Across Wales in late January, scores of farmers sat down for communal breakfasts to put the world to right and raise thousands of pounds for charity.
The FUW estimates its 24 breakfast events – many with multiple sittings – raised a total of £13,000. This, it said, was the “equivalent of a year’s farm income”.
Beneficiaries will be the union’s two charitable causes, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and The Farming Community Network.
FUW president Glyn Roberts said the union’s 2018 farmhouse breakfast campaign had been an unmitigated success.
“Farming communities are close-knit communities and this shows what can be achieved when we all come together,” he said.
The lion’s share of money was, as ever, raised by the Caernarfonshire branch. It collected more than £6,300 – with more still coming in – from its seven breakfasts, attended by 500 farmers and their families.
Just as impressive was the number of suppliers who donated produce to the events – a total of 49 butchers, cafes, shops and producers.
County chairman Tudur Parry said some of the county proceeds will go to the Sir Conwy 2019 fund to commission the Chair at next year’s National Eisteddfod.
“The farmers’ wives did an excellent job with admirable help from friends and family,” he added.
Also raising a hefty chunk of money – £1,459 – were Meirionnydd’s farmers. Over Welsh bacon and eggs at each of the four events, they were able to listen to VIP speakers, among them Llanbrynmair tenor Aled Wyn Davies, Pentremawr.
“As well as raising money, the events highlighted the important role that farming plays in food security, the rural economy and employment,” said FUW Meirionnydd CEO Huw Jones.
Just one breakfast event was hosted by the union’s Denbighshire branch, at Llansannan Village Hall, but this alone raised £800. Some 14 businesses supported the get-together, which was well attended by the local community.
“There really is no better place for bonding people together and sharing ideas than over good food,” said Denbigh & Flint CEO Mari Dafydd Jones.
In Montgomeryshire, a percentage of the county’s £1,250 proceeds will go to the Royal Welsh Show as it is this year’s feature county.
Three breakfasts were held here, starting with a sit-down hosted by Mark and Helen Williams at Pen Y Derw, near Welshpool .
It was their second breakfast event and the first since they diversified into egg layers, giving them a chance to showcase their own produce.
“It’s a process we really enjoy,” said Mark.
“The hens are really happy, which I hope everyone was able to taste in the eggs they were served.”
