Hilux is the Mr Dependable off-roader

Toyota Hilux pick-up drive by Steve Rogers

The pick-up market has been turned upside down with some big names pulling out rather than face stiff cash penalties for not meeting new government emissions regulations.

Before the goal posts were shifted some unlikely companies were clamouring to join the low tax benefits for business and company car people who saw the pick-up as a juicy alternative to an SUV.

Mercedes-Benz teamed up with Nissan, Fiat with Mitsubishi but all four have departed, along with Volkswagen Amorak, leaving Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Ssangyong Musso and Isuzu D-Max to meet the demand.

Toyota Hilux is an off road giant - it won the Dakar rally in 2019 - but has gone out of its way to tempt families out of their comfort zone. And here it is, the new Hilux Invincible X, a rugged 4x4 with all the luxury frills of an upmarket SUV. Well nearly all.

Why would a family with three grown up kids choose a pick-up over an SUV? It comes down to space because the four door double cab comfortably fits five and there is a pick up deck which will take a mountain of luggage and can be covered to the roofline. And it will tow the largest twin axle caravan or even a fifth wheeler.

Hilux has had a facelift with a new grille and lights design while suspension tweaks have made it more compliant on tarmac. It has worked to an extent but not quite to the level of the Ranger Raptor with its multilink rear suspension. Toyota favours rear leaf springing which is better suited for harsher off road challenges which is what Hilux is really all about.

It is not that Hilux is uncomfortable over poor road surfaces but the ride can be a tad choppy although we found it more settled with the caravan in tow.

For a family the cabin is a pleasant space with nearly all the creature comforts of a large SUV so settle into leather seats, quality carpet, dual zone air conditioning, all round one touch electric windows, Smartphone connectivity through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, while up front the seats are heated, powered for the driver who will also like the 360 degree view camera which is useful for parking a long vehicle like Hilux.

My only gripe concerns definition on the 8in touchscreen which is not the best, and at times barely readable because of sun glare.

Performance from the new 2.8 litre turbo diesel with its 500Nm or torque is stronger than the 2.4 litre and once passed the inevitable diesel engine rattle settles into a comfortable rhythm. Selecting economy puts a small dent in performance but should reward you with around 30mpg. We didn’t need the full power setting for towing and came away with just under 25mpg which is a good return and no worse than the last three petrol and diesel SUVs I have driven with caravan in tow.

On the other side of the coin Hilux is the Mr Dependable off roader, capable of going anywhere and doing anything. It is packed with everything needed for the sternest of tasks whether it is traversing rocky slopes, wading through streams or using its hill descent technology to get down the steepest and most slippery drops.

If it came in bright green it would no doubt be nicknamed the Incredible Hulk.

The Jack of all trades Hilux comes with multiple variations - single cab, extra with occasional rear seats, or a four door double which is the most popular.

Switching from SUV to a double cab pick-up is a bit of a stretch for everyday use because you are paying for a heap of off road technology which will never be used, and you loose out on economy not to mention the initial £2,015 road tax charge.

That said if you have a hefty twin axle caravan this is the bees knees for towing.

A big plus for the tradesman or farmer is a 10 year warranty provided you use a Toyota dealer for servicing and repairs.

Fast Facts

Hilux Invincible X Double cab

£45,985 (starts £27,628)

2.8 litre TD 6sp auto; 201bhp

0-62mph 10.7secs; 109mph

29.7mpg combined

248g/km. 1st tax £2,015

Towing capacity 3500kg

Payload 1025kg

Insurance group 45

Bells will ring out to mark chapel's 250th anniversary

* Trevor Chapel is celebrating its 250th anniversary.

* The inscription above the entrance porch recording the consecration.

This Sunday afternoon all eight bells at St Collen's will ring out to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the consecration of Trevor Chapel as a church. 

It was originally built as a private chapel for the Lloyd family of Trevor Hall in the early 18th century and was consecrated on August 8, 1772. 

It is now one of the churches in the Llangollen Group of Anglican Churches and still holds regular Sunday morning services.

The bellringers will be ringing a quarter peal, which consists of a minimum of 1,260 changes with no repetition, which should take about 50 minutes.

A service of choral evensong is being held at the chapel at 5pm. 

Operatic to present Calendar Girls later this month

* The Calendar Girls and helpers. Picture by Gem Photography.

Llangollen Operatic Society are making a welcome return to the stage after a three-year pandemic gap later this month.

