CUMBRIA’S YFC AMBASSADOR

Lisa Mason from Kent Estuary YFC was awarded the Cumbria YFC Ambassador of the Year Trophy for 2011.  Lisa, a physiotherapist, has been a member of Young Farmers for 13 years and in that time has competed at County, Northern Area and National Level and has taken on the roles of Club Secretary and Field Day Secretary as well as organising 300 Cumbrian Young Farmers’ trip to the Annual Convention in Torquay last year.   

Judges, Linda Park, Linda Pigney and John Mitchell read C.V.’s from and interviewed 11 Young Farmers and were impressed with high standard from all.  They finally placed Lisa 1^st, Craig Brough, Raughton Head 2^nd, Lauren Galbraith, Grayrigg 3^rd and Graham Denby, Longtown 4^th.

 Meanwhile in the ballroom of the George Hotel, Penrith, 5 teams of Junior Public Speakers were impressing the audience with their knowledge of Snakes, Clowns, Cumberland Dialect, The Farming Year, and Vet Students.  Judges Alison Burbury and Stephen Rowlinson said that “listening to you talking about your subjects so passionately was a joy.”  Caldbeck YFC’s team of Laura Potts, Ben Wilde and Emma Armstrong were placed 1^st with Longtown’s, Emma Blaylock, Emma Swindlehurst and Rachel Edminson 2^nd and Emily Knowles, Kayleigh Barnes and Lucy Kelly of Grayrigg 3^rd.

The top 3 teams form both competitions will now take part in the Northern Area Final at Whitby on 19^th March.

The County Finals of Cumbria Young Farmers’ Clubs Just a Minute and Junior Reading competitions took place at the George Hotel, Penrith.

Junior Reading judges Alex Gibson and Dave Foley praised all 6 teams for the high standard they set . Teams of 3 had to read aloud passages from Michael Morpurgo’s “Twist of Gold” and summarise the book for the audience.

Caldbeck’s team, Beth Robson, Samantha Bell and Joanne Ridley won the competition with Mark-Lucas Winspear, Eleanor Holme and Flora Blackburn of Skelton YFC 2^nd and Rachel Beaty, Lizzy Templeton and Lorna Pears of Raughton Head  placed 3^rd.

The Intermediate Just a Minute teams had to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition on such topics as brussel sprouts, student fees and carcase judging. This proved to be quite a task and there were many challenges from other team members. Judges Elma Hardy and Gordon Brown totted up the final scores and announced a tie for first place between  Lisa Bowe, Emma Salthouse, Phillip Potts and Josie Mitchinson of Raughton Head and Richard  and Sarah Carruthers , Tom Redmayne and Jan Booth of Crook. After a tense tie – breaker, Raughton Head won with Murdo Laurie, Nick Woodmass, Anna McGregor and Hannah Nicholson of Kirklinton placed 3^rd.

All 6 teams will now compete against Young Farmers from the 6 Northern Counties at Whitby on 19^th March.

Anyone wanting tickets for the YFC District Entertainment Finals, 15^th Feb. Skelton and Brampton at Nelson Thomlinson School; 16^th Feb. Whitehaven Civic Hall with Drigg, Longtown and Raughtton Head competing and 19^th Feb. Crook, Grayrigg and Kent Estuary at Windermere St. Anne’s School should contact the County Office on 01768 866550 or their Club. The County Final will be held at the Theatre by the  Lake, Keswick on 26^th and 27^th February.

Cumbria’s Young Farmers’ members, friends and supporters packed the function room of the Greenhill Hotel, Wigton for the 29^th Annual meeting.

President, John Mitchel began the proceedings by talking of his fantastic year in office and his own experiences of being a Young Farmer. “The Young Farmers movement has been my University of Life,” he said. “It has given me the confidence to address you here today as your President.” He went on to talk of the excellent Field Day and competitions he had attended throughout the year and concluded, “Have fun, enjoy, make new friends, be competitive and be proud to be a member of the Young Farmers movement – the best rural youth organisation”

Emma Chester, Chairperson, then went on to give the Annual Report. Many members from the District had gone on to win competitions at Northern Area and National in drama, speaking, crafts and stockjudging. She was pleased to announce another rise in membership with the District having 16 clubs and 781 members.

Alf Harrington of Armstrong Watson’s presented the accounts which showed a slight deficit. The finances remained healthy but concern was expressed at the loss of the Youth Opportunities Fund which in previous years has helped offset the huge cost of the Field Day.

Lisa Bowe gave a vote of thanks to Alf who stepped down after 14 years  as the District’s Treasurer. He was presented with a gift in appreciation of the time he had given up to support YFC. Lindsay Marrs, also of Armstrong Watson was subsequently voted in as his replacement.

The Young Farmers then voted in their officers for 2011. The new President is David Hurst of Aspatria and the new Chairman, David Norman of Carlisle YFC. Vice President is Claire Johnson of Longtown YFC and Vice Chairman is Lesley Pigg of Wigton YFC.

 Mr Mitchell then presented the trophies. Those announced on the night were:- Becklees Trophy for Winter Competitions, Carlisle; Willie Whiteford Trophy for best club, Longtown YFC; Alan Bowe Trophy for Young Farmer of the Year, Ian Clemenson, Aspatria YFC.