7 minute read
Car News
CAR NEWS MAY 2020
By Dhiren Ganesh
IN THIS MONTH’S ARTICLE WE LOOK AT NEW VERSIONS FROM M A N U F A C T U R E R S , T W O A REFRESHED VERSION OF CLASSIC CAR AND ONE A NEW SUV.
First UK deliveries are expected in July, with prices starting at £26,870.
2020 Audi A3 saloon – this is based on the recently launched A3 with a swoopier roofline and an extended tail to create the executive saloon car. It will provide 2cm more headroom in the front and more elbow room. On the dashboard many of the buttons have been replaced with a comes a 10.1in touchscreen. Standard equipment includes a wi-fi hotspot, online traffic information and a voice control system that understands natural speech. On the outside you get digital daytime running lights, made up of 15 LEDs. At launch there will be a 148bhp 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol, which is available with mild hybrid technology to improve efficiency and 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel auto.
2020 Skoda Octavia family car – this is the allnew, fourth-generation version of the Octavia. It includes even more interior space, a bigger boot, new technology and better connectivity. Plus, there will be a plug-in hybrid model to sit alongside the petrols and diesels. The new Octavia is longer and wider than its predecessor, it has a lower roofline in an effort to give it a more coupé-like side profile. The plug-in hybrid model, which is called the Octavia iV, uses a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to deliver a combined output of 201bhp and provide an official electric-only range of 34 miles. New interior features includes a two-spoke steering wheel and a free-standing central infotainment touchscreen. Prices are expected to be around £22,000 when launched in June 2020. 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross – the new Toyota Yaris Cross will be the brand’s smallest and most affordable SUV. This car gets its own distinct look however if derived from the fourth-generation Yaris model. It will have an hybrid engine with the only engine option a 1.5-litre petrol that works in conjunction with an electric motor to produce a combined 114bhp. This will be one of the few small SUV cars to be a four-wheel drive. On the inside you get a gloss black plastic look and similar features to the Yaris such as the air vents and the metallic strip running across the upper dashboard. You can also have a powered tailgate that opens automatically when you aim a kick beneath the rear bumper – useful for shopping. To be launched in early 2021 prices are expected to be around the £21,000 mark.
HELPLINES YOU MAY FIND USEFUL DURING THE COVID 19 OUTBREAK
Government Helplines
Government Business Support Helpline: 0300 456 3565 https://www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline
HMRC Coronavirus Tax Helpline: 0800 015 9559 https://www.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc
Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644 https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/
School Closures Coronavirus Helpline: 0800 046 8687
Mental Health
Anxiety UK Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition. Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm) Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Bipolar UK A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder. Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk
CALM CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35. Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight) Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Men’s Health Forum 24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email. Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
Mental Health Foundation Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities. Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Mind Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) Website: www.mind.org.uk
No Panic Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD. Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider’s Access Charge Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
OCD Action Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources. Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider’s Access Charge Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk
OCD UK A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments. Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) Website: www.ocduk.org
PAPYRUS Young suicide prevention society. Phone: HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm, and 2pm to 10pm on
Rethink Mental Illness Support and advice for people living with mental illness. Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm) Website: www.rethink.org
Samaritans Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline) Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
SANE Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers.
SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm) Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/ textcare Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum Website: www.sane.org.uk/support
YoungMinds Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals. Phone: Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm) Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Debts
Step Change FreeHelpline: 0800 138 1111 stepchange.org
National Debtline Free Helpline: 0808 808 4000 nationaldebtline.co.uk
Business Debtline Free Helpline: 0800 197 6026 bdl.org.uk Turn2us Helpline: 0808 802 2000 Turn2us.org.uk
Older People Age UK Helpline: 0800 169 6565 ageuk.org.uk
How to overcome loneliness
Independent Age (Advice and Support for Older Age) Advice line: 0800 319 6789 Independentage.org
RVS (Royal Voluntary Service) Call: 0845 608 0122
Domestic Abuse National domestic abuse helpline 0808 200 0247
Domestic Violence Assist 0800 195 8699 - specialises in providing assistance to obtain emergency injunctions
Women’s Aid Domestic Violence 0808 2000 247
Men’s Advice Line 0808 801 0327
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 999 5428
National Centre for Domestic Violence 0800 970 2070
National Stalking Helpline 0808 802 0300
Victim Support 08 08 16 89 111
MONDAYS
9:15am - 11:00am - A&J Toddlers - St Anselms Church Community Centre, Dartford. £2.00 per one adult and child and 50p for any extra children or adults each. Tea/coffee biscuits, small snack for children with juice. Toast 20p per slice Craft table and singing and dancing at end of session Contact Julie on 01322 291092.
TUESDAYS
Session 1: 9.15-10.45am, and Session 2: 11-12.30pm. Christchurch, Crossroad, Dartford. Contact Catherine on 01322 220036. 9.30am -11.30am. The Salvation Army, 66 Hythe Street, Dartford. Please call us on (01322) 288434 for further information. 9.30am-11.30am Sticky Fingers - £1.50 per adult includes tea ,biscuits and healthy snack time for the children For pre school children up to 4 years St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall London Road Greenhithe Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmarygreenhithe. com 9:30-10:30am at Fleetdown Utd FC (near Dunelm). £5 per session if you sign up for the term, siblings go free.Contact 07770860450 or Facebook.com/musicandrhymetime
WEDNESDAYS
10am -12pm - Little Angels Net Church, (Formerly Gala Bingo Hall) Dartford, £2.50 per family including all snacks and drinks. Catherine 07878658685 11.15am - SLADE GREEN AND HOWBURY COMMUNITY LIBRARY BABY AND TODDLER ACTION RHYME TIME GROUP 12:45pm -2.45pm - Fleetdown Open House - Fleetdown Community Centre, Swaledale Road, Dartford, DA2 6JZ £2.50 per Adult
THURSDAYS
9:30am - 11:30am. St Paulinus Church Hall, Manor Road, Crayford. 9.30am-11am Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers - facebook.com/ToeRags 1pm-2.30pm Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers - facebook.com/ToeRags 10:30-11:30am, at Fleetdown Utd FC (near Dunelm). £5 per session if you sign up for the term, siblings go free.Contact 07770860450 or Facebook.com/musicandrhymetime
FRIDAYS
9.30am-11am Baby and me for expectant mothers and mothers / carers of chidren up to 2. £1 per adult St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall, London Road Greenhithe. Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmarygreenhithe.com 9.30am-11am Toerags Toddler Group - Adult education centre, Dartford £3 per Child - £1 Non Walkers - facebook.com/ToeRags 9.30am-11.30am Carer & Toddler Group, St Mary’s Church Hall, Stone Place Rd, Greenhithe. Jeanne 01322 380322 jeannehoadley@ yahoo.co.uk 1-3pm Gigglekidz, Tree Estate Community Centre on Cedar Road - £2 Per Child
SATURDAYS
9.30am-11.30am Daddy and Me - A group for dads and male carers of children up to 5years. £1.50 includes healthy snack time for the children. St Mary Greenhithe Church Hall, London Road Greenhithe. Contact 01322 382031 or see www.stmarygreenhithe.com 2-3pm - Lego Club- ages 5 and over - Chrome Road Slade Green DA8 2EL Tel: 01322 333602
Toddler Music & Rhyme Sessions at Dartford Libraries
Dartford - Monday 10:30am - 11am Friday 2:15pm – 2:45pm Story Time Thursday 10:30pm -11:00am Fleetdown - Tuesday 10:30am -11am Greenhithe - Thursday 2.15pm – 2.45pm Longfield - Thursday 10:45am -11:15am Summerhouse - Tuesday 10:30am – 11am Sutton-at-Hone -Monday 2pm – 2:30pm Temple Hill - Wednesday 10.30am -11am
