19 July 2011

  Ten elated farmers are celebrating after securing their place in S4C’s Farmer of the Year competition Fferm Ffactor to be broadcast on the Channel in the autumn.

But for two unlucky contestants – Geraint Thomas, 36, of Llangennech near Llanelli and Rhodri Evans, 35, from Parc, Bala, the dream is over after being knocked out tonight (Tuesday, 19 July) at the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd.

S4C’s Fferm Ffactor had received more than 18,000 votes for the dozen farmers on the competition shortlist via the Fferm Ffactor Facebook, through the post and at the S4C Pavilion in the Royal Welsh Show, Llanelwedd.

But the three who had received the least votes – Geraint Thomas, Rhodri Evans and Brian Bown, 41 of Llannerchymedd, Anglesey, had to face one more farming challenge in the Cattle Ring at Llanelwedd in front of a lively audience.

They had to drive around an obstacle course on quad bikes and strongman Brian proved the quickest to secure his place in the Fferm Ffactor series.

Brian now joins a final ten line-up which includes husband and wife Iestyn Tegid Davies and Marian Davies of Llanuwchllyn, mother-of-two Debs Phillips from Crymych, Heilin Huw Thomas, 24 of Llandysul, Malcolm Davies, 37, from Dinas, near Pwllheli, Aled Huw Roberts of Rhos near Wrexham, Dafydd Evans, 27, of Llanwrin near Machynlleth, Sam Carey, 22, from Rhoshill, north Pembrokeshire and Rheinallt Davies, 21, of Llanwrin near Machynlleth.

They will soon gather together again for the autumn series when they will face judges Professor Wynne Jones and farmer Aled Rees, the former Fferm Ffactor winner, from week to week in their pursuit of the Fferm Ffactor title.

This will be the third series of Fferm Ffactor which is presented by broadcaster Daloni Metcalfe and produced by Cwmni Da.