Nominations are invited for the annual Farmers’ Union of Wales award to the person who has made the most outstanding contribution to agriculture in Carmarthenshire.

The award will be presented to the person who, in the view of the judges, has made the most outstanding contribution to the agricultural industry in Carmarthenshire during the last few years.

The judges will include representatives from the FUW, HSBC bank plc and the United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society.

FUW’s Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett said: "Nominations should be in the form of a letter or citation giving full details of the work and achievement of the nominee with, of course, emphasis on their positive and beneficial effect on agriculture in Carmarthenshire.

"The award will be presented at the 20th anniversary dinner of the Welsh Dairy Show on Friday, October 23 at the Quins Rugby Club, Carmarthen. Tickets are available from the FUW’s Carmarthenshire county office and the United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society."

Nominations should to be sent to: Farmers’ Union of Wales, 13A Barn Road, Carmarthen, SA31 1DD by Thursday October 1.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales today revealed Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority granted permission for a permanent dwelling on a farm after the union helped the applicant compile records and details to demonstrate the farm’s viability.

Park authority officers had recommended refusal of the application by farmer John Phillips, of Nant y Mynydd, Cwm Gwaun, Fishguard, but he won an 11th hour reprieve in July after asking the FUW to compile a report to help justify the application which has now been granted.

"We were approached at a late hour to report on the financial viability of Mr Phillips’enterprise," said FUW business development director Emyr James.

"We were pleased to be part of a group of people supporting this application and that we were able to provide the written evidence the authority required. It must have been an extremely stressful period for John Phillips and his family."

Controversy had raged over the application for more than 30 years since Mr Phillips was first granted temporary consent for a residential caravan in 1974, which had been renewed until 1998.

A number of later applications to build a small house were refused and now, to add insult to injury, the authority had instructed Mr Phillips to remove his mobile home by October of this year.

The plight of the family was the subject of an S4C current affairs documentary "Y Byd Ar Bedwar" earlier this year.

"There was imminent danger that they would be turned out of their home where they had lived and worked their patch of Pembrokeshire all their lives like their forefathers before," said Mr James.

The authority received nine letters in support of the application, one of which referred to a petition of more than 100 names, and it was also backed by Cwm Gwaun Community Council.

Mr James also welcomed proposed Welsh Assembly Government changes to planning guidance announced recently by environment, sustainability and housing minister Jane Davidson.

"They will be of tremendous benefit to the farming community and rural areas. They recognise the fact that the rural economy is a dynamic process which needs to adapt to ever-changing circumstances.

"They are also something the FUW has been campaigning for, for many years, and we will be actively engaged in the consultancy process to draw up the appropriate guidelines."

Under the proposals, Technical Advice Note (TAN) 6 is being reviewed to provide more opportunities for new affordable housing for local people and to broaden the scope of essential dwellings.

"TAN 6 is about meeting the needs of rural areas and helping to attract young people into farming by providing opportunities to build a second house on an established farm.
"It will encourage the 22 local and three National Park authorities to work with rural communities to identify opportunities for affordable housing and to diversify the rural economy.

"We share the views of a number of progressive individuals who believe that the concept of a National Park is meaningless unless the rural communities within the Park are viable, sustainable and vibrant," added Mr James.

A young farmer who achieved a 20-year ambition to run his own dairy farm when his local council offered him a holding has won the Farmers’ Union of Wales Pembrokeshire branch’s annual Countryside Award.

Thirty-three-year-old Julian Nicholas, of Lower Coxhill Farm, Narberth, who has worked in agriculture all his life, was presented with the award plus £100 and a year’s free FUW membership during the Pembrokeshire County Show today (Wednesday, August 19).

"From the first days that I could get about as a toddler I was helping out on the family’’s dairy farm at Martletwy," he said.

And he was barely into his teens when he developed an ambition to run his own dairy herd. But the family farm was sold 11 years ago due to the ill health of his father Brian who has since recovered from his illness.

"After that set-back I carried on working on local farms as a general farm worker," said Julian. "We moved to a smallholding and I always kept a couple of sucklers and remained very keen and interested in farming.

"But it was never enough to give me the start I needed so, about eight years ago, I began my own business of relief milking and agricultural fencing. It was extremely hard work but it was just the chance I needed."

Then four years ago he applied to run a National Trust farm and his ambition and drive helped him to be selected for the 40-acre Amroth Farm at Amroth. "This gave me the space to increase cattle numbers and keep my business thriving," Julian said.

But this was still not enough for him and he remained determined to achieve his ambition of owning a dairy herd. His break came just over 18 months ago when he had the opportunity to apply for the county council’s 90-acre dairy farm at Lower Coxhill.

"I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity even though it meant more commitment and less time for my existing business," he said. "But it meant I had realised my dream.

"I now own a herd of 60 dairy cows and still have my fencing business. I also help our silage contractor out."

When Julian took over Amroth Farm his girlfriend Libby moved in with him. They were married eight months ago and she is expecting their first child in December.

The judges said all three of the shortlisted nominees would have been very worthy winners but they eventually chose Julian because he had started and developed his business from scratch.

"Also, he had chosen to move into dairy production at a very difficult time for the sector which showed a high level of determination and commitment to the industry," the judges added.

The treasurer of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) and a farmer’s wife have been appointed new area officers in Powys by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.
Fifty-one-year-old David Powell, of Y Fan, Llanidloes, was made RWAS’ joint honorary treasurer in 2004 and honorary treasurer three years later. He will cover Radnorshire for FUW Insurance Services.
Farmer’s wife Julie Phillips, 30, of Upper Chapel, Brecon, was a Lantra administrator for eight years before joining the FUW. She will cover Breconshire.
Mr Powell was employed by HSBC Bank since leaving school and was their senior commercial manager, based at Llandrindod Wells, before he joined the FUW.
FUW business development director Emyr James said both appointments will boost the union’s image in Powys and give further support to the good work of the union’s county executive officer Aled Jones.
"FUW Insurance Services are now insurance brokers in their own right. We use a panel of agricultural insurance providers to ensure members receive the best possible protection at a competitive price.
"If you haven’t insured with us recently, why not ask David Powell or Julie Phillips for a quote - you may be pleasantly surprised."
David can be contacted on 07794 314 542 and Julie on 07890 511 527. Both are also contactable on 01982 553 406.