12:14pm Tuesday 2nd February 2010
One of the best known figures in the agricultural circles of west Wales, George Mathias of Summerton farm, St Florence has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.
He has a proud record of service within the farming community, both locally and nationally, and also on the political scene in west Wales.
Born and brought up at Norchard, Manorbier (near Tenby), he is married to May and the couple have two sons, Clive, a solicitor now based at St Clears, and Andrew, who officially took over the family business almost 20 years ago. George entered farming in 1961 when he acquired the 220-acre Summerton farm and, encouraged by his late father-in-law, became actively involved within the National Farmer’s Union.
His grandfather had been among the founder Pembrokeshire members in the early 1930s.
As a member of the Kilgetty local branch of the union he was elected to serve on the executive committee, and various commodity sub-committees, of the Pembroke county branch.
Over the years adjoining farm properties became amalgamated with Summerton, which now extends to around 750 acres producing finished beef cattle, fat lambs and cereals.
George was a founder member of what was to become a highly successful calf marketing group, also Pembrokeshire Quality Livestock and the agricultural training scheme for young entrants.
Conservation schemes were entered into, with support and advice from FWAG, and some 40 acres of broad leaved and evergreen trees were planted 15 years ago and harvesting is about to begin. Milking herds and early potatoes have been phased out, although Andrew still employs two men. After his initial election, and eventually becoming county NFU chairman, George served as a county delegate to the national council of the union for some 17 years.
During this time he was elected to the livestock export council travelling widely within Europe actively promoting the lamb and calf trade.
At this time he also represented the NFU in Wales as a council member on the Confederation of British Industries and served on the Agricultural Wages Board.
One of his proudest achievements was in helping to put in place a legal assistance scheme for NFU members. This has brought immense benefit to individual members and has also well served the industry as a whole.
He was chairman of the administrative body for Wales and vice- chairman nationally.
He and May were both members of Tenby YFC during which time the club was the only one in Wales to have won the National Efficiency shield. They also took part in drama, public speaking, stockjudging and hosted foreign exchangees from various corners of the world.
The couple have also supported the parish church and George is a former playing member of Manorbier cricket and football teams.
Brought up with Hereford cattle and the pedigree Norchard herd at home he has a devout supporter of the breed and has accepted many invitations to judge entries at the summer shows.
He is a former chairman and president of the Pembroke Farmers’ Club, and a past president of both the South Pembrokeshire Ploughing Association and of the South Pembrokeshire YFC.
George has also, more recently, served as chairman of the West Carmarthenshire and South Pembrokeshire Conservative and Unionist Association.
He receives the MBE for services to agriculture.
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