On Sunday, 27th November, over 90 members of Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs took part in a variety of Public Speaking competitions. The day was kindly supported by B & B Tractors of Tutbury.
In the first competition of the day, Junior Reading, each team, comprising of three members aged 10 – 14 years read out three chosen passages from “Wonder” by R J Palcio. The winning team was from Uttoxeter JNFU, in second place came Eccleshall YFC and in third place it was Leek YFC. The other competition held for younger members was the Junior Speaking, where members aged 10 – 16 years form teams who act as a Chairman, Speaker and Proposer of the Vote of Thanks. Winning that competition was Eccleshall YFC, closely followed by Abbotsholme YFC in second place and Uttoxeter JNFU in third place.
The ever-popular Situations Vacant Competition was also held, based on the members applying for a job of their choice, competitors had to submit a CV and covering letter prior to the competition and then participate in a ‘mock’ job interview. This Competition has now been split into two age categories – 16 – 21 years – Kate Oakes of Chase YFC came first with Natalie Bradley of Eccleshall YFC coming second and Lucie Clayton of Uttoxeter JNFU took third place. In the 22 – 28 years category, the top three were all from Eccleshall YFC with Beth Poynton taking first place, Lucy Hockenhull in second and Catherine Johnson in third place.
The Intermediate members took part in the ‘Call My Bluff’ Competition, based on the popular game show and after five teams competed the overall results were Chase YFC in first place, Cheadle YFC taking second and Uttoxeter JNFU coming in third place.
Next seven teams competed in the very popular Senior Brainstrust Competition (aged 28yrs and under), this competition involves the team debating questions which are topical at the time. Each team chairman has a selected batch which contain six question topics, three of a general nature and three on rural affairs, from which they select three for discussion by the team. One question must be selected from each section plus one other. The Chairman has no prior communication with the team about the questions they have selected to be discussed. The competition makes for a great debate with subjects including Covid Vaccines, Union Strikes to Avian Flu amongst many others. Following some lively discussions, the results were in first place was Uttoxeter JNFU, closely followed by Cheadle YFC and Eccleshall YFC coming third.
The first placed teams in these competitions will go forward to represent Staffordshire at the West Midlands Area Finals on 19th February 2023, which is being hosted by Staffordshire.
Also, on Sunday, the County round of the including Member of the Year (17 and Under) and Male and Female Member of the Year (18 and Over) were held. George Large of Cheadle YFC was the winner of the 17 and under Section. George is an active member of Cheadle Young Farmers and he has taken part in a wide variety of competitions during this time. Competitors were required to complete a Synopsis Form giving details of their activities within YFC over the previous 12 months as well as information about school, career aspirations, and activities outside YFC. An informal interview and power point presentation also took place on the day. In second place was Molly Sammons of Eccleshall YFC and in third place was Abi Palmer of Uttoxeter JNFU.
George and Molly will go forward to represent Staffordshire YFC at the West Midlands Area round being held on Sunday 2nd April 2023 at Oakengates Theatre, Telford.
The Female Member of the Year was won by Polly Baines, an active Uttoxeter JNFU member and past County Chairman of Staffordshire YFC. Polly has been a member of Staffordshire YFC for over 12 years. Awarded second place was Hollie Kelly currently the Club Secretary of Chase YFC. Hollie has been a member of her local club for seven years. In third place was Charlotte Goodwin of Uttoxeter JNFU who an active member has been for seven years and has recently completed a year as the Club Chairman for Uttoxeter.
The Male Member of the Year as won by James Freeman of Chase YFC. James has been a member for 9 years and is currently Treasurer of his local Club and County Competitions Chairman.
Senior competitors were required to complete an information sheet giving details of their experience with Young Farmers and attend an interview with the competition judges on the day. All the judges on the day commented on the high standard of competitors and felt that the federation had some very enthusiastic and confident members to take on roles in their clubs in the future.
Polly Baines and Hollie Kelly will also represent Staffordshire YFC at the West Midlands Area round.
To round off a great day of Competitions, Eccleshall YFC provided a demonstration of their Jump Rope routine, Eccleshall with represent Staffordshire at the West Midlands Area final of this competition, hosted by Staffordshire on Sunday 19th February 2023.
The day of competitions held on Sunday is a great example of the opportunities which all YFC members have to develop their public speaking skills, take up new competitions and meet like-minded young people from across the county.
These competitions are very kindly supported B & B Tractors of Tutbury. Sara Paloni, Group Marketing Manager said “For the third year running B&B Tractors are proud to sponsor Staffordshire YFC County Public Speaking Day. Along with Staffordshire YFC, we believe that encouraging up and coming members to speak publicly about current and popular topics in the agricultural industry is the best way to bring awareness to the farming community.”
For information on becoming a member or details of your local Club, contact Julia Taylor, County Organiser, on 01785 248645 or email countyoffice@staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk for further information. Our website at www.staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk has updated information about Staffordshire YFC and the local clubs, including recent event photos. Also follow Staffordshire YFC on FaceBook Page “Staffordshire YFC” or Instagram @staffsyfc