Paul Williams was presented with the award during the recent NFU Cymru County Conference at Ruthin Farmers’ Auction by NFU Cymru Clwyd County Chairman David Williams.

The Dafydd Jones Memorial Cup was launched earlier this year by the NFU Cymru Clwyd county branch in memory of their late County Chairman, Dafydd Jones, of Pencoed Ucha, who suddenly passed award in February 2019. Dafydd had courageously battled with myeloma for the previous 18 months but had, with sheer determination, taken on the role of Clwyd County Chairman in December 2018. The award is presented to the NFU Cymru Clwyd member who has made a great contribution and a lasting, positive impact on agriculture in the county.

About the winner

Paul Williams is a fifth generation farmer, farming at Cae Haidd in the Eryri National Park with his wife Dwynwen and their three children Brenig, Briallen and Celt. For generations Cae Haidd had been a traditional upland beef and sheep farm, but in response to the UK leaving the European Union, Paul adapted his business to an integrated dairy-beef system. In 2017, Paul and Dwynwen earned the prestigious title of Farmers Weekly Beef Farmers of the Year. Cae Haidd is a previous Farming Connect network farm, where the Williamses showcased their focus on breeding technology, sustainability and carbon footprinting.

Last year, together with fellow NFU Cymru Clwyd member Llŷr Jones, Paul organised the collection of 5,500 pairs of wellingtons for a poignant and impactful lobbying display in Cardiff Bay. Paul and Llŷr co-ordinated a team of NFU Cymru members and staff to collect and place the donated boots on the steps of the Senedd, forming a shocking visual depiction of the number of jobs that were forecast to have been lost from Welsh agriculture had Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals gone ahead in their guise at the time. The display was praised for its symbolism and impact by politicians and members of the public alike, with many calling it one of the most striking pieces of lobbying seen at the Senedd.

Union work

Before farming at Cae Haidd full time, Paul was an NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual Senior Group Secretary in Llanwrst. Paul is a former NFU Cymru Clwyd County Chairman and a current NFU Cymru Council delegate. Paul is an active member of NFU Cymru’s Bovine TB Focus Group and has also represented the industry on Welsh Government’s Bovine TB Communications Task & Finish Group. In addition to this work, Paul is a member of the NFU Cymru Water Quality Review Group and is also an appointed member of Welsh Government’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee, representing the farming sector.

NFU Cymru Clwyd County Chairman David Williams said:“Paul has been a fantastic ambassador for farming in Clwyd. His dedication to the industry was typified by the role he played in the success of the Senedd display of 5,500, devising the plan with Llŷr Jones and being the driving force turning the idea into a reality. We should not underestimate how big a task this was not only to collect these wellingtons, but to get them collected from across Wales and displayed in such a striking manner. Paul and his family are doing a fantastic job at Cae Haidd, rearing high quality cattle in harmony with their local environment, as has been recognised by Farmers Weekly and many others.

“It is for these reasons and many more that Paul is a very worthy winner of this award. I know Paul had a great respect for our late friend and colleague Dafydd Jones, so I am sure it will mean a great deal to him to win this award named in Dafydd’s honour.”

Previous winners of the NFU Cymru Clwyd Dafydd Jones Memorial Award have included Terrig Morgan MBE, Lord Newborough, Llŷr Jones and Evan Roberts.