PARKING

Tesco car park and the home bargains car parks in Whitchurch both now have ANPR cameras and will fine if you exceed the time so try and avoid parking in them if you are there for the whole evening. Tesco has not had these cameras in previous years. Sainsbury’s also have a gate which locks after a certain time so please take note of that. There are numerous small car parks available around the civic centre and the high street that would be best for parking for the entertainments as only a short walk to the civic centre.

TICKETS

Get your tickets online before 4pm today to take advantage of cheaper prices for tonight’s performances! Online tickets will close at 4pm today, Thursday and Friday and at 1pm on Saturday. Please note Saturday tickets are selling fast so buy in advance to ensure you don’t miss out! https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/SFYFC

LATEST INFORMATION AND FOOTAGE

For all of the footage from this week keep up to date on our Twitter and Facebook pages and follow us on Snapchat at sfyfc. There will be write-ups after the event published on our website with all of the results.

 ITINERARY

The itinerary of clubs performing each night is attached

Sponsors

A huge thank you to our main sponsors for the entertainments competition Alltech E-CO2 and Caleb Roberts Insurance Services Ltd.

http://www.alltech-e-co2.com/

http://www.caleb-roberts.co.uk/

Are you ready for our second Chairmans Challenge????

This year join fellow SFYFC members in giving up something you love for Lent.

You can either be sponsored or donate the amount you have saved to charity. All money will be handed to the YFC office at the end of Lent ready for donation at our County AGM next October.

Harper Adams University has signed up to become the primary sponsor of the Shropshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs Rally on July 7.

The two organisations are keen to work more closely from 2018 onwards, towards achieving their common goal of reaching out to a wider demographic of young people.

Simon Pride, Director of Marketing and Communications at the University, said it made total sense for Harper Adams to work with SFYFC.

“Many local young farmers are our future, current and past students. We’re all moving in the same circles and seeking to broaden people’s knowledge of the food and farming sector and to open up new opportunities to young people.

“So we were delighted to agree to sponsor the Rally and to discuss ways in which we can work together at various events, starting in 2018.  In particular, we are hosting a big family festival on the campus, Field to Fork, on April 28th and we would love to get the young farmers involved.

“But we also want to promote the local YFC clubs as an opportunity for students who come from other parts of the university to study at Harper Adams, as an extension to the home-from-home culture we try to encourage.

“Particular thanks go to current County Chairman, Clarrie Hocknell, who is one of our students currently on placement and who is working with the university to develop our mutually-beneficial relationship.”

Clarrie Hocknell said SFYFC is excited to be working more closely with Harper Adams. “It is fantastic to be able to work with the university to promote the benefits of joining a YFC. As one of the leading agricultural universities in the country, many NFYFC members from around the UK come to Harper Adams to study. For those who have moved away from home, and possibly their local YFC, joining a new club in Shropshire can help with the transition to university.

“As well as a great place to make new friends with interests in farming and the countryside, YFCs also offer great opportunities to travel, develop CPD skills through our extensive training programme and provide access to bursaries and scholarships.

“Our County Rally is always an amazing weekend that showcases the fun, learning and achievements that can be made by being part of SFYFC and Harper Adams is the perfect sponsor as they complement the YFC ethos so well.”

hropshire YFC’s  Junior Member of the Year, Senior Member of the Year and Situations Vacant were held on Sunday 28^th January at FBC Manby Bowdler.

During the Situations Vacant competition many members were interviewed for a wide variety of jobs. Their CV’s, personal statements and interviews were judged by Peter Richards and Katie Jones who commended all of the contestants for their efforts.  The winner was Rachel Rose from Brown Clee followed by Kate Woodcock (Rusbury and Cardington), Millie Preece from Much Wenlcock (3^rd), Phillippa Andrew from Wem (4^th) and Chloe Pooleman from Newport (5^th).

Well done to all of the young members who took part in The Junior Member of the Year Competition.  Emily Abbot from Much Wenlock came first place, Kate Ireland from Dorrington YFC came second and Sian Williams from Brown Clee came third. Thank you to Craig Pugh and Judy Dixon for judging.

