It’s been a packed few weeks for members of Pontfaen YFC, with success both locally and nationally.

Brecknock YFC hosted its annual ‘Have a Go’ competition at Henderson Hall, Talybont-on-Usk, where more than 70 competitors took part. Pontfaen’s A team emerged as the overall winners, pictured with past County Chair Ryan and team members Ella Watkins, Celyn Owens, Ruth Thompson, Beth Thompson, Seren Jones and Competitions Chair Isobel Hood.

Also recently, three Pontfaen members - Henry Davies, Sian Healey and Cari Bufton - travelled to Malvern to represent Brecknock in the National YFC Cooking Competition.

The challenge was to produce a three-course celebration dinner in just one hour, using only two gas rings. The team chose the theme of a ‘British Farming Awards Dinner.’

Henry prepared a starter of poached duck egg with asparagus, Carmarthenshire-cured ham and a honey mustard dressing, which judges praised as a “beautifully executed duck egg.”

Sian followed with a main course of Brecknockshire fillet steak served with exotic mushrooms, garden pea, mint and shallot purée, Blas Y Tir mustard mash and red wine jus - with judges singling out the peas and mint as highlights.

Cari completed the meal with a free-form Herefordshire fruit and Pimm’s trifle, described by the judges as an “elegant dessert.”

Out of more than 30 teams competing, Pontfaen finished a highly respectable eighth. Judges commended the team’s cookery skills and teamwork, noting that Henry and Cari were only 12 years old competing against entrants aged up to 28. “We loved every course, well done. Great skill shown,” they said.

Pontfaen YFC members also attended the Brecknock YFC Annual General Meeting at Jubilee Hall, Llanelwedd, where Pontfaen were winners of both the Mary Phillips Shield for overall sports (28 and under) and the Beulah YFC Shield for overall sports (18 and under).