Sorted Magazine

Author: Val Fraser

  • Mind the gap: tackling debt

    Average household debt is at record levels, with more people finding their income doesn’t cover essential spending, fuelled by the cost-of-living crisis. There is help available, as David Chambers of Community Money Advice explains.

    In 1992, Heather Keates and her husband Tim experienced the sudden death of their five-month-old son Tom from a rare health condition. The family spiralled into debt and spent the next twelve years paying back over £30,000 with the care and support of their wider family, friends and local church. The Keates came close to losing everything, and Heather started thinking about other people who fall on hard times and have no-one to turn to for advice and help. 

    Heather’s Christian faith spurred her into action to set up a debt advice clinic in 1997 in West Sussex from which Community Money Advice was born, becoming a registered charity in 2003. Today, CMA’s network of over 160 Debt Advice and Connect Centres across the UK help more than 7,000 clients a year manage debts worth £71 million in total and make their money go further. 

    Community Money Advice is a major provider of face-to-face debt help and support free at the point of need, available to all who require it and live close to a nearby centre. It’s especially suited to those considered vulnerable, who struggle with their mental health or find the limitations of online or telephone-only services hard to cope with. CMA partners with lots of different organisations, creating a diverse centre network hosted by churches and community groups; embedded within housing associations and district councils; and aligned with foodbanks and social enterprises.

    At the heart of CMA’s debt help service are the 1,100 paid and volunteer centre staff who sit down with clients to listen and understand their money troubles. Giving clients the time and space to share their story and the burden of debt is a formative first step on the pathway to a debt-free future.

    CMA’s service finds its way into some unexpected places. Malcolm Lee volunteers at The Bridge Money Advice Centre in St Ives, Cambs, but sees clients in the neighbouring prison. HMP Littlehey is a Category C male prison with a population of 1,200. As part of rehabilitation and release planning, offenders can make an appointment with Malcolm to help deal with personal debts. 

    “Being on remand or serving a custodial sentence stops someone earning a living or receiving most state benefits, drastically cutting their personal income,” explains Malcolm. “Managing regular payments and sorting out arrears whilst inside, with little or no contact to the outside world, means we can stand in the gap. In the period leading up to their release, we discuss the various debt management options and enable a person convicted of a crime to learn basic money skills so as to be better prepared to manage their financial affairs. 

    “It can be really difficult for an ex-offender to adjust to being back in open society and move on with their life, particularly when they’ve spent a long time in jail. The opportunity to engage with that person in the lead up to release, and provide follow-on support through a local CMA centre, can make all the difference to getting themselves back on their feet and lessen the risk of re-offending.”

    Volunteer Malcolm Lee outside HMP Littlehey

    CMA centres are natural allies with foodbanks and social supermarkets, because recipients of food parcels and fixed-price baskets of cupboard essentials find it impossible to make ends meet. Claire Birdsall runs The Oaks Money Advice Centre within Blackburn Foodbank, part of the Trussell network. The centre has seen client numbers rise by 12% year on year, but it’s the higher proportion of clients with deficit budgets that’s more of a concern. As Claire explains, “Once a person signs up as a client, we do a deep dive into their household finances to produce a budget statement showing income, spending and personal debts. A household budget plan could often be adjusted to cover a one-off increase in an essential cost. However, the cost-of-living crisis has seen significant increases across the board on rent, energy, council tax, utilities, insurance, and transport – on top of food costs. Whilst the minimum wage and benefits have gone up, average incomes have not kept pace with annual inflation, and the gap between what’s coming in and what’s going out is getting bigger for more people. 

    “It’s an issue that can’t always be solved at a local level and needs a national plan of action to tackle the inequality and poverty a deficit budget only makes worse. Our goal is to take someone feeling at rock bottom and be that helping hand to overcome their financial hardship and continue doing it on their own without us. If they have no choice but to continue living with a deficit budget after coming to see us, they’ll end up back where they started and the cycle of debt won’t be broken.”

