The Staffordshire countryside will once again see around 100 festive tractors take to the road in a charity Christmas convoy on Sunday 4 December.
Arranged by Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs alongside South Staffs Water, this will be the third event of its kind, with the impressive parade of tractors travelling a 20-mile route through the villages of Hamstall Ridware, Blithbury, Abbots Bromley, Blithfield, Colton and Hill Ridware in aid of charity.
The first event was held in 2019, with 80 tractors taking part, increasing in 2021 to almost 100 tractors. The tractors were lit up with Christmas lights, inflated Santas and one had a rotating Christmas tree. The events over the two years held have raised over £10,500 benefitting four charities including The Midlands Air Ambulance and Water Aid.
This year’s event will be raising money for two chosen charities; Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs and Midlands Air Ambulance.
Nina Yiannoukos-Benton, senior catchment advisor at South Staffs Water, said:
“We love helping to organise the tractor run, not only does it raise money for charity but it’s a huge feel-good event for the communities we serve. We love to see the smiles on the people’s faces as we drive by. We work really closely with the Staffordshire Farmers, to ensure we maintain good wholesome drinking water for our customers and to trial new methods of working, so it’s a wonderful way to celebrate that work too.”
Julia Taylor, County Organiser at Staffordshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, said:
“The Christmas Tractor Run is an event that Staffordshire YFC is very much enjoying organising and working with South Staffs Water to bring festive cheer to the rural villages along with the route. We are so really looking forward to seeing the public supporting the event and are very grateful for their generosity. The feedback from the tractor drivers, general public and all those involved has continued to be really positive and our team of 80+ stewards and helpers are ready to deliver another successful event this year.”
Bookings for tractors to register for the event will open on 1st November and close on 14th November. The bookings are all being taken online including payment of £20 using this link https://form.jotform.com/221352932936357 or call 01785 248645.
On Thursday 6th October 2022 the Carcase Judging Competition was held by kind permission of TG Sargeant & Sons of Bramshall.
Many thanks to the judges and stewards for assisting during the evening.
Photos from the evening can be found here
Results are as follows;
| 16 & UNDER – PORK | |||
| 1ST | Jamie | Cheadle | 92pts |
| 2ND | Brendan | Leek A | 89pts |
| 3RD | Sophie | Abbotsholme | 85pts |
| 16 & UNDER – BEEF | |||
| 1ST | Tom | Waterhouses | 83pts |
| 2ND | Charlie | Eccleshall A | 82pts |
| 3RD | Tom | Leek A | 77pts |
| 16 & UNDER – LAMB | |||
| 1ST | Adele | Waterhouses | 84pts |
| 2ND | Adam | Uttoxeter | 77pts |
| 3RD | Charlie | Eccleshall A | 75pts |
| 21 & UNDER – PORK | |||
| 1ST | Alfie Waring | Cheadle | 92pts |
| 2ND | Charlotte | Abbotsholme | 91pts |
| 3RD | Lois Lockett | Ashley | 90pts |
| 21 & UNDER – BEEF | |||
| 1ST | Lizzy James | Leek | 133pts |
| 2ND | Charlotte Martin | Ashley | 129pts |
| 3RD | Hollie Kelly | Chase | 128pts |
| 21 & UNDER – LAMB | |||
| 1ST | Anne Cooper | Leek | 137pts |
| 2ND | Matt | Uttoxeter | 116pts |
| 3RD | Jonathan Goodwin | Chase | 115pts |
| 28 & UNDER – PORK | |||
| 1ST | Tom Bowers | Eccleshall A | 94pts |
| 2ND | Henry James | Leek A | 93pts |
| 3RD | Johnny Wheawall | Uttoxeter | 90pts |
| 28 & UNDER – BEEF | |||
| 1ST | Rob Mollatt | Uttoxeter | 143pts |
| 2ND | Will Leese | Eccleshall A | 137pts |
| =3RD | Robbie Nilson | Chase | 135pts |
| =3RD | Connor Whitehead | Eccleshall B | 135pts |
| 28 & UNDER – LAMB | |||
| 1ST | Phil Wilson | Uttoxeter | 133pts |
| =2ND | Peter Cotton | Waterhouses | 124pts |
| =2ND | Henry Robinson | Ashley | 124pts |
| OVERALL TEAMS | |||
| 1ST | LEEK A | ||
| 2ND | UTTOXETER | ||
| 3RD | ECCLESHALL A | ||
All clubs should refer to and follow guidance in this document when planning and holding a Bonfire and/or Fireworks evening which may be public or private to their club. Click HERE to download a version or for a printed copy, contact the YFC Centre.
For any assistance or help with this, don’t hesitate to contact the YFC Centre.
A prize fund of over £700 is on offer in the Young Farmers’ Stock and Carcase judging Competitions at this year’s English Winter Fair, Stafford, thanks to backing by Elanco Animal Health, global leaders in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. YFC members will be forming teams from across the Country that will be competing in the Stock and Carcase Judging competitions, held at the English Winter Fair on Sunday 20th November along with the NFYFC Live and Carcase Judging two day competition over the weekend.
