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OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 06
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Welcome....
Welcome to our October issue of Inside Flintshire villages magazine. Who’s looking forward to cosy nights in front of the fire as the nights draw in and the weather gets colder? Halloween and Bonfire night coming up, two of my favourite Autumn days. If you have nothing planned for Halloween why not visit the Mountain Park hotel for a fun filled children’s party on Halloween night and an adults party on the 1st November. See page 9 for the full details.
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Plas Teg featured in Channel 4’s Country House Rescue in 2011.
Plas Teg Ghosts Plas Teg House is reportedly one of the most haunted buildings in all of Wales. There is said to be no fewer than 15 ghosts lurking in its rooms and hallways. As well as serving as a residence for over 400 years, it’s also believed to have been used as a local court, where people were often tried and hung. It was also said to have been used as a sanatorium, although no records have been found to support this. With such a varied history stretching back so far, the fact that there are a number of ghost stories at Plas Teg is of little surprise.
Plas Teg, Flintshire,
Plas Teg Ghost Stories
North Wales’ Most Haunted House Plas Teg is a Jacobean country house located in Flintshire, between the towns of Mold and Wrexham. One of the most haunted houses in Wales, this mansion was built in 1610 by Welsh politician Sir John Trevor I (1563 – 1630), for his family and him to live in. It served as a home for the Trevor family until the death of Sir Trevor’s wife, Lady Margaret Trevor, and the outbreak of the English Civil War,
which saw the family leave the home and move to one of their many other properties. The property was tenanted out during this time. The Trevor’s resided here again until 1930, when it was sold to the War Office and used as housing for soldiers during the Second World War. It was during this time that plas teg hall slipped into a period of decay up until the 1950’s, when it was put forward for demolition. If it wasn’t for a public outcry it would have gone ahead. Instead, a descendant of the Trevor family, Patrick Trevor-Roper, came forward and took over the property. With a
It is said the ghost of Sir John Trevor I’s daughter, Dorothy haunts the A541 that runs past Plas Teg. The story goes, she fell in love with a local farmer’s son named Iorwerth. Her father knew of her feelings for Iorwerth and disapproved, forbidding her from seeing him. Determined to follow her heart, she planned to elope with him,
little help from the Historic Buildings Council, he partially restored the building. He leased out the house until 1977, when it was Mr and Mrs William Llewelyn that purchased it. Mr and Mrs Llewelyn only used the ground floor of the house, resulting in the rest of the house becoming little more than a ruin. However, fortunes soon picked up for plas teg, when Cornelia Bay bought the house for £75,000 in 1986. With help from the CADW (Historic Environment division of the Welsh Government) in the form of £199,000 and another £211,000 from Cornelia’s own pocket, plas
taking her jewels with her that she had previously buried near the well in anticipation for when the night came to run away. When the night came, Dorothy ran out to the well to retrieve her jewellery box, but due to the darkness she slipped and fell down the well to her death. It is believed that it is her ghost that people have been seeing for years on the A541. Could she be running to meet her love Iorwerth? Is she the woman in white? Her body was discovered 2 months later, however, her jewels were missing. Iorwerth was so distraught at her death and feared being accused of her murder, he hung himself. His ghost is also believed to haunt the grounds, looking for his beloved Dorothy. On one occasion during the late 1800’s early 1900’s, a gardener is reported to have felt hands grabbing his shoulder trying to pull him down the well. He struggled free and looked down at the dark water beneath and saw nothing. Throughout the house, the sound of loud wailing is often heard. Could this be the ghost of John Trevor V who died sometime in the mid 18th Century? He apparently discovered his wife’s affair, and her death came shortly after, believed to be by the hands of John. Drunk and guilt ridden, he drove his carriage at high speed through
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the grounds of Plas Teg, hitting a tree and severely injuring himself. Due to the injuries he sustained, he died a slow and agonising death. A young 16 year old named Elizabeth Trevor-Roper also died aged 16 at Plas Teg in 1815. Reportedly, two men had fallen for her but she only loved one of them. The one who she refused, in a fit of jealous rage, killed the man she loved, then chased Elizabeth all the way back to the house. Terrified he might kill her next, there was a struggle, and Elizabeth either slipped or was pushed down the well, and ultimately drowned. Is it their ghosts that are reportedly seen running through the corridor? A woman in white clutching jewels pursued by a man with a bloody wound to his shoulder…
Other Reports Throughout the house people have reported being touched/prodded, and even pushed by an unseen entity. Another common occurrence is the sudden emotional changes in different areas of the house. People are often overcome with anger, sadness, despair, and happiness. The sounds of giggling, sobbing, knocking, whispering, talking, and footsteps are also regular occurrences throughout.
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Holiday review
Ski destinations
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Good for families
Great little ski resorts you may never have heard of Good for beginners St Johann, Tyrol, Austria
Gressoney, Italy
Where: Gressoney is part of a group of unsung resorts in the Aosta valley, sharing a ski area with Champoluc and Alagna. Gressoney-La-Trinité, with its cobbled streets and wooden chalets, provides the most convenient base from which to explore the linked Monterosa ski area, which has 150km of pistes and 44 lifts. Why: Families will love the quiet pistes and lack of queues, and the little ones will wolf down the Italian food. Book: Chalet Hotel Valverde in Gressoney-La-Trinité costs £2,019 half-board for a family of four: espritski.com.
Geilo, Norway
Les Saisies, France
Small resorts with superb, hassle-free skiing, traditional architecture and après frolics to suit all are still out there – and usually cheaper than the big names, too.
Where? Most people have heard of St Johann’s more famous neighbour, Kitzbühel. What they don’t know is that this Tyrolean town has a similar medieval centre, with frescoed buildings and old coaching inns, but lower prices. It has 43km of pistes and 17 lifts.
So what do we have in this months issue? There’s plenty going on in this months issue, including our very popular restaurant review and this months was a cracker, we visited the Northop Hall Hotel, the food was simply delicious. For the full review see pages 14-15. Autumn’s here and our holiday reviews take a more wintery feel to it with a look at some unknown ski resorts see pages 10-11. Our festive gift fair competition is back with a chance to win one of ten pairs of tickets to this year’s show at the NEC Birmingham. So much more going on and too much to mention here so please have a look through this months issue.
teg underwent a £400,000 renovation project. Just 10 months after buying the house in 1986, Cornelia opened Plas Teg house to the public, and it still is to this day.
