All 11 Clubs took part in this years competition, each Club could use a 1m x 1m space to promote their Club, the winner were:
1st – Stone YFC
2nd – Waterhouses YFC
3rd – Ashley YFC
Last night, 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.
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, Laura Bull and Fred Allen commented that the eight acts they had judged were all absolutely fantastic and really gave the audience an evening of entertainment to remember.
After the acts had performed, the winners were announced as Leek YFC consisting of Meg Barnes, Holly Stanyer, Izzy Proctor and Lizzy James with their farming take on Dolly Parton ‘9-5’. Second place went to Emily and Eve Phillips of Uttoxeter JNFU with their highly entertaining sketch featuring Physic Sal with her not so physic powers! Third place was a very funny ventriquilm act from Rob Mollatt & Toby Hall of Uttoxeter JNFU.
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, Laura Elliott, NFYFC Vice Chairman and Dave Allen from Shires Vets 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 Stone YFC, with Waterhouses 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 Emily Phillips and Eve Phillips (Uttoxeter JNFU) who are travelling to Nepal; Amy Nicholls (Ashley YFC) and Frances Wright (Chase YFC) are attending the Autumn Seminar in Budapest, Beth Dennis (Chase YFC) travelling to Austria, Emily Cartmail (Eccleshall YFC) going on the European Rally, Grace Gibbs (Waterhouses YFC) awarded the C Alma Baker trip to New Zealand and Michael Grigg (Uttoxeter JNFU) travelling to Scotland. Last year’s travellers were also invited on stage to talk about their experiences.
The Leslie T Chester competition results were also presented for the best 500 word story using 15 specified words. First place went to Phillippa Bourne of Stone YFC, second place to Imogen Bloxham of Eccleshall YFC with Annabelle Lane of Abbotsholme YFC coming third.
During the evening, David Heminsley presented a YFC Rural Hub Business grant to James Ball of Waterhouses YFC who is setting up his own flock of pedigree Charolais sheep. Another cheque was presented from the federation who raised funds at their Harvest Festival Service back in October, for the Farming Community Network.
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.
Please click HERE for photos from the evening
Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs are pleased to announce that their Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is held on Friday 9th November 2018, is being supported this year by Pickering and Butters, a firm of Staffordshire Solicitors who were founded over a century ago, with offices based in Stafford and Rugeley. The County AGM is attended by over 250 invited guests and members of the Federation and is the most prestigious meeting of the Staffordshire YFC year. A full report will given by the retiring County Chairman, Richard Mottershead about his year. In addition to this, numerous presentations which will be made to the award winners from the year 2017/18 around the County, including The “Most Outstanding Chairman” and “The Merit Award” which is given for the most outstanding contribution made by an individual to their club and/or county as well as club awards for Community Work and Overall Competitions. Richard will also be presenting a cheque to YoungMinds, the charity he chose during his year as County Chairman, to support via numerous fundraising activities around the clubs in Staffordshire.
Richard Mottershead, County Chairman said “As a charitable organisation we are reliant on sponsorship and donations in order to continue to provide the great service and opportunities to our members. Therefore, we really appreciate companies like Pickering and Butters, who have chosen to support Staffordshire YFC, and the future generation of the rural community in this way.”
Sean Spinetto of Pickering and Butters said “We benefit from a substantial and loyal list of clients in the farming industry and continue to work closely with them to ensure the ongoing success of their businesses. We are privileged to be given the opportunity to support the next generation of farmers in Staffordshire by sponsoring the AGM”
For any further information on any of our YFC Clubs, or for more information about supporting Staffordshire YFC, please contact Julia Taylor on 01785 248645 or email countyoffice@staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk.
Launching the County Show this year, Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs host the Pre Show Reception on Tuesday 29th May. At the reception, the YFC members from around the 11 clubs in Staffordshire put on “YFC’s Got Talent” which has in the past included Ballet Dancing acts, synchronized swimming and some very funny comedy sketches. This year’s reception is kindly sponsored by Abbotsholme School, Rocester along with Stafford Land Rover dealers and will be attended by over 150 sponsors, supporters and invited guests of the Federation.
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 “Magic and Mystery” there will be plenty to see and do. Attractions inside the marquee this year include “Splat the Rat”, “Milk the Cow”, Scarecrow Competition and Hook a Duck. As well as all this, there is the National Male and Female Tug of War Competitions in the Main Ring on the Wednesday evening and the Show Float Competitions to the theme of “British Sitcoms” on Thursday afternoon. Clubs have already started to build their floats and the general public will be entertained greatly by their versions of Dad’s Army, Fawlty Towers and even Gavin and Stacey, parading in the main ring.
The Show 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.
