When the lease for the Wales YFC headquarters came up for sale last October, each county federation within Wales set about fundraising to secure its future at the Royal Welsh Showground site.

With a deadline of the end of February, and based on membership numbers, Gwent YFC were asked to raise £7,525, but being forever optimistic aimed for £10,000.

The purchase of the remaining 64 years of the lease has been dubbed a ‘golden opportunity’ for Wales YFC to secure the future of the youth movement’s residency at the showground.

Not only is the showground located in the middle of Wales, it also serves as a great shop window for the organisation, staging many competitions during the Royal Welsh Show week.

Being such a prominent site on the showground, it would have been quickly snapped up on the open market.

Wales YFC were offered to make the purchase for £76,100 with a completion date of the end of February.

A campaign was launched throughout Wales, headed by local man David Morgan, also past Royal Welsh Agricultural Society president and past Gwent YFC president. He visited each county within Wales to pitch the idea and gain enthusiasm behind the campaign.

Huw Goldsworthy, Gwent YFC county chairman, said, “Gwent YFC quickly took up the challenge by asking for donations from local agricultural shows and clubs as well as past members, club and county vice-presidents and advisory members.

“Gwent YFC has raised over £13,000 towards the project, smashing our original target. 

“The response to the campaign has been fantastic and it is great to see such support for the young farmers movement, which so many people have benefitted from over the years within our county and others.

“On behalf of the Federation, I would like to thank David Morgan for his time given to getting past and present members across Gwent and Wales behind this campaign, securing the future of the movement and its fantastic head-quarters building at Builth Wells.”

Gwent YFC thank everyone who has contributed. If anyone would still like to donate, please contact Wales YFC on 01982 553502.