This years show is set to be even bigger than last years with last years Wall of Death, New Tank Rides & a Tractor Pull. Its the 20th Orllwyn Teifi Vintage Show and takes place on August Bank Holiday 2008 – Sunday 24th & Monday 25th with a Vintage & Collectables Auction at 12 Noon on Saturday 23rd August 2008.

Wheels-Near-U will be there to document the show and will also have a ringside area – We hope to see you there!

Please sponsor the brave duo by going to our Team Zebra page and clicking “Sponsor Team Zebra” – all the sponsorship money goes to a great cause – “Send a cow”, providing livestock where it is most needed!

To see the new photo’s of Team Zebra’s “zebra car” click here

]]> http://www.wheels-near-u.co.uk/blog/2008/05/23/team-zebra-car-comes-on-leaps-and-bounds/feed/ 1 http://www.wheels-near-u.co.uk/blog/2008/05/20/the-plight-of-rural-filling-stations/ http://www.wheels-near-u.co.uk/blog/2008/05/20/the-plight-of-rural-filling-stations/#comments Tue, 20 May 2008 12:14:38 +0000 Wheels Near U Team http://www.wheels-near-u.co.uk/blog/?p=116 “Tax-Man, Banks and Supermarkets are putting the squeeze on us” Says Jeff

Wheels Near U asks, what’s going on here?
I have been running the village garage and shop for the last 23 years now says Jeff, 23 years ago petrol was 30p per litre and the profit on that was 3p a litre so that was 10% profit on turnover, not bad I hear you say?
The thing is that now with fuel at today’s £1.10 plus per litre price the garage owners share is still only 3p per litre, so we are now down to less than 3% profit. If that was not tough enough, these day’s people often pay with credit cards so the banks then take between 1 % and 2%commission, this brings our profit down to between1 and 2%! And that’s before we pay rates and electricity bills etc. never mind staff! I don’t know how long we can keep going on these margins, says Jeff.

The Taxman and the banks are laughing!!
Every time the tax-man puts the tax up on fuel the credit card company’s make more without doing any more work because they charge between 1 and 2 % of the overall transaction! And already the government plans another 2p per litre rise in fuel tax in October !!

Do you know where your fuel pounds go?
The Tax man takes a whopping 75% (Duty and then VAT on top of the overall sale = 75%.)
The oil company’s share of around 22% (fair enough they have to produce and distribute.)
The independent retailer currently gets between 1 and 3 % depending on type of credit card used, if cash is paid then they may make 3% before overheads. Stick together or lose community services!

Whilst many motorists enjoy the convenience of filling up at the local station and support their owners, the average motorist is feeling the pinch and will often go out of their way to fill up at Supermarkets or Motor way services to save a few a few pence. Not realising that the price they may ultimately pay is the loss of their local garage and shop which is often the hub of community life. What’s needed in the absence of government support or action is for local motorists to be aware of the problem and give their support, in order to help keep up the volume of sales needed to prevent their local filling stations from closing.

Supermarket / Discounted fuel won’t help local motorists in the long run.
We don’t do mechanics so my garage can only survive as long as we sell plenty of fuel says Jeff, but this is threatened by competition from the Supermarkets who have a policy of selling at just bellow the independent filling stations price’s. We believe this is done in order to help entice customers to their stores and also corner the fuel market for themselves. No doubt if these supermarkets are successful in knocking out the small stations, then they would raise their prices! At which point motorists especially those living out of town would have to burn more fuel to reach fewer stations. Worse for the environment, bad for the community and no good for the local economy.

They wouldn’t stand for it in France says Jeff, there would be riots!!

More than 33 filling stations have stopped selling fuel within 30 miles of Llandysul alone. Since Jeff started trading here 23 years ago he has kept a list of garages that have stopped selling fuel or closed down within 30 miles of his filling station at Croeslan. And these are just the ones that Jeff has noticed!

Do you remember these filling stations?

