Lexus aims for younger audience with new LBX

Lexus LBX drive by Steve Rogers

Times are changing at Lexus with sights set on a younger audience.

And here is the car they think will win them over. The LBX is a compact crossover and the smallest car yet from the premium brand.

It has even got a new face, losing the huge grille that has been the Lexus design signature for the past decade. If the bigger models look set for battle, LBX is ready to party. This is the new casual approach.

Hopes are high for the halo model which, if all goes to plan, will scoop around 6,000 sales, that’s more than a third of last year’s UK sales, and the optimism is no doubt based on the popularity of the Yaris Cross, its cousin at Toyota.

They are almost identical in size although the LBX has a new more powerful version of the three-cylinder 1.5 litre self charging hybrid engine and is a full two seconds quicker to sixty than Yaris Cross. The engine is a tad noisy with foot to the floor but is not unpleasant and throttle response is generally on the money. I was even satisfied with the CVT gearbox, which is a first, and even more satisfied with the handling. I regularly drive a twisting country road which separates the good from the not so good and the LBX is a peach. Grippy with nicely weighted steering, and suspension that is more than up to the job of absorbing pothole thuds.

Economy fell some way short of the official 60mpg hovering around 51-54mpg. Its less powerful Yaris cousin easily topped 60mpg when tested last year.

Lexus clearly does not want to miss out on the rising demand for economical compact crossovers hence the change in direction and although small LBX is no poor relation of the plush, bigger models in the range.

You still get all the high tech special effects, including electronic door opening which is pretty cool, a barrel full of safety aids, and high end trim covering the dashboard and doors.

The layout could be said to be a bit old school with the touchscreen sitting flush in a horizontal display unlike the more fashionable tablet style screen perched atop the dashboard. It is tilted back with an anti glare covering and blends in well creating a clean line with no intrusions.

It makes for a busy centre console but is straightforward after a couple of minutes taking it in. Heating control switches are small and delicate but separate from the touchscreen which is also logically laid out with a vertical strip of menus.

It was day two before I found the most useful switch that took me into a bank of frequently used features like the dreaded lane departure which is often buried in a sub menu.

Not so popular with me, or my wife, were the touch tracers on the steering wheel for selecting a variety of functions. A bit like stopping fast forward at the right time on the TV. Patience is needed or just say, Hey Lexus, and the kind lady will change the heating temperature, find a radio station or navigation destination, as long as it is not an awkward Welsh name. That floors her.

Equipment level is good across the four model range, although avoid the entry model to get those special touches. My Premium Plus is a middle of the road choice, powered seats are all that was missing. It even had a washer for the rear camera which is a rarity. Safety features are more or less standard with the safe exit an excellent addition, locking the door if a vehicle is approaching.

If there is a downside to LBX it is rear seat legroom which is very poor but at least there is room for feet under the front seat. In contrast boot space is excellent for a compact SUV although a two level floor would avoid the drop into the well.

There is a lot riding on this little fella with its lofty sales target. It is an appealing choice for someone wanting to sample premium quality without paying 50 or 60 grand. We will find out at the end of the year if LBX has risen to the challenge.

Fast facts

LBX Premium Plus

£34,265 (starts £29,995)

1.5 litre petrol hybrid. 134bhp

0-62mph 9.2secs

61.4mpg combined

108g/km

Insurance group 25

Boot: 402-994 litres

Llangollen Youth FC teams take on towering challenge for charity

 

This Sunday, March 16 each Llangollen Youth FC teams from Under 11’s upwards will be aiming to conquer Mount Everest in aid of Nightingale House Hospice and their own funds. 

Although they won't actually be travelling to the Himalayas to do it their aim is to ascend and descend the equivalent height of the world’s highest mountain at 8,849 metres above sea level.

They hope to achieve this by walking to the top of Castell Dinas Brân from their base at Tower Field – an elevation change of approximately 210m – meaning that each team will need to make a collective total of 43 trips up to the castle. 

