One of Wales’ most talented young actors has taken on a starring role in a top TV programme.
Steffan Parry, from Gwyddelwern, near Corwen, took centre stage in the filming for the popular rural affairs series, Ffermio, on S4C.
The 24-year-old won the prestigious Richard Burton Memorial Prize for young actors at the National Eisteddfod in August where he was also working on the Ifor Williams Trailers stand.
Steffan was the natural choice when Ffermio wanted to film three of the award-winning company’s trailers which are up for grabs in a special competition.
Ffermio used the scenic backdrop at three locations between Bala and Llanuwchllyn for the filming – Gwern Hefin Farm, the Glan Llyn Caravan Site and the Urdd camp, Gwersyll Glanllyn.
Steffan took time out from his teacher training studies at Bangor University to appear in the programme.
He said: “I’m really pleased to help as Ifor Williams Trailers are such an important North Wales business and have really backed me.
“I’m desperate to make it as an actor but I know it’s going to be tough and that’s why I’m currently doing a teacher training course at Bangor University. I just feel it’s important to have a back-up plan.
“Having said that, I have already done some television work. I suppose the biggest job I have had so far was for a BBC Crimewatch reconstruction. I played the role of a victim and not a criminal I’ll hasten to add!”
“I have also appeared on S4C’s Rownd a Rownd programme which I also enjoyed. I have also done some theatre work but my ambition is to get into films if I possibly can.”
Steffan, who studied acting and performing arts at Trinity College, Carmarthen, has worked for Ifor Williams Trailers for several years in-between his studies.
He added: “I was absolutely thrilled to be awarded the Richard Burton Memorial Trophy. It’s a huge honour and fantastic for my CV.
“I performed two pieces, one from ‘A Talk in the Park’ by Alan Ayckbourn and one from ‘Lysh’ by Welsh playwright, Aled Jones-Williams.
“But I’m sure my acting hopes wouldn’t have got off the ground without the work I’ve done for Ifor Williams Trailers, so I’m delighted to be able to help by appearing in Ffermio.
“It’s just great to be involved as Ifor Williams Trailers have always backed me.”
According to Ffermio presenter Meinir Jones, the Ifor Williams Trailers competition has become increasingly popular with viewers.
She said: “It really is a wonderful competition and we see an increase in interest year on year. It doesn’t surprise me as they really are, without doubt, the tops when it comes to trailers.
“It’s fantastic that the company has, once again, put up three of their best products as prizes and I know that interest will again be massively high.”
Graduate Design Engineer Geraint Williams organised the shoot for Ifor Williams Trailers.
He said: “The company very much values the partnership with Ffermio and were delighted to be given the opportunity to be involved with them again this year.
“We have had fantastic support from our loyal customers over many years and in return we feel it is vitally important to support the rural community – Ffermio have provided us with a great way of giving something back.
“We would like to thank the owners of the three locations for letting us film there.”
“We were also grateful to Steffan for agreeing to become involved in the filming and we wish him all the very best with his career in future.”
The first prize is a TA5 livestock trailer worth £2,925 plus VAT. The second prize is a LT85 commercial trailer with mesh extensions that’s worth £2,170 plus VAT, and the third prize is a BV64 box van trailer wrapped worth £1,710 plus VAT.
