Devon

South Dartmoor Group of Young Farmers

South Dartmoor Group of Young Farmers have had a busy start to the year with 6 clubs entering the group round of Entertainments on 16th February followed by a charity performance on 17th February 2008 held at Totnes Civic Centre. Newton Abbot YFC came 1st with ‘Wish You Were Here’, Dartmouth YFC came 2nd and Kingsbridge YFC were placed 3rd. Matt Wreyford from Dartmouth YFC won Best Actor and Kim Widger from Ivybridge YFC won Best Actress. Senior and Junior Member of the Year was held on 17th February 2008. The winner of Junior Member of the Year was Catherine Reeve of Kingsbridge YFC, Senior Member of the Year was won by Clare Edworthy of Newton Abbot YFC.

The winners of the Entertainments and Member of the Year competitions went on to represent South Dartmoor at the Devon County Competition held on 2nd March 2008 at The Palace Theatre in Paignton. In the Entertainments competition, Newton Abbot YFC came 3rd with Clare Edworthy winning Best Actress.

Catherine Reeve won Junior Member of the Year and Clare Edworthy won Senior Member of the Year. As winner of the Senior Member of the Year Clare has also won a place on the senior scholarship travel programme 2008. Following their success at the county round of Member of the Year, Clare and Catherine competed at the South West Area competition held on 15th and 16th March. After competing against finalists from 5 other counties Catherine came 2nd while Clare won and goes on to the National final to held at the National AGM in Blackpool on 3rd May.

Devon

Honiton YFC members travel to Blackpool by tractor

On Thursday 1st May 2008, Honiton YFC members will set off from Honiton, Devon on a tractor to the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs AGM in Blackpool. The twist to the format is that the tractor will be driven by five female members, most of whom have no previous tractor driving experience. They will have to drive just over 270 miles in the two days which have been allocated. The girls will be driving a brand new Claas Demonstrator tractor which has kindly been provided by Hamblys in Honiton. The girls who will be driving are Jenna Rosewell, Rachael Snell, Sarah Bright, Louise Crabb and Lucy Reed.

The money which is raised from the tractor run will be divided between 2 charities. The first charity we have chosen is Cancer Research. The second charity is a new charity which has been set up over the last year following the sad death of East Devon YFC Member, Miss Laura Persey at the age of 19. Her parents set up the Laura Persey Trust Fund in her memory and all money raised for the company will be available to fund courses in rural skills for young people.

Honiton YFC are looking for companies and individuals to sponsor the event in order to make it a great success. If you would like further information on this event, please contact Jenna Rosewell on 07974942515 or Stuart Perry on 07737073843.

Northamptonshire

Towcester Young Farmers to present a cheque to Northamptonshire and Warwickshire Air Ambulance

On Monday 18th February, Towcester Young Farmers will be presenting a cheque to Northamptonshire and Warwickshire air ambulance for the sum of £2000 at Towcester Rugby Club. Over the past year Towcester Young farmers has been really busy with fundraising activities including carol singing on the back of a tractor and trailer around local villages and the infamous 'Tup a Thon' where punters could bet on which sheep would be mounted by the tup for the chance to win £100.

Towcester Young Farmers would like to thank everyone who supported them in last year's fundraising campaign. We need to put on our thinking caps now for what to do this year!!

For more information on the presentation or about Towcester Young Farmers in general, please contact Milly at mwastie@riders.org or 07752 989544

Devon

Whimple & Broadclyst Young Farmer's Club Charity Cheque Presentation

Whimple and Broadclyst Young Farmer`s Club held a presentation for their chosen charity of the year `The Bystock Mini Bus Appeal`, after the club had pulled together with a successful fund raising year. Whimple and Broadclyst YFC presented the cheque to staff and residents of Bystock, which was gratefully received by the residents, who thanked Whimple and Broadclyst YFC for helping them.

The money raised was to enable the charity to buy a mini bus, to provide transportation for their 40 residents i.e doctors appointments, hair care, holidays and day trips.

With the determination of the club organising a range of activities, they managed to raise an impressive £1842.90. Comprising from a stretcher run in life like fancy dress doctors and nurses, a dung sale raising £178 with much appreciation to the Thirsty Farmer Whimple, for the use of their car park, and Mrs Margaret Burrough for providing us with the dung for the sale. Carol singing started off the Christmas season raising £122.17, with kind generosity of local farming families. Finally our bingo raised £33, with many thanks to Club Leaders Ray Taylor and Heather Burrough for their help.

