The Farmers' Union of Wales' Flintshire branch has arranged a meeting at the Stamford Gate Hotel, Holywell, on Monday April 18 (starting at 7.30pm) for local farmers to meet the prospective candidates for the Delyn constituency of the four main political parties in the Welsh Assembly Elections on May 5.

The four candidates present will be: Mathew Wright (Conservative); Carrie Harper (Plaid Cymru); Sandy Mewies (Labour) and Michelle Jones (Lib Dem).

FUW's Flintshire county executive officer Marian Jones said: "We hope that this will be an opportunity for the candidates to present their policies for the election and it will be a chance for people to question and discuss various issues with the prospective candidates.

"This is an important meeting as it is the way in which the agricultural industry can ensure the candidates are made aware of the various situation which concern the rural areas, such as the agricultural industry, affordable housing, various services in rural areas, and the policies of the Local Government."

The Farmers' Union of Wales today announced its support in principle of the National Trust's bid to buy an iconic farm in Snowdonia.

Llyndy Isaf, a 614-acre farm in Nant Gwynant, Beddgelert, has been offered for sale to the National Trust by present owner, Ken Owen, who is retiring after farming the land for 35 years.

Mr Owen has given the National Trust a year to raise funds as he believes the organisation is best placed to continue his work and manage the farm sensitively in the future, keeping a balance between farming and conservation and allowing people to have quiet enjoyment of the area.

FUW's Caernarfonshire county executive officer Gwynedd Watkin said: "We welcome the National Trust's plans to invest in the farm and provide an opportunity for a local farmer to earn a living at Llyndy whilst bringing economic and cultural benefits to the community.

"We understand there will also be an offer of part-time work at neighbouring Hafod y Llan which sounds like an ideal package for potential young entrants to the industry.

"This is a unique opportunity to purchase a very special farm that has been very well looked after by the present owner, and if the National Trust is successful in raising sufficient funds we understand they will work with the local liaison committee established 13 years ago by the Trust after it bought the Hafod y Llan farm on Snowdon."

[caption id="attachment_4287" align="aligncenter" width="500"] From left, Baroness Kinnock, Albert Owen MP, Heidi Williams, Speaker John Bercow, Eifion Huws, Gavin Williams and Gerald Thomas.[/caption]

The island's agricultural sector was strongly represented by Farmers' Union of Wales county officials during the recent Anglesey Day at Portcullis House in the House of Commons hosted by local MP Albert Owen.

The FUW's delegation - national vice president Eifion Huws, county chairman Gerald Thomas, county grand council delegate Gavin Williams and county executive officer Heidi Williams - met Mr Owen, Speaker John Bercow and Holyhead-born Baroness Kinnock on the union's stand.

Mrs Williams said: "Anglesey had good representation with various island-based companies and organisations in attendance. Guest speakers included Peter Hain MP and Glenys Kinnock and there was dancing and singing from Parti Dawns Lan y Mor from Holyhead who were all dressed in traditional Welsh costume.

"During the course of the day, discussions also took place between Horizon and the Anglesey Economic department about the future of the island and whether Wylfa B would be going ahead which would mean keeping and creating hundreds of jobs on the island.

"In addition, there was a showcase of Anglesey produce with a vast array on display. The House of Commons sous chef was so impressed that he has decided to put on a dinner in the near future consisting of Anglesey produce.

"Visitors to the FUW's exhibition were mainly MPs who had family or some kind of involvement with Anglesey."

A genuine friend of Welsh farmers and farming in general is how North Wales AM Brynle Williams should be fondly remembered, said Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan today.

Mr Williams was vice chairman of the FUW's Flintshire branch in 2000 when he was one of the leaders of farmers' protests at Stanlow oil refinery at Ellesmere Port when week-long blockades over escalating fuel prices spread and brought the country to a standstill.

"Brynle went on to become chairman of the branch between 2001 and 2003 until he was first elected as a Conservative AM for North Wales," said Mr Vaughan.

"He was also an enthusiastic and popular member of the union's central land use and parliamentary committee at this time and I know FUW members across Wales would want me to pass on their heartfelt sympathy to all his family and friends.

"Since becoming an AM he stayed firmly rooted in his farming background and fought tirelessly for farming and rural areas. He remained a genuine friend of Welsh farmers and farming in general.

"He was always easily accessible, helpful and cheerful. His selfless devotion to securing a better future for Welsh farming will be sorely missed by everyone."

The Farmers' Union of Wales has organised a meeting tomorrow night (Thursday March 31) at the Eagles Hotel, Llanrwst, for electors to meet prospective candidates for the Aberconwy constituency in the Welsh Assembly elections on May 5.

The candidates present will be Janet Finch Saunders (Conservative); Iwan Hughes (Plaid Cymru) and Eifion Wyn Williams (Labour) plus a representative from the Liberal Democrats.

FUW Denbighshire county executive officer Marian Jones said: "We hope that this will be an opportunity for the party representatives to present their policies for the election and it will be a chance to ask questions and discuss various issues with them.

"This is an important meeting as this is the way in which the electorate can ensure the candidates are made aware of the concerns of rural areas, such as the agricultural industry, affordable housing, various services in rural areas, and local government policies."

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today expressed its disappointment after a specially convened meeting of the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) in Llangollen decided to proceed with the proposed extension of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The proposal will now be sent to the Welsh Assembly Government for a final decision.

The meeting received a number of presentations from parties with an interest in the proposal including FUW Denbighshire and Flintshire counties executive officer Marian Jones who spoke about the union’s objections and concerns over the impact the designation would have on farming and local communities within the area.

Following the meeting Mrs. Jones said: “It has long been recognised that farming has helped to create and maintain the landscape in this area of Wales. We are disappointed that despite the majority of respondents objecting to the plans outlined in the draft designation order consultation, the CCW has decided to pursue its proposal to extend the Clwydian Range AONB.

“The union will continue to highlight its opposition to the designation during the run-up to the Welsh Assembly Government elections,” she added.