Where? The village is in the beautiful Beaufortain valley, 30km from the town of Albertville. It has 192km of pistes and 81 lifts. Why ? It’s known as a cross-country resort, but the downhill skiing is mainly gentle and ideal for beginners. This is a
Where? In the Hallingdal valley, north-west of Oslo, Norway’s oldest ski resort is reachable by train and shuttle bus from Bergen and Oslo airports. Why? The slopes are quiet and unintimidating, and the ski school is award-winning, making it a great place to learn, especially as all the ski instructors speak good English.
steep and hairy. Book: based on six sharing: ernalow.co.uk.
Book: From £555pp self-catering in Geilolia forest cabins, based on four sharing: skisafari.com.
Arinsal, Andorra
Where? In western Andorra, Arinsal is part of the Vallnord ski area, where your ski pass also gives access to the resorts of Arcalis and Pal. Why? Under-12s get free lift passes, and prices are lower than in the Alps. The ski school comes highly recommended and the safe, enclosed slopes are great for
Orelle, France
Where? This charming little resort in the Maurienne valley is made up of 10 hamlets of slate-roofed stone houses, and has some of the area’s best-value accommodation. Why? The skiing is linked by lift over the Col de Rosael to Val Thorens, so you can enjoy the slopes of the Trois Vallées at a fraction of the price of staying there – and enjoy the
Book: 3-11-year-olds and also has a bowling alley. From £523pp half-board: crystalski.co.uk.
too. Book: Residence Le Hameau des Eaux d’Orelle costs £485 for four people in a one-bedroom at. Price includes Eurotunnel crossing, ights to Geneva extra: zenithholidays. co.uk.
Engelberg, Switzerland
Where? It is the nearest resort to Lake Luzern, 1h20m from Zurich airport. Why? This is one of the rst resorts in the Alps to get new snow from the north or north-west, so conditions are
Why? This is a good destination for beginners and intermediates, with nursery slopes on the gentle meadows behind the station. There’s a good choice of ski schools
descents – the Laub and the Galtiburg – as well as 82km of pistes and 25 lifts. Prime Ski School has instructors on hand on the slopes,
ballooning. Book: A week at Pension Mair costs £469pp B&B including
Book: A stay at Hotel Terrace costs from £399pp B&B
Good for nightlife Sölden, Austria
Where? from smaller, quieter neighbour Obergurgl. The busy main street buzzes with bars, restaurants and shops. The two glaciers mean snow is pretty much guaranteed and the views are spectacular. Why? There are 40 places to eat in town and 30 up the mountain, but the star is the glass-and-steel Ice Q (pictured right), which features in the Bond movie ‘Spectre’. Après venues include the on-mountain Book: Chalet Hotel Hermann costs £721pp half-board including three days’ ski hosting: skitotal.com.
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14
R E S TAU R A N T R E V I E W
CHEQUERS
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his month we visited Chequers Restaurant inside Northop Hall Country House Hotel, nestled in nine acres of private woodland and secluded gardens, Northop Hall Country House Hotel is a beautifully restored Victorian mansion in the heart of North Wales.
The name Chequers was inspired by a historic local motor race which took place close to the hotel, the restaurant has built a strong reputation for quality, excellence and innovation and offers a wide array of seasonally inspired dishes. On entering the hotel, the imposing staircase immediately makes a grand first impression, we were then directed towards the Chequers restaurant where we are greeted by the lovely waitress Georgia who escorted us to our table which was in front of a large beautiful bay windows overlooking the immaculate manicured grounds. We
Built-in 1872 by the Watkinson family, the property retains many of its original features including exquisite stained glass windows, a sweeping Canadian pine staircase, intricately panelled walls and grand period fireplaces.
Don’t forget to support our local businesses within and please give us a mention if you do use any of their services.
For main course Reg decided to not go with his favourite Steak and Chips and try something new, I suggested the Pan Fried Duck as he never has this and he was extremely impressed. The Duck was pan fried perfectly with crispy skin on the outside and pink and tender in the middle, it was also
were left to peruse the menu whilst our drinks were swiftly brought to the table with a refreshing jug of ice cold water to accompany our wine, Georgia kindly informed us of the specials board which is as you walk in and is full of starters, mains and desserts that have an incredible 50% discount throughout the week. After looking at the menu we were both quick to decide on which starters to go for, Reg plumped for Sticky Sausages and I chose Chinese style Crispy Duck. The presentation on arrival was exquisite. The Sausages were really Moorish and were covered in a sticky Sweet Chilli and BBQ sauce. The Chinese style Crispy Duck was dressed with a sweet yet salty Hoi sin sauce and then mixed with green salad and shredded spring onion to finish, it was then aesthetically placed upon a toasted wrap and may I add absolutely beautiful even nicer than an authentic Chinese restaurant starter!
complemented beautifully with a rich Rosemary jus. It was then served with dauphinoise potatoes, Crispy Kale, Buttered Kale and seasonal vegetables.
I was equally impressed with my choice which was Pan Fried Salmon this was also cooked to perfection and had a really tasty herby crust on the top which gave the Salmon a lovely crispy taste against the soft flaky salmon. This was served with a homemade Dill and Chive potato cake and then accompanied with seasonal vegetables and lightly drizzled in a delicate white wine and dill cream sauce. We were also given extra pots of the sauces which was a really nice touch especially if you prefer plenty of sauce on your meal and not just drizzled. We were asked if we were going to indulge in a dessert, when looking through the menu we decided we could not resist sharing the Cheesecake of the day which was a Cadbury’s Flake Cheesecake which was served with Vanilla ice cream. This was homemade and absolutely scrumptious we were sorry we had shared one and promised next time we would definitely be having one each.
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Thank you to the Chequers restaurant for a spectacular meal from the surroundings being beautiful, to the wonderful waitress Georgia who really could not do enough for us and is a credit to the restaurant, to the amazing tasty food which is all prepared fresh using seasonal ingredients and presented exceptionally in A l carte style but at reasonable pub grub prices. The Chequers really is a treat and has 5 stars from Inside Flintshire Magazine.
The Bill Starters Chinese Crispy Duck .......... £6.95 Sticky Sausages .................... £5.95 Main Course Pan fried duck ........................ £16.50 Pan Fried Salmon ................ £15.75 Dessert Cadbury’s Flake Cheesecake ............................ £6.00 Total Bill .................................... £51.15
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100119MPHP_148x210_FINALE.pdf
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Last months competition winner’s. Berlinda Carlisle - David Griffiths -Runaway Horses The South - Barry Guest - Nine Alexander O’Neal - Michael Higginson - Criticize
TTickets Ti ick from only £6!