Bystock Court is a residential home, for people with learning disabilities, set in extensive grounds on the outskirts of Exmouth. There are several work units located within the grounds, which also provide day care opportunities for the local residents learning disabilities, including a small farm, paper shredding unit and a workshop.

Yorkshire

Harrogate District YFC News

District YFC Public Speaking Competition

On Monday 22nd October Harrogate District YFC held their annual Public Speaking Competition at Masham Primary School. After a very entertaining evening the L Elliot Junior Trophy was presented to Winksley-cum-Grantley YFC, with Nidderdale YFC 2nd and Farnley Estate YFC 3rd. The Jean M Langley Overall Trophy was also won by Winksley-cum-Grantley YFC, again with Nidderdale YFC 2nd and Farnley Estate YFC 3rd. Thanks to all the judges and stewards, and to Deb Metcalfe for organising the event.

District YFC Quiz

On 29th October 2007 Harrogate District YFC held their district quiz at the Half Moon Pub, Fellbeck at 7pm. 14 teams took part in the quiz resulting in Farnley 'A' being placed 1st and Farnley 'B' 2nd - both teams go forward to the County round.

County Landrover Rally

On Sunday 4th November members took part in the County Landrover Rally held at Rudding Park near Harrogate. Well done to Nicola Holmes of Farnley Estate YFC who was placed 3rd in the women's class.

Worcestershire

Young Farmers hope for bumper crop after using their pedal power on monster bike

A toned-team from Bromsgrove Young Farmers Club (BYFC) showed us their brawn, after taking to the roads for a Christmas Big Bike Ride on a giant 23-seater bicycle! BYFC cycled an 15 mile route, from Droitwich into Worcester and back, on Sat 24th November, raising over £1,500 for St Richard's Hospice, in Worcestershire, which cares for patients and families with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

BYFC Chairman Katie Brian (from Wychbold) said:" It's was great fun, a real team builder and we were overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity. Heads certainly turned as we cycled along on this huge bike. If anyone would like to join our lively group (between 10 and 26yrs) please come along to our New Members Evening at Stoke Prior Village Hall, on Weds 28th Nov at 8pm or call me on 07980 237381”.

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Bedfordshire

Young Farmers' take part in shoebox appeal

Bedfordshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs has taken part in this years Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. Operation Christmas Child is run by Samaritan’s Purse and sends shoeboxes full of gifts to underprivileged children in Countries such as Romania, Kazakstan and Nigeria. The recipients of these shoeboxes often have little or no possessions of their own. Members packed over 130 shoeboxes with items such as hats, gloves and scarves, basic toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste and soap, writing equipment, toys and sweets. The completed shoeboxes were then presented to a local coordinator for Operation Christmas Child at their recent AGM.

At the AGM it was also announced that the members have raised over £9,500 for various Charities over the past year.

Montgomeryshire

Drama success

Members of Llanbrynmair and Carno YFC were celebrating when they got through to the all Wales YFC drama final for their play called Primrose Path. They also won first prize for best set.

Suffolk

Bury YFC donates £10,000 to local charities

Bury St Edmunds YFC has donated £10,000 to local charities – a donation thought to be the largest in the club’s 51 year history. During a presentation evening in March, the club donated £6,666.67 to local charity Out and About and £3,333.33 to St Louis Catholic Middle School towards access improvement for disabled pupils.

The majority of the money was raised during the club’s 17th annual 48-hour ploughing marathon, which took place in September. Further funds were raised by stewarding at local events. "I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to the Bury St Edmunds members who have shown great creativity and determination in their fundraising this year,” said chief executive of Out and About Steve Allman. “The money will make a real difference to disabled children by enabling them to take part in local leisure activities, make friends and, above all, have fun!"

Head teacher at St Louis Catholic Middle School Anne Mansfield explained that the money the school received will be used to make a corridor in the year five area fully accessible for wheelchair users. Club chairman Vicki Powell- Tuck said: “It’s great to be able to give something back to the local community. It’s a real team effort raising the money and we have great fun doing it!”

Lancashire

Seniors get lost day

With 48 per cent of Lancashire FYFC’s members aged under 18, the federation thought it was time that they had their say. The Seniors Get Lost (SGL) Day was designed to bring the junior members together to meet new people, learn new skills, openly discuss YFC and have fun.

The day, which took place in April at Waddecar Scout Camp, Goosnargh included archery, underground orienteering and a rather wet assault course. Members were also given advice on how to stay safe by the Lancashire Constabulary and took part in a two-part forum. The forum encouraged the junior members to talk freely about what they liked, disliked and wanted. The information gathered will help ensure that Lancashire FYFC continues to deliver a valuable service to its members and empowers all ages to have their say.

