Anrhydeddau Amaethyddol i Gymru
Welsh broadcaster and journalist Dei Tomos, whose early morning news bulletin for farmers on BBC Radio Cymru has been running for 25 years has been made an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies in recognition of his contribution to the promotion of agriculture through the media.
The bulletin, which seeks to communicate information and news in a balanced and impartial way to farmers and other listeners interested in the industry, is broadcast five days a week for 52 weeks of the year. Mr Tomos has also presented a variety of agricultural and countryside programmes and was for many years the main presenter of programmes from the Royal Welsh Show.
In addition to his work as a broadcaster he spent nine years as a nominated member of the Snowdonia National Park Authority and 10 years as a member of the board of management of the Countryside Council of Wales, both appointments made by the Secretary of State for Wales.
Mr Tomos, of Nantperis, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, is one of two new Associates of the Royal Agricultural Societies, while four existing Associates from Wales have been awarded Fellowships.
The other new Associate is Tegwyn Pughe Jones of Mallwyd, Machynlleth, Powys, who received the award for his work in farming, conservation and energy production. He has grappled with the problems involved in farming land situated in a harsh climate and with difficult topography and has used the available resources to best advantage by designing and building a hydro-electric scheme which on full power produces 93kw/h, enough electricity for about 60 houses. A bigger scheme producing 200kw/h is under construction.
Mr Jones, who won the coveted Silver Lapwing Award in Wales in 2003 for his conservation work is also a noted bard and poet winning the chair in the Powys regional eisteddfod in 2006.
The four Associates of the Royal Agricultural Societies who have progressed to Fellowship are Hudson Jones of Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Susan Jones of Whitland, Carmarthenshire, Philip Davies of Four Crosses, Llanymynech, Powys, and Lyn Richards of Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire.
Hudson Jones became an Associate in 2000 for his achievements in building his farming business from 80 acres with 20 milking cows to a large enterprise consisting of seven farms all purchased out of profits, finishing 1000 cattle a year, producing 1500 early spring lambs, fattening 2000 store lambs and growing 70 acres of cereals. He is a former winner of the Welsh Farmer of the Year and the RWAS Sir Bryner Jones awards for his outstanding contribution to agriculture and the YFC movement.
Susan Jones was made an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies in 2003 following her successful development of Llanboidy Cheesemakers, a small farm-based business which acquired a national and international reputation as producers of the award-winning quality traditional Welsh farmhouse cheeses. She was also a founder of CAWS (Cheesemakers Association of Wales) set up to promote the marketing and distribution of quality Welsh speciality cheeses.
Although she no longer produces cheese at Llanboidy due to the problems of bovine TB which forced her to sell her Red Poll herd, she is still promoting Welsh farmhouse cheeses. She was appointed to the Food Standards Agency Wales’ Food Advisory Committee in 2008 and is involved with the Welsh Assembly Government’s Agri-Food Partnership Dairy Strategy Group.
Philip Davies has been an Associate since 2003 for his successful contribution as a breeder of pedigree cattle, particularly Friesian and Holstein. His Gornal herd, prominent in the show and sale rings, is one of the leading Holstein herds in the country, its classification results maintaining a virtual 100 per cent record of animals in the top two grades, an achievement rarely attained by any breeder.
Mr Davies is a noted judge and a founder member of the North Wales Holstein Club of which he is President. He is a member of the board of Holstein UK and is also President-elect for 2009.
Lyn Richards was awarded Associateship in 2003 after nearly 30 years in agricultural education first as a lecturer in grassland and livestock production at the then fledgling Welsh Agricultural College before taking on the role of Farms Manager of the College’s dairy, beef and sheep units and later becoming a lecturer at Gelli Aur. He also started farming successfully on his own account in Carmarthenshire, a step which enabled him to combine practice with teaching. His influence as an educationist and a motivator of young people has been extensive. He has inspired many students and is highly regarded among his peers.
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