FEARS are being expressed that the youth of Meirionnydd will be “deprived of the chance of developing vital skills” following concerns that Gwynedd Council is to axe a crucial £20,000 grant for the region’s Young Farmers Club.

Meirionnydd YFC currently uses the five-figure grant from the county council towards the cost of employing their organiser, a full-time position which allows the club to hold practically all of their social events.

Huw Emyr Jones, chair of Meirionnydd YFC, said: “Without an organiser we could not hold an eisteddfod, rally, livestock and carcass judging, public-speaking competitions, farm safety days, various games and sports, quiz competitions, rural crafts activities day and light entertainment competitions.

“Nor would there be anyone to supervise, support and advise the volunteers who are leaders and officials of the nine Meirionnydd YFC clubs.

“This loss of funding would deprive the 10 to 31-year-olds, who are our members, of developing the various skills, the chance to develop confidence and to learn life skills and all this through the medium of the Welsh language which is so fundamental in the policies of Cyngor Gwynedd.

“Is it not one of the duties of every council to nourish and help young people within their region to develop into responsible and useful citizens of their community?

“Is £20,000 per year from the total Gwynedd budget too much to ask?”

Gwynedd Council said in response that no decisions have been made on future funding for youth services in the county, but that future models were being considered and a consultation had been entered into.

Read the full story in today’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News