Mazda3's a nice new motor but maybe not for oldies

Mazda3 drive by Steve Rogers

Family saloons are few and far between losing out to the more practical hatchbacks and SUVs, but here is one that still packs quite a punch.

For a long time Mazda3 has been recognised as one of the best looking saloons around, but before dashing off to the showroom a word of caution. This is not really a car for older drivers whose joints are starting to ache.

For someone of advancing years I am still fairy agile but stooping low enough to avoid banging your head on the door frame can be a tad challenging. The car sits low with a swooping coupe style roofline and has a good pedigree reminding me of the stunning 1994 Mazda 323, arguably the best looking family hatch of all time.

This fourth generation model will celebrate its fifth birthday in the new year yet still looks fresh and Mazda has done its best to keep pace with the fast moving updates in technology.

A significant improvement this year is a larger 10.25in central screen so clearer graphics for navigation with directions now included in the driver's head up display.

I am a big fan of the rotary controller for scrolling through files although I fear it might be on its way out because it was missing from the new MX30 R-EV featured a couple of months ago. For me it is still the safest and easiest way of selecting files if they cannot be activated by voice control, and Mazda's set up is the best I have come across. More brownie points for sticking with physical switches for radio and heating selections.

Another new feature is wireless charging for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there is also Qi wireless charging for high end mobile phones, along with type C charging ports. What happened to the days when we got excited over central locking and a cassette radio?

Getting into the driver's seat might be difficult (for some) but once there the driving position is spot on with plenty of adjustment for seat and steering wheel. And then the fun starts.  This is not a hot hatch but is not far off. The suspension tuning is sporty so it glides through tight bends, and what a joy to play with a fast changing manual gearbox for a change. If you want a super soft ride look elsewhere, but for me the set up is a good compromise.

No such problems for passengers getting into the back of the car where the roof rises enough to make it easier than the front. Legroom is no better than par and it feels dark because of the shallow door windows. Drivers will find rear vision poor but with sensors and a camera reversing should not present any problems.

If you are thinking saloon means less space for luggage then think again. It has more capacity than the hatchback but lacks its flexibility particularly when you take into account the narrow boot opening.

Mazda has taken a different, some would say controversial, route with its petrol engines. While all around were turbo charging smaller engines it stuck with a normally aspirated 2-litre but with a twist. This engine is almost as economic as a diesel thanks to a highly lean mixture of fuel and air fired by compression rather than a spark plug. It worked for me returing an average of 48mpg over a week of mixed driving. Exhaust emissions are low as well helped by a small electric motor - they call it mild hybrid.

Not that this is a perfect solution. Response at low revs is weak so change downs and high revs are needed to get the best out of the engine.

Even after nearly five years the Maz3 is still appealing although a full hybrid needs to come soon  to keep up with the opposition.

Fast facts

Mazda3 Exclusive-Line

£29,245

2-litre mild hybrid; 183bhp

0-62mph 8.1secs; 134mph

54.3mpg combined

118g/km. First tax £265

Insurance group 24

Boot: 450-1138 litres

St Collen's hosts glittering Carols by Candlelight service

* The congregation assemble for the service holding their candles.

A packed St Collen's Church was the setting for a glittering and moving Carols by Candlelight service yesterday (Sunday) evening.

Led by Father Lee Taylor, it featured a series of favourite carols interspersed with readings about the holy birth in both English and Welsh.   

* The choir sings before an altar fronted by two large Christmas trees. 

* Dyfed Thomas reads Ring Out, Wild Bells by Alfred Lord Tennyson. 

Inner Wheel event fills Town Hall audience with seasonal cheer

* Emma Williams and Debbie Whitfield.

Llangollen Town Hall was filled with seasonal entertainment and fun, all in aid of charity, last night (Saturday) when the Inner Wheel Club of Llangollen hosted its annual Christmas Cheer event.

Arranged with the help of local musician Owen Roberts, the evening featured festive music from guest performers Debbie Whitfield, Emma Williams, Anna Romanenko and Phil Robinson.

Wonderfully melodic singers Debbie and Emma duetted their way through Winter Wonderland, Silent Night, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Walking in the Air, Oh, Holy Night and The Christmas Song.

Phil Robinson brought a taste of the old time music hall days when he sang Champagne Charlie followed by White Christmas and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

Anna Romanenko, who is originally from Ukraine but now lives in Llangollen performed a poignant piece from her home country at the piano.

Gethin Davies, accompanied by Eulanwy Davies on piano, contributed the famous old monologue Sam Pick Up Thy Musket and later led the audience in some favourite carols.   

During the interval there was a festive two-course supper provided by the ladies of Inner Wheel.

Money raised by the event will go towards helping to support local charities. 

In the past year, the organisations helped by the Inner Wheel Club of Llangollen have included: Llangollen Food Share, Pentredwr Hub, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Wales Air Ambulance.

The Inner Wheel Club of Llangollen has been in existence for 60 years and is part of a worldwide organisation with the aim of promoting friendship and providing service to the community. 

* Anna Romanenko.

* Phil Robinson.

* Gethin Davies.

* Owen Roberts.

* Entertainers and organisers take a bow.

Rotary club's carol singing event supports three charities

Members of the Vale of Llangollen Rotary, supported by Santa Claus himself, staged a carol singing event in Centenary Square yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.

Passers-by and shoppers were treated to an hour of enchanting melodies, creating an atmosphere of merriment and goodwill.

As the group led the crowd in song, Santa spread holiday magic, posing for pictures and  spreading seasonal cheer.

Cash raised from donations will go to Rotary's three nominated charities - Llangollen Food Share, Welsh Air Ambulance, and the disaster response charity Shelterbox.