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be caught up in the fabulous atmosphere, anticipation rising as you browse 300+ stalls overflowing with thousands upon thousands of unusual gifts, stocking fillers, decorations and artisan food & drink at prices worth celebrating!
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ARTWORK DEADLINE DATE 18TH OCTOBER
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The run up to Christmas Day involves a lot of planning and most of us have so much to do and so little time to do it! Take the pressure out of Christmas shopping and find all the presents you want at the one-stop shop Festive Gift Fair. When your bags are full, just drop them off at the Present Creche and continue to shop some more!
Tickets available at www.festivegiftfair.co.uk or call the TICKET HOTLINE: 0844 581 0808
WIN TICKETS! - TEN PAIRS OF TICKETS UP FOR GRABS W T be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to To this years festive gift fair simply answer this Question..
T: 01352 870 760
E: reg@insideflintshiremagazine.co.uk
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CM
It’s an Aladdin’s cave of sparkling stalls offering more choice, more variety and more fun than the High Street, and it’s all under one roof.
Until next month. Reg - Editor Inside Flintshire Magazines
Copyright No part of this publication may be reproduced, resold or stored in a retrieval system without the express permission of “Inside Flintshire Magazine” Adverts When providing advertising copy, artwork or photographs from existing sources, it is our customers’ responsibility to ensure that all the appropriate permissions regarding copyright have been obtained from the originator :Inside Flintshire Magazine accepts no liability for copyright issues regarding adverts published in good faith. For full terms and conditions see our web site www.insideflintshiremagazine.co.uk
9.30AM – 5.00PM DAILY Y THE BIGGEST AND MOST LIVELY L INDOOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FAIR IN THE MIDLANDS IS BACK! … WITH SO MUCH CHOICE, FABULOUS BARGAINS AND GREAT MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT.
In which city will this years festive gift fair be held? Email your answers to reg@insideflintshiremagazine.co.uk with your full name, address and contact details.
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The new Mercedes EQC: as you were...
Driving experience ‘Fun’ would be pushing it. The Tesla Model 3 and Jaguar i-Pace respond to being driven keenly, while the EQC merely puts up with it until you decide to slow down. It’s heavy, you sit high, the steering’s numb and there’s no clever anti-roll control, all of which mean this isn’t a car in which to get too carried away. But visibility is good, epic torque everpresent and there’s sack-loads of grip, making for a swift and hassle-free ally across hundreds of miles of real road in all weathers. And if that sounds like the kind of praise levelled at many of Mercedes’ cars over time, that’s no coincidence. After all, while the EQC might be electric, it’s a Mercedes first and foremost.
W
here the funky, earlyadopter BMW i3 wore its EV heart on its sleeve, just as Tesla’s disrupter Model X screams fresh thinking from its crazy doors to its giant iPad interface, Mercedes’ new EQC is an under-the-radar EV revolutionary.
Bar some slightly tacky (and, thankfully optional) blue detailing and the lack of an exhaust, it looks normal. On the inside there’s no innovative packaging or EV minimalism, just a snug and beautifully built Mercedes cockpit. Jump in, push the start button, prod the thing into drive and, bar some whirring and the fact that the car’s rich seam of drive is entirely step-less, you’d even be forgiven for thinking the EQC wasn’t even electric. So, the EQC is not radical. But is it any good?
Performance & drive Like many of its rivals, the EQC’s power, torque and all-wheel-drive (one motor per axle) configuration do a great job of masking its huge weight (nearly two and a half tonnes, of which a quarter is the underfloor slab of battery). In city driving its effortless acceleration and impressive refinement are a pleasure, but it’s on the open road that the Mercedes really impresses. Overtakes are the work of
Motoring moments and noise and vibration are so well suppressed they’re virtually eliminated (the front motor unit is rubber-mounted twice, both with its subframe and then between the subframe and monocoque). The EQC’s turn of speed is a result of its juicy 80kWh battery (lovingly cooled and warmed as required by the car’s systems) and the two motors, the front tuned for efficiency and the rear for performance. The car constantly juggles power flow between the two, being front-wheel drive much of the time but managing to feel rear-driven.
Range 259 miles (WLTP) compares with the Merc’s two direct rivals, the Audi and the Jaguar, and of course the actual range will depend on your usage, particularly ambient temperature and driving style. But Mercedes
buyers keen to go electric but worried about the switchover. In every detail, from the way it drives through to the comprehensive aftersales package, the EQC is like a giant comfort blanket painstakingly
crafted to allay your every EV fear. Such peace of mind doesn’t come cheap, of course, but who better to take the electric plunge with than the car maker that’s been around as long as the car itself.
Spec: Price when new: £65,640 On sale in the UK: Now Engine: Twin e-motors, 80kWh lithium-ion battery, 396bhp, 564lb ft Transmission: Single-speed reduction, all-wheel drive Performance: 0-62mph 5.1sec, 111mph, 22.2 kWh/100km, 0g/km CO2
Verdict
Weight / material: 2425kg/steel and aluminium
The EQC isn’t as boldly innovative as an i-Pace or Model X but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a very good car. What’s more, it feels tailor-made for
Dimensions (length/width/height in mm): 4761/1884/1624mm
has put a lot of work into easing range anxiety. The driver’s display clearly communicates your real time consumption and remaining range, while a number of drive modes mean that, if you’re starting to fret, you can head for Max Range. Choose it, and hold the right shift paddle (now responsible for cycling through the EQC’s five levels of regenerative braking) for D auto, and the EQC will now work to maximise its efficiency and yours, urging you to back off when, via nav data and traffic sign recognition, it calculates that any more throttle will simply go to waste.
Interior space You’d think so since there’s no engine or gearbox to find room for but not so much. The boot’s big and the EQC’s hardly claustrophobic, but there’s little packaging magic here. In fact, the cockpit architecture is almost cosy - no bad thing, but it’s an approach in stark contrast to Tesla’s roomy minimalism. The interior fit and finish is extremely good (a metric on which Tesla disappoints) and, if you fork out for one of the higher spec levels and the £1695 Driving Assistance Package Plus bundle, the EQC’s armed with a raft of labour-saving and safety-boosting tech like active cruise, active steering assist, active braking assist and evasive steering assist.
