The Bedfordshire Young Farmers Club (YFC) Country Show and Rally to be held on The 17th May at Shuttleworth, is particularly close to the heart of current NFU President, Peter Kendall - he is an ex-Chairman of Biggleswade Young Farmers. Peter originally joined the YFC in 1976 and despite his hectic schedule, is still interested in the club.
As NFU President, Peter represents farmers across England and Wales and is involved in W J Kendall & Sons, the family farm at Eyeworth, near Biggleswade. The farm has been in the family for over a century, and comprises 620 hectares of combinable crops including oil seed rape and wheat.
As a member of Biggleswade Young Farmers Club, Peter took a keen interest in the NFU and always had something to contribute at the local meetings so he was encouraged to get more involved and his role grew from there. Over the years he became Chairman of the NFU Cereals committee, was elected to the national board in 2003, became NFU Deputy President in 2004 and President in 2006.
Biggleswade YFC is one of six active clubs in the Bedfordshire County Federation, which has about 300 members. There is a common misconception that members have to be part of the farming community, but this is not the case, as chair of Biggleswade YFC, Charlotte Smyth explained. "YFC is open to people from the ages of 10 to 26 years and our members come from all backgrounds and industries, not just farming. It provides new opportunities to learn and achieve and make new friends as we have a jam packed social life. We also make a valuable contribution to the local community through our charity work."
Charlotte said that YFC is particularly beneficial to young people in terms of personal development. "All my family had been members and they recounted so many stories of interesting and fun events that I joined in 1999 as a shy 16 year old simply looking to meet new friends and develop a social life. YFC was a great outlet and I was encouraged to get involved and have a go at anything and everything, so I took part in many different competitions and meetings, which really helped boost my confidence. I have ended up making friends from all over the country and learned many skills from public speaking and sports to stock judging and drama." Apart from being Chair of Biggleswade YFC, Charlotte has represented Bedfordshire in netball and public speaking at national YF finals and was awarded a distinction on the Post Grad Agricultural Management course at Reading University.
Ex Young Farmer, James Parrish, summed up the camaraderie of YFC: "Over the years I have met people from all walks of life and professions and have developed life long friends. I have also enjoyed a wealth of new experiences and opportunities, taken part in a varied competitions programme, got involved with the local community and it was a gateway to a great social life." But according to James, Biggleswade YFC has given him an even greater prize! "Our club has developed a reputation for acting as a marriage bureau; mind you I'm not complaining as thanks to YFC I am celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary this year!"
Peter Kendall is full of praise for the work of the YFC's. " YFC members develop many practical and people skills, all within an environment where they can learn by their mistakes without ever doing any harm. They have a common mutual respect and love for the countryside and I see many farmers who have developed skills that have made them extremely valuable members of the local and wider community."
If you are aged between 10 and 26 and would like more information on Biggleswade YFC and how to get in touch please visit www.biggleswadeyfc.org.uk or www.bedsyfc.org.uk
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Editor's notes:
The Bedfordshire Young Farmers Club Country Show and Rally takes place on Saturday 17th May at Shuttleworth College. The proceeds from the day's events will go to Bedfordshire YFC clubs* to help run Bedfordshire clubs over next 12 months
EVENTS
Events include show jumping, tug of war and the 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' pram race. There will also be craft and food marquees, trade stands, rural demonstrations, farm animals and children's entertainment. Also 'The Great English Breakfast "a 'Ready Steady Cook 'style competition where teams of two have just 30 minutes and a camping gas stove to cook and serve a hearty fry up!
The finale of the day's competitions will be the parade of 'decorated floats' all designed and built by the members, based on this year's chosen theme of West End Musicals. Once judging is completed in the main ring, the floats will be arranged for battle. Using clean water and flour filled paper bags, the battle will commence, and visitors will be encouraged to cheer loudly for their favourite float.
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For enquiries about Bedfordshire area Young Farmers Clubs contact: County Organiser: Jane Helliwell Tel: 01234 765903 or email: bedsyoungfarmers@