    CMA’s Policy & External Affairs Manager Steve Bolton acknowledges Claire’s experience is a growing one. “We know that not all people’s problems can be solved by our local centres, and there are underlying structural and systemic issues that are driving poverty and inequality. An example of this is the fact that so many of our clients struggle to make ends meet. CMA’s 2023 Impact Report shows that 67% of centre network advisers saw deficit budgets ‘very often’, and 24% saw them ‘often’. CMA is a strong voice within the debt advice sector and campaigns for change to alleviate financial hardship and lift people out of poverty. In order to push for change effectively, we also partner with other charities and think tanks. It is vital that we do all we can to address the root causes of debt, and ensure that those experiencing debt are treated with dignity and respect. CMA supports our network of centres and their clients by amplifying their voices to influence wider policy decision-making by regulators and government.”

    Research undertaken by Debt Justice in 2022 shows ethnically diverse British people are almost twice as likely to be in serious debt than their white counterparts (7% v 4%). An Office for National Statistics survey in 2023 into the cost-of-living crisis found just over half of Asian or Asian British adults, and 47% of Black, African, Caribbean, or Black British adults were finding it difficult to afford their rent or mortgage payments, compared with 33% among White adults.

    CMA has a handful of centres serving Muslim, Hindu and Afro-Caribbean communities but wants to see many more open to enable ethnic minority people plagued by debt get access to the help they need. CMA’s Business Development Manager, David Chambers is keen to find opportunities with suitable organisations interested in setting up a debt help service in their community. “CMA is run with a strong Christian ethos at its heart but partners with organisations of all faiths, or none, in an understanding of mutual trust and respect for one another’s values. What matters is joining forces to widen access to the expert help people need to deal with the misery of being in debt.”

    The London Borough of Enfield received the first of two Royal Charters in 1303 from King Edward I, nearly 90 years after the signing of the Magna Carta. According to the 2021 Census, Enfield’s population now stands at 338,000, with just under 30% identifying as belonging to ethnically diverse groups. The harsh realities of day-to-day life for many of the residents belies Enfield’s regal associations. Jubilee Central in Lumina Way is where you’ll find CMA’s Enfield Debt Centre. Opened in 2018, it’s part of a portfolio of support services available to the local community including fuel bank, befriending, school uniform project, addiction recovery, and foodbank. “It shows in stark terms the ripple effects of being in debt,” says John Franks, CMA’s COO. 

    “Falling into debt can be the result of mental health conditions, and being in debt can bring on mental health conditions. Lifestyle choices, the sudden loss of a loved one and unexpected changes in circumstances such as serious illness and unemployment are some of the main reasons behind the epidemic of personal debt sweeping across the UK. The cost-of-living crisis has drained away household savings built up during the pandemic, leaving more people without a safety net and fighting to keep their heads above water. For the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, the situation is often much worse.”

    CMA’s Debt Advice and Connect Centres are on the front line in the battle to defeat problem debt, offering free, unconditional and confidential advice. If you are struggling with debt or money worries, then visit communitymoneyadvice.com 

    CAN YOU HELP?

    If you are interested in helping others with money worries by establishing a local money advice service in your community, or in volunteering at a CMA centre local to you, please contact CMA’s business development manager in the first instance, by emailing: david@communitymoneyadvice.com 

    If you’d like to train to be a Budget Coach, to help family, friends and others in your community manage their household budgets, CMA offers a one-day online course, which will teach you budget management skills, and also when and how to identify a need for the help of a qualified debt adviser and how to make that referral. Contact: training@communitymoneyadvice.com

    All Photo Credits: Courtesy of CMA

  • Beyond the Banter: Astronomy sparks the imagination

    My friend is into ‘Astro Photography’. He regularly posts photos taken with a massive tele photo lens. They show the fantastic detail of craters on the moon, or night sky shots of galaxies far, far away. He takes great delight in explaining how many light years away these objects are and how long ago the light from a particular star started it’s journey to Earth. For all we know, that object may no longer exist yet we can see its light. If I’m honest, I can’t get my head round it all.

