The Farmers’ Union of Wales has joined forces with Cynefin and is showcasing maps, which include the Eisteddfod grounds, along with documents depicting information about the fields such as their historic names, during this year’s National Eisteddfod (August 1-8) and other agricultural and county shows.

Cynefin is an innovative HLF (Heritage Lottery Fund) funded project that aims to digitise all of the tithe maps of Wales.

The project is eager to get the people of Wales involved in transcribing the tithe maps and their associated schedules which name land owners and occupiers, land uses and field names.

“Interestingly, the way field names were recorded in the 1840s for tithe purposes can be compared to the way in which field names are recorded today as part of the SAF/RPW online process,” said Cynefin project manager Einion Gruffudd.

 “We look forward to working with the Cynefin project throughout the rest of the show season by displaying a variety of tithe maps throughout our Welsh agricultural shows and are encouraging visitors to our stand to help transcribe them,” said FUW director of policy Dr Nick Fenwick. 

 “A new exhibition - Y Lle Hanes – will also feature at the Eisteddfod this year and is dedicated to local history.

 “At this local history exhibition, visitors will be able to view several tithe maps from Montgomeryshire, including a large tithe map composition of the Meifod area, which has been merged from smaller parish and township maps with the help of local volunteers. 

“Eisteddfod-goers will also be able to see how tithe maps can help us learn about the lost villages and houses of Wales,” added Mr Gruffudd.

At the National Library of Wales stand in the Eisteddfod, parts of Llanycil and Llanfor tithe maps will be displayed to show the land that was drowned in 1965 to create Llyn Celyn reservoir.

A colourful display on the history of the Bardic Chair, will form the centre piece at this year’s Farmers’ Union of Wales stand (Stand 613 – 614) at the National Eisteddfod, held at Meifod, Montgomeryshire (August 1-8).

“As a union we are proud of our long history with the Eisteddfod and are looking forward to once again be supporting this iconic Welsh festival of culture and life,” said FUW Montgomeryshire county chairman Mark Williams.

“Visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to view a colourful and informative display on not just the history of the Bardic Chair but also the past and of course present Bardic Chair contributions that the FUW has made over the years.”

The Eisteddfod Bardic Chair, which is presented to the winning bard for an ode or a sequence of poems in strict metre (cynghanedd), of up to 250 lines on the theme ‘Web’ on Friday August 7, has been sponsored by the FUW Montgomeryshire branch this year and Chair maker Carwyn Owen will be at the FUW stand on Wednesday (August 5) to talk about his creation as the youngest ever cabinet maker to create the chair.

“We are also looking forward to welcome members and friends of the FUW to join us on the stand on Saturday (August 1) for a BBQ to meet our new county executive officer at 5pm.

“On Monday (August 3) we will be giving away free milk samples and are launching our ‘Where is Tegwen’ competition for the week.

“Children can pick a square on a coloured numbered board to guess where she got lost on her travels across Wales.

“Each square cost £1 and the money raised will go to the president’s charitable cause and a £100 cash prize is up for grabs for the winning ticket,” added Mr Williams.

The union is also cutting its 60th anniversary birthday cake and is inviting members and friends to join us for the occasion at 2.30pm on Wednesday.

“Representative from RABI will be on the stand daily and we look forward to welcoming representatives of FUW Insurance Ltd. during the week,” added Mr Williams.

There will be a warm welcome, as well as light refreshments, for all to enjoy and members of FUW Montgomeryshire staff are on hand to discuss general farming issues.

[caption id="attachment_5540" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Presenting the Bob Davies memorial award to former FUW director of PR - Peter Roberts - is FUW president Glyn Roberts.[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales public relations director Peter Roberts, who retired from his post at the beginning of the year, received the FUW’s Bob Davies Memorial Award at yesterdays (Wednesday July 22) annual FUW Wednesday evening reception at the Royal Welsh Show. 

The award - in memory of Farmers Weekly Wales correspondent Bob Davies, of Welshpool, who died in November 2009 - is offered to a media personality who has raised the public profile of Welsh farming. 

