Farming
Pembrokeshire young farmers recognised for their community spirit with national award
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FISHGUARD_NIGELOWENS_JAMESNIXEY.jpg)
FISHGUARD Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) in Pembrokeshire has been recognised for its work supporting the local rural community at The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ (NFYFC) YFC Achiever Awards 2023, sponsored by Kärcher UK.
Members of Fishguard YFC were presented with the Community Spirit Award, sponsored by Tama, by NFYFC President and former international rugby referee Nigel Owens MBE.
The annual YFC Achiever Awards recognise the achievements of members and clubs during the previous membership year. This year’s event was held at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham on Friday 3 November.
Fishguard YFC, which has 65 members and meets every Thursday at Mathry Village Hall, was rewarded for its impressive community efforts.
The judges highlighted Fishguard YFC’s ‘Recycle & Reuse Sport Shoes Appeal’ which was developed in response to high child poverty rates in Pembrokeshire. The club donated 43 pairs of trainers to local primary schools and a rugby club, allowing families to participate in sports.
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FISHGUARD_NIGELOWENS_JAMESNIXEY-1-1024x683.jpg)
As well as supporting local and seasonal events such as an Apple Fair and the Harvest Festival, they also introduced Hampers for Emergency Services and distributed gift bundles to local care homes. There was also hands-on support for a local school and fire station when they helped with repairs and redecoration.
Club Chair Cariann Griffiths said: “As a club we are overwhelmed and incredibly proud to have won the Community Spirit Award.
“We truly value our community and fundraising work which was one of our club’s priorities last year, therefore, to have it recognised at the highest level within the organisation is something really special.
“It’s a great privilege to be rewarded for our hard work and we look forward to continuing our community and fundraising efforts. Diolch yn fawr.”
The club’s efforts impressed the judging panel, which consisted of Lizzie McLaughlin from the Becca and Lizzie podcast, Dan Corlett Rural Life Officer, Diocese of Coventry, and James Nixey, NFYFC’s Vice Chair.
NFYFC President Nigel Owens said: “Young Farmers’ Clubs across England and Wales provide excellent opportunities for rural young people and it’s clear to see that our winners have grabbed those opportunities with both hands.
“They are using the skills and connections made in YFC to forge exciting businesses, to support their rural communities, to run efficient clubs and counties, and to mentor others to be their best. I feel very fortunate to have experienced YFC as a member of Llanarthne YFC in Wales, which also gave me skills and confidence that I have used throughout my life.”
Tama is a proud sponsor of the Community Spirit Award 2023 and Warren Tatton, Tama UK Commercial Manager, said: “Working with NFYFC means a great deal to us. Tama, being farmer owned, understands what it takes to be a farmer and what it means to provide support and guidance to the next generation.
“We congratulate Fishguard YFC on their achievement of gaining the Community Spirit Award and for all their hard work in supporting their local community.”
The Community Spirit Award is one of eight award categories and all the winners were revealed during the YFC Achiever Awards event on 3 November 2023.
Farming
Farm building scheme near Lawrenny given go-ahead by planners
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lawrenny_Church-e1721925610409.jpg)
AN APPLICATION for a storage building at a south Pembrokeshire farm, made by a family member of an officer on Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning service, has been given the go-ahead by the authority’s planning committee.
In an application recommended for approval at the July 23 meeting of the authority’s planning committee, Laura Elliot sought permission for the erection of an agricultural storage building at Tedion Farm, a dairy farm near Lawrenny.
The application had been brought to committee, rather than being delegated to planning officers, due to the family connection.
The farm, near to the Pembrokeshire coast National Park border, comprises 270 milking cows and dairy heifer replacements kept on the farm comprising land over 138 hectares. The farm is mainly down to grass and the cows are paddock grazed in order to utilise grass efficiency.
No objections had been received from local community council Martletwy.
A report for members said: “The application seeks consent for the erection of agricultural storage building. The erection of an agricultural building will be used to store stay, hay and farm machinery.
“The building would be located within the existing farm complex, to the north-east of the site, adjacent to the main farm dwelling. The building will measure 18 metres in length by 13.6 metres in width, with a pitched roof height of 5.71 metres.”
Approval was moved by Cllr Alistair Cameron, seconded by Cllr Brian Hall.
