Cumbria Young Farmers and their guests turned out in force for the 30th Annual Meeting of Cumbria YFC Southern District at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal.
President, Mr Malcolm Robinson, welcomed everyone and said it had been a privilege and an honour to have been asked to be President and he had really enjoyed his year..
Highlights had been the charity bed push around the District, the Field Day and the many social events.
Lauren Galbraith , Chairman, gave her Annual Report outlining a busy competition year with many Clubs competing at both Northern Area and National Finals. She thanked all those individuals and Clubs who took part in the District Challenge pushing a “bed” 100 miles from club to club and in conjunction with the Northern Clubs raising a magnificent £28000 for the Air Ambulance.
The Field Day, hosted by Sedbergh YFC, was “a great day…with a brilliant atmosphere and standards getting higher an higher.”
Finally Lauren reported on an increase in membership for the 9th year in succession- proof that Cumbria Young Farmers is still going strong after 75 years. As Mrs Olive Clarke OBE, one of Cumbria YFC’s first members, remarked to the meeting “ Young Farmers don’t change, they just get older. “
YFC members then proposed and seconded their officers for the ensuing year as follows:
District President MrJohn Dickinson, Cartmel, who works for the Environment Agency. Chairman , Tom Redmayne, Crook. Tom works on the family farm and attendsAgriculturalCollege
Vice-Chairman is Kelly Ousby,EdenValley, a teaching assistant and Vice President is Mr Stephen Procter of Grayrigg. Stephen Rowlinson agreed to be Treasurer for another year.
The trophies presented on the night were: – The Winter Competitions Trophy, Kent Estuary, the Barter Shield for Public Speaking ,Grayrigg and Crook; the Harper Trophy for crafts Grayrigg.; the Andrew Wilson Trophy for the member contributing most to the Club’s Development was awarded to Tom Metcalfe, Cartmel YFC. The Allan Wilson trophy for the most improved club was also given to Cartmel and the NFU Cup for Young Farmer of the Year was presented toKerry Procterof Grayrigg YFC. Kerry’s father, Stephen Procter was presented with the ROC award for “outstanding contribution by an out of age member” in recognition of his great help and support of District Events.
Finally Mrs Dorrie Galbraith presented the District with a President’s badge which she had commissioned from a local silver smith. She said” I wanted to give something to Young Farmers in return for the pleasure I have had from my association with the movement over the years”.