After growing up in London and Brighton, Tashka and Krystn Yeomans – directors of Warehaus Signs in Mochdre - moved to North Wales with their mum Lynn as teenagers to begin a new life in Conwy.

Sadly, Lynn passed away while they were studying at university, leaving them to raise younger brother and sister Mielan and Caedia, who were just teenagers at the time.

After completing their studies in Fine Art and Marine Biology respectively, Tashka and Krystn began working with a friend in the design industry, creating props and unique items, before deciding to take the plunge and go it alone five years ago.

“When mum passed away it was up to us to care for Mielan and Caedia, it was just the four of us as we had no other family up here, so we had to stick together,” said Krystn.

“They were still in school, so we began doing design work on a freelance basis from home, then we eventually moved to a shipping container, and then to our own premises in Mochdre where we have invested a lot in cutting-edge equipment and machinery.”

Tashka added: “It has been a rollercoaster ride and we didn’t have any contracts in place at the beginning so there were a few lessons learned but we had the bug to make and create and knew we had the determination to make a success of it.”

With guidance and advice from BusinessWales, they diversified into creating and producing signage and delivering complementary services such as vehicle graphics, printing, retail displays and interior design for clients across multiple sectors including tourism, law, health, and the trades.

Tashka now leads the in-house design team, while Krystn has responsibility for manufacturing.

With long-term plans to open further Warehauses in Cardiff and north east Wales – to serve their growing customer base in those areas – and a team of five staff, Tashka believes the “end to end” experience and “individuality” are what sets them apart.

“We often get people who want a logo or sign that doesn’t reflect them or their personality, they’ve just seen something they like elsewhere and point to that,” said the mum-of-one, whose son Luca was born just months after they launched the firm.

“We go on a journey with them, from designing the logo to installing the signage, and take great pride in the end result because it’s authentic; everyone is different so it’s important to stand out, and we help businesses to do that.”

Krystn added: “We are continuing to develop both sides of Warehaus and have been so busy in past months, it’s been non-stop.

“This year we also decided to launch a branded, corporate gift service with a focus on bespoke wooden crafted items as it’s a composite of our business, sustainable, and will provide companies and private customers with a different option. A new online shop will enable us to promote that on our website soon.

“We are in a good place with a phenomenal team and have ridden through several storms, which have only made us stronger.

“Tashka and I thank those people who have been with us along the way, especially the loyal customers we have forged partnerships with through the pandemic. Family is everything and that family feeling is something we will never lose – it’s our identity.”

For more news and information from Warehaus Signs, visit the website www.warehaussigns.co.uk and follow them on social media @warehaus_signage.

Mother of two Holly Joinson, 28, is among the latest recruits to sign up for an apprenticeship thanks to Creating Enterprise - a subsidiary of housing association Cartrefi Conwy - who’ve helped more than 500 into work since it was set up in 2015.

Creating Enterprise have pioneered the construction of modular, energy efficient homes and have a factory in Rhyl where they make the timber frames, roof joists and fencing.

The construction of Passivhaus properties is central Cartrefi Conwy’s strategy of building a 1,000 new homes between now and 2030.

Creating Enterprise are also building new houses for other social housing providers and local authorities in North Wales.

In addition, they have taken on responsibility for maintaining and upgrading Cartrefi’s current portfolio of 4,000 houses and flats.

One of their main cogs is the Creating Futures Employment Academy that helps tenants and other people find work, training and volunteering opportunities.

The community interest company was named as the fastest growing firm in Wales at the 2020 Wales Fast Growth 50 awards, expanding by 664% between 2017 and 2019.

Assistant director of property Wayne Bannister says that, as well as improving and building new homes for tenants, they are transforming lives for the better with work and training opportunities.

Among the most recent examples, he said, was new apprentice electrician Holly Joinson, a Cartrefi Conwy tenant who lives in Colwyn Bay.

Holly gained work experience as a volunteer while studying in college and doing a part-time job – and raising her two children at the same time. 

She said: “Until now I’ve done whatever has fitted in the kids and I worked as a social care support worker but I wanted a career rather than a minimum wage job.

“I’ve got a few electricians in the family and dad has always done everything a home like DIY and I’ve grown up with that so I suppose it’s in my DNA.

“I am a problem solver and I have always wanted to have a trade so that I am set up for life.