    Science Fiction stirs up my imagination to think about what life might be like in a future world or on a planet in some distant galaxy. Sci-fi and fantasy story writers somehow manage to free up from the constraints of the way most of us see things now and imagine a different future. It’s become a hugely popular genre of books and films.

    Documentaries have a similar effect. How amazing are the programmes which David Attenborough has made about life on this planet? Think of those weird looking creatures in far flung places or in the depths of the ocean. Unseen, unheard of, other worldly, yet real. So I find it surprising that despite all our 21st century progress in understanding, many dismiss thinking about an unseen spiritual world as irrelevant. Perhaps we need a restoration of imagination.

    Having said that, imagination is like a coin with two completely different sides. One side can lead to fear and the other to security. People two hundred years ago couldn’t have imagined machines which could fly, remedies for killer diseases, or cooking things without the need for a flame of some sort. A video call with someone on the other side of the world, would have been laughed at. Yet in our world, these things are taken for granted. Science and Technology have taken away the fear of much that was unknown.

    From what I read, the Greeks considered themselves a highly sophisticated and knowledgeable people yet they weren’t afraid of belief in the unknown. They understood that life had a spiritual dimension and they believed in something greater than themselves. Their knowledge still left space for imagining the unknown.

    An ancient letter written to the first century Greeks reads: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’. So what image do we have of the spiritual world today? Is it something for now, or do we reject it as irrelevant to modern life? Is it something to be fearful of? Does it deepen a sense of faith and hope? Or could it just spark our imagination?

    Main photo credit: Joe Hill 2021 (Heart and Soul Nebula)

  • Opinion: We all want to die with dignity

    Digital Editor’s Note: I’m pleased to welcome Tim Farron as our Sorted Magazine Guest Writer. Tim has been the Member of Parliament for Westmorland and Lonsdale since 2005 and served as the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party from 2015 to 2017. Tim is also the host of Premier’s A Mucky Business podcast, which unpacks the murky world of politics and encourages believers around the UK to engage prayerfully. He is the author of A Mucky Business: Why Christians should get involved in politics

    Tim writes: Next week, backbench Labour MP Kim Leadbeater will introduce a Private Members’ Bill to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill people.

    This will be a non-government bill, usually debated on a quiet Friday when most MPs are in their constituencies, and a route that rarely leads to a change in the law. However, sometimes a bill is given time to progress – and Keir Starmer has indicated his support to enable this, although the government will take a neutral position. MPs in all parties will be given a free vote.

    Of course, this is a contentious topic and I will discuss my concerns in the coming weeks. Today though I want to look at how Christians should engage with this debate.

    Firstly, we all come to this with our own beliefs, assumptions and experiences. I strongly oppose the legalisation of assisted dying but some Christians take the other view, and many people with no religious faith are as uneasy about the consequences of changing the law as I am.

    So we must reject the lazy assumptions of those such as the National Secular Society who have chosen to frame the debate in binary terms. They expressed support for the bill because it would “prevent those suffering from having their choices limited by other people’s religious beliefs”.

    Their call for “compassion not dogma” instantly dismisses ‘religious views’ as invalid and heartless. It shuts down debate rather than engaging with nuance.

    Their argument is that you can have your personal faith, but don’t impose it on others. But secularism isn’t neutral and no one is saying that secularists must keep their faith out of public policy! The secularist faith is that there is nothing beyond this life, no accountability and no enduring meaning. These are legitimate assumptions, but they are based on a faith, an unprovable belief, that they are true. This shows, to put it generously, a lack of self-awareness by those who believe that only people who attend a place of worship have faith.

    This approach insists that people whose worldview is informed by a religious faith must not use that worldview to inform public policy … while secularists are free to impose the outworkings of their faith and assumptions. I say this gently, but that’s a very inconsistent position. It doesn’t bear scrutiny and, I might add, it’s not very liberal!

    This is a hugely emotive subject. Many of us, me included, have personally experienced the suffering of loved ones from cruel and degenerative diseases, and of course we long to take this grief away. But we will not make better laws if each side digs into a tribal trench and starts hurling abuse at the other.

