Gareth Williams

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Summary

Based on an interview recorded on 9 July 2007. It reflects the interviewee’s life and memories at that time.

Gareth Williams was born in 1968 in his bedroom at Caplor Farm and has lived there most of his life, apart from studying agriculture in Devon and time spent travelling through Europe, Africa and North America. He’s the third generation of his family to farm at Caplor, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who came to the farm in 1923.

His early education was at Fownhope Playgroup and Primary School, then St Mary’s in Lugwardine, followed by A-levels at Hereford Sixth Form and a degree in Agriculture. Gareth’s passion for learning extended beyond formal education—his Nuffield Farming Scholarship enabled him to explore dairy systems and straw usage across Europe, from biomass boilers in Denmark to giant dairies in Hungary. These experiences sparked his interest in innovative, sustainable approaches to farming.

After returning to Caplor, Gareth took over the family farm, eventually moving away from dairy due to economic pressures. He expanded into contracting and arable farming, growing the acreage under his management from 100 to 2,000 through entrepreneurial grit. He also ran a straw and hay business, exporting as far as the Canary Islands, and later diversified into property development and hosting students.

Despite leaving dairy, Gareth remains optimistic about farming’s future, particularly with the growing demand for food and biofuels. He stresses the importance of flexibility, innovation, and business thinking in modern farming. He’s also a parish councillor, inspired by his mother’s legacy of community involvement.

Gareth’s approach is open-minded, pragmatic, and thoughtful. Whether reflecting on his boyhood fear of school or discussing EU regulations, he brings humour and candour. Above all, he values learning, adapting, and living a meaningful life—an ethos deeply rooted in both land and community.