Pontwelli and Highway in Llandysul, 2 in Pencader, Coedybryn, Penrewllan, Plwmp, there was 2 at Synod Inn now only one, 2 in Newcastle Emlyn (Adpar and the site which now has new houses on), 2 in Cardigan both within a stones throw of Tesco’s, 1 at Cwrtnewedd, Cwnalelfyd, Kings at Buela, Brongest, the Wern nr Newquay, Adams Garage Newquay, Cwmduad, 2 in Lampeter, (used to be two side by side), Cwman nr Lampeter, Llanllwni, Ffostrasol, Sarnau, Verwig, forge garage, 2 in Aberaron, 3 at Carmarthen, 1 on the way out towards Kidwelly flats and one where the new duel carriageway go’s through. Red Roses, Cwmcou, and Tafarn Bach Pontsian, Pentregat, And counting!

Wheels Near U speaks to other garage owners.
Wheels Near U Have spoken with 5 garages owners in the area and all say the same thing, it’s getting tougher! Each time there is a tax or raw oil price of 1 penny it costs them an extra £1000 to fill their storage tanks! ok they get this back by passing on the cost to the customers but the owner has to fund this extra £1000 up front without making any more them selves in fact they lose because they have to borrow more from the bank and pay the interest just to keep going!

Is it time for action??
Several garage owners quite rightly have suggested that if they all shut for just 1 day (to start with), this would get wide spread media attention and maybe then the government and or the oil industry would listen up and instigate some solutions. Perhaps one solution would be for the tax man to give a 1% discount/refund in fuel tax for rural locations, or a once a year rebate perhaps or maybe a WDA subsidy???. This could be done on green grounds as if local stations close then some motorists will have to drive significantly further to fill up causing more green house gas’s and costing the motorist more again in fuel!! Surely the government would not want to be seen causing more pollution whilst they gain more tax and the public spend more again??
Wheels near U Is committed to helping all motorists and trades associated with the motor industry and will be pleased to help the rural filling station owners however we can even if its just putting
like minded filling station owners in touch with each other. Please let us know by post email or phone if you would like to be involved or if you have any views on the subject. (Click here to contact us)

English Alan Hopkins is a third generation of motor mechanics that began serving the local community at Ty-Gwyn Garage over 60 years ago. John E Hopkins began by repairing agricultural machinery and welding work at the current site of the workshop and MOT Station during the war in 1944. He was renowned for his welding skills throughout the county. During the early years of the business he sold and repaired Elswick Bicycles. In 1958 he opened a petrol station and some years later with the help of his son an MOT station was authorised. In 1969 Ceredig was married to Tegwen and that saw the business being taken over mainly for MOTS, Services and Repairs – which was the main core for the next 20 years. Alan Hopkins left school in 1986 and took his apprentiship at Gravells of Kidwelly while attending Pibwrlwyd Technical College Carmarthen. Four years later Alan joined the family business and shortly after Dragon Service Station Llanon was purchased, which was an excellent addition to the existing premises as an ideal position (situated on the A487) for the sales of second hand vehicles. A new building was built at Ty Gwyn in the year 2000 which comprises of three service bays in addition to a drive through MOT facility of which is capable of testing classes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7. All preprations, service and after sales work is now done at the above premises while Dragon Service Station is a shop window for the sales of vehicles. In 2001 Alan was married to Carey who also plays an active part in the business being on the administration side whilst bringing up three young children- Trystan, Meleri and Steffan. Alan spends as much time as possible in the workshop carrying out repairs and servicing work and believes that the key to continued success and repeat business is the honest service their customers have received for nearly 70 years.

