A dog walker at Camp Road with the message in the field above
Dogged determination to spell out message in Sutton
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come in for some ‘ruff’ treatment at a Sutton Coldfield dog care centre.
Straw bales were rearranged to spell out a message to the embattled PM, which caused some amusement.
Passers by and users of Pawpounders Dog Daycare on Camp Road, Sutton Coldfield, saw the ‘Sack Boris’ message spelled out on one of their fields.
On its website, the firm says: “We are the only five-star rated licence holder in Sutton Coldfield awarded to select companies that have proved to offer over and above the standard licence regulations with an in depth procedure manual and procedures in place to ensure your dog is in very safe hands.”
AS we slowly come out of the pandemic, millions of Britons will be thinking of taking their first holiday abroad in possibly three years. There are many favourites, but the Canary Islands offers a number of fascinating alternatives. Not least the island of Lanzarote. Here we highlight 10 charming places that don’t appear in the guidebooks to Lanzarote
Observe life. Dwell on the details. Choose alternative routes. Sound good to you? Today we present a route that you won’t find in the tourist reviews of Lanzarote and that you simply must try.
If your wanderlust leads you to hanker for a local experience, you’ve come to the right place.
Simón Bolivar Park
Strolling under the flamboyant flame trees that guard Simon Bolivar Park is one of the sweetest pleasures of the interior of Arrecife. The red flowers and the refreshing shade of these trees create a canopy for the walker.
The sculpture that pays homage to Liberator of America was inaugurated in 1982 and placed in the heart of this park in the neighbourhood of La Vega. Bolivar had Canarian ancestors, connected to Garachico and the island of Lanzarote.
A school, a high school, a bookshop, a gym and a good number of bars and bakeries with their Iberian mini-rolls, sandwiches and sweet potato doughnuts make this a place packed with domestic life – the perfect place to stop to rest and watch local life go by.
It is difficult to imagine, but the reality is that these large blocks of rock that stand out among the badlands like small mountains (some reach 30 metres in height) are fragments from the destruction of one side of the La Corona volcano.
These huge rocks were blown several kilometres in that eruption 25,000 years ago. Looking at them is like looking at a fossil, a testimony of the island’s essence.
The Tinajo sundial
Long before smartwatches and pocket watches, tower clocks and sundials were in use on Lanzarote and in the rest of the world.
At the top of the Church of San Roque, in Tinajo, is the second oldest sundial in the Canary Islands. Small, white and made of Canary Island pine wood, it was made by a sailor from La Vegueta in the 19th century and has a commanding inscription engraved on the back: “Sr. Cura: consérvese” (Father Priest: keep well).
Take a stroll around the Plaza de San Roque and start walking along the Avenida de Los Volcanes. A two-kilometre walk past shops selling local products (fruit, cheese, craft beer, fish) awaits us. We picked up a sandwich of pata (roast pork) and goat cheese that we enjoyed placidly in front of the Mirador de Guiguan, contemplating the terraces etched on the land by the farmers of Tinajo.
The golden light of Montaña Tesa
At least once in your life you just have to enjoy a sunset in a valley of La Geria.
Today, why not follow secondary roads to reach Masdache via Güime and Montaña Blanca?
At the crossroads, turn left, leaving Bodegas Vega de Yuco behind you, until you come to an old farmhouse that still has its foundations and the channels that carry the water from its rainwater cistern.
Olive trees, peach trees, fig trees, vines, hollyhocks, gorse, prickly pears, fennel, lichen… The path is dotted with life. If you stop a moment to silence your footsteps crunching on the volcanic lapilli, you will hear the trill of the multitude of birds that inhabit this natural space.
Paseo costero: de Puerto Naos a Las Caletas
Leave Marina Lanzarote and pass the Fishing School, one of the best nautical centres in Europe. In operation since 1942, the functional concrete building was designed by the architects Laorga and Zanón.
Next door is the Nao brewery, with its award-winning craft brews, and several bars in front of the Monument to the Martyrs of the Sea and the beautiful sloop María del Rosario, a coastal vessel from the early 20th century.
