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Arona stands out in crowded family car market

Seat Arona drive by Steve Rogers

We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to small family cars.

I have driven several this year and pinning down the best is becoming a struggle.

My top pick is still the Toyota Yaris Cross (I think) but I was impressed with the new Skoda Fabia, which has come on leaps and bounds, but like its Seat Arona cousin a little more.

Launched in 2017 Arona is a compact SUV and Seat’s second of the new breed of crossovers after Ateca, arguably the best handling SUV in its class, so no surprises that this is a fun car to drive.

As part of the Volkswagen group Arona roughly mirrors VW T-Cross and Skoda Kamiq although it has its own personality. Much of this is down to the sporty character of the Ibiza supermini and this is carried through to its slightly higher riding sibling.

It is a tough, crowded market and car companies have their work cut out in the battle for sales but Arona, like all Seat models named after a Spanish town or city, can take its place on the top table. It is good value, well equipped and great to drive.

It was freshened up a year ago, Seat concentrating on improving cabin trim quality and technology upgrades. This makes for an impressive dashboard with superbly clear graphics in a 9.2in touchscreen (8.25in on entry SE) providing a raft of information along with the usual radio, navigation and smartphone links.

A new feature is Seat Connect giving access to a range of remote services including driving data, parking position, anti-theft alerts, remotely opening and closing the doors, or remotely activating the horn and turn signals to find the car.

You can even set up alerts to monitor the speed of whoever is driving the car, very handy when newly qualified children are let loose in the family car.

I particularly like the new digital binnacle which covers a full 10.25in and can be configured in a variety of razor sharp designs. The whole layout has brought a more youthful, up to date feel to the car and is one of its best features.

As one of the two newish members of the Volkswagen-Audi group Seat has taken on the sporty role against Skoda’s sensible approach and even though Arona is a crossover it still handles like a hot hatch but with a surprising level of comfort.

I was expecting a hard, uncompromising ride from my FR Sport but credit to Seat for combining sharp handling with a suspension set up that keeps the car firmly planted and able to overcome the vagaries of our not so smooth roads.

Arona is not quite as roomy as its Kamiq cousin but given its relatively small dimensions could, at a push, seat three adults in the back where legroom can accommodate six footers but it will be a bit of a squeeze. On the plus side three children will not be squashed in like sardines in a tin.

Boot space is more than you will find in a larger Ford Focus or VW Golf so Arona should definitely be on the list as a family car.

It is less expensive than some of its main rivals and the entry SE has a generous spec sheet that includes LED headlights, rare for an entry level model, 17in alloys, smartphone connection and Seat Connect, cruise control, speed limiter and power front and rear windows.

My FR Sport had the digital driver display, navigation, heated seats and keyless entry, but my pick would be the one above base SE Technology 95TSI manual which is a good buy at £20,510.

FR models get the larger three-cylinder 108bhp petrol engine which will not blow you away but has enough zip for safe overtaking helped along by a slick six speed manual gearbox. Its note is a little gruff at low speeds but is a smooth cruiser. Expect to average around 50mpg with a light foot, with 57mpg achievable on long runs.

What would make Arona even better? Hybrid power to push the average to 60mpg along with lower emissions which is why I am still sticking with the Yaris Cross hybrid as my top pick.

Fast Facts

Arona FR Sport

£25,225 (range starts £19,600)

1-litre 108bhp 6sp manual

0-62mph 10.6secs; 118mph

47.9-51.4mpg combined

124g/km. 1st tax £190

Insurance group 12

Boot 400 litres

MP backs campaign to honour Llan airman and his comrades

* A Spitfire on the runway.  

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has joined a campaign to commemorate the brave pilots and navigators of the Photographic Reconnaissance Units (PRU) during the Second World War, including Spitfire pilot LAC John Oliver Roberts who was born in Llangollen.

The PRU was formed on September 24, 1939 and throughout the Second World War it operated highly dangerous, clandestine photographic reconnaissance operations over all theatres of operation, and captured more than 26 million images of enemy operations and installations during the war. 

The purpose of the PRU was to provide up-to-date intelligence to strategically plan the Allied actions in the war. Flying Spitfires and Mosquitos, the intelligence it gathered was used by all the armed forces, giving same day intelligence on enemy activity. 

The intelligence provided by the PRU was used in the Cabinet War Rooms – now the ‘Churchill War Rooms’ located underneath the Treasury – and was instrumental in the planning of major operations; D-Day and the Dambusters Raid, the monitoring of major shipping movements such as the Bismarck and Tirpitz, and the locating of the site of the V1 and V2 rocket launching site at Peenemünde. 

Due to the clandestine nature of their operations – they flew solo operations, unarmed and unarmoured – the death rate was nearly fifty percent. However, despite having one of the lowest survival rates of the war – life expectancy in the PRU was around two and a half months – there is no national memorial to the PRU. 

The ‘Spitfire AA810 Project’ has therefore led the campaign to establish such a memorial in central London. 

Among those who served in the PRU was LAC John Oliver Roberts, who was born in Llangollen and joined 682 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron based in the Mediterranean. 

He tragically died whilst off-duty when he drowned bathing in the sea on the 16th June 1943 in La Marsa, Tunisia. His body was not recovered until three days after he had been reported missing, and he is buried in the Enfidaville War Cemetery in Tunisia. He was aged just 19 years old. 

