Pembrokeshire woman wins 'Defi Fet' Scholarship

Catrin Palfrey, 19, from Tegfryn near Crymych, has won a £2,500 scholarship in memory of the late Llandysul vet DGE Davies this year.

The 'Defi Fet' Scholarship is being awarded to support students studying veterinary science through the medium of Welsh at the Aberystwyth University’s School of Veterinary Science, the only place where Veterinary Science can be studied in Wales.

The scholarship was established jointly between the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and Aberystwyth University in memory of a well-known and respected vet from the Llandysul area, the late DGE Davies, known locally as Defi Fet.

Catrin Palfrey attended Ysgol Bro Preseli in Crymych, and did her A Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Biology.  She took a gap year after leaving school in the summer of 2023, where she spent time working at Printworks restaurant in Cardigan.

Catrin said, "I've been interested in science since my dad explained what an atom was to me when I was a little girl!  I also love animals so my love of science and animals led me to veterinary science.

"Over the years, I've been on work experience with a variety of vets in the area, and have seen how important it is to be able to speak Welsh.

"Being able to speak Welsh was essential to understanding each other, but more importantly, understanding the treatment offered.

"I also went on work experience at a local farm over Easter this year, during lambing time, and saw again how important it was to be able to speak Welsh on a busy farm.

"It's an incredible privilege to have been offered this scholarship, and I'm looking forward to learning more about the field and studying elements of my course through the medium of Welsh.

"My dream is to work as an agricultural veterinarian or on the research side of veterinary medicine – or maybe a little bit of both!"

Professor Darrell Abernethy, Head of Aberystwyth University's School of Veterinary Science, said:

"Congratulations to Catrin who fully deserves this. A core part of our vision for the School is to serve the needs of Wales. The privilege of teaching local and Welsh-speaking students like Catrin underlines the importance of the School to us locally as well as Wales as a nation. We are very grateful to Elaine and the family for their generous support so that we can offer this special scholarship.

"The establishment of the School demonstrates the central part agriculture and its associated industries play in the Welsh economy. As a University, we have a responsibility to provide the people and the skills that will contribute to their success in the future. The School adds a crucial new piece to the jigsaw puzzle, one that builds resilience in the rural economy through education and research  at a time of great potential change and challenges.

"Our partnership with the Coleg Cymraeg is absolutely key to making our vision a reality. We have also been fortunate that the School, the first and only one in Wales, continues to develop and expand thanks to the support of a wide range of partners. The new mock clinic that has just opened as part of our Centre on the Penglais campus is an example of that growth happening.

Dr Dylan Phillips, Director of Higher Education and Secretary of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, said:

"Congratulations to Catrin on winning this year's Defi Fet Scholarship and we wish her well on her journey to becoming a vet.

"Catrin has clearly demonstrated that she understands the importance of speaking the customer's first language, and the practical difference it makes to vets working in rural Wales.”

The Coleg received a generous donation from Defi Fet's daughter, Elaine Davies, and her family to set up a fund to support a new generation of Welsh-medium professional vets in Wales.

Dr Dylan Phillips added, "I would like to say a huge thank you to Elaine and her family for the incredibly generous financial donation in memory of her father, who will support Catrin over the five years.

"The donation allows us to support a student each year for the next 15 years to study a portion of their course through the medium of Welsh."

For more information or to apply for the 2025 Defi Fet Veterinary Scholarship visit the Coleg’s website