Everyone attending received a YFC National Record of Achievement Certificate. The event was supported by John Charnley & Sons Tractors.

Cumbria

Call my bluff

Rhabdomancy, jinker and shoat are not words you come across everyday and Cumbria’s Call My Bluff teams struggled to guess the correct meanings, which were a diving rod, equipment for carrying tree trunks and a young pig. A total of 22 teams originally entered the county competition and after two eliminating rounds, the remaining eight teams met at Penrith Rugby Club to bluff it out.

Judges Elizabeth Moore and Gary Strong had an enjoyable night as contestants presented their words with wit and humour, making it extremely difficult to pick out the correct explanations from the invented ones. The best bluffers of the evening were Brampton YFC’s team of Anne Hodgson, James Tattersall and Fiona Reed (pictured). Raughton Head YFC came second and Grayrigg YFC was placed third.

Staffordshire

County rally

Staffordshire’s nine clubs gathered in May for the county federation’s annual rally. Competitions included pallet recycling, mini digger driving, ATV handling, plus many other static competitions such as decorated welly boots and practical competitions such as floral art and cookery. The day was rounded off by the popular mixed tug of war competition. The Overall Rally Cup was won jointly by Leek YFC and Ashley YFC and the Most Improved Club was Ashley YFC.

Cornwall

South West winners

Cornwall FYFC won the overall winner’s trophy and sports trophy at the South West Area Competitions Weekend in March. The county won the junior public speaking, senior debating, drama, ladies’ netball and badminton competitions. Pictured are Katie Bray and Alan Carter from Helston and St Keverne YFC, who were part of the winning junior public speaking team.

Buckinghamshire

New members' week

At the beginning of March, Buckinghamshire FYFC held an extremely successful New Members’ Week. It began with a football tournament and included clay shooting, ice skating, a lambing visit, talks to schools and a race night. “It was a brilliant week with lots of people attending events, and clubs had many new members attend their club meetings,” said the county’s development officer Clare Cook.

Yorkshire

Fashion show raises funds

Harrogate District YFC held a Fashion Show at Kettlesing Village Hall in April, raising £239 for district funds. The event included items from Virgo Clothing, God Bless Handbags and Virgin Vie Cosmetics, and was organised by Nichola Holmes. Members from the district modelled the clothes and handbags, which were available to buy afterwards.

Yorkshire

Mascot Steeplechase raises £16,000

Yorkshire FYFC’s second Great North Mascot Steeplechase raised £13,000 for healthcare charity Sue Ryder Care and a further £3,000 for a wide range of other charities when 63 mascots from across the country travelled to Wetherby Racecourse to take part in the event. The Sky Bet-sponsored race saw the mascots compete in front of a 10,000-strong race-day crowd.

The winner was Hound Dog representing the Bingley Harriers. Megumi Noodle Box from the Wokon Noodle Bar in Leeds was runner-up. The prize for the mascot raising the most sponsorship money went to Michael Hall representing the Coniston Cold Hotel in the costume of Sue Ryder Care’s Sonny the Sunflower. Michael raised £1,200, helping beat the £13,000 raised for charity last year. Yorkshire FYFC used the race to promote healthy eating and local produce and the winner of the best turned out YFC-made mascot was Tom Ogden of Worth Valley YFC with Mushy the Mushroom.

There was controversy after the event when footage on You Tube showed road safety charity Brake’s mascot Zak the Zebra causing mayhem at fence three. Zak, who was originally thought to have finished 30th, was seen running into to the back Potato Pete and Jenny Jar causing them to fall. He was subsequently disqualified.

Victim Steven Ogden, running as Jenny the Jar for Recycling Action Yorkshire, was shocked at the incident: “This black and white blur came out of nowhere and sent me flat on my face – it felt like I was being recycled!” The runner within Zak, Chris Frost of Brake, said: “I apologise profusely to both the jar and potato. Zak was just trying to win the race to raise awareness of Brake’s campaign,’Watch Out there’s a Kid About’ when driving.” Footage of the incident that caused the disqualification can be seen here on Youtube

Dorset

First ploughing match for Puddletown

Junior club Puddletown YFC has only been going for four years, but in March it held its first ever ploughing match. The turnout was exceptional with 51 entrants taking part in seven classes. A total of 17 prizes were awarded by the six judges. The match champion was Ken Selby and first prize in the YFC section was awarded to Martin Farwell from Blandford YFC. The novice title went to Mike Phillips and the Best Puddletown YFC member was Peter Cox.

