Concerns over TV show farm tenancy

The new tenant will work in a beautiful part of Eryri

Concerns have been raised over the process to find a tenant to run a 613-acre mountainous farm in a national park.

The National Trust is set to appoint someone to look after Llyndy Isaf farm in Nant Gwynant, Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, for 15 years.

Channel 4 will film the new tenant moving in for a television show.

Up until 2020, the farm was run by the Wales Federation of Young Farmers, and locals believe people from the area should have been given the opportunity to apply before the process was opened up.

They are also concerned the spotlight of the television cameras may put some people from the area off from applying.

Councillor June Jones, who represents the Glaslyn ward on Cyngor Gwynedd described Nant Gwynant as "an agricultural community, a very small village".

While she welcomed the National Trust's moves to find a new tenant, she added: "I'm a little worried.

"I would have liked them to have tried to see if there is someone local who wants to try for the farm first, not everyone likes being on TV.

"I also think that having the Welsh language is essential, or an understanding of this farming area.

"Farmers have to work together - it's a mountainous farm, so the knowledge of how to farm on the land here, collaboration with others locally is essential, and I would have expected the Welsh language to be absolutely essential here."

The National Trust said that "anyone can apply for our properties in Wales and beyond" and that it does not discriminate against "age, race, gender, nationality or someone's language".

Councillor June Jones thinks that an understanding of the agricultural land is essential for the new tenants

The National Trust has owned the farm since 2012 after it was bought following a successful public appeal.

Up until 2020, it was run in partnership with the Wales Federation of Young Farmers, with five scholarships given to young people to manage the farm.

This scheme ended as the Trust said it needed to save charitable funds.

Since then, it has been jointly managed with the Trust's neighbouring farm, Hafod y Llan.

Llyndy Isaf farm is located in Nant Gwynant, Eryri

Caryl Hughes, who is from near Llangollen, Denbighshire, was the first person to receive the scholarship.

She said: "I was allowed to do what I wanted there, there was no stock there to begin with, so I got a budget from the Trust to go and buy sheep and cows and put a new handling system in the shed, etc.

"I was only there for a year... the problem is with a mountainous farm like Llyndy, I didn't see the result of my hard work as such... but by the time Teleri, the last scholar who was at Llyndy, it got extended to three years, which makes a lot more sense and more opportunity for someone to be able to see projects on the farm from start to finish."

Actor Matthew Rhys, who supported the public campaign to raise money to buy the farm with the first Llyndy Isaf scholarship winner, Caryl Hughes

Responding to plans to have tenants on the farm for 15 years, Caryl said: "It raises a bit of concern... it's disappointing that young people might think they can apply for this as it's being opened up for many more to apply... a tenancy of fifteen years is a long time and a lot of investment is needed to make this work.

"The people of Nant Gwynant are great, and it would be an advantage to be able to speak Welsh to be able to fit in with the area a lot better."

A 15-year period would be enough time for someone to "put their stamp on things" and to make changes and invest, according to Trystan Edwards.

The National Trust's manager for Eryri and the Great Orme added: "What has come as a result of that then is the slightly different opportunity with Channel 4 making a TV programme.

"They have decided to make the second series looking at how we set up things at Llyndy Isaf, so it's going to be very different.

"But I think it will be a good opportunity to give a bit of a profile on what goes on when someone sets up a farm, and of course there is a great opportunity to share a bit of culture and the Welsh language."

Trystan Edwards is a general manager for Eryri and The Great Orme for National Trust Cymru

The National Trust said anyone can apply, and those shortlisted would be interviewed and expected to submit a business plan.

It added: "In Wales, language and culture are at the heart of the places under our care.

"They are also part of the history and character of local communities, and this will be taken into account when interviewing potential tenants and reviewing business plans.

"There is a strong community of Welsh speakers in Nant Gwynant and so we are looking for someone who really aspires to work and live in a close-knit community in the Welsh countryside and contribute to the local area.

"We consider this to be a great opportunity to raise the profile of the Welsh language and our rural agricultural communities in Wales."