Suzuki's upgraded Swace sways the buyers

Suzuki Swace launch by Steve Rogers

Customers' opinions matter and in the case of Suzuki they are praising it to the heights.

The Japanese company might be a minnow in the UK but it has been voted top automotive brand for the sixth time running in the Institute of Customer Services satisfaction league table which is useful for the CV when battling for sales against very big players.

The timing could not have been better with Suzuki launching the upgraded Swace estate. This was a car that flew in under the radar because we were all in a state of suspended animation during the Covid pandemic.

It was also confusing for those not interested in car company politics because Swace seemed to be a doppelganger for the Toyota Corolla Touring. The answer is simple, this is a Derby built Corolla estate with a Suzuki badge on the bonnet, oh, and a slightly different front bumper design.

Suzuki has buddied up with its Japanese rival in a quid pro quo partnership where it gets two models in return for helping Toyota get a bigger foothold in India where Suzuki is big, no, make that huge, with 50 per cent of the car market.

The other model is the Across, a Toyota Rav4, but it is Swace that has brought the most new customers to the brand and is all the better for a significant number of upgrades.

The most important fix is engine power. Suzuki has to make do with the 1.8 litre hybrid rather than the 2-litre powering Corolla, but a decent increase in horse power, up from 122 to 140bhp, along with a more powerful 70kW electric motor has taken all but two seconds off the sprint to sixty time with hardly any effect on economy.

Economy is a big part of the Swace story because this is a car easily capable of averaging well over 60mpg. Having not spared the horses on the launch drive neither I nor my driving partner dropped below 57mpg.

The extra power is particularly noticeable in the mid range, taking any stress out of overtaking, the only slight irritation is the build up of engine din, a side effect of the CVT gearbox which hangs on to the revs when a conventional automatic will change up. Steering wheel paddle shifters would settle matters.

Another valuable strength is space. Swace is a mid sized family estate and is well off for legroom front and back with boot space bettering the likes of Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

Quite a lot has happened up front with a redesigned, changeable digital driver’s binnacle, and a new 8in multi media touchscreen with sharper definition. Swace does not get the option of built in navigation but that is not such an issue these days with smartphone navigation apps that can be paired to the central screen.

Two models are offered, Motion (£28,999) and Ultra £30,799) with the standard equipment level pretty generous so both get dual zone automatic air conditioning, heated front seats and heated steering wheel, auto dipping headlights and the up to date type C USB port. Ultra gets front and rear parking sensors, Bi-LED projector headlights and wireless charger on top.

There is an upgraded package of safety features although it is surprising that a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and safe exit, which warn of approaching traffic or a cyclist if a door is opened, are only available on Ultra. You can’t put a price on safety so they should be standard.

The big question is why buy a Swace when the Corolla has a bigger engine, more specification options and a longer warranty? Well, the Suzuki is around £800 cheaper, does not struggle for power any more, and if you are a fan of the brand provides an economic, low running costs car in one of the biggest selling sectors, so why not?

Fast facts

Swace Ultra CVT Auto

£30,799

1.8 litre hybrid; 140bhp

0-62mph 9.4secs; 112mph

62.7mpg combined

102g/km. 1st tax £20

Boot: 596-1,232 litres

Insurance group 18

Bethan wins award after “baptism of fire” running care home

 

* Bethan Mascarenhas outside the Old Vicarage care home.

An actress, singer and storyteller who switched from a career in the theatre to become one of the youngest care home owners in Wales has won a top award.

Bethan Mascarenhas, now 33, was chosen by the Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers to receive its City and Guilds Livery Company Prize for 2023 for her outstanding commitment.

The honour came hot on the heels of what Bethan described as a ‘baptism of fire’ after she took on the Old Vicarage Care Home at Llangollen with her brother Richard just a few months before the Covid pandemic struck.

She had to dig deep to find the steely resilience and determination needed to lead her team through the crisis when she was only in her late twenties.

Bethan channelled reserves of energy she never knew she had and also took on the extra challenge of studying for a Level 5 management certification during the pandemic lockdown – and qualified with flying colours.

