ESSEX Young Farmers have been very busy this month, writes Harriet Baines.

As mentioned in the last edition Colchester Young Farmers held an Auction of Promises in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.

We are every pleased to announce they have raised in excess of £11,500 with donations still coming in, what an achievement for the club, county and such an amazing amount of money going to Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity close to the club’s heart.

The club is fundraising all year for this charity, so the cheque presentation in October will be for a substantial sum that we hope will be used to support other families dealing in the same situation one of our member’s family is.

Need I mention it again, but I will. On May 19 we are holding our annual show, all is pushing on and is literally weeks away. This show will not disappoint, solely put on by Essex young farmers members for you the public.

We have some amazing attractions: stampede stunt company, a horse and rider display, moto stunt international, the sheep show, tug of war, and much more.

With livestock areas and a horse area, there really is something for everyone, not to mention a wonderful craft hall and young farmers publicity tent.

Come and find us at Boyton Hall, Roxwell, A1060. Gates open at 9.30am, pre-order your tickets online at www.essexyoungfarmers.com.

Order your tickets before May 14 and you will receive a 20% discount, all details of prices are on the website, and even dogs are allowed as long as they are well behaved and kept on leads.

You will find everything you need to know about Essex Young Farmers on the website, or call the office where Mary or Jackie will be willing to help in any way they can.

We had a very successful prelims party and prelims day, where we all competed in competitions, where we saw Chelmsford overall come out top on the day, Halstead girls and Colchester won tug of war, so they will be hoping to carry that through on show day in the final.

Essex also saw their Northern Area Brainstrust team win the public speaking event, and they are now off to represent Essex at the national finals on July 6 in Staffordshire.

Along with many counties, a good group of Essex young farmers are off to Blackpool for the national AGM this weekend, where I have no doubt they will be having a fantastic time, seeing the area, going to the AGM, fancy dress night and maybe a trip into Madame Tussauds.

Ashdon and Saffron Walden club are holding a clay shoot in June in aid of Essex Air Ambulance, another fantastic cause.

I am sure they will raise a great amount for charity on the day.

That leaves me to say, see you at our show on May 19. It will be a lovely family day out and has something to suit anyone. We have around 14,000 visitors, so make sure you are one of them.

Diary Dates

3-6 May – National AGM

19 May – Essex Young Farmers Show

1 June – Ashdon & Saffron Walden Clay Shoot