The Farmers’ Union of Wales Meirionnydd branch held their Annual General Meeting themed ‘The future relationship between Welsh Government as administrators of farming, and farmers as practitioners’, on Friday, 25 January at the Rugby Club, Dolgellau.

Guest speakers on the night were Head of Agriculture – Sustainability and Development Division, Welsh Government Gary Haggaty, winner of the New Entrants Category of the British Farming Awards - tenant farmer from Abercegir, near Machynlleth Rhidian Glyn and RSPB Land Use Manager Arfon Williams.

FUW Meirionnydd County President Olwen Ford, who chaired the meeting, said: “We had some very lively and interesting discussions and among the many comments and questions from our members, it was evident that we need better partnerships and a positive dialogue between farmers and Welsh Government. Especially with regards to any future policy decisions.”

The FUW’s annual Farmhouse Breakfast week has raised more than just awareness of the great food farmers produce all year round.

During the week (21 - 27 January) over 27 breakfast functions were held across Wales, which raised nearly £15,000 for the FUW President’s charity appeal.

Glyn Roberts, FUW President, said: “Our staff, members and wonderful volunteers have done an incredible job once again this year. The money raised will go to our charitable causes - Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and The Farming Community Network - and brings the current fund up to almost £35,000!

“Farming communities are close-knit communities and this shows what can be achieved when we all come together, with a common goal. Through these events, where we all sat around the kitchen table to talk and share our thoughts about #FarmingMatters, we’ve strengthened ongoing and permanent relationships and established new ones.

“The money we have raised in our rural communities will go towards helping others in our communities - we must never forget that our communities are the engine room of people powered change and that amazing things can be achieved and will be achieved.”

Once again the Caernarfonshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales led the way and rang the wake-up bells to promote the wonderful food produced in Wales and highlighted the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast during Farmhouse Breakfast Week (January 21 – January 27).

The farmhouse breakfast events, which attracted hundrends of members and friends of the Union from across the county, were held at Ty’n Hendre, Tal-y-bont, Bangor; Cefn Cae, Rowen, Conwy; Glynllifon, Grwp Llandrillo Menai, Caernarfon; Gwythrian, Aberdaron; Dylasau Uchaf, Padog, Betws y Coed; Caffi Anne, Bryncir and at Crugan Farm, Llanbedrog, Pwllheli.

FUW Caernarfonshire CEO Gwynedd Watkin said: “I look forward to our farmhouse breakfasts every year and this was yet another roaring success for everyone involved. We started the day together in a positive and healthy way and at the same time raised money for our charitable causes, Alzheimer's Society Cymru and FCN and for the Sir Conwy 2019 National Eisteddfod Chair fund.

“We’d like to thank everyone who attended and also those who supported us again this year by either cooking or donating produce which helped us raise so much money for our worthy charities.”

Over the last 9 years, the Caernarfonshire breakfasts alone have raised over £50,000 and this year’s fantastic turnout has, to date, raised another whopping £6,800 - with money still coming in.

Farmers from Montgomeryshire were once again heating up the frying pans and firmly put the spotlight on the top quality Welsh food available throughout Wales.

The two breakfast, held on Monday, 21 January at Bwyty Maengwyn, Machynlleth and Friday, 25 January at Plas Du, Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant, were part of the FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week, which promotes the quality premium local produce that farmers grow for us every day of the year.

“It was about showcasing the most important meal of the day in a bid to raise awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of breakfast and the huge variety of top quality farm produce available in Wales – ranging from bacon, sausages and eggs and even Shiitake Mushrooms. We were able to promote local producers with the assistance of Gwenan Ellis from AGORA, a project providing support to new and small producers in this area.”

“We loved having everyone there and I thank all those who supported us this year either by cooking, sponsoring produce or helping us raise money for our worthy charities ,”said FUW Montgomeryshire CEO Emyr Wyn Davies.

The breakfasts raised a fantastic amount of money for the FUW President’s charity appeal, a total of £380, with more donations still coming in. All the proceeds from both breakfasts will be split between Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and Farming Community Network.

A warm welcome and mouth-watering smells awaited those who joined the Denbigh and Flint branches of the Farmers’ Union of Wales at a breakfast function, which was organised as part of the FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week campaign (January 21 – January 27).

The event was held at Chapel Vestry in Cefn Meiriadog, St Asaph and was well attended by members and friends of the Union.

“It was about showcasing the most important meal of the day in a bid to raise awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of breakfast and the huge variety of top quality farm produce available in Wales – ranging from bacon, sausages and eggs to speciality dairy products, breads and cereals.

“We loved having everyone there and I thank all those who supported us this year either by cooking, sponsoring produce or helping us raise money for our worthy charities,” said FUW Denbigh and Flint CEO Mari Dafydd Jones.

The breakfast raised a fantastic amount of money for the FUW President’s charity appeal -  a total of £500  - with all the proceeds being split between Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and Farming Community Network.

A warm welcome and mouth-watering smells greeted those who joined the Gwent breakfast functions, which have been organised as part of the FUW’s Farmhouse breakfast week campaign (January 21 – January 27).

The Gwent  events were held on Tuesday, 22 January at Trevine Farm, Treadam, Thursday, 24 January at The Beech Tree Hotel, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed (Joint with FUW Glamorgan), as well as on Friday, 25 January at Ty Oakley Farm, Hafodyrynys.   

“It was about showcasing the most important meal of the day in a bid to raise awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of breakfast and the huge variety of top quality farm produce available in Wales – ranging from bacon, sausages and eggs to speciality dairy products, breads and cereals. We loved having everyone there and I thank all those who supported us this year either by cooking, sponsoring produce or helping us raise money for our worthy charities ,” said FUW Gwent CEO Glyn Davies.

The breakfasts raised a fantastic amount of money for the FUW President’s charity appeal -  a total of £830 - with all the proceeds being split between Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and Farming Community Network.