Enterprising pair aim to give more power to old bikes

* Beth Ward and Robin Hughes are opening a community bike workshop in Llangollen.

A pair of cycling enthusiasts are aiming to put new power into old bikes with their latest enterprise in Llangollen. 

Beth Ward and Robin Hughes were on a four-month cycling holiday through Turkey when they came up with the idea of making bikes a more vital part of daily lives in the UK.

 

And they realised that this means equipping more machines with electric power.

 

Back home they gave up their day-jobs to concentrate on launching their new social enterprise company, called Drosi Bikes, in Ruthin specialising in fitting unwanted older bikes with electric power.

Robin used to work in the fishing industry as a marine surveyor while Beth had trained as a product designer but for the last few years had been working in the social enterprise/charity sector as a project manager.

They started out in the garage at their home but are now about to open a new, fully equipped community bike workshop in the former Fringe theatre building in Parade Street.

Their aim is to encourage new riders to get fitter for a fraction of the cost of buying a new e-bike. 

Recalling how their new venture was inspired by their foreign holiday, Beth said: "Cycling through Europe, we soon became aware of how bikes are used so much more in daily life to do things like taking the kids to school or to go shopping. 

"We realised that the UK really lags behind in this respect and still sees cycling as a hobby rather than a mode of transport. 

"As our holiday progressed, we became more and more convinced that we could do something to make a change." 

Robin said: “After a year of planning, Drosi was launched just as the Covid pandemic hit its first peak and Wales was in its first full lockdown. 

"We could see people were cycling more. They had the time, the roads were quieter and people were beginning to dust off their old bikes, which they probably hadn't used for years. 

"People are beginning to learn that the great thing about e-bikes is that you can cycle further for longer. You can choose to pedal or use the motor. 

"Either way, you are being more active yourself and you will be using the car less."

Drosi is a play on the Welsh word trosi, for convert, and the pair say they will carry out the e-bike conversions at an affordable price compared with off the shelf e-bikes and that all people have to do is supply the bike.

The cost of an e-bike conversion is £860. This includes the motor, battery, fitting and a basic service.

During the Welsh Government’s Wales Climate Week last year a number of individuals and organisations across the country were recognised as 'low carbon heroes' via a panel of government representatives. This acknowledged their work to tackle Climate Change and amongst them was Drosi Bikes.

The pair are hoping their new Llangollen workshop will be opening in mid May.

Alongside converting and repairing bikes they will be taking bike donations for recycling, running volunteer activities and offering a number of donation-based activities to support people in the local community to cycle including a DIY workshop where people can come and use the tools and e-bike rental (full price for people living outside the LL20 postcode).

* For more information, go to: Drosi Bikes | United Kingdom

Honda's unsung hero gets a new lease of life

Honda Jazz road test by Steve Rogers

For nigh on 20 years the Honda Jazz has held the unofficial title of most practical supermini on the planet.

Yet even this enviable accolade has not been enough to make it the first car on the supermini shopping list, never enjoying the sales, or adoration, of the likes of Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa or Volkswagen Polo.

There are a couple of theories, one that it is a bit pricey and the other that it's a car for older folk lacking the pizzaz of a Fiesta, Seat Ibiza or Peugeot 208. Whatever, Honda has tried to put it right with the latest fourth generation model, jazzing up the design (excuse the pun) but here's the thing, it is even more practical.

They have really gone to town with sharper styling but maintaining its unique identity, fashioning a new dashboard, using plusher materials, and making it a tad longer so it is even more of a tardis than before.

The first thing to notice is the terrific all round vision. Styling trends dictate less glass, more metal but Honda has taken a different tack with a big windscreen and a wafer thin front pillar, half as thick as before, so nothing blocks the driver's view, and it is the same in the back with light flooding in for passengers.

In fact the back is probably the most interesting part of the Jazz. First up the doors open wide, so great for parking the kids, then there is all this legroom, cars this size should not have this much space, or head room, but Jazz does.

Then we have the pièce de résistance, the cinema style pop up seat cushions. Why no one has copied this is beyond me because it is simple yet so clever and great for carrying those tall garden centre plants, you can even wheel in a youngster's bike.

Talking of youngsters they will like the little top pocket in the back of the front seats which is ideal for storing a mobile phone and watching whatever it is they watch. Storage slots are aplenty on Jazz and as well as the standard glove box there is another on top of the dashboard.

