Two farming families have launched their own meat business, and in the process have safeguarded the future of Snowdonia’s last abattoir.

Tesni and Dafydd Wyn Jones, who farm near Trawsfynydd, have joined forces with friends and neighbours Dewi and Megan Williams, to create Cig Eryri (Snowdonia Meat), in a bid to create a broader market for their lamb and beef.

The impetus for the business came when the opportunity arose to take over their local abattoir, a move which would give them the chance to take control of the whole process – from farm to plate.

The Cae Iago abattoir, which is situated between Trawsfynydd and Blaenau Ffestiniog, closed last Christmas when the owner Evan Roberts retired.

That meant the nearest slaughtering facilities would be in Corwen or Llanrwst.

“We usually take some lambs to Cae Iago, and Evan told me he was planning to retire,” says Tesni.

“I didn’t like the thought of the local abattoir closing down, as it is the only one in the Snowdonia National Park.

“Dafydd and I got chatting with Dewi and Megan, and we decided to go for it.”

With Evan as a mentor and the services of a local butcher, Cig Eryri will process and sell the Jones’ and Williams’ lamb and beef.

And local farms will still be able to enjoy the services of a local abattoir.

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday