Staffordshire YFC are looking ahead to the new membership year and will recruit a new team of County Officers at the Executive Meeting which is held on 14th November 2019 at the YFC Centre. This years team of officers will be a very hard act to follow, with their enthusiasm and team work in abundance, reflected in the success of “Give Cancer the Boot” which raised over £8000 for Cancer Research and a very popular and bustling marquee at the recently held Staffordshire County Show – to name just a few events. With over 25 County Competitions and the Annual Rally hosting a further 38 competitions on the day, there is always something to do and somewhere to be!
Being a County Officer requires so many qualities, but the most important are to have a LOVE of all things YFC with an abundance of enthusiasm, being able to work as part of a team, be hardworking, act responsibly and to strive to ensure that Staffordshire YFC is successful in all that it sets out to achieve!
All clubs have been sent a County Officers Nomination Form which is due into the YFC Office by 2nd September. Full details can be found here on the positions available along with a list of current officers. If any current members are keen to get involved, do talk to current County Officers about the roles and what is involved and then make sure your club adds your name onto the nomination paper and returns it to the office no later than 2nd September.
Staffordshire Young Farmers take the main ring at the County Show by storm again this year, on Thursday 30th May. They held their annual Young Farmers’ Show Float Competition with the theme this year being “Disney Films”, which meant for plenty of construction, colour and fun on each float as they created some of the most well know Disney Films! The sponsor of the competition, BD Fuels of Hixon kindly judged the floats before and during their journey into the main ring of the County Showground. This prestigious competition, the highlight of the YFC calendar and one of the most popular ran by Staffordshire Young Farmers, draws the largest crowd to the main ring when the floats, which have been worked on for many months, take to the parade. The Overall Float Competition was won by Stone Young Farmers who created scenes from the 1993 film, “Cool Runnings!” With the classic chant of “Feel the Rhythm! Feel the Rhyme, get on up its Bobsleigh time “, members got well and truly into the Winter Olympic spirit both in voice and with their costumes. Second place was awarded to Eccleshall YFC who recreated the film “Up”, complete with the house and balloons to depict this heart-warming film from 2009. In third place was Ashley YFC again this year, who bought the classic film “Jungle Book” to the main ring. Their float had that jungle feel to it with costumes and animals galore. Fourth place was awarded to Waterhouses YFC for their depiction of the children’s favourite, “Cars!” Lightening McQueen and the rest of the pals were all on the float along with a few novelty toys to entertain the crowds!
Waterhouses Young Farmers were awarded the Best Name Board Shield for their well designed and colourful sign and they were closely followed by Uttoxeter Young Farmers, who did Pirates of the Caribbean as the runners up. This part of the competition was judged by Mr & Mrs P Atkin, Vice Chairman and Mr & Mrs S Clarke, Vice President of the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society.
Members on the Show Floats from nine clubs entertained the huge crowds and judges as they circled the Main Ring. Staffordshire YFC thoroughly enjoy providing this entertainment to the general public and raising their profile, as a rural youth organisation which is all about fun, teamwork, learning and opportunities for anyone aged 10 to 26 years. They also enjoyed a great water fight at the end which is the most favourite part for the members.
Staffordshire YFC has had an amazing two days at this year’s County Show. Their “Best of British” themed marquee has been full with people over the two days as members have put on a full programme of activities and competitions for everyone to enjoy. County Chairman, Polly Baines commented that “We have had a great two days at the County Show promoting what YFC is all about. The Show Floats were a fantastic and impressive display of skills including artwork, construction and obviously teamwork for months beforehand. We have attracted a brilliant crowd of supporters of all ages which makes for a lovely atmosphere at the show. All the clubs have worked so hard towards this week and this has definitely paid off.”
Click HERE for photos from the competition
After a brilliant first day at the County Show, Staffordshire Young Farmers held their Male and Female Tug of War in the Main Ring on Wednesday evening, 30th May. A great crowd of supporters from across the County and other clubs also turned out in force in the Grandstand to watch a hard fought competition. Many of the teams have been training three times a week since before Christmas and their hard work and efforts paid off.
Following a great standard of pulling, in wet conditions which despite the slippy main ring, made for a great competition. The results on the evening for the male competition were: Waterhouses YFC team beat Stone YFC to the 1st place position. Stone YFC were the runners-up and Uttoxeter JNFU took 3rd place.