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Plas Teg, Flintshire, North Wales’ Most Haunted House Plas Teg is a Jacobean country house located in Flintshire, between the towns of Mold and Wrexham. One of the most haunted houses in Wales, this mansion was built in 1610 by Welsh politician Sir John Trevor I (1563 – 1630), for his family and him to live in. It served as a home for the Trevor family until the death of Sir Trevor’s wife, Lady Margaret Trevor, and the outbreak of the English Civil War,
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which saw the family leave the home and move to one of their many other properties. The property was tenanted out during this time. The Trevor’s resided here again until 1930, when it was sold to the War Office and used as housing for soldiers during the Second World War. It was during this time that plas teg hall slipped into a period of decay up until the 1950’s, when it was put forward for demolition. If it wasn’t for a public outcry it would have gone ahead. Instead, a descendant of the Trevor family, Patrick Trevor-Roper, came forward and took over the property. With a
little help from the Historic Buildings Council, he partially restored the building. He leased out the house until 1977, when it was Mr and Mrs William Llewelyn that purchased it. Mr and Mrs Llewelyn only used the ground floor of the house, resulting in the rest of the house becoming little more than a ruin. However, fortunes soon picked up for plas teg, when Cornelia Bay bought the house for £75,000 in 1986. With help from the CADW (Historic Environment division of the Welsh Government) in the form of £199,000 and another £211,000 from Cornelia’s own pocket, plas
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teg underwent a £400,000 renovation project. Just 10 months after buying the house in 1986, Cornelia opened Plas Teg house to the public, and it still is to this day. Plas Teg featured in Channel 4’s Country House Rescue in 2011.
Plas Teg Ghosts Plas Teg House is reportedly one of the most haunted buildings in all of Wales. There is said to be no fewer than 15 ghosts lurking in its rooms and hallways. As well as serving as a residence for over 400 years, it’s also believed to have been used as a local court, where people were often tried and hung. It was also said to have been used as a sanatorium, although no records have been found to support this. With such a varied history stretching back so far, the fact that there are a number of ghost stories at Plas Teg is of little surprise.
Plas Teg Ghost Stories It is said the ghost of Sir John Trevor I’s daughter, Dorothy haunts the A541 that runs past Plas Teg. The story goes, she fell in love with a local farmer’s son named Iorwerth. Her father knew of her feelings for Iorwerth and disapproved, forbidding her from seeing him. Determined to follow her heart, she planned to elope with him,
taking her jewels with her that she had previously buried near the well in anticipation for when the night came to run away. When the night came, Dorothy ran out to the well to retrieve her jewellery box, but due to the darkness she slipped and fell down the well to her death. It is believed that it is her ghost that people have been seeing for years on the A541. Could she be running to meet her love Iorwerth? Is she the woman in white? Her body was discovered 2 months later, however, her jewels were missing. Iorwerth was so distraught at her death and feared being accused of her murder, he hung himself. His ghost is also believed to haunt the grounds, looking for his beloved Dorothy. On one occasion during the late 1800’s early 1900’s, a gardener is reported to have felt hands grabbing his shoulder trying to pull him down the well. He struggled free and looked down at the dark water beneath and saw nothing. Throughout the house, the sound of loud wailing is often heard. Could this be the ghost of John Trevor V who died sometime in the mid 18th Century? He apparently discovered his wife’s affair, and her death came shortly after, believed to be by the hands of John. Drunk and guilt ridden, he drove his carriage at high speed through
the grounds of Plas Teg, hitting a tree and severely injuring himself. Due to the injuries he sustained, he died a slow and agonising death. A young 16 year old named Elizabeth Trevor-Roper also died aged 16 at Plas Teg in 1815. Reportedly, two men had fallen for her but she only loved one of them. The one who she refused, in a fit of jealous rage, killed the man she loved, then chased Elizabeth all the way back to the house. Terrified he might kill her next, there was a struggle, and Elizabeth either slipped or was pushed down the well, and ultimately drowned. Is it their ghosts that are reportedly seen running through the corridor? A woman in white clutching jewels pursued by a man with a bloody wound to his shoulder…
Other Reports Throughout the house people have reported being touched/prodded, and even pushed by an unseen entity. Another common occurrence is the sudden emotional changes in different areas of the house. People are often overcome with anger, sadness, despair, and happiness. The sounds of giggling, sobbing, knocking, whispering, talking, and footsteps are also regular occurrences throughout.
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OCTOBER
Create some magic in the kitchen this Halloween with these spooky witches fingers
Kids w in the ill delight se bis cu perfe ct for its a Hallo ween party !
Method 1. Combine the butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat together with an electric mixer; gradually add the flour, baking powder and salt, continually beating; chill for 20 to 30 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 160 C / Gas mark 3. Lightly grease baking trays. 3. Remove dough from fridge in small amounts. Scoop 1 heaping teaspoon at a time onto a piece of greaseproof paper. Use the paper to roll the dough into a thin finger-shaped biscuit. Press one almond into one end of each biscuit to give the appearance of a long fingernail. Squeeze biscuit near the tip and again near the centre of each to give the impression of knuckles. You can also cut into the dough with a sharp knife at the same points to help give a more finger-like appearance. Arrange the shaped biscuits on the baking trays.
What you need 1. 225g (8 oz) butter, softened 2. 125g (4 1/2 oz) icing sugar 3. 1 egg 4. 1 teaspoon almond extract 5. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 6. 350g (12 oz) plain flour 7. 1 teaspoon baking powder 8. 1 teaspoon salt 9. 100g (4 oz) whole almonds 10. 1 tube red decorating icing
4. Bake in the preheated oven until the biscuits are slightly golden in colour, 20 to 25 minutes.
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5. Remove the almond from the end of each Total Time Prep Time biscuit; squeeze a small amount of red icing into the cavity; replace the almond to cause the icing to 55 min 30 min ooze out around the tip of the biscuit. To advertise To advertise here please here call email: 07868 insidelincs2@outlook.com 433 225
Servings 30 servings
Holiday review
Ski destinations Great little ski resorts you may never have heard of Small resorts with superb, hassle-free skiing, traditional architecture and après frolics to suit all are still out there – and usually cheaper than the big names, too.
Les Saisies, France
St Johann, Tyrol, Austria
steep and hairy. Book: based on six sharing: ernalow.co.uk.
Good for beginners
Where? Most people have heard of St Johann’s more famous neighbour, Kitzbühel. What they don’t know is that this Tyrolean town has a similar medieval centre, with frescoed buildings and old coaching inns, but lower prices. It has 43km of pistes and 17 lifts.
