TYRONE YFC clubs enjoyed a busy year of activities, despite Covid-19 lockdowns curtailing many of the usual events on the Young Farmers’ calendar.
With the country in lockdown at the start of 2021, Tyrone Young Farmers’ was pleased to see three local members from Seskinore and Derg Valley excelling in the YFC Climate Change competition. Members were tasked with demonstrating how invested and committed they are to addressing climate change.
Alister Crawford, Seskinore, took first in the Under 18 section, while Trent Brown, also of Seskinore, took first in the over 18 section. Derg Valley’s Jessica Pollock was highly commended.
Also in January, Tyrone YFC clubs supported the YFCU Key Worker appeal, which involved submitting photographs of members who are
key workers to headquarters.
Several occupations were presented, including farmers, firefighters, agri-food employees and health workers. During the uncertain times of early 2021, it was great to see YFC members continuing to work in their key roles for the good of society.
In March, with the annual Efficiency Awards dinner cancelled due to Covid-19, the top officials and Junior and Senior member of the year competitions were announced virtually.
Richard Marshall, Clanabogan, was first place club leader, Colin McKinley, Trillick, was second, and Samuel Hunter, Derg Valley, was third.
Top Club PRO was Sarah Hawkes, Seskinore YFC, followed by Abigail Forbes, Cappagh YFC, and third, Ellie Farmer, Castlecaufield YFC.
Top Club Secretary was Natalie Burrows, Cappagh YFC, second place was Naomi McConnell, Seskinore YFC, and third was Hannah Hemphill, Derg Valley YFC.
Top Club Treasurer was Shannen Vance, Trillick YFC, second was Craig Burrows, Cappagh YFC, and joint third, Luke Emery, Newtownstewart YFC, and Catherine Short, Seskinore YFC
Junior Member of the Year went to Allister Crawford, Seskinore YFC, followed by Andrea McFarland, Newtonstewart YFC, and in third place Christine Clements, Derg Valley YFC.
Senior Member of the Year was Shannen Vance, Trillick YFC, followed by Trent Brown, Seskinore YFC, and third Allister McKelvey, Newtonstewart YFC.
In April, the attention then turned to the annual YFCU Conference, which was again held virtually. The results were a testament to the hard work of members during a challenging year.
First place club leader went to Richard Marshall, Clanabogan YFC, third place treasurer went to Shannon Vance, Trillick YFC, and third place PRO went to Sarah Hawkes, Seskinore. Richard Marshall also took first place in the silage making contest.
A special mention also went to vice president runners up, Jake Cunningham and John Armstrong, of Trillick YFC. They must be commended for their willingness to step up and taking their YFC journeys to the next level by putting themselves in the running for the presidential team. While they were this time unsuccessful, the county was very proud nonetheless.
The summer months saw members of Tyrone YFC clubs taking part in a variety of online competitions and events ran by YFC headquarters, and the loosening of Covid-19 restrictions by August saw in-person meetings returning.
On August 20, YFC clubs enjoyed a highly informative Club Officer training session at Omagh Academy. Attendees were briefed by the YFCU Presidential team, and enjoyed a highly useful talk from Susan Bates, YFCU Membership and Club Development Officer.
As part of the event, Club Officers experienced seminars relevant to
their club position (Secretary, Treasurer, Club Leader and PRO), receiving bespoke information on how to excel within their roles, and how to deal with challenges that may arise.
On August 23, after a hiatus of two years, Tyrone’s infamous county knockout was held at the Tyrone Farming Society.
Many thrills and spills were enjoyed by YFC teams during a variety of knockout games, and members also got to test their tractor driving prowess during the annual tractor handling competition, also held on the night. Both elements of the evening were well attended and supported.
A team from Newtownstewart Young Farmers took first place in the knockout.
In male tractor handling, first place was taken by Adam Wilson, Cappagh YFC, second place, Alistair McKelvey, Newtownstewart YFC, followed by Matthew Wilson, Cappagh YFC, and then Samuel Hunter, Derg Valley.
In female tractor handling, Kathryn Mitchell, Derg Valley, took first place, second place was Shannen Vance, Trillick and District YFC, followed by Zara Donnell, Newtownstewart YFC, and finally, Helena Clements, Derg Valley.
A huge thanks to Willie Wilson for conducting the tractor handling, John Armstrong, of Trillick YFC and ‘Agri Power’, Omagh, for his help stewarding the competition, ‘Agri Power’, Omagh for supplying the tractor and wrapper, and Stuart Mills, YFCU Deputy President, for making the journey down to conduct the farm safety quiz.
Thanks must also go to clubs who supported the night, bringing with them a variety of games, and to everyone who helped make the night a success.
As summer drew to a close, members were especially pleased to be able to hold county meetings in-person once again in a Covid-safe manner. The meetings, held at the Tyrone Farming Society, were very productive and were a chance for members to connect. Thanks must go to the members of the YFCU Presidential team which regularly make the long trip to Tyrone to preside over the meetings.
September saw another staple Tyrone YFC event make a much-
anticipated return – the County
Dinner.
Truly a night of glamour, members of clubs in the county gathered at the Silverbirch Hotel to celebrate the numerous achievements of YFC members throughout the year.
Attendees were honoured to have Richard Beattie, YFCU Vice President, as guest speaker. A huge thank you to him for accepting the invitation.
Overall, it was Newtownstewart that came out top in the ‘Superclub’ competition. Thanks to the Silver-birch for its continued sponsorship of the competition.
In retention, Trillick and District YFC had much to celebrate having been awarded the Retention shield. Meanwhile, Megan Moreland, of Clanabogan YFC, received the covet-ed title of ‘Miss Tyrone’. A huge thanks to the Tyrone Farming Society for its sponsorship of the Miss Tyrone competition.
And there were further celebrations for Clanabogan YFC as Jamie McKelvey was named ‘Members Member’. Music on the night was provided by DJNI.
The year drew to a close in December with Tyrone YFC’s continued support of the YFCU’s President’s Appeal.
This year, the appeal supported the Cool FM and Cash For Kids mission appeal. Members met at the Tyrone Farming Society to donate gifts to the appeal. The focus of the appeal this year was 12 to 18 year-olds, so gifts were donated accordingly.
YFCU President Peter Alexander said: “The generosity from you all is amazing and we certainly helped to ensure no children go without a present at Christmas.”
The Tyrone County Committee wishes to extend thanks to all the members who continue to support the county, their clubs, and the YFC as an organisation, and all those individuals who helped and supported in any way to make this year’s events and initiatives successful.
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