“I have just got a Level 2 qualification at Llandrillo College and I volunteered with Cartrefi working with an electrician getting the empty properties up to standard before the tenants moved in.

“This year my youngest son has started full time in school so everything has fallen into place because I’ve got a four-year apprenticeship with Cartrefi.

“Me and my Dad where crying on the day I got the apprenticeship which means a lot because I’ve now got a secure career, setting up my family for the future which is what I wanted. I’m pretty proud of myself.

“It means the world to me, it’s going to change everything. It’s literally life-changing. It’s my dream job.”

According to Wayne Bannister, they are going to need more people like Holly as the order book continues to grow.

He said: “We have so much work on that we have accelerated out apprenticeship programme and we have work experience opportunities for volunteers and people coming through the employment academy.

“We want to bring the new generation through so our experienced staff can pass on their knowledge and skills.

“Overall we have around 85 people working in our building maintenance unit that looks after all Cartrefi’s 4,000 or so properties and we’re also fitting bathrooms and kitchens for Clwyd Alyn housing association in 160 of their homes.

“We are fulfilling Cartrefi’s mission by creating energy efficient homes, providing job opportunities and training for our tenants. We’re essentially creating a virtuous circle - this is profit with a purpose.

“The goal is to get tenants into work and provide them with a trade, and it can be totally life-changing.

“Our order book is expanding and we already have £68 million worth of work in Creating Enterprise alone over the next five years.

“As well as building the modular housing, we will be doing the electrics and the plumbing. We’ll be doing the groundworks and the fencing.”

Sioned Williams, the community and social impact manager at Creating Enterprise, hailed Holly as an inspiration.

She said: “Over the years we have helped more than 500 people into work. One of the important things to us is that those jobs are sustainable so we keep in contact with them and 95 per cent of them remain in employment.

“The reality is that there are a lot of jobs out there at the moment and the trick is to help people find the right jobs for them.

“More recently we’ve opened our hub in Llandudno so we are more visible to the community and everybody we support becomes ambassadors for us.

“Holly is the perfect for ambassador for us. She has worked extremely hard – a single mum who’s been studying, working and volunteering at the same time, all to achieve that one goal. We’re all incredibly proud of her.

“She will now become a role model and a real inspiration  for our next cohort of volunteers.

“An important element of what we do is to break down barriers and encourage women to work in areas that have traditionally been dominated by men

“We also have Rebecca Davies in the gas team so it’s now going to be much easier for us to approach construction companies when we are doing it ourselves and showing that it works..

“Holly and Rebecca are trailblazers and we can only offer and support women when we are offering those opportunities.”

For more information go to the website www.creatingenterprise.org.uk

Chancellor Rishi Sunak slashed the VAT on renewable options such as solar panels, insulation, and heat pumps to zero during his Spring statement, saving homeowners a reported £1000+ over the next five years.

Gareth Jones, Managing Director of Mochdre based Carbon Zero Renewables - part of the UK Leisure Living Group – said the move has given him fresh confidence in the sector and was a “positive start” but far more needs to be done to steer families towards long-term sustainable alternatives.

“Especially now, with the cost of living and energy prices spiralling out of control, the situation is unacceptable for millions of people across the country,” he added.

“From our perspective this is good news, solar energy is a big part of our business and to have five years of security on that side has given me renewed optimism for the future of the industry. It allows us to invest further in our sites and staff, including taking on new team members to keep up with the growth.

“By eliminating the VAT, people with renewable energy in their homes will pay less – and with the rising price and uncertainty around imported fossil fuels being a major crisis - this is a move in the right direction from the UK Government.

“Steps are being taken, but not quickly enough, and I think when the Winter kicks in we will see people once again struggle with whether to ‘heat or eat’ and make very difficult choices that will impact on their health and wellbeing.

“I just hope – like many in the industry – that this is the start of an era where we move away from the traditional, expensive and damaging energy sources to clean, green energy that is more affordable, better for the environment and more efficient for future generations.”

Earlier this year, Carbon Zero recruited extra staff to cope with a surge in enquiries from homeowners and businesses for solar panels.

Gareth said this most recent announcement will see them take on even more employees in 2022.

A board member at the Federation of Master Builders and North Wales Past President, he added:

“At the moment our priority is the supply chain and access to materials given the massive rise in interest over past weeks.

“We have secured thousands of panels with our buying power, but time will tell if it’s enough.

