The Farmers' Union of Wales' modern pavilion alongside the main ring at next week’s Royal Welsh Show will be a hive of activity during the four days (July 22-25) of the popular annual event.
In addition to a series of hectic meetings between FUW officers and Assembly, Westminster and Brussels politicians, numerous events are pencilled in and members are invited to pop in at any time for a cuppa and a chat. More substantial refreshments will also be available daily for purchase at the rear of the building.
The union is now an accomplished insurance broker so the FUW Insurance brand will feature prominently in the building. Throughout the week a number of the union's 30-plus area officers will be available to give advice on a huge range of insurance cover for all those involved in the agricultural and rural industries.
Last summer the FUW teamed up with E.ON to help farmers manage one of their biggest costs - energy - so E.ON will also have a strong presence at the pavilion during the show.
They have developed a new service, especially for FUW members, offering face-to-face advice and support from dedicated account managers along with fixed price deals available over one, two or three years.
E.ON has already helped FUW members Glyn and Dorothy Breeze save around £1,400 a year by checking their previous contract, understanding how they use energy and offering them a fixed price tariff.
E.ON has also assisted the FUW in encouraging support for Welsh produce at a number of key events this year. In February, the FUW took its "Buy The Welsh One" campaign to the UK Parliament in Westminster at the first ever Ceredigion Day attended by over 40 MPs from all parties.
They also took part in the FUW's annual promotion of Farmhouse Breakfast Week at the Welsh Assembly and a lunch at the House of Lords.
Farmers looking to find out more about topical issues such as renewable energy, rent reviews and compensation claims can get free advice at the pavilion from specialists at Davis Meade Property Consultants, which has offices at Oswestry and Colwyn Bay and enjoys a close relationship with the FUW.
“We want to give our clients and other show visitors plenty of opportunities to get a free independent opinion on issues that are bothering them,” said land agent Philip Meade.
“We are expecting wind farms and compensation for electrical apparatus (such as pylons) to be hot topics this summer and also the changing single farm payment and grant regime following the CAP reform negotiations in Europe,” he said.
For further details contact Davis Meade Property Consultants on 01691 659658 or
Other events taking place at the pavilion include the formal launch on the Tuesday morning (July 23) of Slow Food Wales whose leader Gareth Johns, of The Wynnstay Hotel, Machynlleth, said the organisation is all about celebrating the best of Welsh produce from local producers.
"We are part of a global network of producers, cooks, chefs and consumers all seeking to produce, prepare, choose and eat food that we can truly call good, clean and fair - good to eat, clean in its impact on the environment, and with a fair return to the producer. It is about uniting the real pleasure of good food with responsibility and sustainability.”
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Slow Food Wales leader Gareth Johns[/caption]
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FUW PAVILION: A hive of activity[/caption]