NATIONAL FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS
"Fun, Learning, and Achievement"

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 CompetitionOn 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 QuizOn 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 RallyOn 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
Read more
Bedfordshire
Young Farmers' take part in shoebox appeal
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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
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...
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
“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
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
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
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 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
Cumbria
Debating skills praised
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
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
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
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
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
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.