    I want to seek some common ground for a courteous national debate that encourages curiosity and respect on all sides.

    As Christians we must acknowledge that our society does not recognise authority where we do. Quoting scripture to an atheist will get us nowhere. But loving our neighbour by listening attentively, doing our utmost to understand another’s point of view, I hope will.

    So let’s recognise that people on both sides approach the issue from a sense of compassion.

    Those of us opposed to changing the law are neither callous nor uncaring. And we must show respect to others, refraining from labelling their views as an easy or even wicked option.

    Because we all desire dignity. Those in favour of assisted dying want to make it easier for people at the end of life to maintain self-respect in the face of pain and increasing dependence on others. This springs from a belief that we should have autonomy over our own bodies and, where possible, our own lives.

    As a Christian I believe in a dignity that is even richer and deeper. Dignity that is not found only in our abilities, mental capacity or control over our lives. Dignity that springs from the belief that each individual is a deeply loved, awesome creation of the living God, made in His image and therefore with intrinsic and unconditional worth.

    This debate touches the heart of what it means to be human. We do not speak much of death in our society. We are afraid of losing control over our bodies, of suffering and losing our self-worth. And without the assurance of God’s love or sovereignty, people are seeking a new concept of humanity, on human terms. As Bishop Robert Baron puts it, we are seeking to be ‘inventors of ourselves’.

    But if we believe that “God has set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), this explains why these deep concerns resonate on both sides of today’s debate. We are still a deeply Christian society at heart.

    This issue deserves careful, thoughtful and respectful discussion. In seeking to respond in this way, Christians can reject this debate as another outpost in the culture wars and instead place a renewed focus on the worth and deep value of each individual right to the end of their lives.

    Main Photo Credit: Getty images

  • A car to be reckoned with: The Cupra Formentor

    Cupra is the performance brand of Seat, so its cars will be familiar to those who know Seat’s range.

    But the Formentor is exclusive to Cupra – there is no bog-standard Seat version. It is a different beast, too, with aggressive looks and a mean face.

    There are plenty of trim levels, but it’s the 2.0 TSI VZ2 310PS version tested for this review.

    The VZ2 grade comes with 19-inch alloys, dynamic chassis control, smart interior lighting, LED lights, a 12-inch touchscreen with voice control and keyless entry/start. It also boasts SatNav, a DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital cockpit, lumbar support, sports pedals, an electric tailgate, a heated steering wheel and sports suspension.

    The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is linked to a seven-speed DSG automatic. The powertrain provides a good deal of performance, getting to 62mph in just 4.9 seconds, and the handling is excellent.

    This Cupra possesses an envious blend of comfort and performance, one that might push those seeking the former towards a SEAT Ateca and the latter towards a hot hatch. But that would be an injustice, as the Formentor has plenty of agility and doesn’t wallow about.

    Inside, the cabin impresses with plenty of soft-to-the-touch surfaces, an imposing steering wheel and a large infotainment screen. Frustratingly, though, there are few physical buttons. Instead, nearly everything is done through the touchscreen, which is inconvenient when moving. Mind you; the digital instrument display is nicely laid out, informative and customisable.

    You are not short-changed on space, either, with lots of room in the front and rear, plus decent headroom. However, the driving position is lower than expected, partly as you sit in, rather than on, the deep bucket seats.

    Four hundred and twenty litres of boot space is offered, but if you need more room, the seats fold flat in a 60:40 split at the pull of a handle.

    You will get up to 33mpg (I averaged 31mpg), producing 192g/km CO2 in the process.

    Safety-wise, the Formentor earned a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. It is equipped with adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera, forward collision warning, driver attention alert, and lane-change assist, along with other technology.

    Overall, the Formentor is a car to be reckoned with, with generous equipment levels, a spacious cabin, good looks, and impressive performance.

    It is not cheap, though, and that could count against it, but lower trim levels will shave off some of the expense.

