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FUW Meirionnydd Administrative Assistant Ffion Edwards accepting the Owen Slaymaker award[/caption]
The Farmers’ Union of Wales’ Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones and Administrative Assistant Ffion Edwards have been presented with the Union’s Owen Slaymaker Award, given annually to the county branch that has best promoted the interests of members and the FUW.
The award, presented in memory of former FUW Carmarthenshire County Secretary and County Executive Officer Mr Slaymaker, recognises the County Executive Officer who uses every opportunity to effectively raise the Union’s profile through organised events, functions and meetings.
Presenting the award, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The Meirionnydd branch has been exceptionally pro-active in 2016 and have hosted a wide range of events and activities for members, as well as promoting the work of the Union in their local press and on social media.
“I congratulate Huw and Ffion on their success and thank them for their continued effort to highlight why #FarmingMatters. The award is very well deserved indeed.”
The county branch had a busy and successful start to the year, hosting a special meeting to introduce the new EID Cymru system, holding 5 farmhouse breakfast functions and arranged a farm visit for then Prime Minister David Cameron to Tyfos Farm, Llandrillo.
In addition the Meirionnydd branch arranged hustings in the Meirion Dwyfor constituency for the Welsh Assembly elections, attended the Meirionnydd YFC Rally at Tyncelyn, Dinas Mawddwy, and continue to build on their relationship with the YFC through sponsored events.
The county has further been at the forefront of highlighting the ongoing problem of access to broadband in rural Wales, and took the initiative of meeting with Martin Jones, Wales Operations Manager for BT, Rhodri Williams, Director of OFCOM Wales, and Liz Saville Roberts MP.
A busy summer saw the branch being heavily involved with the Royal Welsh Show as the feature county, the Welsh National Sheepdog Trials and International Sheepdog Trials, as well as their own county show at the Rhug Estate Corwen.
Huw Jones, the FUW’s CEO in Meirionnydd also walked the Offa’s Dyke Path for the President’s charity, BHF Cymru, raising the profile of the FUW in the process, as well as much needed funds for the charity.
Rounding off the year the County office highlighted renewable energy schemes, arranged a further 2 farm visits for local politicians and industry stakeholder groups, and held 10 successful branch meeting for members.