YFCs celebrate 70 years

Here we take a glimpse back as members past and present prepare to raise a glass to the future of Shropshire YFC.

At the inaugural Shropshire YFC county rally, members heard: "The present worsening of the food situation had deepened the townsman's realisation of his dependence on the farmer, but the time would come when there would be food surpluses."

The words of wisdom were delivered in 1945, by Mr R S Hudson, MP and former agricultural minister. However, he continued: "the townsman's appreciation might grow dim, so it is supremely important to try and keep him interested in the farmer."

Such was the launch of the Federation as World War II came to a close. Already there were 24 clubs and 1,500 members, an increase of three clubs on the previous year, when the Federation held its first executive meeting.

A founder member of Nesscliffe Young Farmers was Frances Savage, then Griffiths She paid half a crown subscription to join; that's 12.5 pence in today's money. Frances became county chairman in 1955. She recalls that similar to today, one of her duties was to visit clubs around the county: "I had my driving licence but I had to borrow my dad's car, which was pretty much the norm for many," she says.

In those early years the majority of activities and competitions were directly related to farming skills, from poultry trussing and stock judging to reversing a tractor and trailer. It was equally appreciated that a good spokesman was a key asset within the farming community and so public speaking competitions were also part of the club and county calendar.

The county's 70th anniversary speaker is Steve Davies who joined Dorrington YFC in 1972, the year after decimalisation. His junior membership cost 50p, which some still related to as a 10 shilling note. By the end of the 70s Steve was driving a TR7, and he recounts: "It wasn't very reliable, I remember one night I had to go to a county meeting and ended up taking the stock lorry."

For Steve, the endearing spirit of Young Farmers' is captured in his need of four cows and 20 ewes for a stock-judging event on a specific day. "It was just a case of asking, and the reply would be: 'What time do you want them,' such is the infectious enthusiasm of the Federation, past and present."

Today there are 18 clubs with membership teetering on 900, the ranks having swelled to more than 2,000 in the 1970s but took a hammering, not only as mechanisation reduced labour on farms, but also as universities beckoned more youngsters.

Current county president, Richard Savage of Rea Valley YFC, portrays a very busy and vibrant county: "The quality of today's Young Farmers is inspiring and amazes me.

"Competition-wise Shropshire is up there at national level with our speaking, and for the last two years in the drama and entertainment, thanks to Nesscliffe and Whittington and Oswestry respectively. There is always somebody ready to step up to the mark, with well organised events and impressive funds raised for charity, both at club and county level."

Seventy years on and Frances Savage, now in her 80s, relates: "I still think of myself as a Young Farmer and most important of all are the friendships that last all those years."

Steve Davies endorses her sentiments urging current members to make the most of the fantastic opportunities for life skills and travel too.