Supporting the campaign as local MP, Simon Baynes said: “I am delighted to support this fantastic campaign to commemorate those who served in the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. This includes John Roberts, who served admirably under exceptionally difficult conditions in service of our country.

“I look forward to working with the Spitfire AA810 Project to establish this memorial and I look forward to being able to pay my respects there once it is completed.”

* If there is anyone related to John Roberts, or if anyone know someone who served in the PRU during the war, please go the Spitfire AA810 Project website (www.spitfireaa810.co.uk), or get in touch with Tony Hoskins, Tony@spitfireaa810.co.uk.

County responds to claims it's ignoring bridge footpaths ice

* Cllr Scott Felton gritting the bridge footpath last week.

Denbighshire County Council has responded to claims that it should do more to keep the footpaths on Llangollen bridge free of ice.

Llanblogger revealed last week how a town councillor had taken to gritting pavements on the bridge himself after claiming the county council was doing "zilch" about how slippery they become when it freezes.

Scott Felton posted on Facebook: "Just to be clear folks, absolutely nothing has so far happened to deal with the slippery conditions now being experienced as a result of the loony decisions to use that type of paving stone and other materials on Castle Street.

"The main issue seems to be the more exposed area of the street across the bridge. I'm led to believe DCC is fully aware of the issues but as residents can see, zilch has happened. 

"So, as a private individual but also as a town councillor, I have taken matters into my own hands and gritted the downstream pavement across the bridge from the Bridge End to Bridge Street."

The county council has now replied to Llanblogger's request for a comment.

A spokesperson said: "Denbighshire county council are currently only gritting priority gritting routes, which would include Castle Street, Llangollen. As a general rule Denbighshire does not routinely treat any footways or cycle tracks during any adverse winter weather. 

"It is the policy of the council to begin snow clearance on footways only once the main carriageway precautionary salting routes have been fully opened up to vehicles."

Urgent roadworks alert for Birch Hill

 

Birch Hill, Llangollen, has been closed to facilitate urgent works to repair a water leak by Hafren Dyfrdwy, it has been announced this afternoon (Monday).

Llangollen appears in new guide to Wales's beauty-spots

Llangollen takes pride of place in an international travel guide looking at some of the top beauty-spots in Wales.

The town is one of 10 small towns in the country described as: “Beautiful, Cozy & Filled With Plenty Of Adventures” in a list just published online by The Travel, which features locations around the world.

Underneath a classic picture of the riverside and station the glowing description says of it “Llangollen comes with a rich history, natural scenery, and lots of adventures.

“Visitors to this town will have access to a wide range of restaurants, bars, hotels, and shops.

“Just walking through the streets of this town is an exciting thing to do, as one will be met with stunning architecture and natural scenery.

“For more adventures in Llangollen, one can engage in a train ride or take a canal boat cruise on the canal.”

There is also a link to what visitors have said about Llangollen on Instagram.

The town shares its place in the guide with Llanrwst and Betws-y-Coed in Conwy, Laugharne in Dyfed, Llanfairpg on Anglesey, Beddgelert in Gwynedd, St Davids and Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Chepstow in Monmouthshire and Brecon in Pwys.

* To see the guide, go to: 10 Small Towns In Wales That Are Beautiful, Cozy, & Filled With Plenty Of Adventures (thetravel.com)

Father Lee to speak in important Oxford Union debate

* Father Lee Taylor will speak at the Oxford Union.

Llangollen’s ‘showbiz’ vicar has landed and appearance at an historic venue that has played host to the likes of US Presidents Reagan, Nixon, Carter, and Clinton, Sir Winston Churchill, Malcolm X, HH the Dalai Lama, Sir Elton John and Albert Einstein.    

For Father Lee Taylor, priest-in-charge of St Collen’s and the founder and regular chairman of old time music hall group the Collen Players, has accepted an invitation to speak in a forthcoming debate at the Oxford Union. 

Due to take place early next year, the motion up for discussion will be: ‘This House Supports Same-Sex Marriage in the Church’.  

It’s a subject that Father Lee knows something about as just over a year ago he became the first priest in Wales to receive a formal authorised blessing of his same-sex partnership when he and his partner Fabiano were blessed by the Bishop of St Asaph during a special service in St Collen's.  

Currently, Church of England ministers cannot carry out or bless same-sex marriages and LGBTQ+ members of the clergy are required to remain celibate. 

Yet the Anglican Church in Wales, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the United Reformed Church, the Quakers in Britain and, most recently, the Methodist Church, have all embraced marriage equality. 

Next February the General Synod of the Church of England could look at changing this position in order to permit same-sex marriage. 

The question being asked by many is whether same-sex marriage ever be compatible with the Christian church, or will the Church continue to stick to its exclusionary conception of marriage. 

This is the background to the Oxford Union debate in which Father Lee will be joining a broad range of prominent speakers. 

The Oxford Union is the world's most prestigious debating society and was established in 1823 to uphold the principle of free speech. 

In his letter of invitation to Father Lee, Charlie Mackintosh, president of New College, Oxford tells him: “Religion and matters of theological discussion were the reason students originally founded the Oxford Union. 

“Since 1823 we have hosted dozens of seminally important debates on religion and three of our presidents have gone on to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury. 

“As the Society turns 200, I am very keen to celebrate our history of debating religious matters and, as an Anglican, see the ongoing discussions surrounding same-sex marriage in the Church as the most important contemporary religious debate.”