· 1940s
Erwood YFC was formed in 1940 after Mr SR Wilkins, CC WJ Millichap and Mr J Evans Headteacher at Crickadarn School had convened a meeting at Crickadarn School.
First officials were
Club Leader Mr S R Wilkins
Chairman Mr V C Jones
Secretary Mr Douglas Williams
Treasurer Mr Tom Williams
There were 24 members recorded in 1940.
Members travelled to Club on foot, on ponies or bicycles and to the County Executive Meetings at Brecon by train! There was a silver cup awarded to the youngest member and in the first year it was won by Desmond Matthews.
1941 saw them running a successful Calf Club and competitions in milking, hedging, hoeing and best roots. Four members went around to weigh the roots on the farm and Price Powell won first prize. Their first money-making effort was a Stop Watch competition and this made £13.
In the 1945 Rally they won Public Speaking Competition and membership numbers had reached 55.
During these early years concerts were organised and plays performed in the Hall. The Chairman at the first concert was Mr Howell Powell, Auctioneer.
In 1946 it was noted that a profit of almost £25 had been raised at a club Eisteddfod. Their first Inter-Club debate was with Gilwern on “Hereford or Commercial Cattle” and they travelled there by bus. When Cwmdu and Gilwern visited Erwood they debated “milk v beef”. It is recorded that in 1946 the Club gave wedding presents to 9 members. Members were active in County Competitions and held meetings in Gwenddwr, Llaneglwys and Crickadarn from time to time, but most often meetings were at the Market Hall Erwood.
1947 January - Elvet Davies and John Davies went to the Welsh Conference at Aberystwyth and snow prevented them returning for a week. May - Winston Jones and Joyce Jones went to the National AGM in London to hear Lord Montgomery as Guest Speaker.
The Club possessed several cups which were competed for annually – The Hon Mrs Oscar Guest Cup was for an Inter Club Quiz, the Dunns Seed Cup for the best calf, and the CD Jones Cup was for the Club Member gaining the highest individual score at the Rally.
- 1950s
In the early 1950s it is reported that the girls prepared a Harvest Supper to start the Club year.
In 1956 the first 3 members passed a proficiency test in hedging. As a Club this has always been an activity in which they have had great success.
In 1956 and 1957 Erwood won the County Drama Competition and Ennis Williams as best actor won a place on the Make-up course at Denman College.
- 1960s
The Club celebrated it’s 21st birthday in 1960 with a dinner at the Greyhound Hotel with many founder and past members present. They report that all present Club Members were under 20 years of age at this time and the following year trips were organised to Slimbridge and Cadburys Factory to encourage recruitment.
In March 1963 a meeting was held in Gwenddwr and recruited 10 more members and it was decided to hold alternate meetings there.
1967 was another successful proficiency test year with 4 boys passing shearing tests and 2 sheep husbandry. For several years, the Club was successful in tug of war competitions.
1968 was the “girls year” and Erwood won the Display “a teenage room” at Girls Achievement Day and Christine Powell and Julie Evans shared 2nd prize for making and modelling a mini dress. Valerie Davies passed a Test in Floral Arrangement.
- 1970s
In 1970 the meeting night was changed from Wednesday to Tuesday in order not to clash with the Builth Wells quoits league.
The club competed in the drama competition every year and continued their annual concerts, Carol service and Club Dinner.
Every year they lost a number of members through marriage and by 1974 attendance was so poor that it was decided to suspend Club for a while.
Happily it reopened with meetings in Gwenddwr Hall in 1975.
It was reported that there were 26 members present at the first meeting in September 1976. Mrs B M K Davies Wheelwright Arms entertained them to a Club Dinner in January and at the Annual Concert they were helped by Rhosgoch YFC. Miss B Sheen again produced the Erwood Play and their finances were grateful helped by performing this locally. A 3 days hedging course was held at the Cwm under the tuition of Mr W Havard Sennybridge and members competed in the rally with renewed enthusiasm.
By 1977 they were in full swing and report 48 members and friends at the Club Dinner at Caerberis, but sadly the club sustained a huge loss on the death of Mr Selwyn Evans following an accident. He had been a constant supported of the club and helped in very many ways.
1978 found the Club with new found vigour ready to start a new year. Their Winter Programme went well and Guest Speaker at the Swan Builth Wells was a prominent past member Mr Glanville Jones.
There were 2 wins at the County Hedging Match for Brian Powell under 18 years and Kenneth Jones 2nd in the farmers Hedge. 22 Members took part in clearing the common near the road in “Operation Spring Clean”!
1978-79 followed with activities such as first Aid, Icing, car maintenance, crime prevention, potted sports, Ice-skating and film shows. The usual effort was made to enter competitions and again many successes – the Senior Drama Team was 2nd, being beaten by 1 point.
Young Gail Evans having won at the Rally was 23rd in Basket Making at the Royal Show while in Hedging Erwood swept the board. The winners were Under 18 Crop and Pleach Lyn Jones, Under 21 Stake & Pleach Brian Powell; Farmers Hedge Kenneth Jones and Ina Jones Under 26 stake & pleach. What a record! The club went on to win the Under 18 years Cup at the rally.
- 1980s
1980 saw the 40th birthday of the club and on May 2nd 1980 over 100 past and present members, some from far afield came to attend the celebration dinner at the Lake Hotel Llanwrtyd Wells. It was a very happy occasion. Mr Winston Jones, the Club President for many years, and a founder member, who had served the Club faithfully was presented with a clock by Mr Haydn Powell. Mrs Jones was presented with a bouquet by Michelle Price.
Also during their 40th year they helped the community by clearing an area in the Village for a new Playground for local youngsters and with the help of a grant from the Development Board for Rural Wales and YFC Funds, purchased new furniture and equipment for the Market Hall.
In 1981 Cheryl Jones represented the County at the Royal Show with an. “Item made from baler twine” . £46 was donated to the Builth Riding School for Mentally Handicapped Children as their 1982 contribution to charity
OFFICIALS ELECTED AT 1982 AGM
- President Mr Granville Jones
- Girls Section Ms Doreen Jones
- Chairman Steven Davies
- Vice Chairman Sandra Davies
- Secretary Wendy Evans
- Treasurer Colin Powell
Meetings are held at Erwood Market Hall.
Extracted from
“The History of Brecknock Federation of Young Farmers Clubs 1943-1982”
by W O Davies and Alys M Thomas