She says that was thanks to the unstinting support she received from her partner, her parents, her care team at the Old Vicarage and her tutors at Pendine Academy of Social Care, which is the training arm of the award-winning Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham.

Pendine Academy assessor Jenna Evans who nominated Bethan for the award said her dedication to her leadership role and her resolve to always go the extra mile was formidable.

The City and Guilds Livery Company Prize is one of the most prestigious accolades given by the City and Guilds Foundation.

It was presented to Bethan by the Lord Mayor of London Alderman Nicholas Lyons at a ceremony and lunch at Mansion House in the City of London.

She took her partner, IT professional Nick Palmer, to the presentation and they spent a deserved short break in London to celebrate.

Bethan knew nothing about the nomination until she heard she had won.

She said: “It was the surprise of my life. Gaining the qualification in itself was already a reward in my eyes. But I feel so touched to have even been nominated, never mind won this award. It’s a huge honour.”

Bethan grew up surrounded by elderly residents in a care facility run by her parents Ken and Carol Mascarenhas who own Abbey Dingle Care Home in Llangollen.

She said: “It was a great way to grow up and made me realise from an early age how joyful being around elderly people can be. They all have such fascinating life-stories and I was constantly inspired by so many of the residents I became friends with.” 

She believes it was living in that richly creative environment which led to her going into the arts.

After school she attended the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London and eventually set up her own touring theatre company delivering music and performance shows to audiences across the country.

She said: “Often we would perform for vulnerable society members. We would work with Arts in Health, Age UK and community theatre groups. I think my creative background and lifelong love of music was a massive source of strength helping see us through what were five of the most challenging years of our lives.”

Bethan was in her late twenties when she and her brother took on the Old Vicarage care home. She admits is was a big decision, made even more daunting when they found themselves confronting Covid as well, but she has never regretted the career switch.

She said: “It really was a baptism of fire for us trying to keep our residents safe through such an unprecedented and scary crisis. But we were determined to get through and put our residents’ wellbeing at the forefront of everything we did.

“That is why I decided to study for my Level 5 Management Qualification in the middle of it all. I felt I needed to be armed with as much knowledge as possible and learn the leadership skills to equip me to deal with the mountainous challenges we faced. It gave me the increased confidence and ability required to make informed and educated decisions.

“I am registered as the responsible adult at our care home and that meant I was the one our staff would turn to for leadership. I wanted to do that positively, and from the front.

“It was a hard ask studying during such critical times but I am so glad I did it.”

She also drew on her theatrical background to keep residents entertained and to help quell their anxiety during lockdown.

She said: “We came up with all sorts of ideas to reduce the isolation of lockdown. I used numerous of the skills I learned at arts school but I would also ask our residents and staff for ideas of activities which they would like to do and we would do anything which was within the realms of possibility whether it be storytelling sessions, gardening, listening to music together or holding mini indoor picnics. We did it all and we managed to keep Covid out of the home all the way through until 2022, well after the vaccinations programme had begun.”

Bethan was hugely grateful for the support of both her mentor Jenna and Pendine Park Academy lead assessor Ann Serridge who made themselves available at any time of the day for advice and moral support through the crisis.

She said: “They became good friends as well as trusted confidantes and tutors. I will be forever grateful for their support.”

Jenna praised Bethan’s work ethic, knowledge and compassion for her role as a manager.

She said: “Bethan has shown outstanding progression while completing her Level 5 management qualification during lockdown.

“I nominated her for this award so that others could see the incredible commitment she has shown during that time while also ensuring the wellbeing of individuals and staff in her care home. She is an amazing woman, manager and home owner.

“I am so very proud that she has been selected for this award, it is very well deserved.”

After a strenuous few years Bethan is now taking a temporary step back from her full time management role. She is still in constant touch with the home, its residents and all her staff, but she has decided to study for further qualifications to further underpin her leadership role.

She is part way through a year-long Master of Sciences degree in psychology with Chester University.

She said: “After my Level 5 I did a course on counselling. I found it so interesting that I knew immediately that I wanted to learn more about psychology.

“It will really help give me a deeper sight into the thought processes and needs of people dealing with emotions like fear, stress or anxiety as they enter a new phase in their lives or have to cope with issues such as dementia and memory loss.”

