by Glyn Roberts, FUW President

It’s October and it’s the month that the Prime Minister has said that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union “Do or Die”. That would suggest that for many people we are now entering the so called end-game of our time in the Union. But are we really?

There is a great deal of effort from many sides and sources being put into delaying, postponing, stopping or aborting Brexit in its entirety. And for varying reasons.

One of the most prominent figures in the political world, the longest-serving Welshman at Westminster has just published his autobiography. Lord John Morris is the Cardi in the Cabinet which is also the name of the new book recently published by Y Lolfa.

This is a snapshot of 60 years in the political world, but before he became a familiar face in Westminster, his roots were deep in rural Ceredigion, born and raised, as one of seven children on two farms on the outskirts of Aberystwyth, of which he is proud. But he was seen as the black sheep of the family because he decided to pursue a career as a lawyer rather than become a farmer.

But agriculture was not far from his mind when he was appointed solicitor and deputy secretary general of the Farmers’ Union of Wales between 1956 and 1958, which of course had just been formed. Here is an extract from the autobiography that explains more: -

by Glyn Roberts, FUW President

The Eisteddfod is an important event in the Welsh calendar, and it is great to have an opportunity at the Eisteddfod every year to meet members, local staff and those who are not involved in agriculture. A unique opportunity for us as a union to discuss with individuals and other organiaations about the state of agriculture, and the importance of the industry to Welsh culture, the Welsh language and the Welsh economy.

by Alun Edwards, Meirionnydd Representative on the FUW Education and Training and Hill Farming and Marginal Land Committee

There has never been a more important time for the agricultural sector to strategically ally, by standing up to their critics and get their point accross. So I was very happy to receive an invitation from Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg to join a discussion panel on the future of our rural communities at the Llanrwst  National Eisteddfod.

Joining me on the panel were FUW President Glyn Roberts and Non Gwenllian Williams, who is studying agricultural policy for a Ph.D. at Bangor University, and who is a very prominent member of Anglesey YFC. The debate was chaired by a former State veterinarian, and leading anti-nuclear activist, Robat Idris, as vice chairman of the Gymdeithas's rural community group.

Glyn Roberts. Glyn Dylasau. Glyn FUW President. And now Heusor o Gwm Eidda. This year's Conwy County National Eisteddfod was one to remember for our President as he was honoured with the blue robe by the Gorsedd of Bards. This is an honour for those who have given outstanding service to their local community or nation. After an extremely busy week at the Eisteddfod, Cornel Clecs caught up with Glyn to ask him about his experience with the Gorsedd:

What is your bardic name?

My first reaction was to keep it simple and use Glyn Dylasau, but as I felt this was one of the greatest honours for a Welsh person to receive, I had to think more imaginatively. You have to appreciate when you work with people that they influence you, and what went through my mind was what Nick always says, which is that everything has to be proportional. At one point I thought of using my full name in Welsh, William Glyn Roberts and adopting Gwilym Glyn ap Sion.   I inhereted the William after my grandfather and today one of my grandchildren is Gwilym and Gwilym Glyn ap Sion would have included four generations, but I was looking for a name that conveyed the importance of keeping the country pure rather than a more personal one, and after much thought, a name was finally found after being asked twice by the Eisteddfod authorities!

My Bardic name is 'Heusor o Gwm Eidda' - it means the keeper of animals such as sheep, cattle, pigs, not only the husbandry side but the watching, guarding, protecting and leadership element.

by Siriol Parry, FUW Administrative Assistant

I’m originally from Edern, Lleyn Peninsula where my family run a civil engineering company, G T Williams Ltd. I have an agricultural background with several generations of my family FUW members, my great grandfather, Ceiri Hughes-Parry of Penllwyn, Pwllheli was County Chairman of Caernarfon FUW County Branch during 1964.

After studying my A levels at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor, Pwllheli, I studied for three years at Cardiff Metropolitan University and received a first class degree in Business and Management with Finance in Summer 2019.

I have just moved to the Tregaron area with my partner who has started a 'share farming' business on a farm with over 250 dairy cows.

As I am interested in agriculture and have the experience of working in administration, I am looking forward to starting my career as an Administrative Assistant at Head Office and working with the team here at the FUW.