The Farmers’ Union of Wales is mourning the passing of its life member and farming stalwart Glyn Powell from Glansenni, Sennybridge. As an ambassador for agriculture, Glyn was the FUW’s Vice President between 1995 and 2000, and then deputy from 2000 to 2002 under Bob Parry. During this time one of his greatest challenges was the Foot and Mouth crisis.
His father was a shepherd's son on the Cnewr estate, and his mother from Epynt. Although Glyn climbed to a high level in education by being the Principal of Brecon High School, he never forgot his roots, as he was very active in everything that involved the Epynt, and fought to save the Senni Valley from being drowned. He has been, and remained to the end of his life a great benefactor of the Welsh language and culture.
He campaigned to oppose the use of the Epynt Mountain as a burial area for livestock during the challenging Foot and Mouth epidemic, and when the Senni Valley was under threat of being drowned to supply water to Cardiff, Glyn led the way, as Secretary of the Cwm Senni Defence Committee, a battle that lasted from 1963 to 1972.
The National Eisteddfod of Wales Gorsedd of Bards honoured him with the Blue Robe during the Ceredigion 2021 Eisteddfod in Tregaron. Traditionally, those who have succeeded in the fields of Law, Science, Sports, Journalism, Media, local/national activities become Honorary Druids – Blue robes - for their services to the nation.
FUW President Ian Rickman said: “The industry has lost a true farming champion and a man that to his very core lived and understood our heritage, culture and farming. Glyn Powell will be truly missed and our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.”
“One of the first times I heard Glyn speak publicly was at the Union’s Council in 1995 when he was elected Vice President. There was something quite dignified in the way he rose from his seat to address us, and that dignity continued until he sat back down at the end of his speech. It was a very memorable speech which he concluded by quoting Saunders Lewis “My country of Wales is a vineyard, given into my keeping: to be handed down to my children and to my children's children, as an inheritance for all time.” It’s one thing to quote that piece with so much conviction, but it’s another thing to realise the vision, but that is exactly what Glyn did, by securing a future for the Senni Valley and also letting his farm to a young person,” recalls former FUW President Glyn Roberts.
Past FUW President Bob Parry added: “Glyn was a character who thought before speaking and was very passionate about the young farmers clubs, he will be greatly missed.”