    Fast Facts – Cupra Formentor (2.0 TSI 310PS, VZ2 trim) as tested:

    • Max speed: 155 mph
    • 0-62 mph: 4.9 secs
    • Combined mpg: 33.2
    • Engine layout: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol, four-wheel drive
    • Max. power (PS): 310
    • CO2: 192 g/km
    • Price: £42,795

  • Comment: “We live in a time of confusion …”

    America in the mid 1800s was a brutal place, both for the wave of American settlers moving to new land, and for the native Americans already living there and fighting both the invaders and other tribes. The tally of battles, raids and utter chaos on both sides is staggering, history yet again showing us how bad things can get between people where territory is concerned.

    A well-known figure from that era was Quanah Parker. His father was a native American and his mother was a European-American girl, abducted in a raiding party, called Cynthia Anne Parker. Quanah was a war leader of the Kwahadi band of the the Comanche Nation, a tribe that had dominated for a long time.

    The Comanche were wild and nomadic; they had a fighting and raiding range of about 400 miles, which for the time was massive. One of the things that enabled their rise was the use of horses. The Spanish mastery of horses, and the huge culture of breeding horses and breaking them was absorbed into Comanche culture; they saw it and used it. Quanah Parker has been depicted riding one of his stallions bare-chested, with a war bonnet of eagle feathers, face painted, hair braided and a bow made from animal sinew. At the time, it would have been a real problem seeing him ride into your town.

    Why does this matter? Well, Quanah Parker is also known, and criticised by some, for later becoming a rancher and adopting some European-American ways of life, for letting go of some of his own historic culture, dress, speech and more, although he always kept his braids. The horseback warrior changed; to some, he sold out.

    We live in a time of confusion, of fluidity, of people searching for identity in a tide of shifting culture that says “This is it, this is who you need to be to be understood and accepted”. So how do we navigate it? Should we be the mounted warrior with a war bonnet, or blend in and assimilate as best we can?

    For me, there is a different culture, a different set of codes or patterns to live by. Found in the Bible is the fruit of the spirit; things that will direct me towards living well, and living with my creator. These might feel like passive, defensive things, but when lived out correctly, you’ll be a warrior, with or without the eagle feathers.

    Main photo credit: Fred Moon via Unsplash

  • Motoring: Ford Mustang Mach 1

    If you’re under a certain age, you might not appreciate the significance of ‘Mach 1’, but it was a performance-focused variant of the Mustang from the 1960s.

    In layperson’s terms, this should be quicker, more aggressive-looking and have superior handling than a standard Mustang.

    Ford has announced that the limited-edition, high-performance Mustang Mach 1 will be available to customers in Europe for the first time ever.

    Ford is positioning the Mach 1 as a track car. The Shelby variants of the Mustang aren’t available on these shores, so the Mach 1 is the go-to motor for those who want a Mustang capable of more than just being a muscle machine.

    The automaker hopes that’s been achieved by stiffening up the suspension, introducing a limited-slip differential and fitting Brembo brakes. That is in addition to a host of other modifications, including adaptive dampers.

    460PS is offered, too, thanks to the 5.0-litre V8. You get a ten-speed automatic, too, which is good, but sometimes it doesn’t know which gear to be in due to having too many choices.

    As you’d imagine, the noise the Mach 1 makes is joyful.

    Zero to 62mph is dispatched in 4.4 seconds, and it feels as powerful as it sounds.

    There is also an aerodynamics upgrade that increases downforce by around a quarter, which aids the handling.

    The steering has been sharpened up, making the Mustang more precise and easier to place around a bend – something the standard car is less adept at.

    The suspension means there’s little to no springiness in the ride, but while the Mustang has never been a Rolls Royce in terms of ride comfort, it isn’t back breaking.

    Inside, the seats are comfortable, and, for a sports car, it’s pretty handy, with decent storage, silver trim and an infotainment screen with Ford’s SYNC 3 system.

    Regarding running costs, it’s best you don’t ask. I didn’t get above 17mpg, although the official figure is 24.1mpg – and you’ll be road-taxed to the hilt.

