Llangollen man encourages others to have breast cancer check

* Jim Allen's story appears in the Mirror.

According to a story in the Mirror, a Llangollen man who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer is now encouraging others to check their bodies.

* Fort the full story, see: Man given breast cancer diagnosis wants others to know the signs and check their bodies - Mirror Online

Mazda bucks EV trend with super-clean diesel

Mazda CX-60 diesel launch by Steve Rogers

Here we are in the middle of the electric revolution and one car company decides the time is right for a new diesel. And a big one at that, an in-line 3.3 litre.

But this is Mazda we are talking about, a company that is anything but conventional when it comes to everything motoring, particularly engines.

It is taking a pragmatic approach, happy to follow the Government edict to be all electric by 2035, but still have a range of super clean, economical petrol and diesel engines in the bank for those who prefer to stick with the good old internal combustion engine. And there will be plenty who will, after all lots of enthusiasts still enjoy driving classic cars.

Mazda’s UK boss Jeremy Thomson is all for the company’s ‘multi-solution approach’ with more efficient internal combustion engines and a range of electrified powertrains.

He told me the new diesel is designed to meet the needs of customers who want an efficient, long distance driving car with great towing capacity, and rural Wales is one of its target areas.

So has Mazda pulled a rabbit out of the hat or built an engine that no one will want? The company is realistic, predicting no more than 15 per cent of the CX-60 cake, with the majority favouring the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.

That said this is the world’s cleanest diesel, capable of mid fifties to the gallon, powering a sizeable SUV with a towing capacity of 2,500kg - music to the ears to people like me who tow a big caravan.

Mazda has gone for an inline 6-cylinder rather than a V6 because it vibrates less and to be fair it does not feel like a heavyweight under the bonnet, in fact the engine weighs around the same as the 2.2 litre four cylinder diesel which is a measure of how much weight has been saved.

It comes with a choice of 196bhp or 254bhp, the latter powering the all wheel drive version. The engines are very refined, both helped by a 48 volt hybrid power unit to boost economy and acceleration as well as lowering engine emissions. The lower powered version feels punchy enough until you get behind the wheel of the ‘bully boy’ which benefits from an extra 100Nm of torque and is a good bit quicker with foot flat to the floor in the mid range.

It loses out on economy, 56 to 53mpg, and costs more because of all wheel drive and a higher level of equipment, but there is no need to be put off by going for the rear wheel drive entry level. Mazda has always been more generous with its basic specification compared to premium German rivals - yes Mazda has climbed into the upper class - so the Exclusive Line is not that poor a relation of the CX-60 trio.

For £42,990 you get the digital binnacle with excellent head up display, the central 12.3in touchscreen which can be operated by a rotary controller, glad Mazda is sticking with that, it is much safer than fingering the screen while on the move, and the heating controls are physical switches. Other niceties include navigation,  heated front seats, and smart phone connectivity.

An extra £1,900 adds a pack that includes a 360 degree view camera, wireless charging and a full suite of safety features which is well worth considering.

Moving up to Homura brings in the more powerful engine, all wheel drive and pretty much the comfort pack (£1,400 extra on Exclusive-Line) that includes powered and ventilated front seats and heated outer rear seats. Top of the range Takumi is more plush with leather and fabric finishes but the £1,900 package with the safety features is still a £1,900 extra.

All Mazda’s favour enthusiastic driving and even this big SUV is a pleasure to drive, flowing through twisty roads thanks to its taut suspension set up which can be switched on the fly between comfort, off road and sport. I will even go so far as to say it is good fun although not quite as well planted as my current Audi Q5 Sportback test car.

Whether you think it is bold or barmy the addition of a powerful, economic diesel to the CX-60 range is a worthwhile option especially when many rivals have ditched diesel for good.

Fast facts

CX-60 Takumi 8sp auto

£50,730

3.3 litre turbo diesel; 248bhp

0-62mph 7.4secs; 136mph

53.3mpg combined

139g/km. 1st tax £285

Boot: 570-1726 litres

Insurance group 39

Canal walkers raise over £20,000 for children’s hospices

* A group of happy canal walkers.

* Striding out in a good cause.

Hundreds of walkers put their best foot forward and took on the 10-mile Llangollen Canal Walk on Sunday raising more than £20,000 for Hope House Children’s Hospices.  

The event saw walkers cross the start point at Trevor Basin before heading over the world-famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and following the canal all the way to The Poachers pub at Chirk for refreshments before heading back to receive their special medals.  

The event was sponsored by the Principality Building Society and was supported by volunteers and marshals from the Wrexham and Erddig Rotary Club. 

The event was rescheduled due to the snow in March with some walkers choosing to take on the walk at a different time. 

One of those was Jane Williams, from Wrexham, who has been doing the walk for 10 years in memory of her son Evan, who died suddenly in his sleep just weeks before his 13^th birthday. 

She said: “I can honestly say if we hadn’t had Hope House I don’t know what we would have done. 

“By walking the Llangollen Canal Walk and raising this money for the hospices you’ve made sure families like mine continue to get the support when they need it the most.” 

Fundraiser Cat Dowdeswell said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our amazing supporters who have joined us on our Llangollen Canal Walk, raising £16,000 so far with more money still coming in.  

“This money will be supporting seriously ill local children and their families, and without this fantastic support we simply wouldn’t be able to be here for those that need us the most.  