The teams made up of 8 members will be judging Live Beef, Live Lamb, Lamb and Pork Carcase on Sunday 20th November from 9am. The Secretary for the Young Farmer Classes, Mrs Julia Taylor explained, “Young Farmers will be able to judge the Lamb and Pork Carcase in the purpose-built Carcass Hall, which is a fantastic facility available to us thanks to support from Elanco Animal Health and the show’s organisers, the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society.”
The Beef cattle with be judged from exhibitor stock at the show and the lambs are kindly provided from Madders and Johnson of Hopton. Young Farmers will pit their skills picked up in county rounds of the YFC’s Stock and Carcase competitions against others in this nationwide event to secure prizes. “It is a great way for members to test their skill at judging stock on the hoof and on the hook. Each team is given 10 minutes to assess stock and then two minutes to give reasons to the panel of judges for their choices. It is always a popular date on the YFC calendar and well supported by counties across the country” adds Mrs Taylor.
New sponsor, Louise Radford of Elanco Animal Health said “Elanco AH Ltd, suppliers of leading brands such as CLiK & Zolvix are proud to be sponsoring the YFC Classes at this year’s English Winter Fair, working alongside Staffordshire YFC and the English Winter Fair Committee.”
In addition to cash prizes YFC teams will also compete for the Birmingham Agricultural Exhibition Society silver cup for the team accumulating most points which last year went to Glamorgan YFC.
This year again there will be a 2-course meal being held in the Boden Room, exclusively for YFC members followed by entry into the Herdsman’s Supper Disco entry for only £12 on the evening before the competitions, Saturday 19th November. This evening is also kindly supported by Bagshaws Auctioneers.
Young Farmers attending the event will also be able to see the Show’s championships take place in the main arena in Bingley Hall as well as witness the spectacle of the grand auction of prize-winning animals from both the live arena and Carcass Hall on Sunday afternoon.
For any further information about the YFC Classes at the English Winter Fair, please contact Julia Taylor on 01785 248645 / 07984 174557 or email her direct on organiser@staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk.
To download the rules and information for the competitions, please click here.
Since hearing the sad news of the passing of HM the Queen, the Patron of The National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, some past members of Staffordshire YFC have been remembering an experience that they will never forget. Back in 2006 on 31st March, five members plus the County Organiser, Julia Taylor, were chosen to represent Staffordshire YFC at a Tea Party held for 200 pensioners who were also celebrating their 80th birthday, the same as her Majesty at the time.
The five members – Bryce Mackellar, Trevor Shelley, Vanessa Rowlinson, Reuben Moss and Toby Lawton along with Julia, created a stand depicting YFC activities to showcase the organisation. As part of the local displays put on by other rural organisations from across Staffordshire, the YFC stand was of great interest to both Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh and the group were fortunate enough to meet and speak to both of them.
Looking back at that moment, Bryce Mackellar was asked to talk to Charlotte Smith on BBC Farming Today at the weekend. Bryce recalled it being a “surreal and fabulous day.” Her Majesty took a great interest in the display and particularly the silverware and what it was awarded for. The Duke of Edinburgh was keen to speak to dairy farmer, Reuben Moss about his dairy herd, and particularly the breed that they were, as he was a fan of Ayrshires.
County Organiser, Julia Taylor said “It truly was an honour to be asked to accompany the five members on this special day, we all felt very proud to represent YFC. Looking back now, we all realise even more what a great day it was and thank Staffordshire YFC for giving us the opportunity.”
The Queen made a very positive impact on the YFC movement and members, including past member, Mary Wilkinson (nee Cartmail) who was also fortunate to receive an award at The Royal Smithfield Show back in 1998, presented by Her Majesty. In more recent times, this year back in June, Staffordshire YFC lit a beacon as part of the Jubilee celebrations after the County Show which saw members all come together to recognise the momentous occasion.
As clubs across Staffordshire are now holding their Annual General Meetings at the start of the new membership year, there will be a moment of reflection and silence, to mark the passing of HM the Queen at the start of each meeting.
You can hear the full interview with Bryce by listening back on iPlayer (go to 21:52 mins into the programme https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001byfb). And you can read the report that Staffs YFC wrote about the occasion back in 2006 by clicking on this link https://staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk/day-queen-met…/
Waterhouses YFC had three teams who headed to the 2022 national finals of the Tug of War and their male team celebrated pulling to victory for a third consecutive year in August.
Following success in wet and windy conditions at the Staffordshire County Showground in 2021, the teams represented Staffordshire and went head to head against teams across the country, with County Durham and Yorkshire in the final stages.
For the men’s team, which was made up of members from Waterhouses YFC, it was the third time they have won the trophy in recent years. The club also had a ladies’ team and a junior team in the national Tug of War finals.
