On Friday 10th November, Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) held their County AGM in the Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford. George Goodwin, County Chairman, gave his Chairman’s report on last year of activities. George, a member of Ridware Young Farmers said “One of my aims at the start of the year was to do as much as possible at every level of YFC, easier said than done with 10 active clubs, area meetings and competition’s, then National meetings, events and competitions. Hopefully, you’ll agree I have served you well, at times it has been the best feeling in the world, sometimes been hard work but you have to take the rough with the smooth!” George went on to report on a very successful year, highlighting key moments in the busy YFC calendar and finishing by thanking the membership for electing him to the position, which he has thoroughly enjoyed.
It was reported during the meeting that Staffordshire YFC has 665 members aged 10 – 26 years. The members have benefited from taking part in some amazing charity work and playing an active part in their local communities. From Eccleshall YFC who held their annual “Speed Shear” to Lichfield YFC who held a Charity Tractor Run raising funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust. These are just two examples of the many ways in which the eleven clubs in Staffordshire, all of whom are charities themselves, take time and plan events in order to raise funds for other charities across the Country. In total this year, the Clubs in Staffordshire have raised over £5,500 for worthwhile causes.
David Heminsley was elected as County President for his second year. David, a past member of Uttoxeter JNFU since 1988, is a very active volunteer in the Federation, and currently updates the County Website, leads in all things “Health and Safety” and regularly helps with the upkeep and maintenance at the County Office. He is a past Club Chairman of Uttoxeter, past County Chairman and more recently, was the Club President of Uttoxeter JNFU. David works for JCB as a trainer.
Chris Hall, a Dairy, Sheep and Beef farmer from Croxden was elected the Senior Deputy President, for his second year. Chris is a past member of Dove Valley YFC and Uttoxeter JNFU and has held the positions of Club Chairman and Club President for both clubs. He was also the County Chairman of the Federation in 1988 and is currently a Governor at Abbotsholme School.
The presentations of awards were made by Mr Mike Heenan, Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society President, to the following Clubs and Individuals:
Most Outstanding Chairman: Winner: Gemma Brookes, Uttoxeter JNFU; Runners-up: Will Freeman, Chase YFC
Most Outstanding Secretary: Joint Winners: Beckie Phillips, Chase YFC & Rob Mollatt, Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner-up: Millie Fallows, Waterhouses YFC
Most Outstanding Treasurer: Winner: Sam Fowell, Eccleshall YFC; Runner-up: Jack Salt, Ashley YFC
Most Outstanding Club Leader: Joint Winners: Polly Baines, Lichfield YFC & Louise Crooks, Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner-up: Howard Kennerley, Ashley YFC
Club Efficiency Shield: Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner-up: Eccleshall YFC
Most Outstanding County Officer: Joint Winners: Jake Manning, Joint Competitions Chairman and a member of Lichfield YFC
David Palij Award: Awarded to the Club that has done the most for charity/community work during the last 12 months
Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU, Runner-up: Eccleshall YFC
Uttoxeter JNFU held a Murder Mystery, ‘Allo Allo’ themed evening raising £1300 for the Air Ambulance.
Manifold Marketing Award: Awarded to the Club who best promotes their Club and engagement in Club, County & Community Events.
Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU, Runner-up: Lichfield YFC
Scrapbook Award: Awarded to the Club who produces the most interesting and unique scrapbook based on the activities of their own Club over the past membership year.
Winner: Leek YFC, Runner Up: Stone YFC
Most Improved Club – Competitions Cup: Awarded to the Club that has achieved the highest improvement in points for competitions from the 2015/2016 year
Winner: Ridware YFC; Runner Up: Chase YFC
Small Clubs Trophy: Awarded to one of the five smallest Clubs in the County with regard to membership, that has achieved the most points throughout the year for competitions.
Winner: Chase YFC; Runner Up: Ashley YFC
Mr Ken Unwin MBE Memorial Cup: Awarded to the Club who most improves in Public Speaking, Stock Judging, Carcase Judging and Tug of War.
Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner Up: Leek YFC
Overall Competitions Cup: Presented to the club with the most points for the Competitions that have been held for the last 12 months:
Winner: Eccleshall YFC; Runner Up: Uttoxeter JNFU
W.H.D. Hobson Cup: Awarded to the Club with the highest increase in membership.
Winner: Leek YFC, Runner Up: Abbotsholme YFC
Newsletter Shield: For the best contribution to the Young Farmers’ Book of the Year
Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner Up – Lichfield YFC
Mr & Mrs W.A. Taylor Merit Award: Awarded to the most outstanding individual at Club or County level was presented Harriet Wilson of Eccleshall YFC. Harriet has worked extremely hard within her Club helping to organise their 60th Anniversary Dinner and also co-ordinating their Annual Speed Shear.
Junior Merit Award: This is presented to the most outstanding junior individual at Club or County level was presented to Meg Barnes, Leek YFC. Meg has continually supported her club by taking part in lots of Competition as well as organising the teams, including public speaking, YFC’s Got Talent and Junior Tug of War and encouraging other members to take part. Meg has produced a brilliant scrapbook for the year and sang her heart out at the recent Queens Award celebrations. At only 15 years of age last year, the federation hopes that Meg will undertake other YFC roles in the futures.
Trophy for the Most Embarrassing Moment: Winner: Harri Dunne, Lichfield YFC for his antics at a friend’s 21st birthday party.
YFC Travel Certificates are awarded to club members who had travelled through the YFC Travel Programme. Certificates were awarded to: Emily Cartmail (Eccleshall YFC) – USA, Montana, Christabel Wilson (Uttoxeter JNFU) – Argentina, Catherine Johnson (Eccleshall YFC) – Argentina, Emily Phillips (Uttoxeter JNFU) – South Africa.
Junior Stockjudging Cup: The winning club was Leek YFC and the runners-up were Lichfield YFC.
Intermediate Stockjudging Cup: The winners were Leek YFC and runner-up was Uttoxeter JNFU.
Senior Stockjudging Cup: The winner was Uttoxeter JNFU and the runner-up was Eccleshall YFC.
Overall Stockjudging Cup: The winner was Leek YFC and the runner-up was Uttoxeter JNFU.
Oxford Farming Conference: The Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society kindly sponsor two places for the Conference held in January 201, and following applications made by members, describing in no more than 500 words, why they should be chosen to attend. The two members awarded the places were: Matthew Lane of Lichfield YFC and Will Gallimore of Uttoxeter JNFU.
