Pontfaen YFC has enjoyed a very busy past month with a drama festival, concert and lunch enjoyed by members - as well as the presentation of more than £8,000 to good causes.
The club took part in the Brecknock YFC Drama Festival and gained third place in the Senior Drama with ‘Rude Awakenings’ produced by Anne Davies and Jan Healey. Mollie Hughes, Sian Healey and Rachel Rees were all nominated for Best Actress, with Mollie Hughes being awarded Best Actress 28 and under.
The club put on a colourful performance with ‘Audience with Percy the Park Keeper’. Riley Bufton won Best Actor 18 and under for his performance of Percy.
Pontfaen YFC Club also held its concert at Brecon High School. Compère for the evening was Libby Davies, retiring Brecknock Senior Member of the Year, who did an excellent job.
Guests One Pluses entertained a full audience from Erwood, Sennybridge, Troedrhiwdalar and Llandefalle YFC’s, and the club is very grateful of their support.
A vote of thanks was given by Rachel Rees and Sian Healey. They thanked everyone for their help in making costumes, props and helping with the productions, stating how enjoyable it had all been.
More recently, 55 people ventured to Cardiff to watch ‘The World According to Kaleb’.
Kaleb Cooper is a farming contractor from Oxfordshire who plays a central advisory role to Jeremy Clarkson in the Prime Video series Clarkson's Farm. He grew up in the Cotswolds and has been working in farming since school age.
Members also prepared their pre-lambing Sunday lunch at Merthyr Cynog Hall, Upper Chapel.
Gerwyn Rees said grace and then members, with the help of club leaders and parents, served more than 100 lunches to the community.
The club would like to thank Castell Howell for their generous donation and Caroline’s Real Bread for the lovely bread rolls.
The club extended invitations to charities to collect funds raised from the tractor run.
Alice, Seren, Connie, Nia and Sian addressed everyone and thanked all businesses who had supported the event, also thanking all who had decorated tractors and for the fabulous turnout on the route of supporters to watch the event. They also thanked the judge Wyn Jones and congratulated the winner W W Bowen who won the Best Dressed Tractor.
A total of £4000 was presented to Owen Pugsley, Head of Commercial Operations for Prostate Cymru. Mr Pugsley shared with the attendees the organisation's plans to introduce a mobile unit aimed at reaching communities in the area to facilitate early detection of prostate cancer. During the event, he had the chance to meet Gethin Havard, former County President of Brecknock YFC, and Gerwyn Rees, both of whom have recently undergone treatment.
Another £4000 was also presented to Rhiannon Thomas, Nicky Williams, Karen Davies and Amy Russell from the Arctic Blast Challenge team.
On March 13, they set off on a 100km trek across the Arctic Circle in seven days, traversing frozen lakes and skirting ancient glaciers using snowshoes while carrying provisions and rotating shifts to haul equipment. Their fundraising efforts are dedicated to supporting Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff.
A further sum of £288.25 was presented to Club President Nicky Williams, who is part of the Arctic Blast team Venture to Victory, Velindre Cancer. The club extends its best wishes to all members of the team as they take on the challenge
A raffle was held at the Sunday lunch raising a further £112 to support the team.
A vote of thanks was given by Club Chairman Rachel Rees who thanked everyone who had attended the event and to all that had helped.