A young farmer who achieved a 20-year ambition to run his own dairy farm when his local council offered him a holding has won the Farmers’ Union of Wales Pembrokeshire branch’s annual Countryside Award.

Thirty-three-year-old Julian Nicholas, of Lower Coxhill Farm, Narberth, who has worked in agriculture all his life, was presented with the award plus £100 and a year’s free FUW membership during the Pembrokeshire County Show today (Wednesday, August 19).

"From the first days that I could get about as a toddler I was helping out on the family’’s dairy farm at Martletwy," he said.

And he was barely into his teens when he developed an ambition to run his own dairy herd. But the family farm was sold 11 years ago due to the ill health of his father Brian who has since recovered from his illness.

"After that set-back I carried on working on local farms as a general farm worker," said Julian. "We moved to a smallholding and I always kept a couple of sucklers and remained very keen and interested in farming.

"But it was never enough to give me the start I needed so, about eight years ago, I began my own business of relief milking and agricultural fencing. It was extremely hard work but it was just the chance I needed."

Then four years ago he applied to run a National Trust farm and his ambition and drive helped him to be selected for the 40-acre Amroth Farm at Amroth. "This gave me the space to increase cattle numbers and keep my business thriving," Julian said.

But this was still not enough for him and he remained determined to achieve his ambition of owning a dairy herd. His break came just over 18 months ago when he had the opportunity to apply for the county council’s 90-acre dairy farm at Lower Coxhill.

"I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity even though it meant more commitment and less time for my existing business," he said. "But it meant I had realised my dream.

"I now own a herd of 60 dairy cows and still have my fencing business. I also help our silage contractor out."

When Julian took over Amroth Farm his girlfriend Libby moved in with him. They were married eight months ago and she is expecting their first child in December.

The judges said all three of the shortlisted nominees would have been very worthy winners but they eventually chose Julian because he had started and developed his business from scratch.

"Also, he had chosen to move into dairy production at a very difficult time for the sector which showed a high level of determination and commitment to the industry," the judges added.

The treasurer of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) and a farmer’s wife have been appointed new area officers in Powys by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.
Fifty-one-year-old David Powell, of Y Fan, Llanidloes, was made RWAS’ joint honorary treasurer in 2004 and honorary treasurer three years later. He will cover Radnorshire for FUW Insurance Services.
Farmer’s wife Julie Phillips, 30, of Upper Chapel, Brecon, was a Lantra administrator for eight years before joining the FUW. She will cover Breconshire.
Mr Powell was employed by HSBC Bank since leaving school and was their senior commercial manager, based at Llandrindod Wells, before he joined the FUW.
FUW business development director Emyr James said both appointments will boost the union’s image in Powys and give further support to the good work of the union’s county executive officer Aled Jones.
"FUW Insurance Services are now insurance brokers in their own right. We use a panel of agricultural insurance providers to ensure members receive the best possible protection at a competitive price.
"If you haven’t insured with us recently, why not ask David Powell or Julie Phillips for a quote - you may be pleasantly surprised."
David can be contacted on 07794 314 542 and Julie on 07890 511 527. Both are also contactable on 01982 553 406.

Members of the Farmers’ Union of Wales throughout Meirionnydd have donated nearly £1,000 to provide the prose medal and the winner’s £750 prize-money at the National Eisteddfod in Bala this week (August 1-8).

The prose medal ceremony takes place at 4.30pm on Wednesday, August 5 and competitors were requested to submit a volume of work with "texture" as its theme.

"We sent a letter out to members seeking contributions for this very prestigious prize and the cash just rolled in," said FUW’s Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones.

"I am extremely grateful for all their contributions towards one of the eisteddfod’s top awards and we hope it goes to a very worthy winner."

A warm welcome awaits members, supporters and friends at the FUW stand (No 641-642) on the Maes where a host of events will be staged throughout the week.

"The stand is situated in a convenient spot near the main pavilion and is an excellent chance to call in for a cup of tea and a chat at the same time as enjoying the numerous displays and events we have organised," said Mr Jones.

Throughout the week keen eisteddfodwyr Aeryn Jones, of Dinmael, near Corwen, will be showing items from his collection of old agricultural tools which will sure to be a major talking point.

Also, there will be a photographic exhibition of FUW members by Chris Clunn, a professional photographer who now lives in Maentwrog.

"The photographs are only a small example of Chris’s work and interest and he would be more than happy to visit and photograph other union members within Merioneth any time in the future," said Mr Jones.

On Monday and Wednesday, Rhian Owen, from Aberdyfi, will be present on the stand to show how to cut up a lamb. Rhian works full time in her family’s shop, Cigydd Aberdyfi, and won the title of Young Butcher of the Year throughout Wales in 2006.

The shop was bought by her father, FUW member Dewi Owen and family, Esgairgyfela Farm, Aberdyfi, in 2005 and they clinched one of the True Taste awards in 2007.

On Wednesday, Aled Owen, Penyfed, Ty Nant, near Corwen, an expert in the field of sheepdog trials will visit the stand. He has won numerous prizes as a trialist, including the world championship in 2002 and 2008.

On Thursday, there will be a special visit by a local girl who became famous recently. Elin Haf Davies was part of the first female crew to sail across the Indian Ocean last month.

The girls, who call themselves the "Ocean Angels", were the first crew to row 3,720 miles across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Mauritius, taking 79 days to do so.

"They have raised a considerable amount of money for the Breast Cancer Care charity and people will have a further opportunity to donate to this important charity during Elin’s visit," said Mr Jones

Also on Wednesday, Gwenan Pawee, originally from Llwyngwgan Farm, near Llangwm, will demonstrate the craft of wool spinning and this again is sure to attract much interest.

Leaflets and information about the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) charity will also be available throughout the week to explain the work that it does and the help that is available to agricultural families.

"This charity receives the FUW’s full support and every attempt is made to help in any way," Mr Jones added.

Freelance agricultural journalist Meyrick Brown is the Farmers’ Union of Wales Agricultural Journalist of the Year for 2009.

Meyrick, of Rhosgranog House, Llandeloy, Haverfordwest, has a lifetime’s practical experience of dairy, beef and arable farming, drawing on his depth of knowledge to become a highly respected journalist covering a range of topical issues and farming industry developments, as well as highlighting farmer success stories.

He writes regularly for the Western Mail and Carmarthen Journal, provides a weekly column for the Observer series in Pembrokeshire and contributes to the Pembrokeshire Farmer, Pembrokeshire Life and Farmers Guardian. He has also assisted in TV and radio research.

In 2006 his "outstanding contribution to the promotion of agriculture in Pembrokeshire" was formally recognised and last year he received the Pembrokeshire Farmers Club Award "for services to agriculture".

Meyrick is married to Janet and the couple have two children - Helen, who is marketing manager for a company exporting medical products, and Angela, who is a ceramic artist and lecturer.

Announcing the winner, FUW president Gareth Vaughan said Meyrick was a very worthy candidate for the award.

"His aim is, and has always been, to widely promote all that is best in agriculture and to draw public attention to matters causing stress among vulnerable sectors of the industry."

The annual award - a shepherd’s crook - is usually produced by prize-winning Aberystwyth crook maker Hywel Evans but in a departure from tradition Meyrick’s crook was previously owned by S4C’s Cefn Gwlad presenter Dai Jones, Llanilar, who donated it to a recent auction and knocked it down to the highest bidder - a member of the FUW staff.

The auction followed a successful charity golf competition at Aberystwyth Golf Club and helped raise £6,000 towards Ceredigion’s host county appeal fund for next year’s Royal Welsh Show.