And the production they have chosen is a cheeky little number that will see the main cast members not being too much of a burden to the costume department. 

Because from August 31 until September 3 they are presenting the musical Calendar Girls at Llangollen Town Hall. 

In April 1999, the real-life ladies of the Rylstone and District Women's Institute in Yorkshire produced a cheeky nude calendar to raise money for a hospital that had cared for one of their husbands before he died of cancer.

They could hardly have known that their story was going to be the female Full Monty.

The Operatic grabbed the rights for it back in 2020 thinking it would be a great smaller cast summer show.

But, according to Tracey Jones who is co-producing with husband Mike, it has turned into something much bigger.

She said: "Because of Covid, it's been three years since our last adult production.

"Calendar Girls is an emotional roller coaster show based on the true Calendar Girl story that has also been depicted on film starring Julie Walters, Helen Mirren and many more top British actors. 

"The musical version was adapted and written by Tim Firth with music by Gary Barlow.

"Our show is directed by Nia Pickering, with artistic assistance from Sarah Marshall and musical direction by Elen Mair Roberts."

Tracey added: "The cast comprises old and new faces and our six calendar girls are played by Russ Latham, Tessa Orton Jones, Sue ONeil, Louisa Jones, Amie Harrison and Rachel Dobson.

"They are supported by more fabulous talent including Robin Crowley, Neil Barrett and Jim Allen as the ladies' other halves.

"Then we have our amazing younger cast joining us from the Operatic's junior section, the Young 'Uns, who are playing the ladies' offspring - Celyn Orton-Jones, Ethan Le-Cheminant and Aled Morris.

"The story focuses on the passing of Annie's husband John, being played by Tessa's real-life husband Simon Orton Jones, so it's a real family affair.

"None of this can happen without the ensemble, stage crew, technicians, and members of the society together with great support from local businesses.

"We hope to see local audience support back at great Town Hall when we open."

* For ticket details, go to: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety

Have your say on county council’s five-year plan

* County Hall in Ruthin, headquarters of Denbighshire County Council.

Residents in Denbighshire are being invited to have their say on what the council’s draft objectives are for the next five years. 

The council has already heard from residents during consultations last summer and in early 2022.  

A set of nine draft themes has been drawn up and residents are asked for their final views before the objectives are agreed in October. 

The draft objectives are:

1. A Denbighshire of quality housing that meets people’s needs: Ensure sufficient good quality housing is available, particularly addressing the provision of what meets the needs of people in Denbighshire.
2. A prosperous Denbighshire: Support post-pandemic economic recovery, including identifying and capitalising on opportunities to upskill residents and enable them to access decent employment and income. We want to use economic growth as a driver to reduce inequality and poverty.
3. A healthier and happier, caring Denbighshire: Promote and support the safety, resilience and well-being of people of all ages, in partnership with strong community networks that enable people to live safely, happily, independently and receive good support when needed.
4. A learning and growing Denbighshire: Support provision of quality learning and training that enables people of all ages to fulfil their potential, both personally and professionally.
5. A better connected Denbighshire: Denbighshire will be a place with thriving, cohesive and connected communities, including good road infrastructure and transport links, better digital connectivity, and social infrastructure to support personal and community well-being.
6. A greener Denbighshire: Become a Net Zero Carbon organisation by 2030, and enhance, preserve and improve our natural assets. We must also mitigate - and work with communities to cope with - the impacts of climate change, which could be in relation to flooding, food provision, etc.
7. A fairer, more equal Denbighshire: Address the inequality and deprivation faced by our communities, reducing the well-being gap, and promoting diversity and community cohesion.
8. A Denbighshire of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language: Be a county where the Welsh language is a living, thriving language. The county will also maximise its rich cultural heritage and natural assets to support economic prosperity, community cohesion, and instil pride in our communities.
9. A well-run, high performing Council: To be a council that is fair, transparent, performs well, represents value for money, and gives consistently good customer service. The council wants to be creative, brave, ambitious, outward-looking, and an excellent employer, backed by strong governance and assurance.

Councillor Julie Matthews, Cabinet Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Policy and Equalities, said: “All councils in Wales are required to adopt well-being objectives that support the long term sustainability of their communities, for the benefit of future generations. 

