News & You September 2013
Royal County of Berkshire Show
2013
For another year running the sun was shining again for the Royal County of Berkshire show.
Berkshire FYFC had their stand in the harvest area and we were visited by over 400 people to
guess the number of balloons in the tractor. This year 144 balloons were blown up and squeezed
into the tractor cab and we had one lucky winner who won our miniature John Deere tractor.
We also had the country spotters quiz which again tested peoples knowledge of things they could
find whilst out and about. The one item no-body seemed to know was the whelks eggs.
We were also involved in the cattle parade where we carried the breed boards, which again is
another fantastic advert of Berkshire YFC as most of us were wearing the county white coats so
everyone knew who we were!
We also held our stock judging competitions on the Sunday morning. We judged a rings of
Butchers lambs, Dairy Cows and some Beef cattle. The reason giving was then done on our stand
and we had next year’s show president and chairman watching. A further report and list of results
will be in the next newsletter!
Many thanks to all members who helped at the show!!
Good News!!!
We are pleased to say we have a new County Field officer, Georgie Perry has accepted our
position and has now started in the YFC office. Some of you will already know Georgie but
for those of you who don’t she will be visiting clubs in the near future so please make
yourselves known to her!
During the next month we will also be relocating our YFC office as the Slater centre is now
closing but we will keep you informed as to where our new office will be in the next
newsletter.
Georgie can be contacted using the YFC office email address which is
[email protected]
Shefford YFC Club Report
September was the start back of a new year for Shefford YFC, and we had our traditional
games evening which consisted of games such as Twister, Jenga and many more! This was a
time to meet up with friends after the Club Camp which took place in August and was a chance
to settle back in and begin talking about upcoming events.
The following meeting was preparations for the Annual Late Summer Ball, which was held on
12th October
After that, Shefford Young Farmers went to the Royal County of Berkshire Show, where we
showcased our club with pictures from meetings throughout the year. This was a great
weekend with lots of great attractions, and we were lucky enough to have great weather! This
is always a highlight of the year, when we get to show members of the public what we are all
about and how fun Shefford YFC is.
Our first meeting of October is an astronomy evening with Rev. John Townend. This is sure to
be a very interesting meeting, with members of all abilities being able to enjoy this ‘night under
the stars’!
As I mentioned above, in October we have our Late Summer Ball, which is closely followed by
our AGM, in which members switch and take up differing roles within the club. We also have a
wood turning night on the 27th. Last time this meeting happened, Shefford made a rounders
bat, which we now use whenever we play, so this is a thoroughly enjoyed meeting by all!
If you are aged 10 – 26 and you are interested in joining us please do get in contact – we are
always looking for new members! Call our Chairperson, Carrie – Ann Young, on the Club
mobile: 07810461104 or via email: [email protected]
Rhianna Eeley, Press Secretary
Bradfield YFC Club Report
Weds 4th – This was a welcome back and BBQ evening to get everyone back together after the summer
break. We started off with everyone sitting in a circle and played an icebreaker game. Each member
had to some things about themselves, i.e. name, how long they have been in young farmers, what they
like doing etc. Then we had the BBQ and after, some members played another game and others talked
about what they did over the summer.
Weds 11th – We went leafleting for Newbury show in Thatcham. This was for all the clubs to attend.
We met at The Mill at the bottom of Harts Hill. We got into groups and each group went a different
way. It was nice to be mixed with members from the other clubs, it was a good mixture. Once we had
finished we all had fish and chips.
Weds 18th – This week Bradfield teamed up with Newbury YFC for some stock judging practice. As
some members were stock judging at Newbury show it was a good way to catch up on a few things.
Sat 21st & Sun 22nd – Newbury show had finally arrived!! Both afternoons Young Farmers helped breed
board carry in the main ring. Sun morning was stock judging and well done to the members who took
part!
In October we are looking forward to our Club AGM and quiz night!
Companies pockets not parents pockets...have you heard of Matched Funding
If you are a member or a parent that works for a large business and currently dedicate time to helping run YFC
activities or fundraising activities it is possible that you could be help the county further by gaining financial
contributions from your employer. This is not talking about sponsorship or donations but a process called
matched funding.
As Berkshire YFC is a registered charity it allows us to benefit from tax rules designed to help charities, matched
funding is a process that encourages employers to support their staff members that are involved in activities in
their communities.
