Ongoing problem

Bovine TB continues to cast a dark shadow across the whole cattle industry in Wales and is one of the main threats to achieving stockmen’s vision of a productive, progressive and profitable Welsh agricultural industry.

Following an intense programme of meetings with members, and based on the feedback obtained, the NFU has submitted a comprehensive response to Wales Government inquiry: The Union says that - From our meetings and feedback as part of this consultation exercise, there is no doubt that the concern and frustration within the industry at the repeated failure of successive Governments to implement a comprehensive TB eradication strategy in Wales is greater than it has ever been.

The NFU in Wales fully recognises that Bovine TB is a complex disease that requires a comprehensive multi-faceted approach to control and subsequently eradicate this disease. Stockmen farm under stringent and restrictive cattle movement and testing requirements and as each year goes by these cattle controls have been ramped up. Farmers have complied with these changes, but have become increasingly frustrated that Welsh Government has not addressed the disease reservoir in Wildlife -the clear message from membership is that further cattle controls must not be introduced without concurrent activities to actively remove the disease from the wildlife population.

The Union respects that the statistics for Wales paint a mixed picture: latest figures show a 20 per cent decrease in the number of new herd incidents in the 12 months to the end of September 2016 and an eight per cent decrease in the number of restricted herds at the end of September 2016 compared to 12 months previously. That still leaves 568 herds under restriction and farming families associated with these herds suffering the emotional and financial strain caused by TB restrictions.

In the 12 months to the end of September 2016 9,962 cattle in Wales have been slaughtered as a result of TB - an increase of around 35 per cent on the previous 12 months.

A Bovine TB incident on farm impacts on all aspects of everyday farm management. Marketing will be adversely affected, in particular for those farmers who rely on selling beef cattle, breeding animals and calves.

Costs increase as there will invariably be a requirement to purchase extra feed and bedding, secure additional housing and farmers also incur higher labour costs to cope with additional animals on farm as a result of the TB movement restrictions.

There are also costs associated with the significant extra paperwork required as a result of dealing with a TB incident and, furthermore, cattle that remain on the holding can put pressure on farm infrastructure such as slurry storage capacity.

Start the day right!

Do you make time for breakfast every day, or are you always just a little bit too busy? Maybe you’re not quite sure what to have for breakfast or just don’t like eating alone.

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, so in order to promote the health benefits but also the variety of top quality Welsh breakfast produce available, the Pembrokeshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is hosting a farmhouse breakfast on Friday of next week, January 27, at the Crundale Community Hall adjoining the main Cardigan road just over a mile north of Haverfordwest.

The Union’s Pembrokeshire CEO, Rebecca Voyle, who is organising the breakfast, said: “I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all to join us for breakfast -it’s our first ever breakfast function as part of Farmhouse breakfast week and we would love for you to be involved in what we do.

Rebecca added: “There surely is no better place to share your thoughts and worries about the state of the industry - tell us your stories and help us to understand how we can help each other - than round a table where we share great food and have a cup of tea.

“We can start the day together in a positive and healthy way and at the same time raise money for British Heart Foundation Cymru.” t

To book your breakfast table seat, contact the Haverfordwest office on 01437 762913.

Interesting find

Recently unearthed by Cadw in a survey of old sites is a ruined chapel known as Hendy cwrdd, ‘the Old Meeting-house’, considered to have been founded near Maenclochog around 1714.

The chapel ruins are in a fenced-off area of woodland alongside a trackway that runs along the field boundaries. Depicted on the 19th century Ordnance Survey map as a ruin, the site stands within a graveyard containing 18th-19th century burials.

The chapel ruins are in a fenced-off area of woodland alongside a trackway that runs along the field boundaries. The chapel is aligned east-west, with a possible entrance to the south and no evident internal divisions. It measures approximately 8 x 5 metres.

An adjoining wall at the north-eastern corner links the chapel to a stretch of walling running alongside the northwest - south-east trackway - an east-west section of wall abutts the north-west corner of the building, creating an enclosure to the west and south of the chapel.

