Eight new Fellows from Wales of Royal Agricultural Societies
Eight Associates of the Royal Agricultural Societies have been made Fellows by the Council for Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies in Wales. Their individual contributions to the farming or ancillary industries will be recognised when they are awarded certificates marking their progression to Fellowship at this month’s Royal Welsh Show.
Two of the new Fellows are women, Mrs Deilwen Breese and Mrs Margaret Dalton, who were made Associates in 2004. Mrs Breese of Gogarth Hall Farm, Pennal, Machynlleth, a qualified chef, successfully converted farm buildings into self-catering and serviced accommodation for holiday visitors. She is a leading figure in the promotion of farm tourism and winner of several awards.
Mrs Dalton of Llangybi, Lampeter, Ceredigion, who continued farming following the death of her husband in 1976, was Wales Woman Farmer of the Year in 1998, Farming Woman of the Year in 1999 and was awarded the OBE in 2000 for services to agriculture and the community.
The other new Fellows are:
Harri Evans of Ty Croes, Anglesey, was made an Associate in 2003 for his work as a breeder of Holstein cattle, particularly the longevity of the Holstein cow. His knowledge of the breed has enabled him to influence the type of cow needed to ensure profitability for dairy farmers of the future. He was a founder of the North Wales Holstein Club and has judged the breed at all the major shows in the UK. A grassland expert he has won the British Grassland Society competition for silage making on several occasions.
Another leading cattle breeder, Aled Edwards of Cilycwm, Llandovery, has been an Associate since 2004. His prize-winning Dyfri Limousin herd has produced many top-selling progeny by the stock bull Jockey, purchased in France, which have achieved prices of up to 20,000 gns. He is also well known for his baritone voice and was a regular competitor at the National Eisteddfod of Wales where he won the Blue Riband Award in 1997, subsequently travelling as a guest artiste on several overseas tours with Welsh choirs to Europe and the United States.
Tudor Harris of Redland Farm, Bonvilston, Cardiff, an Associate since 2004, started farming on 32 acres of rented land where he established a Pick-Your-Own potatoes business on two acres with an advertisement in the local paper. During the first weekend he sold 1000 bags and over the next 15 years over 120 tonnes a season. Together with his wife, Janet, he now farms 500 acres and produces top quality pedigree Blue Faced Leicester sheep which are sought after throughout the country. He is a member of the Waitrose Aberdeen Angus and Waitrose Welsh Lamb Groups.
Gareth Jones of Corwen is the Estate Farm Manager of the 2500 hectare Rhug Estate in Denbighshire. He became an Associate in 2004 for his work on converting the 950 hectare Rhug Farm to organic status. During the last five years the Rhug has consolidated its organic status and has become a shop window and classic example of what constitutes a well run and developed organic farm with a high standard of management in rearing cattle, sheep, bison, poultry and growing combinable crops.
Edward Morgan of Nantybwla, Carmarthen, an Associate for six years, is a holder of the coveted award of Master Breeder presented by the British Holstein Society for his success as a cattle breeder and milk producer. In 1985, with his wife Eiddwen, he established the Caws Nantybwla Farmhouse Cheese business, a brand now known nationwide and winner of many awards in the UK and Europe. A shop and museum set up on the farm as a visitor centre has attracted many callers, including schools and societies, to see the cheese-making process.
George Thorne of Studdolph Hall, Milford Haven, an Associate since 2004, is a noted breeder of pedigree Hereford cattle. Studdolph Herefords have won many championships in the show ring and have been exported throughout the world and George Thorne, a former President of the Hereford Cattle Society, has been at the forefront of the continuing development of the famous white-faced breed, producing world class stock. His cattle presently hold the title of UK Hereford Herd of the Year, bringing the award to Wales for the first time. He is a highly respected judge and has officiated at most of the Royal shows. He is a former chairman and county president of the Pembrokeshire Young Farmers Club and together with his wife, Ionwy, was joint president of the local YFC.