The Farmers' Union of Wales 2014 internal award in recognition of services to the agricultural industry in Wales has been won by Meinir Bartlett who retired as the Carmarthenshire county executive officer at the end of last year after working at the union's Carmarthen office for 17 years.
Delegates at the union's annual general meeting in Aberystwyth were reminded that last autumn Mrs Bartlett also received the FUW/United Counties Agricultural & Hunters Society award for outstanding service to agriculture in Carmarthenshire.
She started her career in agriculture as a switchboard operator/receptionist with the then MMB (Milk Marketing Board) in Llanelli more than 40 years ago. While employed by the MMB she oversaw the introduction of the automatic recording of milk litres collected from individual farms throughout South Wales.
After the MMB ceased to exist in October 1994 she worked for its successor body, Milk Marque, until October 1995 when the office in Llanelli closed.
She then worked for West Wales TEC until April 1996 when she joined the FUW as administrative assistant. She was promoted to senior administrative assistant during February 2001 and to county executive officer in November 2006.
FUW president Emyr Jones said: "Meinir was an outstanding success in her role as county executive officer and made a significant contribution to agriculture in Carmarthenshire. She is an excellent ambassador and spokesman for agriculture."
For many years, Mrs Bartlett organised a number of important agricultural events in the county including the FUW/HSBC Bank plc eve of the Welsh Dairy Show function and the award for outstanding service to the Welsh dairy industry.
She also organised a dinner at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, in 2010 which raised £2,660 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).
The union's J Owen Slaymaker Memorial Award for to the county branch that has performed best in three key disciplines - replies to consultation papers, public relations and organising events and functions - was won by Meirionnydd.
Presenting the award to county executive officer Huw Jones, FUW deputy president Glyn Roberts said during 2013 the branch organised and arranged a host of successful events and functions.
"These included 10 branch meetings with a guest speaker at every one, a county annual dinner, a number of farm visits, taking North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick to the local mart, and meetings with MPs and AMs including a visit to the House of Commons, to showcase local produce, together with a number of local members."
Other staff awards were presented to Anglesey county executive officer Heidi Williams (recruitment) for enrolling 33 new members, Denbighshire area officer Caryl Edwards (performance against target) and Montgomeryshire area officer David Lush (efficiency).
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FUW Montgomeryshire area officer David Lush receives his award for efficiency[/caption]
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FUW Anglesey county executive officer Heidi Williams was recognised for enrolling 33 new members[/caption]
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The union's J Owen Slaymaker Memorial Award for to the county branch that has performed best in three key disciplines - replies to consultation papers, public relations and organising events and functions - was won by Meirionnydd.[/caption]
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The Farmers' Union of Wales 2014 internal award in recognition of services to the agricultural industry in Wales has been won by Meinir Bartlett who retired as the Carmarthenshire county executive officer at the end of last year after working at the union's Carmarthen office for 17 years.[/caption]
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Denbighshire area officer Caryl Edwards is recognised for best performance against target.[/caption]