Life in Moray: Live wire Ellis named region's best young sparky
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A young woman employed by a company that's celebrating its 50th anniversary has been named the region's best apprentice electrician.
Ellis Stevenson started work with Campbell & McHardy last year.
Since then she's been gaining hands-on experience with the firm while also studying the subject part-time at Moray College.
The 19-year-old was first named by the college as the best of its 13 apprentice engineers.
On the back of that, Ellis was chosen to take part in a regional contest held by the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust.
The competition saw the former Elgin High pupil and another five apprentices having to take on a series of practical tasks, as well as correctly answer theory-based questions.
Ellis said: "I was a bit nervous before if I'm being honest.
"And it wasn't easy – there were only two out of us who managed to finish in time.
"But I'm really pleased to have been picked as the winner."
Ellis will now represent the north east at a national contest later in the year.
Serena McHardy said: "Ellis is a really lovely person and a great electrician.
"She gets a few surprised looks when she turns up because she's young and a woman.
"But as soon as she starts work people realise she knows exactly what she's doing."
Originally set up in 1973 by Hugh Campbell and Ronald McHardy, the business is now run by their sons Ian and Paul, plus daughters-in-law Norma and Serena.
For the past 30 years, the company has been sited on the Linkwood Industrial Estate.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary the firm is having a work's trip to Lochter Activity Centre near Inverurie.
In addition, there are plans for a golf day later in the summer.
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