The bar of the fishermen’s guild of San Ginés marks the beginning of a number of small bars where you can enjoy platters of freshly caught fish. A mural designed by local artist Santiago Alemán and painted on a wall of an old factory pays homage to the essential role played by women in the history of this city.
On this walk full of saltpetre and history you will see the Naos salt mines, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo-Castillo de San José, the native plants of Punta Chica, a house full of jolateros (small rowing boats made from recycled drums). If you follow the Paseo de los Mármoles and the Avenida de las Caletas, you will come to the ship Telamón, a Greek lumber tanker that has been semi-sunken in these waters since 1981.
In search of traditional architecture
Casa Ajei de San Bartolomé is a beautiful example of 18th century rural architecture, with Mediterranean and American influences. It stands out for its grand stone staircase that connects with the sobrado (upper floor) and its balcony made of Canary Island pine wood.
On the outskirts of the village, the Mayor Guerra mansion was built in 1770 on a hill overlooking the harbour of Arrecife. The coat of arms at the entrance is made of white marble. We were captivated by the main door, decorated with quatrefoils, and the large round balcony framed by a carved stone arch.
In front of the hermitage of San Juan, in Haría, you can see a restored house with beautiful circular sgraffito vesica piscis (Latin for bladder of a fish) or mandorlas, sacred symbols since at least the time of Pythagoras.
The conclusion of these walks? That it takes a lifetime to discover the treasures that Lanzarote holds around every corner.
Sometimes it’s good to wander around aimlessly, ask the locals and let yourself be surprised.
Karen Williams received an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list
Sutton-based Karen awarded OBE for helping children fleeing domestic violence
The founder of a Sutton Coldfield-based charity, that helps children fleeing domestic violence has been formally presented with her OBE by the Princess Royal.
Karen Williams, founder of the Buddy Bag Foundation, was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list in 2021 for services to the victims of domestic violence.
She said: “Karen said: “On receiving the news that I was to be awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list I was both shocked and surprised, then as it sunk in honoured and extremely grateful.
“I will be forever indebted to my parents who taught me that if something is worth achieving then it is worth working for, as well as the importance of focus and positivity.”
Buddy Bag Foundation co-founder Chris Williams added: “We are delighted to see Karen get this award. Everyone at the charity is so proud of all her achievements and to be recognised in this way is fantastic as she has always been extremely dedicated to helping others.”
Achieving something special
Karen collected her award on 9 February in a ceremony at Windsor Castle. She said: “Receiving this accolade has been an absolute privilege. My dream six years ago was to set up a charity that could and would make a real and meaningful difference to children in emergency care.
“With the assistance and support of all our volunteers we have realised this dream.
“Thank you to all our volunteers and supporters. Together we have achieved and are continuing to achieve something truly special.”
The charity is now based in Minworth near Sutton Coldfield.
The Buddy Bag Foundation provides a bag of essential items to children who find themselves in emergency accommodation after fleeing domestic violence. Often, they are forced to leave home in a rush and arrive at the accommodation with none of their belongings. Since the charity began in 2015, 100 percent of the donations have been given to the children.
In December 2021 the foundation’s team of volunteers celebrated as they passed the milestone of packing over 40,000 Buddy Bags.
Karen said: “This achievement far exceeded our initial target; we can now look to the future with optimism at the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
St Giles Hospice nurse Charlotte Griffiths says a big thank you to all who supported the raffle
St Giles Hospice is thanking kind-hearted people in the local community for helping it to start 2022 on a high note after its Christmas raffle raised more than £100,000.
The money raised by the raffle will be used to fund care and support for patients, and their families, living with a terminal illness.
Elinor Eustace, Income Generation Director at St Giles Hospice, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed by the kindness of our supporters who showed the true spirit of Christmas with their generosity this year.
“By playing our Christmas raffle and making additional donations on top of their ticket purchases our supporters have raised an amazing £101,363, which will make a huge contribution towards funding care services for the families we support.
“This is the fourth successive Christmas raffle to raise more than £100,000, which is a fantastic achievement. It takes a community to make a hospice and our raffle total shows how vital our local supporters are, year-on-year, in helping to keep our services running.
