Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (SCFYFC) are celebrating their Platinum Anniversary after running as the leading rural youth organisation in Staffordshire for 70 years, by holding a glamorous Dinner Dance. The celebration event is being held on Saturday 5th March 2022, at the Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford. The evening will include a 3 course Roast Dinner, an Auction, Raffle, and music from The Sound Party Band who will be playing until 1am. Tickets are £36 per person and table bookings are filling up fast following its launch, which has a booking deadline of 7th February.
During the night there will be displays depicting a trip through the decades. The federation would like to ask any members past and present to look out for any memorabilia which they have including the famous Club Scrapbooks which normally contain plenty of photos and amusement from the year that the Club has had. Anyone who is willing to loan the Federation any literature display material or photos is asked to contact Julia Taylor at the County Office.
George Hawley, newly elected County President said “The dinner dance is my first big event of the year as County President and what a night it promises to be. We will be celebrating 70 years of Staffordshire Young Farmers with our many members, supporters, and friends old and new. After what we have all been through in the past couple of years it is a treat to have something to celebrate and to shout about. The clubs in our county are going from strength to strength bringing in new members and having fun along the way. This is not just an evening of celebration, but it will be a whole year.”
Currently, the Federation has nearly 600 members across 10 clubs in the County – Abbotsholme, Ashley, Chase, Cheadle, Eccleshall, Leek, Lichfield, Stone, Uttoxeter and Waterhouses. The members who are aged from 10 -28 years enjoy a varied programme of learning activities and competitions including Public Speaking, Tug of War, Cookery, Rural Skills and a wide variety of Sports for all ages. Members can also gain developmental skills via free training and awareness evenings including Mental Health Awareness, Farm Safety, Team Building and Healthy Eating at their club meetings and via the County and National programme. The County saw a drop in membership during 2020 – 21 as a result of the pandemic, which meant many clubs had no meeting place and a lack of connectivity, due to their rural locations. SCFYFC has adapted over the last two years during the pandemic, delivering activities and competitions including a Virtual “Show Floats Competition, the size of “shoe boxes” and two Virtual Annual Rallies with over 15 competitions in each. With the support of past members, Club Officers, Club Advisory, County Officers and the Staffordshire YFC Office, each club is successfully rebuilding and has remained resilient throughout.
County Chairman, Toby Hall said “After what has been a two-year period like no other, it’s amazing to say the next twelve months for Staffordshire YFC are looking very promising and I can’t wait to get started in living the dream! With membership consistently high throughout the clubs, it gives myself as County Chairman great optimism as we look ahead to our landmark days such as the Rally and County Show. I also hope to plan some more events to mark our Platinum year including a “YFC Does Take Me Out” and hopefully a few surprises for our members along the way – all I can is remember what S Club 7 said – ‘Reach for the Stars’!”
For any further information about joining Staffordshire YFC, attending the celebration Dinner Dance, or becoming involved in marking the 70th year, please contact Julia Taylor, County Organiser, on 01785 248645 or email organiser@staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk. To download a booking form for the Dinner Dance, click here
