VW tees off with a new Golf model

* The all-new VW Golf.

* The futuristic-looking dashboard.

Volkswagen Golf road test by Steve Rogers

This is a Golf the like of which you have never seen before.

There is no doubting its design pedigree, the Golf DNA is as clear as day even after 45 years. The roof line is lower and it's a little less boxy than the seventies original but once a Golf always a Golf.

No, the big difference with Volkswagen's eighth iteration of its iconic hatchback is inside where the designers have torn up the rule book and embraced 21st century technology which is moving at a frantic pace.

So the driver is faced with what is best described as a miniature version of a wide screen TV. There are no switches, everything is controlled by sliders and touch panel or voice control although VW has work to do there. More on that later.

Not that Volkswagen is the first to take high tech to the next level, in fact they have been lagging behind mainstream rivals Peugeot and Volvo, while cousins Audi first dabbled with the virtual cockpit concept six or seven years ago.

The advantage of coming up on the rails is that you can learn from the mistakes of others and VW seems to have nailed its high tech cockpit with the Golf. 

Using technology similar to the best smart phones the car offers a myriad of functions and a mass of information all of which can be accessed either from the steering wheel or a comprehensive menu in the 10 inch touchscreen.

It is as well to spend time learning how to use everything on offer, and trust me, there is a lot to learn. Although it looks like one wide unit it is split in two with an interchangeable driver's binnacle controlled from touch pads on the steering wheel and the central touchscreen. 

That's the business end, the infotainment centre where you will find all manner of functions relating to the car's safety features, checking mechanisms, navigation, radio and simple things like changing the colour of the ambient lighting.

An interesting feature is a text style message telling you to lift off the accelerator when approaching a junction to help with economy so here is a car where you can't put a foot wrong.

I mastered the systems after about three days but the likelihood is you will only need to select radio or navigation from the menu on a regular basis. Changing the instrument binnacle becomes second nature and is picked up in no time.

Then there is voice control although this did not work so well. Choosing a destination is pretty straight forward but I had no success in changing or selecting a radio station and adjusting the heating was not available. The Volvo system is far superior so improvements need to be made.

Wisely VW provide a couple of options for the heating controls. There is nothing worse than having to go through the rigmarole of the touchscreen menu just to adjust the temperature or fan speed so the basic controls are separate touch pads in the centre console with a quick key giving access to the full works on screen.

For now Volkswagen is offering three trim levels, Life, Style and R-Line with three petrol and two diesel options. A few years ago I would have pointed people in the direction of diesel but not anymore. Petrol is now the favourite, and rightly so. There is a three-cylinder one litre which is stunningly good, and a 1.5 litre with 128 or 147bhp.

My test car came with the 147 version and that too is brilliant. You would not expect to get such strong performance from a relatively small engine but this is a gem with sharp pick up and long power delivery. Yet my lasting memory is the Golf's economy.

It is rare to beat the official fuel consumption figures but I just didn't beat them, I trashed them. A cross country 110 mile trip to the Cotswolds returned 56.6mpg and my return, mainly on motorway, yielded 57mpg cruising for long periods at 70mph. My week's motoring averaged 54mpg.

Golf has been battling for years with Ford Focus for the best hatchback crown. I think it is a bit of nonsense as there are any number of first class models out there and in the majority of cases it is personal choice.

I thought the Golf excellent and was mightily impressed with the new cockpit but still prefer the Mazda3, not because it is any better but is my choice.

Fast facts

Golf Life 6sp manual

£23,635 (£31,295 tested)

1.5 litre TSI; 147bhp

0-62mph 8.5secs; 139mph

51.4mpg combined

125g/km. 1st year tax £170

Insurance group 19

Boot 381 litres

Ysgol Dinas Bran students celebrate their A Level success

* Wynne Jones from Glyn Ceidiog raises a glass to his success.

Students at Ysgol Dinas Bran have been celebrating their A Level results today.

This year the school has not supplied the usual statement listing its overall performance and outstanding successes. 

In its statement it says: "It was lovely to see students from the school celebrating their A Level results earlier. We wish them every success in the future."

Denbighshire County Council has paid tribute to the "hard work and commitment" of A Level students as they pick up their results today (Thursday).

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “This has been an unprecedented year for our A Level students and staff and they have dealt with a lot of uncertainty over recent months.  