Where? The village is in the beautiful Beaufortain valley, 30km from the town of Albertville. It has 192km of pistes and 81 lifts. Why ? It’s known as a cross-country resort, but the downhill skiing is mainly gentle and ideal for beginners. This is a
Orelle, France
Where? This charming little resort in the Maurienne valley is made up of 10 hamlets of slate-roofed stone houses, and has some of the area’s best-value accommodation. Why? The skiing is linked by lift over the Col de Rosael to Val Thorens, so you can enjoy the slopes of the Trois Vallées at a fraction of the price of staying there – and enjoy the too. Book: Residence Le Hameau des Eaux d’Orelle costs £485 for four people in a one-bedroom at. Price includes Eurotunnel crossing, ights to Geneva extra: zenithholidays. co.uk.
Engelberg, Switzerland
Why? This is a good destination for beginners and intermediates, with nursery slopes on the gentle meadows behind the station. There’s a good choice of ski schools ballooning. Book: A week at Pension Mair costs £469pp B&B including
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Where? It is the nearest resort to Lake Luzern, 1h20m from Zurich airport. Why? This is one of the rst resorts in the Alps to get new snow from the north or north-west, so conditions are descents – the Laub and the Galtiburg – as well as 82km of pistes and 25 lifts. Prime Ski School has instructors on hand on the slopes, Book: A stay at Hotel Terrace costs from £399pp B&B
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Good for families Geilo, Norway
Where? In the Hallingdal valley, north-west of Oslo, Norway’s oldest ski resort is reachable by train and shuttle bus from Bergen and Oslo airports. Why? The slopes are quiet and unintimidating, and the ski school is award-winning, making it a great place to learn, especially as all the ski instructors speak good English. Book: From £555pp self-catering in Geilolia forest cabins, based on four sharing: skisafari.com.
Gressoney, Italy
Where: Gressoney is part of a group of unsung resorts in the Aosta valley, sharing a ski area with Champoluc and Alagna. Gressoney-La-Trinité, with its cobbled streets and wooden chalets, provides the most convenient base from which to explore the linked Monterosa ski area, which has 150km of pistes and 44 lifts. Why: Families will love the quiet pistes and lack of queues, and the little ones will wolf down the Italian food. Book: Chalet Hotel Valverde in Gressoney-La-Trinité costs £2,019 half-board for a family of four: espritski.com.
Arinsal, Andorra
Where? In western Andorra, Arinsal is part of the Vallnord ski area, where your ski pass also gives access to the resorts of Arcalis and Pal. Why? Under-12s get free lift passes, and prices are lower than in the Alps. The ski school comes highly recommended and the safe, enclosed slopes are great for Book: 3-11-year-olds and also has a bowling alley. From £523pp half-board: crystalski.co.uk.
Good for nightlife Sölden, Austria
Where? from smaller, quieter neighbour Obergurgl. The busy main street buzzes with bars, restaurants and shops. The two glaciers mean snow is pretty much guaranteed and the views are spectacular. Why? There are 40 places to eat in town and 30 up the mountain, but the star is the glass-and-steel Ice Q (pictured right), which features in the Bond movie ‘Spectre’. Après venues include the on-mountain Book: Chalet Hotel Hermann costs £721pp half-board including three days’ ski hosting: skitotal.com.
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his month we visited Chequers Restaurant inside Northop Hall Country House Hotel, nestled in nine acres of private woodland and secluded gardens, Northop Hall Country House Hotel is a beautifully restored Victorian mansion in the heart of North Wales. Built-in 1872 by the Watkinson family, the property retains many of its original features including exquisite stained glass windows, a sweeping Canadian pine staircase, intricately panelled walls and grand period fireplaces.
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The name Chequers was inspired by a historic local motor race which took place close to the hotel, the restaurant has built a strong reputation for quality, excellence and innovation and offers a wide array of seasonally inspired dishes. On entering the hotel, the imposing staircase immediately makes a grand first impression, we were then directed towards the Chequers restaurant where we are greeted by the lovely waitress Georgia who escorted us to our table which was in front of a large beautiful bay windows overlooking the immaculate manicured grounds. We
were left to peruse the menu whilst our drinks were swiftly brought to the table with a refreshing jug of ice cold water to accompany our wine, Georgia kindly informed us of the specials board which is as you walk in and is full of starters, mains and desserts that have an incredible 50% discount throughout the week. After looking at the menu we were both quick to decide on which starters to go for, Reg plumped for Sticky Sausages and I chose Chinese style Crispy Duck. The presentation on arrival was exquisite. The Sausages were really Moorish and were covered in a sticky Sweet Chilli and BBQ sauce. The Chinese style Crispy Duck was dressed with a sweet yet salty Hoi sin sauce and then mixed with green salad and shredded spring onion to finish, it was then aesthetically placed upon a toasted wrap and may I add absolutely beautiful even nicer than an authentic Chinese restaurant starter!
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For main course Reg decided to not go with his favourite Steak and Chips and try something new, I suggested the Pan Fried Duck as he never has this and he was extremely impressed. The Duck was pan fried perfectly with crispy skin on the outside and pink and tender in the middle, it was also
complemented beautifully with a rich Rosemary jus. It was then served with dauphinoise potatoes, Crispy Kale, Buttered Kale and seasonal vegetables.
I was equally impressed with my choice which was Pan Fried Salmon this was also cooked to perfection and had a really tasty herby crust on the top which gave the Salmon a lovely crispy taste against the soft flaky salmon. This was served with a homemade Dill and Chive potato cake and then accompanied with seasonal vegetables and lightly drizzled in a delicate white wine and dill cream sauce. We were also given extra pots of the sauces which was a really nice touch especially if you prefer plenty of sauce on your meal and not just drizzled. We were asked if we were going to indulge in a dessert, when looking through the menu we decided we could not resist sharing the Cheesecake of the day which was a Cadbury’s Flake Cheesecake which was served with Vanilla ice cream. This was homemade and absolutely scrumptious we were sorry we had shared one and promised next time we would definitely be having one each.
Thank you to the Chequers restaurant for a spectacular meal from the surroundings being beautiful, to the wonderful waitress Georgia who really could not do enough for us and is a credit to the restaurant, to the amazing tasty food which is all prepared fresh using seasonal ingredients and presented exceptionally in A l carte style but at reasonable pub grub prices. The Chequers really is a treat and has 5 stars from Inside Flintshire Magazine.