Llanblogger invited to Downing Street reception

* Phil Robinson, left, with Simon Baynes MP outside 10 Downing Street. On

Llanblogger's Phil Robinson was at 10 Downing Street earlier this week to attend a reception for Local Media Champions hosted by Lucy Frazer MP, Secretary of State for Culture, the Media and Sport, where he was met by Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes, who is her Parliamentary Private Secretary.

Said Phil: "It was a most unexpected but very welcome acknowledgement of my work in local journalism over many years including founding and running Llangollen's news blog since 2012.

"Taking a look inside that amazing building was also a memorable experience.

"There was a large number of members of the local media present from all parts of the country and representing all sections from local weekly newspapers to regional radio station and, of course, news bloggers like myself. 

"The Secretary of State was glowing in her praise of the local media who she said play an essential role in the democratic process of the country by keeping their readers informed of what their respective MPs are doing both in their constituencies and Parliament."   

Prime Minister congratulates volunteers over new Corwen station

The new Corwen station mentioned in Parliament.

Yesterday in Prime Minister’s Questions, Simon Baynes MP for Clwyd South highlighted the upcoming official reopening on 2nd June of Corwen Station on the Llangollen Steam Railway after the station was closed 60 years ago under the Beeching axe.

Mr Baynes asked the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to join him in congratulating the heroic work of volunteers, the local community and funders who have made the reopening possible and also thanked the Prime Minister for awarding the Clwyd South Levelling Up Fund when he was Chancellor that paid for the new roof on Corwen Station which was manufactured by Clwyd South firm Robinson Construction Ltd near Wrexham.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Simon Baynes MP said:

“Would the Prime Minister join me in congratulating the volunteers, the local community and the funders who have made this possible and also take his own share of the credit for granting the Levelling Up Fund to Clwyd South when he was Chancellor, which has paid for the magnificent new roof on Corwen Station?

In response, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP said:

“I am delighted that the Levelling Up Fund has delivered for Corwen Station. It’s a huge boost to local ambitions to see trains returning there and I know that a small team of the project’s volunteers have actually built the majority of the station; they deserve credit, and, indeed, a local company near Wrexham has supplied the new steelwork for the canopy roof, providing a welcome boost to the local economy. I look forward to seeing the station open this summer.”

Emergency services at Riverside Park

The image illustrating the story.

Leaderlive is reporting this evening on an ongoing incident at Llangollen's Riverside Park, involving the emergency services.

For the full story, see: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23461621.llangollen-emergency-services-incident-river-dee/

On Tuesday morning, a fire service spokesman said: "A police negotiator convinced the casualty to cross to the mainland.

"He was led across an inflatable pathway and handed over to North Wales Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

"Ruthin's [NWFRS] boat team and two officers attended, along with one fire engine from Wrexham."

The spokesman confirmed the incident was concluded just after 6.32pm.

llanblogger takes a short break

llanblogger is taking a short break and will be back later in the week

New-look Riverside Park takes shape

* Still under construction: the canal in front with the river and the bridge to the right and Plas Newydd towards the back of the picture.

* Valle Crucis Abbey is being built.

Development work at Llangollen’s Riverside Park appears to be coming along well.

Contractors are working on a raft of new features for the site through the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics funding round for 2022/23 which is available to enhance parks and recreational spaces.

A new nine-hole bespoke mini golf is taking shape with holes representing places and features of interest within Llangollen and the Dee Valley.  

This will include an active travel interpretation map for the area and replaces the old course at the site.

Already you can see models of Valle Crucis Abbey, the famous Castle Street bridge, Plas Newydd, the river and canal.

New play equipment for the 5-12 year old age range is being installed. This will include multi-use climbing frame and basket swing.

Work is also underway at the bandstand to install electricity power points to increase opportunities for entertainment along with seating block created in to the bank area for spectators.

Green infrastructure has been introduced sat the park with trees to create shade, wildflower planting and shrub planting around the park.  

A green space area will be extended by introducing grass up to and around the blocked dragon area.  

Llangollen Fringe along with Llangollen Parks Community group and Llangollen Town Council have provided some of the match funding towards the project.