Pembrokeshire is celebrating after being the county with the biggest haul of first place prize cards at NFYFC’s Competitions Day 2025 in Staffordshire this July.
Hundreds of YFC members from across England and Wales competed in 12 different competitions across the Staffordshire County Showground and at Oakedge Shooting ground.
Pembrokeshire secured five of the top places, with high marks in the public speaking competition Brainstrust and the farming skills competition.
The county celebrated its 11th year of winning the Farm Machinery Skills trophy and one of its members William Lewis also claimed the ATV Handling trophy.
The competition, which first launched in 2002, challenges YFC members to demonstrate their knowledge of farm machinery and its safe operation, as well as their first aid skills.
The winning Pembrokeshire team fought off three other county teams in the final to win the trophy and won a KRAMP toolkit each and a JCB VIP hospitality tour round the world headquarters in Staffordshire.
Pembrokeshire member Rhys Bevan has been on the winning team seven times, but this was his final year competing in YFC.
“I will stay in touch. That’s probably part of our success as well. We always get the members who have gone over age to help train the next ones so that helps everyone progress and get better every year,” said Rhys.
“It’s one of the most important competitions for us. Not only does it give you the background of the farm machinery and using it all safely but the first aid as well. It’s genuinely one of the competitions that could save a life.”
Teams from Devon dominated the Public Speaking competitions, claiming overall victories in After Dinner Speaking and Junior Public Speaking, along with awards for Best Speaker and Vote of Thanks awards in the latter.
The Public Speaking team placed fifth when they competed two years ago, so they were elated to come back and win it.
“I was over the moon. It’s kind of special,” said Jasmin about winning overall and clinching the Best Chair award in the Junior Public Speaking. “Once you’re up there, relax. The tips I have been given are smile, be bubbly and be welcoming. Just enjoy it and then you’ll be fine.”
Two YFC members were given the equivalent of a new job when they won the Situations Vacant competition, supported by ADM.
Jess Walker from Cumbria B won in the 16-21 years category while Hannah Buisman stole the title for a second year in the 22-28 years category.
Hannah said: “I’m really honoured to be winning it for the second time. I still had the same nerves as last time, but it definitely helps having done it before. It’s always the same old nerves, as with any real-life interview.”
Despite being the only female finalist in the Auctioneering competition, which was sponsored by IAE, Kate Oakes from Staffordshire won the trophy.
“The competition was really tough,” said Kate, who had to value and catalogue six lots, as well as sell three of the lots to a live audience. “We had several people taking part who were all professional auctioneers or work within the industry, but it was such a great competition to take part in. It was so enjoyable.
“I was the only girl in the competition this year so I sort of had a little bit of a ‘if you can win this one as the only girl and do it for the girls, that would be really good,’ so I loved it.”
A trio from Herefordshire won the Fence Erecting competition after scoring the highest marks for their 30-metre fence. The competition, which is supported by Estate Wire, tests essential farming skills, as well as teamwork and problem solving under pressure.
Ed Thomas has won the competition three times for Dilwyn YFC but it was the first time with his new team mates Andy Bennett and Tim Downes-Hopkins. All three work in the fencing industry and admit the competition supports their work.
“I think the skills that we’ve learnt through Young Farmers has helped with our jobs and also given us something high to aim for each year,” said Andy who was relieved the heatwave had moved on in time for the competition.
“Digging the eight-foot posts in is always going to be a challenge but at least the weather wasn’t too hot.”
Over at Oakedge Shooting ground, Tristan from Berkshire won the 17 & under Clay Pigeon Shooting competition, which is supported by BASC.
It was Tristan’s fourth year competing at the national final, rising in place every year from sixth to this year winning the junior competition overall, with a score of 40 out of 50.
“This is my last year as a junior, and I’ll be going into seniors next year, hopefully making it to a national round and seeing everyone else again,” said Tristan who will be aiming to beat the reigning 28 & under champion Kallum Burrell next year.
Away from the farming and rural skills competitions, there was a chance to swap wellies and overalls for glitter and heels!
Seven teams performed Ballroom Dancing routines for the judges, which had to include two Latin and two ballroom dances.
A team from Ongar YFC in Essex wowed the judges with their Viennese Waltz, followed by a quirky Quickstep, a fiery Paso Doble and a jaunty jive to finish. It was the second consecutive year the club have won the dancing trophy after delivering a winning Disco Dancing performance in 2024.
The team included three professionally trained dancers who helped their non-dancer teammates learn the moves. Lucy Webster choreographed the routine and said it was the first time some of the team had danced.
“It was great fun. I choreographed it but the inspiration is the team – they are such a bubbly group of people so it’s always fun.
“Essex won the Ballroom Dancing in 1996, so we’re carrying on the legacy all these years later.”
Ten cheerleading teams brought high energy, colourful pom-poms, and plenty of leaping to the Staffordshire Showground late in the afternoon.
The team from Cumbria took the top spot in the competition, with members ranging in age from 11 to 24. What began as casual practice for fun soon became something more, inspired by club members with past experience coaching cheerleading teams.
Jess Walker, from Cumbria B – and winner of the Situations Vacant competition in the 16–21 category – reflected on what the experience meant to the group.
“It’s been nice because where we live it’s always raining. It’s been nice to get out of the house maybe twice, three times a week and just spend quality time with each other,” said Jess.
“We were laughing and joking about as much as we were taking it seriously. It was nice to be all together and spread that positivity. Qualifying for each round was just another positive for us all. I think we’re all proud of ourselves and I know everyone back at our club will be too.”
Many thanks to our competition sponsors ADM for supporting the Situations Vacant competition, Kramp, RVT (Rea Valley Tractors) and Border Plant for supporting the Farm Machinery Skills competition, Estate Wire for supporting the Fence Erecting competition, IAE for supporting the Auctioneering and BASC for their support of the Clay Pigeon Shooting.