“A huge thank you also to our super team of volunteers and our event sponsors Principality Building Society who have helped make this such a great day and sent a team to help us on the day.” 

If you have been inspired to take part in an event or fundraise for Hope House Children’s Hospices then please visit hopehouse.org.uk/events to see how you can get involved.  

MS welcomes talks for direct trains from Wrexham to Liverpool

A North Wales MS has welcomed talks to establish regular direct trains between Wrexham and Liverpool. 

Ken Skates (pictured) raised the matter in the Senedd recently and was told that Transport for Wales (TfW) is working with the Liverpool City Region and MerseyRail to put on more services and remove the need for passengers to change at Bidston.

Former Transport Minister Mr Skates, who represents Clwyd South, said the move would be ‘brilliant’ for his constituents and commuters across the region. 

The UK Government has responsibility for rail infrastructure, and Mr Skates wants Tory Ministers to commit to ‘long-overdue’ investment in the North Wales network. 

“I’m really pleased to hear Transport for Wales are working with partners in Merseyside to try and deliver this,” said Mr Skates. “It would be brilliant and I’m pleased the Welsh Government has identified the Wrexham-Bidston Line as a key route for our region.”

In a letter to Mr Skates, Minister Lee Waters said: “Thank you for raising the important topic of the work Transport for Wales (TfW) are undertaking with MerseyRail.  

“I thought it would be useful to write to you, as TfW are engaging regularly with the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and on how they, and MerseyRail, can work together to deliver improvements for passengers on the Wrexham to Bidston Line. TfW have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with LCR to work collaboratively on projects that impact upon the cross-border economy. The Wrexham to Bidston Line is a key focus of this collaboration. 

“TfW are working with LCR to develop the business case for increasing the frequency of services on the line. Linked closely to this is a joint bid from TfW and LCR to the Union Connectivity Fund which aims to enable the use of MerseyRail’s brand new Stadler 777 fleet on the Wrexham to Bidston Line. The extension of these new trains would then ultimately enable direct services into Liverpool from this line rather than the current need to change trains at Bidston.  

“TfW are hopeful that they will hear the outcome of this bid in the very near future and I would be happy to provide you with an update on this once the outcome is known.” 

Mr Skates said: “It’s fantastic to see TfW and the Liverpool City Region working so closely for people both sides of the border. Cross-border relationships are so crucial for our corner of Wales in promoting economic growth and shared solutions such as this.” 

He added: “This project would be a real boost for Wrexham. Investment in rail infrastructure in North Wales is long overdue, and I urge UK Government Ministers to approve the bid.” 

Tower Road to be temporarily closed for gas main works

* The area affected by the temporary closure to traffic of Tower Road.

Denbighshire County Council has notified of a temporary traffic order closing Tower Road, Llangollen, for is entire length, from April 24-May19 to allow gas main replacement by Wales & West Utilities.

There will be a traffic diversion route along Dinbren Road, Wharf Hill, Mill Street and Abbey Road. 

The order says that pedestrian access along the road will be maintained throughout the closure period.

Police appeal for witnesses after road collision

North Wales Police have appealed for witnesses to a road traffic collision in Ruabon yesterday (Sunday) which left a motorcycle rider seriously injured.

They say: "At approximately 4.50pm on Sunday April 2 a collision occurred between a black C180 Mercedes and an orange and white motorcycle on the A5152 Ruabon Road, near the Puleston Industrial Estate.

"As a result, the rider of the motorcycle suffered serious injuries and has been airlifted to Stoke University Hospital.

"Sergeant Jason Diamond from the Roads Policing Unit, said: 'We are appealing for anyone who was in the Ruabon Road area around the time of the incident or who have dash cam footage to contact us. 

'We are also asking the rider of the second motorcycle that left the scene of the incident to contact us. We believe that this motorcycle was white, yellow and blue and neither of the riders were wearing motorcycle clothing or helmets. 

'If anyone has any information about this collision please contact us on 101 quoting incident number A047466.'”

Round Challenge's awards now on show in tourist office

* The Flame of Hope trophy and certificate are now on show in the Tourist Information Office in Castle Street. 

The Flame of Hope trophy recently awarded to the Llangollen Round by Cancer Research UK is now on display in the town's Tourist Information Office for everyone to see. 

The often gruelling 35-mile run/walk through the beautiful yet tough terrain of the hills surrounding the town was launched in 2012 by members of the Llangollen Ramblers group and is based roughly on the Alpine Walk Tour of Mont Blanc.

The amount raised for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) by the challenge has climbed steadily from £33,000 to last year's total of almost £120,000 which was boosted by government returns on charity donations.

The 2022 Round attracted over 500 entries from across the UK and abroad and saw 238 walkers or runners finishing it in a single day with another 189 completing it in two. 

In recognition of this massive cash support for CRUK and the involvement and commitment of around 100 volunteers who run the event, the Round was selected for the Flame of Hope Award.

These national awards are CRUK's annual accolades to celebrate the achievements of its most outstanding and inspiring volunteers.  

This year they received a record-breaking 835 nominations from staff and volunteers across the country.

Judith Smith, one of the Round's founders and organisers, said: "The Flame of Hope is one of several national awards made annually by the charity and we are so pleased to have won it. 

"It was presented to us at a ceremony in Manchester. If you played any part at all in the Challenge, that trophy is yours also. Go and take a look at it!