Looking forward to the sun after tough winter on the farm
Since I last wrote in February, the Young Farmers organisation has been non stop!
For many of our farming members, the snow has been a real struggle. Battling against the elements our members have worked every day ensuring livestock has food and water and trying to keep animals safe and well despite this exceptionally cold winter.
For many young people this can be a daunting task but our members are resilient and determined. They are ever optimistic and hopeful of a brighter summer.
At the beginning of April, two Shropshire teams competed at the West Midlands area round of the pantomime competition held at The Place, Oakengates. Both Shropshire teams were up against two teams from Hereford and one from Worcester. The standard was high, but Shropshire did really well with Whitchurch YFC taking second place and Whittington & Oswestry, third. A full write up with pictures can be found on our website: www.sfyfc.org.uk
On the same day, Lucy Bright from Clun Valley YFC took first place in the West Midlands area senior member of the year competition. A huge achievement, Lucy will now go on to the national finals held in Blackpool in May.
There was no rest for the wicked this weekend as Shropshire members headed off to Worcester to compete in the WMA Sports day. Alberbury and Dorrington took part in the jump rope, Dorrington in the ultimate frisbee, two Dorrington teams in the dodgeball and Whitchurch and Whittington & Oswestry competed in the hockey. It was a great day and Dorrington YFC came second in the dodgeball and second and third in the ultimate frisbee!
All 18 clubs in Shropshire have just spent a weekend carrying out voluntary work in the community such as litter picking, painting fences or helping out where they can. This is an annual weekend set a side for members to do their bit for the local area in between lambing and milking cows!
We are well on our way for this year's “12 Chairman’s Challenge” campaign, with our third challenge just completed yesterday, members and friends of young farmers hiked a 12 mile walk around the Shropshire hills with Rushbury & Cardington and Much Wenlock YFC organising the route.
Our final challenge in September is an extraordinary hike up the Inca Train in Peru. Members are raising money for Shropshire Riding for Disabled and the Lingen Davies Cancer fund.
Next month members will be helping out at the annual Shropshire Show on May 26, where Shropshire Young Farmers have our own marque full of crafts, competitions and active displays.
This year we are hosting an active cookery competition at the show as well as our popular floats with a ‘Magical and mystery theme’, so please do pop in if you are passing, we would love to show you around and welcome anyone into Young Farmers in Shropshire.
Clarrie Hocknell chairs Shropshire Young Farmers
