The 22 deaths of workers on farms in Wales, England and Scotland during 2025-26 was the highest in a decade, and second only to the number of deaths of those working in construction (27), according to HSE figures., external
But the rate of farm deaths was seven times higher per 100,000 workers, and 21 times more likely than the all-industry average.
“It seems that things are getting worse and worse”, Margaret said, and that “four [people] within four miles of here have died in recent years – it’s scary isn’t it?”
“Islwyn was so careful – one of those rare farmers who wore a helmet,” she said.
“He was aware of the dangers of farming and I kept saying ‘be careful’.”
She said she had known something was wrong on the day Islwyn died “because he was never very late for dinner”, and said the nature of his death had been “hard to accept”.
Margaret had to sell their farm stock and arrange for other farmers to rent the majority of their land.
“For over a year I had tears coming every day, and I thought I’m going to be like this forever. But it’s getting easier,” she said.
She had stayed in Llanycil and said it had been “important to focus on the nice memories”, keeping herself busy by keeping horses.