Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) held their fifth successful Christmas Shopping Evening on Thursday 7th December at The Ingestre Suite on the County Showground, Stafford. The vast room was filled with 65 stalls from across the Staffordshire selling local produce including “Just Crisps and Oils” based in Hill Ridware, Daltons Icecream from Wooton and the Weird and Wonderful Cheese Company. Local Uttoxeter JNFU member Shelly Spooner came along with her baking enterprise “Spoonerful of Sugar” which was very popular with some delightfully rich and chocolately creations. Over 300 people attended to support Staffordshire YFC with one of their major fundraising events of the year.
The YFC Office had to set up a waiting list during the month before as stallholders were desperate to secure a pitch at this growing and popular event. Doors opened to the public at 6.30pm with a brisk trade all evening. Visitors were greeted with a freshly baked mince pie and warmed mulled wine to set the festive scene for a great indoor shopping experience. The federation were well supported again by local turkey farmer Sandra Hopley of Brancote Turkeys based in Tixall, who kindly supplied hot turkey rolls on sale, which smelt delicious as everyone arrived.
New for this year was Twine Clothing, based at Denstone Hall. Local proprietors Judy and Gill are keen supporters of Staffordshire YFC and offered a great discount for our current members to use on their clothing and accessorises.
There was also a raffle held during the evening, kindly supported by many of the stallholders who donated prizes and manned very well by Nicki Mason of Barclays Bank who very generously agreed to match fund on the evening through the Barclays Bank community initiative.
County Chairman, Richard Mottershead said “Once again this year, our Christmas Shopping Evening has been a great success and we hope that everyone has enjoyed themselves. It is a great fundraising evening and appreciate all the support from the stalls and visitors on the evening.”
Staffordshire Young Farmers will be holding the evening again next year on Thursday 6th December as part of their vast calendar of events which raise funds for the organisation, which is a registered charity. This enables the organisation to provide support, training and competitions to its membership which is now over 600 young people aged 10 – 26 years.
Staffordshire YFC is the largest rural youth organisation in the county with weekly activities in its ten clubs. For more information please contact their County Organiser, Julia Taylor on 01785 248645 or email organiser@staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk
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