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FUW Glamorganshire county executive officer Rachel Saunders, FUW president Glyn Roberts, Tomos Churchill and FUW Glamorganshire county chairman Richard Walker[/caption]
This year’s winner of the Farmers’ Union of Wales Glamorganshire county branch’s Walter Rowlands memorial award is 18-year-old Tomos Churchill of Graig Ddu Farm, Dinas who is currently studying Level 2 Agricultural Studies at Pencoed College near Bridgend.
Tomos Churchill, who has learning disabilities and cerebral palsy with limited use of his right arm, has already successfully completed Level 1 Agricultural Studies and intends to complete the entire 3 year course on a full time basis.
In his spare time he works on the 180 acre family farm consisting of 30 Texel sheep and over 400 Welsh Mountain sheep.
“I am very pleased to win the award and it has given me the confidence to continue with my studies,” said Tomos Churchill.
The award contributes £200 towards his studies and through college, he is hoping to secure a placement for two days a week on a local dairy farm, in order to learn more about keeping and managing cattle and he is interested in joining his local Young Farmers Club.
In the future, he is looking to take over the family farm and expand the livestock to include a suckler cattle herd to run alongside the established flock.
FUW Glamorganshire county chairman Richard Walker, who presented the award to Tomos Churchill, said: “It is very encouraging to see such enthusiasm from the younger generation towards the agricultural industry and the FUW are keen to continue supporting promising young farmers through this award.
“Tomos is more than deserving of this award and both he and his family should be very proud of his achievements. We wish him all the best with his future studies and management of the farm.”
The award, in memory of FUW county secretary Walter G. Rowlands, who died in service in 1986, is made to an agricultural student in Glamorganshire after careful consideration by the union’s county executive committee. The fund was set up and funded by the Walter Rowlands family to continue his memory.
Many of the longstanding Glamorgan members credit Mr Rowlands with setting up the Glamorgan branch of the FUW.