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From left, Gareth Vaughan, FUW Glamorgan county president John Llewellyn, Lewys Hopkin, FUW deputy president Emyr Jones and Glamorgan county chairman Glyn Jones[/caption]
RECENT Rhondda Cynon Taff school-leaver Lewys (correct spelling) Hopkin has just taken a big step towards achieving his ambition to run his parent's farm within the next few years.
Lewys, of Cefn Coed, Llanharry, Pontyclun - a member of a well known local farming family - has won the Farmers' Union of Wales Walter Rowlands memorial award worth £200.
A former pupil of Llansannor primary and Cowbridge comprehensive schools, he has started working as a trainee agricultural fitter with David Evans of Llancarfan and hopes to go to an agricultural engineering college to gain his City and Guilds in agricultural engineering.
"The opportunity to train as a fitter is the realisation of my schoolboy dreams which I hope will stand me in good stead for my future farming ambitions of running the family farm," said Lewys, whose grandparents Stan and Sheila Hopkin, of Rectory farm, Llansannor, were among the first members of the FUW over 50 years ago.
"This award will help me build up a tool bag for my training to become a fitter," he added.
A member of Maendy Young Farmers' Club, he hopes to take part in stock judging and countryside skills competitions. He currently plays rugby for Llanharan.
Walter Rowlands was the FUW's first county executive officer in Glamorgan. He served the union from 1956 to 1985.
To recognise his contribution to the union, the memorial fund makes an annual award of £200 towards the cost of books and equipment to students living within the old Glamorgan county boundary who have been accepted for an agricultural course.
Presenting the award to Lewys during a ceremony at the Masons Arms Hotel, Bryncethin, FUW president Gareth Vaughan said he was delighted to see young enthusiastic people entering the industry.
"I wish Lewys every success with his future career and his aspirations to be a full-time, respected farmer with good back-up skills and qualifications."
The union's current Glamorgan county executive officer Adrian Evans said: "We are very grateful to Walter's son Greg Rowlands and his family for ensuring the continuity of this award."
Applications for next year's award must be received at FUW's County Office, 58 Eastgate, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7AB by November 30. Contact Adrian Evans or Christine Anstee on 01446 774838 for further details.