POWYS’ most famous farmer has donated proceeds from a book he wrote about his life in agriculture to charity.

Well-known Radnorshire-born sheep farmer Tom Evans’ autobiography, titled ‘Where the Hell’s the Time Gone: A Life in Farming’, was launched at the Royal Welsh Show earlier this year.

Tom, from Beulah, who was presented with an MBE in 2020 by King Charles, decided to donate the proceeds raised from the sale of the book to British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru. His autobiography, published by Y Lolfa, has gone on to raise over £400 for the charity.

Jayne Lewis, fundraising manager for BHF Cymru, said: “I would like to thank Tom for donating the proceeds of his book to BHF Cymru.

“With 340,000 living with heart and circulatory conditions and around 26 people losing their lives each day in Wales, the need for your support to fund more lifesaving breakthroughs has never been more urgent.

Wales Farmer: Tom’s autobiography, titled ‘Where the Hell’s the Time Gone: A Life in Farming’, was launched at this year's Royal Welsh Show. Tom’s autobiography, titled ‘Where the Hell’s the Time Gone: A Life in Farming’, was launched at this year's Royal Welsh Show. (Image: British Heart Foundation Cymru)

“It is only with donations from the public that the BHF can keep its research going.”

Tom, known by many as the ‘voice of Welsh shearing’, having commentated for nearly 40 years at the Royal Welsh Show and world championship shearing competitions across the world, has been widely recognised for his work with the Young Farmers Club movement, within the community. His hard work was recognised in the 2019 Queen’s Honours List where he was awarded an MBE for services to farming heritage.

In October, Tom was belatedly presented with a ‘Points of Light’ award, bestowed for his outstanding contribution to Welsh farming, by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Tom was originally given the accolade at the 2015 Royal Welsh Show by then Prime Minister David Cameron.

Due to an oversight by the PM’s team, there was no certificate inside. The award recognised his outstanding contribution to agriculture, Young Farmers Clubs and the RWAS.

Former Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) chief executive Steve Hughson and Brecon and Radnor MP Fay Jones rectified the mistake, travelling to Tom’s home in Beulah, near Builth Wells, last month to present him with his award.

Points of Light awards are presented by the PM to outstanding individual volunteers and people who are making a change in their community.

The 80-year-old’s story is fascinating, with his life not always easy. As a child things were very tough post-war. He grew up without a mother, tractor or car, and in the book he recounts having to catch rabbits to sell to provide an income to live on for himself and his two sisters who were being bought up by various housekeepers in the absence of their mother.

Tom recalls his days on shearing gangs and in hedgelaying competitions far and wide, he talks about his own sheep farming and commentating commitments, as well as his impact on policy through work with the National Farmers’ Union.

Tom has interesting tales of travels to Europe, Australia and New Zealand to see their farming practices and much more.

He has been awarded Royal Welsh honorary life governorship for services to shearing and at the 2017 show was presented with the Certificate of Fellowship, making him a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society.

More recently, Tom received a Silver Medal and lifetime membership from the RWAS to mark his service to the event.

If you would like more information on fundraising for the BHF, contact Jayne Lewis via email at lewisja@bhf.org.uk or phone 07860 727 547.