Harper siblings chosen to open Royal Welsh Winter Fair

A brother and sister who have both studied at Harper Adams University have been chosen to open this year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

The fair was officially opened this year by Steffan and Elin Rattray this morning – and will run until tomorrow evening, Tuesday, November 25.

Steffan, 23 and Elin, 22, were brought up on a small farm near Aberystwyth. The family run a butchery business, Rattray’s Butchers, in the middle of the town, and both Steffan and Elin came to Harper Adams to study for a BSc (Hons) in Agri-Food Marketing and Business.

Steffan graduated last summer, while Elin – who was shortlisted for the British Farming Awards Ag Student of the Year award in October – is in her final year.
 
As part of their degree courses, both spent a year working for companies on their one-year industry placement. Steffan worked at Dunbia, while Elin worked for Woodhead Bros – who supply Morrisons.

Both siblings were named winners of the 2022 Butchers' & Drovers' Charitable Institution Scholarship.
 
Together Steffan and Elin keep a small flock of Blue Texels and, over the years, have enjoyed showing them at local shows and at the Royal Welsh Show.
 
They are both members of Trisant YFC and have taken part in various activities within the organisation. They have competed at county, Wales and UK level in a variety of competitions, mainly stock judging, and have won at the Royal Welsh Show and at the Winter Fair.

 
Speaking after opening the fair this morning, Steffan said: “It’s a huge honour to be asked to open the Winter Fair and represent young people in agriculture who are the future of the industry.”

And Elin added: “This year’s Show President asked us to open the show this year. It’s a huge honour to represent this year’s host county.”

Harper Adams University is once again represented at the fair, with staff on hand to talk about undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses, as well as research and industry placements.