Essex young farmers have been busy to say the least, writes Harriet Baines.
After our successful show on May 19 we have now seen Essex young farmers put on a fantastic 70th ball. The week leading up to the day saw the marquees being erected, tracking being put down, then flowers being arranged, table decorations put together, from an empty field to an event to accommodate 1300 people.
We saw old young farmers, past county presidents, show chairmen, county chairmen, new members, parents and sponsors. We welcomed the event with a champagne reception and jazz band, followed by a three-course meal with short speeches from Charles Willett, our new county president, Charlie Webber, retiring county chairman, and Peter Fairs, a past county president of the federation. Big congratulations to Charlie Webber, Sarah Wreathall and their committee on putting on a really superb evening for everyone to enjoy.
Kate Smith and Hannah Parradine spent hours in the lead up to the ball preparing and organising a commemorative book, and what a brilliant end result we have all seen, if you did not purchase one on the evening I would strongly recommend you contact our county office as soon as you can to order one, as we do have a few left. The book will take you on a journey through the eras of young farmers.
To top off June for us as a county we also had our annual AGM, where we saw many clubs picking up awards for different accomplishments.
Congratulations to them all, but to name a few. Colchester young farmers for being the club to donate the most money to charity after their fantastic auction of promises in March. Maldon young farmers won the “most efficient” club of the year, which is a wonderful achievement as all clubs are grilled and marked on many aspects. Ongar young farmers for the highest percentage increase in club members in the year. Brentwood young farmers achieved the most points in competitions overall, and Southminster young farmers won the trophy for the most points in non-sporting competitions. These are but a few of the awards, along with many individual awards as well as clubs.
We thank Robert Smith for his work and support as our county president for the past few years and welcome Charlie Willett as our new president; we are all looking forward to the years ahead with his continued support to the federation.
Upcoming this month we have the Tendring Hundred Show on July 13, where Wix and Colchester young farmers will have the usual tent available for parents and subscribers to grab a bite to eat and have a catch-up with the club and fellow parents and subscribers to the federation.
We will also have our usual ring slot in the afternoon where we have performed many different activities over the years. Come and see us this year to see what wild and wonderful activity we will be doing.
With harvest just around the corner, non-farming members will keep some social gatherings going until September when Barleylands will kick-start the 2013-2014 county year.
If you have any questions or queries about young farmers, whether it is advertising in our bi-monthly magazine or becoming a member or a subscriber, then please feel free to contact Mary or Jackie on 01245 360442 or office@essexyfc.co.uk.
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