Depending on numbers partipacting, this is likely to mean that each player will make around four ascents – although some may do more than others and completing the challenge will require a team effort by all involved.

The club's Under 7’s and Under 9’s teams will be joining in on the day with a sponsored walk up to the castle.

Half of sponsorship money received will go to Nightingale House while the rest will go towards the long list of expenses involved with running a grassroots football club.

Organisers are looking for several marshals to help run the event – if you are interested in helping, please send a message on their Facebook page (CPD Llangollen Youth FC) or contact one of the coaches.

The event will be centred on Tower Field and the start time is to be confirmed to allow flexibility with weather conditions. Food and refreshments will be available.

* To sponsor the challenge, go to Gofundme at: Fundraiser by Gareth Jones : Raising money for Nightingale House and Llangollen Youth FC

Eisteddfod to gain more control over running of Pavilion

* Madness headline at the Pavilion during last year's Eisteddfod.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will gain more control over Llangollen Pavilion next month as new arrangements are put in place for the management of the iconic site.

Festival chiefs say this will allow them to open up opportunities for year-round entertainment and other activities in the town.

Under current arrangements overall management and responsibility of the Pavilion site, home to the world-renowned International Eisteddfod, rests with Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL). 

This responsibility will change to the Eisteddfod, with a lease from Denbighshire County Council granted subject to agreed terms. 

This will allow the Eisteddfod, as owners of the site, greater flexibility to develop the site for the benefit of Llangollen and the wider north east Wales region, they feel.

Eisteddfod chairman John Gambles said: "We would like to thank Denbighshire Leisure Ltd for being custodians of the Llangollen Pavilion. 

* The NEW Sinfonia orchestra play on the Pavilion main stage last year.  

"I’d like to thank them for their ready co-operation managing the transition. This new arrangement with Denbighshire County Council provides a huge opportunity for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as we move towards our aim of becoming an all-year round organisation for the benefit of local people and visitors.” 

This summer, the Pavilion will host a range of world-famous acts including the Live at Llangollen Pavilion concerts which will feature headline shows by Texas, Rag’n’Bone Man, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, James, The Script, Olly Murs and The Human League.

This year's Llangollen International Eisteddfod takes place from July 8-13, which will see 4,000 competitors from 35 different countries heading for Llangollen. 

The festival also has concerts by legendary frontman from The Who, Roger Daltrey, a concert celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, featuring One World conducted by Sir Karl Jenkins, KT Tunstall, Il Divo, Choir of the World with special guest Lucie Jones and Sir Bryn Terfel and Fisherman’s Friends.

The Eisteddfod say the new arrangement will provide more flexibility and allow it to further cement its partnership with live music and event promoters, Cuffe and Taylor, to attract more entertainment acts in the future.

John Gambles added: “Last summer’s events including concerts by Sir Tom Jones, Manic Street Preachers and Bryan Adams delivered huge economic benefits to the town of Llangollen. This is something we will expand for the benefit of our wider region. 

"In any new arrangement for the site, the Llangollen Eisteddfod would honour all existing bookings at the Pavilion for 2025. 

"We are also working on a number of exciting projects that will not only safeguard the future of our iconic Pavilion and hall but also ensure we realise the exciting potential of this amazing venue.

* Manic Street Preachers take to the Pavilion stage at the 2024 Eisteddfod.

"The new arrangements will not incur any additional costs for any party but will simplify the management arrangements by ensuring fewer parties are involved."

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “The team has worked closely with Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Denbighshire County Council to ensure a seamless handover for everyone involved and we’re delighted that everything has transitioned so smoothly. 

"We would like to thank Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and wish them all the best in what we expect will be hugely successful summer ahead.”

Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, Denbighshire’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “The council is looking forward to working with the Eisteddfod as it embarks on these exciting new opportunities. 

