Carmarthenshire Chamber of Agriculture

CARMARTHENSHIRE Chamber of Agriculture held its first meeting since February 2020 at the Halliwell Centre on Friday, May 13.

President Hubert Davies welcomed members and received apologies for absence. He then read out the names of the 10 members who had sadly passed away since the last meeting pre-covid. A minute’s silence was observed and he extended sincere condolences to family and friends who had lost loved ones.

Secretary Rodney Powell read the minutes of the last meeting held in February 2020, which were approved.

Roy Davies, who had retired as treasurer after 20 years, thanked members for their loyal support during his term of office, stating it had been a pleasure and honour to have been treasurer of one of the oldest Chambers of Agriculture, formed in 1853. He thanked Rodney for taking temporary charge of the finances.

A possible day trip may be organised later in the year and suggested speakers for future meetings were Steve Hughson, chief executive of RWAS, Abi Reader, deputy chairman of NFU Cymru, and solicitor Sean Boucher.

The president then introduced the guest speaker, Iwan Jenkins, deputy chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crime Prosecution Service (CPS).

Born in Burry Port, he joined the CPS in 1992 after a few years working as a private solicitor.

He gave a very interesting insight into the role of the CPS, emphasising its independent role. He outlined some of the interesting cases he had been involved with.

After a lively question and answer session, Huw Jones proposed a vote of thanks and the president presented Iwan with a plaque and booklet detailing the 150 years history of the Chamber of Agriculture.

The next meeting will be the AGM on the second Friday in September.