Derbyshire

Race night cheques

Every year Bakewell YFC holds a charity event and this year members held a race night. A total of 90 members and friends attended the evening, which raised £453.75. The club presented Darley Maternity Unit with a cheque for £250 and Flagg Nursery School and Village Hall with a cheque for £200.

Brecknock

Raffle raiser

Wales YFC Junior Member of the Year James Healey from Erwood YFC decided to mark his year by arranging a grand raffle. A range of prizes were kindly donated and the draw took place at the Wales YFC drama finals in March, raising £1,022 for Wales YFC’s chosen charity for the year Cancer Research Wales.

Devon

Club wins title after 14 years

CULM Valley YFC won the East Devon Group’s drama competition for the first time in 14 years in February. Following six very different performances, judges Molly Barrell and Sally Nicholl awarded first place to Culm Valley for its production of Zarton.

They commented on the imaginative scenery, sound effects and the fantastic performance by all the cast, most notably Mark Davis who won the best actor award. The cast’s intriguing performance also won them the award for best moment, which involved a family of gorillas. Club leader Kevin Lock said that it was an amazing and exciting achievement to win the competition after so many years.

Worcestershire

Members of the Year

TWENTY members from around the county came head to head in January to compete for Worcestershire FYFC’s Senior and Junior Member of the Year titles. Competitors were interviewed by a panel of judges, who questioned them on what they had achieved during their time in YFC and what they hoped to achieve in the future. In the senior competition, the judges narrowed their selection to one top male member (Ian Wormington from Bromsgrove YFC) and one top female (Jo Phillips from Tenbury Wells YFC).

Following another interview, the judges made their decision and the Senior Member of the Year title was awarded to Jo Phillips.

In the junior competition, Joe Cutler of Cutnall Green YFC was placed first.

Kent

Just missed it!

ASHFORD YFC hosted its popular ‘Just Missed It Disco’ soon after New Year, providing members the opportunity to burn off some mince pies while busting a groove on the dance floor! This year was a huge success, with music by club member DJ Karl Double Disc’s Vesma together with a rather popular fancy dress theme of Old Skool.

The venue was packed with a large number of guests in little skirts, including club chairman Ed Lovejoy and vice-chairman Eddie Langrish. Money raised by the event will be donated to Demelza House, a children’s hospice.

Norfolk

Club wins title after 14 years

A group of intrepid Norfolk members set out to take a farm into the city of Norwich in October in order to improve the public’s perception of farming. The event was organised after Norfolk FYFC set up a Farmers Forum to look at the many issues facing young people in farming. Members worked with the Norfolk Rural Business Advice Service, the Norfolk Food Fesitval and Easton College to organise the event, which included displays of farm produce and live animals.

More than 30 farming members met with the general public to discuss farming issues and increase the public’s understanding. The event caught the attention of the local media and Norfolk FYFC has been asked to return next year, this time with even more animals!

Lincolnshire

Youth Forum Day is a success

TWENTY members from Lincolnshire’s YFCs went to Riseholme campus in January for the county’s first ever Youth Forum Day – the second event that had come out of the youth forum meetings. The day was such a success that another was held in February, which 28 members attended.

In the morning session, members split up into four groups to discuss four topics:

The Youth Forum Weekend

The Youth Forum Campout

The Youth Forum Newsletter

Development and funding

When the groups had finished their discussions they all got back together and reported to the rest of the forum members. The afternoon was a more light- hearted affair, packed with all sorts of fun and games. Leader of the Youth Forum Nigel Barber was really pleased with the day. “You’ve never seen so many exciting new ideas come from younger members of the county – it was really encouraging to see this happening,” he said.

Radnor

Wandering minstrels

MANY miles were covered by members of Radnor Valley YFC during their three nights of carol singing in December. The club raised more than £1,100, which will be divided between the Air Ambulance, New Radnor First Responders and the Anthony Trust.

Camarthenshire

An audience with...

CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of Carmarthenshire FYFC’s ‘An audience with…’ competition. Pictured is the winning team from Llanfynydd YFC with county chairman Irwel Jones and county president Elonwy Phillips.

Derbyshire

Triple cheques

NORTH West Derbyshire YFCs were able to present cheques for £500 to three worthwhile charities thanks to the money raised by their Christmas Ball. The three lucky charities were The Prince’s Trust, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and Farm Out, a charity that provides a drop-in nursing and physiotherapy clinic at Bakewell Market for the farming community.

