Previously an operations manager at Aberinnovation, a science park dedicated to agricultural technology, Phil Ellis started in his new role as Chief Executive for the Wales Young Farmer Federation on 22nd November 2021. Since then, he has already been involved in the movement’s main events that kick start the YFC year: the Eisteddfod and Winter Fair. Having been in the role for only a couple of months, Phil now has big plans for the future of the movement, with his main focus being the post-COVID response for local clubs, and the mental health and wellbeing of members.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

Living in rural mid Wales, I have always worked with young people in different organisations and those in the Young Farmers have always stood out for their hard work, dedication and passion for their movement. This was one of the reasons I went for this role with Wales YFC. Living in mid wales, I enjoy hill walking, camping and am a big fan of Formula 1 and Rugby.

What made you apply for the role?

My motivation came from seeing the great work that the movement does for young people in rural settings, and as the new Chief Executive I feel i can bring my experience to the table and help build on what is already an impressive and progressive movement.

Mr Lyn Williams, retired FUW Area Officer has passed away. Lyn joined the FUW during 1977 and worked for FUW Insurance for 30 years, retiring during 2007. Lyn’s area was, in effect, the Gwendraeth Valley, Carmarthenshire, and the family home in Pontyberem was ideally suited for his work. 

Lyn was fully involved in his local community and he worked as a volunteer at both the National Eisteddfod and the Urdd Eisteddfod for many years. Lyn also had a passion for vintage tractors and his coffin was carried to the service at Caersalem Chapel, Pontyberem by his Massey Ferguson tractor.

Lyn was a highly respected JP for many years and the other great passion in his life were the Scarlets and he rarely missed a home fixture.

FUW Deputy President, Ian Rickman, was present at the funeral to represent the FUW as well as a number of retired staff and members. 

Ian added: “I knew Lyn very well and I am very much aware of the outstanding contribution he made to the FUW over many years. I extend my condolences and the condolences of everyone at the FUW to Lyn’s family at this difficult time.”

Seion Chapel, Llandysul would be one of the most unlikely first topics of discussion when the Caernarfonshire FUW Senior County Executive Officer, Gwynedd Watkin, met Mabon ap Gwynfor, Dwyfor Meirionnydd Member of the Senedd recently on a farm. But that's exactly what happened.

During his conversation with Mabon, Gwynedd explained that his father, the late Reverend John Watkin, was the minister of Seion chapel between 1964 and 1972, where Mabon's father is now the current minister, the Reverend Guto Prys ap Gwynfor.

This is not the only coincidence in terms of both their backgrounds. When Gwynedd's family left Llandysul, they moved to Morriston in the Swansea Valley where his father became the minister of Tabernacle chapel. Years later Mabon's father became minister of Hebron chapel in Clydach, also in the Swansea Valley, before they moved to Llandysul.

Gwynedd said: “I was so pleased to meet Mabon and to have the opportunity to reminisce on so many fond memories of my time in Llandysul and the Swansea Valley. We have both been influenced by fond memories of our time in Llandysul and the Swansea Valley before our careers led us to other parts of Wales.

by Llinos Angharad Owen, Tir Dewi and FUW member

There is so much talk these days about the word "diversification" but what does that really mean? Well, it broadens experiences or it means changing from doing one thing to doing something completely different. This is exactly what I did two years ago and completely changed direction from education to agriculture.

I was in education for over twenty years as a teacher, Assistant Headteacher and then Head in Charge at a secondary school in Gwynedd. Then followed a period of working as a Children in Care Education Officer with Conwy Council, and then really deciding that I wanted to help on our family farm and diversify the business. We now have two holiday homes that offer a bilingual service and we educate our visitors about our history and culture here in rural Snowdonia. We, along with a group of friends, have also set up an international shears competition, "Cneifio Gelert" which is going from strength to strength.

Working at home on the farm with my husband Gareth in the heart of the Snowdonia countryside has been an eye opener for me in terms of not only the farming industry, but also the farming community. The pressure, paperwork and endless changes all come with their own challenges. During the past year we have all faced very unexpected challenges in our lives as a result of the pandemic. We have all had to adjust our daily lives and some of us are feeling more isolated than ever before.

by Angharad Evans, Welsh Language Communications Officer 

It’s always a pleasure to take pride in the achievements of our young people, and Cornel Clecs has a very special story for you this month, one that also has a very special connection with FUW. I'll explain more about this later.

Let's get to know one of the rugby pitch's newest stars. But it's not just the rugby field that interests a hill farm girl from Snowdonia, and the story starts on the farm yard.

Having experienced sheepdog trials international success, Gwenllian Pyrs is one of the first women to be selected to play rugby full-time professionally for Wales.

Gwenllian is one of 12 women recently awarded a full-time contract by the Welsh Rugby Union. It's a huge change for the girl from Padog near Ysbyty Ifan in the upper Conwy Valley who has now moved to Cardiff to be able to train daily with the Welsh squad.

One of ten children, Gwenllian grew up on Ty Mawr Eidda farm and has rugby in her blood.  All five of her brothers and four sisters have played for, or still play for Nant Conwy RFC. Two of her sisters, Elin and Non have played for the 'North Wales' team and Alaw, Ifan, Maredudd and Rhodri have played for 'Eryri'. They follow in the footsteps of their father Eryl, one of the founders and former captain of Nant Conwy RFC.

"'Nant Conwy' is much more than a rugby club," said Eryl. "It is an important social club, with the Welsh language being a natural medium for activities and training and a way for the area’s youth to have a completely natural social life through the medium of Welsh. A very high percentage - around 80% of the members come from an agricultural background and is an important medium for the country and town to come together.

by Rosie Davies

I’m a farmer’s daughter, born and bred on a beef and sheep farm near Llanelli in Carmarthenshire. Farming is an important part of my life, and goes back many generations of the family over the years. Being brought up on a farm in the countryside has helped me choose the kind of path I want to follow in the industry.

As part of my GCSE’s, I decided to study level 2 Agriculture at Coleg Sir Gâr, Gelli Aur. After finishing school, I went to Gelli Aur College to study level 3 in Agriculture full-time, and then finished by studying a Foundation Degree in Agriculture and Animal Science where I graduated during summer 2021.

During my time at college, I enjoyed every second of the learning and the social side. It was a privilege to visit the different farms and see the systems they operated, and also learned a lot of the practicalities, much of which I can use to improve the system and the way our farm is run. I enjoyed the social side by meeting and working with people across the county, and made lifelong friends in the process.

In 2019, I had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand with the college. We spent three weeks visiting different farms, agricultural businesses and also staying overnight on farms to help and learn about their lifestyle. During the three weeks we started our journey in Auckland and travelled down the 'North Island' and then crossed to the 'South Island' and finished in Queenstown. The highlight of the trip for me was visiting Mount Linton, the largest beef and sheep farm in the 'South Island'.