Cymraeg Mae Alan Hopkins yn perthyn i’r drydedd genhedlaeth o fodurwyr a ddechreuodd wasanaethu’r gymuned leol yn Garej Ty Gwyn dros 60 mlynedd yn ol. Dechreuodd John E Hopkins (tadcu Alan) drwy drwsio peiriannau amaethyddol a gwneud gwaith weldio ar y safIe lle mae’r gweithdy a’r orsaf MOT presennol yn ystod y rhyfel yn 1944. Roedd yn adnabyddus i bobl y sir am ei sgiliau weldio. Yn ystod y blynyddoedd cynnar roedd yn gwerthu ac yn trwsio beiciau Elswick. Ym 1958, agorodd orsaf betrol a rhai blynyddoedd yn ddiweddarach, gyda chyrmorth ei fab, cafodd y busnes ei chymeradwyo fel gorsaf MOT. Ym 1969, priododd Ceredig (tad Alan) â Tegwen ac am yr ugain mlynedd nesaf roedd y prif bwyslais ar roi gwasanaethau i gerbydau a’u trwsio dan y drefn MOT. Gadawodd Alan yr ysgol ym 1986 a gwnaeth ei brentisiaeth yn Gravells, Cydweli tra hefyd yn mynychu Coleg Trydyddol Pibwrlwyd, Caerfyrddin. Bedair blynedd yn diweddarach, ymunodd Alan â’r busnes teuluol ac yn fuan wedyn, prynwyd Garej Dragon, Llanon, a oedd yn gaffaeliad rhagorol i’r busnes presennol fel safle a oedd ar y brif ffordd (A487) ac felly’n ddelfrydol ar gyfer gwerthu ceir ail law. Codwyd adeilad newydd yn Ty Gwyn yn y flwyddyn 2000 sy’n cynnwys lIe ar gyfer gwasanaethu tri char a chyfleusterau MOT lle gellir profi dosbarthiadau 1, 2, 3, 4, a 7. Caiff yr holl waith paratoi, trwsio a gwasanaethu ei wneud bellach ar y safle newydd yma tra bod Garej Dragon yn Llanon yn ffenestr siop ar gyfer gwerthu cerbydau. Ym 2001, priododd Alan â Carey, sydd hefyd yn chwarae rhan flaenllaw yn y busnes ar yr ochr weinyddol, tra hefyd yn magu tri phlentyn ifanc – Trystan, Meleri a Steffan. Mae Alan yn treulio cymaint o amser â phosib yn y gweithdy yn trwsio ac yn gwasanaethu ceir ac mae’n credu mai’r allwedd i fusnes hir a llwyddiannus yw’r gwasanaeth gonest y mae eu cwsmeriaid wedi’i derbyn ganddynt ers bron i 70 mlynedd .

You can visit Alan Hopkins Car Sales any time by stopping by their car showroom in Llanon or giving them a call on 01974 202 660.

Want to talk to us about motor trade solutions? Want your own car sales website? Give us a call on 01545 580 004.

Its that time of year again already, the weathers (slowly) warming up and the days are getting longer. With this slow introduction to the summer-time comes the beginning of the Car Boot Sale Season.

The Bwlch Y Groes Car Boot Sale starts on the 14th of March and will run every Friday afteroon at 3pm until further notice.  Situated between Croeslan and Ffostrosal on the A486 – The Bwlch Y Groes bootsale is on a great all round site for Carboot Sale’s – easy to find, with excellent amenities. There may also potentially be a farmers market at Bwlch Y Groes this year, possibly running on Saturdays.

Got something you want to announce on Wheels-Near-U?

Let us know by calling 01545 580 004 or using our Contact Form.

We have been spending November reshuffling the way we operate Wheels-Near-U to provide the all round best solution to everyone that uses the site. As a result we have decided to make all Private advertisements Free!!!That means if you are looking to sell a car, sell a bike, in fact sell anything with wheels – you can add it to Wheels-Near-U for free! There’s no catchs, small print or anything like that we just want to open up the site to everyone! Click here to add an Advert!

As part of this rollout we will also be announcing our new trade options, including a complete web service at a great price so if your in the trade then contact us so as we can inform you when we release our amazing new trade deals!

We have also gained several local trade sellers Hafod Trailers (Caerwedros), R.P. Whitfield (Pentregat), D.G.D Machinery (Llanfarian) and Tanygroes Car Dismantlers (TCD Salvage – Tanygroes) who are trying Wheels-Near-U out for free! – If you are a vehicle trader/buyer/seller then contact us to try selling your motors on Wheels-Near-U for free (limited free trial periods apply.)

If you would like to advertise your sale, sell a vehicle on wheels-near-u or simply get extended use of the site -

Register now!

Wheels-Near-U was there, we had a stand at ringside, several roaming reporters and also two Wheels-Near-U Girls. We would like to thank the organisers for putting on such an excellent event along with the collectors and exhibitors who kindly let us photograph their machines, the Wall of Death team who took our Wheels-Near-U Girl up on the wall, the owner of the Roughneck Monster truck and St.Johns ambulance who bandaged one of the Wheels-Near-U girls when she burnt her arm (not related to the wall of death ride or the monster truck!)

The Wheels-Near-U girls had rides on the Roughneck Monster truck, and one of them dared to ride a motorbike around the Wall of Death! To see more photos please view the gallery!

