On Friday 9th November, Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) held their County AGM in the Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford. The evening was kindly supported by Pickering and Butters Solicitors, a firm of Staffordshire Solicitors who were founded over a century ago, with offices based in Stafford and Rugeley. The County AGM was attended by over 250 invited guests and members of the Federation and is the most prestigious meeting of the Staffordshire YFC year.
Richard Mottershead, gave his County Chairman’s report on last year of activities. Richard, a member of Ashley Young Farmers said “It has been an absolute honour to have been the Staffordshire YFC County Chairman over the past twelve months. I don’t think I’ve paused or had a night off since being elected but I have loved every minute of it. Even before I began my year, I knew I had two things I wanted to achieve. The first was to hold a large charity campaign that involved the whole county; the second was simply to enjoy the year, getting along with as many members as possible in as many clubs as possible. Standing here now, I would like to thank each and every one of you for both getting behind the Oatcake on Tour campaign for Young Minds, and for making me feel so welcome at everything I was able to attend. Because of that, I am thrilled to say, I achieved my aims, and I couldn’t be prouder of the year we have had together.” During Richard’s reported, he presented a cheque for £307 to The Farming Community Network following monies raised during the recently held Harvest Festival Service and then went on to announce that the final total raised for Young Minds from the Oatcake on Tour was £7120.
It was reported during the meeting that Staffordshire YFC has 680 members aged 10 – 26 years. The members have benefited from taking part in some amazing charity work and playing an active part in their local communities. From Eccleshall YFC raising over £11,000 for the Dan Moseley Rehabilitation Fund to Leek YFC walking 26 miles in 28-degree heat raising money for ‘Young Minds’. These are just two examples of the many ways in which the eleven clubs in Staffordshire, all of whom are charities themselves, take time and plan events in order to raise funds for other charities across the Country. In total this year, the Clubs in Staffordshire have raised over £34,000 for worthwhile causes.
David Heminsley was elected as County President for the third year. David, a past member of Uttoxeter JNFU since 1988, is a very active volunteer in the Federation, he leads in all things “Health and Safety” and regularly helps with the upkeep and maintenance at the County Office. He is a past Club Chairman of Uttoxeter, past County Chairman and more recently, was the Club President of Uttoxeter JNFU. David works for JCB as a trainer. David said “I am proud to be re-elected for the coming year and look forward to seeing what is in store for Staffordshire YFC.”
Philip Bourne was elected the Senior Deputy President. Philip originates from Newcastle Under Lyme, became involved in Stone YFC when two of his daughters joined the club. He has served on the advisory committee supporting Stone YFC and is currently serving as their Club President. Philip is now retired after a career in Electro Mechanical Engineering! Philip said “I am very much looking forward to this role, and it is an honour to have been asked.”
The presentations of awards were made by Mr Peter Stone, Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Chairman, to the following Clubs and Individuals:
Most Outstanding County Officer: Becky Fowell, Development Chairman
David Palij Award: Awarded to the Club that has done the most for charity/community work during the last 12 months
Joint Winners: Eccleshall YFC, Leek YFC & Stone YFC; Joint Runners up – Eccleshall YFC & Uttoxeter JNFU
Manifold Marketing Award: Awarded to the Club who best promotes their Club and engagement in Club, County & Community Events.
Winner: Stone YFC, Runner-up: Cheadle YFC
Scrapbook Award: Awarded to the Club who produces the most interesting and unique scrapbook based on the activities of their own Club over the past membership year.
Winner: Stone YFC, Runner Up: Ashley YFC
Most Improved Club – Competitions Cup: Awarded to the Club that has achieved the highest improvement in points for competitions from the 2016/2017 year
Winner: Stone YFC; Runner Up: Chase YFC
Small Clubs Trophy: Awarded to one of the five smallest Clubs in the County with regard to membership, that has achieved the most points throughout the year for competitions.
Winner: Chase YFC; Runner Up: Lichfield YFC
Mr Ken Unwin MBE Memorial Cup: Awarded to the Club who most improves in Public Speaking, Stock Judging, Carcase Judging and Tug of War.
Winner: Lichfield YFC; Runner Up: Stone YFC
Overall Competitions Cup: Presented to the club with the most points for the Competitions that have been held for the last 12 months:
Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner Up: Eccleshall YFC
W.H.D. Hobson Cup: Awarded to the Club with the highest increase in membership.
Winner: Stone YFC, Runner Up: Ashley YFC
Newsletter Shield: For the best contribution to the Young Farmers’ Book of the Year
Winner: Leek YFC; Runner Up – Cheadle YFC
Mr & Mrs W.A. Taylor Merit Award: Awarded to the most outstanding individual at Club or County level was presented Natalie Roe of Stone. Natalie has worked extremely hard within her own club, consistently supporting the top table in their role as a Club Leader. She has attended just about every club night, encouraged and helped all members to get involved and have got stuck in themselves. County President, David Heminsley said “Natalie is an asset to their club and a great example to new members of what being a YFC member is all about.”
