News
Couple honoured with joint Presidency for the Welsh Black Cattle Society
Gwynfryn and Marian Phillips, Dancoed, Cwm Gwaun, Abergwaun in Pembrokeshire were installed as joint Presidents at the Welsh Black Cattle Society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), held Saturday 8 May 2010 at the Park Lodge Hotel, Aberystwyth.
Mr & Mrs Gwynfryn Phillips, Society Presidents for 2010
History was made and recorded as this was the first occasion a couple have held the presidential position in the Society’s 105 year existence. Mr & Mrs Phillips joined the Society in 1992 and established their Dancoed Herd of pedigree Welsh Black cattle. They have won an endless list of awards and prizes over the years including winning both Bull and Female of the Year awards with their home bred Dancoed bloodlines on numerous occasions. In 2009 their home bred in-calf heifer, Dancoed Mair 8th, won Breed Champion at the Royal Welsh Show. In 2008 another home bred female, Dancoed Ceridwen 3rd, won Female of the Year and in 2007 their home bred bull, Dancoed Cymro 13th, won the Society’s Bull of the Year award. Mr & Mrs Phillips, who are undertaking joint presidential duties during the year, hope to attend many shows and events to meet current and new members and to promote the traits of the breed, together with raising funds for the Society’s Pavilion renovation which is in the final stages of design and planning.
The newly appointed President-Elect is Merionethshire member Mr Geraint Wynne, Meifod Uchaf, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd. Mr Wynne’s Ardudwy Herd was established in 1943 and a dispersal sale of the herd was held in 2007.
The Society’s AGM was well attended with over 120 members present. In the chair was Mr Trefor Jones, Cwmcae, Bow Street, Ceredigion, Society President for 2009 – 2010. Mr Jones and his wife Eirwen, who have been breeding Welsh Black cattle for 50 years, will be celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary in November 2010.
Mr Jones was especially proud to present many awards to his son Mr Huw Jones of Lletty Cynnes, Bow Street who won the Farmers Union of Wales award of £150 and the Society’s prestigious ‘Bull of the Year’ award, based on the performance of his home bred bull Gwarcwm Max 10th.
Winning the ‘Female of the Year’ award was Llainshed Betty 2nd who was bred and exhibited by Debbie and Richard Cumming, Blaencwarre, Hermon in Carmarthenshire, who received a £150 prize kindly presented by the Farmers Union of Wales.
Prize winners at the 2010 AGM with 2009 President Mr Terfor Jones
Following the presentation of awards a comprehensive report was given by the retiring Young Member Ambassador, Miss Angharad Francis of Pistyll Uchaf, Abergorlech, Carmarthenshire. Angharad shared her experiences on her year in office including raising money for the Society Pavilion with a concert, auction and raffle and travelling to Germany for a weekend to help farmers to prepare animals for the show ring.
Miss Anghard Francis with Young Member Ambassador for 2010-2011 Miss Katie Pugh, Ty-Talgarth, Glamorgan.
A highlight of the day was the announcement of the newly elected members of the Welsh Black Cattle Society’s Council, who will be in office for the next three years. A total of 37 members were elected representing Wales and England and the first meeting will be held in September 2010.
The evening dinner hosted by Mr & Mrs Trefor Jones, of pedigree Welsh Black beef from their son’s Gwarcwm Herd, was enjoyed by 119 guests and the owners of the Park Lodge Hotel in Aberystwyth are congratulated for an excellent day. Guest speaker Mr Charles Arch from Pontrhydfendigaid finished the evening with an appropriate message based on life experiences of the past to consider and reflect for the future.
Photos are available from Arvid Parry Jones 01970 832423; 07967192571; arvid@btconnect.com