Making a special appearance at the County Show, the Federation’s Giant Wooden Oatcake, which is touring around the County will be available for a photo opportunity. The Oatcake started its tour with Ashley Young Farmers back in March and is currently with Ridware Young Farmers who are taking it on a Steam Engine Tour around Abbots Bromley this Sunday, 20th May. The purpose behind the giant Oatcake, is that whilst the Club has possession of it, the members hold an activity which will fundraise for Young Minds, the leading mental health charity for young people. So far, the clubs have raised in excess of £2800 towards this worthy cause, with six more clubs still left to hold their events. The most recent activity was Uttoxeter Young Farmers who peddled non-stop for 12 hours on an exercise bike at the County Annual Rally Day. The final event is a Beer Festival on 30th June being held outside the YFC Centre on the County Showground. The afternoon and evening event will feature 15 different beers, a bouncy castle for a family fun afternoon and live music in the evening.
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 we have many of our members who’d be happy to talk to you.
Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (SCFYFC) County Rally was held on Saturday, 12th May at Overton Farm, Hollington, Nr Tean by kind permission of J A Bloor Agricultural Services Ltd and was once again this year, a great success for the strong eleven Staffordshire Clubs. The Rally day was filled with sunshine and fun 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 “A Show Stopper Dessert,” creating cuddly Unicorns, Wizards sets and Photography as well as taking part in plenty of action competitions on the actual day including Tossing a Sheaf, Boys Egg Challenge and racing a Soap Box down a rather steep hill in order to try and win some silverware.
There was a selection of National Federation of Young Farmers (NFYFC) Competitions also held on the day, including the Floral Art which this year, was to the theme of “Magic and Mystery”. In the Junior Class, competitors were required to create an exhibit to the title: ‘Witches and Warlocks’ with the winning entry coming from James Robinson of Lichfield Young Farmers. In the Intermediate Class, the requirement was to create an exhibit to the title: ‘The mystery of the magic circle’, the winning entry was from Emma Timmis of Stone Young Farmers. The Senior Class required competitors to create an exhibit to the title: ‘A mysterious phenomenon of your choice’ which was won by Phillippa Bourne of Stone Young Farmers. The three members will all go forward to compete in the NFYFC Finals held at the Malvern Autumn Show in September.
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 Ashley Young Farmers.
The highlight of the day was the ‘Soap Box’ race which involved two members racing a homemade ‘Soap Box’ down a rather steep course, each club was timed and the winners were Ashley YFC. Hosts, J A Bloor also held their own race which attracted members of the public to have a go too.
The highly competitive Junior Tug Of War competition, which is a National Competition for 2018 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 Waterhouses YFC took 1st place and newly formed club, Cheadle YFC took the 2nd place. The day was rounded off by the ever popular Mixed Tug of War competition, which saw 6 teams taking part, and Waterhouses YFC, taking the silverware for the day, beating Stone 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, they raised £485 for Young Minds with Uttoxeter Young Farmers peddling an exercise bike from 9am to 9pm on the Rally Day. J A Bloor also organised a digger challenge for members of the public and YFC members to have a go at, in return for a donation to help a local young boy, Beau, who needs an operation to help him to walk, which will take place in America. The digger challenge raised £500 on the day.
Back at Overton Farm that night, the Results and Trophies were announced and presented on behalf of the hosts, Jason and Janine Bloor of J A Bloor Agricultural Services Limited, at the Rally Dance. The night saw over 220 members and guests letting their hair down and celebrating a fantastic day of competitions, dancing to “Fresh Events.” The full set of photos from the day can be found here.
After a full on day of competitions ranging from Soapbox Racing to Floral Art….. The Overall Results for the silverware were as follows:
Overall Rally Cup:
1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Waterhouses; 3rd Stone
Most Improved Club Shield:
1st Stone; 2nd Ashley
Rose Bowl:
1st Eccleshall/Stone; 2nd Uttoxeter; 3rd Waterhouses
Junior Cup:
1st Waterhouses; 2nd Lichfield; 3rd Eccleshall
Intermediate Cup:
1st Ashley; 2nd Lichfield; 3rd Stone
Senior Cup:
1st Stone; 2nd Eccleshall/Uttoxeter; 3rd Waterhouses/Chase
Associate Cup:
1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Waterhouses; 3rd Ashley
Eccleshall Shield:
1st Eccleshall; 2nd Chase; 3rd Stone
Sports Cup:
1st Ashley; 2nd Eccleshall; 3rd Uttoxeter
Tractor Handling Cup:
1st Ridware; 2nd Stone; 3rd Eccleshall
TWW Jones Award (Wildlife Quiz):
1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Eccleshall; 3rd Chase
Tug of War Tray:
1st Waterhouses; 2nd Stone; 3rd Uttoxeter
Sheep Shearing Trophy:
1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Stone
For all the photos from a brilliant Rally Day held by kind permission of J A Bloor Agricultural Services, please click here
Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) had a very proud moment whilst in Blackpool at the National Federation of Young Farmers Club (NFYFC) Annual Convention Weekend, when they saw Mr David Heminsley, their Current County President elected as a life Vice President of the National Federation during the AGM on Sunday 6th May. David has been involved in Staffordshire YFC since 1987 after completing his degree in Agriculture at Reading University. He has held the positions of Club Chairman for Uttoxeter Young Farmers Club followed by County Chairman for Staffordshire and also Chairman of the West Midlands Area of YFC as well as President of each organisation as well. David has worked for JCB fo 20 years and is currently a Technical Specialist on the Fastrac high-speed tractor range.
