Farmers’ Union of Wales members and friends tackled the Wales Coast Path during a huge sponsored walk to raise funds for children’s hospice charities T? Hafan and T? Gobaith.

The challenging event took place on Saturday and Sunday September 13 and 14 when teams of union members, staff and friends embarked on various walks along the whole length of the Wales Coast Path to boost funds for both charities for FUW president Emyr Jones’ 2014 charity appeal.

Mr Jones said: “The idea of covering every section of the Wales Coast Path was a huge challenge and I must thank the volunteers who helped us cover the miles on foot and offered support to our walkers. I had no doubt that, with the enthusiasm and support of union staff, members and friends, it could be achieved.

“Around 90 teams were involved over the weekend and we managed to raise around £5,000, with money still coming in. The pictures sent in from all the counties are truly wonderful and a selection can be viewed on the FUW Facebook page.”

Members, family and friends of FUW’s Denbighshire and Flintshire branches enjoyed a glorious day whilst undertaking their coastal path section on Saturday September 13.

Over 50 walkers tackled the 60-odd miles between Chester and Conwy in sections up to nine miles and enjoyed some interesting and varied views along the Dee Estuary and North Wales coast.

FUW Denbighshire and Flintshire county executive officer Rhys Roberts said: “Following the day’s walking we held a social evening at Denbigh Rugby Club where members and friends gathered to enjoy a superb hog roast prepared by Denbigh butcher Glyn Davies accompanied by salads and puddings donated by the ladies committees of both counties.

“After the food, guests were royally entertained by comedian Dilwyn Pierce and Cor Meibion Bro Aled, whose members also walked in aid of the charities and raised £1,230 for the cause. 

“The walk and the evening were an outstanding success and I thank all those that participated in the two events for their time and commitment to raising funds for this most worthy of causes, and especially the choir and Dilwyn for the evening’s entertainment.

“In total, once all the sponsorship money has been collected, I hope the day will have raised in the region of £3,000,” added Mr Roberts.

After the walk in Montgomeryshire, FUW county chairman Mark Williams said: “An early rise on Sunday morning September 14 saw the fish jumping at Dyfi Bridge and FUW Montgomeryshire members and staff along with family and friends as they set out across Dyfi Bridge in Machynlleth to walk the Coast Path to Clarach Bay.

“The route covered a distance of over 20 miles and the 10 more experienced walkers of our team undertook the whole route while six started at Tre’r Ddol and completed the 10-mile walk into Clarach.

“I joined the walk at Tre’r Ddol and we had a beautiful day with spectacular views and a challenging terrain. I would like to congratulate Ellen Fowles and Ceris Jones, both eight years old, on completing the 10-mile trip with me.

“I would also like to thank Bryan Jones for his support in providing the recovery service for those who failed to make the final stretch from Borth to Clarach.”

First to complete the challenge in Montgomeryshire was Sue Pope, of Llangurig, with 11 participants completing their routes.

FUW Montgomeryshire county executive officer Susan Jones said: “It was great to have area officer David Lush and his wife Dawn on board for this challenge and area officer Nia Wyn Evans completed the route, stating that it was harder than walking up Cadar Idris.

“I would also like to thank everyone for their sponsorship and support. We were also very grateful to Glan y Môr Leisure Park at Clarach for allowing us to put up our support tent so that refreshments and drinks were available when the walkers came in.”

Farmers’ Union of Wales members have met with the manager of Menai Meats Wales Ltd, which has taken over the former Sher Foods abattoir in Caernarfon.

The well attended meeting between Muhammad Ali of Menai Meats Wales Ltd and the Caernarfon county executive committee took place on Monday September 8.

Speaking after the meeting, FUW Caernarfonshire chairman Dafydd Gwyndaf, who farms at Llechwedd Hafod Isaf, near Betws y Coed, said: “The abattoir at Caernarfon has had numerous problems over the years which have affected farm businesses, so there were naturally many questions members wanted to ask the new management.”

Mr Ali told those present that the company hopes to start taking lambs later this month and to build up to around 8,000 lambs a week once the go-ahead has been received from the FSA. The hope is that cattle will start being taken six to eight weeks later, building up to around 300 a week.

Mr Gwyndaf added: “The closure of Welsh Country Foods at Gaerwen left a massive dent in regional slaughtering capacity in North Wales, so we obviously hope that this business gets up off the ground and helps to fill that gap, and does not experience the sort of problems we have previously seen.”

The Farmers' Union of Wales will welcome visitors to the Cardiff Country Fair at the end of the month with a taste of rural life and food production in a bid to bring the countryside closer to those who live in towns and cities.

Taking place on Saturday and Sunday (September 27-28) at Cardiff Castle, the country fair showcases the essence of rural Wales and celebrates the best of farming, food and the countryside from across the UK.

The FUW will distribute free cotton bags to highlight the international year of the family farm at the union's mobile display unit during the event and will be offering a number of activities for children and are joined by staff from FUW Insurance Ltd, Keep Wales Tidy, and Ty Hafan children’s hospice.

As a member of the Wales pollinator taskforce, on Sunday September 28, the FUW will be promoting the importance of pollinators, with activities for children, a ‘virtual’ hive, and information about honey bees and beekeeping for both adults and youngsters.

Visitors to the Cardiff Country Fair, which is supported by Brace’s Bread and Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), will find an array of livestock and farm animals along the Castle Mews including cows, sheep, goats and pigs. While younger visitors can get up close to rabbits and guinea pigs in the Cwtch Corner inside Cardiff Castle.

The packed program also features other animal attractions such as the Quack Pack, birds of prey, Falconry displays, Lurchers, chicks and ducklings not to mention ferret racing.

Other show highlights include livestock displays of sheep, cattle, goats and pigs. A wealth of demonstrations and master classes are on offer, designed to educate and inspire visitors to keep bees, chickens or even birth a lamb.

The Fair once again features traditional countryside games such as Tug of War and Cheese Skittles, along with the not so traditional sports of giant jenga and welly wanging.

FUW president Emyr Jones said: "Cardiff Country Fair is an exciting event which promotes a closer understanding between food producers and consumers. It combines a great day out with learning more about the countryside, food and its producers. We attended the inaugural event last year and are very much looking forward to being there again this year.

"Our attendance at an event like the Cardiff Country Fair is important in helping to inform people living in urban areas how important it is for them to support our efforts to sustain the rural way of life and all the benefits that go with that."

Tickets for the Cardiff Country Fair are on sale now and can be purchased online or by calling 02920 230130. For more information, visit www.cardiffcountryfair.com

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has today welcomed the establishment of a new Dairy All-Party Parliamentary Group.

The group, which held its first meeting at the House of Commons today, aims to undertake a range of activities relating to those issues affecting the UK dairy sector and will be chaired by Tiverton and Honiton MP, Neil Parish.

FUW milk and dairy produce chairman Dei Davies said: “The UK dairy sector has faced some tough challenges in recent years. Recent market-place instability and political unrest have further served to depress milk prices and the latest round of milk price cuts announced by several processors has undermined the confidence of the industry.

“Given that an all-party group for Beef and Lamb was established in 2012, the establishment of a dedicated forum that ensures Parliamentarians are fully briefed on the latest developments in the dairy sector is welcome news.

“The group is set to undertake an inquiry into the sustainable competitiveness of the UK dairy sector this year and the union will work to ensure that those issues specific to Wales are recognised and considered by the group,” added Mr Davies.