Workers on The Schoolhouse Bridge restoration project on the Montgomery Canal have won a series of awards.

The Institution of Civil Engineers’ West Midlands Region gave the Small Projects Award – for projects with a value up to £2 million – to Maccaferri, Montgomery Canal Reconstruction Ltd, a subsidiary of Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, Beaver Bridges, Macrete Ireland, MEA and Shropshire Council.

Recognising the remarkable work to restore the bridge, the judges praised the innovative use of Macrete’s Flexiarch system alongside Maccaferri’s Terramesh soil embankments.

They said the work reflected a commitment to the area’s cultural heritage and to enhance the local eco systems in a sustainable way. The same team was commended in the same organisation’s Heritage Awards.

Completion of the bridge, originally demolished in the late 1960s, marked another milestone in work to close the ‘Shropshire Gap’ on the Montgomery Canal in Crickheath near Pant.

Main contractor, Beaver Bridges of Shrewsbury, was highly commended by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (Midlands) in the under £3m Project of the Year award for its work on Schoolhouse Bridge. The company was also named Bridge Contractor of the Year at the New Civil Engineer awards.

Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust worked in partnership with other local canal charities to raise funds for the bridge through the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal – www.localgiving.org/charity/restorethemontgomerycanal – and managed the reconstruction.

Trust chairman Michael Limbrey said: “Our canal charities, which had spent so many years restoring the Montgomery Canal, faced a real problem at Schoolhouse Bridge. The old bridge carrying a country lane over the canal had been swept away perhaps 50 years before and the canal was now blocked by a road embankment.

“Our team of volunteers designed a new bridge, obtained planning and technical approvals and arranged all the legal agreements. Over five years, we raised funds through a public appeal which received tremendous support from private individuals, businesses and charitable trusts across the country.

“We were delighted what we were able to achieve through the enthusiastic support of the four specialist companies which have so deservedly been recognised by these awards.

“Now the bridge is finished but the canal bed still has to be restored and filled with water once again. Our volunteer work parties have been hard at work since the contractors left and are making great progress in reshaping the canal channel and making it watertight.

“The new bridge is part of a restoration which will bring boats back to the canal, joining Mid Wales to the national waterway network again with all the social and economic benefits that will bring.

“We know from other reopened canals that boats bring life to a canal and that boaters support local shops and pubs. Like those other canals, the restoration will protect the historic locks and bridges and safeguard its valued flora and fauna.”

A Cheshire pub is celebrating – after being named the best boozer in the county.

The Swan at Marbury said it was “over the moon” to land the gong at the Taste Cheshire Food and Drink awards.

They received their award from sponsor Magnify PR at a lavish ceremony at Chester Racecourse last week.

Nick Owens, a former journalist on the Sunday Mirror who is now the founder of city-based firm Magnify PR, said: “Cheshire is home to some amazing pubs – many of which are counted among the best in the UK.

“So for the Swan to come out on top is a brilliant achievement. Well done to them on a very deserved award.

“Pubs play a crucial role in our communities, and it’s vital we do more to save them. That’s why Magnify PR was delighted to agree to sponsor this fantastic event.”

The Swan at Marbury, a family owned country pub. Lots of people visit specifically for the good food, others come to combine with a visit to the nearby  church or to walk in the beautiful surrounding countryside.

The Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards is an annual event that showcases the best of Cheshire’s food and drink scene.

This prestigious celebration recognises the hard work and dedication of local businesses, from restaurants and pubs to producers and suppliers.

In addition to the individual awards, Taste Cheshire also crowned the champion of the 2024 Festival Sausage Competition, sponsored by Now Food. Geoff Hughes Family Butcher, based in the new Chester Market, took home the prestigious title. The evening concluded with a charity raffle in aid of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, raising an impressive £1880. Generous donations from local businesses contributed to the raffle’s success.

One of Wales’ premier visitor attractions, which is doing its bit to tackle climate change, added another accolade to its bulging trophy cabinet at the Powys Business Awards.

The National Showcaves Centre for Wales, Dan-yr-Ogof, Abercraf won the Excellence in Sustainability Award, sponsored by Welsh Government, at the annual awards ceremony held at Dering Lines, Brecon.

Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG), the awards showcase the diverse range of successful enterprises within Powys.

Geraint Jones, The National Showcaves Centre for Wales manager, said: “We are very excited and thankful to win this award which means a lot to the business. Investing in sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint are very important, especially at a time of high energy costs.”

Following the designation of The National Showcaves Centre for Wales as a National Nature Reserve, the company reviewed its entire environmental commitment and has cut costs by producing its own green energy.

Established in 1912, the business now employs 11 full-time and 60 part-time staff and has a turnover over £1.2 million.

The company’s first environmental project involved planting more than 80,000 broadleaf trees to increase water retention in the Upper Swansea Valley and consequently reduce the risk of local flooding.

In addition to providing a wildlife habitat, the forest will absorb 80,000 tons of CO2 during their 100-year life span.

Installation of a second water turbine produced more than 60 KW of green energy for the caves, with the excess fed into the National Grid.

Solar panels make the coffee shop, self-catering cottages, caravan park and dinosaur park, one of the world’s largest, energy self-sufficient and a new heat pump has saved money when heating a swimming pool.

The attraction’s museum features interactive elements for visitors, including schools, to inform them about climate change and environmental issues.

Dan-yr-Ogof Farm now also hosts a breeding programme for shire horses, an endangered species, which has become a popular attraction.

“Staff feel part of an attraction that is really helping Mother Nature by not adding to the present global warming scenario,” said The National Showcaves Centre for Wales chairman, Ashford Price.

