14 February 2017

The first council meeting of 2017 will take place this weekend in Coventry.

Take a look below to read about what's on the agenda.

February highlights how your YFC democracy works for you!

Hot on the heels of your YFC area meetings, your elected NFYFC Council reps are heading to Warwickshire this weekend for the first 2017 Council meeting.

This is where there’s a two-way exchange of ideas, feedback and plans for future events. A new Council format is being trialled to further improve communications for Council and YFC members. Elections take place for steering group officers on the Saturday of Council and then national office-holder elections on Sunday.  Ed Ford, Lynsey Martin and Katie Hall are national office-holder elects for the 2017/18 YFC year.

Below are some short profiles on each office-holder elect.

Nominee for Chair of of NFYFC Council 2017

Ed Ford
 

Member of:  Chelmsford YFC, part of the Essex County Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs.

Occupation:  Farmer

If elected, Ed's plans are: 

• To re-visit Farm Safety and work with the Five Nations alongside Yellow Wellies to spread the reach of the campaign.
• To continue to build greater links between NFYFC and NFU.
• To ensure that Forage Aid works closer with NFYFC and to make sure that Young Farmers are at the core of any future relief efforts.
• To ensure that NFYFC Board of Management and Council champion the needs of NFYFC's membership.

Nominee for Vice Chair of of NFYFC Council 2017

Lynsey Martin
 

Member of:  Ashford and District Young Farmers' Clubs, part of the Kent Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs.

Occupation:  Self-Employed Livestock worker

If elected, Lynsey's plans are: 

• Promoting agriculture as a viable career to young people.
  
• Educating people about where their food comes from.
  
• Giving young farmers the skills and tools to effectively run their YFC Clubs.

Nominee for Vice Chair of of NFYFC Council 2017

Katie Hall

Member of:  Gloucester YFC club, part of the Gloucestershire County Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs.

Occupation:  Regional Sales Manager/ Calf Nutritionist

If elected, Katie's plans are: 

• Create links with city farms and improve awareness of agriculture awareness in urban areas.
  
• Investigate creation of a weekly or monthly radio show or podcast, increasing awareness of the year's hashtag and National Young Farmers' Week 2017.
  
• Promote YFC Travel, making sure that members take advantage of the experiences available to them.
  

10 February 2017

 NFYFC are exploring the option of running an NSPCC Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) Training Course (2 days) and an NSPCC DSO Refresher course (one day).  Last time we ran the DSO training course in Staffordshire it cost  £250 per person.  (This does not include the cost of accommodation).

08 February 2017

A Tribute to Sid Perry by Somerset YFC

Sid Perry sadly passed away on Tuesday 31^st January 2017.  Sid was a staunch supporter of young farmers in the South West and gave a lot of encouragement to every member he met.  His passion was public speaking and he became a renowned trainer.

Sid was a former member of Wincanton YFC.  The club founded on 27th March 1937 with Sid attending a meeting two weeks later.  In 1946 Sid went on to become club Chairman and a few years later club Leader.  He held this role for seven years, during which time he married his wife Julie.  Their daughter Louise was born four years later.  When the club celebrated their 60^th Anniversary Dinner & Dance in 1997, the organising committee presented Sid with a ‘This is your Life’ tribute. 

It was during the 62^nd Somerset YFC Federation AGM, on November 15^th, 1995 at Hinckley Point social club Huntworth where Miss Jane Burt (Wincanton YFC) proposed that Mr Sid Perry was invited to become a Vice President of Somerset YFC seconded by Rachel Nation.  In 1997/98 Sid became Dorset YFC County President.  It was often joked, that Sid used this year as a practice run before he became Somerset YFC County President the following year 1998/99. It was 1999 when Sid lost his wife Julie age 64 years.

South West Area Young Farmers recruited Sid as Area President for the years 2008/09 and 2009/10 where he made his mark attending the competitions, meetings and socials giving help and advice to his Chairman Ed Akerman and Nicola Chegwidden.

Sid’s National Young Farmers involvement came in 2007 on 29^th April in Torquay.  He was proposed by Katherine Sealy (Dorset YFC) and seconded by James Sage (Somerset YFC) to become a Life Vice President. Every year thereafter, Sid and his companion Peggy would attend the Annual convention…often travelling with either the Somerset or Dorset YFC member’s coaches.  Sid was often the first one to get the singing started, although in later years he used to turn his hearing aid off (not admitting this to the members).   It is only these past five years that Sid did not make this pilgrimage to the AGM.

If Somerset YFC ever needed at hand at the Bath & West we knew to call on him at the Farm Health & Safety stall.  He was always there and members used to enjoy popping in to see him. Sid also enjoyed his association with Gillingham & Shaftesbury YFC and was heavily involved with Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show.