The Bill Starters Chinese Crispy Duck .......... £6.95 Sticky Sausages .................... £5.95 Main Course Pan fried duck ........................ £16.50 Pan Fried Salmon ................ £15.75 Dessert Cadbury’s Flake Cheesecake ............................ £6.00 Total Bill .................................... £51.15
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010619FA_148x210_SEP2019_FINALE.pdf
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Tiick TTickets from only £6!
9.30AM – 5.00PM DAILY Y THE BIGGEST AND MOST LIVELY L INDOOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FAIR IN THE MIDLANDS IS BACK! … WITH SO MUCH CHOICE, FABULOUS BARGAINS AND GREAT MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be caught up in the fabulous atmosphere, anticipation rising as you browse 300+ stalls overflowing with thousands upon thousands of unusual gifts, stocking fillers, decorations and artisan food & drink at prices worth celebrating! It’s an Aladdin’s cave of sparkling stalls offering more choice, more variety and more fun than the High Street, and it’s all under one roof. The run up to Christmas Day involves a lot of planning and most of us have so much to do and so little time to do it! Take the pressure out of Christmas shopping and find all the presents you want at the one-stop shop Festive Gift Fair. When your bags are full, just drop them off at the Present Creche and continue to shop some more!
Tickets available at www.festivegiftfair.co.uk or call the TICKET HOTLINE: 0844 581 0808
WIN TICKETS! - TEN PAIRS OF TICKETS UP FOR GRABS W To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to T this years festive gift fair simply answer this Question.. In which city will this years festive gift fair be held? Email your answers to reg@insideflintshiremagazine.co.uk
18 with your full name, address and contact details.
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Health Top seven bargain superfoods
F
rom the latest "superberry" to the newest healthboosting grain, there are plenty of superfoods that promise to boost your health, but can also leave your bank balance a little worse for wear. Fortunately, not all superfoods have to cost a fortune.
1. Oats With the constant emergence of trendy superfood grains such as spelt, amaranth and quinoa, it is easy to forget about the humble oat. However, oats are not only cheap, versatile and widely available, but they are packed with nutrients such as zinc, iron, calcium and fibre. Oats also have many health benefits, with the ability to reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes, lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, boost the digestive system and improve heart health.
2. Sweet potatoes While sweet potatoes are not as commonly eaten as the regular spud, there are many reasons why they should form a part of your standard diet. Firstly, this healthy root vegetable is packed with minerals and vitamins such as vitamin C, manganese, potassium and iron. Furthermore, it is one of the best natural sources of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which can help lower risk of heart disease and
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cancer as well as being good for eye health.
3. Sardines With omega-3 being one of the big buzzwords in healthy eating, salmon has justifiably been hailed as the latest health-boosting superfood. However, for those on a budget, swapping fresh salmon for tinned sardines can deliver the same health benefits for less than half the price. Sardines, like salmon, are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your skin, brain and heart. On top of that, sardines are rich in protein, calcium, vitamin D and the ever-elusive vitamin B12.
4. Blackcurrants For years the healthy eating industry has been all about the acai and goji berry. However, if you can’t afford to shell out on the latest berry du jour, you may be pleased to know that the common blackcurrant is also a superfood in its own right. Research has found that blackcurrants are more nutritious and contain more antioxidants than blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, and they can help ward off a range of diseases including cancer and dementia.
5. Tomatoes Tomatoes are found in most supermarkets and come at a budgetfriendly price, yet they are still one of the best superfoods around. The
popular fruit is one of the richest sources of the antioxidant lycopene, which can help lower cholesterol, protect the heart and prevent the risk of diseases such as cancer (particularly of the prostate). Tomatoes can also help prevent blood clots and boost the immune system.
6. Green tea When it comes to healthy drinks, acai berry juice has received a lot of positive press. However, for the same health benefits at a fraction of the price, green tea is a great alternative. While it may not be quite as exotic, green tea is packed full of antioxidants and has long been renowned for its health-boosting properties. Some of the benefits of green tea include its ability to speed up the metabolism, ward off wrinkles, boost the immune system and protect against cancer.
7. Beetroot If there was ever a vegetable that truly deserved its place on your vegetable rack, then the beetroot would be it. One of the latest vegetables to be hailed as a ‘superfood’, beetroot juice is packed with antioxidants and has many health benefits including the ability to improve liver function, lower cholesterol, boost stamina for exercise and reduce risk of dementia. This cheap and healthy superfood is also a good source of folate and vitamin C.
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The Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection is now available to view at:
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Films
The pick of the new movies
Judy
Joker Starring Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and based on established DC Comics characters, this new release is intended to launch DC Black, a series of DC-based standalone films. The film, which acts as an origin story for the Joker, is set in 1981, where failed comedian Arthur Fleck encounters violent thugs while wandering the streets of
Gemini Man Henry Brogan (Will Smith), an ageing government assassin seeking to exit his career, finds himself going up against a younger clone of himself named Junior, who's able to predict his every move. With no other choice, Henry must uncover the truth behind Junior's creation and save him from going
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Gotham City dressed as a clown. Disregarded by society, Fleck begins a slow descent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker.
Released: October 4, 2019 Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller Director: Todd Phillips Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie
Thirty years after starring in "The Wizard of Oz," beloved actress and singer Judy Garland (RenĂŠe Zellweger) arrives in London to perform sold-out shows at the Talk of the Town nightclub. While there, she reminisces with friends and fans and begins a whirlwind romance with musician Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband. The film is an adaptation of the Olivier and Tony-nominated West End and Broadway play End of the Rainbow by Peter Quilter.
Released: October 4, 2019 Genre: Biography, Drama, History Director: Rupert Goold Cast: RenĂŠe Zellweger, Jessie
Beetz, Robert De Niro.
down the same dark path he did, all while fighting against a corrupt system led by his former boss Clay Varris, who's determined to retire him at all costs.
Released: October 11, 2019 Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Director: Ang Lee Cast: Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen.
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Buckley, Rufus Sewell.
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PRIZE
COMPETITIONS
WIN a pair of tickets to see
Slade
at Liverpool Arts Club Friday November 22, 2019 Christmas Everybody” tour in December. They also have a huge following of fans and regularly play concert dates in Russia, Poland, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, France and the Czech Republic. Led by founder members Dave Hill on Lead Guitar and Don Powell on Drums, with John Berry - Lead Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Guitar and Violin. John has also played Bass with The Sweet, the Tremeloes and The Bay City Rollers. Joining John on Lead Vocals and Keys is Russell Keefe, having played in many original bands in his early years and recording albums for Polygram & United Artists, Russell has toured with The Pretty Little Things and Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers.