Farming
Fears dairy farm near Kilgetty could increase to 3,000 cattle
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cows-scaled-e1721817001239.webp)
PEMBROKESHIRE planners are to visit the site of one of the county’s largest dairy farms after claims were raised a scheme for new calf buildings could lead to animal welfare issues and an increase in the size of the herd to 3,000 cattle.
At the July 23 meeting of the council’s planning committee, an application by Hugh James of Langdon Mill Farms Ltd for a calf building, weaned calf building, and associated yard areas, at Langdon Mill Farm, near Jeffreyston, Kilgetty was recommended for conditional approval.
Local community council Jeffreyston has raised concerns, made by a member of the public, on potential increased noise and odour from the scheme, planners heard.
A supporting statement, through agent Reading Agricultural Consultants, said: “The holding currently has a milking herd of approximately 2,000 cows, which are housed indoors for the majority of the year, with dry cows [cows that are not lactating, prior to calving] and heifers grazed outdoors when weather and soil conditions permit.
“There has been significant investment in buildings and infrastructure at the farm over the last decade in respect of cattle accommodation, slurry storage, milking facilities, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant and feed storage. The unit is efficient, achieving yields of more than 10,000 litres/cow/year, with cows being milked three times/day in the 60-point rotary parlour.”
Currently, calves are reared at Langdon Mill Farm for two months before being transported off-site to be reared at a number of third-party farms in the area before being return later; the proposed 61.2m long calf building is required to accommodate young-stock, following separation from the cows, to two-months, with the 164.8m weaned calf building to be used for calves from two months to seven months.
The application says the proposals would “clearly make the enterprise more financially robust by reducing reliance on third party farms”.
However, concerns were raised at the committee meeting by objector Ian Dennis, a former vet of some four decades’ experience, who described Langdon as occupying 3,000 acres of land with 2,000 cattle currently that “are never allowed to graze,” the proposal, he said, would add another 1,000 cattle to the site.
“This is factory farming, an intensive livestock unit, no longer a farm.”
He told planners a “mendacious and incorrect” ammonia emission report submitted by the applicants was “designed to bamboozle,” saying, despite his experience and scientific background, he needed expert support to assess.
He said only average figures were reported, rather than peaks and troughs, adding the “fictitious anaerobic digestion plant” had yet to be built, with planning permission now lapsed.
However, officers told members the applicant’s agent had said works on the digestor had actually started.
On the issue of animal welfare, Mr Dennis said he had “very huge concerns” about the scale of the development, differing from a planning officer report saying the scheme would bring animal welfare benefits.
A suggestion by committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock the application be deferred pending a site visit was unanimously backed by committee members present.
Farming
Family pay tribute to farmer, 65, who died in quadbike accident
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Hugh-Tudor-e1721735992301.png)
A WEST WALES farmer has died after an incident involving a quadbike.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed they attended a report of an incident involving an agricultural quadbike in a field in the Llanilar area of Aberystwyth on July 17.
The force has confirmed that a 65-year-old man died at the scene.
They said that his next of kin have been advised and are being supported by specialist officers. The HM Coroner and Health and Safety Executives have been informed.
His family have paid tribute to him. The family said: “Hugh Tudor was a 65 year old farmer who had farmed at Tynberllan, Llanilar with his wife Ann for over 40 years. He was a devoted father to Sara, Lowri and the late Gwenno.
“Hugh was the son of the late Tom and Sybil Tudor of Glanystwyth and brother to Richard.
“Farming was his life, but he also had a wide range of interests and was actively involved in all aspects of the local community in Llanilar and beyond.
“We would like to thank everybody for their support and kindness during this difficult time.”
-
Education5 days ago
Milford Tesco worker achieves Oxford dream and lands top legal job
-
Crime4 days ago
Haverfordwest man admits having nearly 1000 child and animal images
-
Crime4 days ago
Youth set to appear in court over serious sexual offences
-
Crime4 days ago
Police investigating after man injured during altercation in cemetery
-
Education4 days ago
Pupils delight in ice cream treat from Pembrokeshire’s number one van
-
Crime4 days ago
Town centre ‘stinking of skunk’ as police strip cannabis farm
-
Crime3 days ago
Fag-butt police court summonses spark debate in Pembrokeshire
-
News6 days ago
Proposal to give firefighters a council tax discount to go to Cabinet