“Our summer and Christmas raffles have been more important to us than ever over the last two years, as our other fundraising income has been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we can’t thank people enough for continuing to support St Giles.”
Sutton Coldfield mum Rebecca Horton-Worby helped St Giles to promote the raffle to thank the hospice for looking after her mum, Sandra Horton, who was admitted to St Giles Hospice on Christmas Eve in 2018 for end-of-life care.
Rebecca, from Boldmere, and her sister Abbie were grateful to St Giles for helping to make their mum’s last Christmas special and for supporting the whole family during Sandra’s final days. The hospice had also previously cared for Rebecca’s nan, Cynthia Rose, and Cynthia’s husband , Ken.
Rebecca said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who played this year’s Christmas raffle. Your generosity makes a huge difference to local patients and their families at a time when they need the hospice’s support the most.
“You never know when you or a family member or friend will need to call on St Giles and we want to make sure that the hospice will be there in future to offer families like ours the care and support that St Giles provides both at Christmas time and throughout the year.”
Prizes in this year’s Christmas raffle included a jackpot of £8,000, a second prize of £2,000 and other fantastic prizes. The top prize was scooped by a lucky winner living in Kingsbury.
St Giles runs two raffles each year in addition to the weekly lottery, providing vital income for the hospice. It costs more than £10 million every year to provide the care St Giles offers and, with little more than a third of this total funded by the Government, the hospice relies upon the generosity of the local community.
Anyone who doesn’t want to wait until the summer raffle for their next chance to support the hospice and win a prize can play the St Giles Hospice lottery, which is drawn each week. For details visit http://www.stgileshospice.com/lottery
For more information about St Giles Hospice and the expert care it provides, please visit http://www.stgileshospice.com
The Corsican pine felled and stacked neatly at Manorial Wood off Worcester Lane in Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust to re-stock Manorial Wood
Thousands of new trees are to be planted after a picturesque wood in Sutton Coldfield was cleared of its trees. Now a local charity has pledged to repopulate the area with a new species of trees after felling the woodland sparked local anger and bewilderment.
Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust is set to launch the next phase of its progressive plans to replant with English deciduous broadleaved trees at Manorial Woods on Worcester Lane, Four Oaks – one of the Trust’s own private woodlands.
The entire site will be restocked, in mid-March, with 4,500 trees of both UK-grown hardwoods and an intimate mix of conifers to aid the establishment of the crop – following the recently harvested Corsican Pine.
The Corsican pine piled highThe cleared woodland in Sutton
This will increase the hardwood area of the wood by more than 50 per cent of all trees, which will sequester carbon for decades and provide an improved habitat for plants and wildlife.
The decision to fell and replace the trees came after seeking specialist forestry advice over the past two to three years, which revealed that the previous crop of Corsican Pine had reached its potential and would have gone into decline – causing increased safety issues and fire risks to nature and local residents, due to lack of vegetation and plants.
Tina Swani, chief executive of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, said: “This woodland was made up of Corsican pine, which was deliberately planted for harvesting to be cut down in a time when wood production mattered much more than habitat. Unfortunately, this means the woodland floor had become laden with pine needles and very little was growing and when the pine needles dry, they can become a real fire risk.
Tina Swani
“In order to restore this area, we are planting the whole space with a greater number of English broadleaved trees – a mix of species – and we’re planting more trees than have been felled. This will help to increase the biodiversity in this wood, a richer mix of plant life on the woodland floor and a greater range of wildlife living in these woods.
“This project will greatly enhance the environment for generations, not just decades, to come. That, in turn, will create a much better environment for people, for the wildlife, and for quality of the air.”
Robert South, timber harvesting director at Bronwin and Abbey, said: “Landowners play a key role in the sustainable use of natural resources. Carbon neutral jobs, homes and communities will be delivered, through stewardship of the land, and a view to improving nature and biodiversity.”
Timber harvested from the site will be used in construction, fencing and power supplies, with products embedded with carbon and residues used for power and heat – reducing the need for fossil fuels.
