Six members have been representing Staffordshire in the NFYFC Dairy Stockjudging Finals, well done to Chloe Boothby (Uttoxeter JNFU), Beth Robinson (Lichfield YFC) and Will Gallimore (Uttoxeter JNFU) for taking part.
A massive well done goes to Peter Cotton (Waterhouses YFC) for bring home 1st place in the Junior section. Peter narrowly missed out last year after taking joint 2nd overall in the same competition last year. The Overall Team gaining second place with Peter Cotton (Waterhouses YFC), Kate Mollatt (Uttoxeter JNFU) & Sammie Wilson (Eccleshall YFC).
A very successful Great Yorkshire Show for Staffordshire YFC!!
On Sunday 2nd July, Lichfield YFC organised their largest Tractor Run to date, raising valuable funds for The Teenage Cancer Trust. This small club based in the south of Staffordshire managed to coordinate 40 tractors and drivers travelling 23 miles around Lichfield and the surrounding villages of Whittington, Fradley and Kings Bromley. Drivers had a quick “refreshment pit-stop” at Lichfield Rugby Club half way through the journey and then continued back to the starting location of Curborough Hall Farm, Lichfield for a BBQ and refreshments, kindly hosted by The Hollinshead Family.
Nick Hollinshead, club member of Lichfield YFC who coordinated the day said “We are really pleased with how well this year’s run has gone and think that with donations still coming in, we will have raised over £1100 towards The Teenage Cancer Trust. We look forward to making the presentation to them later in the year.”
YFC Clubs across Staffordshire regularly raise funds for other charities, despite being a charitable organisation themselves. Total funds raised last year across Staffordshire exceeded £13’600 towards various charities including the NSPCC, Midlands Air Ambulance and Farming Community Network.
Following lots of interest in reforming Cheadle Young Farmers in Staffordshire, a very successful New Members Night was held on Wednesday 28th June with over 40 young potential members ranging from 10 – 23 years of age along with plenty of parents and supporters attending.
George Goodwin, County Chairman said “Cheadle YFC is destined to be in plenty of capable, enthusiastic and young hands following the initial meeting in the Cheadle and District area since the club became dormant four years ago! It is an exciting time for all Staffordshire YFC, adding to their already strong membership across the county.”
Cheadle YFC was originally founded in 1954 but closed following a lack of members in 2012. The Club has the potential to become active in all areas of YFC and members last night showed a particular interest in getting stuck into Public Speaking, Stockjudging and Tug of War as well as various Sports. Being a part of Young Farmers offers members aged 10 – 26 years a unique opportunity to run their own organisation, for their fellow members, in a democratic manner. Weekly meetings and activities are shaped and organised by the members, giving them invaluable leadership and interpersonal skills for the future.
The next meeting is being held on Wednesday 5th July, 8pm at Oakamoor Cricket Pavilion, ST10 3AN for a Rounders and Social.
Staffordshire YFC’s ultimate party of the year takes place on Saturday 15th July 2017.
Remember tickets are now selling fast at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/ELEKDL
It has been announced today that Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs have been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The award is given in recognition of the tremendous amount of work which this rural youth organisation does through its ten active clubs for young people aged 10 – 26 years.
George Goodwin, County Chairman said “Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) are absolutely delighted to win the Queens Award for Voluntary Service this year. It is wonderful way for our organisation to be recognised and to thank all our members who volunteer in their clubs on a weekly basis to give young people aged 10 – 26 years a great social life, endless opportunities and equip them with skills which will serve them so well for the rest of their lives. It is also an opportunity for us to say thank you to the wider network of volunteer supporters, past members, advisory committees who commit so much time and energy into ensuring that our clubs continue to grow and we remain one of the strongest YFC federations in the country.”
Jeremy Lowe, NFU Staffordshire adviser, said: “Having nominated Staffordshire YFC for this award I’m obviously delighted that they have been successful. The hard work county organiser Julia Taylor puts in, alongside the rest of the team, is exemplary and it’s more than fitting that she and the young farmers have been recognised in this way, they are worthy recipients. NFU members and everyone involved in the agricultural industry appreciates that it’s been a tough few years, nevertheless, I am always inspired by the energy and enthusiasm shown by Staffordshire Young Farmers in the wide range of events and competitions the county team organises. I am reassured that the skills and confidence these young farmers are developing will hold them in good stead for their future careers in the industry, as the next generation are vital for its success and we will continue to work closely with them in the months and years ahead.”
Chief Executive Principle of South Staffordshire College, Graham Morley said “I’m delighted that Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs have received this Queens Award in recognition of the outstanding service they provide for young people across the County. The work they do, often unseen, has a massive positive impact upon the young people in our rural communities and I congratulate all those involved”.
George Goodwin along with Richard Mottershead, County Vice Chairman, were invited to attend the Queens Garden Party a few weeks ago as part of the achievement and enjoyed a wonderful day in London and inside Buckingham Palace Gardens.
Staffordshire YFC will be organising a fitting celebration later in the year to mark the occasion where the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire will present a Crystal Award and Certificate signed by the Queen.
Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (SCFYFC) County Rally was held on Saturday, 13th May at Moors Covert Farm, Bednall by kind permission of the Bloxham Family and was once again this year, a great success for the strong Staffordshire Clubs. The Rally day stayed dry all day, 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 Cookery, Craft, making “A Show Stopper Dessert,” creating fantastic pieces of mosaic art work and photography, constructing a “Children’s Tepee” and making a carved “Totem Pole” using a chainsaw in order to try and win some silverware at the end of the day.
