Seat sticks to trusty estate car concept with new Leon

Seat Leon Estate drive by Steve Rogers

Remember this? The good old reliable estate car. It’s what we used to transport the family to the seaside, for some it doubled up as a workhorse. If you could stretch to a big Volvo there was even room for furniture. Antique dealers loved them, apparently.

Then Nissan came up with a new idea, a crossover, part SUV, part hatchback which pretty much made the estate car redundant. Fortunately there are still plenty of manufacturers keeping the faith even though sales have dwindled and I have been driving a belter.

The Leon is a medium sized family estate and by today’s standards is good value. It starts at £24,000, quite a bit less than an equivalent SUV, easily takes five adults and has a big boot. The new model is a tad longer and has an extra 30 litres of space - that’s a small suitcase.

Now I have nothing against SUVs, I own one, and as good as they are, you will get more driving pleasure from an estate, particularly if Leon is the car of choice. As part of the Volkswagen Audi group Seat has always been the fun brand with a reputation for being sporty and cheeky but without the price tag of a VW or Audi.

It is one of those cars that feels great before you have covered a mile. Everything about it is in tune with the driver, comfy driving position, precise, quick steering, and a feeling that the handling is going to be razor sharp. It is.

My test car was the FR Sport so the clue is in the name. Low profile 18inch rims and sport suspension yet this was no hard ride. I expected it to be, but while certainly on the firm side it was still comfortable and cushioned potholes and the like better than any car I have driven this year.

Power came from a mild hybrid 1.5 litre petrol, Seat’s best engine in my opinion, and mated to a seven speed automatic DSG gearbox. Does it get any better? Hold on, this is no steaming hot hatch but quick enough to keep the driver’s heartbeat pumping should you feel the need.

There are two reasons why I rate this engine so highly: lively performance and strong economy. During my week I never dropped below 40mpg, finished with an average of 45mpg and managed 49mpg on a quick 100 mile motorway run.

This is an efficient unit and part of it is down to technology developed by VW-Audi. Two of the four cylinders close down when the car is coasting so saving fuel. Good to have friends in high places...

Now I am going to tell you why this seemingly wonderful Leon caused me irritation and frustration for a couple of days.

Seat has gone all in on technology. Digital dashboard, which is excellent, and a all singing and dancing infotainment system that controls everything. It is a familiar set up, a 10in touch screen where you will find a mountain of information, navigation and smartphone interface, along with those features we use constantly - heating and radio.

Trouble is it takes a while to work it out. If you can find it, Seat provides a tutorial to point you in the right direction so it is a good idea to take a calm half hour to get to know the system.

I measure ease of use against the various cars I review. Mercedes, Audi, Kia are a few examples of systems that are intuitive, while Mazda’s set up is so simple it would make the perfect industry template.

It all came together eventually although the voice control ‘lady’ butting in with a random question when not asked tried our patience. Had I done something to trigger the interruptions when delving into the coms? Who knows.

There was only one other oddment and concerned touch sensitive pads to adjust the heating temperature. They are beautifully slim and flush fitting but are not back lit so cannot be seen at night. Has someone forgotten to connect them for illumination?

Did it spoil my time with Leon? Absolutely not. This is a fine car in just about every way and is also a tow car of the year winner, something else I was able to experience and can see why it won its category.

Apart from having to go to the top of the range for a rear camera Leon is well equipped and has a full suite of driver safety aids

Is there still a future for an estate car? If this is an example then there are years of life left.

Fast facts

Leon Estate FR Sport TSI EVO

£30,590

1.5 litre petrol; 148bhp. 7sp automatic

0-62mph 8.5secs; 135mph

44 to 48.7mpg combined

132g/km. 1st tax £210

Insurance group 22

Boot: 620-1541 litres

Towing capacity: 1700kg

Abseiler helps Eisteddfod put up its banner in a prime spot

* Abseiler Colin Martin swings out over the Dee to secure the corner of the Eisteddfod banner.

* R3 Safety & Rescue managing director Paul O'Sullivan leans out to make sure his colleague in safe.

* Job well done: Colin about to abseil back up to the bridge after securing the banner. 

An expert abseiler helped the Eisteddfod put up its striking new advertising banner on a vantage point high above Llangollen station this morning (Monday).

