Craswall YFC, Herefordshire
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Craswall village hall
We have held a wide range of activities in our meetings so far this year, ranging from Pumpkin Carving and games evenings to a boxing evening to support We Are Farming Minds, a Herefordshire based mental health charity. I think it’s safe to say that no two meetings are ever the same.
Every December we hold our annual pantomime which we believe is 'for the community, by the community'. This is our biggest fundraising event of the year, and the money raised goes towards club funds. This is an event I am proud to say is part of the club's tradition and I am told it started the day the club formed 78 years ago.
We also spend two evenings over December going round the local area carol singing, raising approximately £600 for St Michaels Hospice, a well deserving charity and one that is extremely close to our members' hearts.
We enjoy our hedging competitions and are looking forward to taking part in one this Sunday (1 February). We usually fill every class at the county match, and unashamedly dominate the day with our members, if not our skills.
Senior and junior quiz rounds are extremely popular as well, alongside Junior Reading and Junior Speaking competitions. Many of our members also enjoy competing in Tug of War and it can be a challenge to tear them away from training to attend meetings or other events!
No matter what we do as a club, every competition brings out the best in us – leadership, teamwork, confidence building and a sense of friendly rivalry.
We encourage members to step outside their comfort zones, with one member proudly representing Craswall YFC with a solo performance in the Shining Stars competition during County Entertainments Week.
I think it fair to say that Craswall YFC IS the community and that the local Community IS Craswall YFC! Craswall itself is very remote and there is not a lot else going on in the way of clubs or social clubs.
Craswall is situated against the highest Hill in all of Herefordshire, and on the best of days you can look from the top of the hill across into Powys, Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire and see the Malvern hills in Worcestershire. When someone shouts: 'run for the hills,' we don't need to – we are already there!
For many of our members, their parents were once members of the club and, in some cases, their grandparents. Our history shows that the club and community are tightly interwound.
When not fundraising, we contribute time and effort, helping out at several events throughout the year. Whether it's car parking for Longtown Show – our local village show – or for Concerts for Craswall, it's rare that you don’t see one of our members helping out in the background somewhere.
This month, members have been out in the local community clearing ditches during periods of extremely wet weather, helping to manage excessive run-off where existing infrastructure was unable to cope.
This practical support highlights Craswall YFC’s commitment to helping its rural community when it is needed most.
We believe we deserve Club of the Month because our members, whether they know it or not, demonstrate the YFC values. From supporting our community to building skills and confidence through YFC competitions, our members represent the best of YFC.
They are passionate about Craswall YFC, encouraging and supporting each other where needed. They inspire confidence in everything they do, and when they have agreed to do something, they commit themselves to taking part and doing so with pride.
Our members really do take the YFC slogan to heart: Fun, Learn, and Achieve.
Submitted by Club Chair Phillip Powell
We loved Craswall YFC's hard work this month supporting their local rural community. It's not just about fundraising for Craswall, they are also willing to roll their sleeves up and make a difference through practical support. Helping to clear ditches following the wet weather has had a positive impact locally and boosted YFC's reputation.
Well done to everyone in the club – and keep up the great work!