The principal objectives of the Trust are the provision of Almshouses, the distribution of funds and other measures for the alleviation of hardship and other needs for inhabitants and organisations within the boundaries of the former Borough of Sutton Coldfield.
The Trust’s origins can be traced back to Tudor times. Throughout a long history it has improved the lives of generations of people in Sutton Coldfield, particularly those in the greatest need. It has sustained its core priority to alleviate suffering, while redefining and extending its benefits to reflect changing times and needs.
2022 GETS OFF TO AN INK-REDIBLE START FOR MERE GREEN RESIDENTS AT GIGGLING SQUID
Thai cuisine fans in Mere Green are in for a tasty treat as award-winning restaurant chain, Giggling Squid, announces the launch of a brand-new breakfast menu, exclusive to its Mere Green restaurant.
Trialing the delicious new offering at Giggling Squid Mere Green before looking to expand across further Giggling Squid locations, the new breakfast menu includes flavourful Morning Fuel Juices, Giggling House Smoothies, Breakfast Bowls, Thai Specialties and Classic Dishes, all sure to get those taste buds tingling at the start of the day.
Available from 31st January between 8.30am and 11am daily, the delectable breakfast menu features fragrant and light Thai dishes alongside more classic brunch favourites, served with a Thai twist.
From the Coconut Pancake Stack and Brekkie Bao Buns to Thai Omelette Wedges and Mango & Coconut Porridge, Mere Green residents will be spoilt for choice when it comes to their next breakfast or brunch outing.
Andy Laurillard, CEO comments: “We’ve been wanting to launch our breakfast menu for a while. Thai food lends itself well to fresh and flavoursome dishes to start the day. We’ve been so pleased with the response to our food since launching in Mere Green and can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of this new idea.”
Giggling Squid Mere Green is located at 9 Mulberry Walk, Sutton Coldfield, B75 5BS and is open 09.30 – 22:00 Mon-Thu, 09.30 – 22:30 Fri-Sat and 09.30 – 21:30 Sun.
The upgraded international standard hockey pitch has been completed at Wyndley Leisure Centre in Sutton Coldfield.
Wyndley Leisure Centre is one of the official training venues for Birmingham 2022.
Sports such as hockey, triathlon and Para triathlon will use the centre ahead of the Games and the improved facilities will be used by the community after Birmingham 2022.
Training venues play a pivotal role in any athlete’s preparation in the build up to a major event, and Birmingham 2022 has ensured that world-class venues, which will replicate each sport’s competition venue, have been selected.
Wyndley was previously announced as the training venue for triathlon, Para triathlon and hockey, with the existing hockey pitch being upgraded to a Federation International Hockey (FIH) standard pitch, to replicate the playing surface at the University of Birmingham, the hockey competition venue. Improvements are also being made to the fencing and floodlights on the site.
As well as ensuring that the teams invited to compete at the Commonwealth Games have excellent training facilities, the improvements will have a long-lasting benefit for local community groups, schools and local hockey players too, such as those from Sutton Coldfield Hockey Club, who are based at the site.
The club’s members include Jane Sixsmith, who won a silver medal as part of the Team England hockey team at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Jane said: “It’s very exciting news that Wyndley Leisure Centre has been selected as an official training venue for the hockey teams competing at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“Not only will it be inspiring for members of the club to know that our home pitch will be used by some of the global stars of hockey, but it also means that the facilities we use are receiving a significant upgrade, so we’ll have an international standard pitch to play and train on – it’s a fantastic legacy for the Games.”
Wyndley Leisure Centre is owned by Birmingham City Council and operated by Birmingham Community Leisure Trust.
The improvements at Wyndley include the athletics track on site being refurbished.
Destination back on tourist map as travel restrictions eased
Following Egyptair re-starting its direct flight from Heathrow to Luxor in November last year, a wealth of new attractions opening and the 100th anniversary of the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb Egypt is back on the tourist map for 2022.
