Pontfaen Young Farmers’ Club celebrated its 75th anniversary with a memorable dinner held at The Strand Hall, Builth Wells recently.
The evening was hosted by Sian Healey, the club secretary and vice chairman, who warmly welcomed everyone and led grace.
The event was graced by the presence of Club Presidents Nicky and Ian Williams, alongside members, Club Leaders, Vice Presidents, and friends of the club. A delightful three-course meal was provided by Golden Valley Caterers, with Penmaenau Bars ensuring the bar service ran smoothly. To capture the evening, past member Emmie Jones took photographs, preserving the memories for years to come.
Guests had the chance to reminisce through past scrapbooks, some dating back to the 1960s, provided by Mrs Vera Phillips. The celebration also featured speeches from representatives of different decades, showcasing the club's rich history and evolution. Sian Healey began with the club's origins on February 15, 1949 and shared details about the founding officers.
Junior member Connie Hyde evoked memories of the 1960s, reflecting on her grandmother's experiences in YFC. Mrs Janet Powell offered insights into the 1970s, followed by Angharad Rees, who covered the 1980s and 1990s. Raiff Devlin then spoke about his time in YFC from 2007 to 2020, with Carys Rees bringing the narrative up to the present day. Carys highlighted the club's recent successes, including winning the County Eisteddfod, Achievement Day, the overall Winter Competitions, Rally Day Cup, and the Overall Vera Jones Shield.
Currently, Pontfaen YFC boasts 76 members, with 55 of them being 16 or under. Toasts were raised to absent friends and the club's future, with Club President Nicky Williams proposing a toast to the club's continued success.
![Pontfaen YFC 75th anniversary](https://www.brecon-radnor.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/15/10/49/Pontfaen-YFC-75th-anniversary.jpg?trim=0,0,0,0&width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
The celebration culminated in the cutting of the anniversary cake, which was made by Club Leader Caroline Frampton. This honour was shared by Club Chairman Rachel Rees, the Presidents, and the youngest member present, Henry Davies. The evening continued with a game of Heads and Tails, followed by dancing to music provided by Ryder Nash.