"The students have shown great resilience, maturity and courage in the way they have handled this very unique set of circumstances.

“I would like to commend each and every student for their efforts, commitment and dedication throughout their A Level courses.  I must also pay tribute to the support shown by both teachers and parents/ guardians. They have been a real backbone to students over recent months, keeping a clear focus and positivity.

“Whatever the outcome and whichever paths they will be taking in the next step of their lives, I would like to wish them the very best of luck and every success on their future journey.

“Our focus from September will be on ensuring that the new generation of A Level students get the best possible start to their studies and to overcome any further hurdles and challenges the new term may bring.”

Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: "I want to send my very best wishes to everyone who received their A-level, AS, Welsh Bacc and vocational qualification grades today.

“Due to the many changes we’ve had to make this year in exceptional circumstances, you’ve had to make many sacrifices. “But you have every reason to be proud of all the work you’ve done, which will serve you well, and proud of the determination you have shown to overcome this challenging time.   “As announced yesterday, we have guaranteed that a learner’s final A Level grade cannot be lower than their AS grade. Students in Wales, and prospective employers and universities across the UK, can be assured that their A Level grades reflect their work and externally assessed exams. “I hope you got the grades you’d hoped for, and you can continue with your educational journey in the autumn. Although many of you will be pleased with your results and excited for your next step, if you didn’t get what you’d hoped, there’s plenty of options & advice on Working Wales. “Best of luck, and best wishes for the future.”

Flooding delays re-opening of Plas Madoc Leisure Centre

* The mopping-up operation at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre.

Flooding caused by last night's heavy rain has delayed the re-opening of the Plas Madoc Leisure Centre following lockdown.
On its Facebook page earlier today it posted: "This morning we opened up to some devastating news that our Gym and a number of other areas in the building had flooded during last nights storm. "The area had been cleaned and made ready for reopening on Monday which is now no longer possible.
"We are now considering options for how we handle the clean up and reopening of this area and will update our users as we know more.
"The Pool will reopen as normal Monday (please book in advance)."

Section of canal closed by police incident

Due to a police incident the canal and towpath are currently closed between Bridges 36W and 38W.

The closure starts at Bridge 36W, Bryn-Ceirch Bridge and ends at Bridge 38W, Bryn-Howell Bridge.

In a statement on its website the Canal & River Trust says: "We will post an update as soon as we have any further information.

"For the latest information regarding Covid-19 and any restrictions or impact it may be having on our waterways please visit
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/safety-on-our-waterways/coronavirus"

Musician Leonie solves radio mystery voice teaser

* Leonie Kirby on the guitar.

A Llangollen musician was bang in tune with the mystery voice which listeners were asked to name in a national radio competition.

After correctly identifying the dulcet tones of Oscar-nominated British actress Helena Bonham Carter, Leonie Kirby ended up solving the riddle which has been baffling listeners to the Wynne Evans morning show on BBC Radio Wales for months.

Leonie was born and raised in Liverpool, where she studied singing at college and played percussion in the Merseyside Youth Orchestra in the 1970s, including playing The Rite of Spring under Sir Simon Rattle.

She taught as a primary school music specialist, and moved to Llangollen 30 years ago, where she stayed at home with her children, Dafydd, Bethan and Ifan.

Over the years Leonie has sung in many genres, as well as writing musicals and conducting choirs, including setting up the ladies’ singing group The Melodics in Llangollen.

Of her mystery voice triumph earlier this week she said: “I started listening to Radio Wales at the beginning of lockdown, when I was staying in Cardiff with my youngest and his wife, and I’ve been listening ever since.

“It was the same mystery voice from before lockdown, a long time!

“I thought it sounded like Helena Bonham Carter, but I’d got so used to hearing ‘wrong’ that I was fully expecting to be wrong too. So it was fab to guess right.

“Wynne was very mysterious after I gave my answer, and then played a snippet of music, but I couldn’t make it out over the phone, so I was none the wiser.

“It was only after that I heard it, it was the 1812 overture. Back to my cymbal clashing days!

“But Wynne was so lovely to chat with, so guessing correctly was just the icing on the cake.

“Hopefully, he’ll be back in Llangollen at the eisteddfod, when everything is up and running again.”

Leonie only came to writing and performing her own material, with the guitar, in 2013.