We took several hundred photographs, of which you can see the best ones in the Orllwyn Teifi Vintage Show Gallery (click any image below or click ‘Gallery’ on top menu.) The following is a tiny fraction of the images in the gallery:

We would like to say one last thank you to the car, motorbike and steam engine collectors who let us photograph thier prized vehicles, should you have any more details that we haven’t yet added to your vehicles (in the gallery) then please contact us and we can add them.

This years Orllwyn Teifi Vintage Show was a great event, with a huge turnout of public, classic cars, vintage bikes, steam engines and much more. Wheels-Near-U had a stand at ringside and was actively reporting on the show over the whole weekend.The Wheels-Near-U Girls had a ride on the monster truck (Roughneck), as well as a ride on the motorcycle Wall of Death.

We took over 600 photo’s of the whole event. We are in the process of adding them to the gallery – 2/3 are already up and to view the gallery please click the following:

Wheels-Near-U Gallery > Orllwyn-Teifi-Vintage-Show > 2007

We will provide further updates tomorrow on processing of the rest of the photographs along with a more full account of the weekend.

The Orllwyn Teifi Vintage Show in Croeslan (Between Llandysul and Synod Inn) is being held from today until monday and Wheels-Near-U is there. We will have a stand at the ringside, where you will be able to come and meet our Wheels-Near-U Girls, get them to list a vehicle or just discuss Wheels-Near-U.

We also have a roaming reporter at the show so will report on the events and vehicles at the show within the coming week.

Wales has some of the most interesting and picturesque drives in the UK. Starting with the drive from Aberystwyth to Rhayader we will be taking some of these excellent drive’s and along the way we will take plenty of photographs as well!

With huge scenery, impressive skies, interesting corners and good road surfaces – driving has never been so much fun! Whether your driving your car, motorbike or cycling – the roads are open to all forms of transport!

To view the photo’s of this drive click here (to view the gallery.)

We welcome all photo’s and stories from your own experiences of welsh driving (please send them in – contact details here.)

Our Car section is now getting bigger by the day, with lots of local used cars for sale. To help improve the customer experience we have also split an overly crowded category (previously Plant/Commercial/Trailers) into two: Vans/Trucks/Lorrys and Plant/Trailers. This should help everyone find what they are looking for a little easier.

We have also introduced Local Agents – People within our local community that will list your vehicle from £5 fee – They will do all the work photographing, noting car/vehicle details and entering them on Wheels-Near-U, which saves you time and effort! Click here For more information on Local Agents.

Local News stories are also available – in the last fortnight we have written about local collector Dai Thomas’s collection and  added the photographs to the new Wheels-Near-U Gallery as well as started a weekly named ‘Motor Critic of the Week’ whereby we hand pick the best motoring quotes from the weeks media! All our news stories will appear on the homepage and our blog, and we are always looking for local authors to write for us – so if you would like to contribute – contact us here!

We have advertisements in several of the local papers in the motoring sections as well as several ads in the Monthly Advertiser. You may also have seen our signboards dotted around or heard our sponsored radio ceredigion drive time slot – by Mark Simon. Mark Simon has been providing some great motor themed radio with ‘Marks Motoring Monday‘ in which Mark randomly picks a vehicle from the site to promote! This Monday gave information about one of the cars for sale on Wheels-Near-U (2002 Vauxhall Corsa Club £2995.)

We would like to thank everyone that has helped so far and welcome comments and questions about Wheels-Near-U.

Please click here for an online contact form or call us locally on 01545 580 004. 

Once the wheels-near-U advert Photographer got passed past the work vehicles (tidy Vans!) to photo this tax exempt 1972 MG B GT ready for sale on our web site he was amazed to find out that Dai is an avid collector of all things on wheels. This got them talking and snapping away ten to the dozen, is this the tip of the ice burg of interesting wheels to be found in garages and barns across Ceredigion?

One of our ideas at Wheels-Near-U is to put together a photo gallery of classic and interesting motors for our readers, but also then to act as a base to agencies around the world whose job it is to find and hire Vehicles of all types for films, TV, music Videos and special events. Classic Cars, Classic Bikes and more!!!

Our computer systems will send a reminder email to these agencies every time a new Ceredigion collector ads to the gallery. Any enquiries for film work etc. will be passed on to the collector and all we ask is that we can cover the story!