Honestly, just call this car Mr Practical because the back could be a model for all small cars. There is a wide opening tailgate with low loading height taking you into a big boot which almost turns into a mini van with the back seats folded. It really is a outstanding space.

From day one I have found the ride a tad hard and although Jazz has improved down the years it can't match the likes of Peugeot 208 and Citroen C3 for comfort. It is fine on smooth roads but disappoints on poorer surfaces. And if you want a more dynamic drive pick a Fiesta or Ibiza.

No complaints on performance, there is only one engine option - 1.5 litre petrol harnessed to two electric motors so it is particularly quick to 40mph and hits sixty in nine seconds. Driven through a CTV automatic gearbox the engine sounds strained when pushed and because of the nature of CTV sometimes feels if it holds on to the gear for too long but that is quickly forgotten when you see how much it is doing to the gallon.

I never went below 58mpg and got 70mpg on a 100 mile saunter to Manchester airport, which is better than good. The electric motor helps a lot and the car jumps from petrol to electric power as and when although on the open road the engine does the majority of the work.

The redesigned dashboard is functional and simply laid out with a nine inch touchscreen for the technical functions and a neat panel of chunky switches for the heating controls, just the way I like it.

I was also impressed by the steering wheel controls which are cream enamel and stand out for easy use. Small details mean a lot.

So new Jazz ticks all the main boxes and I have recommended it to my son who wants a small car with lots of room, big economy and low emissions. I would give Jazz 10 out 10 but have to knock it back to a nine because it is pricey - put a battery pack, electric motor and automatic box on any car and the price will go up.

The price drawback with Jazz is one engine size fits all and when choosing a spec I would ignore the base SE even though it has a decent amount of kit and look at the SR but if you want to be pampered the EX is the one to go for.

Fast facts

Honda Jazz EX

£21,385 (starts £18,985)

1.5 litre+electric motor 107bhp

0-62mph 9.5secs; 108mph

61.4mpg combined

83g/km. 1st VED £110

Insurance group 20

Boot 304 - 1205 litres

Residents to get free short-stay parking at Market Street

* The Market Street car park where there will be a free short-stay parking for residents. 

Denbighshire County Council is to provide free short-stay parking for local residents in the Market Street car park.

The move was agreed on Thursday and came as the result of a request from the area's two county councillors, Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile.

They have been asking for the concession since last year when 12 on-street parking places on Castle Street were removed to provide extra space for social distancing and active travel in the centre of the town.

In a joint statement they say: "We are delighted that Denbighshire have agreed to our request for free parking places  in the Market Street car park for local shoppers. 

"We heard on Thursday that around a dozen free places would be provided for short-stay parking for local shoppers in the central Market Street car park.

"This is great news for local pop- and-shop residents who live on the outskirts of the town and the local traders whose customers  will find it easier to support them.

"The extra free parking is likely to begin during May to support people who shop locally throughout the busy summer tourist season." 

Perfect morning for a balloon flight

* The balloon appears over the Bridge End.

* Silhouetted against the trees by the canal as it begins its descent. 

* Touching down in a field off the A539.

* The back-up vehicle arrives to pick up the passengers.

In the crisp, blue sky a lone balloon appeared over Llangollen early this morning and llanblogger followed its progress.

The black, blue and green inflatable carrying a basketful of passengers was first visible above the Bridge End and then slowly made its way eastwards along the line of the canal.

It eventually began its descent and finally came to rest in a field just off the A539 road not far away from the new pocket park.

Soon afterwards its back-up vehicle arrived to pick up the passengers and the crew quickly deflated the airbag.  

Assets of Llangollen Railway go up for auction

* Some of the lots to go under the hammer at the auction.

The assets of crisis-hit Llangollen Railway have gone under the hammer in an online auction.

And the liquidators have told a newspaper that joint administrators for the heritage attraction remain in advanced negotiations with an interested party to acquire the business and certain assets.

On March 1 the board of the railway’s public limited company (PLC) asked its bank to call in receivers after it became insolvent to the tune of about £350,000 and could not legally continue trading.

A firm of liquidators was appointed with the aim of selling off the assets of the world-famous heritage attraction.

