Visitors to Pentre Farm, Cwmtirmynach received a warm welcome on Monday September 29, when they met with Farmers’ Union of Wales members Arfon and Rhian Williams, Llyr Huws Gruffudd AM and FWAG Cymru.
The visit, arranged by the FUW Meirionnydd branch and FWAG Cymru, provided members with the an opportunity to see the land,stock, and various elements of the Glastir scheme and for visitors to talk about the latest agricultural policies.
Pentre is situated at approximately six miles north east of Bala and the family farm extends to 250 hectares on the Rhiwlas Estate. 145 hectares is mountain land and around 20 hectares are kept annually for silage making.
The family keep high quality stock, which includes 450 ewes, 300 of which are Welsh Mountain and 150 being Cheviot X and Halfbreds. Arfon and Rhian use Beltex and Texel rams, and for the first time in 2014 a Berrichon du cher ram was used. They also keep a herd of 25 Welsh Black Pedigree Cattle, with Arfon Williams being a member of the Welsh Black Cattle Society.
“They have a great deal of interest in breeding Llanwenog sheep and the family have enjoyed exhibiting in shows, and attend breed sales at Llanybydder. The family has won many prizes over the years which includes the breed championship at the Royal Welsh Show,” said FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones.
Pentre has been able to take advantage of agri-environment schemes over the years, and the family see farming and conservation going hand in hand. The farm was part of the Tir Cymen Scheme when Meirionnydd was chosen as a pilot area in the 1990’s, and thereafter the farm was part of the Tir Gofal Scheme until joining Glastir in 2014.
The farm has also been fortunate in being chosen for the Glastir Advanced Scheme which has run hand in hand with Glastir entry since January 2014.
Arfon Williams and his family have held the tenancy at Pentre since 2001. He is married to Rhian, and they have 3 children; Lleucu 15, Deio 14, and Owen Clwyd 2. Deio has already shown an interest in coming home to farm at Pentre.
The Cwmtirmynach area is a stronghold of the Welsh language and culture, and Arfon Williams is a prominent figure in ‘cerdd dant’ singing, and has been a judge at national level on many occasions.
He also contributes extensively to community activities within his area, and has been chairman of the local village hall at Cwmtirmynach.
“I would like to thank Arfon and his family for hosting this visit today. We have found it most informative to see the how they run their enterprise, I would like to thank Birch Farm Plastics for sponsoring the light refreshments,” added Mr Jones.
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Llyr Huws Gruffudd addressing the audience.[/caption]
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From left, FUW Merioneth county executive officer Huw Jones, North Wales FWAG committee chairman Richard Tomlinson, Llyr Huws Gruffudd AM, FUW policy director Nick Fenwick, FUW president Emyr Jones, Merioneth FUW president Robert Evans, FWAG Cymru Director Glenda Thomas, Merioneth vice-chairman Euros Puw and Arfon Williams who hosted the event.[/caption]