“These objectives include the issues that people told us that are important to them and we have wanted those big issues affecting people to be reflected in how we work as an organisation over the next five years. Issues around the cost of living, responding to climate change and improving people’s well-being post Covid are some of the many issues of interest to our residents and we hope people agree that our objectives reflect the needs of communities right across Denbighshire. 

“This is a great opportunity to have your say as we finalise our Corporate Plan”.

The engagement has now been launched and will end on 31 August. Residents can complete an online survey: countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/662

E-mail: strategicplanningteam@denbighshire.gov.uk with their comments or phone 01824 706291.

Forms have also been produced which can be filled in and posted to Strategic Planning Team, Denbighshire County Council, PO Box 62, Ruthin, LL15 9AZ.  Copies of the forms can be picked up at libraries and one stop shops, leisure centres and at Council office receptions at County Hall, Ruthin.

Llangollen road to be resurfaced this month

Denbighshire County Council will be laying a micro asphalt surface on a Llangollen road this month.

As part of a £4m countywide programme that will take approximately one month to complete, work will take place in Tyn y Celyn.

The nature of works comprises of sweeping the existing carriageway, laying the micro asphalt and once the material has hardened sufficiently, adjusting any items of ironwork (manhole covers, stop tap covers, gullies and so on to the new level.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways and Transport, said: “The works form part of Denbighshire County Council’s £4 million commitment to improving our road surfaces with this programme costing approximately £400,000.

“Works will be weather dependent and due to the nature of the work it will be necessary to put road closures and signed diversions in place. Generally, the laying of the micro asphalt will take only 1 to 2 days to complete with subsequent works being undertaken the same week or later in the month. A full road closure will be necessary to undertake the laying of the road surface to ensure it is completed quickly and safely.

“Local residents will receive a letter prior to the works commencing and advance signage will be placed on lamp posts with the actual dates.

"The council would like to thank residents in advance for their understanding during the duration of the works."

Police warn about 'emerging pattern' of fuel thefts

North Wales Police have warned people about what they say appears to be an emerging pattern of the theft of cooking oil, heating oil and fuel.

In a message which has gone out to the public through the force's Neighbourhood Alert network PCSO Lucy Green of Conwy and Denbigh Rural says: "Cooking oil is stolen from hotels, pubs, takeaways and cafes - due to the large quantities that these premises require on site.

"Remember, if you are the proprietor to one of these establishments you are entitled to request identification from anyone you do not believe to from a legitimate collection company. CCTV is an excellent deterrent and source of evidence.

"Heating oil is being removed from locations without the owners permissions. 

"We are encouraging those of you with tanks, to ensure they are locked and alarmed. Owners are not realising these tanks have been drained until the heating in the premises goes off unexpectedly."

She adds: "Fuel theft is often paired with a secondary crime of criminal damage. Criminals are targeting large vehicles, wagons and farm machinery. Please ensure you are securing your vehicles. This form of crime is on the rise within the UK. 

"These thefts can be opportunistic thefts and planned operations too!

"Please ensure that you report any suspicious activity via 101, any vehicles or suspect descriptions that you may have. 

"Refrain from sharing immediately on social media, as this could hinder any investigations."

MP praises 'amazing' progress on new Corwen station

* Simon Baynes MP (front, centre) with Peter Jump, Wayne Ronneback, Paul Whitton, Richard Dixon-Gough, Phil Coles (chairman), Joel Scott, Douglas Hebson, Philip Hebson, John Gwynne and Sue Ronneback at Corwen Station.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has praised Corwen Station on the 'amazing' recent developments following a visit there. 

Mr Baynes met with the Corwen Project Team and the Corwen Station team who recently opened the station to the general public to show what has already been achieved and to indicate that a continuation of passenger services is not far off. 

Mr Baynes said he was delighted to hear about developments that have been taking place including improvements to the station and track adjustments as well as the imminent construction of the station canopy. 

This is being funded as part of the Clwyd South £13.3m Levelling Up Fund grant which Mr Baynes secured from the UK Government.

He said: “It was wonderful to visit Corwen Station and see at first-hand the amazing developments that are taking place. I would like to congratulate everybody involved in the construction work at Corwen Station which has involved a huge amount of volunteer time and expertise. 

"I am very glad to have been able to contribute to the refurbishment of the station via my securing the £13.3m Clwyd South Levelling Up Fund grant from the UK Government which has financed the new canopy for the station. 

"I can’t wait to see the station fully re-opened and steam trains travelling between Corwen and Llangollen next year.”