His involvement in YFC at all levels is vast, with his speciality at a County level being all things technical, maintenance and Health and Safety. David is also the first person called for the County Office computer system, which he maintains along with the website. He has judged and stewarded many competitions around Clubs, County, Area and National level and is someone who is often unseen, as he is usually very busy in the background with setting up the varied activities which YFC run.
David Beswick, Senior Trustee to Staffordshire YFC said “I’m really thrilled that David has been awarded as a Life Vice President of NFYFC. He is a great person and his knowledge and expertise has been valuable to the federation, clubs and County. The recognition is a credit to him and all his associates.”
David Heminsley said “I feel very honoured to be made a Life Vice President of NFYFC. I owe a lot of gratitude to all those who have helped, supported, worked with me as part of my journey through YFC over the years. As with so many other past members, it all started when I joined Uttoxeter club, and I was so pleased and proud that current members of the club joined me at the presentation.”
David was proposed, along with Mr and Mrs Poul Christenson of Oxfordshire YFC and Mr and Mrs Ben Westwood of Derbyshire YFC at the National AGM by Kate Wainwright of Derbyshire YFC, with George Goodwin of Staffordshire YFC seconding the motion. George, a member and last years’ County Chairman of Staffordshire YFC, and currently the NFYFC Personal Development Chairman said “Always the first to arrive, last to leave but often working behind the scenes whether that is a Uttoxeter JNFU production, county, area or national event Dave makes it his business to ensure that it is well ran, with the right equipment wired up to the right box!”
Members of Eccleshall Young Farmers Club (YFC) started the National Federation of Young Farmers (NFYFC) Annual Convention weekend in Blackpool off in style, with 7 members leaving Eccleshall High Street on Thursday 3rd May, biking the 100 mile trip to reach the Winter Gardens for the following day. The members were raising money for fellow Eccleshall YFC member, Dan Moseley, who sustained serious injuries following a trampoline accident.
Supported by fellow Eccleshall YFC members Richard Owen and Emily Cartmail and their trusty van, filled with energy snacks, puncture repair kits and hydrating drinks, the 7 members, Will Massie, Tom Westwell, Jack Owen, Harry Bowers, Tom Bowers, Sam Fowell and Nathan Sillito kept up the pace with each other and managed to complete 70 miles on the first day with the last 10 miles being quite gruelling. After a brief overnight stop near to Chorley, the final 30 miles went very straightforward, and the cheer from members from around the country as they arrived at the Winter Gardens was fantastic.
The total raised on the bike ride for Dan has now exceeded £7000 which will help greatly towards his rehabilitation.
The Club had an action packed weekend, with little rest for Tom Westwell and Will Massie, who were 2 members of the Eccleshall YFC Jump Rope team, competing in the National Finals of this Competition on Sunday afternoon. Alongside team members Sally Tyler and Sammie Wilson, this awesome foursome pulled off an extremely technical routine. Their tricks with the ropes had the audience on the edge of their seat. Tom, had only started practising for this competition since February, following Dan’s accident, as Dan was one of the original team due to compete. The Club were determined to make Dan proud, and he even had his own cheer from the crowd as the competition was streamed to him via FaceTime on the day. After a very energetic performance, the team were awarded 2nd place, only 4 points behind current champions Gloucestershire YFC.
Will Massie, team member said “It has been great to see how the Club has all pulled together since Dan’s accident, working so hard in training for the bike ride and then also practising for the Jump Rope Competition. We are all willing for Dan to be back at Eccleshall YFC soon.”
Julia Taylor, County Organiser for Staffordshire YFC said “Watching the Eccleshall YFC team working together so well this weekend has made everyone in the county very proud. We look forward to seeing Dan back in Staffordshire YFC and with such brilliant and supportive friends combined with his determined and positive attitude; we have no doubt that this happen.”
The next fundraising event to help Dan is being organised at the Staffordshire YFC County Office on the County Showground in Stafford on Sunday 24th June from 10am-12noon when a “Brunch for Dan” will be served to friends, family, YFC members and supporters. Everyone is welcome to join in this event.
All Clubs took part in this years Indoor Cricket League, starting in January over ten weeks, this years results are:
1st – Uttoxeter JNFU
2nd – Eccleshall YFC
3rd – Leek YFC
