Blog yr Aelodau
From Brecknock YFC stage to BBC Radio Wales: An unforgettable opportunity for Elis Jones
My name is Elis Jones and I’m a member in Troedrhiwdahlar YFC in Brecknock. I love rugby farming and in recent years singing with my guitar in front of audiences. YFC has given me the platform to be able to do this at a high level.
Recently, I was given an incredible opportunity that I never would have imagined when I first stepped onto a Young Farmers’ Club stage. Thanks to Wales YFC, and the connections and confidence it builds, I found myself travelling down to Cardiff to perform live on Bronwen Lewis’s Cymru to Country show on BBC Radio Wales.
This opportunity came about following the Senior 1 Plus competition, where I was fortunate enough to be awarded Best Actor Under 28 by judge Dan Morgan. After the competition, Dan reached out to me and offered me the chance to appear on Bronwen’s show an opportunity I was both surprised and incredibly grateful to receive.
The experience itself was something I’ll never forget. Being in the BBC studio, speaking live on air, and performing in such a professional setting was both exciting and slightly surreal. During the show, I had the chance to chat with Bronwen about my involvement in YFC, and to highlight just how important the organisation is in giving young people across Wales the confidence and platform to perform.
As part of the programme, I performed two songs. The first was a Welsh adaptation of Wagon Wheel, which I translated myself under the title Dere fi adre It was important to me to bring something personal and uniquely Welsh to the show. I then finished with Something in the Orange, which was a great way to round off the performance.
In between the songs, Bronwen and I spoke about the opportunities that YFC provides — particularly through competitions like 1 Plus and the Entertainment Festival. These events do so much more than just showcase talent; they help build confidence, develop skills, and create opportunities that can lead to experiences like mine. Without YFC, I genuinely wouldn’t have had the chance to perform at this level.
This experience has been a reminder of just how valuable YFC is, not only as a social organisation but as a platform for young people to grow, perform, and pursue opportunities they may never have considered before.
I’m incredibly thankful to Dan Morgan for opening this door, to Bronwen Lewis and the BBC Radio Wales team for the warm welcome, and of course to Wales YFC for providing the foundation that made it all possible.
I hope this encourages other members to get involved, take to the stage, and make the most of every opportunity YFC has to offer because you never know where it might lead
