Sportage is fast but at the cost of fuel economy

* Above and below: the Kia Sportage. 

Kia Sportage road test

For months I have been praising the economy of small petrol engines. Well, I hit a brick wall with the Kia Sportage.

Kia has been developing new engines to meet the latest emission demands and, like many other manufacturers, has built a small engine with a lot of power but in this case not much in the way of economy.

To be fair this is the more powerful 174bhp version of the 1.6 litre which, with the help of a twin scroll turbocharger, shoots Sportage to sixty in well under nine seconds yet it only averaged 30mpg. 

To add a little context to the debate the big Skoda Superb featured a few weeks ago averaged way over 50mpg with a 1.5 litre engine and is less than half a second behind the Kia in a sprint.

Okay, a saloon is going to be better on fuel than an SUV but by that much? Even if you drop down to the turbo-free 1.6 the official average is only 35mpg.

Interestingly a motoring writer friend who switched from diesel to the turbo 1.6 said he would never trade the loss of economy for the sparkling performance of his new Sportage and I know what he means because this is one quick motor with plenty of punch at low revs, able to pull away in top at just over 1000rpm. Impressive.

That said I came down to earth with an even bigger bump when I towed my caravan to Devon and averaged 19.4mpg. Not a problem if you have deep pockets may be but having to top up after just 200 miles is still a pain. Imagine a drive to the south of France.

The 1.6 litre diesel is a better option for economy but its towing capacity is limited unlike the all wheel drive petrol turbo which can pull just about any size van with its 1900kg limit while the towball can take a useful 100kg.

Economy aside I found Sportage pretty much the ideal tow car. As an SUV it sits high so there are no worries about jockey wheels smashing against speed humps which can happen with low riding saloons or hatchbacks, and with the back seats down there is ample room for everything you do not want to store in the weight restricted caravan, it easily swallowed two adult bikes and a lot more.

It towed my four berth caravan with ease and the trailer stability assist which counters snaking in high winds is reassuring. It also reduces sway when overtaking long artics on the motorway, a far more regular occurrence.

I would certainly go for the seven speed auto over the six speed manual which is a notchy change and too easy to stall because of its sharp clutch and throttle, all very embarrassing for someone who has had enough experience of balancing clutch and accelerator on countless cars!

Sportage took off with the third generation in 2010 and has been like a wild fire ever since outselling some big rivals and topping Kia's sales charts until last year when it lost out to the growing Ceed family.

The seven year warranty is a big draw but there is a lot more to Sportage. Build quality is as good as any in its class and scores well on spec right from entry level. Level 3, tested here, is really well off with panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, leather seats, power adjusted for driver and passenger, and heated not just in the front but the two outer back seats as well.

The 8in touchscreen controls navigation, radio, Bluetooth, smartphone connectivity and other lesser functions and, unusually, there are four decks of switches. The quick keys on the top row are a great benefit while the heating and other aids are clearly marked and easy to reach.

I found a few relatively insignificant additions particularly useful like the extending front sunvisors, two 12-volt sockets and USB port in the front and more for back seat passengers while front wiper de-icer will be welcome on frosty mornings.

Sportage gained a few centimetres in length in its last upgrade so there is no shortage of legroom particularly in the back. And while we are at the back of the car the designers would do well to include sidewall levers should the back seats need to be dropped while loading the boot.

Need to know

Sportage 3 AWD

£28,555 (starts £21,010)

1.6 T-GDI 174bhp

0-62mph 9.2secs; 126mph

32.1mpg combined

201g/km. 1st road tax £1,305 then £150pa

Insurance group 20

Boot 491-1480 litres

Confirmed Covid-19 case is associated with Ysgol Bryn Collen

Denbighshire County Council has confirmed this evening that 14 pupils from nursery and reception classes and two members of staff  from Ysgol Bryn Collen in Llangollen will be required to self-isolate until October 14 following a confirmed Covid-19 case associated with the school.  

Across other side of the county, 22 Year 6 pupils and two members of staff at Christ the Word Catholic School, Rhyl, will be required to self-isolate until October 16 following a confirmed Covid-19 case associated with that school.

The council says that both schools remain open and that it is working closely with the schools affected, Public Health Wales as well as NHS Wales Test, Trace and Protect to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect pupils, staff and the wider community.

Letters have been sent to parents and guardians today (Sunday) informing them of the position.

Parents/guardians have been advised to remain alert for the main symptoms of coronavirus:

* A new or continuous cough

* A high temperature

* A loss of or change to sense of smell or taste

Those advised to self-isolated should book a coronavirus test if they develop any of these symptoms, even if they are mild. A test can be booked by phoning 119 or online: https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test

Advice requires those self-isolating to stay at home, not to go outdoors to exercise, to visit shops, family or friends, or to other public spaces. Please do not invite people to your house.

