[caption id="attachment_4311" align="aligncenter" width="400"] POIGNANT PRESENTER: Adam Henson.[/caption]

THE presenter of BBC TV's Countryfile farming programme Adam Henson will receive his Farmers' Union of Wales Bob Davies Memorial Award at this month's Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival (May 21 and 22) where he will judge the rare breed classes.

He should have received the award - a specially carved and inscribed shepherd's crook - at last year's Royal Welsh Show but was unable to attend due to filming commitments in the Lake District.

The poignant manner in which he commented on bovine TB testing during a filmed report at his Cotswold farm was one of the reasons why he was chosen as the first winner of the award which will be presented annually at the Royal Welsh Show.

In his report Henson could barely disguise his emotions after losing one of the two splendid Longhorn steers he had spent months training to work as draft oxen.

The award - in memory of Farmers Weekly Wales correspondent Bob Davies, of Welshpool, who died in November 2009 aged 69 - is being offered to a media personality who has raised the public profile of Welsh farming.

Henson has delivered thousands of lambs on his 1,625-acre farm in the Cotswolds. As well as managing more than 1,000 sheep, his farm also includes the Cotswold Farm Park, which has more than 50 flocks and herds of rare-breed farm animals including 198 pigs, 14 Highland cattle and 15 different breeds of sheep.

His passion for rare breeds was passed down from his father and, since 2001, Henson has been a regular presenter on Countryfile, reporting on his own fortunes in the regular feature Adam's Farm.

[caption id="attachment_4307" align="aligncenter" width="500"] PROVEN NEED: A WAA helicopter can make a vital difference in rural locations.[/caption]

THE total amount - estimated to be a five-figure sum - raised by FUW members and supporters for president Gareth Vaughan's Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) chosen charity will be revealed on the union's stand at this month's Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival (May 21 and 22).

Mr Vaughan said: "The air ambulance service is a most appropriate and fully deserving cause for a national organisation representing rural areas.

"It is a registered charity, wholly dependent on public donations. The annual cost of sustaining their three air bases, which cover the whole of Wales from Caernarfon, Welshpool and Swansea airports, is over £5m and only through continued public support are they able to meet these targets.

"Due to Wales' widely scattered population and diverse landscape, there is a proven need for their helicopters to be fully operational throughout the year.

"I am well aware the Air Ambulance has been a lifesaver time and time again in all parts of rural Wales and as a representative of the farming industry I and my fellow FUW officials are proud to be associated with such a vital service."

Around half of the total sum to be handed over was raised at a promise auction arranged by deputy president Emyr Jones on his farm at Rhiwaedog, Rhosygwaliau, near Bala, which included a hog roast and entertainment. Large sums were also raised by the union's Caernarfonshire branch which held farmhouse breakfasts on members' farms throughout the county.

Mr Jones praised all those who assisted in raising such a large sum of money at his farm's event for such a worthwhile cause.

"Its success was the result of kind assistance and close co-operation of many individuals, which was very much appreciated," he said.

WAA raises all the funds it requires for the day-to-day running of missions, with each mission on average costing £1,200.

WAA is funded by the people of Wales, relying on the public support to help keep them flying. The charity does not receive direct funding from the government and because they are classed as an emergency service they also fail to qualify for National Lottery funding.

The money is therefore raised through charitable donations, fundraising events and membership of WAA's own lifesaving lottery.

Owing to the diversity of the landscape in Wales, WAA's "helimed" service is vital for reaching remote countryside and busy towns and cities when time really matters. From mountain tops to back gardens, the helicopters can be anywhere in Wales within just 20 minutes.

In heavily congested urban areas, the ability to land within close proximity of the patient has proved critical in response to road traffic accidents. Equally, a helicopter can make a vital difference in rural locations, saving valuable time in areas where a land ambulance simply cannot reach.

There are two advanced life support paramedics on each aircraft trained in the latest techniques in pre-hospital emergency care ensure the patient receives the most effective treatment for his or her condition.

It is widely believed that a patient's chances of survival and early recovery are significantly increased if they receive the right care within the first hour, otherwise known as the "Golden Hour".

The Farmers' Union of Wales Anglesey county branch is holding a National Assembly election hustings meeting next Wednesday April 20 at Tafarn Y Rhos, Rhostrehwfa, Llangefni (7.30pm).

Attending will be Paul Williams (Conservative), Joe Lock (Labour), Ieuan Wyn Jones (Plaid Cymru) and Rhys Taylor (Liberal Democrats).

Farmers' Union of Wales officials have organised political forums in Ceredigion and Denbighshire later this month in the lead up to the National Assembly elections on May 5.

Hustings will take place at Llannefydd Village Hall on Tuesday April 19 at 7.30pm to enable local farmers to hear candidates for the Aberconwy Constituency.

Antoinette Sandbach (Conservative), Eifion Lloyd Jones (Plaid Cymru) and Brian Cossey (Liberal Democrats) have already confirmed their intention to attend.

The union's Ceredigion county branch office has arranged a meeting for Wednesday April 27 at 8pm at Aberaeron Rugby Club.

Candidates who have already confirmed they are able to attend are Elin Jones (Plaid), Elizabeth Evans (Lib Dems), Luke Evetts (Con) and Chris Simpson (Green).