Colin Martin, a rescue trainer with Glyndyfrdwy-based R3 Safety & Rescue, got himself properly roped up with the assistance of boss Paul O’Sullivan before swinging out over the waters of the River Dee to secure the huge red banner to the side of the girder supporting the passenger bridge over the platform.

Away from his day-job Colin volunteers with North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR). 

The banner, which will stay in its vantage point in clear view of the town bridge for the duration of the festival, is based on the Eisteddfod’s new, more modern branding design.

Eisteddfod board member Ian Lebbon, who was there to watch the intricate operation, said: “It’s good to see our bright new banner going up where everyone will be able to see it.

“It’s also great that the guys from R3 Safety & Rescue, who have done this job for us for a number of years now, were back to help us out again, free of charge, this year.”

Guy Barker’s Big Band will take the stage at Llangollen as part of a high quality series of concerts which kick-off on the Tuesday evening, July 4, with Eisteddfod favourite Alfie Boe who joins forces with musical theatre super-group, Welsh of the West End.

Wednesday will see The White Flower: Into The Light, a concert of remembrance for the fallen of Sarajevo and Ukraine, featuring the NEW Sinfonia orchestra with soloists from Bosnia, Wales and Ukraine, with works including extracts from Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man culminating in the Eisteddfod’s traditional message of peace and hope for the future of all nations

The popular procession of international participants and celebration of peace takes place on Thursday, followed by Flight, a new theatrical work by visionary artists Propellor Ensemble, inspired by migratory patterns in nature and humanity.

Saturday features the blue riband event, the Choir of the World competition for the coveted Pavarotti Trophy, and also Dance Champions and the Pendine International Voice of the Future 2023.

There is a new look to the final day of the Eisteddfod on Sunday with an all new live final which sees rising vocal stars battle it out to claim the title Voice of Musical Theatre, and a new song-writing competition for emerging voices in contemporary popular music.

On the field, community bands, brass, silver, wind,  compete, and audiences can choose their winner of the new Eisteddfod Dance Off.

As well as the concerts, each day features a full programme of competitions in the Pavilion and a line-up of stalls and exhibitions on the field along with the competitors from around the world, many in colourful dress while three open-air stages run a stream of live performances.

There will also be lots of entertainment on the outside site including workshops, talks, international showcases, outdoor theatre performances and circus skills.

* For tickets or for more on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its competitions and concerts as well as how to get to it and where to stay go to www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk or check out www.facebook.com/llangollen

Cost of living is key worry for Llan people, says Labour candidate

* Becky Gittins, Labour candidate for Clwyd East, out canvassing at Pengwern.

The cost of living crisis looms large in the concerns of Llangollen people, according to the woman who aims to be the area’s next MP.

Becky Gittins, who will carry the Welsh Labour standard in the fight for the new Clwyd East constituency – which includes Llangollen – when the general election comes, was in town last Friday evening canvassing for her party in the Pengwern area.

Before heading off to knock on the doors of voters she spent a few minutes chatting to llanblogger.

Ms Gittins, who works as an industrial officer for the PCS public services union, was born and raised in Bagillt, Flintshire and for the past four years has been a city councillor in Coventry where she lives.

She says that she has plans to move to the new constituency which has been modelled by the Boundary Commission and includes a large swathe of north Wales, including areas such as Ruthin and Llanarmon-lal/Llandegla as well as parts of Flintshire such as Leeswood, Northop, Mostyn, Caerwys and Ffynongrow, Mold and Prestatyn.      

Apart from issues such as the provision of services like buses and the perennial problem of parking, Ms Gittins says that people have been telling her on her visits to the town that the cost of living crisis is a key issue for them.

“People in Llangollen are massively raising this issue, which mirrors the situation across the country,” she said.

“They are also concerned about issues such as the affordability of local housing.

“I think these things are for a Labour government to tackle – to deal with the cost of living, the cost of energy. It’s about how we achieve the good life for people and we must make sure that we have a functioning, strong economy.

“I’ve also found that Llangollen people are very optimistic and very proud of their local culture and it’s about making sure that we respect the community while we’re having all these cultural celebrations.”

Asked whether she had found that the people of Llangollen, like others across the UK, might be suffering from political fatigue as a result of events nationally over the past couple of years, she said: “I can completely empathise with local people who don’t feel that the political system resonates with them at the moment.

