Renowned Welsh TV presenter and dedicated farming advocate, Alun Edwards, more widely known as Alun Elidyr, was presented with the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Bob Davies Memorial Award at this year’s Royal Welsh Show.

The award, in memory of Farmers Weekly Wales correspondent Bob Davies, is offered to an individual or group that has raised the public profile of Welsh farming.

Alun Elidyr returned to his family farm, Cae Coch in Rhydymain, Meirionnydd, in 1996 following the sudden passing of his father. The decision followed a successful acting career that saw him feature in numerous drama series, including Coleg, Yr Heliwr, Rownd a Rownd, Tipyn o Stad, and Lleifior.

In January 2005, Alun was tempted back in front of the cameras in a relaunched series of Ffermio, S4C’s weekly farming and countryside magazine series. He has since appeared in hundreds of episodes, focusing on all kinds of changes and challenges facing Welsh farming and rural communities; from bovine TB to Brexit, farm safety, mental health challenges and an array of agricultural shows and events.

As well as Ffermio, Alun has presented S4C’s Royal Welsh coverage for the past decade as the infectious, enthusiastic commentator on the shearing shed competitions.

In 2022 he also gained a following across the UK after an appearance on BBC’s Countryfile series, showing ways his farm had cut light pollution, alongside his passion around his focus on food production and conservation.

Beyond his personal farming endeavors and television work, Alun has been an influential figure within the FUW. He has long been involved in his local branch in Meirionnydd, rising through the ranks to serve as both local and County Chairman. His dedication extended to the national level, where he spent several years on the FUW's former Finance and Organisation committee and as Chairman of the FUW's Education and Training committee. In 2018 he was recognised for his tremendous dedication to the Welsh farming industry with the FUW’s Internal Award for Services to Agriculture.

Alun has also been a strong advocate for mental health awareness and farm safety. He has previously opened up about his own experiences of suffering with severe depression and panic attacks, and since 2019 has served as an Ambassador for the Wales Farm Safety Partnership, highlighting health and safety challenges on Welsh farms.

Presenting Alun Elidyr with the award at the FUW President Reception during the Royal Welsh Show, FUW President, Ian Rickman said: "Through his work on Ffermio, Alun has masterfully brought the triumphs and tribulations of Welsh agriculture and rural life into living rooms across Wales, and further afield.

“Alun's reputation as a likeable, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic presenter is well-earned. This is undoubtedly bolstered by his own farming experience at Cae Coch and his passionate advocacy for mental health and farm safety - two vital, yet often overlooked, issues within the agricultural sector.

“As Alun celebrates 20 years of presenting this flagship show, there's no more fitting way to mark this incredible milestone than with this well-deserved award."