STAFFORDSHIRE YOUNG FARMERS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2011
On Friday 4th November, Staffordshire Young Farmers held their County AGM in the Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford. During the evening many members collected silverware and certificates for their outstanding achievements during the past year. Paul Worrall, County Chairman, gave his report on the activities within the Federation during 2010/2011. He said that he first joined Eccleshall Young Farmers in 2004 and that being County Chairman was the best thing he had done. Paul is a prime example of what being a member of Young Farmers can help young people to achieve. He reported on a very successful and busy year for the Federation, where he had been to 113 YFC events and enjoyed every minute of it.
Mr David Bull was elected to continue his second year as County President, David is 45 years old and he sells farm machinery. He has been connected with Young Farmers for 15 years and has held various Officer roles. He has also been President of Eccleshall YFC for two years. Margaret Bennett was elected as County Deputy President. Margaret has been connected with Young Farmers for 30 years and has held many roles including County Organiser and Catering Supervisor. She is also a Trustee of the Federation.
The Guest Speaker for the evening was Lionel Hill MBE, Lionel gave an interesting insight into his childhood and how he built up his successful business, he described how Young Farmers was an integral part of this. He explained how honoured he was to be voted as National President and how much enjoyed visiting other Counties and getting to know other members, he finished by saying “YFC keeps him young and he doesn’t want to mix with Oldies!”
The presentation of awards were made by Lionel Hill MBE to the following Clubs and Individuals: -
Most Outstanding Chairman: Winner: Will Gallimore, Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner Up – Charlotte Bower, Eccleshall YFC
Most Outstanding Secretary: Winner: Gez Lowndes, Eccleshall YFC. Runner UP – Louise Sherratt, Leek YFC
Most Outstanding Treasurer: Winner: Katie James, Leek YFC. Runner Up – Vicky Nicholls, Cheadle YFC
Most Outstanding Club Leader: Joint winners: Sarah Burgess & John Slater – Ashley YFC
Runner-up – Katie Winfield – Uttoxeter JNFU
Club Efficiency Shield: 1st Uttoxeter JNFU; Joint Runners Up, Eccleshall & Leek YFC
Most Outstanding County Officer: Anthony Williams & Steve Hill, the County Development Chairman for all their hard work throughout the year.
Young Farmers’ Ambassadors Trophy - This is an Award donated by Staffordshire YFA Committee to the Individual/Club who best promoted the International Exchangees Programme in 2011, – Awarded to: Jeff Goodwin of Uttoxeter JNFU
David Palij Award: Awarded to the Club which has done the most for charity/community work during the last 12 months – 1st Leek YFC, Runner Up Ashley YFC
Manifold Marketing Award: Awarded to the Club who sells the most tickets for County social events on a percentage basis of their membership. 1st Stone YFC, Runner Up Leek YFC.
Scrapbook Award: Awarded to the Club who produces the most interesting and unique scrapbook based on the activities of their own Club over the past membership year. 1st Stone YFC; Runner Up Leek YFC.
Most Improved Club - Competitions Cup: Awarded to the Club that has achieved the highest improvement in points for competitions from the 2009/2010 year. Winner: Eccleshall YFC; Runner Up Lichfield YFC.
Small Clubs Trophy: Awarded to one of the 3 smallest Clubs in the County with regard to membership, who has achieved the most points throughout the year for competitions. Winner: Ridware YFC; Runner Up Chase YFC.
Overall Competitions Cup: Presented to the club with the most points for the Competitions that have been held for the last 12 months – Winner Eccleshall YFC; Runner Up - Waterhouses YFC.
W.H.D. Hobson Cup: Awarded to the Club with the highest increase in membership. Winners: Lichfield YFC with 33% increase.
Newsletter Shield: For the best contribution to the Young Farmers’ Book of the Year - presented to Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner Up – Ashley YFC.
Mr & Mrs. W.A. Taylor Merit Award: Awarded to the most outstanding individual at Club or County level - presented to Katie Winfield, Uttoxeter JNFU.
Junior Merit Award: This is presented to the most outstanding junior individual at Club or County level – this year it was decided to award this to a group of junior members - Lichfield YFC.
Trophy For the Most Embarrassing Moment: – Winner, Louise Sherratt – Leek YFC.
International Certificates were awarded to those members travelling through the YFC International Programme who were Will Gallimore (Uttoxeter JNFU) – European Rally in Scotland, Jeff Goodwin (Uttoxeter JNFU) – Trip to Germany, Sam Craddock (Chase YFC) – Trip to Norway, Emma Johnson (Eccleshall YFC) – Trip to Ireland.
Junior Stockjudging Cup: - Winning Team was Waterhouses YFC and the Runners Up were Leek YFC.
Intermediate Stockjudging Cup – The winners were Eccleshall YFC and the Runners Up were Leek YFC.
Senior Stockjudging Cup – The winners were Eccleshall YFC and the Runners Up were Leek YFC
Overall Stockjudging Cup – The winners were Eccleshall YFC and the Runners Up were Leek YFC
Oxford Farming Conference – The Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society had kindly agreed to sponsor Harriet Wilson (Eccleshall YFC) & Matt Thompson (Lichfield YFC), who will be attending in January.
Awards and Certificates for National Competitions –Samantha Wilson of Eccleshall YFC had come 1st at junior floral art, with Stone coming 3rd in the Cookery, both competitions took place at The Malvern Autumn Show, Stone YFC also came Waterhouses YFC had come 2nd in the Male Tug-of-War competition final, the Waterhouses ladies coming 3rd at the Royal Berkshire Show. Will Gallimore of Uttoxeter JNFU came 3rd in the YFA PowerPoint Presentation Competition. Numerous other NFYFC Certificates were presented on the evening representing the achievements and enthusiasm of our members for national competitions.
In addition to these awards, the Federation have been donated a cup from the Staffordshire NFU, in memory of Mr Ken Unwin MBE, who was a much loved Honorary Vice President to Staffordshire YFC. It was decided to award the cup to the Club who most improves in the competition areas which were Ken’s passions. Namely, Male and Female Tug Of War, Stockjudging, Carcase Judging and Public Speaking. Mrs Lily Unwin and Mr Kenneth Unwin presented the cup to Leek YFC. Staffordshire YFC are also currently working on a permanent award to pay tribute to Ken, at the County Office based on the County Showground. This will be revealed at the Pre Show Reception next June, prior to the County Show.
As can be seen from the above young people between the ages of 10 – 26, who want to enjoy fun and excitement, competitions, discos, sports, travel, meeting new friends and learning new and different skills, are invited to contact the County Office for details of their nearest Club. For information on becoming a member or details of your local Club, please contact Julia Taylor, County Organiser, on telephone: 01785 248645 or email countyoffice@staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk for further information. Our website at www.staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk has updated information about Staffordshire YFC and the local clubs, including recent event photos.
