MOTORS

STEVE HOWARTH’S TEST DRIVE

KIA DRIVING DAY

A DRIVING day featuring almost their whole car range highlighted just what a motoring force Kia have become in the UK.

Yours truly was one of the northern journalists invited to try out the Kia range at the recent event near Skipton – from the diminutive Picanto up to the fire-breathing new Stinger – nearly all models were on show.

They each have their own merits but I chose to put two in the spotlight, the all electric Kia e-Niro and XCeed PHEV as hybrid and electric cars are very much in buyers’ minds at the moment.

First up was the XCeed, which I tried out in 1.6 GDi ‘First Edition’ spec. As the name suggests there is a 1,580cc conventional internal combustion engine doing most of the work but this is mated-up with an electric motor to give 104bhp on tap.

The first figure everyone wants to know is the electric only range – around 33 miles – while the combined mpg is a claimed 167.

What is impressive is the seamless way the car switches between power plants or employs both together under hard acceleration. It is comfortable and fast enough for most with a 10.6 0 to 60 time and top speed of 99mph. That battery system can be charged up in just a few hours so as the average commute in this country is less than 25 miles, providing you can also plug in at work, driving almost completely on environmentally-friendly electric is possible.

For an on-the-road price of £34,905 this XCeed is mid-range (prices start from £31,805 for the PHEV models) and comes with 18” alloys, panorama sunroof, leather seats (memory, heated and cooled in the front), heated steering wheel, smart cruise control, 10.25” infotainment central touch screen, park assist with reversing camera, digital dashboard and a whole heap of safety systems. As with all Kias these days build quality is good as are the materials used throughout and then there is the manufacturer’s much lauded 7 year warranty to fall back on in the unlikely event of a problem.

From there it was into the totally electric world of motoring with the e-Niro. I tried the ‘4+’ spec range topping model which is £39,395 on the road (e-Nero prices start from £30,345).

That all-important electric range is up to 282 on a full charge in mixed driving and Kia say the car will fully charge from zero on a domestic socket in 29 hours, but that drops dramatically if you use a 100kW commercial charge point to just 54 minutes. In reality topping up the charge overnight at home will be feasible if no long journeys are planned.

What also changes is performance as this car’s 64kWh motor can get it from 0 to 60 in just 7.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 104.

Again the quality in both build and materials is evident and a long spec list includes such essentials as heated leather seats (again memory and cooled in the front), big central infotainment touch screen with sat nav, wireless phone charger, smart cruise control and the usual comprehensive line up of safety systems and driver aids.

Kia has just picked up two category wins at the annual What Car? Electric Car Awards for their EV6 and the e-Niro. The EV6 has won the ‘Readers’ choice’ award and the e-Niro earned the title of ‘Best electric small SUV’ for the second year running.

So you don’t have to just take my work for the quality of their cars. Kia’s growing trophy cabinet is also testimony to their products and services.

For all the latest car tests see the motoring section of our website at www.50plusmagazine.co.uk/motors/

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BULBS TO LIGHTUP SPRING

Plant spring bulbs now for a glorious display of colour next year says gardening writer Julia Heaton

After the depths of winter there’s no better sign that the garden is beginning to stir into life than the sight of the first snowdrops or daffodils raising their heads above ground in a rallying cry of colour.

Spring flowering bulbs can be so uplifting. They look good in informal and formal borders and are great gap-fillers until the rest of the garden comes into flower. They also look lovely in lawns and are excellent value for money when planted in containers.

If you want a slice of this action then now is the time to set the wheels in motion for a stunning display next year. You can plant them all the way through to November, as long as it’s before the risk of frost, so that they can become acclimatised and start sending out roots. Tulips are an exception and can be planted right up until Christmas as they need cold temperatures to reduce the risk of disease and help them root. Don’t forget that there are lots of hardy summer flowering bulbs like lilies and alliums that can be planted in October too.

Planting out in borders

Make sure you plant with the pointed tip facing up. Plant in drifts, groups or individually, depending on the effect you want to achieve. It could be that you’d like to add some height to the border or create a focal point with a large group. As long as the soil isn’t waterlogged bulbs will grow in most soil types. Break up the earth so there are no clods but if you have heavy soil you can improve drainage by digging in some horticultural grit before planting. After that the main thing to get right is the planting depth.

Bulb planting depths vary

As a general rule plant at a depth of up to two to three times their height and two to three bulb widths apart. The pointed tip should always be facing upwards and the flat root end down. But if you really can’t be sure you can always plant them on their sides – the stem and roots will grow in the right directions. A trowel is all you need for this but there are specialist bulb planters available with depth gauges. Gently fill in the hole and firm down with your hands. Then mark up a plant label and place it in the centre of the area planted – it’ll act as a reminder of what’s in there and not to get too close when digging nearby.

Planting in lawns

Crocus do well in lawns.