Sixty-six-year-old Mr Roberts said: “Bearing in mind the calibre of those fellow media personalities that have already received this award, I am proud to follow in their footsteps. 

“But I also feel like a gamekeeper turned poacher as, since the award’s inception, I used to be part of the FUW group that decided who should receive it every year. 

“So I felt it was a bit nepotistic for me to be nominated this time but then I realised that I had covered the highs and lows of the farming industry for nearly 40 years before joining the FUW. 

“And now it thrills me to recall that when I was 15 I used to deliver the South Wales Evening Post around my home village of Ferryside and over half a century later I still edit the FUW’s monthly newspaper Y Tir/Welsh Farmer, which is printed and produced by the Post’s current publishers.” 

FUW president Glyn Roberts said: “On behalf of the FUW I would warmly like to thank Peter for his outstanding service to the FUW and Welsh agriculture, not only during his time with the union but also during his many years as a respected journalist. 

“We’ve flown the FUW flag in Germany, Greece and Brussels and Peter’s commitment and passion for Welsh agricultural news and his experience and knowledge have benefited the union greatly.” 

After leaving Carmarthen’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Mr Roberts joined the Carmarthen Journal as a trainee reporter and just over two years later he was appointed the Post’s Carmarthen district junior reporter. 

In September 1970 he became the Western Mail’s senior district reporter for Ceredigion, Montgomeryshire, Meirionnydd and Dwyfor and 14 years later the Cambrian News’ deputy editor. 

He was appointed Cambrian News editor in July 1991 and after seven years in that post left to set up his own editorial consultancy pr.news which he successfully ran until April 2002 when he became FUW’s press officer and Y Tir’s editor. 

He succeeded Alan Morris, now Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales communications manager, as FUW’s PR director in December 2006.

[caption id="attachment_5537" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Presenting the final cheques worth £25,000 each to T? Hafan and T? Gobaith were former FUW president Emyr Jones and FUW president Glyn Roberts[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has formally presented two children’s hospices with a cheque of £50,000 after its fundraising activities were brought to a close after two years, on the eve of the third day (Wednesday, July 22) of the Royal Welsh Show. 

Presenting the cheque to the charities was former FUW president Emyr Jones, who said: “As our fundraising commitment comes to a close, I am proud to announce that we have raised £50,000 for the president’s charitable cause, which will be split equally between the two hospices – T? Hafan and T? Gobaith - and there is still money coming in, which we will of course also donate to the causes. 

“Members of FUW staff and friends of the union have been relentless in their efforts to raise money for these two children’s hospices and have arranged some fantastic events such as an all Wales coast path walk, a Noson Lawen, copious breakfast functions, raffles, competitions including a Christmas card design competition for primary school children in Wales and have tackled the 3 highest peaks in Wales within 24 hours to boost our fundraising efforts. 

“Having visited the hospices myself, I cannot think of a more worthwhile cause to donate this money to and I wish the hospices all the very best of luck in the future.” 

T? Hafan’s head of business and community fundraising, Alison Stallard, was delighted with the £25,000 cheque for the Cardiff based hospice, and said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the fantastic amount that the FUW has tirelessly raised for T? Hafan.  

“This significant amount will make such a difference to children with short lives and their families from across Wales.  

“We need to raise around £10,000 each day to provide our services, both in the hospice and out in the community, so we can help life-limited children and their families make the most of the precious time they have left together.  

“We would like to say a massive thank you to the FUW for their unstinting support and are so pleased they were successful in once again reaching their ambitious fundraising target.” 

T? Gobaith’s fundraising manager Sarah Kearsley-Wooller, who accepted the £25,000 cheque on behalf of the Conwy based hospice, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of all members of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, their families and friends.    

“It is a tribute to the hard work and enthusiasm of so many that such a significant sum has been raised to support our two children’s hospices - T? Gobaith in Conwy and Hope House in Oswestry. 

“With their kindness we can build memories and make the most of every moment, as well as provide counselling and bereavement in the community. Without your help we simply could not exist.”