Herefordshire

Farmhouse Breakfast week

PENCOMBE YFC held its third annual breakfast in January as part of the national Farmhouse Breakfast Week. The purpose of the week is to promote British farming and support local producers and Pencombe YFC provided full English breakfasts for 127 hungry people, prepared with sausages and bacon from Legges of Bromyard, bread from Lamings, mushrooms and tomatoes from Gilberts in Bromyard, home-made jams and more.

“As advocates for rural affairs issues and involvement in the community, a farmhouse breakfast event was especially appropriate to hold,” said club vice-chairman Matt Price. “In addition, we raised £227, half of which will go to the Hereford County Hospital Portable Scanner Appeal and half to club funds to support future charity fundraising and club projects,” he added.

Devon

Anniversary shirts

YARCOMBE and District YFC will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in July and the club has had some new club shirts printed ready for the weekend’s events. The shirts were sponsored by Mole Valley Farmers, Cullompton Vale Veterinary Group and Lloyds TSB Agriculture. Pictured is Duncan Findlay from the Vale Veterinary Group presenting the shirts to Samuel Dyer in January.

Staffordshire

Competition successes

MORE than 140 Staffordshire members took part in a host of county competitions in February.

Catherine Godon from Stone YFC was named Junior Member of the Year. Catherine, aged 16, is currently studying Geography, Italian, Art and Psychology at AS level at St Dominic’s Priory School in Stone and hopes to go to do a foundation art course before going to university to study interior architecture.

The Senior Member of the Year title went to Stone YFC member Bryce Mackellar. Bryce, aged 25, is a past county chairman and is currently chairman of the West Midlands Area and vice-chairman of NFYFC’s National Council. Bryce lives and works on his family’s arable and sheep farm. In the public speaking competitions, Stone YFC won the junior speaking and senior debating, and Eccleshall YFC’s B team won the intermediate brainstrust.

This year a further four competitions took place: Radio YFC, freestyle disco dancing, club shirt design and publicity poster. Cheadle YFC won Radio YFC, Stone YFC won the disco dancing and the club shirt design competitions, and Eccleshall YFC won the publicity poster competition.

Leicestershire & Rutland

YFC car

FOUR Lutterworth YFC members have restored an old Volvo to drive to YFC events. Rob Cross, Andrew Fyfe, Vicky Marshall and Emily Marshall have restored the car as a promotional vehicle and received sponsorship from various companies in exchange for advertising space on the car. Watch out for it in Torquay!

Yorkshire

Lively debate

YOUNG and not-so-young farmers from across Yorkshire debated some of the key issues facing British agricultural in February. The discussion, which was entitled The Root to Market, was organised by Yorkshire FYFC and topics included the need for farmers to market their produce, the impact of Farmers’ Markets and the closure of British Sugar’s York-based sugar beet plant.

The audience was entertained and enlightened by a panel of five experts: tenant farmer and chairman of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Livestock Board, Thomas Binns; landowner and former national president of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), Christopher Bourne-Arton; MP for the Vale of York, Anne McIntosh; and organic dairy farmer and Nuffield Scholar Tom Rawson. Past Yorkshire FYFC chairman Phil Mosley chaired the panel.

“The aim of the evening was to enable those directly involved in agriculture and the countryside to debate some of the key issues facing their industries,” explained chairman of Yorkshire FYFC Helen Herd. “We’re delighted that we were able to attract such high profile panellists and it was interesting to hear their sometimes opposing views and experiences,” she added. The forum was the second of its kind organised by the county and was supported by Ripon Landrover and part-funded by the Natural England Farm Demonstration Programme.

Pembrokeshire

Making a drama out of young farmers

PEMBROKESHIRE’S YFC members experienced all the drama of performing on stage in the county’s drama competition in February. Llawhaden, Llysyfran and Tiers Cross were the three clubs that made it through to final at Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Fishguard, but it was Llawhaden that was declared winner by judge David Hedley Williams for its performance of Ritual for Dolls.

There was further success for Llawhaden YFC as members were awarded the cup for best costumes, and Simon James and Rhiannon Llewellin were named best actor and actress.

Lincolnshire

Fundraising Triple

Fundraising Triple MEMBERS from Wragby and District YFC organised three fundraising events to raise money for three charities in December. The biggest event saw 25 members dress-up as Mr and Mrs Santa Claus and pull a vintage tractor from East Barkwith to Wragby Market Place. Mr Popplewell kindly lent club members his bright red vintage Massey Ferguson and they borrowed a trailer, which they turned into a sleigh for their inflatable Santa.