“Another major advantage of our green energy policy is that previously we had huge costs in buying electricity from the National Grid. However, these savings can now be used for new tourism projects within the complex.”

Congratulating the winners, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Rebecca Evans said: “We’re proud to sponsor an award that recognises and celebrates how companies across Powys are leading the way to a more sustainable future.

“Dan-yr-Ogof’s commitment to sustainability demonstrates how the greener economy we are building in Wales brings with it a wealth of opportunities. Well done to them, and to all the winners at Friday’s ceremony.”

The judges said the company’s commitment to sustainability will ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy one of Wales’ most impressive natural wonders.

“The vast array of measures taken over the past few years have had a positive impact on the global warming crisis – from planting over 80,000 trees, breeding shire horses to becoming energy efficient through hydro and solar power,” they added.

Runners-up were Wipak UK Ltd, Welshpool and Heartwood Saunas, Pantperthog, Machynlleth.

A not-for-profit organisation which has been running since 2021 to reduce food waste and address food poverty in rural Wales was a popular winner at the Powys Business Awards.

Newtown Food Surplus, based at Unit 8, St Giles Industrial Park, Newtown, collected the Social Enterprise/ Charity Award, sponsored by Myrick Training Services, at the annual awards ceremony held at Dering Lines, Brecon on Friday.

Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG), the awards showcase the diverse range of successful enterprises within Powys.

Jonathan Bushell, a director of Newtown Food Surplus, said: “This award is going to shared amongst the 80 volunteers who have been recognised and valued for their work.”

Underlining the value of Newtown Food Surplus, in the first six months of 2024, our food shares recorded 3,043 visits, a 28% increase, and successfully diverted 31.3 tonnes of food from landfill, a 42% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

In the first six months of this year, the organisation saved 31.2 tons of food from landfill, a 42% increase on the same period last year.

The organisation makes daily collections from seven supermarkets. In 2023, Newtown Food Surplus collected 49 tons of food and provided twice-weekly community food shares, serving more than 175 households weekly.

A dedicated team of 80 diverse volunteers helps to distribute food through partnerships with local family centres, crisis centres, schools, nurseries and community cafes.

By collaborating with Helping Our Homeless in Builth Wells and community cafes in Newtown, Llanfair Caereinion and Llanidloes, surplus food is reaches those in need across a wider area

Future plans by Newtown Food Surplus include expanding its link with the national Fareshare programme to reach more people living in deprived areas and rural communities, introducing cooking initiatives that promote healthy eating using fresh ingredients and educating children about recycling and food waste to promote sustainability.

To overcome transport issues, which prevent some people from accessing the service, the organisation is partnering with rural primary schools to provide surplus food for breakfast clubs, afternoon fruit snacks and mini food shares

“Our achievements demonstrate our capacity to make a real difference, ensuring that everyone is welcome in our community and has access to food and support.”

The award judges said: “Not only does Newtown Food Surplus reduce food waste massively – around on ton a week – but they also help more than 200 local people as well as schools and nurseries with food poverty.

“We were impressed by the innovative approach and the sheer hard work and enthusiasm from the team and volunteers.”

Award runners-up were BB – Sustainable Tourism CIC, Brecon, East Radnorshire Care, Presteigne and Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, Newtown.

A small cleaning business which takes pride in delivering a quality service and being a good employer cleaned up at the Powys Business Awards.

Charlotte Williams, owner of Squeaky Clean, based in Machynlleth, won The Judges Special Award at the annual awards ceremony held at Dering Lines, Brecon on Friday.

The company, which has 10 employees, was also a finalist for the Entrepreneurship Award. Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG), the awards showcase the diverse range of successful enterprises within Powys.

After receiving the award, Charlotte thanked her husband, Ian, for his support. “I am really ecstatic,” she said. “The award means everything to me, not just for the business but also for all the girls who work for me as well. This award is recognition for all the hard, emotional and physical work that we do.”

Charlotte started Squeaky Clean in 2019, just before the Covid pandemic with, in her words, “just a little car, a bag of cleaning products and a second-hand Hoover”.

During the pandemic, she provided specialist disinfection services for the local doctors and emergency call outs to stop the virus spreading and to keep her little business going.

““It has been quite a journey from those humble beginnings to where we are now, but I couldn’t be prouder,” she said.

Specialising in holiday homes, domestic cleaning, social services jobs and builders’ cleans, Squeaky Clean is dedicated to providing a “top-notch service” for customers.

Welsh products only are used in the company’s hampers for holiday homes, as Charlotte recognises the importance of supporting fellow businesses based in Wales.

The company has been noticed internationally, having been runner-up in the UK’s Best Holiday Home Cleaning Company and third in the Community Spirit Award organised by the Domestic Cleaning Business Network.

“As a small cleaning business, we take pride in being not only a service provider but also a great employer,” she explained. “We value our team members and strive to create a positive and supportive work environment.

“By fostering a culture of respect, growth and appreciation, we aim to be an employer of choice in the cleaning industry. We have built a good reputation over the years locally which is extremely important to us.

“We are committed to giving back to our community. From cleaning up parks for free to giving away vouchers, we are here to make a difference.

“Our goal is to keeping growing, to pay our staff a fair wage and to become even more eco-friendly, working with our Green Growth Pledge.”

The award judges praised Charlotte for her dynamic and rapidly growing business, exceptional resilience, innovation and visionary leadership.

“What truly sets the company apart is Charlie’s collaborative approach,” they said. “She sees not competitors but partners, working with others in the industry to enhance her service offerings and drive excellence.

“This forward-thinking mentality, combined with her relentless pursuit of growth, positions this company with the potential to become a leader in its field.”