    But this is a revival of the 60s/70s Mach 1 spirit, and as a result, it’s very much one for you if you’re a purist, collector, or Mustang fanatic.

    Fast Facts – Ford Mustang (Mach 1) as tested:

    • Max speed: 155 mph
    • 0-62 mph: 4.4 secs
    • Combined mpg: 24.1mpg
    • Engine layout: 5.0-litre V8
    • Max. power (PS): 460
    • CO2: 270 g/km
    • Price: £62,075
    All photo credits: Ford

  • Faith: “I am with you always”

    A brilliant Head of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London, C E M Joad, was not always a man of faith, but when he was asked on a radio programme which one historical figure he would most like to meet and ask just one question, he didn’t hesitate: “I would meet Jesus Christ and ask him the most important question in the world, ‘Did you or did you not rise from the dead?’”

    You see, if Jesus Christ really is risen from the dead, it changes everything. It means that every word, every claim, every statement He ever made is true:


    ■That He came to bring life, to save the lost, to bring us all home.
    ■That He came to set us free from religion and rules.
    ■That He wants us to live lightly.
    ■That we can move mountains and heal the sick.
    ■That we are all His children. And that, ultimately, He won’t let harm come to us.

    But it all hinges on His resurrection. If He didn’t rise again, then His claims about Himself were not true. In the words of C. S. Lewis, “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic, on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg, or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.”

    But if He did rise again, then how? The compelling evidence for the resurrection is hard to argue against. I have tried. Many of the greatest minds of our time have tried. The evidence is so stacked toward it being the truth that many scholars have found faith after setting out to discredit it.

    So if He did rise again, it means this also is true: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). And if He is right here, right now. beside us, for us, and within us, then our day really should be full of joy and assurance! Jesus with us. Truth. Soak it in.

    Extract taken from Soul Fuel by Bear Grylls published by Zondervan in the US and Hodder Faith in the UK. Available here Soul Fuel by Bear Grylls | Free Delivery at Eden | 9781529387063

    Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Chosen (thechosentv.co.uk)

  • McLaren GT: among the best in its class

    When McLaren arrived back on the automotive scene in 2011, it did so with great aplomb with the MP4-12C, later known just as the 12C.

    The evolution of that car into the 650S and then the 720S has paved the way for the latest rendition: the GT.

    It isn’t necessarily a natural long-term successor to the 12C, though, as the name implies, this is a Grand Tourer – a first for McLaren.

    In theory, that should mean it’s easier to live with day-to-day, capable of racking up the motorway miles in a trans-European dash.

    Whether that’s achieved in practice might be questionable, though, as McLaren is a pure racing brand and, therefore, drivability remains its priority.

    The GT looks gorgeous, as supercars do, albeit not as crazy as the 650S or 720S, and it’s powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 620PS.

    Based on the 720S’ platform, it accommodates more brand-new parts than those carried over from its predecessor. It also utilises more carbon fibre, which makes its housings smaller, resulting in more usable space in the luggage department.

    In fact, despite being mid-engined, it offers a 420-litre boot as well as 150 litres of storage underneath the bonnet – in total, matching the Mazda CX-60 SUV.

    Three trims are offered – Standard, Pioneer and Luxe – although they are all priced identically, with the Standard housing Nappa Leather, the Pioneer coming with Alcantara heated seats with electric memory adjustment, and the Luxe offering the same as the Pioneer but with Softgrain Aniline leather and a lighter colour scheme.

    There are additional practicality options, too, with packs offering parking sensors, a rear-view camera, a Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system and a powered tailgate, amongst others – and these are at no additional cost.

    The McLaren is noticeably lighter to drive than most GT cars. Indeed, it beats the Bentley Continental GT by nearly three-quarters of a tonne, making it all the more agile.

    The steering is right on point, weighting up perfectly to offer the precision you need to tackle bends quickly, and, in this regard, it’s among the best in its class.