She plays at the folk club in The Ponsonby Arms and the open mic nights in The Sun, as well as being a regular on the eisteddfod outside stages.

She said: “This year has been so hard for anyone wanting to make and listen to live music. We’re lucky to have performance spaces online, but it’s not the same.

“I set up a group on Facebook at the beginning of lockdown, The Ponsonby Players, and we ‘meet’ twice a week and take turns to play songs. Anyone can request to join, to play and/or listen, we’re a lovely, friendly mob.”

School meals service to resume on September 3

Denbighshire County Council is re-launching its school meal catering service next month.

With pupils starting to return to school full-time from September 3, the catering service will resume.

During school closures the School Meals Service provided freshly prepared food for children of key workers and children deemed to be vulnerable while the Council also provided direct payments to those eligible for free school meals with money provided to parents or guardians instead of a school meal.

More than 3,500 children (1,900 families) were eligible for this scheme and these pupils will now return to being provided with free school meals and the last direct payment will be made on September 1.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Education and Public Engagement, said: “We are pleased to be welcoming children back to our schools full time after what has been a difficult period during lockdown.

“With pupils back in school, we have re-started our school meals service which provides a healthy and nutritious meal to students every day.

“All meals are cooked fresh every day and are nutritionally balanced to improve learning and development and all schools cater for special or restricted dietary requirements. I would also like to reassure parents that the highest hygiene standards are being employed by staff in the catering service.”

The menu varies every day and more than 7,600 school meals are served to pupils in Denbighshire each day.

Cllr Hilditch-Roberts added: “We would like to remind parents who have been in receipt of a direct payment instead of a free school meal that the final payment will be made on September 1 and will cover the previous week. Children will then return to receiving their free school meals in the same way as before lockdown.

“I would like to pay tribute to the education, catering, benefit and finance teams for setting up and managing the direct payment system during this period, ensuring children in Denbighshire continued to have access a school meal equivalent during lockdown.”

Childcare providers grant launched by government

The Welsh Government has announced the launch of a Childcare Providers Grant. 

Part of a package of support for businesses across Wales affected by coronavirus, the new grant aims to provide dedicated support for the childcare sector in Wales.

In a written statement issued this morning the government says: "Since March many of our childcare providers have faced significant challenges as a consequence of the coronavirus.  

"To control the spread of the virus it was necessary to keep the numbers of children in attendance low. We recognise that this came at a cost.

"While the numbers of people using their services fell, providers still had bills to pay including staff salaries.  

"While many providers stayed open to care for the children of our critical workers and our more vulnerable children, and we are very grateful to them for doing so, others had to close.

"The Childcare Provider Grant will provide a much-needed financial lifeline to childcare providers who have not been able to access other government support packages, and help ensure that formal childcare places are available to parents as schools re-open in September.  This is an important part of ensuring there is sufficient capacity in the sector which is key to supporting working families. 

"The scheme is available to those settings which have been unable to access the other business support schemes offered by the UK and Welsh Governments and most providers will be eligible for a grant of £2,500. 

"Ensuring the availability of formal childcare places is instrumental to our recovery and we are pleased we are able to offer this vital lifeline to those in the sector who have fallen through the other support measures. 

"More than 95% of the early years workforce are women and any closures, with resulting job losses, would disproportionately affect women who provide a vital service to parents across Wales. 

"The loss of formal childcare places also disproportionately affected women, as mothers will be most likely to reduce their hours or leave employment.

"We are acutely aware of the challenges the childcare sector has faced and want to thank all childcare providers for their perseverance and professionalism during these difficult times. 

"Welsh Government recognises the important role childcare plays as part of the foundational economy and we are determined to support the sector as the economy reopens.

"Since 22 June, childcare providers have been able to care for more children and increase their operations or re-open fully. This scheme will help ensure more providers re-open as the schools re-open in September.

"The scheme will be a one-off grant to help providers meet the additional financial burdens they have faced since March, with many settings experiencing a reduction in income whilst continuing to meet costs such as rent, utilities and unmet wage costs.

"The scheme also aims to help make the childcare sector more resilient for the future by requiring unincorporated settings to register as a company limited by guarantee, a private limited company, a Community Interest Company or a Charitable Incorporated Organisation."

Applications for the scheme will open on 24 August and the scheme will close on 31 October 2020. The first payments will be made to providers in September via their local authority.