Vicki Brooks of Essex Young Farmers takes a look at some social highlights of the festive break

A VERY Happy New Year to all of you. The festive period seems to go past more quickly each year!

Despite the festive break, the Young Farmers do not rest! Within the past month they have been busy with their fantastic pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. For those who had a chance to see the performance I’m sure will agree how well the Young Farmers did, especially as the majority have never acted in a performance like this before. The amount of time, effort and skill put in to each performance was evident. Well done to all those who took part in the performances. All monies raised will go to the Royal British Legion and the Young Farmers Building Fund.

Many of the clubs organise carol singing events in the run-up to Christmas. They arrange to go to local care homes to bring the festive spirit to the people there and also call into past members houses to sing solos and duets. The money raised goes to the chosen charities of the individual clubs. Wix Young Farmers did a fantastic job of collecting just over �1,000 at their carol singing event.

The New Year was brought in in style with the Young Farmers New Year’s Eve party. It was organised by Young Farmer member Hannah Parradine who did a fantastic job. More than 250 people attended this fundraising event for Essex Young Farmers with all money raised being donated to the Stroke Association UK. In next month’s article I will give a snapshot of the charities which have benefited from the substantial amount of money raised by the individual clubs and also as a whole by Essex Young Farmers.

An important date for your diary is our subscribers’ ‘Afternoon Tea’ event. Our subscribers consist of parents and previous members of Essex Young Farmers who would still like to support the activities of members. To date we have over 400 subscribers who are the backbone of the individual clubs supporting the events they hold such as balls, and other charity events. These events are also an ideal way to meet friends from the past who you may have lost contact with.

Our ‘Afternoon Tea’ event is being held on Sunday, February 5, at the home of Essex Young Farmers, Whitbreads Barn, Chatham Green, Chelmsford.

For more information contact Mary or Jackie in the Young Farmers Office 01245 360442 or e-mail essexyfc@btconnect.com.

Events coming up for Essex Young Farmers: January 22 – Farmhouse Breakfast, January 23– Beetle Drive at YFC Building, February 5 – Subscriber’s Tea Party at YFC Building.

For more information contact our office on 01245 360442 or essexyfc@btconnect.com