A second rectilinear structure, some 14 x 8 metres, is within this enclosure on the same alignment as, and located south-west of, the chapel. The walls of this structure survive to a metre or more in height, although the southern wall has largely now gone, and contain a number of in situ gravestones. There is an entrance way to the north.

It is unclear whether this represents a walled section of graveyard or, as suggested by an earlier survey (date uncertain), a former building predating the use as a graveyard.

Milestone for Cerwyn

Last month marked a significant milestone for Dewi Sant Welsh Congregational Church in Toronto, for it was an excitedly anticipated ‘birthday’.

Everyone loves a birthday party, but this ‘birthday’ was different - this was to celebrate 65 years as a chapel minister for Rev. Dr. Cerwyn Davies, who was raised in the Prescelly hills.

Fourteen of those 65 years were spent as minister of Dewi Sant in Toronto, therefore it was appropriate that it was at Dewi Sant that members should hold this celebration.

Sheryl Clay-Newell sang ‘You raise me up...’ specifically to Cerwyn, which set the tone for the remainder of the service and Betty Cullingworth addressed Cerwyn and his Pembrokeshire born wife, Nora, in her own inimitable way.

Taking the initials of their names, Betty supplied a list of adjectives that so appropriately described Cerwyn. C, caring, N, notable, D, Diolch yn fawr iawn, A, ageless, V, very, in all its manifestations, I, inimitable, E, excellent adventure, S, sharing and service.

Nora was a founder member of Merched Dewi and Cerwyn wrote several songs for the choir. One such song was a translation of the English ‘Hymn of Promise’ which was sung at the morning service.

A well-known local figure, Eirwyn George, is one of the chief Welsh bards and just happens to be Cerwyn’s first cousin. To commemorate the period Cerwyn and Nora spent in Wales a few years ago, Eirwyn had written the poem ‘I’r Parchedig Ddoctor Cerwyn Davies’. This was read by Hefina Phillips, much to Cerwyn’s surprise and delight. An English translation was shown on the AV system.

Holy Communion, presided over by Rev. Anne Hepburn, Rev. Meriel Simpson and, of course, Rev. Dr. Cerwyn Davies, was then celebrated.

Lyn Jones led into the theme of Cerwyn’s homily by reading about Samuel being called by God. Cerwyn examined why he became a minister, asking himself if he would ‘do it again’. Just as Samuel had heard God’s voice calling him, Cerwyn was also ‘called’, despite not having had the slightest inclination to become a minister.

He had had two ambitions: to become a pilot or an actor! (Their elder son, Emyr, took up that profession and Geraint, their second son, is an extremely well known actor in Canada). Would he do it again? That, he replied, would depend on God. Would he again receive a ‘calling?’ Of course he would - all agreed!

A reception followed in the Fellowship Hall where the happy couple, Nora and Cerwyn, shared the beautiful celebratory cake with everyone.

Members considered that they were truly blessed to have enjoyed Cerwyn’s ministry and the continued support and love he and Nora had shown for Dewi Sant.

Rev. Dr Davies responded: When I was ordained into the ministry of the Welsh Congregational Church in 1951, I was young enough (23-years-old) to hope that I would live to celebrate my 60th anniversary, but to hope for a 65th was beyond the realm of reasonable imagination! Even if this was possible, never did I think in those early days that I would celebrate it in Canada!

However, through the graces and generosity of the Minister, Board of Elders and Members of Dewi Sant, I was fêted and ‘spoiled rotten’ at a special service to celebrate the 65th anniversary of my ordination. Yes, I enjoyed every moment! And now a week later I still relish in its glow!

To all who contributed to the service and the reception, for my personal gift (and the spirit in which it was given!), for Nora’s beautiful flowers and for the wealth of love which we both felt, our heartfelt thanks to everyone. Is it now beyond reason to hope that both Dewi Sant and I will be around to celebrate the 70th in 2021?