The Trust board, which remains completely solvent, has declared its intentions of buying as many of the railway's assets as possible and has already raised over £50,000 from a public appeal. https://llangollenrailway.enthuse.com/profile

By order of Alan Coleman and Jason Elliott, of Cowgill Holloway Business Recovery LLP, joint administrators of the PLC, an auction of its assets is currently being held online on Wednesday May 12.

Conducted on their behalf by the firm of Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), this includes a wide range of items, from rolling stock such as coaches to a diesel shunter and from a 56-ton rail-mounted crane to a boxvan bogie.

There are also lots from the workshops, from milling machines and lathes to vehicles such as Transit vans.

According to the LSH website, the auction will be held at the railway’s engine shed off Abbey Road.

Bid enquiries: MBA Accounts 023 8046 1643 mbaaccounts@lsh.co.uk

The full list of lots is:

Rolling stock – 10 x BR Mark 1 coaches, BREL Mark 3A function coach, Type 13 diesel shunter, Case/Rexquote Superailer 988-PSP2 road/ rail excavator (2003), Cowans Sheldon 56-ton rail mounted crane, BR type GUV box van bogie, Plasser Thurer 12-tonne general purpose rail crane and Lowmac 25-tonne wagon fitted with Atlas Terex hydraulic crane. Engineering - XYZ Proturn SLX 425 x 1.25m CNC lathe (2017), Newall 75 JMT vertical jig borer, Harrison M390 gap bed lathe, Colchester Mascot 1600 gap bed lathe, Prosaw Mega Machine Co Ltd BS-400SA horizontal bandsaw (1996), Colchester Triumph 2000TR SS and SC lathe, Morgan PBR2000 pyramid bending rolls, radial arm drills, milling machines, lathes, slotter, grinders, jibs etc. Handling equipment - Linde H30D diesel fork lift (2007) and JCB 520.50 Loadall telehandler (2011). Vehicles - Peugeot Partner 850 1.6 HDi 92 Professional van (15 plate), Ford Transit 330 MWB TDCi 115ps van (60 plate) and Ford Transit 260 SWB TDCi 100ps van (12 plate).

Meanwhile the Daily Post has quoted a spokeswoman for the administrators as saying: "Following the appointment of Alan Coleman and Jason Elliott both of Cowgills as Joint Administrators they remain in advanced negotiations with an interested party to acquire the business and certain assets.

"The remaining rolling stock and engineering assets have generated a lot of interest during the initial accelerated sales process.

"Upon advice from their agents, Lambert Smith Hampton, the remaining assets will be placed into an online auction https://www.lsh.co.uk/assetadvisory/online-auctions/llangollen-railway-plc-auction on May 12, 2021 to be held at Llangollen Railway Station."

Temporary weekend measures in mind to prevent more bollards accidents, say councillors

* The Castle Street bollards at the centre of the row.

Llangollen's two county councillors say temporary measures are being considered for over the weekend to help avoid more accidents before Castle Street's controversial bollards are removed on Monday.

The temporary lane defenders, or bollards, were installed by Denbighshire County Council last November as part of a package of moves to facilitate social distancing.

But a number of people - including two in one day earlier this week - have been injured by tripping over them leading to calls from campaign group Llangollen Advocate for their urgent removal, even before the county council replaces them with specially designed planters on Monday.

The row over the bollards, which has largely been played out on social media, has also attracted coverage in regional newspapers and, yesterday, on national Welsh TV news from the BBC and S4C.

Last night, Llangollen's two county councillors, Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile, issued a joint statement to llanblogger, which says: "We continue to be very concerned and upset by the recent injuries caused by falling over the lane defender bases on Castle Street over the last few weeks and our thoughts are with all those who have tripped and been injured.

"Llangollen has had the worst kind of publicity recently on national television about this issue which comes at a time when the town needs to attract visitors to support our local businesses in leisure, tourism and retail.

"Just over two weeks ago we said that the bollards would be replaced by planters. This work will be carried out on Monday 19th April and the specially designed planters will be firmly fixed to the road surface to prevent them moving. Their installation will also address the concerns about tripping, as they don’t have any protruding supports.

"As visitors begin to return to the town in large numbers it is vital that we continue with measures to help with social distancing whilst at the same time as protecting everyone’s personal safety. 

"The extra space created by removing the parking on Castle Street will continue to help pedestrians and those queueing outside shops to maintain a suitable distance without having to step into the carriageway. It has also enabled a small increase in the width of the main carriageway too.