Philip Breckner from Discover Egypt said they have seen a surge in enquiries and bookings so far this year. He said, “Pent up demand for holidays since the pandemic and the fact Egypt represents excellent value is inspiring people to tick this destination off their bucket list in 2022. Above all there are no Covid related entry requirements other than being double vaccinated.
“There is so much going in Egypt with new openings and anniversary celebrations, along with the chance to visit some of the world’s most fascinating antiquities that make Egypt hard to beat as a holiday destination.”
LATE DEAL: 07 February 2022 on board a luxurious Dahabiya
The newly-introduced and well-appointed Jaz Yakouta
Internationally recognised for its wealth of historic attractions and outstanding leisure facilities, Egypt is a world-class tourist destination, attracting everyone from culture-seekers to sunworshippers to party lovers too. Enjoy a seven nights 5-star luxury Nile cruise, including scheduled flights from Heathrow, transfers, accommodation on full board and 10 guided excursions with an Egyptologist on board a Dahabiya, a traditional Egyptian sailing boat with specialist Discover Egypt. The newly introduced and well-appointed Jaz Yakouta features six spacious cabins and is ideal for a celebration such as a special birthday or wedding anniversary with friends and family. Prices for a 7-night cruise start from £1,988 per person, saving 15 per cent on the listed price of £2,347 per person. This special offer is available for the 07 February 2022 departure. Discover Egypt offers pre or post cruise stays in Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, El Gouna and Soma Bay for those that want to explore Egypt further. For more information and to book contact Discover Egypt on 020 7407 2111 or http://www.discoveregypt.co.uk
Mr Breckner outlines why Egypt should be on people’s travel list this year:
New openings – the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum – a state-of-the-art complex based outside of Cairo is due in November 2022. The museum will be the largest archaeological museum in the world with more than 100,000 artefacts, including King Tut’s entire treasure collection displayed for the first time.
In Luxor holidaymakers will also get the chance to visit the Grand Avenue of the Sphinxes, a 3,000-year-old ancient road which is lined with around 700 sphinxes that have been excavated and connect Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple. This opened at the end of 2021 and the 1.7-mile road is now one of the world’s largest ancient sites.
The National Museum of Egyptian Culture, the NMEC, also opened on 03 April 2021. A joint venture between Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities with UNESCO. The main feature is the Royal Mummies, which were recently transferred from the Egyptian Museum
Hundredth anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb – Howard Carter led the team of archaeologists that found Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. Holidaymakers can visit the house where Howard Carter lived which also features a replica of King Tut’s tomb. Discover Egypt can offer this as a stand-alone half day excursion for those staying in Luxor, including a visit to the Valley of the Kings and Queens in the West Bank of Luxor with an Egyptologist, for £77 per person.
Classic Nile cruises and city stays – Discover Egypt offer a wide selection of Nile cruises for 2022 that include visiting many of Egypt’s famous attractions, which can also be combined with city stays in Cairo and Luxor for the chance to visit some of these new attractions.
The lead in price for a 7-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan is from £1,245 per person on the five-star MS Tulip, which includes flights, full board cruise and 10 guided excursions. A 14-night holiday including a 7-night cruise and 7-nights in Luxor starts from £1,525 per person. All flights are direct from Heathrow.
The Ultimate long cruise is back too for 2022 which cruises the length of Egypt and is the ideal way to see the best of Egypt’s sites along the Nile from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan. Prices for an 11-night cruise start from £3,185 per person.
Celebrate on the Nile in style
New for 2022 is the chance to book a Nile cruise on a traditional Egyptian sailing boat called a Dahabiya. The well-appointed Jaz Yakouta features six spacious cabins and is ideal for a celebration such as a special birthday or wedding anniversary with friends and family. Prices for a 7-night cruise start from £2,437 per person.
Discover Egypt offers pre or post cruise stays in Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, El Gouna and Soma Bay for those that want to explore further, including visiting several of the world’s top diving sites.
For more information and to book contact Discover Egypt on 020 7407 2111 or www.discoveregypt.co.uk
Race for Life runners will be in Sutton Park in May
PEOPLE are being invited to kick start their fitness and help beat cancer by signing up to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Sutton Coldfield.
