Gareth and Falmai Roberts, from Llannefydd, Denbigh, have just been announced as the winners of the 2010 NFU Cymru / NatWest Rural Community Champion Award.
The competition, in its second year, recognises the hard work farmers do off the farm in order to help their local town or village community, with the Award winner receiving the top prize of a hand-crafted slate clock and £500 and the two runners-up receiving £100 each.
Mr and Mrs Roberts of Tal y Bryn, Llannefydd, Denbigh are the owner directors of Llaeth y Llan / Village Dairy and run a farmhouse bed and breakfast. Together they support many local schools by sponsoring sports kits and giving donations towards the costs of equipment and travel. They also give work experience to young adults with special needs from the area.
Gareth is President of the Denbigh Rotary Club, he has been a local community councillor for several years and has been nominated from Clwyd to be on the Council of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. Falmai is a member of the board of Denbigh and Flint show; is a member of the local Inner Wheel Club; for the past eight years she has been secretary of the senior citizen club and has been deacon and treasurer of the local chapel in Cefn Berain for nearly 10 years.
NFU Cymru Deputy President, Stephen James, said, “When we went to meet the finalists to interview them we were only able to met Falmai on her own. All the judges were agreed after being at the farm that Falmai alone could win the award for everything she does for the community, both locally and further afield. The contribution the couple make is absolutely outstanding and well deserving of this award.”
The two runners-up, who will receive £100 each, are Eira Edwards from Bridgend and Christopher Davies from Lower Chapel, Brecon.
Eira Edwards, Hendre Ifan Goch Farm, Blackmill, Bridgend. Eira hosts community fun days on her farm as well as YFC competition days, hosts Open Farm Sunday events annually and participates in Farmhouse Breakfast Week and gives Farming in the Classroom talks. Amongst the many organisations Eira is an active member of she is part of Glamorgan WFU, Blackmill Regeneration & Heritage Group, Bridgend Environment Partnership and Llantrisant YFC. The 250 acre hill farm has sheep and deer and has diversified into fishing lakes with a café and function rooms.
Christopher Davies, Cwmachau Farm, Lower Chapel, Brecon. Christopher was nominated by his daughter who said on his application form: “He truly is an inspiration and no words can describe how proud of him his whole family are. He enjoys every club, organisation, committee he is a member of.” Christopher is a keen member of the local parish church; he is chairman for the local hall committee, has been a YFC leader for many years; sits on the board of governors for local primary school; Treasurer and singing for Aberhonddu male voice choir as well as farming on his own arable and mixed farm.
Andy Woodthorpe, NatWest’s Director – Rural Wales Banking said, “All of the finalists were outstanding and I am pleased that each will get a prize as all of them work very hard for the good of their local communities.”
No comments have been made.