COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT STUDENT WINS £700 FUW BURSARY

THE winner of the Farmers' Union of Wales £700 student bursary is 39-year-old Jon Paul Mccalmont who is studying countryside management at Aberystwyth University.

Jon, of Llangammarch Wells, Powys, will receive his award from FUW president Gareth Vaughan on the FUW''s stand at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

Born and brought up in Talybont-on-Usk, he has worked as a self-employed sub-contractor in the forestry industry. He said: "I felt it was now time for a change from the heavy end of the forestry industry and I am hoping to develop my career into a more managerial sector.

"My particular interest would lie in upland land management and conservation. As a keen Land Rover enthusiast and home mechanic I am quite capable of maintaining my own vehicle and have actually converted my Land Rover to run on recycled cooking oil."

In runner-up position, and receiving cheques of £200 from judge and chairman of the union's Agricultural, Education and Training committee, Alun Edwards, were farmers' sons 18-year-old Roger Williams of Presteigne, Powys, and 19-year-old Guto Siôn Owen of Foel Gadeiriau, Llangernyw, Abergele, who are both studying at Aberystwyth University.