“We are getting so many calls we’ve had to bring in other members of the UK Leisure Living team to help and can only get out to see customers who are committed to having solar panels installed in the very near future, and not just considering it.

“That’s not how we normally do things, but this is an unprecedented situation and there is a lot of urgency, so we can’t afford to waste a second.

“This trend looks set to continue so if anyone does have any concerns or questions please get in touch and we will do everything we can to help you.”

Recent reports revealed British homes are among the draughtiest in Europe, with millions of properties in need of upgrading if the UK is to stay on track for net zero carbon emissions.

For support, guidance and more information on renewable energy options, visit the website Solar Panels North Wales & North West - Carbon Zero (carbonzerorenewables.co.uk) or call 08450 34 35 40.

The company has sites in Mochdre, St Asaph and Deeside.

Carbon Zero Renewables - part of the UK Leisure Living Group, which has sites in Mochdre, St Asaph and Deeside – is taking on more staff to cope with a surge in enquiries, having experienced their busiest ever January.

Following the announcement householders will pay 54% more on average for their energy from April – and a further increase expected in October – long-term investment in a sustainable alternative is becoming more and more popular.

And with a move towards electric and hybrid vehicles, most people – particularly business owners – should commit now to save themselves further financial pressure, according to Managing Director Gareth Jones.

“The new price cap is going to make life very difficult for homeowners and companies in fixed contracts which for years had been affordable but could now treble,” said Gareth.

“We are already hearing horror stories from big energy using businesses on how their bill is doubling or in some cases tripling.

“A £100,000 power bill to a £300,000 power bill may mean some are no longer viable, so this is a major problem.”

He added: “Solar panels are an investment and for those people looking further ahead they will be the most viable option, especially as advances in electric continue to take place and more people install high-energy items at their properties, such as car-charging ports, air source heat pumps and hot tubs.

“That has been reflected in our sales as 2022 started with a flurry of orders and the coming months look even busier. We are seeing the interest this winter I would expect to see in the summer, which is incredible.

“Orders are also a lot bigger than ever before, so we will be taking on a new business development manager, a project manager and other roles will be created in the summer if things continue like this.”

The moneysavingexpert.com website – founded by consumer champion Martin Lewis – discussed the pros and cons of renewable alternatives and said: “as well as saving you money on your energy bills, solar panels can still generate some electricity on gloomy days”, adding that “savings depend on system size, electricity use, whether you’re at home during the day to use the energy you’re producing and other factors”.

Gareth, a board member at the Federation of Master Builders and North Wales Past President, said:

“There are still myths around solar, the biggest one being it only works when the sun is shining.

“While more energy will be generated in hot weather, the panels still produce all year-round so if people are at home in the day – and more are due to a change in working conditions because of the pandemic – then they could capitalise on free power by then doing their washing and other household chores they would usually do at night.

“There are many benefits, but right now with so many people concerned as to what the future will bring the most important thing is clear communication and help for those who need it most.”

He added: “I’ve spoken previously about the lack of infrastructure nationally to cope with the electric agenda and it’s still way off. The Prime Minister’s team even confirmed that in recent correspondence I had with them.

“The Government has to do more to get on board and help future-proof our homes and business because this problem isn’t going to go away.

“We are on hand to speak to people who are worried, who need more information on solar or don’t know which way to turn at the current time – get in touch anytime, the team at Carbon Zero Renewables are here to help.”

For support, guidance and more information, visit the website Solar Panels North Wales & North West - Carbon Zero www.carbonzerorenewables.co.uk or call 08450 34 35 40.

The news comes on the back of a joint contract between Conwy and Denbighshire County Council for Bryson to manage five household waste recycling centres across North Wales.

Bryson, who have run the Mochdre and Abergele reycling centre since the award of their initial contract in 2014, have promised to increase the size of their operation and provide local communities with many more opportunities to recycle and cut unncessary waste.

The company have provided a comprehensive garden waste collection service to properties across Conwy in recent years.

The deal, estimated to be worth around £9m, will now see three more locations in Denbighshire taken over from Welsh firm CAD Recycling.

Mochdre-based Brenig Construction spent a day at Denbigh High School introducing Year Seven students to the opportunities in an industry that has thrown off its old male-dominated image.

The company are building a high-tech renewable estate of homes on the town’s Henllan Street, for Denbighshire County Council, the first council houses in the county for over 30 years.

