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
Staffordshire YFC will not be slowing down this weekend! On Saturday 4th May, it is the Federations Annual Rally at Blore Farm, Hales by kind permission of the Lea and Baines Family. A day packed with 38 competitions ranging from Floral Art to Pasta Pictures and Tug of War to Egg Catching! Members from across Staffordshire YFC will be competing for their club to take home the silverware for the various competitions including the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Cups as well as the Overall Rally Cup. The day commences at 10am with a Total Wipeout, including the infamous “Greasy Pole Challenge” taking place in the Main Ring from 11.30am. Rounding off the day will be the hard fought Mixed and Junior Tug of War Competitions which commence at 3pm. The day is supported by over 50 individual company sponsors with Johnsons of Cheadle and South Staffordshire College as the Main Sponsors.
The Staffordshire YFC members will be celebrating the Annual Rally at the Dance held at the farm in the evening which is for members aged 16+ of Staffordshire YFC to attend.
Spectators and guests are welcome to join Staffordshire YFC at the Rally Day, with a great display of YFC members showcasing skills, teamwork and their great sense of fun. Hot food and refreshments will also be served all day by the federations very own Catering Committee.
For full details about the Staffordshire YFC Rally and Dance, click here.
Not content with a super busy Saturday Day and Night, the host family, with Polly Baines, current Staffordshire YFC County Chairman at the helm, have organised a Charity Lunch entitled “Give Cancer the Boot” which will be attended by over 200 guests on the Sunday 5th May from midday. Polly Baines, County Chairman said “Canapes will be served on arrival followed by a two course lunch. The afternoon entertainment will involve YFC members and supporters taking part in a number of “races” which guests will be betting on, including a “Wild Waiters and Waitresses” race! A raffle will be held during the afternoon and all the money raised will be split equally between Cancer Research and Staffordshire YFC.”
For full details of Give Cancer the Boot, click here.
To get involved in Staffordshire YFC, as a supporter or member, telephone 01785 248645 or email countyoffice@staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk
On Sunday 28th April The Staffordshire YFC Young Stockjudge and Stockman of the Year Competition took place by kind permission of the Abbotsholme School Farm in Rocester with the dairy cows being judged nearby by kind permission of John and Tracey Chamberlain of Holly Hurst Farm, Marston Montgomery. Competitors were required to judge 4 rings of animals, Dairy cows, Breeding Ewes, Pigs and Beef Cattle, place them and give positive comparative reasons to the master judges. The overall winners on the day were as follows:
Overall Senior Member – 1st Harriet Wilson, Eccleshall YFC; 2nd Jake Manning, Lichfield YFC; 3rd Johnny Wilson, Uttoxeter JNFU.
Overall Intermediate Member – 1st Paul Brown, Eccleshall YFC; 2nd Sally Leese, Eccleshall YFC; 3rd Rob Mollatt, Uttoxeter JNFU.
Overall Junior Member – 1st Alicia Smith, Chase YFC; Joint 2nd Sarah Beswick, Leek YFC and Daniel Weaver, Stone YFC.
Once the team points had been combined, the clubs were positioned as follows:
Junior Overall Young Stockjudge Team of the Year – 1st Chase YFC, 2nd Uttoxeter JNFU, 3rd Leek YFC
Overall Stockman of the Year Team (Intermediates and Seniors combined and the Overall Team with all points combined) – 1st Uttoxeter JNFU, 2nd Eccleshall YFC, 3rd Chase YFC
Stockjudging is one of the many competitions organised by Staffordshire YFC and gives members the opportunity to utilise their skills with regards to judging and understanding of the make-up of an animal, market demands, and communication, observation and presentation skills which are transferrable in their future career or education path.
County Chairman, Polly Baines said “This year were really pleased to have our Stockjudging Competitions Day supported by Shires Vets, who came along and gave competitors an array of free gifts and encouraged the members who were taking part. The top three Overall Winners in each age category also received prize money which is kindly sponsored by The Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society. This has helped to make the day a great success for everyone who has taken part.”
A composite team made up of the highest placed competitors in each again category will go forward and represent Staffordshire YFC at the West Midland Area eliminator on Sunday 30th June, hosted by Herefordshire YFC.
To view a full set of photos from the day, please click here
This years competition was held by kind permission of Phil & Sarah Heath of Foker Farm, Leek. 10 teams took part which involved judging, placing and giving reason on a ring of 4 dairy cows, the results on the night were:
=1st – Lichfield YFC & Uttoxeter A JNFU, 3rd – Waterhouses YFC
For photos from the evening please click HERE
Saturday 23rd March saw 12 teams from the County travel to the Ridware area for the silage competition. Each team had to judge and score three clamps of silage on three different farms along with giving reasons back to the master judge. The results on the day were:
1st – Stone YFC (Dan Weaver, Ed Johnson & Luke Gallimore)
2nd – Leek YFC (Lizzy James, Isobel Proctor & Meg Barnes)
3rd – Eccleshall YFC (Dan Bowers, Paul Brown & Harry Bowers)
After the competition, competitors enjoyed a well deserved carvery at The Bull & Spectacles, a big thank you goes to ACT Wessex Animal Health who kindly sponsored the Competition.
Eight teams from around the County took part in the County Cookery Competition, the results were:
1st – Eccleshall YFC, 2nd – Chase B YFC & 3rd- Leek YFC.
Thank you also goes to:
Like Nanna Made for sponsoring the competition and providing aprons for the top 2 teams
Barbers Rural for providing shopping bags and lists for the competitors.
The top two teams will now represent Staffordshire YFC at the NFYFC Cookery finals
Click HERE for full photos from the evening
A full house of 21 teams took part in the Pool Competition at Tenpin Stafford, the results were:
Team – 1st – Eccleshall C YFC, Joint 2nd – Uttoxeter A JNFU & Waterhouses A YFC
Individual – 1st – Phil Wilson (Uttoxeter JNFU), 2nd – Harry Bowers (Eccleshall YFC) & 3rd – George Goodwin (Waterhouses YFC)
Madeley High School was the venue for this years Volleyball Competition, 11 teams took part with the results being:
1st – Eccleshall A YFC, 2nd – Waterhouses A YFC & 3rd – Lichfield YFC.
On Saturday 9th March, Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) held their successful Annual Dinner Dance at the Ingestre Suite on the County Showground for over 390 YFC members, guests and supporters of the organisation. The Black-Tie Dinner was themed as “Mad Hatters” with a very colourful Alice in Wonderland themed evening complete with an illuminated Cheshire Cat and a photo back drop painted by local talented member of Stone YFC, Phillippa Bourne.
The evening was also kindly supported by Barbers Rural Consultancy who are an independent firm of Chartered Surveyors, Rural Estate Agents and Auctioneers located in Market Drayton. Following a four-course meal, members and guests danced to Tecno, Tecno Disco, enjoyed a flutter on the Casino and socialised with members past and present in true YFC style. The raffle on the night was supported by Barclays Bank Match Funding for up to £1000 and prizes ranged from whisky and wine to vouchers for days out, all kindly donated by the federation’s Vice Presidents, who support Staffordshire YFC throughout the year.
The Annual 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 over 550 members aged 10 – 26 years of age.
To view and buy photos from the evening, please go to the website for Dave Nelson Photography, by clicking here