The club pulled the tractor and trailer 3.2 miles in just over an hour raising £700 for its chosen charity Wish upon a Star! The club raised a further £350 for Wragby Pre School when it held its annual charity bingo night and £230 for Lives after carol singing on Christmas Eve.

Please note: If you organise a YFC event that takes place on a public highway, you will need to seek additional insurance cover and consult your local Police Force.

Yorkshire

Land Rover challenge

THE ever popular Yorkshire FYFC County Land Rover Competition was held in November at Rudding Park, near Harrogate. The event, which was sponsored and supported by Ripon Land Rover, saw almost 70 members from across the county using their skills to tackle the challenging course.

The overall winner was Ryan Atkinson from Winksley cum Grantley YFC. Thomas Copgrove, competing for the first time from newly formed Calderdale YFC, took second place with Emma Pepper from Penistone YFC taking third place and the prize for the best lady driver.

Lancashire

Victory for Samlesbury

MEMBERS of Lancashire’s YFCs took part in the annual county debating competition in November. After the knockout rounds where 18 teams took part, Samlesbury YFC’s C team and Clitheroe’s A team met in the final. The motions ranged from dairy industry issues to the impact of Hollywood on the world. The eventual winner was Samlesbury’s C team, which comprised Katie Cranshaw, Andrew Byers and Lizzie Coar.

Cumbria

Debating skills praised

JUDGES of Cumbria FYFC’s debating competition, David Thomlinson and Christine Knipe, praised the ability of the competitors and the eloquence of their arguments. Teams from Raughton Head, Crook, Drigg and Kent Estuary YFCs each proposed and opposed motions covering topics as diverse as Britain’s involvement in Iraq, nuclear power, the Olympic Games and taking cannabis to alleviate the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

Mr Thomlinson praised all the chairmen for their ability to conduct the debates and said it was valuable experience for chairing meetings in later life. Raughton Head’s team of Mari Shanks, Helen Workman, Nicola Wilkinson, Richard Potts and Graham Holliday were placed first with Drigg YFC in second place and Crook in third.

Wiltshire

Singing for their supper

A collection of Melksham YFC members young and old, had to warm up their vocal chords prior to an evening’s carol singing in December. It was the first time that the club had been carol singing for a number of years and this was demonstrated by the performance of the first song. However, once everyone found their voices, two nearby nursing homes and the local hospital were treated to a selection of carols and in return the carollers were given drinks, biscuits and mince pies. A successful evening’s work!

Eryri

New office holders

ERYRI FYFC elected its new office holders in January. Nia Lloyd from Llanrwst YFC was elected chairman, Nia Griffith from Y Rhiw YFC was elected vice-chairman and Buddug Eidda from Ysbyty Ifan YFC was elected county treasurer. Chairman Nia is an enthusiastic member of her club and has been secretary for the past three years. She works for the Welsh Assembly as a monitoring officer for Tir Gofal and plays rugby for Nant Conwy Ladies. Vice-chairman Nia works as a development officer for Community First Penllyn.

Bedfordshire

Helping others

LEIGHTON Buzzard YFC has been busy raising money for charity. In October members raised £200 for Keech Cottage Children’s Hospice in Luton at their Annual Dinner and Dance, and in December they raised £111 for Cancer Research after carol singing at parents’ houses. The club also held its annual children’s party for the children of past members – a long-standing tradition, which once again was very successful.

Brecknock

Top talkers

ERWOOD YFC won the Brecknock under-14 speaking competition for the seventh year running in January. This year’s team comprised Kirsty Evans, Samuel Powell and Rhodri Morris. Samuel also won the under-16 competition when he was joined by Kirsty Prosser and Lauren Horner. There was further success for the club in the brainstrust under-21 competition, which saw Hannah Jefferies, James Healey, Rhodri Morris and Lucy Bufton gain first prize.

West Midlands

Breakfast with Sir Don

YFC members from the West Midlands Area were invited to join chairman of the Sustainable Farming and Food Implementation Group Sir Don Curry and other guests at a breakfast morning in January. The event was organised by food and farming team manager for Advantage West Midlands James Inglis.

Discussions around the breakfast table included planning permission and the lengthy process involved in getting permission for taking businesses forward. Some of the group remained for a seminar that followed, which included speakers Ian Baker from Advantage West Midlands who spoke about regional partnerships, Clive Brown from EBLEX who spoke about the red meat sector and Charlie Caldecott from the National Farmers’ Union who spoke about cultural challenges. The key message for the day was that food and farming is still a priority for the government and has a key role to play in climate change.