Llwyn Eirin will provide 22 low-carbon semi-detached houses for social rent all built and certified to the energy-efficient Passivhaus standard and with ground-source heating provided by nine 450-foot-deep boreholes feeding a heat exchanger system.

Brenig’s three-person team of Quantity Surveyor Caroline Thomas, Construction Manager Steve Walker and Health and Safety and Training Manager Adam Jones spent the day speaking to Year Seven groups, giving them a quiz on construction roles and answering their questions.

Caroline said: “People used to think women weren’t strong enough to work in construction but we are and there are so many different roles within the industry that there are lots of opportunities.

“Women can be bricklayers, decorators and plant operators as well as architects, surveyors and engineers.

“On our site at Llwyn Eirin we have a decorator, an architect and a structural engineer who are all women and I go on site there as well and go up ladders just like the men and I’m treated the same as them too.

“At the moment 14 per cent of the construction workforce is female but that’s growing and I have a number of friends who work in the building industry.

“Brenig believe in equal opportunities and among our staff we have a number of women including drivers, painters, the architect for the Llwyn Eirin site and an ecologist.

“After hearing this I hope many of the pupils we have spoken to today will consider careers in construction, including plenty of the girls.”

Year Seven girls Esme Salisbury and Lily Gage said they enjoyed the visit by Brenig Construction and would consider careers in construction.

Lily said: “It was fun and interesting. I had never thought of a career in construction before but I definitely would now.”

The careers day was organised by Careers Wales whose Martin Webber said: “I wanted to make pupils aware of the different opportunities available to them in construction and to inspire them.

“The team from Brenig have done a great job and are positive role models for the industry and I’m sure what the students have heard today

The Brenig Construction Group, based in Mochdre, was established by joint managing directors Mark Parry and Howard Vaughan who first met as six-year-olds at their local youth club in Glan Conwy in 1987.

They both qualified as civil engineers before being reunited at Dawnus Construction which they left to found Brenig in 2012 and the company now employs 65 staff and is turning over £20 million a year, with an order book bulging with £60 million of work.

In 2018 they moved into new headquarters at the business park in Mochdre which they built for Cartrefi Conwy with whom they work together as Calon Homes with Creating Enterprise, a subsidiary of the housing association.

They have expertise in civil engineering and groundworks while their portfolio now also includes maintenance, social housing and plant hire.

For more information go to https://brenigconstruction.co.uk/

The Real Housewives of Cheshire (RHOC) favourite Ester Dee will represent the UK Leisure Living brand going forward. 

Born in the Czech Republic, Ester says she is thrilled to be joining forces with the multi award-winning company, which has sites in Deeside, Mochdre and St Asaph.

The 35 year-old – a former Playboy playmate who also appeared on Celebrity Dinner Date and Celebrity Coach Trip – now lives in Deganwy with daughter Pearl and looks forward to working alongside Managing Director Gareth Jones and his 15 -strong team.

"UK Leisure Living is a fantastic business, at the forefront of products for the home and garden," said Ester.

"I am really excited by their range of amazing items – and those which are coming soon – and as someone who now lives in North Wales feel proud to support a growing local company which plays such a big part in the community.

"We have lots of exciting things in store, so watch this space!"

Among the innovative lines to be introduced by UK Leisure Living is a collaboration with Swedish group Tylo - a pioneer in the production and global distribution of saunas, steam rooms and steam showers - and a brand new range of barbecue grills and garden furniture.

Gareth is also celebrating another award win, this time for Best Hot Tub and Leisure Company at the UK Enterprise Awards 2021.

He said: "We have had an incredible start to 2021 and are already ahead of last year's sales, and last year was the best we've ever had.

"Next year we are moving our focus and will be positioning ourselves as the area's leading outdoor leisure retailer, with products you won't find anywhere else."

Gareth added: "As we grow as an organisation, we want to keep raising our profile, so it is great to have Ester onboard.

"She is a dynamic, entrepreneurial person who is very popular, especially on social media channels including Instagram - where she has more 279,000 followers - and with viewers of The Real Housewives of Cheshire. She also shares our love for hot tubs, being an avid user herself.

"The partnership is a great fit, and we can't wait to get started."

Ester recently returned to RHOC for series 13 after announcing her departure last year.

