Man has serious injuries after Glyn Ceiriog crash

The Oswestry Advertizer is reporting that a man is in hospital with 'serious injuries' following a crash involving off-road bikes in Glyn Ceiriog over the weekend.

* For the full story, go to: https://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/25720806.man-hospitalised-following-glyn-ceiriog-off-road-bike-crash/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcAO3sMhjbGNrA7ewo2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHvBnyN_S74p0iFbf--ot-5se0KgXOvXq99KzoXgFCDAAYK8B3gCRyHE7tvTA_aem_Nev_VOnghiU-bmab4CqWmQ

BBC Breakfast broadcasts live from Llangollen Station

* BBC reporter Jane McCubbin broadcasts live from Llangollen Station flanked by travellers waiting to board the Santa Special.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway's annual Santa Specials generate a quarter of its income - and also plenty of enjoyment and fun for excited travellers along the way.

That was the message from a live BBC broadcast from the heritage attraction earlier this morning (Tuesday).

BBC Breakfast reporter Jane McCubbin and a crew filmed two live sequences from a packed platform 1 as travellers waited to board one of two Santa Specials of the day making the 10-mile trip to Lapland (Carrog).

She spoke to passengers and volunteers and was told that, apart from generating lots of steam, the special excursions through the picturesque Dee Valley also bring in a healthy 25 per cent of the railway's annual income, which helps to keep everything on track.

Jane had a quick word with Santa and his Elves, a number of travellers and a young family of four who had come all the way from Kansas City in the USA to climb aboard the very special train.

* The Santa Special train waits for its passengers to board. 

* Santa and his Elves do an interview.

* Jane speaks to the family from Kansas.

* An excited young passenger waits to get aboard.

* And it's back to the studio from Llangollen Station.

Food Share's last distribution before Christmas is today

Llangollen Food Share have their final parcel distribution before Christmas at the Youth Club building in Willow Street from 11.30am today (Tuesday).

A spokesperson for Food Share said: "This is the first time that we have used the Youth Club building on Willow Street for the parcel distribution session. 

"We are moving our Wednesday parcel distribution sessions to the Youth Club from now on. Standing in the Market Street car park in a long queue during the winter is not the experience that those needing support should have to endure. 

"We’ve been looking for alternative premises for the last two years and now have the chance to move the weekly parcel session to the Youth Club. This will mean that everyone will be welcomed inside the building. 

"We also have the chance to provide refreshments and invite organisation that can help those in need to offer advice and support to help them. We are excited about the new challenge and are hoping to offer better support to those who come to the Food Share."

Is the price right for funky Ora 03 GT EV?

ORA 03 GT electric drive by Steve Rogers

Breaking news…. A Chinese car that has not torpedoed its rivals on price.

In fact it has been the total opposite with the Ora’s price dropped to bring it into line with the opposition.

Time to press the pause button. What the heck is an Ora 03? It is one of the lesser known Chinese brands and part of the GWM company, some may remember it as Great Wall who produced the Steed pick up until a decade ago. It was the first of the company’s five brands to come to the UK and here is where you might be confused.

I can hear you say the shape is familiar but not the name. Correct, the car started life as the Funky Cat which suited its quirky retro shape to a T, but the company decided it was too off the wall and came up with something more conservative. Pity.

Ora is a supermini sized entry into the growing world of electric cars, and it is a tough old world with a big cast from Europe, Korea, and Japan, some of which are cheaper.

To get a foothold in the market Ora is following the familiar Chinese formula of loading cars with kit and safety features normally found on bigger, more expensive models. That is the case here but with eye catching styling to pull punters into the showroom.

Ora has certainly got a retro feel, the clamshell bonnet and round headlights gives the look of a sixties Porsche 356, or our very own Mini. The back is even more interesting. Where are the lights? Closer inspection shows a light strip running along the base of the base of the window. Now that is clever.

Is it all style over substance? I had my doubts as Ora comes from the same family as the Haval Jolion, the only other GWM brand in the UK, and reviewed a few weeks ago. That was a disappointment but Ora is a lot better.

It is a small car with a short wheelbase so you would expect the suspension to struggle with our potholed roads but it does rather well. Ora does not match the cushioned ride of the new Citroen C3 but then nor does any of its rivals. The light steering means it’s a doddle driving round town and behaves well enough on the open road. With an electric motor acceleration is instant and there is a decent amount of grunt for overtaking.

