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.
Club Display Competition – 1st Waterhouses YFC, 2nd Stone YFC, 3rd Uttoxeter JNFU
Leslie T Chester Competition – 1st Phillippa Bourne (Stone YFC), 2nd Harriet Wilson (Eccleshall YFC), 3rd Andrew Gray (Lichfield YFC)
YFC’s Got Talent – 1st Uttoxeter JNFU, 2nd Waterhouses YFC, = 3rd Ashley YFC & Chase YFC
Male Tug of War Competition – 1st Waterhouses YFC, 2nd Stone YFC, 3rd Eccleshall YFC
Female Tug of War Competition – 1st Stone YFC, 2nd Eccleshall YFC, 3rd Uttoxeter JNFU
Show Float Competition – 1st Eccleshall YFC, 2nd Stone YFC, 3rd Ashley YFC
Best Name Board Competition – 1st Uttoxeter JNFU, 2nd Waterhouses YFC
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.
Overall Rally Cup – 1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Eccleshall; 3rd Waterhouses.
Most Improved Club Shield – 1st Stone; 2nd Chase; 3rd Eccleshall/Ridware.
Rose Bowl – 1st Waterhouses; 2nd Lichfield; 3rd Uttoxeter.
Junior Cup – 1st Lichfield; 2nd Eccleshall; 3rd Uttoxeter.
Intermediate Cup – 1st Stone/Uttoxeter; 2nd Chase; 3rd Waterhouses.
Senior Cup – 1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Eccleshall/Lichfield; 3rd Ashley/Stone/Waterhouses.
Associate Cup – 1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Stone; 3rd Eccleshall.
Eccleshall Shield – 1st Uttoxeter; 2nd Lichfield; 3rd Chase/Eccleshall.
Sports Cup – 1st Waterhouses; 2nd Abbotsholme; 3rd Ashley/Eccleshall/Uttoxeter.
Tractor Handling Cup – 1st Stone; 2nd Eccleshall; 3rd Lichfield.
T.W.W. Jones Trophy – 1st Eccleshall; 2nd Uttoxeter; 3rd Waterhouses.
Tug-Of-War Tray – 1st Stone; 2nd Waterhouses; 3rd Uttoxeter.
Sheep Shearing Trophy – 1st Eccleshall; 2nd Stone; 3rd Waterhouses.
SENIOR OVERALL STOCKMAN OF THE YEAR 26 & Under
1st Jake Manning (Lichfield), 2nd Peter James (Leek), 3rd John Wilson (Uttoxeter)
INTERMEDIATE OVERALL STOCKMAN OF THE YEAR 21 & Under
1st Hannah Britland (Uttoxeter), 2nd Rob Mollatt (Uttoxeter), 3rd Sally Leese (Eccleshall)
JUNIOR OVERALL STOCKMAN OF THE YEAR 16 & Under
1st Dan Weaver (Stone), 2nd Meg Barnes (Leek), 3rd Rob Gray (Lichfield)
Junior Overall Young Stockjudge Team (16 & Under)
1st Lichfield YFC, 2nd Leek YFC, 3rd Eccleshall YFC
Overall Stockman of the Year Team (21 & Under / 26 & Under)
1st Eccleshall YFC, 2nd Leek YFC, 3rd Uttoxeter JNFU
Overall Team (16 & under, 21 & under, 26 & under)
1st Leek YFC, 2nd Lichfield YFC, 3rd Eccleshall YFC
If you’re interested in joining Ridware YFC, get in touch via the Facebook page
