Herefordshire YFCs say thanks to stalwart Roger Williams (From Hereford Times)

Herefordshire YFCs say thanks to stalwart Roger Williams

8:00am Tuesday 20th July 2010 in

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A FARMER has been rewarded for 50 years’ service to a major county event.

Roger Williams first manned the gate at the Herefordshire YFC County Rally in 1960 – and the 80-year-old from Kentchurch is still the gatekeeper, having welcomed people for over half a century.

Mr Williams, of Little Corras Farm, has now been rewarded for his efforts. The Herefordshire Federation of YFCs gave a farmyard memento to Mr Williams, who is also a life vice-president.

“I remember the first one like it was yesterday.

It was half a crown to get in, and half a crown for the parking,” said Mr Williams. “There were four of us and I was on the gate all day long. It went from there and it’s got bigger and moved all over the place.”

Mr Williams was born in Grosmont in 1930 and left school at 13. He took over the mixed-use farm in 1950 but recently came out of retirement after his son developed an illness.

The County Rally has been one of his greatest pleasures and Mr Williams has “plenty of nice memories”. Revellers were almost swamped in 1977 following a deluge in Wigmore, while he chuckles at the odd “niggly” official who refuses to pay.

Yet there’s a hint of sadness about today’s rallies and next breed of young farmers – there’s only a handful of venues because of entertainment regulations, while fewer youngsters are finding agricultural jobs because of mechanisation.

“The younger generation is finding it harder to get into farming these days because things need to be tidy,” said Mr Williams.

“Every farm now has a tenant and a bit for housing and only employs a few people.

It must be very hard for a young person.

“I don’t know why but the rally always seems to be better when it comes to south Herefordshire. But I’ve had a lot of fun wherever it’s been. It’s still good to see all these people coming through.”