In the ladies competition, Waterhouses YFC stormed to victory coming in first place. The results ended with Waterhouses YFC taking home the silverware on the night, Eccleshall YFC in 2nd place and Uttoxeter JNFU in 3rd place.
The 1st and 2nd placed teams from each competition will now go forward to the West Midlands Round of the competition at The Three Counties Show, Malvern on Sunday 16th June.
Click HERE for photos from the competition.
On Tuesday 28th May, Staffordshire Young Farmers Club hosted their Pre-Show Reception which was kindly sponsored by Abbotsholme School, Rocester and Stafford Land Rover at the YFC Office on the County Showground. The evening was attended by sponsors, supporters and invited guests of the Federation and sees the start of the Staffordshire County Show kicked off in style for many!
The evening proved to be very entertaining with the ‘YFC’s Got Talent’ Competition, where competitors presented any talents of their choice from singing to comedy. The judges, George Hawley & Graham Hollinshead commented that the six acts they had judged were all very entertaining and unique in their own way!
After the acts had performed, the winners were announced as Uttoxeter JNFU with Toby Hall and Rob Mollatt. Toby and Rob gave the audience plenty of laughs with their comedy duo act. In second place Leek YFC entertained everyone with their diverse Abba Tribute Act, complete with a flavour of The Full Monty, and of course, with a farming spin! Taking third place was Eccleshall YFC’s comedy act which consisted of a group of members looking to attract Dan Moseley via their version of “Eccy Tinder!”
The Club Display Competition was also held during the evening. Members created a display promoting their club in a space no larger than 1m2. The judges, Dewi Parry, NFYFC Vice Chairman and Tracey Chamberlain said “We were impressed with how well the clubs promoted themselves in a compact space and are really pleased to have been asked to judge this competition.” The final results were, 1st place Eccleshall YFC, with Leek YFC 2nd and in 3rd place were Ashley YFC.
Various cheques were also presented to members who had been successful in gaining a place on the NFYFC YFC Travel Programme. Staffordshire Young Farmers Ambassadors give help and support to all those applying on the programme and this year cheques were presented to Amy Nicholls (Ashley YFC), Sam Fowell (Eccleshall YFC) and Mike Grigg (Stone YFC) who are travelling to Costa Rica and Lizzy Chapman (Ashley YFC) who is going to Austria. Last year’s travellers were also invited on stage to talk about their experiences including Grace Gibbs of Waterhouses YFC who has spent three months on the C Alma Baker Trip to New Zealand.
The Leslie T Chester competition results were also presented for the best 500 word story using 15 specified words – sophisticated, paradoxical, napkins, cow, refreshing, flipflop, registered, gangster, armadillo, dictionary, chocolate, trump, giggle, capacitor & mardy. First place went to Phillippa Bourne of Stone YFC (for the third year running!), second place to Imogen Bloxham of Eccleshall YFC with Annabelle Lane of Abbotsholme YFC coming third.
The evening was a great start to this year’s Staffordshire County Show and gave everyone and opportunity to relax and enjoy a really varied night of entertainment. The purpose of the evening is for Staffordshire YFC to thank all those who support the Federation so well with sponsorship, hosting events, stewarding and giving in their time to volunteer for the charity.
Each Club has 1m x 1m cube to promote their Club at this years Stafford County Show, the displays are judged and the results were:
1st – Eccleshall YFC
2nd – Leek YFC
3rd – Ashley YFC
Photos of all the displays can be found HERE
6 Clubs took in this years competition, with the results being:
1st – Uttoxeter JNFU
2nd – Leek YFC
3rd – Eccleshall YFC
Read more about the competition HERE and photos from the night can be found HERE
6 entries were received were the ‘500’ word story competition, each entry had to incorporte 15 specific words. The winners of the competition were:
1st – Phillippa Bourne – Stone YFC
2nd – Hannah Norton – Uttoxeter JNFU
3rd – Gemma Brookes – Uttoxeter JNFU
Launching the County Show this year, Staffordshire Young Farmers Club will host the Pre Show Reception on Tuesday 28th May. At the reception, the YFC members from around the 10 clubs in Staffordshire put on “YFC’s Got Talent” which has in the past included sketch show acts, synchronised swimming and some very funny comedy antics. This year’s reception is kindly sponsored by Abbotsholme School, Rocester along with Stafford Land Rover and will be attended by over 150 sponsors, supporters, members and invited guests of the Federation. Also, at the reception, the results of the winning Club Display Competition is announced. Each club will be creating a display inside the YFC Marquee which showcases their club and promotes YFC over the two days of the show.
