ESSEX Young Farmers had a fantastic start to the farming year which began in October last year, and is now in full swing as we have entered 2013, writes Harriet Baines.

We had a fantastic New Year’s Eve party with a very fitting theme of skiing, so everyone could wrap up warm to see in the New Year. We have two exciting events this year, firstly our annual Essex Young Farmers Show, which this year is on Sunday, May 19, at Boyton Hall in Roxwell. We are already preparing and thinking up ways of improving the show. Keep the date free and we will be giving more details on the show nearer the time.

Essex Young Farmers are also celebrating 70 years within the movement, and we are celebrating this in style. We are holding an Anniversary Ball on June 22, where there will be 1300 past and current members, subscribers, presidents, chairmen and many more.

This is really going to be an event to remember for Essex Young Farmers.We are collating a commemorative book of the past 70 years, so if anyone reading this is a past Essex Young Farmer and has photos, old magazines, press cuttings, then please contact the county office and we can arrange copying and returning them to you.

We have been busy as usual with competitions this year, so far taking part in badminton, bowling, rugby and rounders. Next on the agenda for February is public speaking. If you’re like me then talking in front of people isn’t top on my list of favourite things to do, but the skills you will learn makes taking part worth it. We thoroughly recommend everyone to have a go. It’s all about practice for something that we will all have to do at some point, whether for a wedding speech, a meeting or as guest speaker.

We have many subscribers to the club, and are always looking for new people to come and get involved. Our current subscribers are all re-joining now, so it’s the perfect time if anyone is interested in joining Young Farmers.

We held a lovely Christmas get-together at our headquarters, Whitbreads Barn, where our subscribers came along, had some mulled wine, mince pies, met up with friends and made some new ones. You also get a copy of the bi-monthly magazine, with up-to-date goings on. Please contact us and ask any questions you may have, and find out about becoming a subscriber.

We helped the Wilderness Foundation in December plant and guard 700 trees, ranging from Oak to Hazel not far from Whitbreads Barn. It was so fulfilling when we had finished to look and see all the work we had just done, even on a rather chilly morning. We are looking forward to our annual countryside- related competition this month which is hedge laying, where we will be taught how to lay a hedge properly, and each club given a section to lay ourselves.

This is always a well-attended and enjoyable event.

Now to the housekeeping. We have a new email address for our county office, office@essexyfc.co.uk, and the phone number is 01245 360442. You will find Mary and Jackie in our office, two lovely ladies who will help you with any enquiries from signing up, becoming a subscriber, to hiring out Whitbreads Barn for conferences, talks, etc. You can also visit us at www.essexyoungfarmers. com.

n Diary Dates: Sunday, February 10, public speaking contest and Sunday, February 17, hedge laying.