SLADE - Without doubt one of the most exciting bands to come out of the UK in the past 50 years. With their unique blend of perfect pop rock’n’roll, outrageous flamboyance and pure fun, and no less than 23 Top 20 singles of which six were No-1 smash hits….plus six smash albums, Slade have become a firm favourite in the hearts of pop fans all over the world.
Throughout the seventies, Slade became one of Europe’s biggest bands, touring and recording continually and making regular trips to America, Japan and other parts of the world. Slade’s catalogue of hits are synonymous with the era:“Take Me Bak ‘Ome”, “Mama We’er All Crazee Now”, “Cum On Feel The Noize”, “Gudbye T’ Jane”, along with the many others provided a soundtrack to the Glam Generation. Slade have continued to tour the world. They are firm favourites on the German festival scene and undertake an annual UK “Merry
Slade today are still one of the most exciting bands on the road, and their stage performance is a dynamic, powerful and exhilarating roller-coaster ride of pure unadulterated rock’n’roll.
A date for your diary... Slade are back for Christmaaaas!
To win just ans the tickets, wer the fo question llowing : “H
ow ma singles h ny Top 20 ave Slad e had?”
Friday November 22, 2019; Liverpool Arts Club; Box Office No: 0844 249 1000; Tickets: £27; Doors: 7.00pm; Website: www.eventim.co.uk/artist/slade/?affiliate=HEJ
To enter our competitions please send your full name, address and contact details to
reg@insideflintshiremagazine.co.uk (Closing date Friday October 23) 36
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WIN two tickets to see
Hugh Cornwell The Gig Cartel presents..... Hugh Cornwell Electric - The Monster Tour. Golden Brown, Strange Little Girl, Always The Sun, Peaches, No More Heroes, Nice & Sleazy.....sound familiar? All big hits, all great songs, all written and sung by Hugh Cornwell, the songwriter behind The Stranglers. He is the hitman and he’s back with a new album
at Liverpool Arts Club Tuesday November 12, 2019 ‘Monster’ - just released on Sony Music. Expect an opening set of prime solo songs, including picks from ‘Monster’, followed by a storming set of those iconic hits, sung and played by the man himself and his band. ‘Just strap on your guitar and we’ll play some rock and rock’. You can’t miss it. The hitman is back!
ets, the tick on: To win owing questi ll fo e gh th u r answe me of H
a is the n um?” “What ell’s new alb Cornw
Tuesday November 12, 2019; Liverpool Arts club; Box Office No: 08444 780 898; Tickets: £29; Doors: 7.00pm; Website: www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/Hugh-Cornwell.htm
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Who am I?
Benjamin Andrew ???? (born 4 June 1991) is an English international cricketer and current vice-captain of the England Test team. He was part of the England squad that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, he moved to northern England with
Guess the identity of our mystery celebrity and you could WIN £25 CASH!!
his parents at the age of 12, where he learnt the game and began playing club cricket for local teams. He is an all-rounder who bowls right-arm fast-medium pace and bats left-handed. An attacking middle-order batsman, he holds the record for England’s fastest ever Test double-century, the fastest ever Test match 250, and the highest ever score for a
Test batsman batting at number six. He also holds the record for the most runs scored by an individual batsman in the morning session of a Test match. He became the highest-paid overseas player in the history of the Indian Premier League in 2017, fetching a record contract of £1.7 million he won the Most Valuable Player award during the season.
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reg@insideflintshiremagazine.co.uk (Closing date Friday October 23) Last months winners on page 4
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How to light your garden Want to make full use of your outdoor space after dark but need some lighting inspiration for your yard? Try out these beautiful ways to light your garden.
of the gazebo…which provides great mood lighting for parties. Just change the color of the light to change the mood!
Torches
Low voltage landscape lighting Low voltage landscape lighting is the traditional way to add light to your garden. Landscape lighting uses various types of light fixtures to showcase garden’s plants, structures and pathways. When you see a house that almost looks magical at night because of the lighting, chances are this is the lighting system that they have installed. Low voltage lighting is powered by a transformer* that is plugged into a regular electrical outlet. It normally comes with a sensor that turns the lights on at dusk and off at dawn. It may also have the option to keep the lights on for a certain number of hours. The lights themselves are attached to a low voltage wire* that runs through the garden. Because it is low voltage, it doesn’t carry enough electricity to shock or hurt anyone, so it does not fall under the same building codes as a standard electrical installation would.
Torches* are a great way to add light in open areas (where the flame won’t be a problem).
form of outdoor lighting that perform many of the same functions as low voltage landscape lighting. Since they don’t require any cords, there’s no need to worry about hooking about a transformer and wires like you do with traditional low voltage lighting…which makes them really easy to install! Solar lights contain re-chargeable batteries that are charged during the day by the solar panel that is attached to the light. Each one has its own sensor that turns the light on at dusk… and the light will stay on for as long as the batteries still have a charge.
Flood lights
Solar landscape lighting
A lot of people are used to flood lights being used as security lighting (outside the garage with a movement sensor… and they do work well for that). But they can also be a great way to add general lighting to your yard.
Solar landscape lights are a newer
Install them pointing down from the top
That is good news for DIYers since it means you can install your own low voltage lighting, and it’s really not as hard as it looks!
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They have the added benefit that they can burn Citronella fuel* which helps to keep the bugs away. Of course, if you prefer to make your own torches, it’s a great way to re-use wine bottles.
Flame-less candles Flame-less candles are another way to provide ambiance that is a little less risky than using open flame. They come in many different colors. T They also are available in many sizes, including tea lights and pillar candles. Many of them have timers or remote controls that makes them easy to turn on and off. Flameless pillar candles are made of real wax and have a remote which lets you turn them on and off easily.
Illuminated planters
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The new Mercedes EQC: as you were...
W
here the funky, earlyadopter BMW i3 wore its EV heart on its sleeve, just as Tesla’s disrupter Model X screams fresh thinking from its crazy doors to its giant iPad interface, Mercedes’ new EQC is an under-the-radar EV revolutionary.