"During the modifications early next week more dropped curbs will be introduced around the Oak Street and Market Street area to make it easier to cross the road at a difficult junction.

"There are also plans to introduce designated crossing points on Castle Street but unfortunately that will not be possible until the autumn.

"In the meantime Denbighshire County Council are considering ways to introduce temporary measures over this weekend to prevent any further accidents before the changes on Monday.

"Let’s hope that after a really difficult few weeks and months the new changes will help us all to work and live together more united as we move forward and the dangers of the pandemic recede."

* Town councillor Stuart Davies has made the following response: "Our Town and County Councillors were warned specifically about the dangers of the bollards on the 25 Feb by myself.

"The warning was treated with sarcasm by one County Councillor and ignored by the other. One County Officer acknowledged the issue with a gracious email back pointing out that the Head of Planning and Public Protection  was in charge of the scheme and that my email had been passed on to him. Nothing more was heard.

"People continued to be hurt; All avoidable injuries if they had acted on my warning and the opinions of many residents and businesses.

"I make no apologies for continuing to campaign against these dangerous obstructions in our town which have caused numerous injuries to members of the public.

"The petition which we collected from Llangollen stakeholders is nearing 600 now and yet the members and DCC did not act until now when faced with adverse media coverage and a tide of public opinion.

"The Corporate Director of DCC told me that politically he could not act because the local members wanted this scheme and would not give their consent to their removal.
The reference to “worst kind of publicity” is quite ironic considering that it is the perceived intransigence of the local County Councillors that has caused this situation.

"My requests for this issue to be debated again by Llangollen Town Council are a matter of public record. One one of the DCC members is also a Town Council member. I called for us all to work together to come up with an acceptable solution. Both my requests have been met in the main part with silence which is very telling.

"Questions on the suitability and safety of planters as a a substitute remain unanswered.  As the decision to install planters was made over two weeks ago, there is no reason why DCC cannot show the public that they are safe and the risk of more injuries and harm to people has been risk assessed."

Operatic chooses Calendar Girls musical as its 2022 production

Llangollen Operatic Society is getting down to bare dramatic essentials with its next show.

But audiences longing for a post-pandemic return to the live stage are going to have to wait until next year to see their interpretation of Calendar Girls – the Musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth which tells the tale of a group of WI  ladies who feature themselves in a nude calendar to raise money for leukaemia research, 

The show, which in its non-musical original guise was a massively successful film, has become available for amateur groups to do and Llangollen will put it on at the Town Hall from Thursday-Saturday, September 1-3, 2022, including a matinee on the Saturday.  

Co-producing with her husband Mike Jones, Tracey Kempster-Jones said: “In my 30th year with the society, I am extremely excited to be able to bring this heart-warming and funny new musical to Llangollen. 

“Following on from cutting my teeth in production with Sister Act and The Producers, I am delighted to head out of lockdown with two very good talented friends in this production. 

“Although the licence was released to amateurs very recently, as a production team a decision was made to hold back on a performance date until next year to offer us better opportunities to meet in groups safely. 

“And it will definitely be worth the wait.” 

She added: “The on-stage nudity is written in as part of the licence. However. It that scene will be rehearsed and choreographed with great respect and both lit and set in such a way that modesty will be fully taken account of."

Musical director for the show will be Elen Mair Roberts who said: “I am both honoured and excited to be invited to be part of this wonderful show. 

“It's no secret among many who know me that Calendar Girls is a play that I had always wanted to be a part of and when the musical came to be, it floated the boat even more! 

“Having had a little break away from the society to focus on family and other work, this was definitely a wonderful call to receive to step back into the very special Llangollen Operatic Society. 

“I know we are all very excited to bring this brilliant and heartfelt story to Llangollen and can't wait to get started.” 

Artistic director for the show will be Nia Pickering who said: “After one of the toughest years any of us could have ever imagined, I didn’t hesitate to be a part of the Llangollen Operatic Society’s production of Calendar Girls. 

“What an amazing and upbeat show to re-enter the local theatre scene with. The original story itself is so inspiring and one of courage and resolve in difficult times. Perfect! 

“We hope that anyone interested in being a part of the show in anyway, be it on or off stage or a member of the audience, will be as excited as we are for this production.” 

* The society is keen to encourage members old and new to join its  information page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/609474150452057 or, for more information, to contact Tracey Kempster-Jones at: traceykempsterjones@btinternet.com