Gwent

Triple Triumph

BEDWAS YFC has made its mark by winning all three county public speaking competitions. The junior, intermediate and senior competitions were the first events in Gwent FYFC’s calendar and the club beat off competition from six other clubs to be placed a comfortable first each time. County chairman John Williams, himself a past Bedwas member, was delighted with the club’s successes. Gareth Jones won the Speakers Challenge Cup for the best senior public speaker, and Lydia Williams won The Lady Brecon Cup for best Junior public speaker.

Lincolnshire

Civic award for Horncastle

HORNCASTLE YFC was awarded with a Civic Society Pride of Place Award in November for its contribution towards a better environment and wide variety of local projects that benefit the town. The club was one of 15 local groups nominated for three awards available. “We were lucky enough to be nominated by a member of the local community and are thrilled to have won the award,” said club leader Alison Ross.

Lancashire

Open Night charity

CHIPPING YFC presented two cheques to deserving charities at its Open Night in January. The club had raised £500 each for Epilepsy Action and Chipping Children’s Community Alliance. The Open Night was designed to showcase some of the activities its members can take part in. After the cheque presentation, members impressed their audience with a quiz and a debate in the form of the YFC brainstrust competition. Subjects covered included corporal punishment, the government’s involvement in British farming and the controversial statement ‘Men are better drivers than women!’

Staffordshire

Prairie boy returns

STONE YFC member Ed Barber returned home from the wheat belt of Canada in December after spending five weeks with members from Canada’s equivalent of YFC, 4H. Ed was chosen to represent England on the Discovery exchange programme. He stayed with farming families in Alberta, gaining experience of their culture and lifestyle. “The tractors were huge and the prairies were just breathtaking,” said Ed. “YFC provided me with a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity and I made friends that I know I will stay in touch with for life,” he added.

East Riding

Public speaking day success

MEMBERS from Skirlaugh YFC were celebrating in February when they scored the most points in the East Riding of Yorkshire public speaking competitions. The club’s successes included: Bryony Walton winning the situations vacant competition; Jamie Jackson, Rob Gleddon, Charlie Knapton and Rob Hosdell winning the intermediate brainstrust competition; and Phil Burton, Bryony Walton, Dave Baish, Sam Buckton and Adam Long winning the open debating competition with Bryony winning the award for best proposer and Sam the award for best chairman.

Wiltshire

Charity car push

FOLLOWING a charity car push from Malmesbury to Weston- Super-Mare in March last year, Malmesbury YFC presented two cheques to the British Heart Foundation and the Hawk and Owl Trust in December. The two charities were chosen by the parents of Daniel Brookman. Daniel was killed in a quad bike accident at Gatcombe Horse Trials in August 2005 and was a very active member in the club. Daniel’s parents presented the cheques.

Please note: If you organise a YFC event that takes place on a public highway, you will need to seek additional insurance cover and consult your local Police Force.

Cumbria

Carlisle YFC wins drama

CARLISLE YFC won Cumbria FYFC’s drama competition in February with its production of Terry Pratchett’s play Guards! Guards! The judges praised the club’s use of music, sound effects and lighting. The play ended with a six-metre dragon on stage. Drigg YFC was placed second for its play A Trip to the Beach in which Sal Norman received the best actress award for her role as teacher Miss Brown. Crook YFC was placed third for its performance of Three Characters in Search of a Verdict, with big bad wolf Keiran Armer receiving the best actor award.

Herefordshire

Christmas variety show

HEREFORDSHIRE FYFC held its very own Christmas Variety Show in November. The event featured past and present members from several clubs, each performing a short sketch or song of their choice. The whole evening was a great success thanks to several people working behind the scenes including stage manager Tabitha Jenman.

Among the performers was county vice-chairman and main organiser Richard Thomas from Lugg Valley YFC, who performed Brother Bill, an act his grandfather sed to do for the invalided troops who were treated at Hampton Court during the war. “It was a really fun evening and we will definitely be doing this again next year,” said Richard.

Cumbria

Junior Member of the Year

SIX of Cumbria FYFC’s 600 junior members competed for the county’s Junior Member of the Year title in February. They had previously submitted a portfolio to the judges, Frank Chester (county president) and Kath Calvert (Youthwork in Cumbria Partnership) which contained photographs and details of their activities within YFC, school and in their leisure time. They were then interviewed on the night. Crook YFC member Philip Robinson took the title and was presented with the Claire Temple Memorial Trophy. Naomi Boorman from Kent Estuary YFC came second and Dennis Sharp, also from Kent Estuary was placed third.

