With harvest well underway for most of Essex’s young arable farmers we’ve got our heads down working, writes Beth Speakman.

But although the Essex YFC calendar has quietened down a little, there is still plenty going on behind the scenes, including a few heavy nights out when the rain stops play.

Following on from yet another Tendring Show earlier this month, Wix hosted their annual “Free Booze” party – unlimited drinks for £25 a ticket.

Everyone had a great night and the party welcomed in the harvest season with a bang. With most attendees camping at the party, there were a lot of fuzzy heads the next morning. I don’t think there is any further explanation required on that one!

Our Essex clubs are currently preparing for their annual harvest suppers and AGMs in the lead up to changing committees at the end of August and celebrating the end of another harvest, following the appointment of this year’s county chair Hew Willett last month.

Essex Young Farmers will once again be assisting in running the bar at the Barleylands Country Show in Billericay. We are currently seeking bar helpers to volunteer to pull some pints behind the bar on September 12 and 13.

Please come along to the event and show your support for what is always a great day out and offers something for everyone, including rides, trade stands and demonstrations.

Congratulations go to Halstead Young Farmers’ dodgeball team who came fourth nationally earlier this month. Also, good luck wishes must go to both the men’s and the ladies’ tug-of-war teams that Essex is sending to compete at the National YFC finals today.

The events are highly competitive and have required considerable training to reach this stage so best wishes to them all.

Finally, a big thank you must go to the Essex Young Farmers, from various clubs, for all the support and guidance they have provided to our clubs this year, regardless of which ones you are aiding.

As a county, we certainly couldn’t function without you, so thank you again. Let’s hope the sun shines on East Anglia in August so that harvest can be wrapped up for another year!