The charity’s much-loved events are returning and anyone who joins before the end January can claim a special 50 per cent off the entry fee by using the code RFL22J50.
The Race for Life series kicks off for the first time in Sutton Park with 5k and 10k events taking place on Sunday, May 8. Further events will take place across the region until Saturday, July 16. Adults and children of all ages can choose from 3k, 5k and 10k Race events as well as several 5k Pretty Muddy obstacle courses.
Every year around 34,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the West Midlands* region and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime. **
Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer – helping to save more lives.
Paula Young, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Sutton Coldfield, said: “Everyone can play their part to help beat cancer.
“January is the perfect time for people to commit to getting a little more active. By signing up to Race for Life, there’s the chance to raise money for life-saving research. Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life.
“Our Race for Life events are open to all. For some people, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. Slow and steady still wins. For others, it’s a jog. Others may opt to push themselves harder and take part in the 10K distance. But what is for certain is we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages and abilities. Race for Life will be fun, emotional, colourful, uplifting and an unforgettable event this year.”
Race for Life events across the UK this year will follow current government guidance to protect against COVID-19. Hand sanitiser will be provided at all events.
Paula added: “We hope that none of our Midlands Race for Life events are cancelled in 2022 and we will do everything we can to keep people safe. If we do have to cancel any of our events we will let participants know as soon as possible and they will be entitled to a full refund.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.
Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health Campaigns at Tesco, said: “This will be our 21st year in partnership with Cancer Research UK and Race for Life and we hope this year can be the biggest yet.”
Diesels have had a bit of kicking in the last few years, but are still being produced by executive brands like Audi.
Almost entirely lacking in diesel clatter, but delivering in spades when it comes to economy and low CO2 emissions, they are still a serious option, certainly until 2030 when new sales are due to be phased out. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to drive them after 2030, however, so they are still a longer term option.
The A5 has been around a few years now, a smart, coupe-Like design, disguising loads of space and challenging anything on the road for style.
When it looks that good, revisions need to be subtle and the latest incarnation still features the low, almost predatory stance of the car, but now has a honeycomb grille that is wider and flatter, and ventilation slits which reference, says Audi, the classic Audi Sport quattro from 1984.
Headlights with LED technology come as standard, with Matrix LED headlights available from S line.
The interior is real premium quality with high-end soft-touch finish, paint black inlays with contrasting brushed aluminium trim and leather seats which feature the S-line ’S’ embossed into the head restraint.
It features the 12.3-inch cockpit-style dash, which is customisable via the multi-function steering wheel to three different views while the centrepiece is the touchscreen, which controls major functions like music, navigation and connectivity via smartphone.
In fact, the steering wheel controls have largely replaced the MMI dial on the central console, operating a number of functions.
Also Audi connect infotainment services deliver numerous web-based features such as up-to-the-minute news, Google Earth mapping and Street View and flight, weather, traffic and fuel pricing information.
It is well equipped, with the S Line version offering 19in alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, privacy glass, and stiffer, lowered suspension.
On the road, the car is a very able performer. The 163PS on tap from the two-litre unit propels the car to 60mph in a very respectable eight seconds, as it slips seamlessly through the seven-speed auto transmission.
The suspension in all A5 models has been tuned with an underlying emphasis on comfort but also an appropriately sporting bias, which delivers a thoroughly enjoyable driving experience, especially on tight, twisting roads. It is pretty frugal as well, with a real-world economy of around 50mpg.
It may look like a coupe, but there is still a generous amount of storage space, with 465 litres available which expands to a pretty cavernous, for the type of car, 1,300 litres with the rear seats folded.
In typical Audi style, it also boasts the latest hi-tech safety kit, from full suite of airbags to stability control, parking sensors, daytime running lights, assisted braking and pre-collision mitigation.
Quiet, powerful and frugal, the diesel is still a player.
Factfile
Audi A5 Sportback 35 TDI S tronic (163PS)
Price: £45,599
Mechanical: 163PS, 1968cc, 4-cylinder diesel engine driving front wheel via 7-speed S tronic auto transmission
Sutton Coldfield Life 