The Farmers’ Union of Wales Glamorgan and Gwent branches are organising a wooden horse race night for union president Emyr Jones' charity fund for children’s hospices T? Hafan and T? Gobaith on Saturday August 30, starting at 7pm.

The event, at FUW member Lorraine Howells' Cwm Carno Farm, near Rhymney, will feature races where six wooden horses are auctioned off before the start of each race with the winners proceeding to a grand final.

“This is the second time we are hosting this event and following its past success in 2012, when we raised over £4,000 for cancer charities, we hope to raise some vital funds for these two great charities,” said FUW Glamorganshire county executive officer Rachel Saunders.

“All the races will be sponsored by local businesses and tickets include a cold meat supper meal.

“We hope to build on the generosity of local members and businesses by raising even more for charity this year and we hope the word has spread about how much everyone who attended in 2012 enjoyed themselves and even more people will come this year.

“Tickets are on sale now for £10 and will be available on the FUW stand at the Vale of Glamorgan and Bedwellty Shows or from the union's county offices in Cowbridge and Abergavenny.

“If any local business wishes to sponsor a race, there is still some availability left and more information can be obtained from the county office,” added Mrs Saunders.

The Farmers' Union of Wales stand at this month's Pembrokeshire County Show (August 19-21) will provide showgoers the opportunity to discuss issues of concern with local politicians including Stephen Crabb MP, Simon Hart MP and Paul Davies AM on the Tuesday morning of the show.

"We are once again looking forward to welcoming members and friends of the union to the stand to have a chat and offer advice either through fellow industry organisations or union staff," said FUW Pembrokeshire county executive officer Rebecca Voyle.

"We will have displays about the CAP reforms and other general information so people are welcome to call in to discuss how the changes may affect them.

"Natural Resources Wales staff will be with us every day between 10am and 2pm to provide general advice and information on local nutrient management initiatives and Glastir officers will also be on hand every day between 10am and 3pm to answer questions about the Glastir scheme.

"They will also be able to help farmers complete the Glastir scorecard to establish what the scheme will mean for their farm."

Colin Davies, of RCD Finance Ltd, will be at the stand on the Tuesday to discuss farm machinery, buildings, dairy cow and renewables finance with members and Philip Meade, of the union's land agents Davis Meade Property Consultants, will be on the stand on the Wednesday to provide advice on a variety of issues ranging from rent reviews to compensation claims and renewable energy contracts.

There will be a chance for visitors to win £50 in Marks and Spencer's vouchers in a prize draw from FUW Insurance Services Ltd.

"We are also looking forward to having staff from E-ON with us on all three days to discuss farmers' energy requirements and provide free no-obligation quotes while RABI will be joining us on the Wednesday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm to offer Christmas cards and 2015 calendars for sale with all the proceeds going to the charity," added Mrs Voyle.

FUW staff will also be looking to sign up walkers and sponsorship for the union's Wales Coast Path Challenge in September in aid of T? Hafan and T? Gobaith Children's Hospices.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales Ceredigion branch today (Wednesday July 30) presented the union's Apêl FUW Somerset cheque of  £1,755 to the Addington Fund at Cardigan Show as fundraising efforts come to a close.

“The Addington Fund charity was instrumental in providing emergency assistance for farmers in Somerset and we would like to thank everyone for their kind donations of fodder or cash,” said FUW Ceredigion county chairman Aled Rees.

The FUW Ceredigion branch also hosted a strawberries and cream reception on their stand at Cardigan Show to thank supporters of Apêl FUW Somerset for all their help.

Through their fundraising efforts to help flood-affected Somerset farmers, Ceredigion farmers also secured over 20 articulated lorry loads of food for livestock over recent months.

Attending the cheque presentation were Ceredigion AM Elin Jones, economy, science and transport minister Edwina Hart and agriculture and fisheries deputy minister Rebecca Evans.

“I am very pleased that so many were able to join us for the occasion to thank all those business and hauliers for the heartfelt generosity over recent months,” added Mr Rees.

Elin Jones said: “I was delighted to attend the FUW event at Cardigan Show to thank the local farmers who gave so generously to help out those in Somerset who were suffering after the severe floods.

