The Union and I: Swancott Pugh

Our Head of Communications, Aled Morgan Hughes, recently reminisced with one of the FUW's Life Members, Swancott Pugh.

I was born and raised at Henblas, Llwyngwril, as an only child. Life on the farm was an integral part of my upbringing. Whether it was driving the tractor or spending hours among the animals, farm life shaped my childhood - although I must admit I always preferred the black cattle to the sheep.

I have very fond memories of growing up at Henblas and of a way of farming that has long since disappeared. I still remember the smell of oil from the threshing engine, and the commotion and camaraderie when neighbours gathered together for threshing, shearing, or even killing a pig.

I attended school in Llwyngwril before moving on to Tywyn Grammar School. For a time, I considered studying at Radbrook College in Shropshire, but ultimately I chose to stay at home and farm, working alongside my parents at Henblas.

During those years I was an active member of Bryncrug Young Farmers Club, where I enjoyed the opportunities to cook, compete in the eisteddfod, and take part in folk dancing. It was through the club’s social activities that I met Evan, a hill farmer from Buchesydd, Llanfachreth. We married in 1962 and continued farming at Henblas, where we raised our three children.

Through my marriage to Evan, I became involved with the Farmers’ Union of Wales. My father had been a staunch Conservative and a member of the NFU, whereas Evan and his father had been members of the Union since its early days - although neither had been particularly active.

My involvement in Young Farmers sparked a growing interest in community work, particularly through the Women’s Institute. In 1976 I was elected to the Meirionnydd Executive Committee, and in 1979 I became President of the Llwyngwril branch.

During this same period, our farm began to diversify into tourism. In 1974 we opened a bed and breakfast business at Henblas, and by 1981 had converted some farm buildings into self-catering accommodation. While tourism had already become an important source of income for many farmers in Pen Llŷn, there was very little tourism industry in the Llwyngwril area at the time.

Through this diversification, my interest in tourism grew. In 1985 I had the privilege of representing Meirionnydd on the Union’s Tourism and Diversification Committee, travelling regularly to Aberystwyth for meetings - long before the days of Zoom!

In 1987 I was appointed Chair of the committee and began representing the Union on Tourism Board committees as well. Then, in 1992, to my great surprise, I was elected Vice-President of the Union.

At that time there were very few women in leadership roles within the Union. I remember Mrs Davies from Montgomeryshire telling me on the day of the election, “You’ll gain the men’s respect if you are elected” - and that proved to be true.

I look back warmly on the friendships formed during those years with leading figures such as Alcwyn James and Myrddin Evans.

My time as Vice-President was both busy and challenging, coinciding with the BSE crisis. I remember travelling to London to attend a meeting of around 300 Welsh farmers - mostly men - to discuss the serious concerns facing the industry. The words of a Labour politician from the Valleys still echo in my mind: “Don’t let what happened to the coal industry happen to you.” Shortly afterwards, the hall erupted into a powerful rendition of “Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.”

During that period, the relationship between the Union and the NFU was often portrayed as one of constant disagreement, although much of this perception was driven by the press. I once agreed to be interviewed for Y Sioe on S4C on the condition that I would not be asked about relations between the two unions - but it was the very first question when the camera started rolling!

In truth, there was far too much scaremongering. Across Europe it was - and still is - perfectly normal for more than one union to represent farmers’ interests.

After my time as Vice-President, I stepped back from national work but continued supporting the Union locally. Between 1998 and 2000 I served as President of Meirionnydd.

In 2014 I had the great honour of being appointed a Life Member of the Union.

Throughout my involvement with the Union, it became increasingly clear to me how unique Welsh farms are in terms of their size, character, and culture compared with those in England. For that reason, I have always believed it is vital that Wales has a Union dedicated to representing the specific interests of Welsh farmers - giving them a strong voice on their own terms.