"A core underlying principle of our Asset Management Strategy 2024-2029 is considering who best to own and operate each asset and identify opportunities for collaboration. 

"I’m proud of the collaborative approach between the council’s property team, DLL and the Eisteddfod for this site. 

"Llangollen is already one of the jewels in Denbighshire’s crown and a top-class tourist destination attracting, on average, over half a million visitors a year.

“There are exciting prospects ahead for the town and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as it looks to expand the opportunities and the use of the Pavilion. 

"This will bring significant benefits to the whole region. We’d like to thank DLL for supporting the Eisteddfod and maintaining this site over the past five years.”

Dates for local Citizens Advice drop-in sessions

 

Museum officially re-opened after new roof installed

* Becky Gittins MP and the museum's Dave Crane at the official re-opening event. They stand under the smart new roof with friends and supporters in the background.

Llangollen Museum was officially re-opened by the area's MP yesterday (Saturday) evening after being closed for a long period to allow the installation of a new roof.

Becky Gittins told a large gathering of supporters and friends of the much-loved facility that supporting museum leaders with their bids for the funding required for the work was the first job she tackled after being elected last summer.

She said: "This is a very special event for me. They were the first to write to me and this was the first piece of casework I did when it looked like the project might have been in jeopardy.      

"I am thrilled to be here this evening to officially declare the museum open again and to be in the presence of so many friends and in such a vibrant community."

The new roof was urgently required after many years of troublesome leaks.

The museum's Dave Crane outlined the many enhancements to the building the new roof project had made possible, including improvements to the displays and a new kitchen and toilets.

A stairlift had been fitted up to the first floor display area and still to come are a new CCTV system and improvements to the website.

There was a loud cheer and applause when he said one of the most significant of things that had happened during the closure had been the museum purchasing the building from Denbighshire County Council.

He thanked a long list of people and organisations who had helped in various ways with the project, starting with the museum's own volunteers and team member Sue Evans who had helped prepare two major submissions for funding.

Funders for the project, he said, included the Lottery Heritage Fund, the Community Ownership Fund, the Denbighshire Key Fund, the Clocaenog Wind Farm Fund and the Welsh Government Collection Management Capital Improvement programme.

Llangollen Silver Band played as the evening's guests mingled and explored the revamped building.

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards was unable to make it to the re-opening but sent a message of best wishes.

She said: "Sadly, I was unable to attend the re-opening of the Llangollen Museum due to unforeseen circumstances.

"I’m very much aware of the sheer hard work and determination undertaken to save this much-loved museum in the heart of the town which cannot be underestimated. It is a glowing testament of resilience and courage in the face of adversity.

 

"I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks to everyone involved with this project. Da iawn pawb."

Former Three Eagles to open under new owner this spring, says story

Following its closure last year the former Three Eagles gastro-pub will reopen to customers this spring after being sold to the owner of Fouzi's, according to a story today in the Leader.

* For the full story, go to: Llangollen: New owner confirms reopening of The Three Eagles | The Leader

Riverside Park facelift has now been completed

An extensive programme of improvements at Llangollen's Riverside Park is now complete.

The work, undertaken by Denbighshire County Council and funded as part of the Shared Prosperity (SPF) scheme, was recently topped off when the signage and street lighting lanterns were finished.

 

Full list of work at the park, which is enjoyed by locals and visitors, includes:

* Painting of Metal railings within the park

* Painting of all Street lighting within the park

* Refurbishment of existing benches and installation of some new ones

* Installation of some new bins

* Timber knee rail fence installation around bandstand

* Fixing some of the broken/missing timber and painted the ends of the MUGA, done via the sports pitch funding of SPF

* Repair of the retaining wall near East St car park

* Drainage improvements

* Repair of wobbly fencing on A5 side of the park

* New signage for the whole park including new posts

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards said: It's a real good news story that all scheduled improvement works at Riverside Park are now completed."