Staffordshire YFC will be showcasing just what being a young farmer is all about inside their marquee which is erected to the side of their purpose built office on the showground. The marquee is always a hive of activity, and with their theme this year being “Best of British” there will be plenty to see and do. Entertaining attractions inside the marquee this year include “Feed the Pig”, “Guess the name of the Mother Hen”, “Hunt for Supermoo” Competition, Chocolate Tombola and Hook a Duck. The members are also busy filling a star prize wheelbarrow which will be filled with numerous goodies including days out vouchers and sweet treats! Tickets for this raffle will also be on sale from the YFC Marquee.
The YFC Marquee has been kindly supported by Shires Vets again this year who have sponsored all YFC helpers with a free polo shirt as well as giving away joint Jute Goody Bags filled with items from Shires and Staffs YFC. Come and see them inside the YFC Marquee over the two days of the County Show. To find out more about Shires Vets, please click here.
On Wednesday 29th May, the County round of the National Male and Female Tug of War Competitions is held in the Main Ring and the County Show Float Competitions to the theme of “Disney Films” will take to the main ring at 2.30pm on Thursday afternoon. Clubs have already started to build their floats and the visitors to the show will be entertained greatly by their versions of Disney Films including “Pirates of the Caribbean”, “Cars” and “Jungle Book.
The Staffordshire YFC new membership years starts again in September and all clubs will be looking to recruit new members aged between 10 – 26 years to come and get involved in the largest rural youth organisation in Staffordshire. Each club offers unique opportunities on their weekly programme of events which is organised “by the members, for the members”. In addition to this, the County federation, Staffordshire YFC organises a programme of competitions and events for all ages and abilities throughout the year. All elements of YFC incorporate teambuilding, boosting confidence, leadership and fun. All you need to become a member of this organisation is a willingness to get involved, learn new things and enthusiasm!
Polly Baines, County Chairman “The County Show season is getting into full swing, all the clubs are so busy putting time, effort and skill into the show floats and their club displays to showcase what they as a YFC club are proud of. Personally, I cannot wait to see what the clubs have got in store for this year’s County Show!”
For information on becoming a member or details of your local Club, or details on any of the YFC activities, please come and visit the YFC Marquee at the County Show where there will be many of our members who’d be happy to help.
Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (SCFYFC) County Rally was held on Saturday, 4th May at Blore Farm, Hales, nr Market Drayton by kind permission of The Lea & Baines Family and was once again this year, a great success for the strong ten Staffordshire YFC Clubs. The Rally day managed to stay dry with a great turnout of over 250 members along with sponsors and supporters to cheer on their Clubs in the various competitions. Members have been preparing weeks ahead to enter the Static Classes ranging from making “Hot Cross Buns,” creating patchwork blankets, sculpting a Recycled Tin Man and Photography as well as taking part in plenty of action competitions on the actual day including Bungee challenge, Potato Launching Competition and competing in the all-time favourite ‘Greasy Pole’ in order to try and win some silverware at the end of the Day.
Two of the National Federation of Young Farmers (NFYFC) Competitions were also held on the day, including the Floral Art. In the Junior Class, competitors were required to create an exhibit to the theme: ‘My Great Hobby’ An exhibit to depict a hobby or pastime with the winning entry coming from Lydia Taylor of Uttoxeter JNFU. In the Intermediate Class, the requirement was to create an exhibit to the theme “Great Craftsmanship” An exhibit to depict a particular craft., the winning entry was from Phillippa Titley of Ashley YFC. The Senior Class required competitors to create an exhibit to the theme “Great inventions that changed the world” An exhibit to depict an invention that changed the world, which was won by Hannah Britland of Uttoxeter JNFU. The three members will all go forward to compete in the NFYFC Finals held at the Malvern Autumn Show in September along with the runners up in each age category as well.