A club spokesperson said: "We are delighted by the response from the community. The joy and camaraderie shared during this carol singing event exemplify the true spirit of the holiday season.

"The funds raised will make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated.

"If you didn’t get a chance to contribute and would still like to do so online, please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lee-todd-3

* For further information on the club, contact: secretary.llangollenrotary@gmail.com

 

Trees planted in memory of two of Eisteddfod's strongest supporters

Officials and volunteers of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod gathered around the famous silver harp outside the main entrance to the site this morning (Saturday) to plant trees in memory of two of the festivals strongest supporters.

Sandy and Bob Attenburrow both dedicated many years serving the Eisteddfod in numerous roles.

A post on the festival's internal Facebook page says: "It was was an absolute pleasure to see so many of you attend this morning’s tree planting to remember the remarkable contribution that Bob and Sandy Attenburrow made to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

"Two trees have been planted near our harp at the entrance to the Eisteddfod field.

"Thanks to Bob and Sandy’s family and all the volunteers who came today and the Floral Committee for organising the event.

"Gareth Edwards made a lovely speech and we are certain you all have lots of stories of the amazing things that the Attenburrows did to ensure our peace festival survives to this day."

Rotary joins panel for Dragon's Den-style event at Ysgol Dinas Bran

* The panel for the Dragon's Lair event at Ysgol Dinas Bran.

Vale of Llangollen Rotary members took part in the panel for an event modelled on TV's Dragon's Den at Ysgol Dinas Bran.

Organised by Hope House Hospice, Dragon's Lair aimed to foster entrepreneurial spirit among local young people.

Dinas Bran prides itself on providing innovative education and includes an enterprise module in its curriculum in collaboration with the the hospice team. 

The module empowers year 10 students to work together in small teams on creating and operating a fundraising event. 

As part of the project students had the opportunity to 'pitch' their creative ideas to a panel of Dragons, making their cases for a £10 initial investment from Hope House.

A spokesperson for Vale of Llangollen Rotary said: "This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to fostering innovation, leadership, and community engagement, and underneath it a testament to how we embrace the opportunity to celebrate the young ones in our community.

"We feel privileged to have the opportunity to work so closely with the school and Hope House on developing the entrepreneurial spirit of our young and to celebrate how many wonderful young people live in our community. The experience demonstrated group after group how talented, creative and wonderful our youth are."

* For more information about the Vale of Llangollen Rotary and this particular initiative, contact: secretary.llangollenrotary@gmail.com

Teenage Eisteddfod winner from 1956 still returns as volunteer

* Myron Lloyd at the Pavilion with her mementos of the time she became the face of north Wales after her 1956 competition win.

·    A woman who became “the face of north Wales” after winning a singing competition at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod nearly 70 years ago still returns there each year as a volunteer.

As a teenager Myron Lloyd travelled from her home in Pembrokeshire to compete in and eventually win the Folk Song Solo category at the 1956 eisteddfod.

As a result of her victory Myron – then known by her maiden name of Williams – was snapped by a number of cameramen as she celebrated out on the field.

Then sometime later and back in south Wales the farmer’s daughter, who is now in her 80s, was quite shocked to see that a picture of her taken on the day wearing the traditional Welsh costume of high hat and ornate shawl had gone viral 1950s style and started to appear on a wide variety of merchandise promoting north Wales.

Myron, who now lives in Ruthin, recalled: “After I won the competition there was quite a clamour on the maes for people to take my picture, which I thought was fine.

“It was then pointed out to me about a year later that my picture and others similar ones taken at Llangollen, were appearing in guide books on north Wales and other merchandise such as coasters, place-mats and even compasses and egg-timers mounted on little pieces of wood.

“People seemed to like them and my mother bought two of everything, so I still have some of the stuff years later.

* Myron Williams, as she then was, in Welsh costume for the picture which went viral 1950s style.

“Everybody used to say that I must have been paid for the use of my picture but I never made a penny out of it. In fact, I didn’t even know the names of the photographers involved.”

Myron went on to marry a police officer and the couple spent 53 happy years together before he passed away eight years ago.

Because of his job they moved quite regularly to police accommodation in various parts of Wales, in later years living in Corwen and then Ruthin.

In the 1970s Myron decided she would like to compete at Llangollen again and whereas back in the 1950s her winning entry consisted of two traditional Welsh folk songs sung in Welsh, this time she chose to perform an old Welsh carol and another entitled The Mother-in-Law’s Complaint in the Adult Folk Song category.

But the result was the same as a couple of decades earlier – another victory.

By the 1990s, with her competition days over, Myron returned to Llangollen in a different role, as a volunteer member of the publicity committee then later the marketing committee.

And she still returns each year to be part of the Croeso Team which provides a welcome to sponsors of the festival during Eisteddfod week.

Myron says she understands and agrees with the changes that are being made to the Eisteddfod to help it survive and thrive in the wake of last summer’s financial crisis.

“Something had to be done. The changes being made, including the concerts now being announced with so many stars such as Tom Jones, Madness, The Manic Street Preachers and others, are necessary to help improve the financial position situation,” she said.

“But it’s also very important to keep some of the traditions such as the folk competitions which are very essence of the Llangollen Eisteddfod.”

Over the years Myron has seen – and often met – some of the big names who have headlined at the festival, including Welsh icon Shirley Bassey, Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé and the Red Army Choir.

In 2024 she says she’s looking forward very much to seeing, and perhaps meeting, Sir Tom Jones. But she added: “I just don’t know if that’s going to be possible but I certainly hope so.”