Further formation on Test, Trace, Protect can be found here https://gov.wales/test-trace-protect-coronavirus

New app helps locate waste-beating businesses

Shoppers in Llangollen, Ruthin and Mold are being encouraged to say goodbye to pointless packaging as award-winning campaign Refill expands.

The Refill campaign has already saved 100 million pieces of plastic from our oceans to become the world’s first dedicated app to help people find locations to reuse and refill.

The app is now available to help people in Llangollen, Ruthin and Mold to live with less plastic by making it easier to eat, drink and shop packaging-free.

Morrisons, LUSH, Costa and some local businesses are amongst the brands signed up to the campaign.

Since October 1 people in the three areas are able to use the free app to find out where to refill their coffee cup, water bottle or lunchbox, shop for groceries and top up their cleaning products and toiletries packaging-free.

The app will also highlight where discounts might be available to reward customers for reducing their single-use packaging. 

This means that businesses in Wales who offer reuse or packaging-free options can use the app as a free marketing platform to drive footfall and increase sales.

In Wales, thanks to Welsh Government funding. there are already more than 1,600 Refill Stations offering drinking water. 

The Welsh Government has a long-standing aim for a zerowaste Wales by 2050, and is consulting on restricting the sale of some single-use plasticsfrom 2021. 

It is hoped that the Refill app could make a big contribution to driving the necessary behaviour change to deliver this, making re-use and refilling the new social norm.

* Consumers looking for businesses who offer refills, reduce packaging and support zero waste initiatives, should download the app at https://refill.org.uk/get-the-refill-app/.

New faces join revived Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group

* The Facebook logo of the coronavirus help group.

As a new local lockdown begins the highly successful Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group has swung back into action.

The group was set up by Cat Meade, from Wingetts estate agents in Castle Street, just days after the Covid-19 crisis began back in March.

With a help of a large network of volunteers it ran a host of vital community services  ranging from the sourcing and supply of PPE for the those in the front line to the regular delivery of prescription meds and daily newspapers to vulnerable people shielding across town.

Cat even found time to run a series of popular raffles for the benefit of local businesses and good causes in the area.

Cat is still involved but now there are two new co-ordinators with the group, town councillors Austin “Chem” Cheminais, who is also Llangollen’s town crier, and his colleague John Palmer.

Cat said on Facebook of the changes: “As we are now in local lockdown for two weeks just a quick update to advise plans are in place to assist. Councillors Austin Cheminais and John Palmer are on board assisting our community going forward.

“I am unable to pick up the main control role due to work and personal life, however I will be on here for updates and always in the background.

“Hopefully, this will be two weeks, however let’s follow the guidelines and keep our town safe.

“Please support local businesses during this time #shoplocal #helpout #eatlocal.

“Dee Valley Produce are continuing to offer local delivery to your door. The Three Eagles, Riverbanc and Fouzis Cafe all have plans in place to keep you safe, they need us locals now more than ever.

“Most shops, cafes, pubs, hairdressers, barbers continue to operate. Just follow the #social distance #facemask #handwash and keep safe.

“Unfortunately, major businesses in town have had to stop services. We all need to follow the guidelines to ensure all businesses in our Town can survive the long haul.”

Cllr Cheminas said: “As we move into another, hopefully temporary, lockdown and in preparation for what could be some difficult months ahead the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group plans to resume its work and set up a new network of support in Llangollen for those who need help, are isolated, or are vulnerable during these difficult times.

“We hope to provide regular contact and support with shopping.

“If you need support or know of anyone who you think we could help please contact: Austin Cheminais (Chem) on 07813 761766 chemshouts@gmail.com and John Palmer on 07515  051696 palmerjc28@gmail.com 

"If you need help collecting prescriptions contact Sheena Grindley on 07592 018533."

Police boss sends warning to those flouting lockdown rules

 

* North Wales PCC Arfon Jones.

A police boss has warned of a clampdown on house parties and pub revellers who flout social distancing rules after four North Wales counties went into local lockdown.

The region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones said it was vitally important that everybody complied with the new restrictions imposed by the Welsh Government in order to curb and suppress the rising rate of Covid-19 infections in Denbighshire, Wrexham, Flintshire, and Conwy.

Mr Jones warned that “irresponsible” people caught breaking the rules and spreading the virus would be liable to be fined.

The coronavirus regulations include provisions for a fixed penalty notice to be issued for most types of breaches of the regulations, carrying a fine of £60.

This is increased to £120 for a second offence and continues to double for repeated offences, up to a maximum of £1,920. If prosecuted, however, a court can impose any fine (it is not limited).