“I can understand how people at times feel unheard and didn’t know who the Prime Minister was from week to week at the end of last year. I can understand how people felt disenfranchised and that the priorities of the government in Westminster were not reflecting things that really mattered to them. But a lot of people felt energised by this and got involved in politics for the first time.

“For me, the way you deal with the fatigue that some people are feeling is by making sure that we get localism right. And three times a week I am out knocking on people’s doors because it is important to make people feel heard and to ask them about the issues that matter to them.

“I am a firm believer that you must listen to the community that you want to serve. You cannot speak for a community until you have spoken to it.”   

Chapel near Lllangollen struck by lightning

Leaderlive is reporting that firefighters were called out to an area near Llangollen after a chapel was struck by lightning in last night's storm.

The story says: "North Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a call came in at 6.51pm reporting a fire at the building, off Cymmo Road in the Rhewl area of Llangollen.

"A spokesman for the service confirmed that two crews were sent to the scene - one each from Wrexham and Llangollen."

* For the full story, go to:  https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23581294.fire-crews-called-chapel-struck-lightning-llangollen/

Climber dies in fall near Llangollen, reports newspaper

 

(Image: NEWSAR)

The Leader is reporting this morning (Saturday) that a man died following a fall from height whilst climbing near Llangollen.

The story says that North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) confirmed on Friday evening that its members had been called out to an incident on Wednesday night.

A spokesman explained: "We had a call on Wednesday night which sadly involved a fatality."

* For the full story, see: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23580652.man-dies-following-fall-whilst-climbing-near-llangollen/?fbclid=IwAR0MzWxAdqJxpiqJxA4MFGJ0AFq2lveOBUf8DUwTqojTYkrFP21dkroGMI8 

  

Roadworks alert for Barbers Hill

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Barbers Hill, Llangollen, Denbighshire 12 June - 30 June   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Diversion   Location: Barbers Hill   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

Joint show raises healthy £4,700 for earthquake appeal

 

* With the cheque for the £4,700 show proceeds are, from left, Lee Taylor of the Collen Players, Sian Glynne-Jones of Llangollen Twenty Club and   Caroline Anthonisz of Llangollen Operatic Society and The Young ‘Uns.   

The all-star variety and old time music hall show staged by three of Llangollen’s performance groups last month raised a staggering £4,700 for earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria.

For the first time ever Llangollen Operatic Society, Llangollen Twenty Club and The Collen Players joined forces to present the big show at Llangollen Town Hall over two nights on May 11 and 12.

The healthy proceeds, which came from tickets, raffle tickets and other donations, will all go to support the Disaster Emergency Committee in which 15 of the UK’s top charities have come together to supply a lifeline to thousands of survivors of the earthquake which devastated southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria on February 6.

The Llangollen entertainers spent months planning the show which saw each of the groups involved showcasing their skills to packed audiences.

The Operatic, drawing a large contingent from its junior section the Young ‘Uns, performed numbers from the smash-hit shows Hamilton, Six, Oliver Les Miserables and Half a Sixpence,  while the Twenty Club drama group presented comedy sketches – some specially written for the occasion – inspired by their past hits such as Blackadder and Absolutely Fabulous.

The Collen Players provided a taste of the Victorian music hall shows for which they have become famous, with their founder Lee Taylor acting as chairman for the show. 

There was prize raffle on both nights with prizes donated by local businesses which also pledged their financial support.

Phil Robinson, a spokesperson for the organising team who also performed on stage, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have raised so much for this very worthy cause.

“The dreadful earthquakes which hit Turkey and Syria at the start of this year have now dropped down the news agenda but the plight of thousands of survivors who were left without homes or possessions is still very real.

“Performers, musicians and back stage crew drawn from each of the three groups were thrilled to be involved in the show and we had two fantastic nights with packed audiences on both.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who came out to support our efforts. Since the show we’ve had lots of comments from people who saw it to say how much they enjoyed the show. Now I’m sure they’ll be as happy as we are to see how much we were able to raise.

"We would also like to thank our sponsors Chip-o-Dee in Wrexham, Proximo, Britannia Movers, Kinderkey and also Llangollen Town Council for its support."