October Recipe

by Meinir Edwards, from the cookery book, Curo'r Coginio'n Coginio

Pastry ingredients

450g / 1lb plain flour

200g / 8oz butter

2 beaten eggs

Half teaspoon salt

Pastry method

1) Mix the flour, salt and butter in a bowl to create crumbs

2) Add the eggs and mix to make a pastry

3) Leave the pastry to rest for an hour before rolling

Ingredients for the filling

12oz of diced cooked chicken

12oz diced boiled ham

1 thinly sliced onion

4oz butter

2oz plain flour

1 pint of milk

Quarter pint of cream

2 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley

Salt and pepper

1 beaten egg to brush over the pastry

Filling method

1) Melt the butter in a deep frying pan or pan

2) Fry the onions until soft and add the flour. Cook for a minute before adding the milk gradually to create a white lump free sauce.

3) Add the meat and cream and mix well

4) Add the parsley, pepper and salt

5) Roll half of the pastry to create a 6mm (quarter inch) thick bottom for the pie. Grease a 10-inch pie dish with a little butter before placing the pastry on

6) Brush the pastry with the beaten egg and place the filling on top. Roll out the remaining pastry and cover the pie

7) Brush more egg on top before cooking at 200 °C / 400 ° F / gas 6 for 30-35 minutes

8) Enjoy!

by Angharad Evans, Welsh Editor

It is a privilege and honour to be able to share some good news about one of the stalwarts of the Farmers' Union of Wales. Although the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod has been postponed for a year due to Coronavirus, the National Eisteddfod of Wales Gorsedd of Bards recently announced that they will honour Glyn Powell, Sennybridge, FUW Life Member with the Blue Robe during the Ceredigion 2021 Eisteddfod in Tregaron.

Traditionally, those who have succeeded in the fields of Law, Science, Sports, Journalism, Media, local/national activities become Honorary Druids – Blue robes - for their services to the nation.  Without a shadow of a doubt, Glyn fully deserves this honour.  But how do we go about describing Glyn's lifelong contribution in a few words? Scholar, writer, teacher, farmer, leader and someone who has recorded people and their history - the list is endless, and that of course, without mentioning his invaluable and loyal contribution to the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Cornel Clecs, by Angharad Evans, Welsh Editor, Y Tir

With the new 'normal' quickly becoming part of our everyday life, sometimes we have to take a step back to appreciate the past, in order to move forward. We are in the middle of a very exciting and innovative period in the Union's history as we continue working normally, although in a slightly different way, thanks to the latest cutting edge technology.

Cornel Clecs, by Angharad Evans, Welsh Editor of Y Tir

For many of you, like us, the summer of 2020 is a lot different than usual – much quieter. We would have exhibited the sheep in at least three local shows by now, with the calendar full of other shows spread right across the summer. But this is not the case this year, as we all face a new 'normal' without some of the most significant events in the Welsh agricultural calendar.

But the agricultural industry has proved itself as adaptive as ever. It would be easy just to say “OK, we’ll be back next year”, but instead, many events have chosen not to fully surrender to Covid-19, and have looked for other ways to function, by going digital. But whilst this is ground breaking, and does lighten the mood of the current unprecedented situation, is this the future of our shows?

by Angharad Evans, Welsh Editor, Y Tir

A different month, but the same situation. Coronavirus continues to hold its grip on the world as we slowly become more familiar with the new 'normal'. I didn't want to bore you by talking about the virus again this month, but as it’s the only thing currently dominating the world, I quickly realised that nothing else is happening, no gossip!

It’s so easy for everyone to complain about this strange situation, but let’s look at things from a different angle for a moment and look at the positives. It was Mental Health Awareness Week recently, and it's more important than ever to make sure that everyone is fine and that no one is suffering in silence.

As a result of this global pandemic, I have learned something important about myself. There’s no need for a routine. I was so used to life’s daily rituals happening in the natural rhythm. Getting up, going to meet the school bus, going to work, coming home, supper and bed. In the middle of the hustle and bustle it was very difficult to escape the routine. But as the schools closed, I planned some sort of a timetable, so that we could follow some sort of structure at home. But I quickly realised that it wasn't necessary, and impossible to keep living on a farm! Lambing wasn't going to fit in with our schedule! Life has slowed down and nature has had time to breathe, us too - while staying home - a place for the soul to rest!

With the real possibility that our schools may not return to normal in the near future, I’m not too worried that Ladi Fach Tŷ Ni has missed months of education. Quite the opposite actually. Since being home, she has had experiences that would not have been possible when the schools were open. Learning how to pull lambs - a life lesson. How to dose and dag sheep – a Maths lesson. Learning the art of fencing from her father - a Design and Technology lesson. Cooking meals and making my lockdown birthday special by baking and decorating a cake – a Cookery lesson. And, of course, plenty of exercise and keeping fit in lovely fresh air! But the most important lesson is spending precious time as a family. As she approaches the teenage years, she will obviously want to spend less time with us, and we will not have this time again. We’ve had time this year to see the seasons changing, the leaves appearing on the trees, the cuckoo singing, the wild flowers filling our hedgerows, perhaps there was no time to notice before!

No one knows when this strange situation will end, or how life will ultimately look at the other side. But I am confident of one thing, Ladi Fach Tŷ Ni has benefited from all the experiences that have come her way, which will hopefully provide a solid foundation for her skills in the future. Until next time, stay safe everyone!

Along with the body, the mind is the best bit of kit a farmer can have. But it is also the hardest to maintain. Commitments on the farm, lack of local healthcare support and the stigma surrounding mental health are the main reasons why many within the farming community struggle to look after their mind and body. But if they are not well-maintained the consequences can be disastrous.

Agriculture carries a high rate of poor mental health for various reasons. Isolation and  the fact it is a male dominated sector are just a couple of reasons for poor mental health.  Add to that the pressure that comes along with being a modern day farmer and we have a recipe for possible poor mental health. What we need to realise is that we are not alone. 

These feelings you might be having aren’t ones that only you feel. There are many people who feel the same way; the same loneliness, helplessness and uncertainty. It’s also important to understand there is no shame in having poor mental health. 

We all have mental health, various things happen throughout our life that impact our mental health and there is no shame or weakness in admitting you are suffering with poor mental health. 

The single most effective thing you can do to help yourself is to talk. Talk about your struggles and about what you are feeling. Just by telling someone what you are going through is one of the biggest steps you can take – you will feel a weight lift off your shoulders.