Mr Jones also hit out at the “crazy anomaly” after the Prime Minister ruled out preventing people currently in lockdown in England from travelling to Wales while restrictions are in place.

The request from Meirionnydd Dwyfor MP Liz Saville Roberts for Boris Johnson to act followed concerns about residents in areas with high levels of Covid-19 transmission travelling to parts of Wales with much lower rates, potentially spreading the virus.

Queues of walkers were pictured on Snowdonia, while there were also reports of traffic jams at tourist destinations in the country.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, agreed with the Welsh Government’s logic in imposing the new sanctions in the four counties in North Wales.

He said: “We feel for those businesses that are affected but I think if we want to control this virus, our hands are very much tied in what we must do.

“Like most people I was horrified to see pictures of people flouting social distancing rules whether they’re holding illegal raves, house parties or in pubs and clubs.

"I've seen clips of people coming out of pubs at 10pm in the cities and having a street party. It's completely irresponsible.

“The people in Caerphilly and Newport have shown the way. They went into local lockdown two to three weeks ago, and the numbers are coming down.

“It shows that what the Welsh Government are trying to do actually works, as long as local people abide by the rules.

“I hope that our residents in these four North Wales counties will comply with the local lockdown, and the sooner we get the numbers back down and get back to some state of normality, the better.

“At the start in March, traditional crime went down, but demand for enforcing coronavirus regulations filled that gap.

“Now we're back to normal with traditional crime, plus we've still got to enforce coronavirus regulations.

“I would like to commend most people for behaving responsibly at this difficult time but those who choose not to an expect to be held to account.

“Our focus initially will be to educate, engage and encourage people to comply with the rules but if that doesn’t work North Wales Police will enforce the rules.

“There are clearly capacity issues and we can only do what our resources permit us to do. We'll do our best with what we've got and continue working in partnership with other agencies in North Wales in terms of enforcement.

“The county councils take the lead in terms of the regulations around the night time economy and in fairness some have really stepped up to the plate.

“Both the councils and the police can issue fixed penalty ticket and the role of the police is to support council enforcement officers in relation to the night-time economy.

“The important thing from my point of view is to target irresponsible behaviour that is shown to spread the virus.”

Old Vicarage residents use lockdown to tell their stories

* Back: Owner Bethan Mascarenhas, Town Crier Austin 'Chem' Cheminais and storyteller Fiona Collins. Front: Joan Fell, 96, Jill Lidgit, 85, Ena Strange, 99, and Yola Roberts, 87.

* Ena Strange, 99 ,enjoying reading a copy of the book.

* Pat Preston, 89, with her invitation to the launch party.

* Bill Gosson, 90, with the book and the book illustration.

A Llangollen care home has created a lasting legacy from the coronavirus lockdown by drawing together the life stories of its residents in a new book.

The Old Vicarage hired professional storyteller Fiona Collins as a care worker and activities assistant at the onset of the pandemic to help keep residents’ spirits up when they were missing their families.

During the early months of lockdown, Fiona encouraged the residents to share their life-stories with each other in the garden and unearthed a treasure trove of post-war adventures – some of which raised eyebrows! 

Now those experiences – which include a resident learning to drive at the age of nine in a hearse from her grandfather’s funeral business and another resident hitchhiking her way around Europe after the war – will become a part of history in a new book called Lockdown Legends.

The book, which has been professionally illustrated by renowned local artist and illustrator Peter Stevenson and includes a foreword from Heléna Herklots CBE, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, has been unveiled to the world with a little help from Llangollen Town Crier Austin Cheminais. 

It includes the stories of 17 residents – two of whom have sadly passed away since the book has been published – all of which were shared during lockdown with additional detail provided by family members.

The home now hopes to be able to attract some celebrity endorsement to give the book the attention it deserves and is inviting reviews from the world of stage and screen.

“We’ve harassed royalty already and I’ve written to Prince Charles, who is the Patron of Age Cymru, and Prince William,” said Bethan Mascarenhas, who owns the home alongside her brother Richard.

“We’d love for some authors to review it, may be Michael Morpurgo or even a legend of the likes of Sir David Attenborough!”

One of those to contribute was Ena Strange, 99, who grew up in Liverpool and said the experience of telling life stories had really helped during lockdown.

“We were fortunate, you might say, to be here as we still had people to talk to with the other residents and staff. For someone living alone it must’ve been terrible. I felt lucky,” she said.

“It was just everybody talking and sharing what had happened in the past. I didn’t think I had an exciting life, I thought I had a dull life.