Herefordshire

Calendar attracts funding

A grant from the Youth Opportunities Fund and sponsorship from local organisations enabled Herefordshire FYFC to produce a 2007 YFC calendar. The A3 calendar includes colour photographs from the present day and black and white images from YFC yester-years. A useful page gives the contact details of the county officers.

Cumbria

Disco dancing

CUMBRIA FYFC’s freestyle disco dancing competition proved to be a resounding success when six teams entertained a packed ballroom at the George Hotel in Penrith. Judges Debbie Marper and Nicola Gallagher, placed Grayrigg YFC’s team of Charlotte and Kathryn Francis and Laura Stuart first, with Brampton YFC’s team coming second and Skelton’s, third. The judges were pleased to see male dancers in Pennine’s and Drigg’s teams and the audience was entertained in the interval by the singing of Jonny Reed and Richard Hodgson from Carlisle YFC.

Meirionnydd

Competition successes

NEARLY 100 members took part in Meirionnydd FYFC’s quiz in January and the winning team for the second year running was Cwmtirmynach YFC. In the public speaking competitions Maesywaen YFC all but swept the board, winning the under-14, under-16 and under-21 sections. Bryncrug YFC won the under-26 section.

Gwent

Ball Fundraiser

A charity ball held in honour of club vice-president Sue Turner enabled Raglan YFC members to present a cheque for £5,432 to the Velindre Hospital in Cardiff in October. Sue was a very active supporter of the club, but lost her battle against cancer last year. Together, members, club leaders, and Sue’s daughter Kate, who has been club chairman for the past 12 months, organised a charity ball and auction. The evening was a great success with Raglan farmers young and old and friends of Sue and Kate attending the event.

Sussex and Hants

YFC members go to Olympia

TWO YFC members competed at the London International Horse how at Olympia in December in S the prestigious National Mountain and Moorland Pony of the Year. To qualify for the final, Isabel Barr from Ringmer and Lewes YFC in Sussex, and Samantha Roberts from Alresford YFC in Hampshire had to be regional champions. Both girls are national champions and have won The Horse of the Year Show. Isabel competed on her Welsh A pony Waitwith WestWind and Samantha on her dales pony Sunglow Lady Paula.

Staffordshire

Donations

MEMBERS of Leek YFC presented cheques totalling more than £3,000 at its annual dinner and dance in October. Schools for Gambia received £150, which had been collected at Leek Town Carnival, Cancer Research UK received £540, which was raised at a Charity Disco, and Springfield Special School in Leek received £2347.60. This money had been raised at a charity entertainment and promise auction evening in August.

Hertfordshire

Agenda 21

FOR the third year running, Royston and Buntingford Countrysiders won an Agenda 21 award for conservation, this time for £500. The project was to start a wildlife area at a newly built junior school. Last April, senior members used chainsaws and equipment to clear two wooded areas that can now be accessed by the children. During the summer, the Countrysiders introduced plants and tadpoles to the pond, and planted various shrubs and wild flowers. In the autumn, they planted 400 daffodil bulbs. The club also donated a wooden bench for the children to sit on.

Radnor

New club shirts

RADNOR Valley YFC has revealed its new blue club t-shirts. They carry the catch phrase ‘You’ve seen the rest, now follow the best’.

Devon

Cheque presentation

MEMBERS of Whimple and Broadcylst YFC presented a cheque for £2,300 to their chosen charity for the year, the South West Multiple Sclerosis Centre. Activities undertaken to raise the funds included sponsored turkey plucking, carol singing, dung and log sales and a 100-mile coast-to- coast cycle ride from Ilfracombe to Plymouth. Club members visited the centre to present the cheque where they were given an interesting tour of the centre, giving members a chance to see how the money will help provide therapies for people living with MS.

Brecknock

Erwood Double

MEMBERS of Erwood YFC were all smiles after winning the junior drama and junior one plus competitions at the county’s Drama Festival in February. In their junior drama, entitled Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations, Ernie was played by 10-year old Samuel Powell, who was also named best actor under 18. The club beat 11 other entries in the junior one plus competition with its entry I’m Free. The team included Vicky-Lynn Healey, Hannah Powell, Lucy Bufton, Lydia Powell, Lauren Horner and Samuel Powell.