Junior Merit Award: This is presented to the most outstanding junior individual at Club or County level was presented to Lucy Clayton of Uttoxeter JNFU. Lucy is an enthusiastic, cheerful and dedicated young member who has taken part in absolutely everything in their first year in the club. Club Chairman 17/18 of Uttoxeter JNFU, Emily Philips described Lucy as “personification of what a Young Farmer should be.”
YFC Travel Certificates are awarded to club members who had travelled through the YFC Travel Programme. Certificates were awarded to: Eve Phillips (Uttoxeter JNFU) – Nepal, Emily Phillips (Uttoxeter JNFU) – Nepal, Mike Grigg (Uttoxeter JNFU) – Scotland Homestay, Emily Cartmail (Eccleshall YFC) – European Rally – Scotland, Beth Dennis (Chase YFC) – Austria Homestay, Amy Nicholls (Ashley YFC) – Budapest
YFA Travel Award – Amy Nicholls of Ashley YFC, for her report and presentation following her visit to Budapest.
Oxford Farming Conference: The Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society kindly sponsor two places for the Conference held in January 2019, and following applications made by members, describing in no more than 500 words, why they should be chosen to attend. The two members awarded the places were: Annie Bradshaw of Eccleshall YFC and Robert Mollatt of Uttoxeter JNFU.
Junior Stockjudging Cup: The joint winners were Leek YFC & Lichfield YFC and the runners-up were Uttoxeter JNFU.
Intermediate Stockjudging Cup: The winners were Uttoxeter JNFU and runner-up was Waterhouses YFC.
Senior Stockjudging Cup: The winner was Uttoxeter JNFU and the runner-up was Eccleshall YFC.
Overall Stockjudging Cup: The winner was Uttoxeter JNFU and the runner-up was Lichfield YFC.
The final awards of the evening are the most prestigious to receive and are judged throughout the year as a “Club Efficiency” Competition, which encapsulates all aspects of a YFC Club. The aim of the competition is to encourage members and Club Officers to work together as an effective team for the benefit of all. Judges look for all aspects of how the clubs are run and hope to see good club administration and record keeping, strong leadership and governance and active promotion of the clubs through publicity and community engagement. They also want to see teamwork, ideas and enthusiasm from all club members. From this competition, the following awards were presented:
Most Outstanding Chairman: Winner: Emily Phillips, Uttoxeter JNFU, Runner-up: Will Freeman, Chase YFC
Most Outstanding Secretary: Winner: Sarah Bourne, Cheadle YFC, Runner-up: Becky Roe, Stone YFC
Most Outstanding Treasurer: Winner: Hannah Britland, Uttoxeter JNFU, Runner-up: Greg Large, Cheadle YFC
Most Outstanding Club Leader: Winner: Louise Crooks, Uttoxeter JNFU, Joint Runners-up: Natalie Roe, Stone YFC & Kat Clarkson, Cheadle YFC
Club Efficiency Shield: Winner: Cheadle YFC, Runner-up: Stone YFC
David Heminsley, County President said “Congratulations to Cheadle YFC, in their first year have wowed the judges with their enthusiasm, getting to grip with how a YFC club should run, work as a team and take a full part in YFC life and all that it offers. This club will be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come.”
As can be seen from the above young people between the ages of 10 and 26, experience fun and excitement, whilst enjoying competitions, discos, sports, travel, meeting new friends and learning new and different skills. If you are interested in joining them please contact Julia Taylor, County Organiser on 01785 248645 or email countyoffice@staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk for more information and details of your nearest Club.
Full photos from the evening can be found here
9 teams travelled to Leek High School to take part in the Mixed Hockey Competition, the results were:
1st – Lichfield YFC
2nd – Eccleshall YFC
3rd – Leek YFC
Introducing the new top table of Cheadle Young Farmers!!
Cheadle re-opened last year and have had a fantastic first year! We look forward to seeing what they get up to in the forthcoming year!
Chairman; Katherine Clarkson
Secretary; Sarah Bourne
Treasurer; Greg Large
Congratulations!
💪You all did a amazing effort at this competition! 2nd year back at it, you should be very proud, as the rest of the club is of you all! 💪
Keep your eyes peeled! For more information. If anyone would like a ticket contact us!
