The clocks have gone forward and the young farmers are making the most of the lighter nights with plenty coming up this month, (writes Tory Lugsden).

The biggest of these events is our Country Fair, taking place on Sunday, April 19 at Easton Farm Park. We are hoping for a nice, dry April and beautiful sunshine for our flagship fundraising event but are in the hands of the gods on this.Any sun dances would be much appreciated!

Tradestand bookings are in, there will be plenty of vintage machinery, the horse and dog show schedules are available for entries and the young farmers are ready to put on a show for all to see what we can do. Our biggest challenge this year is whether our Suffolk Young Farmers tug of war team can take on 677 Squadron Army Air Corps in a battle of strength – time will tell!

Rally Part 1 was our showcase event of March and did not disappoint – a chilly day but dry and the competitions were strongly contended. The highlight of the day seemed to be the “bubble football” tournament.

George from Hadleigh has never been so excited and literally bounced around the arena with glee. I had a go and I can honestly say I have never been so frightened, I never thought it would be so difficult to get up with a ball on my head! I retired and let the whipper snappers get on with it.

Huge thanks must go to Easton and Otley College for lending us their great facilities and to all of our judges for helping us to put on a great day. Hadleigh YFC took the senior win with Gipping Valley taking the junior points.

Halesworth had a fantastic 60th anniversary ball at High Lodge, Hinton, with support from members throughout the ages. It was a lovely evening and the highlight for me was the jokes and memories from Philip Bloomfield, one of the inaugural members, although I’m not sure I’ll be able to tell those jokes in public!

Mark Murphy from Radio Suffolk gave a fantastic talk for the senior members and regaled them with stories from the rough and smooth sides of radio presenting. A great evening full of laughs and thoroughly enjoyed by all present.

Last Sunday saw the clocks go forward and the young farmers forced out of bed early to tax their brains with the Ensors and Lacy, Scott & Knight Farming and Countryside competition. The questions were fierce but not as fierce as the weather which, fortunately, didn’t stop the intrepid members and judges from competing.

A great day was had by all competitors who take this competition extremely seriously. Hadleigh wheeled out the big boys, with Willy V-F, Charlie and Josh taking the trophy again. Lark Valley’s super farming team of Woody, Jack and Connie took the junior win and we look forward to seeing them presented with their trophies at the Suffolk Show.

So, on to April we go and to the Country Fair. Entry is just £5 for adults and £2.50 for children, and we hope to put on a great day to show what a great organisation Young Farmers is. We hope to see you there – I’ll be the one looking nervous and trying to work out what on earth our members are saying via the walkie talkies!