The Senior Member of the Year was judged by NFYFC Vice Chairman Katie Hall and Richard Savage.  First place was awarded to Lucy Bright from Clun, Millie Preece from Much Wenlock took second, third was Laura Wilde (Dorringtion YFC), fourth was Jess Powell (Newport YFC) and joint  fifth place was awarded to Clarrie Hocknell (Whitchurch YFC) and Alex Heath (Newport YFC).

The results were broadcast for the first time on Facebook live this year which worked really well and gained many views.

Thank you to all of the judges, contestants, stewards and FBC Manby Bowdler for kindly hosting us for the day.

Last week SFYFC members met at the Livestock Market and our very own National Senior Flower Arranging Winner, Jenny Dale showed us how to make a basic front facing table arrangement. Jenny had lots of hints and tips for the upcoming competitions learning the best way to arrange each type of flower and foliage and then all members got to take their arrangements home afterward.

Shropshire YFC held their annual bowling competition on Saturday 20^th January at AMF Bowling in Shrewsbury.

An amazing 31 teams were entered from across the county.  A smashing time was had by all.  Congratulations to Alberbury YFC who won the competition, followed by Rushbury and Cardington (2^nd), Whitchurch (3^rd), Brown Clee (4^th) and Nesscliffe (5^th).

Katie Jones from Shawbury YFC  and  Ian Griffiths from Alberbury YFC both had fantastic games scoring the highest points in the competition.  Katie scored 124 and Dave an incredible 161.

After the bowling competition everyone swapped their bowling shoes for dancing shoes and made their way to The Buttermarket night club. This was the second year running that the cellars had been exclusively booked for Shropshire Young Farmers and everyone had a great time.

Thank you to the Competitions Committee and Social Committee who did a fantastic job of organising both events.

Last Tuesday evening, 3 of our very talented Shropshire members hosted a Baking workshop for all Shropshire members. The night was fantastic, loads of people turned up armed with cakes and yummy goodies to decorate, and some fabulous items were produced! Look out at the Rally and Shropshire Show because now the bar has been set, the standard will be raised!! A big thank you to Kate Bennett, Jayne Bennett and Amy Hughes for running the evening and providing all of the accessories and help.

Flower Arranging training is our next session held tomorrow evening (16th Jan) here at the Livestock Market, 7.30pm.

“On December 2^nd I traveled to the National Young Farmers Office in Warwickshire to interview for the NFYFC travel opportunity.  The application form was simple and easy to complete.  The interview itself is over the course of a day and I was so nervous but for no reason.  It was a day filled with fun, games, socialising and presentations on what’s available to us.  The actual interview only lasted for around 15 to 30 minutes and it was a very relaxed chat with three other people that have previously travel with or alongside YFC, and to be honest I was just myself and honest about how much or how little I knew.  I am so pleased to have been selected to travel to Germany in the summer and would recommend everyone to give it ago”. Ella Conde, Rea Valley YFC.

“I enjoyed the Rural Youth Europe rally so much I decided to apply for the Autumn Seminar. I’m really excited about it,” said Will Allen from Shropshire YFC who will join Amy Nicholls from Staffordshire YFC on the seminar in Finland next November.

Over the festive period many of our YFC clubs wore their Christmas jumpers and ventured out into their local communities to spread Christmas cheer by Carol singing. This tradition is fun for all members, brings young farmers and their communities together whilst raising money for charities. Some of our clubs raised huge amounts of money this year. Rushbury and Cardington sung loudly for all to hear over three nights  which  raised a wonderful £1640 for Air Ambulance and Hope House Children’s Hospice . Alberbury YFC had a joyous week of carol singing which raised £1240 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Breast Cancer.

We would like to thank the many families and local businesses who welcomed our members with open arms. Without them and their generous donations the amounts raised would not have been possible.

Well done to all of the clubs for taking part and raising money for their chosen charities.