Railway goes back to diesels golden era this weekend

* The 1566 near Caernarfon in the 1970s. 

* The 1566 today.

* The 5310 at Berwyn Station.

* The 31271.

It will be back to the 1960s- 1990s era of British Rail when Llangollen Railway stages its Diesel Weekend this Saturday and Sunday.

All available diesel locomotives are expected to be in use including 1958-built Class 26 No 5310, 1961-built Class 31 No 31271 and 1964-built Class 47 1566.

The event will see a frequent timetable with some interesting workings and stock in use, including a freight train that incorporates a passenger carrying vehicle allowing visitors to experience something a bit different. 

LR Press Officer and Diesel Group volunteer Terry Pickthall said: “We are delighted to be running a diesel weekend again for the first time in 3 years following the pandemic and the railway’s financial challenges last year. 

"It will also be the first time we’ve run a three-train service under the new management of the Llangollen Railway Trust. 

"Our diesel locomotives have already covered more miles this year than they have in previous years as the railway has worked to conserve coal stocks and reduce costs in the wake of spiralling fuel costs.

"This is no mean feat when you consider we are a small group, with less than 10 regular volunteers and our locomotives are all pushing 60 years old  - with some of us not that far behind them in age either.

"It will be great to see them all running this weekend. As someone who was born in the late 70s, the diesel era of British Rail, with its strong nationalised, corporate image is how I remember the railways growing up. 

"Although our locos are authentic to the era we are pleased to say that our catering offering remains very much in the modern day and visitors need not be worried about encountering the infamous dried-out BR pork pie or egg sandwich in our station cafes this weekend.”

The locomotives in use this weekend represent those that would have been seen in use across the Country from the 1960’s right through to the 1990’s. 

Class 47 1566 spent a lot of its life working trains on the North Wales Coast whereas Class 26 5310 spent its working life in Scotland, including working to the very far north of the UK rail network at Thurso. 

Class 31 31271 spent much of its life on British Rail’s Eastern and Midland regions and carries the name “Stratford 1840-2001” to commemorate the London depot where many of the class spent their working lives. 

All have diesel engines that drive a generator that powers electric traction motors geared directly to the wheels. 

Terry Pickthall added :“Many think the hybrid powertrain we see used in modern cars is a new idea – it’s not really. The diesel-electric drive used in locomotives like ours can be traced way back to US in the 1920s. 

"Our locos all have a bit more power than the average hybrid car though. Our Class 47 has a 12 cylinder, 83-litre engine producing 2,580hp. This may seem extreme but you also need to remember it could pull a train of 12 coaches at 90mph.

"This works out at about 3hp per passenger, so the amount of CO­₂ generated per person is a lot less than you’d think – and that’s for a 60 year old design. Modern trains­ are even more efficient, showing how rail travel can be part of the solution to tackle climate change. This is an important story to tell to our visitors alongside enjoying a nostalgic day out in the stunning Dee Valley AONB.”

* Tickets for the Diesel Weekend can be bought on the day of travel and advanced booking is also available online at https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/.

Autumn Covid-19 booster roll-out begins today in Wales

The roll-out of the autumn Covid-19 booster has started today (September 1st) in Wales with care home residents and staff across Wales the first to receive the vaccine. 

Everyone who is eligible for the autumn booster will be invited for a vaccination by their health boards. Invitations will be issued in order of vulnerability, with everyone eligible being offered a booster vaccine by December. 

The vaccine will help support the immunity of all those who are at higher risk from COVID-19, improving their protection against severe illness, while also helping to support the NHS during winter 2022-23. 

This autumn, in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine booster will be offered to: 

• Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• Frontline health and social care workers
• All adults aged 50 years and over
• People aged five to 49 years who are in a clinical risk group
• People aged five to 49 years who are household contacts of people who are  immunosuppression
• People aged 16 to49 who are carers. 

In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), eligible adults aged 18 and over will initially be offered the Moderna vaccine which protects from both the original strain of coronavirus and the Omicron variant. Those eligible aged under 18 will be offered the Pfizer vaccine. Both vaccines will be offered at least three months after a previous dose. 

The vaccines will be administered in a variety of settings including GP surgeries and vaccination centres. 

The winter respiratory vaccination strategy will ensure all those eligible for the autumn booster are also protected from seasonal flu - people are being encouraged to take up the flu vaccine when offered. All those eligible for a flu vaccine will be offered it before the end of the year. 

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Our winter respiratory vaccination programme will help protect the most vulnerable in our communities from flu and coronavirus this winter.  The COVID-19 booster campaign will start with those in care homes, alongside those working within the NHS and the social care sector. 

“Vaccines have had an enormous impact on the course of the pandemic - they have saved countless lives and given us the freedom and confidence to restart our lives. 

“All eligible adults will be invited for their autumn COVID-19 booster via letter and text message from their health board by December and I would ask people not to contact their GPs about their invite so they can continue to focus on looking after people’s health.”