    It can cruise along slowly just fine, but when you’re hungry to get up to speed, it wastes no time at all, dealing with 0-62mph in a staggering 3.2-seconds and topping out at 203mph – and it’s raucous when it gets going.

    Admittedly, although the suspension has been fitted with softer springs, the ride is still firmer than in most Grand Tourers.

    Whether you could achieve a GT car’s true purpose – managing a 500-mile journey across Europe without losing the feeling in your legs – remains to be seen.

    That said, the suspension is still well-damped, considering its enthusiastic characteristics. Meanwhile, the ability to raise the nose over speedbumps and the luxurious touches in the cabin certainly make it easier to live with than any other McLaren.

    The McLaren GT is a lovely car to drive – and it’s just a smidgeon less ferocious than the manufacturer’s other cars.

    But really, it’s a halfway house, as it’s far less forgiving than the likes of a bulky Bentley Continental GT.

    On the other hand, this is a McLaren, so we shouldn’t be expecting anything else. However, it certainly blurs the lines between racer-supercar and Grand Tourer.

    At least it means you can thunder across the continent and power slide around the twisty backroads of the French Riviera with a warm backside.

    And you’ve got the satisfaction that your golf clubs can come along, too.

    Fast Facts – McLaren GT

    Max speed: 203 mph

    0-62 mph: 3.2 secs

    Fuel economy: 23.7 mpg (WLTP)

    Engine layout: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

    Max. power (PS): 620

    CO2: 270 g/km

    Price: £165,230

    Photo credits: McLaren GT

  • A magic carpet ride: The Rolls-Royce Ghost

    The new Rolls-Royce Ghost

    If a Mercedes-Benz S-Class isn’t posh enough, but a Rolls-Royce Phantom is too excessive, then this is where the new Ghost fits in – theoretically.

    Designed to be somewhere between the two, the modern-day Ghost looks ever so slightly more ‘executive’ from the back compared with the Rolls-Royce Phantom’s truly chauffeured aesthetic.

    Another car the new Ghost hopes to take sales from is the BMW 7 Series. In fact, the old Rolls-Royce Ghost shared many of the Bimmer’s components, but now it’s based on a new aluminium platform which is also used by its sister cars from Rolls: the current Phantom and the Cullinan SUV.

    While there are several ‘trim levels’ (known as ‘Inspired Specifications’), they mainly refer to the Ghost’s exterior styling and wheels.

    The equipment list is dizzying, featuring a choice of 19, 20 or 21-inch wheels in a variety of designs, high gloss and open pore veneer interior trim, a panoramic sunroof, a ‘Starlight’ headliner, and an infotainment system. There are also endless personalisation options to make the Ghost genuinely unique to you, right up to the colour of the ring that surrounds the Rolls-Royce badge on each of the wheels.

    Quite simply, there are no highlights because everything in a Rolls-Royce is supposed to be a highlight.

    It is awe-inspiring – and, not to be outdone, the engine is a 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 with 571PS – and the car comes with four-wheel drive.

    Despite its large size, its turning circle is reduced by four-wheel steering, and regardless of its weight, the Rolls-Royce Ghost is still capable of getting from 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds.

    It does it with a whisper, though. Yes, you’ll hear a subdued roar if you floor it, but the new Ghost is sublimely quiet and smooth. At times, you’d swear the car was floating just above the road surface – Rolls-Royce even calls it the ‘Magic Carpet Ride’.

    The Ghost moves away at a pace then, while the enormous tyres generate a stack of grip around corners. Mind you, that’s not enough to limit the body roll, as you might expect.

    Of course, this isn’t a motor built for handling, but although some Rolls-Royce Ghost owners may never drive their car, it’s pretty good for something so large, with responsive steering which weights up pleasingly around twisty bends at speed.

    Just don’t expect the trees to smile at you, given you’ll struggle to achieve 15mpg (the official figure is 18.5mpg), and you’ll be producing nearly 350g/km of CO2. That is well over twice the amount of most everyday cars. Of course, the taxman will expect you to pay handsomely for that, although if you’re in the market for one of these, it’s likely just a case of handing over a bit of extra pocket money.

    The new Rolls-Royce Ghost interior

    The Roll-Royce Ghost’s interior is to die for, with a large number of colour combinations available, an inviting driver’s seat, a shapely dashboard and any number of buttons and controls at your fingertips.

    What’s more, nearly everything in the new Ghost is made by hand, or at least by someone controlling a carving, milling, or cutting machine of some sort.

    Everything right down to the last button, switch or dial looks like it’s been designed indescribably carefully. And, thanks to BMW’s ownership, the infotainment system is a Rolls-Royce-badged variant of the German automaker’s class-leading iDrive system.

    The new Ghost is a joy to sit in, with superbly comfortable seats, while the sufficiency of headroom and legroom is something you simply take for granted when climbing inside. That said, if you must have more space, there is an Extended wheelbase variant if it takes your fancy.

    Meanwhile, opting for the four-seater layout gets you two business class-sized seats in the rear. The downside? You’ll then want to opt for a champagne fridge in between the back seats, which means you have to put up with slightly reduced boot space.

    Talk about first-world problems!

    But to be honest, it’s not a first-world issue because most people, even in the first world, will only come close to affording a new Rolls-Royce Ghost if they sell the house and the kids.

    The Ghost is yours for a mere quarter of a million quid.

    And remember, this is just the entry-level Rolls-Royce – apparently!

    But if you’re still in any doubt about the latest Ghost, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, sums up the model better than anyone:

    “The first Goodwood Ghost was a response to a whole new generation of clients, both in age and attitude. These men and women asked us for a slightly smaller, less ostentatious means to own a Rolls-Royce. The success of the product we created for them fulfilled our most ambitious expectations. Over its ten-year lifespan, which began in 2009, the Ghost has become the most successful model in the marque’s history.

    “To create a new product that would resonate with our Ghost clients for the next ten years meant we had to listen carefully to their demands. Today we set new standards in customer centricity by creating a completely new motor car for a unique group of Rolls-Royce’s clients. These business leaders and entrepreneurs demand more of their Ghost than ever. They require a new type of super-luxury saloon that is dynamic, serenely comfortable, and perfect in its minimalism. The Ghost is this product.

    “The only components that we carried over from the first Goodwood Ghost were the Spirit of Ecstasy and umbrellas. Everything else was designed, crafted, and engineered from the ground up. The result is the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce yet. It distils the pillars of our brand into a beautiful, minimalist, yet highly complex product that is perfectly in harmony with our Ghost clients’ needs and perfectly in tune with the times.”

    Fast Facts – Rolls-Royce Ghost II as tested:

    Max speed: 155mph

    0-62 mph: 4.8secs

    Fuel economy: 18.5mpg (WLTP)

    Engine layout: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 petrol engine

    Max. power (PS): 571PS

    CO2: 347g/km

    Price: £250,000

    All photos courtesy of Rolls-Royce.

  • New series: The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls

    Longstanding friend of Sorted Magazine, Bear Grylls, ventures into the wild with cast members of The Chosen.

    The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls is a six-episode unscripted adventure series. It is produced by The Natural Studios in association with 5&2 Studios. Celebrity survivalist and adventurer Bear Grylls (Emmy®-nominated Running Wild with Bear Grylls and You vs. Wild, Man vs. Wild) takes an immersive journey with the cast and creator of The Chosen. This provides a unique exploration of the global hit series.

    In each episode, Grylls ventures into the wild with one cast member. Their is an exploration of their personal stories and in depth look into their own perspectives on the series and the characters they portray.

    Bear Grylls said: “This show allows viewers to discover what the real people behind the phenomenal The Chosen series are actually like. The wild opens people up in a way nothing else does, and it challenges us to dig deep and find our true selves. This adventure series pushes The Chosen actors like never before whilst also discovering their own personal stories of life and faith. That’s the magic of this new series, bringing new insight and revelation to some of TV’s most loved and watched characters.”

    Main Photo Credit: The Chosen TV