Hundreds of Cumbrian Young Farmers gathered at High Oaks Farm, Calthwaite for the Northern District Annual Field Day.

 They participated in a hectic day of competitions which included Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling, aerobics, ATV, Landrover and tractor competitions and tug of war.  The theme for the day was “Musicals” and on display were a wide range of items made by the Young Farmers’ such as a milking stool from  “Oklahoma”, “Lion King” Tshirts and “Jungle Book” flower arrangements.  A huge industrial section proved that young people can still bake ham and egg pies, ice ‘Wizard of Oz’ cakes and sew Disney themed cushion covers.  Both the boys and girls produced many professional flower arrangements and cooked a “Dinner for an After Show Party.”

 Chairman Dan Bargh thanked hosts Mr & Mrs Wilson, secretary Kirsty Irving and all the judges and stewards for their help.

 Trophies were presented as follows: – Stockjudging, Ladies Tug of War, Cookery, Lakeland Dialect and under 16 Stockjudging were all won by Caldbeck YFC.  Raughton Head won the Industrial Section and the Cross Country Cup with Longtown winning Karaoke and the Carrs Prize; Drigg received the farm crafts trophy for making a floating duck house, the winning Club Exhibit and under 16 Industrial Trophies.  Best Floral Art went to Kirklinton.  Egremont won the Sheep Shearing and Efficiency with Safety trophies and were the Club showing the most improvement.

 Brampton received the Andrew Fisher Trophy for Men’s Tug of War, Greysouthen, Best Small Club and Aspatria had the winning Stockjudging team, reasons only.  Skelton won the Dairy Stockjuding Trophy.

 Caldbeck were presented with the Field Day Cup gaining 7586 points with Raughton Head 2^nd on 7454 points, Longtown 3^rd on 7024 points and Drigg 4^th on 6988 points.

Rigmaden Farm near Mansergh was the venue for the Annual YFC Southern District Field Day.

 500 young people competed in 80 competitions on the day ranging from Stockjudging to fascinators to arm wrestling.

 The theme of the day was “Musicals” and the large industrial and pre-field day section included ‘Beauty and the Beast’ candlestick, a programme cover for a Disney Musical and photos on the theme of “Grease”.  Pennine YFC gained most points in the Industrial and Grayrigg YFC in the pre-field day sections.  Host Club, Sedbergh gained most points in the Junior Competitions and also won the girls and boys tug-of-war competitions.

 Field Day Chairman Graham Harper thanked his secretary Yvonne Capstick for all her hard work and commented, “It has been a tremendous day.  The standard of competition has been very high and everyone has enjoyed themselves.  Thanks must go to all the judges and stewards who gave up their time freely to help make the day a success and to the host family Mr & Mrs Bert Metcalfe”.

 The final scores were very close considering that each competition is marked out of 100 points.  Kent Estuary 8107; Sedbergh 8052; Grayrigg 7792 and Pennine 7549.

 Trophies were handed out as follows: Cock of the North (Most Field Day points) Kent Estuary, Pre-Field Day, Grayrigg; Greatest improvement, Sedbergh; Industrial Pennine; Stock & Carcase Judging, Kent Estuary; Co-operatives Kent Estuary; Girl’s Stockjudging, Pennine; Obstacle Race, Grayrigg; Cross Country, Grayrigg; Tug-of-War – Junior, Grayrigg, Girl’s & Men’s, Sedbergh; Display, Kent Estuary; Flower Arranging, Grayrigg; Cookery, Kent Estuary; Lakeland Dialect, Eden Valley; Junior Craft, Grayrigg; Club Treasurer, Crook; Machinery Handling, Sedbergh; Sheep Shearing, Broughton; Skills & Craft, Sedbergh; Stockjudging, Kent Estuary; Junior Stockjudging’ Furness; Junior Comps, Sedbergh; Dairy Stockjudging, Kent Estuary and National Cookery, Sedbergh.

The National Federation of Young Farmers, Clubs, with 662 Clubs and 25,000 members held their Annual General Meeting at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.  Over 500 young farmers from Cumbria travelled down for the weekend and to support Cumbrian’s taking part in competitions there.

 Last year’s County Chairman, Steven Dixon, was proud to receive from the new NFYFC President, Matt Baker, the NFU Trophy.  This is presented to the Champion County Federation in the country.  Cumbria’s Drigg YFC were also thrilled to receive a new trophy presented by outgoing President, Lionel Hill.  This was for the Club who had collect most money for charity – Drigg raised £23,000 for the Special Care Baby Unit, West Cumberland Hospital.  Drigg also came 7^th in the National Final of the Jazz Dancing Competition.

 Later in the day Craig Brough, Cumbria’s present Chairman, was place 2^nd in the National Final of the YFC Ambassador of the Year Competition and Raughton Head were placed 4^th in the Entertainments Final which was won by Builth Wells YFC.

 County Organiser Jan Davinson said, “This has been an amazing weekend for Cumbria and I am pleased that the hard work put in by members, advisory and parents has been recognised.  It is a huge honour to win the NFU Trophy.”