There is nothing spectacular about the cabin design, apart from Mini Cooper style switches for quick entry to heating controls. The single screen is split in two with the driver’s binnacle showing a video game display of the vehicles surrounding the car. Some might say it's a distraction but my wife and I found it useful.

The central screen holds a library of information and like other Chinese models is a bit of a headache to work out especially with the small font sizes. Once again I was grateful for voice control which helped out with everyday functions.

Small it might be but Ora’s cabin is a bit like a tardis. The amount of space is surprisingly good and I doubt there is another supermini that can match its back seat legroom. It might be at the expense of boot space which is way smaller than a Renault Clio or Volkswagen Polo. A two level arrangement would be useful as there is a big drop to the floor.

There is a three model line up, Pure with a 48kW battery and 192 mile range, Pro, 63kW battery and 261 mile range and GT with the same battery pack. This is where it gets interesting because for around 25 grand the Pure is packed with kit including navigation, wireless phone charging, keyless entry and start, and 360 degree surround camera system. Just as well because the small back window has no rear wiper. Whoever thought that was a good idea got it wrong.

Pro looks the best bet at £28,995 with its larger battery pack and extra features like heated front seats, auto parking assist and front sensors. The safety pack is standard across the range and earned Ora a five star Euro NCAP rating.

Which brings us to the range topping GT. It looks great with its roof mounted spoiler and extensive red detailing around the body and in the cabin, but without any extra performance is it worth another three grand for a lot of red, a heat pump, powered ventilated front seats and sunroof?

The big challenge for Ora 03 is getting established in a strong market of small electric cars, but it should be on the shopping list.

Favourite feature: The funky styling.

Fast facts

Ora 03 GT

£32,995

Range 261 miles

Battery unit: 63kW

168bhp

0-62mph 8.2secs; 99mph

Co2 emissions: Zero

Boot: 228-858 litres

Warranty: 5 years; battery 8 years

Insurance group 3

Silver Band stages two successful Christmas concerts

* The training band on stage at the RAFA Club.

Llangollen Silver Band held the second of its two Christmas concerts - both entitled A Flourish of Festive Cheer - at the RAFA Club yesterday (Sunday) afternoon.

There was a full programme of entertainment, including seasonal selections from the training and senior bands, which included a number of solo numbers.

Guests performers were singer/guitarist Ewan Smith and Saul and Amy who provided some up-tempo Christmas songs.

There was also a prize raffle, presentations to band members and a couple of mock snowball fights which the audience joined in enthusiastically.  

* Soloists from the band perform.

* Ewan Smith.

* Saul sings.  

Packed St Collen's congregation sing Carols by Candlelight

A packed St Collen's celebrated its annual Carols by Candlelight service yesterday (Sunday) evening with a joyous seasonal programme of songs, prayers and readings.

A specially-recruited choir, whose members had been practising their parts over a few weeks beforehand, provided powerful musical accompaniment while Father Lee Taylor led worship.

Readings, which portrayed the Biblical story leading up to the Nativity, came from the Deputy Mayor of Llangollen, Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam; John Gambles, chairman of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod; Osian Watts, a police cadet and member of the congregation; Enid Law, president of Llangollen Inner Wheel; Phil Robinson (llanblogger); Major (Retd) Mike Adams of Llangollen Royal British Legion; and the Rev Ruth Gee, Minister of Llangollen Methodist Church.

The special atmosphere within the colourfully decorated church was set by members of the congregation each bearing small, lit Christingle candles.

* Father Lee Taylor.

* The specially recruited choir.

* John Gambles.

* Osian Watts.

* Enid Law.

* Mike Adams.

* Phil Robinson.

* The Rev Ruth Gee.

* Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam.

Santa throws a Christmas party for Ukrainians in the area

* Santa and the children at the party gather around the Christmas tree.

Llangollen's very own Santa Claus  - Chem - with the help of his friends, threw a Christmas party for around 40 Ukrainians from the town and surrounding areas at St Collen's Community Hall earlier this  afternoon.

Traditiona Ukrainian food was provided by Anna's Cafe in Oak Street, while a local couple, Peter and Sue McArthur, gave a donation of £400 towards the cost of the event. The use of the hall was also given for free.