The schemes differ, but most have a common theme in that they will match some amounts of funds raised or
provide a financial contribution based on the number of hours committed, up to a set maximum per period
(either a quarter or a year). The process is simple and just involves the completion of a form and some
verification from the federation. If you think you may be able to help the county in this way please look into it, it
can be a very effective way of raising much needed funds for the county.
If you have any questions about this please contact Gareth Davies on [email protected]
HELP NEEDED!!!
THIS weekend (Saturday 19th October) we have the NDAS Ploughing match at
Trumpletts Farm, Hampstead Norreys, Bothampstead.
We have been asked to help with the car parking so if you are available to help even
just for an hour or so please let Kate know on 07525 004 064
Newbury YFC Club Report
Newbury young Farmers September Newsletter
Walk and kite flying at Becon Hill
This was our first meeting back after the
holidays. We walked up Becon Hill this was a
task in itself would we make it to the top with
lots of effort the younger ones made it up to the
top first with the adults following at the rear.
We had a great time flying our kites; Glenn’s
kite was brilliant as it stayed up in the air all
evening. Some of us walked around at the top,
looking at the views and working out where
they were.
Then we walked down and off home for a well
deserved rest.
Stock judging evening with Andrew Findlay
After business, Bradfield joined with us to do
some stock judging practise getting ready for Berkshire county show this week
end.
We started by being put into groups and asked to
choose a sandwich from the sheet which we were
given and for one of us to explain our choice in
detail. Then Andrew explain all the animals which
we are judging and we did our reasons and were
shown how to fill the judging cards in. This meeting
was a really informative evening. Well done
Andrew!
Royal County of Berkshire show 2013
Well our stock judgers did us proud, well done to all of you that competed on
Sunday you all did really well. Also we would like to thank everyone who played a
part in the stock judging as if it was not for you we would not get to show case
the clubs within Berkshire. The stand was fun when we did our session and we
all enjoyed getting people to guess how many balloons were in the tractor I do
believe there were 144 well done to whoever blew them up.
BERKSHIRE RUGBY SHIRTS
We are putting in an order for Berkshire FYFC Rugby shirts ready for the Royal
County of Berkshire Show. These top will be similar to your club tops but will be sky
blue and navy quarters and the will have the Berkshire logo embroidered on them.
Sizes available:
Chest (to fit) S - 34/36", M - 37/39", L - 40/42", XL - 43/45", 2XL - 46/48"
Cost per shirt = £20.00
If you would like a rugby top please fill in the below form with a cheque made
payable to “stitches” and send to Kate Ashman, New Barn Farm, Bucklebury,
Reading, Berks, RG7 6EF
Closing date for orders is Friday 4th November
Rugby Top Order Form
Club............................................................................................
Name..........................................................................................
Address............................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
Phone Number.....................................................................
Signature........................................................Parent Signature (under18’s)....................................................
Size Shirt Required
Number of Shirts
Total Cost @ £20 a top
Sizes available:
Chest (to fit) S - 34/36", M - 37/39", L - 40/42", XL - 43/45", 2XL - 46/48"
Please make cheques payable to “stitches” and send form with payment to Kate Ashman, New Barn
Farm, Bucklebury,Reading, Berks by Friday 4th November!!!!
Berkshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs
Invites you to attend its
68th Annual General Meeting
to be held on
Sunday 17th November 2013 at 3pm
Bradfield Village Hall, Southend Bradfield
.
Meeting will be followed by light refreshments by
Bradfield Young Farmer’s club
Newbury YFC, Meetings
If you are interested in joining us and having
some fun, please contact Andrew Findlay on
07979455903
Reading YFC Meetings
Bradfield YFC, Meetings
If you are interested in joining us and having
some fun please contact Simon Fernandez on
07876493236
Shefford YFC, Meetings
If you are interested in joining us and having
some fun please contact Nigel Cripps on
07769904841
If you are interested in joining us and having
some fun please contact Carrie-Anne Young
on [email protected]
County Diary Dates
October
17th South East Area Meeting
19th NDAS Ploughing Match – Help Needed!!
27th Jessie Matthews and Quiz competitions
29th County Executive Meeting
November
1st and 2nd National Council Weekend
17th County AGM @ Bradfield Village Hall, 3pm
24th South East Area Meeting