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FUW member Richard Parry of Gwindy, Llecheiddior, FUW President Glyn Roberts, FUW Caernarfonshire County Executive Officer Gwynedd Watkin, FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones, FUW member Arfon Hughes, FUW member Gwilym Evans, FUW Montgomeryshire County Executive Officer Emyr Wyn Davies and FUW Gwent Council Delegate Elwyn Probert.[/caption]
177 miles, 9 days and £2000 - what a challenge for the Farmers’ Union of Wales team who recently tackled the Offa’s Dyke walk in aid of the British Heart Foundation Cymru.
The Caernarfonshire crew, including FUW Caernarfonshire County Executive Officer Gwynedd Watkin, Gwilym Evans of Gelli, Prenteg near Tremadog and Arfon Hughes of Braich-y-Bîg, Cwm Ystradllyn, Garndolbenmaen, tackled the whole of the path starting on Saturday July 23 and completed the challenge in 9 days. They were joined on the first day by Richard Parry of Gwindy, Llecheiddior, Garndolbenmaen.
The strenuous journey of steep climbs, blisters and painful limbs was completed on Sunday July 31 by the whole group, which also included FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones and FUW Montgomeryshire County Executive Officer Emyr Wyn Davies.
Huw and Emyr started their journey on Friday June 17 in Prestatyn completing 52 miles in their first stint and picked the 8th Century National Trail back up on Monday July 25, walking the remainder of the journey with the Caernarfonshire team. The duo completed the the treck in 10.5 days.
The trail, was opened in the summer of 1971, linking Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow on the banks of the Severn estuary with the coastal town of Prestatyn on the shores of the Irish sea.
It passes through no less than eight different counties and crosses the border between England and Wales over 20 times.
The Offa’s Dyke trail explores the tranquil Marches,as the border region is known, and passes through the Brecon Beacons National Park on the spectacular Hatterrall Ridge.
In addition, it links no less than three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the Wye Valley, the Shropshire Hills and the Clwydian Range / Dee Valley.
Gwynedd Watkin, who lead the Caernarfonshire delegation on their journey and who only last year completed the Inca Trail in Peru, said: “I must give my wholehearted thanks to all of those who have supported our effort along the way. We could not have done it without your help.
“It was a real challenge and I would advise all those who are thinking of following in our footsteps to make sure they’ve got a plentiful supply of proper walking socks. It really is a must for such a strenuous walk. I would go as far as saying that these 177 miles across Wales were much more difficult than the Inca Trail last year in Peru.”
The FUW would like to say to a special thank you to those people who supported the walker in their efforts and without whom this task would not have been such a success.
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The Famous 5 (l-r) - Gwilym Evans, Huw Jones, Arfon Hughes, Gwynedd Watkin and Emyr Wyn Davies[/caption]
Providing overnight accommodation in caravans and breakfast were FUW Denbighshire County President Tim and his wife Fiona Faire at Plas Bedw, Pentrecelyn, Ruthin; Tom and Lynne Hughes and family of Caeau Gwynion, Chirk; FUW Insurance Services Account Executive, North Montgomeryshire Kay Williams of T? Nant, Sarn Wen, Four Crosses, Llanymynech and her partner Dai;FUW Montgomeryshire County Chairman Mark and Helen Williams of Pen y Derw, Forden, Welshpool; Ivor and Ros Price of Travley, Llowes, Hay-on-Wye; Idris and Gwen Jones of Pen-y-Dre Farm Holidays, Llanfihangel Crucourney, Abergavenny and Chris and Jill Lewis of Trevine, Llantillio Crossenny, Abergavenny.
“I would also like to thank Justin, Helen and Ieuan Rees at the George & Dragon Inn, Knighton, who gave the 5 of us free B&B on the Wednesday night and we had a wonderful breakfast Thursday morning,” added Gwynedd.
Brecon and Radnor County President and part time Administration Assistant Kath Shaw of Blaenhow, Llandeilo Graban, Builth Wells provided invaluable luggage transport assistance and last but definitely not least by a long way, the very patient Elwyn Probert of Pant Farm, Llanfihangel Ystum Llewern, Monmouth who met the team and drove them back and forth many times to the Offa’s Dyke track from their respective overnight stays.
In addition, Huw and Emyr extended their thanks to Richard Joyce, Woodville Farm, Woodbrook, Kington and John and Alwenna Price of Clawddnewydd, Ruthin for their kind help.
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FUW’s Emyr and Huw are half way through the walk just outside of Knighton[/caption]
Speaking about his experience, FUW’s Huw Jones said: “My favourite part of this challenge was the walk over Moel Fammau and the walk over the Black Mountains from Hay on Wye to Pandy. There are such great views and we were extremely lucky with the good weather.
“For those who are thinking of also walking this path, I would say take more time to do the walk. We were on a mission to walk this as fast as possible for charity but if you have time - sit down for a bit longer, enjoy the spectacular views and places of historical interest, and of course stop to have a chat with people on the way.”
“This has been a fantastic challenge and all the sweat was well worth it,” said Emyr Wyn Davies.
“Did you know that if you walk the entire route from north to south there is about 28,000ft of ascent, which is the same as the height of Everest?
“My favourite part was the walk from Knighton to Kington. Really excellent views on a glorious sunny day. Overall the whole journey was a fantastic experience - to see the whole length of Wales, knowing that all the hard painful days were worth it for the Charity,” he added.
The 5 would like to thank everyone who has already very generously sponsored them, and you can still sponsor the team for their efforts until the end of September by sending a cheque to the respective county office or by donating online via JustGiving - http://www.justgiving.com/FUW-UACtaithClawddOffasDyketrek
BHF Head of Fundraising for Wales & Northern Ireland Paul Davies, said: “Thanks to the support and generosity of the organisations like the FUW, the BHF is able fight for every heart beat in Wales. In Wales 375,000 people fight their daily battles with heart and circulatory condition. FUW’s support allows the British Heart Foundation to invest in life saving medical research in Wales, delivering significant breakthroughs that will help change the lives of millions of people across the UK and globally. Without the support of FUW and others none of this would be possible. Every step we take reduces the devastation that heart disease causes in our communities.”