Pengwern Community Hub September calendar

Here is the September Calendar for the Pengwern Community Hub:

Operatic's Calendar Girls shows some sheer naked talent

* The Operatic's Calendar Girls, all in the best possible taste. Picture by Gem Photography.

Llanblogger first night review

There certainly is some naked talent on display in Llangollen Operatic's production of Calendar Girls which opened at the town hall last night. 

And it was on show from top to bottom of this musical version of the story in which members of a Yorkshire Women's Institute shamelessly shed the movement's traditional jam and Jerusalem image - along with their clothes. 

Their aim is to create a nude calendar to raise funds for a new couch for the relatives’ room attached to the hospital where the husband of one of their members undergoes treatment for his blood cancer. 

Unfortunately, John Clarke, played thoughtfully by Simon Orton-Jones, loses his battle with the disease but his death only spurs on the money-spinning efforts of wife Annie - a marvelous portrayal by Simon's real-life missus Tessa Orton-Jones - and her WI mates. 

Of the many Llan Operatic productions I have seen this was the one which most engaged the audience right from the start and throughout. 

In fact, such was their cheering enthusiasm for the action on stage that I expected a standing ovation to break out well before the one the cast actually and most deservedly received at the end. 

The show, by Tim Firth and THE Gary Barlow, takes you from comedic highs to tragic lows, all is coveyed in wonderful style by a cast of around 20, including a few who have previously shone in productions by the society’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns. 

It takes some doing not only to learn all your lines and songs without the need to remove all your clothes for the big photography scene at the end but the six ladies who are called upon to take that daunting extra step do it in fine style – and all in the very best of taste thanks to the skilful deployment of props like the famous Chelsea buns, screens and some extremely artful posing. 

Most of them achieved it only after lots of searching rehearsals but one of them enjoyed no such benefit. The fabulous Louise Lyne – a newcomer to the Operatic – stepped in with just a couple of days notice to take over the pivotal role of Chris, the woman who actually comes up with the idea for the saucy calendar, when the lady who was due to play it, Russ Latham, fell ill.   

Such is the importance of this part that in the famous 2003 film version it's played by Dame Helen Mirren.

The action and songs, some of them with true emotion-wringing power, are arranged to give each of the key players a crack at telling their stories. And a couple of them do this so well, such as Sue O’Neill as the daunting ex-teacher Jessie, that I thought that early standing ovation was on its way. 

The sheer power of the performances across the entire cast, and from the small group of musicians which backs them every step of the way, is simply incredible and a tribute to the deft guidance of artistic director Nia Pickering, musical director Elen Mair Roberts and producer/stage manager Tracey Kempster Jones.

Forget the fluffed lines and wobbly scenery sometimes associated with am-dram. This is professional grade theatre, ready and stripped for action. 

At each performance of Calendar Girls The Musical this week, there will be an opportunity to donate to The Shooting Star Cancer Support charity.

This amazing charity raises money to support the clinicians and the patients being treated in the Shooting Star Unit in Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

*Calendar Girls is running at the Town Hall this Saturday. Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety

Police send out cold caller warning

North Wales Police have put out a warning about cold callers on the Neighbourhood Alert system. 

PCSO Lucy Green says: “Following a recent suspicious incident in the Moel Famau area, please keep yourselves safe by never allowing cold callers into your home.

“Air ump sales, TV faults, faulty broadband, water/gas/electricity board and ‘reformed criminal on probation’ are all popular methods criminals use to target householders by deceiving them in order to get into their home.

“Then once inside distracting them by whatever means -  ‘can I have a cuppa/glass of water’, ‘can you turn the water on while I check your pipes,’ or ‘"can you stay by your TV whilst I check the cables’.

“These individuals will very often they work in pairs so one person will engage you whilst the other wanders around your home helping themselves - known as distraction burglaries.

“Please don't be a victim keep yourself and your neighbours safe - don't allow people in, if answering the front door - lock your back door.

“Please, check all ‘official’ visitors are legitimate by calling the companies involved, don't take their word for it, often they have fake ID as well.

“If you are suspicious of a caller report it on 101 or web chat, try to write down as much information about the person as you can. 

“If a crime is ongoing or someone is in danger call 999.

“Further information can be found on the NWP website: Crime prevention advice | North Wales Police

“Help us to protect more people in your community by sharing this message and encouraging people to sign up to Home - North Wales Community Alert”

Still time to apply for school uniform and equipment grants

Denbighshire County Council is informing parents and guardians that there’s still time to apply for school uniform and equipment grants.

The scheme, known as the Pupil Development Grant, is currently open for applications, and people may qualify if they receive at least one benefit, such as:

1. income based job seekers allowance
2. income related employment and support allowance 
3. child tax credit (but not working tax credit) with an annual income below £16,190 (April 2011) 
4. pension credit (guaranteed credit)
5. Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
6. Universal Credit and your yearly net earnings must be no more than £7,400.

