ARFOR – Llwyddo’n Lleol 2050 ‘Arloesi mewn Amaeth’ weekend a success

Llwyddo’n Lleol offering media experience to young people from Ceredigion

During the Llwyddo’n Lleol discussion groups held with young people in Ceredigion,  it became clear that there is a lack of opportunities to develop media skills in rural ARFOR.

Although there is a lot of interest in the field locally, with a large number flocking to city universities to study journalism and media, several mentioned that there aren’t many opportunities in terms of practical experiences in the field close to home.

Alaw Rees, Ceredigion’s Activities Officer with the Llwyddo’n Lleol project, decided to take on this challenge and organise the ‘Arloesi mewn Amaeth’ weekend. This was a weekend that offered two days full of media experiences, from scripting, filming, presenting and editing content, with a focus on agricultural broadcasting. Nine enthusiastic individuals were chosen to be part of the weekend with the hope of fuelling their ambition and passion to pursue a professional career in the sector in the future.

Alaw said: “The aim of the weekend was to offer a unique opportunity to individuals in the area to experience training that is not normally available locally. I wanted to show that it is possible for young people to work in agriculture in ways that are perhaps less obvious and traditional, and give them an insight into one of the other industries that they can combine with agriculture.”

Alaw added: “The weekend was an opportunity for them to meet new people, make connections that can help them in the future, develop new skills, and be inspired.

“It was great to see the group come to understand that all these opportunities are available to them locally and that it is possible to have a prosperous career within agriculture and media while living in rural Wales. This was something that was obviously very important to the whole group.”

Having Meinir Howells, winner of the Wales Woman Farmer of the Year award, as a facilitator for the weekend was an obvious choice. Meinir is someone who was able to inspire and advise the young group, especially to those who aspire to follow in her footsteps of being an agricultural presenter.

Meinir said: “It was nice to have the opportunity to nurture new talents and educate people who have a passion and interest in being part of the media world or who want a career related to agriculture and food beyond the farm.”

The weekend was held on Meinir Howells’ farm, Shadog – and what a magnificent location to hold realistic situations and practical sessions on a working, successful farm! Well-known guest speakers from the sector visited the farm on the final day to assist the individuals and contribute to a professional programme talking about the challenges facing the agricultural sector. The weekend will result in a short film that has been filmed, directed and scripted from start to finish by the young individuals!

This record of what was achieved over the two days will be shared with the individuals themselves. Hopefully, this resource will enable them to stand out in interviews and allow them to make confident applications for freelance opportunities in the future.

Gwenno Roberts, who is originally from Carmarthenshire but is now studying Welsh at Aberystwyth University, said that she enjoyed the experience: “Having a real experience of filming, presenting and interviewing was extremely useful, and I intend to complete more work experience and similar courses in the field by using the contacts I have formed as a result of this weekend.”

Awen Davies, who is a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron, added that she had signed up for the course because the time had come for her to choose subjects and that she hoped the weekend would help her decide which path to follow. “I enjoyed the scriptwriting training and the weekend has shown me how it would be possible for me to combine two things that are close to my heart, namely communicating in Welsh and agriculture.”

In closing, Alaw added: “It was nice to see the young individuals having fun while learning. Many thanks to them for their enthusiasm and I really hope that the weekend was an eye opener for them to see what is possible on their doorstep.”

Watch out, Ceredigion … the next TV presenters are on their way!

To find out more about the opportunities available through the Llwyddo’n Lleol project, visit: llwyddonlleol2050.cymru