Royal Garden Party

Jul 1, 2025  •  General

Cumbria YFC Royal Garden Party

NFYFC Agri Steering Group Chair and Raughton Head YFC member Robbie Tuer and Cumbria YFC Chief Officer Joanne Mills were delighted to be invited to a Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh on Tuesday 1st July 2025. Also in attendance representing YFC was NFYFC’s Chair of the Board Natalie McGinn, NFYFC’s Chair of Council James Nixey, and Vice Chairs Jessica Rose and Alex McMenemy, Chair of Competitions Ellie Gassor, Luke Brignall from East Riding of Yorkshire and Aspiring Rural Leader winner Tom Harrison.  

Invited to attend for her work with young farmers not only within Cumbria but also throughout the Northern Area and nationally, Joanne commented “As Chief Officer of Cumbria YFC, it was a great honour to represent all the YFC staff who work tirelessly throughout the country to support and advise young farmers and their clubs. For YFC to be recognised and included in such a special day meant so much and it is a day I shall always remember.”

NFYFC Patron, His Majesty King Charles III, Her Majesty Queen Camilla and Her Royal Highness Princess Anne were present to meet with those gathered. After a sumptuous afternoon tea of cucumber and mint sandwiches, cakes and ice cream those gathered enjoyed tunes from two military bands and the afternoon came to a close with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem. 

Ex Cumbria YFC County Chair Robbie commented “As an avid royalist, it was a tremendous honour to be invited along with fellow representatives from YFC to the Scottish Summer Royal Garden Party.  We were blessed with glorious weather and it was a truly memorable day, made even more special by the presence of NFYFC Patron His Majesty The King”.

Cumbria YFC were the first young farmer club in the country to be awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) in 2023. The equivalent of an MBE for voluntary groups, the KAVS was awarded in recognition of the work that Cumbria YFC volunteers past and present have undertaken in enabling and empowering young people within rural communities to achieve their own personal best.