“The work Aled Rees, and the other organisers, was extremely valuable in making sure that animals didn’t suffer for lack of food during the spring.

“The great generosity of farmers and hauliers in Ceredigion really made a difference in helping Somerset farmers to get back on their feet.”

[caption id="attachment_3021" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] from left: FUW Ceredigion county executive officer Caryl Wyn-Jones, Ceredigion AM Elin Jones, FUW farm tourism and diversification committee delegate Ionwen Lewis, FUW Ceredigion county chairman Aled Rees, economy, science and transport minister Edwina Hart and agriculture and fisheries deputy minister Rebecca Evans[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales will highlight the importance of family farms and their links to the wider rural community during the National Eisteddfod at Llanelli next week (August 2-9).

On Sunday and Monday (August 3-4) of the event Carmarthenshire farmer's wife Nicola Dickenson will display her range of kids clothing "Kids Casuals" at the FUW stand.

Nicola diversified from farming after deciding that the income of the farm was not enough in 2001.

Using her own farming-themed designs to create t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and socks for kids, the clothing is designed and printed on the farm at Esgair Farm, Llanpumpsaint.

She believes her clothes have a personal touch, highlighting a farming theme featuring tractors and diggers, as she understands how appealing these are to children of all ages.

She and her husband Martin, a PCSO for rural policing serving in Carmarthen, have been farming for over 20 years running the 72-acre farm with a small suckler herd.

In the near future they hope to go into direct meat sales.

Representatives from Agri-Advisor will also be at hand on Monday (August 4) between 10am and 4pm to provide advice on farming issues and concerns.

On Tuesday (August 5) at 11am there will be an “open discussion” at the stand on a range of topics covering rural crime and farming policing links, with Dyfed-Powys Police chief commissioner Christopher Salmon.

Members will get a chance to discuss current farming issues on Wednesday(August 6) when Labour MP Nia Griffith, Plaid Cymru AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM William Powell and FUW director of policy Nick Fenwick visit the stand at 11am.

On the afternoon of Tuesday and Wednesday (August 5-6) there will be free milk tasting from local supplier WJ Phillips and Sons of Cwm Dairy Farm, Cwmffrwd, Carmarthen.

The family business, which has been running for over 45 years, delivers milk to households and businesses in an area stretching from St Clears to Pontyates. One of their businesses is Castell Howell food wholesalers.

The family purchased the dairy milk round business in 1969 from FUW member, Brian Thomas, Gelliddu, Carmarthen. The business is now run by Mr Phillips' sons Mike and Dorian.

They milk 90 Holstein Friesian cows with 55 followers, own 85 acres and rent another 25.

“What makes their milk stand out and what their customers like, is the fact that they can chose between homogenised or non-homogenised milk and we look forward to tasting it,” said FUW Carmarthenshire county executive officer David Waters.

“We are also looking forward to the prose medal presentation on Wednesday at 4pm.

"This prestigious award for the best piece of prose on the topic of 'confrontation' has been sponsored by the FUW Carmarthenshire branch with a prize fund of £750,” added Mr Waters.

On Thursday and Friday (August 6-7) local weaver Judy Roberts will be displaying her craft skills.

She has been spinning for 40 years, designing garments and patterns to suit the yarn produced.

She mixes natural fibres such as silk, wool, alpaca, cashmere, angora, yak and camel to produce some outstanding yarns.

She has taught knitting and knitwear design in Llandeilo and runs a weekly knitting group in Llanarthne and additionally provides personal tuition in the art of spinning.

“Throughout the week, children will be able to enter farming-themed colouring competitions with a range of prizes and are invited to find the ear tag of Tegwyn the cow as she travels across the country.

“Children can pick a square on a coloured numbered board to guess where she has lost her ear tag on her travels across Wales.

"Each square cost £1 and the money raised will go to children’s hospice charities Ty Hafan and Ty Gobaith.

“Representative from the YFC and RABI will be on the stand daily and we look forward to welcoming representatives of land consultants Philip Meade by the end of the week to our stand,” added Mr Waters.

Throughout the week there will be a warm welcome, as well as  light refreshments, for all to enjoy and members of FUW Carmarthenshire staff will be on hand to discuss general farming issues.