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
Back at Moors Covert Farm that night, the Results and Trophies were announced and presented on behalf of the hosts by The Bloxham Family, 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 “Tecno Tecno.” The Overall Rally Cup was won by Uttoxeter JNFU, Most Improved Club: (From the previous year’s Rally) Awarded to Stone YFC.
On Saturday 11th March, Staffordshire Young Farmers held their Annual Dinner Dance at the Ingestre Suite on the County Showground for over 400 YFC members, guests and supporters of the organisation. The Black Tie Dinner was themed as “The Black and White Affair” and the evening was based around old movies and film stars. The evening commenced with County Chairman, George Goodwin, recreating the iconic start of films by The Rank Organisation, as the federation’s very own “Gong Man!” George struck the gong at 8pm to signal that “dinner was served.”
Photographs in the foyer were taken against magnificent backdrop, designed and created by talented local member of Stone YFC, Phillippa Bourne. Then, following a four-course meal, members and guests danced to The Bulge Disco, enjoyed a flutter on the Casino and socialised with members past and present in true YFC style.
The Dinner Dance is one of the highlights of Staffordshire YFC’s busy social calendar and raises valuable funds to keep the federation running so successfully with almost 600 members aged 10 – 26 years of age.
Staffordshire YFC Stockjudging team take prizes at 2015 English Winter Fair!
Staffordshire YFC were victorious in the NFYFC Live and Carcase Judging Competitions at the 2015 English Winter Fair. The team of Katie James, Peter James, Aimee Smith and Will Leese took home the top prize.
In addition to the NFYFC Competition, the English Winter Fair YFC classes were also held as a one day competition on Sunday. This was organised by Staffordshire YFC and is kindly supported by The English Beef and Lamb Executive as well as the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society. One of two Leicestershire teams went away with first place in this competition.
The weekend has been a great success with young farmers across the country coming together to compete in these important competitions which develops members skills in Stockjudging and public speaking.
Peter James takes 1st for Staffordshire…again!
Young Farmers’ Club members put their talents to the test in an enthralling NFYFC Farm Skills Weekend across Shropshire and Staffordshire. 24-year old Peter James from Leek YFC took home the coveted NFYFC Stockman of the Year award for the seconfd year running, a feat which has never been done before.
Staffordshire members get set to see the world!
YFC gives it’s members great opportunities to see the world, and yet again Staffordshire members have won places on trips all over the world.
Members pictured with Supermoo are Richard Mottershead, Karl Hockenhull, Lydia Allcock, Caroline Barlow, Amy Nicholls, Frances Wright, and Katie Pollock.
Princess Anne visited the YFC Centre
Young Farmers in Staffordshire celebrated the opening of their new headquarters 26 years ago with a Royal visit from the Princess Royal. Princess Anne returned to the Young Farmers’ office on Tuesday 26th July 2011 as part of a day to celebrate ‘Rural Activities in Staffordshire’. Some of those members involved 26 years ago were there to welcome Her Royal Highness, along with today’s Young Farmers who were keen to demonstrate the skills and activities, which ensure the organisation is sustainable as the rural youth movement of the countryside. The activities the members demonstrated to the Princess included traditional activities such as how to prepare an animal for showing; the art of sheep stock judging; butchery skills cookery skills. Other demonstrations included Tug of War, hedge laying and bricklaying. Other members read a specially written poem to demonstrate their Public Speaking Skills, sang for the Princess and prepared the posy for the Princess. The two youngest members in the Federation presented HRH with the posy and two Staffordshire YFC mugs.
Paul Worrall, County Chairman of Staffordshire YFC said, ‘We had hoped the Princess Royal would come last year to celebrate Staffordshire YFC Centre’s 25th Anniversary, but that was not possible. However, 26 years on it is good to celebrate our many achievements in the YFC movement. What was important to young people 25 years ago is still important today and the opportunity to participate in rural activities, with like-minded people, is as valuable today as it was then. We have lots of fun in Young Farmers, with an opportunity to learn and train, particularly through our Competitions Programme and the Federation’s Development Committee which organise a vast range of activities throughout the year. We had two members of the Staffordshire YFA (Young Farmers Ambassadors) Committee present, to explain about the fantastic opportunities that Young Farmers have to apply for trips abroad and travel the world with the NFYFC Discovery Programme.
There’s lots of photos on our Photo Gallery page
Easy Fundraising
Staffordshire YFC has enrolled onto a website called “Easy Fundraising” and can now benefit from anyone and everyone who shops online.
What do you need to do?
1. Click on the www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/staffordshirefarmers
2. Register yourself as a supporter of Staffordshire YFC
3. Every time you go online to shop ie at ebay, Amazon, Tesco, wherever, just go to that website via the easy fundraising website.
YFC can gain 2.5% from some retailers in commission from your shopping and this is at no cost to you – you pay the same price for your goods as you would normally when you shop online.
Please encourage parents, aunties, uncles, brothers, sisters – anyone really, to register and start shopping online this way.
Mobile Phone Recycling
Raise funds for the Federation by recycling your old phones – envelopes available from the County Office.
