Powys farmer and FUW chief who helped save Senni Valley dies

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has paid a heartfelt tribute to Glyn Powell from Glansenni, Sennybridge who was the FUW’s Vice President between 1995 and 2000, and then deputy until 2002. He helped steer the organisation though the foot and mouth crisis in 2001.

FUW President Ian Rickman said: “The industry has lost a true farming champion and a man that to his very core lived and understood our heritage, culture and farming.

"Glyn Powell will be truly missed and our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.”

Glyn’s father was a shepherd's son on the Cnewr estate, and his mother from Epynt. Although he climbed to a high level in education by being the Principal of Brecon High School, he never forgot his roots and remained to the end of his life a great benefactor of the Welsh language and culture.

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When the Senni Valley was under threat of being drowned to supply water to Cardiff, Glyn led the way, as Secretary of the Cwm Senni Defence Committee, a battle that lasted from 1963 to 1972.

He campaigned to oppose the use of the Epynt Mountain as a burial area for livestock during the challenging Foot and Mouth epidemic.

The National Eisteddfod of Wales Gorsedd of Bards honoured him with the Blue Robe during the Ceredigion 2021 Eisteddfod in Tregaron.

Traditionally, those who have succeeded in the fields of Law, Science, Sports, Journalism, Media, local/national activities become Honorary Druids – Blue robes - for their services to the nation.

“One of the first times I heard Glyn speak publicly was at the Union’s Council in 1995 when he was elected Vice President. There was something quite dignified in the way he rose from his seat to address us, and that dignity continued until he sat back down at the end of his speech,” said former FUW President Glyn Roberts.

“It was a very memorable speech which he concluded by quoting Saunders Lewis “My country of Wales is a vineyard, given into my keeping: to be handed down to my children and to my children's children, as an inheritance for all time.”

It’s one thing to quote that piece with so much conviction, but it’s another thing to realise the vision, but that is exactly what Glyn did, by securing a future for the Senni Valley and also letting his farm to a young person.”

 Past FUW President Bob Parry added: “Glyn was a character who thought before speaking and was very passionate about the young farmers clubs, he will be greatly missed.”