Team captain George Goodwin said the men’s team had been training two to three times a week ahead of the competition and had felt confident about winning again. “You have to go there hoping to win, thinking you have done enough and you can take everyone on,” said George who was even more delighted to have won in his final year of competing with YFC. “It was good to get back to a full crowd at the Tenbury Show, which makes for more of a spectacle around the final. We went out in high hopes and we didn’t come back disappointed.”
The competition, which involved 28 teams, is one of the most popular in the YFC competitions programme, which George believes is down to the camaraderie the competition creates.
“It brings you together as a team, as a club and you train together. Whatever you put in at training, you get out in results. In this case, we got a trophy, which is always better,” explained George.
The junior team from Waterhouses were delighted to come away with third place, with many of the members on the team taking part in this type of competition for the first time.
Waterhouses YFC meet on Monday evenings at Onecote Village Hall, 8pm. For more information about joining their club, head to their facebook page by clicking here.
On Saturday 10th September Staffordshire YFC will be holding their first competition of the new membership year, hosted by kind permission of JA Bloor Agricultural Services Ltd at the Uttoxeter District Agricultural Society Ploughing Match Day. This year the competition is also being supported by Wharfe Rural Planning.
Fence Erecting is one of the many rural skilled competitions organised by Staffordshire YFC and gives members who work in teams of 3 the opportunity to utilise their skills to manually erect a stock proof fence using only hand tools to a specified standard, working as a team with clear communication and taking into account Health and Safety at all times.
Ben Wharfe of Wharfe Rural Planning said “Wharfe Rural Planning are delighted to be able to support the Staffordshire YFC Fencing Competition at this year’s Uttoxeter District Agricultural Society Ploughing Match. We are thoroughly looking forward to meeting the SYFC competitors and watching their skills in what will no doubt, be a highly spirited and exceedingly competitive competition. Our aim at Wharfe Rural Planning is to support the future of the agricultural community by making the planning process simpler, more accessible and less stressful.”
After the competition, the two highest placed teams will go forward to the West Midlands Area round of this competition, which is part of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs competitions programme, in June 2023.
For information about this competition click here, or any aspect of Staffordshire YFC, including becoming a member, contact Julia Taylor, County Organiser, on 01785 248645 or email countyoffice@staffsyoungfarmers.co.uk for further information.
On Sunday evening 24th July 2022 12 rafts set sail at timed intervals down the River Trent from Little Haywood to Wolseley Bridges. Each raft built and powered by 4 YFC members were timed individually with best times awarded to female and male teams.
Male Teams
Female Teams
Well done to all those that took part and those that helped to steward and put on this event, knowing that some of the rafts had been in dry dock since way back in 2018 (too much water in 2019) it was fantastic to see it’s return.
On Friday 15th July 2022 Staffordshire YFC was proudly represented by members from Ashley – George & Ruby, Uttoxeter – Mark Whitehurst, Waterhouses – Victoria Astle & Peter Cotton. With over 70 competitors from all over England and Wales that had also qualified from 100’s of YFC members competing at their County rounds our members did fantastically. Looking at a variety of dairy cattle breeds and in most classes looking at 2 different breeds, providing reasons to the master judge and also in the seniors completing a linear assessment – well done to them all. Special congratulations to Peter Cotton being placed 3rd in the Intermediates and Mark Whitehurst being placed 3rd in the Seniors.
Mark Sheets below;
Following their success at the Staffordshire YFC Tug of War Competitions held earlier in the year at the Annual Rally and County Show, Waterhouses YFC took all three of their Tug of War teams (Men’s, Ladies and Juniors) to the West Midlands Area rounds of the competition, held at Ledbury Rugby Club, Herefordshire on Sunday 26th June. Pulling against the highest placed teams from clubs in the neighbouring counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, the teams from Waterhouses YFC all came out victorious after a hard day of pulling.
The Juniors aged 12 – 17 years, many of whom were taking to the competition for the first time this year, didn’t lose an end against any of their fellow teams and then pulled their way to victory against Shropshire YFC in the final. In the Ladies category, the team only lost two ends in the whole competition and then they took on Herefordshire YFC in the final and came out with the first place. The Men’s team, who were the reigning National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC) Champions in 2021, also didn’t lose an end and they took first place after a tense final against Shropshire YFC as well.
Speaking on behalf of the Club, Chairman, Bertie Clowes said “We are so proud to be in Waterhouses YFC and especially for the new junior members who have never taken part in Tug of War before this year. To take first place in all three competitions in amazing and the time and dedication put in by the members has really paid off. The teams would not be where they are without the team coaches who give such a lot of time to help train the teams too, so we extend a big thank you to them all too. We wish the teams the best of luck in the finals – we are sure they will make us proud no matter what the result.”
Teams also took part in the West Midlands Area round on Sunday from Cheadle YFC and Eccleshall YFC. Staffordshire YFC will now be represented by Waterhouses YFC in all three National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs finals for Tug of War. They will take on teams from across England and Wales on Saturday 6th August at Tenbury Show in Worcestershire.
To view photos from the day, please click here.