An iconic figure on the ITVBe show, she has enjoyed a busy time since joining the cast in 2016, launching her own swimwear range – All About the Beach – and working with other notable brands including Rolls Royce and Nutri Body.

The UK Leisure Living group includes Carbon Zero Renewables, The Swim Spa Centre, Outdoor Kitchens North Wales and North West, Verandas North Wales and North West, Hot Tubs North Wales and Cheshire, and Saunas North Wales and Cheshire

For more information on UK Leisure Living, visit www.ukleisureliving.co.uk and follow @ukleisurelivinggroup on social media.

You can follow Ester on Instagram at @esterdee and Twitter at @dohnalovaester.

As consumers face a 30% rise in gas and electricity prices next year and independent utility companies go bust, more and more people are turning to net zero alternatives.

Carbon Zero Renewables - part of the UK Leisure Living Group, which has sites in St Asaph, Mochdre and Deeside – has witnessed this first-hand following a huge increase in demand for solar roof panels.

Managing Director Gareth Jones questioned the UK Government’s decision to rapidly pursue its electric agenda – notably hybrid vehicles and a move from gas in homes to electric-based heating, such as heat pumps – and urged them to support families struggling to make the switch while coping with fuel poverty and soaring costs.

“I applaud the Government for encouraging people to move towards low carbon methods and electric cars, but we simply do not have the network infrastructure to meet demand,” said Gareth.

“People are getting in touch with us every day; we’ve seen an unbelievable spike in orders as they want to get away from traditional energy and move to renewables, despite no Government incentives because they were scrapped several years ago.

“They should be helping people who are looking at long-term future-proofing of their homes, use different strategies hand in hand and do so sustainably, to avoid mistakes being repeated. I think the Government has its priorities wrong.

“It’s all well and good transitioning to electric cars and air source heat pumps but we don’t have the electric capacity now, never mind in five to 10 years. The Government needs to support solar and get homes and businesses generating and consuming power at the source.”

Price comparison site Compare the Market revealed energy prices have trebled since 2001 – the average cost of domestic gas has risen by 221%, compared to 193% for electricity.

And the numbers look set to go up again, with regulator Ofgem concerned more British energy suppliers could cease to exist due to a surge in wholesale prices and “continued volatility” in the market.

With energy prices at an all-time high - a large domestic solar PV system could save consumers upwards of £800 a year - Gareth insists solar energy is the long-term answer as part of consumers’ energy mix.

“We are in a strong position and have plenty of stock in store, so there are no supply chain issues, unlike many sectors struggling to obtain materials,” he added.

“There has never been a better time to switch to solar, and with turbulence over prices set to continue we encourage people to get in touch soon because the benefits will be experienced immediately.

“Businesses can see a four-year return on investment right now by going solar powered, the savings are incredible.

“There is a misconception about solar energy, and while we can’t control the weather we stand by solar as a reliable energy source for homes and businesses at a time of great uncertainty for consumers in the UK.

“We want to help and are on hand if anyone has any questions or concerns.”

For support, guidance and more information, visit the website Solar Panels North Wales & North West - Carbon Zero (carbonzerorenewables.co.uk) or call 08450 34 35 40.

Clwyd West MS Darren Millar and North Wales MS Mark Isherwood visited the North Wales Dementia Centre in Mochdre earlier this week to meet with staff, service users and volunteers.

During the visit they adjudicated at a game of bingo, thanked staff and volunteers for their work, and discussed dementia services in the region with Alison Jones, Chief Executive of Carers Trust North Wales and Gwenno Davies, the Project Leader for the Dementia Support Service.

They also took a tour of the facility, which opened in the summer, and learnt more about the support it provides to people with dementia and their loved ones, post a dementia diagnosis.

Mr. Millar said: “The centre is a fantastic facility which hosts community groups, dementia cafes, social activities, emotional support, and gives free training advice and guidance to people with dementia and their families. It has provided support to more than 500 people since it opened in July of this year.

“Dementia is a complex condition which affects every individual differently. Those living with the condition and their families often feel alone and unsure how to deal with the challenges dementia can create. It is therefore great that people in this position in North Wales can now access the support they need.”

Mark also praised the centre and during a Senedd debate on Dementia on Wednesday, urged the Welsh Government to look at it as a best practice model.

Speaking in the debate, he said; “On Monday, Darren Millar and I visited the Carers Trust North Wales Crossroads Care Services at their new North Wales Dementia Centre in North Wales.