Bar some slightly tacky (and, thankfully optional) blue detailing and the lack of an exhaust, it looks normal. On the inside there’s no innovative packaging or EV minimalism, just a snug and beautifully built Mercedes cockpit. Jump in, push the start button, prod the thing into drive and, bar some whirring and the fact that the car’s rich seam of drive is entirely step-less, you’d even be forgiven for thinking the EQC wasn’t even electric. So, the EQC is not radical. But is it any good?
Performance & drive Like many of its rivals, the EQC’s power, torque and all-wheel-drive (one motor per axle) configuration do a great job of masking its huge weight (nearly two and a half tonnes, of which a quarter is the underfloor slab of battery). In city driving its effortless acceleration and impressive refinement are a pleasure, but it’s on the open road that the Mercedes really impresses. Overtakes are the work of
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Motoring moments and noise and vibration are so well suppressed they’re virtually eliminated (the front motor unit is rubber-mounted twice, both with its subframe and then between the subframe and monocoque). The EQC’s turn of speed is a result of its juicy 80kWh battery (lovingly cooled and warmed as required by the car’s systems) and the two motors, the front tuned for efficiency and the rear for performance. The car constantly juggles power flow between the two, being front-wheel drive much of the time but managing to feel rear-driven.
Range 259 miles (WLTP) compares with the Merc’s two direct rivals, the Audi and the Jaguar, and of course the actual range will depend on your usage, particularly ambient temperature and driving style. But Mercedes
has put a lot of work into easing range anxiety. The driver’s display clearly communicates your real time consumption and remaining range, while a number of drive modes mean that, if you’re starting to fret, you can head for Max Range. Choose it, and hold the right shift paddle (now responsible for cycling through the EQC’s five levels of regenerative braking) for D auto, and the EQC will now work to maximise its efficiency and yours, urging you to back off when, via nav data and traffic sign recognition, it calculates that any more throttle will simply go to waste.
Interior space You’d think so since there’s no engine or gearbox to find room for but not so much. The boot’s big and the EQC’s hardly claustrophobic, but there’s little packaging magic here. In fact, the cockpit architecture is almost cosy - no bad thing, but it’s an approach in stark contrast to Tesla’s roomy minimalism. The interior fit and finish is extremely good (a metric on which Tesla disappoints) and, if you fork out for one of the higher spec levels and the £1695 Driving Assistance Package Plus bundle, the EQC’s armed with a raft of labour-saving and safety-boosting tech like active cruise, active steering assist, active braking assist and evasive steering assist.
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Driving experience ‘Fun’ would be pushing it. The Tesla Model 3 and Jaguar i-Pace respond to being driven keenly, while the EQC merely puts up with it until you decide to slow down. It’s heavy, you sit high, the steering’s numb and there’s no clever anti-roll control, all of which mean this isn’t a car in which to get too carried away.
buyers keen to go electric but worried about the switchover. In every detail, from the way it drives through to the comprehensive aftersales package, the EQC is like a giant comfort blanket painstakingly
crafted to allay your every EV fear. Such peace of mind doesn’t come cheap, of course, but who better to take the electric plunge with than the car maker that’s been around as long as the car itself.
Spec: Price when new: £65,640
But visibility is good, epic torque everpresent and there’s sack-loads of grip, making for a swift and hassle-free ally across hundreds of miles of real road in all weathers. And if that sounds like the kind of praise levelled at many of Mercedes’ cars over time, that’s no coincidence. After all, while the EQC might be electric, it’s a Mercedes first and foremost.
On sale in the UK: Now
Verdict
Weight / material: 2425kg/steel and aluminium
The EQC isn’t as boldly innovative as an i-Pace or Model X but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a very good car. What’s more, it feels tailor-made for
Dimensions (length/width/height in mm): 4761/1884/1624mm
Engine: Twin e-motors, 80kWh lithium-ion battery, 396bhp, 564lb ft Transmission: Single-speed reduction, all-wheel drive Performance: 0-62mph 5.1sec, 111mph, 22.2 kWh/100km, 0g/km CO2
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October Horoscopes Aries (March 21-April 19)
You could encounter some rather unexpected changes to your career path. Out of the blue you might be offered a new position. It will not be one you have applied for so it might come as a bit of a shock. The money is good - so go for it!
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
You will be very busy with stuff, sorting through your own things as well as those of other people, during this calendar month. You might have dealings with certain humanitarian causes where your past efforts will be recognised and rewarded. You could also be offered a leadership role, a promotion or a pay rise.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
This is a good time to take stock of your finances. You may have overspent in the last couple of weeks, which means you have little rainy day money. If you take the time to plan your spending more carefully, you could be surprised by how much you can save by simply sticking to a plan.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
This is a month for relaxing and taking life easy. If you haven’t thought of a holiday, a last-minute getaway would do you the world of good. You may suddenly feel tired, so take some time out. The money will flow easily this month and you will have plenty to spend on the things you enjoy.
Leo (July 23-August 22)
There could be a serious flirtation going on at work this month. Certainly, your heart will be fluttering and there will be butterflies in your stomach. You may toy with the idea of starting an affair. Passions will run high and you will feel on top of the world.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
An analysis of your monthly indicators for October reveal that you will be mentally alert and switched on to life in general over this period. You will find life invigorating and challenges in work will excite you.. Your voice will be heard by senior people and your talents and creativity will be noted.
Libra (September 23-October 22)
You will be celebrating your finances, since all your investments are doing well and you have nothing to worry about. Your monetary income remains steady and predictable and you will be able to see how your past financial planning has paid dividends.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Wow! What a lucky 30-day period for Scorpions! Now is the time to preen yourself and take centre stage. Get your hair done, buy yourself some new clothes and dedicate this month to making yourself look fabulous. Time will fly by like a whirlwind and you may feel that you don’t quite know what’s hit you.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
This is another very positive month for the archer star sign and you will find encouragement all around. People will want you to start a new business to show off your expertise. There will be many persuasive people who feel they can gain from following your lead.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
You will seem more energetic this month and ready to explore new horizons. Travel is forecast, on both the work front as well as the home front. You might become interested in a job relocation opportunity which suddenly arises.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
You will feel more like yourself this month because your stress levels will have reduced. You could be inclined to embark on a strict diet where you are promised results very quickly. Don’t be too easily fooled. With regular exercise and a sensible fitness regime, you can easily achieve your desired results.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
There could be a few niggles ahead as you try to keep a healthy work/life balance. You risk struggling to keep yourself from flying off the handle with work colleagues who lack your conviction. In your frustration, you may be inclined to snap at those closest to you. Please mention Inside Flintshire Magazine when responding to advertisements
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50
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