wedding Awards and the Women In Business Awards."

Sue said: “We do not take that custom for granted and have to constantly evolve with innovative, new ideas and treatments, combined with top class training in all aspects of our services including nail art, hair colour, wedding hair and makeup. We also put a lot of effort into researching the products we offer for sale in the salon as we want to be confident that our clients are getting first class, quality products that we personally feel confident to recommend and use ourselves.”

New treatments currently being offered upstairs in the Beauty Rooms include individual lashes, Russian lashes  and classic semi-permanent/lash lift.

With 2020 likely to be another busy year it’s also a cause for celebration as Jades Hair & Beauty marks 40 years in their salon on Oak Street.

Vicar reflects on a busy time of the year

* Father Lee Taylor's own picture of him decorating the church for Christmas.

Llangollen's vicar has been reflecting on one of his busiest times of the year for the Metro online.

Along with workers from the Red Cross, London Zoo, the Samaritans and a hotel chef Father Lee Taylor has been revealing what it's like to be working full-out over the Christmas period.

Father lee, who is responsible for four local churches, writes in today's issue: ‘Christmas is most certainly one of the busiest times of the year for priests, especially those of us that care for a group of churches. 

‘We know that Christmas is an extended festival that begins on 25 December and should continue for at least twelve days. 

But, sadly this is not the case (due to consumerism).

‘Every day and every evening during this period is filled with Christmas engagements and duties: carol services in schools and nursing homes, concerts, services. ‘[There are also] invitations to deliver a Christmas message or to be the after-dinner speaker at a Christmas function for the various organisations in the town, just to name a few of my responsibilities at this time of year. 

‘All full of joy and very good fun but very exhausting. 

‘I celebrate the Mass of Christmas Day in each of my four churches which are in and around Llangollen, north wales. 

After each service, I believe it is important to spend time greeting people as they leave the church.

‘So, by the time I have finished my final service at my fourth church, it is the early part of the afternoon. Then I go and take communion to those, who through illness or infirmity, are housebound. 

‘I am usually home and totally exhausted by the early evening and just want to go to bed but then find myself flat out on the floor with a large gin and tonic, trying to drown out the sound of carols whirling around my head.’

* To see the article, go to: https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/25/people-working-on-christmas-day-explain-how-they-make-it-festive-11921800/?fbclid=IwAR2WVeBA10DM760gb4VUbWPRMPP7Vt4N-q17SVjid0H_zbbK8iGPAA9s9q8 

Watercolours to go on show at Oak Street Gallery

* Rocks, Frikes, Ithaca, Greece (2001).

* St Agnes in the Scilly Isles (2001).

Watercolour paintings by  late Wrexham artist Mike Coates will be on show in an exhibition which opens at The Oak Street Gallery in Llangollen at 7pm on Saturday January 4.

Mike Coates (1943-2006) achieved his Art Degree at Cheltenham College of Art and Design. He also spent a two formative years at Falmouth College of Art. 

He taught all his life and after retiring from Bryn Offa School in Wrexham he went sailing in the Mediterranean, visiting new islands and countries as he traversed the Bay of Biscay and entered the Mediterranean via a quick stop in Gibraltar. 

Mike found true fulfillment in his sailing and painting. All his work was painted ‘Plein Air’ and once the boat was anchored safely he would trek off with his rucksack to find that image, that view, to paint. 

In 2005 whilst on an impromtu cycling trip to France he became ill. Eventually being diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiform, a brain tumour. He died in 2006. 

These watercolours are a record of all the places he  visited, seen from his unique perspective - Journeys by sea.