"We heard that this is unique in Wales, contracted and funded via Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board but run on a charitable basis. We heard about their plans to create a best-practice hub in central Wales, hopefully with satellite hubs in the east and west. Will you join me in urging the Welsh Government to look at this as a best-practice model?”

Outside the meeting, he added: “There are an estimated 50,000 people living with dementia in Wales. This figure is expected to rise to over 64,000 by 2030, including over 41,000 with severe dementia, to almost 80,000 by 2040 and to 100,000 by 2050, it is therefore vital that the support is out there for those living with the condition and their families.”  

The North Wales Dementia Centre services are available to anyone who lives in North Wales.

Anyone in need of information, advice or support can call 01492 542212. The centre is based at the Quinton Hazell Enterprise Parc, Glan y Wern Road, Mochdre.

The business which has locations across North Wales including in Mochdre, announced its agreement to acquire the GB merchanting businesses from Grafton Group plc, which comprise approximately 200 merchant branches and 3,500 people.

Terry Owen, Founder and Chairman, commented “We are thoroughly excited and feel extremely privileged to be able to acquire such a well-respected name in the industry. This has given us the opportunity to more than double our branch network and substantially increases our geographical footprint. We look forward to working alongside our new colleagues and continuing on our exciting journey.”

The deal is considered to be the biggest of its kind in the industry to date and is subject to customary regulatory approval by the Competition and Markets Authority. Until this process is complete, the businesses will continue to trade independently. This process is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2022.

Ian Northen, CEO, added “We look forward to meeting our new colleagues across the business at the earliest opportunity. Through this acquisition, by working together as one team, we will continue on our journey, with a clear focus to deliver the best service possible to all our customers, at the same time as creating opportunities for new and existing colleagues.”

A total of £374,828 of National Lottery funding was awarded by The National Lottery Community Fund in Clwyd West from March to June 2021.

The funding was awarded to Creating Enterprise over four years to support Cartrefi Conwy tenants who may be socially isolated, lacking in confidence or unemployed to take part in volunteering activities through two pathways.

They include a befriending service that will reduce isolation and loneliness amongst older residents, and skill developing opportunities with support into gaining employment.

Welcoming the news, Mr. Millar said: “I am absolutely delighted to hear of this vital contribution to supporting communities in Clwyd West during what continues to be challenging times.

“The pandemic has hit people hard and a great many are struggling as a result. This funding will go a long way to helping Cartrefi Conwy tenants during this difficult period.

“Clwyd West has benefitted greatly from The National Lottery Community Fund over the years, including throughout the pandemic, and I am very pleased that this support is set to continue as we embark on the return to more normal times.”

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes over £600m a year to communities across the UK, raised by players of The National Lottery.

For information on The National Lottery Community Fund, including ways to apply, visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

Brenig Construction have started work on the sites in Crewe, Winsford and Middlewich and say the schemes will boost the county’s economy by £12 million.

At Silver Birches, in Middlewich, ten of the 11 executive-style properties, costing up to £390,000 each and being built in a £3 million scheme, have already been sold off plan.

They broke ground this month in Sydney Road, Crewe, where they are building a £2.7 million 21-house project for the Guinness Partnership, one of the UK’s largest housing providers, while work is well advanced on a development of five two-bedroomed homes at St Chad’s, Winsford, for the Muir Group.

Mark Parry, who set up Brenig Construction nine years ago with fellow Joint Managing Director Howard Vaughan, said: “This is part of our planned expansion of the company across the border.

It’s a positive outlook for a company established by two young civil engineers who first met as six-year-olds at their local youth club in Glan Conwy in 1987.

“We are already busy on a number of projects across North Wales and the developments in Cheshire will bring local jobs to that area.

“We have recruited experienced senior staff such as our Managing Director for Construction, Bleddyn Jones, and Senior Operations Manager Bryn Roberts who has overseen major building schemes in Cheshire and knows the local construction sub-contractors.

“It is important to us that when we win contracts that the local area benefits in terms of employment and apprenticeship opportunities and that wherever possible we use local contractors and supply chains.”

At Winsford each home will have its own parking bay served by an electric charging point and Site Manager Sean Huxley, from Chester, said: “We’re due to finish here by the autumn and it has gone very well.

“We’re going to be employing local plumbers and electricians as well as the bricklayers who are from Wrexham so it’s providing job opportunities in the area and we have built up contacts among the trades over here.”

