Aberystwyth farmers win trailer jackpot

The Aberystwyth area is rapidly proving to be one of the luckiest regions in the country.

Last year Morris Jones from Llanrhystud won third prize in the competition run by the S4C rural affairs programme Ffermio in conjunction with Ifor Williams Trailers, and this year the two main prizes have gone to the same part of the country.

The lucky winner of the first prize, a 4,000 HB506 horsebox, was Geraint Jones, 50, of Pentre, Blaenplwyf, while the winner of the second prize, a P8G livestock trailer, was Dewi Williams, 61, Rhandir Uchaf, Llangwyryfon.

Geraint and Dewi, whose farms are just six miles apart, know each other, which is remarkable considering that the competition once again attracted thousands of entries from all corners of Britain and beyond.

As in previous years, viewers of the popular programme were asked to answer a series of questions, the initial letters being used to make up a word. This year the correct solution was “STORM”.

Geraint, who took over the running of the family farm from his father Gruffydd in 1999, was stunned to learn that he had won this year’s top prize.

“It’s a bit of a shock to the system – but a nice one,” he said.

The horsebox will be particularly useful as Geraint’s wife Elen and their children Arwel, Fflur and Haf, all ride and compete in local shows with their Section A and B ponies.

Elen, who works as a classroom assistant, was delighted at her husband’s success.

“We already have an Ifor Williams horsebox but this second one will be very useful,” she said.

Like Dewi, Geraint has entered the Ffermio competition most years without any success.

“In fact my wife Non and son Huw also submitted entries this time, but mine was the lucky one,” said Dewi, who already uses an Ifor Williams trailer to carry sheep and cattle.

Both lucky winners attended the Royal Welsh Winter Fair at Llanelwedd where they were presented with their trailers to take home.

“It’s strange that the two main prizes should come to the same area, especially following Morris’s win last year,” said Geraint.

The third prize of a £950 trailer went to retired farmer Tegwyn Williams, of Oswestry, whose son Eifion will make use of it on the 400-acre family farm, Cil Mawr, in Llangedwyn in the Tanat Valley where they keep mainly beef cattle.

Tegwyn, who now lives in Oswestry after retiring 20 years ago, tries his luck each year but, until now, without success.

“We have had Ifor Williams trailers for as long as I can remember and I’m delighted to have won this one because they are such good trailers,” said Tegwyn.

“We don’t enter many competitions but have a go at the Ffermio competition most years. It’s a real surprise, but a very nice one, to win something like this because we know how popular the competition is.”

Tegwyn visits the Royal Welsh Winter Fair at Llanelwedd almost every year but this time left towing his sparkling new trailer.

Ffermio presenter Alun Elidyr revealed that interest in the competition increased every year.

“Whether you’re a farmer or someone who loves the great outdoors an Ifor Williams trailer will always be a superb product to win.

“It’s fantastic that the company has, once again, put up three of their best products as prizes, which helped to ensure that interest was again massive.

“The Ffermio competition is very valuable to us, with viewers far and wide tuning in, in the hope of getting their hands on the trailers.

“The winners appreciate the quality of the trailers, be they farmers, small holders, or horse owners. It is a very special time for Telesgop’s Ffermio team, to see the excellent prizes going once more to very worthy winners. “