There were not many members in Wincanton YFC that Sid hadn’t trained to public speak over the years and even after he retired from this, he would still pop down notes of advice or snippets for speeches that members could use. Sid was a legend and a true gentleman held in high regard by all.

Posted on Wessex FM 05 Feb 2017

Farmers in Dorset are mourning the death of Sid Perry who sadly passed away this week after serving more than 75 years in the Young Farmers Club.

Sid approached the organisation for help in getting into college to study grassland management, between 1951 and 1952, after his schooling ended early.

He later became Chairman and President of Wincanton YFC, President of Gillingham and Shafesbury YFC, President of both Dorset and Somerset Young Farmers' Clubs and also President of the South West Federation of YFC.

Asked why he continued well into retirement age to contribute so much time and effort, he said: "I honestly think that in my younger days they did so much for me so I feel I'm just giving back what they gave me. Young Farmer members care for each other and I have met some wonderful people over the years and that's what's makes it so special."

The club's former National Chairman Nick Sansom says he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

In an emotional post on Facebook, Nick said: "Even at the age of 75 Sid was still clocking up more than 12,000 miles a year on YFC duties and was frequently asked to give talks to farm women's clubs, Rotary, Round Table, Wis and other charitable societies including raising money for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Society."

"Sid was passionate about public speaking and regularly trained members for Dorset, and Somerset as well as having a passion for driving and used to run a driving autotest challenge at Dorset County Rallys alongside life-long friend Dick Pike which always created great amusement."

07 February 2017

Tug of War Association Judges and Recorders Courses

VENUE: The Marne Barracks Village, Catterick, DL10 7NP.

DATE: Friday 3rd March 2017 (Evening) – Travel and arrive at Barracks.

Judges

Saturday 4th March 2017 - 09.00 hrs start - Theory 
Sunday 5th March 2017 - 09.00 hrs start - Examination and practical.

The fee for the judge's course is £35, payable to the Tug of War Association.

To register for the judges course, please download, complete and return the judges course application form attached.

Recorders (Half day course)

Saturday 4th March 2017 - 09.30 hrs start - Theory and examination (Approx 4 hrs)

The fee for the recorders course is £15, payable to the Tug of War Association.

To register for the recorders course, please download, complete and return the judges course application form attached. 

Coaches

Details to be published shortly

An application form for the coaches course will be published soon, however in the meantime, if you are interested in the coaches course, please register your interest by contacting Gavin Corden using the details below. 

In the meantime, if you are interested in taking part in the judges, recorders and coaches course, please return your application form and fee to Gavin Corden by Tuesday 21 February 2017.

Judge Application Form

Recorder Application Form

email: gavin.corden@btinternet.com
tel: 07791 807875

The TOWA needs a greater number of judges and recorders, so if you have hung up your tug of war boots and want to stay involved in tug of war, please consider giving judging and recording a go and get yourself registered to take part in this course!

06 February 2017

Massey Ferguson is the lead sponsor of NFYFC's Annual Convention 2017 for the fifth consecutive year.

The major event, which will be hosted at the International Riviera Centre in Torquay from 21-23 April, is expected to attract more than 5,000 Young Farmers.

As one of the world’s leading tractor brands, Massey Ferguson continues to support the industry’s next generation and the Annual Convention involves a range of YFC members, supporters and guests.

The popular weekend includes the Federation’s Annual General Meeting, an impressive Agricultural and Rural Issues (AGRI) debate and a range of national competition finals, including Ballroom dancing, Cheerleading, Drama and Senior Member of the Year. The evening entertainment across the three nights includes performances from live bands as well as DJs from BBC Radio 1.

Chairman of NFYFC Chris Manley said: “We’re delighted that Massey Ferguson has agreed to be our lead sponsor again for what promises to be an amazing event in Torquay. It is fantastic for our Federation to be associated with such a premium brand in the agricultural industry and we are looking forward to celebrating with the Massey team at NFYFC’s biggest event of the year!”

Lindsay Haddon, Massey Ferguson’s Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager, UK & Eire, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be lead sponsor of NFYFC’s Annual Convention again this year. Our focus lies strongly with the next generation of farmers and our continuing sponsorship of all National Young Farmers’ Clubs means we can help shape and support the future of farming, to ensure a bright future for everyone involved in agriculture.” 

NFYFC has been hosting an Annual Convention for its members since 1968 and this will be the tenth year that the event has been held in the seaside resort of Torquay. Many of the clubs across England and Wales that attend the convention will organise fundraising activities on route to Torquay, which raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Full details of the weekend are due to be announced after the Federation’s Council meeting in February where the fancy dress theme and all the evening entertainment acts will be revealed.

For more information about Annual Convention visit www.yfcconvention.org.uk

03 February 2017

Welsh Blood Donation Service Donation Centres