The main ring held a huge “Total Wipeout” Competition with teams of up to 6 members from each club taking part. This was a great success, with members loving the assault course of various challenges including jumping through tyres and crawling through tunnels with everything involving lots of water, the overall winners of the Sports Cup from this competition were Waterhouses YFC.
The highly competitive Junior Tug Of War competition, which is also a National Competition for 2019 sees the highest two place teams go forward to the Three Counties Show at Malvern in June. Members aged between 12 and 17 years from Cheadle YFC took 1st place with Waterhouses YFC coming a close second. The day was rounded off by the ever-popular Mixed Tug of War competition, which saw 4 teams taking part, and Waterhouses YFC, taking the silverware for the day, beating Eccleshall YFC in the final.
The day was kindly sponsored by over 60 local companies and supporting organisations, with the main sponsors being South Staffordshire College and Johnsons of Cheadle.
Young Farmers always like to help other charities and despite an extremely busy day, Uttoxeter Young Farmers ‘Braved the Shave’ with Club Chairman Mark Whitehurst having his head shaved by The High Sheriff of Staffordshire, Mr Ashley Brough raising over £1100 For Cancer Research UK. Also, on the day four female members of Uttoxeter Young Farmers had their hair cut by Mr Brough, and their long locks will be sent off to a charity which makes wigs for children who have suffered with cancer. Mark Whitehurst, Club Chairman of Uttoxeter Young Farmers said “A massive thank you to those that took part in our fundraiser and to everyone who was so generous to donate! It was fantastic to raise so much for this worthy cause! The rally draws in people from all across the county each year for a brilliant day of fun and competitions, so Uttoxeter Young Farmers would like to thank the Staffs YFC team for the opportunity to hold our fundraiser at this event.”
Back at Blore Farm that night, the Results and Trophies were announced and presented on by the hosts, Mr & Mrs Lea, at the Rally Dance. To view the full set of results please click here
Polly Baines, County Chairman of Staffordshire YFC said “This weekend has been a true representation of everything YFC! From teamwork and competitions to multiple incredible skills and best of all, fundraising for Cancer Research! Saturday not only saw a very busy County Rally but we also accommodated Uttoxeter Young Farmers going for it with their ‘Brave the Shave’ raising funds for Cancer Research. On Sunday, we organised a Charity Lunch called ‘Give Cancer the Boot’. Having been directly affected by my mum having the disease, it made the urge to raise funds for Cancer Research even more important. The afternoon was a great success with a funds of over £8000 being raised for this worthwhile charity! This weekend has shown how much “teamwork really does make the dream work!” Being a part of the Staffordshire YFC is fantastic, the support is amazing and I cannot thank everyone enough for their hard work, time and backing throughout this weekend!”
A full set of photos from the Rally Day can be found here and for a set of photos from “Give Cancer the Boot” click here
After a full on day of competitions ranging from Potato Launching to Floral Art….. The Overall Results for the silverware were as follows:
Overall Rally Cup:
1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Waterhouses; 3rd Ashley
Most Improved Club Shield:
1st Ashley; 2nd Uttoxeter /Waterhouses
Rose Bowl:
1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Cheadle; 3rd Eccleshall
Junior Cup:
1st Waterhouses; 2nd Ashley/Uttoxeter; 3rd Chase
Intermediate Cup:
1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Waterhouses; 3rd Ashley
Senior Cup:
1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Waterhouses; 3rd Chase
Associate Cup:
1st Ashley; 2nd Waterhouses; 3rd Uttoxeter
Eccleshall Shield:
1st Lichfield; 2nd Uttoxter; 3rd Stone
Sports Cup:
1st Waterhouses; 2nd Leek; 3rd Ashley/Cheadle
Tractor Handling Cup:
1st Stone; 2nd Waterhouses; 3rd Ashley
TWW Jones Award (Wildlife Quiz):
1st Chase; 2nd Waterhouses; 3rd Uttoxeter
Tug of War Tray:
1st Waterhouses; 2nd Eccleshall; 3rd Uttoxeter
For all the photos from a brilliant Rally Day held by kind permission of The Lea & Baines Family, please click here