We hope to see you at our meetings… still time to sign up as a Cheadle YFC member!! #trueyfc
Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (SCFYFC) is about to join in a National celebration to shout about just what their organisation is all about! SCFYFC, who have been affiliated to the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC) since 1952, has ten active clubs across the county, and had a total of 680 members aged between 10 – 26 years of age during the year 2017/18. As the Clubs started their new membership year on 1st September this year, many evenings joining up new and existing members as well as Club AGM’s have been held. All the evenings have been extremely well attended with many clubs have more than one member standing for positions of responsibility.
As a democratic and membership led organisation, SCFYFC can offer young people living in and around rural communities of Staffordshire a host of opportunities and competitions to get involved in, all for the princely sum of around £45 per year! And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a farmer – in fact you don’t have to know anything about farming, all you need is a sense of adventure and a love of the countryside! Our members come from all walks of life including Receptionists, Hairdressers, Dog Groomers, IT Consultants, Students, Teachers, Chefs… the list is endless! Led by young people, for young people, SCFYFC provides anyone aged 10 to 26 with a fantastic chance to meet lifelong friends, learn new skills, make a real difference to the local community and even travel the world!
During the year, Staffordshire YFC holds a varied Competitions Programme which can lead to Area and National Finals competing against fellow members across the county. Competitions on the calendar this year include Rugby, Football, Netball, Cookery, Darts, Fence Erecting, Floral Art, Raft Races plus many more. At the recent National Finals of the NFYFC Floral Art Competition, our winning senior member, Phillippa Bourne of Stone YFC took 3rd place in this highly competitive competition, which is a brilliant achievement. The highlight for many of the members in Staffordshire YFC, is the Annual Rally which is a day filled with over 40 competitions and the County Show where all clubs showcase themselves on a Show Float which is paraded in the main ring. There is also an exciting and unique YFC Travel programme, via the National Office, that includes homestays and working holidays – as well as a fun ski trip in January. Full support is given to any members wishing to apply for these opportunities. Training and learning opportunities also play an integral part of the YFC Calendar, with all clubs putting on evenings including Team Building, Good Communicators and Safe Driving.
Staffordshire YFC have certainly packed a lot of community work and fundraising into the last 12 months, with clubs coming together to raise funds for Young Minds, the leading mental health charity for young people. At the County AGM in November, County Chairman Richard Mottershead will be presenting a cheque for over £7000 to Young Minds, which was raised with various sponsored activities and events including Stone YFC who climbed to the top of Snowdonia, carrying the giant Oatcake Baton which has been parading around the County as part of the charity fundraiser.
Julia Taylor, County Organiser for Staffordshire YFC said “If you’re interested in becoming a part of this unique organisation, And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a farmer – in fact you don’t have to know anything about farming, all you need is a sense of adventure and a love of the countryside!”
Staffordshire YFC ten active clubs across the county are Abbotsholme YFC (Closed School Club); Ashley YFC, Chase YFC, Cheadle YFC, Eccleshall YFC, Leek YFC, Lichfield YFC, Stone YFC, Uttoxeter JNFU and Waterhouses YFC. Social media will be very active with all clubs this week as they celebrate #trueyfc during the National Young Farmers Week explaining just what YFC means to our members.
Sarah Bourne, who works as a Teaching Assistant is also the Club Secretary of Cheadle YFC for the second year running. She said “Growing up on a farm can be very busy, unfortunately I started young farmers at the age of 21… I so wish that I start at the age of 10! The amount of confidence it has given me and the opportunities have been amazing! Without young farmers, I wouldn’t know who I know now, wouldn’t have the skills or the knowledge. There are so many reasons why you should join young farmers… I wish I had joined earlier so I’m definitely taking the time now to make the most of my years of being a young farmer!”
For further details on joining one of the clubs, please do not hesitate to contact Julia Taylor on 01785 248645 or email countyoffice@staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk . The County Facebook page also has up to date information about forthcoming events across the clubs too.
Make sure that you have your tickets for Cheadle YFC Dance For Dan! Its going to be an amazing night to remember…
Cheadle Young Farmers would like to say a Huge thank you to everyone that came last night to Cheadle Young Farmers 1st Open Air Cinema Night!
It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s support and help in buying and sharing our Posts. It was truly an amazing night, We hope everyone that came last night truly had a spectacular night too!
A Huge thank you to Katherine Clarkson (21) & Sarah Bourne (22) pulled it all off with the support of there amazing advisory team! The things you can achieve with Young Farmer! #unstoppable
We would also like to also say thank you to The pavilion, for the hire of there brilliant venue and bar but there support throughout sharing the event and helping set up is truly amazing! And finally to Ian Titterton for the Lorry and barriers!
Please keep your eyes peeled on our Facebook page “Cheadle Young Farmers” for upcoming events, and of course next year’s Open Air Cinema Night with Cheadle YFC!
If you can’t wait… Cheadle YFC are having a taster/open night on 22nd August again at The Pavilion for all interested in seeing what Cheadle Young Farmers is all about
