Community Champion award shortlist
Four farmers who make an incredible contribution to their local communities have been shortlisted for the NFU Cymru / NatWest Welsh Rural Community Champion Award, with the winner being announced on the last day of the Royal Welsh Show.
The competition, now in its third year, recognises the hard work farmers do off the farm in order to help their local town or village community. The Award winner will receive the top prize of £500 and an engraved Welsh slate clock and two runners-up get £100 each.
NFU Cymru Deputy President, Stephen James, said, "I am very pleased that this Award has really grabbed peoples’ attention. When short-listing we looked for farmers who contributed to the wider community. Sustainability of rural areas depends on more than us farmers. Conversely, it promotes our role when we are fully immersed in the workings of village life."
The finalists for the Award come from Carmarthenshire, Glamorgan and Powys. They are:
John James, Fferm Tyllwyd, Felingwm-uchaf, Carmarthenshire. According to John’s nomination form, submitted by his wife of 40 years, he has lived, worked and supported everything that is good for their community. He is President elect of the Young Farmers Clubs in Carmarthenshire; he is a community councillor, has been secretary of the male voice choir for 20 years, a Cothi Bridge Show steward for 45 years, a comprehensive and primary school governor, secretary of the local eisteddfod and chairman of Felingwm community centre.
Selwyn Evans, Coedhirion Farm, Llanddarog, Carmarthenshire. Selwyn is the current chairman of the community council, he is heavily involved with the YFC locally, he is a member of the local church and a past warden. Selwyn is a past president of the Rotary club, past chairman for Village of the year, a school governor and PTA chairperson. He is the current Chairman of the Royal Welsh Show Carmarthenshire Advisory Cttee and past chairman of the village hall cttee. Daphne Evans says of Selwyn in his nomination – he continually strives to maintain the community as a viable, vibrant place to live, work and to enjoy the beautiful countryside.
John Lougher, Tytanglwyst Farm, Pyle, Bridgend. John is a well-respected member of both the farming and local community. He supports the local YFC. As a dairy farmer he is very active in helping the children in the local community understand where milk comes from by providing a cow to visit schools. He also helps out with events such as Open Farm Sunday, Farmhouse Breakfast Week events and helps with stock judging and educational displays at local shows. His application states John will always be the first to contribute or participate in any local event when asked and has been a superb role model for young farmers wishing to stay in agriculture.
Tudor Gethin, Maengowyn Farm, Llanfaredd, Builth Wells. Tudor is involved in so many community projects and committees that his wife Retha, in his nomination, says she doesn’t know how he manages to find enough hours in a day. Tudor is chairman of Llanelwedd community council, chairman of the jubilee hall management cttee, chairman of the regeneration project, past chairman of the Badgerface Welsh Mountain Sheep Society and organiser of the grass cutting team at the local church. Retha says he is a true ambassador for the local community.
Andy Woodthorpe, NatWest’s Director – Rural Wales Banking said, "We really have had a tremendous amount of applications for this year’s award and it was extremely difficult to get down to a shortlist of four. We are grateful to all those who put applications in."
The winner of the NFU Cymru / NatWest Welsh Rural Community Champion Award will be announced at the NFU Cymru stand at 11.30am on Thursday, 21 July, of the Royal Welsh Show.