Karl Foster, from Rossett, who heads bricklayers KF Brickworks, said: “We’ve done plenty of work with Brenig Construction and this is a good project to be on with an excellent site manager so we never want for anything.

“Brenig are a good company and they’ve got plenty for us to do which is great.”

The Middlewich scheme is a development with Calon Homes, which is itself a collaboration between Brenig, housing provider Cartrefi Conwy and Creating Enterprise, a social enterprise company, part of the Cartrefi group.

In North Wales Brenig are currently working on three advanced passivhaus projects, worth over £8 million and among the first of their kind in Wales, in Old Colwyn, Llanrwst and in Denbigh where a 22-property development for Denbighshire County Council has started.

Passivhaus uses sophisticated insulation, triple-glazed windows and air-circulation systems, to keep out cold in winter and heat in summer to achieve a stable and comfortable temperature so there are savings of up to 90 per cent in energy costs on traditional building stock.

In total their current order book has over £60 million in projects across North Wales including plans for 300 new homes in the next four years while turnover has doubled in the last 12 months to over £20 million.

Mark Parry and Howard Vaughan first worked together at Dawnus Construction which they left to found Brenig in 2012 and their first major contract was a high-profile environmental improvement programme on the Parc Peulwys estate in Llysfaen above Old Colwyn for Cartrefi Conwy housing association.

In 2018 they moved into new headquarters at the business park in Mochdre which they built for Cartrefi Conwy with whom they work together as Calon Homes with Creating Enterprise, a subsidiary of the housing association.

They are also a growing presence in the housebuilding sector as Brenig Homes and have expertise in civil engineering and groundworks while their portfolio now also includes maintenance, social housing, commercial housing and plant hire.

For more information go to https://brenigconstruction.co.uk/

The pioneering company – which also has sites in Ruthin, Llangefni, Chirk and Mold – and Mochdre Vets will hold daily sessions from July.

Pet owners can bring their animals for assessment, advice, and guidance on a range of issues from allergies and skin problems to dental pain and lumps and bumps.

Mochdre Vets, which counts the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay among its clients, is one of the most respected practices in the region and one of only 12 in the UK to offer Solensia, a revolutionary new therapy for osteoarthritis in cats, pioneered by global animal health care organisation, Zoetis.

Accredited to gold standard by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), the surgery celebrates is currently celebrating its fourth anniversary.

Director Dr Sarah Heywood is delighted to be working in partnership with the award-winning chain.

She said: “We will have a permanent presence at the Abergele store and be on hand for a few hours each day for any pet owners who want to bring their animals in to be checked-out.

“From there we can decide on what the best course of action will be and how we can support and manage any symptoms or provide the relevant information.”

Dr Heywood added: “PetPlace is an incredibly dynamic and innovative company, always looking at new ways to improve life for pets and pet parents.

“We are thrilled and genuinely feel so lucky to be a part of that and look forward to welcoming people to see us in-store.”

PetPlace recently launched the PetPlace Plus+ app, providing free advice and guidance, latest news, and exclusive offers with added benefits for loyal and long-standing shoppers.

Managing Director Sion Pritchard said their strong start to 2021, including this new in-store health check, is just one of several services to be unveiled this year.

“Having Sarah and members of her team on-hand for people to pop in with their pets for a consultation or a discussion about any concerns is a fantastic addition to our Abergele store,” he said.

“Two North Wales businesses coming together to enhance the lives of our beloved animals is a very positive move – we can’t wait to get started.”

Coronavirus health and safety restrictions are in place at all PetPlace outlets and customers are required to wear a face covering and social distance.

For more information, email sales@farmandpetplace.co.uk or follow @petplaceUK on Facebook and Instagram.

Visit www.mochdrevets.co.uk for more news and information on Mochdre Veterinary Surgery.

In the early hours on Monday night into Tuesday morning a Ford Transit van parked up in Mochdre was targeted and power tools to the value of £2000 were stolen.

Despite the theft there was no obvious sign of forced entry, explained the Community Safety Unit in an update earlier today.

"Ask yourself how secure is my van and could a thief break in and steal my tools."

If you have any information relating to the incident please contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

For advice on securing your van and other security advice, you can follow Community Safety Central covering Conwy and Denbighshire via @NWPComSafCent on social media.