A few quid towards up keep would be great says Dai but earning money from his collection is not what its all about, Dai has saved, restored and maintained many classic and high performance motors over the years and thinks that it would be a new buzz to see the fruits of his labour on screen and shared with the public.

Dai says road bikes are his favourite particularly his 2006 Triumph 1050cc, Sports tourer, though he is thinking of changing this for a Triumph Daytona 675 Sports.

So what’s the most fun? That’s hard to define, caravanning with the family and exhibiting at a steam rally are great, as are the ride’s on the modern high performance bikes that Dai and his mates often take off on! this probably gives the most hours of motoring pleasure. When the winter comes, then there is always a rewarding project to get on with in the purpose built garage workshop or a blat on the scrambler. What a lot a wheels! Let’s hope he never grows up!

If you have any items you would like to share with other enthusiasts or publicise for film use etc. then please do not hesitate to email your photos and details or contact Wheels-near-U ..Any time!

Dai’s wheels… (click here to continue reading)

Mini Van, 1968 tax exempt usable classic

• 1380 cc (bored out 1275cc stage 2engine).
• Straight cut gearbox.
• Modified suspension.
• This motors fast and sticks to the road like supper glue!
• Dai intends to sign write it with the Roy Thomas logo. We are sure that it will grab attention.

MG BGT, 1972 Tax exempt usable classic – For Sale on Wheels-Near-U

• 1800cc.
• Twin carbs.
• Stainless steel exhaust.
• Overdrive.
• Classic insurance.
• Loads of history.

MG Convertible, 1975

• 1800cc
• Being kept as an investment.

1972 Norton 750 sportster Tax exempt

• Go’s like stink!

1950 Matchless

• Ongoing project.

1982 Suzuki 650 GT

• Shaft driven.
• Sometimes takes out in the winter.
• Also Has 1985 version breaking for spares

1978 Honda 400/4 Sport

2006 Triumph Sprint 1050 sports tourer (ABS model)

• Heated Grips.
• Side panniers.
• Full history.
• For Sale on Wheels-Near-U for £6500

Montesa trials bike 250cc

• Belongs to Dai’s son Steve
• Good fun good wheelies!

Mini shell. Remnants of scrapper used for parts on the mini van

• To be done up by local kids for jalopy racing.

1933 Pioneer 2 ½ ton ex council road roller

• Still go’s well, used to keep the field flat!

4” Burrell traction engine

• ¼ size working model.
• Original engine designed in the 1800’s
• Can pull 3 tons on the tarmac!
• Showing at the 2007 Dorset show.

To view Dais Whole collection click the following to go to the gallery (or click on one of the vehicle titles above)

http://www.wheels-near-u.co.uk/gallery2/v/collectors/dai/

Wheels-Near-U is now the proud sponsor of Radio Ceredigion’s Mark Simon’s Drive time show

(Aired Monday to Friday 4-7pm. 103.3, 97.4 and 96.6 FM. )

Starting from today Mark will be offering his usual award winning drive time show, but with the addition of a few wheel related pieces! so if you are driving home – think radio ceredigion for the best local drive time – For more information see our ‘Local Media‘ page where you can listen to our promo!

When we got a flat on one of our advertising trailers we went strait to local tyre specialist G. W. Tyres

Always offering great service with a smile, he is our choice locally and whatever the type of wheel/tyre G. W. Tyres is sure to be able to fix it, from small trailer wheels to car wheels to huge truck tyres and agricultural machines.

G.W. Tyres is in the Wheels-Near-U Ceredigion Directory in the category Tyres and exhausts Specialists. Based in Llanarth, he is contactable on 01545 580346.

Whatever the local service if its wheel related we want to know about it! So if you know someone that should be in the directory – check if they are – and if they aren’t there yet add them! you will get full credit for entries, helping the Wheels-Near-U to be a Real local community directory. Category’s stretch from Mechanics to Auctioneers, Tyre and Exhaust Specialists to Taxi Firms!

Think you could write for Wheels-Near-U? or got an interesting Wheel related story? Let us know by clicking here.
To view the Ceredigion Directory click here.

To view G.W. Tyres in the Directory click here.

To view people that have contributed to Wheels-Near-U already click here.