Plans to improve land around cemetery to be unveiled

Llangollen Group of Anglican Churches is to host a special event at St John's Church in Abbey Road on Friday August 26.

Between 10am and 1pm people can hear about plans developed in partnership between the Mission Area of Valle Crucis and Llangollen Tidy Town Team to improve the cemetery and adjoining woodland for bio-diversity and access for the community. 

The event will feature a guided talk, a walk and free refreshments. 

Injured mountain biker rescued near Llangollen

* The Coastguard helicopter hovers over the scene of the rescue. Pictures from NEWSAR.

* The casualty is examined at the scene.

A mountain biker was airlifted to hospital after suffering "serious injuries" in an incident near Llangollen. 

North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) said it was called to the incident on Sunday afternoon. 

A spokesperson said: "He had sustained what appears to be serious injuries and after initial treatment by the team he was evacuated by Coastguard helicopter to hospital due to the urgency of the situation.

"Thanks to passing members of the public who helped by looking after the casualty until we arrived." 

More details given of local electric vehicle charging points

* Market Street car park is due to have two EV chargers installed.

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards has obtained more details about the electric vehicle charging points due to be installed in the town.

Denbighshire County Council officers have told her that:

* Market Street car park will have two 22 KW AC machines able to charge four vehicles. 

* The Pavilion car park will have two 22 KW AC machines able to charge four vehicles .

Cllr Edwards has been told it is hoped to install the chargers later in the year.

* The Pavilion car park is due to have two chargers.

Police appeal after grafitti appears in town centre

* Llangollen's Riverside Park.

Police are seeking information about graffiti which they say has appeared in parts of Llangollen.

In a message on the North Wales Police Community Alerts system, officer Geraint Jones says: "Dee Valley Neighbourhood Policing (NPT) are appealing for information following an increase in graffiti around Llangollen town and by the riverside park. 

“A distinct signature that is appearing is the word 'bizz'.

“If anyone has any information please contact 101 quoting reference B098814.”

St Collen's hosts its sunshine summer fair

St Collen's held its annual summer fair in the church grounds this afternoon.

The successful event featured stalls selling a range of hand-made goods out in the sunshine and inside the building and there was also a raffle with an array of prizes.

Refreshments were served in the nearby Community Hall.

Fire station crew thanked for helping rescue family's dog

* Ryan and his mum along with Tilli the dog meet the crew at Llangollen Fire Station.

A Llangollen family visited Llangollen Fire Station this week to thank crew members for their part in the rescue of their pet dog Tilli last month.

Watch Manager Ben Lloyd took to the station's own Facebook page to explain: "Tilli had been missing for three days during the heatwave last month, but was spotted by Ryan, a local lad, as he drove by - he saw the dog stuck and struggling in the retaining wire that holds the rockface back on the side of the road.

"As a coincidence, Ryan is also the nephew of our Crew Manager, Gareth.

"Ryan shouted to his mum - 'Mum, there’s a dog caught on the fence up there and there’s no one with him!'

"Ryan's mum remembered seeing a Facebook post about a missing dog, and by looking at the post they realised that the dog in trouble was Tilli.

"Ryan and his mum returned to where the dog was stuck, and contacted the dog's owner. By chance we happened to be passing when returning from a call - they flagged us down and we helped release Tilli, who was generally OK but dehydrated.

"We're happy to report that Tilli is doing fine and suffering from no ill effects from her ordeal!" 

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