by Angharad Evans, Welsh Editor

The brushes, trimming stand and head collars are idle for another year. For the second year running, there are no shows to show off Wales' best stock and the golden opportunity to socialise. But everyone understands the situation and the reasons behind the postponement as Covid continues to cast a shadow on our daily lives. But what is the real impact of losing another season of local shows and the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells? 

Cornel Clecs has been asking two people, who are usually found in the middle of the show buzz, about the disappointment of losing another season and what is the future of agricultural shows in Wales?

Firstly, we asked Mared Rand Jones, Head of Operations, RWAS: “The postponement of the Royal Welsh Show for the second year running due to the Covid-19 pandemic is certainly a huge loss to the Society and also to the wider community both financially and socially.  The Show is the highlight of the year for many of us in Wales and beyond, and a shop window for the Welsh agricultural industry. It's a great opportunity for everyone to get together to socialise, enjoy superb Welsh produce, competing and also to see the high quality of stock in the main ring.

by Angharad Evans, Welsh Editor

The past year has been a difficult and challenging one for us all. We have had to adjust our lifestyles, our priorities have changed, and everyone has found a new appreciation for the small things that may have been taken for granted before Covid.

But one young girl has adapted and gone on to help others through lockdown. Betsan Jane Hughes’ family, who are members of the Union in Ceredigion, farm near the village of Llangwyryfon, and Betsan's interest in sewing developed into setting up a business on the farm overlooking Mynydd Bach and the windmills.

Betsan admits that home is very important to her, and gives her the opportunity to combine the two things that are close to her heart - sewing and agriculture. During her time at college, Betsan enjoyed considerable success designing for a number of well-known companies, but now it is home that offers her the most inspiration.

After the busy lambing season, Cornel Clecs had the opportunity to talk to Betsan about everything from sewing to farming, and what inspires her creative work. Here is Betsan to explain more:

My name is Betsan Jane and day to day I run a clothing design and renovation business called Betsan Jane Design & Alterations. I set up my business back in 2017 after graduating from Carmarthen School of Art while doing a degree in 'Fashion: Design & Construction'. During my last year at University I was fortunate to win a scholarship in memory of Miriam Briddon, this inspired me to start my own business.

A member of the Farmers' Union of Wales has collected the work of nearly 150 Llandovery and district poets and rhymers in an attractive book to raise money for the Carmarthenshire National Urdd Eisteddfod, which will be held in Llandovery in 2023.

The book, Diferion Dyfri*, edited by Handel Jones, Rhandir-mwyn, also contains information about each poet - and a picture if available - as well as dozens of drawings and photographs by local artists and photographers.

Handel, author of A Family Affair, The Story of the Farmers' Union of Wales, has been preparing the book for three years. He said: “I thought it was important to include as wide a range as possible to reflect what was being written and read in the area over the centuries.

“The work of winners of the National Eisteddfod Chair or Crown will be seen alongside verses about local characters and events. Among the earliest pieces of work are fifteenth-century poems by Lewys Glyn Cothi, and the latest poets include Endaf Griffiths, born in 1994.

"The artists include the late Aneurin Jones, Peter Kettle, Beryl Morgan, Lon Owen and Marilyn Evans."

Naturally, a high proportion of the poetic work is owned by farmers and others closely associated with the land, for example John Rhys Evans, who farmed in the Pumsaint area until his retirement.

*Diferion Dyfri. Edited by Handel Jones. Published by Gwasg Llech Ddu. Price: £20 (+ £2.70 p&P). Copies available from Dai Dyer. Telephone number: 01550 720 956 / 07977 913 637. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alan Watson is a County Delegate for the FUW’s Brecon & Radnor branch. He’s a sheep farmer and has lived in North Radnorshire all his life. Here he gives us an insight into what it’s like to be an FUW County Delegate.

Why FUW?

Because it stands for family farms and the lowest member has a voice within the Union. It’s a chance to voice opinions.

by Angharad Evans, Welsh Editor, Y Tir

Today is the 8th of March 2021. Just a year ago today everyone was about to start the last 'normal' week, without even knowing it.

It's hard to believe how much life has changed in a year - many have lost loved ones to the invisible virus that still controls us, everyone living a 'locked down' life, social distancing, wearing masks, using gallons of hand sanitiser, getting used to working from home and homeschooling children for most of the past year.

Normal life and social events, which were taken for granted up until last year, were cancelled.

by William Shilvock, Development Officer (Wales), The Farming Community Network

We’re stronger together, but it can be easy to forget this at times – especially when we’re physically separated from one another due to ongoing pandemic restrictions.

I’m sure we’re all glad to hear that things are moving in a positive direction, with the vaccine rollout helping to reduce the spread of Covid-19. We are hopeful that later this year in-person events will be taking place once more and we’ll all be able to come together as an industry.

During this time, The Farming Community Network (FCN) has provided ongoing support to those living and working in farming communities. As a charity operating throughout Wales and England, we have our ear to the ground and hear from farmers and farming families about issues they’re experiencing on their farms and their concerns about the future.

FCN is working with other charities and organisations to help create a resilient farming future and support farmers in adapting to the changes to come. To support farmers in Wales, the FarmWell Wales platform – a free, bilingual online resource containing lots of useful, up-to-date information about supporting your farm business and personal wellbeing – was launched by the Wales Farm Support Group in March 2020.