“I worked in a gown shop when I was younger. I actually wanted to work in an office but my mother said I’d never sit still and she wouldn’t let me. I wanted to join a tennis club and my father wouldn’t let me. But when the war came I was called up and went into the National Fire Service and was stationed on Salford Docks. That was an education! Eventually, I got promoted to assistant group officer and became deputy when the group officer was off.  I really enjoyed it.”

Fellow resident and retired teacher Jill Lidgett, 87, originally from London, said: “It’s been lovely, talking about things that we wouldn’t normally have raised. It was great to hear everybody’s secrets! It’s a lovely home and everyone’s so friendly. Some of the stories were surprising.”

Former Trevor town councillor and retired special needs teacher Iola Roberts, 87, surprised her fellow residents with her tales of childhood. 

“I was born and bred in Llangollen. My grandfather had a business as an undertaker and I learned to drive when I was nine – a hearse! It was brilliant,” said the grandmother-of-six.

“It’s very important to remember our backgrounds and remember what we have achieved and not be ashamed about where we have come from. I’ve always talked a lot and have told a lot of stories. I suppose it has been my job as a teacher. I think it’s very important for people to listen to others.”

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of social care champions Care Forum Wales, could not agree more. 

“Lockdown was a deeply worrying time for care homes, particularly for residents and their families, and I am so grateful to The Old Vicarage for transforming the experience in such a positive and poignant way. The experience of opening up and sharing life stories has brought much comfort and joy to these residents.

“These stories are now part of history and will continue to inspire generations for many years to come. It reminds us all how important it is to listen and learn from the past.”

For Bethan, who also manages the home, the story-telling was a way of encouraging the residents to keep socialising and engaging despite being unable to have family visits.

“Our idea was to keep everybody socially involved because our biggest worry was that people would become isolated and as soon as somebody becomes isolated they become disengaged and we see less mobility and depression setting in,” she said.

“It was all about keeping a hive of activity in the home. Fiona would sit with them and they would just talk about their life stories. We found the stories were living around the home for a while and it was the subject of gossip!

“One of our ladies used to go hitchhiking around Europe after the war when she was just 17. Another lady was this incredible consultant who worked for Coca Cola. We’ve been shocked and amazed with the stories they’ve told.

“Fiona and I discussed it and I thought it needed to be put into a book to share with their families and it all spiralled from there. It just made sense. Lockdown was an extraordinary time to live through and it’s something to remind us of this time in an incredibly positive way.

“It’s also people’s legacies. Two people have passed away since the book was created. It’s so touching to be able to sit and read and remember these individuals. It’s a lovely resource for the families.”

The book has been printed by Inky Little Fingers Ltd and already the home has had family members, GPs and other supporters requesting copies.

Storyteller Fiona, from Carrog, said the book was a lasting symbol for the residents’ fortitude during the pandemic. 

“We tried to capture a sense of everybody’s voice on the page,” she said.

“It really brought it home to me that you should never make assumptions about people, particularly if you meet people later on in their lives. All the amazing things they have done with their lives you wouldn’t know if you didn’t take the chance to get to know them and talk to them. It has been a real honour to hear their stories and find out about their adventures.

“It wasn’t so easy back then but despite that they have all really flourished and I’m really proud of them all.”

Feedback on the project has been so positive that the home is now considering other opportunities to share the remarkable tales with other audiences.

“We would like to go into primary schools when it’s safe to do so to run our own story-telling sessions with local children and pass on that knowledge,” explained Bethan.

“We bought a tepee which we use as a decontamination area for staff at the moment and in the future we will use that as a story-telling venue.”

Help honour those unsung charity volunteers

The Welsh Charity Awards recognise and celebrate the fantastic contribution charities, community groups, not-for-profits and volunteers make to Wales. 

Organised by WCVA, a national membership body for voluntary organisations, the awards took place for the first time in 2019 and were kindly sponsored by Class Networks.
 
WCVA has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s awards with the safety of all involved in mind.
 
The #NotTheWelshCharityAwards campaign will take place throughout October and will share personal stories of how voluntary organisations or volunteers have made a big impact over the last year.
 
If you have a personal story to share about a charity or volunteer that has made a big difference to people's lives, give them a well-deserved shout out by getting involved in the campaign.
 
WCVA wants to hear about the community groups, social enterprises, not-for-profit groups
of all kinds (and volunteers!) that you would nominate for the #NotTheWelshCharityAwards. 

The organisation says it may not be able to give out trophies or invite them up on stage, but can certainly recognise and give a big heartfelt thanks to would-be-winners and nominees.
 
You can get involved by submitting a short video nomination, or sharing your story on social media. Find out more about how to take part here.
 
The stories will be shared using the hashtag #NotTheWelshCharityAwards throughout October, but you can submit your nomination today.