Stone Life October/November 2013 | Page 17

STAFFORDSHIRE YOUNG FARMERS The social aspect of being a member of Staffordshire YFC is essential as it’s the best way for all the clubs to come together from across the county and party hard, make new friends and have fun. Most clubs hold one or two discos during the year, sometimes with a fancy dress theme or with a twist. As well as the social side of Staffordshire YFC, there is also the vast range of competitions held throughout the year which range from many sports such as five a side football, rounders, ‘ultimate’ frisbee, volleyball, hockey and then in keeping with the rural background of the organisation, carcase judging, silage judging, stock judging and fence erecting. These are just a few of the 40 competitions on offer throughout the year, which can lead to members competing at area and national level. Ridware YFC’s Male Tug of War team competed at the National Tug of War Finals in August and were very pleased to come away as the winners out of 11 other teams from across the country. On Friday 1st November the clubs will turn out in force to attend the County AGM, where silverware from various competitions will be awarded. The most prestigious awards of Most Outstanding Club Chairman, Club Secretary and Club Treasurer will also be announced along with the overall winner of the ‘Club Efficiency’ competition, which is judged throughout the year and has a vast judging criteria from all the various aspects of YFC. Being a member of a Staffordshire Young Farmers Club gives anyone between the ages of 10 and 26 the opportunity to enhance their life skills, make new friends and have lots of fun. There are many training opportunities available to members, the chance to travel abroad and to enhance learning and confidence skills. Young people can join from any background and the myth of ‘young farmers’ all living and working on farms is just that - a complete myth. Young Farmers have members from all walks of life and living in towns and the countryside. The ten Staffordshire clubs, who all meet respectively on a regular weekly basis, Stone YFC on a Tuesday night, 8.00pm at Moddershall Cricket Club, and Eccleshall on a Wednesday evening, 8.30pm at the Royal Oak are all run by young people for young people and have the greatest range of activities available compared to most equivalent youth groups. The organisation is unique in its structure, as it is the young members who are the decision makers and this is done in a very democratic manner with the involvement of all clubs. For more information on becoming a part of Staffordshire YFC and to find out which club is closest to you, please contact Julia Taylor, County Organiser on Tel. 01785 248645 or email [email protected]. The website has updated photos, information on what’s coming up and a profile on each of the ten clubs at www.staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk. October/November 2013 17