Bulbs like narcissi, crocus, snowdrops, grape hyacinth, winter aconite and cammassia are great for bringing colour to a lawn that you’re not fussy about mowing. This is important because the grass can’t be cut from when the first bulb leaves appear until the flowers have gone and the foliage has died back. Wait until you’ve done your final cut of the season before planting. Then start by making sure the soil is moist and weed free. For a natural drift formation simply throw a handful of bulbs in the air and plant them where they fall. Using a sharp-edged trowel dig out a plug of turf that’s three times the depth of the bulb you’re planting. Then add some good compost or grit if the soil is heavy.

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After planting break up some of the earth belonging to the plug and place it back on top of the bulb. Replace the remainder of the turf plug and gently firm it in so that it’s level with the rest of the lawn.

Alternatively, for the smallest bulbs, try cutting into the turf, peeling it back, forking over the surface and adding some grit before planting as before. A bulb planter, which will lift out an individual plug, can also be used for larger single bulbs.

Left in position your bulbs will naturalise, propagating across the lawn to bring even bigger displays. Try this method in a wildflower area to add some different interest in the spring.

Bulbs in pots

To get the most out of pot displays go for the layering technique that’s become known as lasagne planting. Just by planting layers of bulbs that flower at different times you can get a fantastic display that will last for months.

Choose a pot that’s deep enough to accommodate bulbs that need the deepest planting depth and line the bottom with crocks for drainage. Then add a layer of bulb compost or multi-purpose with added grit for drainage. Plant the largest and latest flowering bulbs first at the correct depth then add another layer of compost followed by an earlier flowering group of smaller bulbs. For a third, top layer, add more compost followed by the smallest and earliest flowering bulbs. Finish with a layer of compost, stand the container on pot feet for drainage and water it well. For a three-layered treat go for something like daffodils on the bottom layer, hyacinths on the middle and crocus on the top. Bulbs can also be placed closer together than if they were growing in the soil and don’t worry about them being directly on top of one another – the shoots of those at the bottom will just bend around the smaller ones.

Tips for better displaysSnowdrops establish better when planted in leaf or ‘in the green’ in early spring. Winter aconites and lily of the valley benefit from this too.

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- When buying go for the largest bulb you can find in that variety. Smaller ones are more likely not to flower in the first year or produce weaker blooms. Check for mould and discard any that feel soft.

- Insulate pots against freezing winter weather by wrapping with bubble wrap. - Protect newly planted bulbs from squirrels by laying chicken wire over the top and covering with a layer of soil or compost.

Five spring flowerers to plant now

- Crocus: Grows from a corm in full sun or partial shade. Plant in natural flowing groups for maximum effect; - Snakes head fritillary: Nodding bellshaped mauve flowers are happy in full sun or partial shade;

- Daffodil: Plant in sun or light shade. Dwarf daffodils do well in lawns, pots and even rockeries;

- Bluebells: Best grown in partial or dappled shade around trees or under shrubs;

- Chinodoxa: Also known as ‘Glory of the Snow’, these star-shaped flowers do good in well-drained soil in full sun. Try planting under deciduous trees;

The vibrant colour of crocosmia in summer.

Hardy summer flowering bulbs:

Plan ahead for next summer by planting these in September and October:

- Lilies: Ideal for containers and borders in full sun or partial shade; - Allium: Flowers best in a sheltered but sunny site in well-drained soil;

- Crocosmia: Plant from corms in sun or partial shade. Good on most soil types but ideally moisture retentive in summer;

- Bearded Iris: Grow in full sun in welldrained soil.

Our pets are much loved companions, best friends and family members but sadly, not all animals are treated with the love and care they deserve

The RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch receives no government funding and we are entirely reliant upon the generosity of our kind supporters. Over a third of our income is in the form of gifts included in people's Wills. This generosity helps us to give food, bedding, veterinary care and TLC to the animals in our Animal Centre and contributes greatly to their rehabilitation. This is only possible thanks to the generosity of people leaving us a gift in their Will. Your act of kindness is literally a gift of life to hundreds of animals that have been cruelly treated. It will cost you nothing in your lifetime but from £100 to £100,000, every donation to the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch is greatly appreciated and can help save an animal’s life. Making a Will, or adding a codicil to your existing Will is the only way to ensure that those you love will be taken care of, including your pets. If your pet has brought huge joy into your life, remembering the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch in your Will is a wonderful way to celebrate your love of your animals and help animals less fortunate than your own for many years to come. As a self funded RSPCA Branch, we're totally reliant upon the kindness of animal-lovers in order to continue our work. Your lasting legacy will ensure that we can continue our work to help the thousands of animals that we care for every year and also plan for the future.

If you would like to talk to someone about leaving a Gift in your Will, please call us on 01422 341160, e-mail us at: Branchoffice@rspcahalifaxhuddersfieldbradford.org.uk or if you prefer you can write to us at RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District, Wade Street, Halifax, HX1 1SN