The grant can cover school uniform, school sports kit; sports outside of school; uniform for wider activities such as scouts and guides; equipment for activities to support the curriculum, such as design and technology; equipment for out of school hours trips, including outdoor learning; Duke of Edinburgh activities and computers, laptops and tablets.

Parents/ guardians who receive a qualifying benefit can receive a grant of £225 if their children are in Reception or Years 1 to 11. If the child is in Year 7 and parents/guardians may be entitled to a grant of £300 if they receive one of the benefits,.

People cannot receive a school uniform and equipment grant if they are in receipt of Working Tax Credit.

If your child goes to a school in Denbighshire, you can apply online for a  grant by visiting: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/costofliving

People that are eligible for free school meals,  as well as the school uniform and equipment grant may use the same online application form to apply for both. 

Japanese culture abounds in Mazda's hybrid SUV

Steve Rogers drives Mazda’s new flagship SUV

Meet the CX-60 a car steeped in Japanese culture and, at last, powered by a plug-in hybrid engine.

Mazda has hardly been in a rush to join the hybrid fold, in fact it has been at the back of the pack while the medal hopes race off into the distance. May be they have been cautious making sure they get it right, well we will soon find out because apart from CX-60 the floodgates will be opening with five plug-in, five hybrid and three EVs in the pipeline for 2025.

Before that CX-60 will get mild hybrid six-cylinder three-litre petrol and 3.3 litre diesel engines which shows Mazda’s continued commitment to the internal combustion engine, or ICE as we have come to know it.

And Mazda is still staying clear of the now conventional smaller engine boosted by turbo power. UK managing director Jeremy Thomson told me they are not giving up on ICE because bigger engines are more efficient and produce less vibration. But we will see the return of the famed rotary engine in the next tranche of hybrid engines.

So where does CX-60 fit in? Although it shares the same Kodo design DNA as CX-5 it is a bit bigger and easily caters for three adults in the back thanks to a wider body. It is four wheel drive only so you do not gain that much extra in boot space over its sibling.

If the banner headline is hybrid then the sub head will be top notch quality. Mazda has been knocking on the premium sector door for a while, quite a few models have already made the grade in my book, but CX-60 takes it a step further.

Step inside the car and see what is meant by Japanese culture. Traditional crafts have been used to bring surfaces to life. We are not just talking soft to touch materials, on the top Takumi model you will see exquisite traditional fabrics and needlework known as Musubu which creates hanging stitches across the dash panel, along with another Japanese craft where maple wood trim is hand-made and replicated for mass production.

As far as the cabin goes, quality is as good as you will find in any BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Audi or Mercedes.

Pity that to get the best you have to pay top dollar, not that CX-60 is overpriced compared to its illustrious rivals, anything but, although it has to be said that the darker trim in the entry Exclusive Line is quite underwhelming by comparison.

Dashboard layout is crisp and clear, a new digital driver’s binnacle with coloured head-up display, clear buttons for heating controls and a 12.3in screen for all the sundries with Mazda’s tried and trusted centre console mounted rotary controller. As always, the system is beautifully clear and a doddle to use.

With 320bhp on tap and a credible 500Nm or torque this is the most powerful Mazda money can buy but does it have the same dynamic prowess as, say, an Audi Q5? Big SUVs are not always the  most exhilarating to drive although the German marques have raised the bar.

To be fair Mazda has always been strong on producing cars to satisfy enthusiastic drivers and although CX-60 is a heavyweight SUV it is an engaging drive and comfortable as well. Our route through Snowdonia presented a challenge, narrow roads, laced with twists, humpbacks and dubious surfaces yet, in sport mode, the big fella was the master of all.

Power delivery from the 2.5 litre petrol is rapid enough, occasionally marred by a clunky change from the 8-speed automatic. Steering wheel paddle shifters keep performance levels on song when pushing along.

As a plug-in CX-60 can, in favourable driving conditions, provide 39 miles of electric motoring which translates into 188mpg. Take that with a pinch of salt because once the battery is empty it is back to good old petrol power although that should be good for 50mpg plus.

There is a mountain of safety features and high quality tech including facial recognition that stores driver profiles for seating position etc, and gives a friendly ticking off if your eyes wander from the road ahead.

The range starts with Exclusive Line at £43,950, Homura, the expected best seller, at £46,700 and £48,050 for Takumi. Given its extensive spec right across the range this is a good price against the rest of the premium division.

The big question: Is CX-60 worth the step up from CX-5, a much underrated SUV in my book? On the basis that there is a little more space, much better economy and lower engine emissions, along with a very classy interior, the answer is yes. Hang on a bit longer and there will be an even bigger seven seat CX-80.

I am giving it nine out of 10, it would have been a full house but for the clunky transmission.

Fast facts

CX-60 AWD 8sp auto

Range £43,950-£48,050

2.5 litre plug-in hybrid; 320bhp

0-62mph 5.8secs; 124mph

33g/km. 1st tax £55

Insurance group 44

Boot: 570-1726 litres (to ceiling)

Towing capacity 2,500kg