(L-R) Mark Williams (County Chair of FUW), Emyr Jones (FUW President), Cllr Roche Davies (Chair of Powys County Council) and Glyn Davies MP
A day celebrating local produce businesses and tourism in Montgomeryshire, which was held in Parliament on Wednesday 11th June, has been hailed as a “successful day all round” by Glyn Davies MP.
The event, jointly organised by Glyn Davies and the Farmers’ Union of Wales, was held in the Jubilee Room in the Palace of Westminster and welcomed Members of Parliament, Members of the House of Lords, and their staff.
A reception to welcome exhibitors and other guests who had travelled down from Montgomeryshire, was held on Tuesday evening. The group listened to speeches from Glyn, FUW President Emyr Jones, Powys County Council Chair Roche Davies and Baroness Randerson, Under Secretary of State in the Wales Office. Exhibitors and FUW members also enjoyed a tour of the Houses of Parliament with Glyn on Wednesday morning.
At Montgomeryshire Day, exhibitors had the opportunity to talk to a wide range of MPs who came to discover what Montgomeryshire had to offer, including Wales Office Minister Stephen Crabb, David T Davies, Alun Cairns, Simon Hart, Bill Wiggins, Michael Fabricant, Hywel Williams, Kate Howey, Elfyn Llwyd, Roger Williams and Mark Williams. Peers who visited included Lord Carlile of Berriew and Baroness Randerson.
Those visiting had a whole range of businesses to discover including a cider and apple juice producer from Berriew, a brewery and a baker from Montgomery, a baconry from Llandinam and a vineyard in the Kerry Vale; as well as stalls highlighting the range of activities and accommodation available in Montgomeryshire, and a YFC British Woold Marketing Board stand. Also in attendance was Ifor Humphreys, who had earlier in the day joined Glyn at Harrods Food Hall to launch his Wagyu Beef products.
The full list of exhibitors were:
- Neuadd Fach Baconry, Llandinam
- Doodlebakes, Montgomery
- Ifor’s Welsh Wagyu Beef, Abermule
- Berriew Cider
- Gregynog Hall
- Monty’s Brewery, Montgomery
- Kerry Vale Vineyard
- Montgomeryshire Spring Water, Churchstoke
- YFC
- FUW
- Visit Mid Wales
- North Powys Youth Music Trust
- British Wool Marketing Board
Speaking as the event came to an end, Glyn Davies said:
“Montgomeryshire is already a very popular tourist destination and home to well respected food producers. This day was a chance not only to celebrate the excellent quality food and drink that Montgomeryshire can offer, but also to display why it is such a wonderful place to visit.
“Our Visit Mid Wales stand has been busy all day, promoting walks, cycling, caravan parks, hotels, quad biking and horse riding; alongside some of our popular attractions, such as Powis Castle and the Dyfi Osprey Project.
“I would like to thank all of the producers and businesses who came down and made the event so enjoyable, as well as the Farmers Union of Wales, who have been fantastic in helping to organise and coordinate what was a very successful day all round.
“I hope that some MPs or their staff will be planning their next holiday here in Montgomeryshire.”
