news

New Club Leaders and New members evening

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 18:41:39 +0100

Ludlow YFC celebrated the end of a busy year at its annual general meeting this month, where members celebrated the year’s successes and looked ahead and elect new club leaders and welcome new members.

The club is led by young people, for young people, boasting over 70 years of activities in South Shropshire. New club leaders Matthew Price, club Chairman, Victoria Williams as Secretary and Lottie Clarke club Treasurer are each local young professionals, eager to welcome new members for the year ahead.

Ludlow organises weekly activities for anyone aged 14 – 26 ranging from sports, arts and crafts to socials, competitions as well as travelling and studying. Young Farmer clubs are part of a network of national clubs accounting for 25,000 members across the United Kingdom.

One of the key goals for Ludlow’s secretary Victoria is sending young people aboard “we will defiantly roll out an exchange program for local young farmers to travel abroad while we welcome young people from overseas”. Matthew Price reiterated the amount young farmers do for charity and vowed to continue in raising money, beginning with carol singing across rural areas this December.

If you know anyone aged between 14-26 and is looking for a social life, young farmers could well be for them. They don’t have to be from an agricultural background to join, but willing and eager to make new friends and enjoy a year full of activities. Ludlow YFC is holding a new member evening at Ludlow Rugby Club on Tuesday 20^th October from 7.30

Ludlow YFC hosts ‘Auction in the Orchard’

Thu, 23 Jul 2015 11:30:58 +0100

Ludlow YFC hosts ‘Auction in the Orchard’

This year members of Ludlow Young Farmer’s Club have opted to organise a charity auction rather than the usual ‘barn dance’ which traditionally raises money to be re-invested back into the youth club.

On Sunday 26^th July, Ludlow YFC is opening its doors to the local public at Henley Farm just outside Ludlow for a night of entertainment and a promise auction featuring tickets to local and national events as well as free services in the local area and handy prizes for the home. Music festivals are ‘everywhere’ said club secretary Francesca Hinves “We are going to be different this summer and enjoy a summers evening with a difference”. Nominated charity’s Midland Air Ambulance and St Michael’s Hospice are key to the event this summer which includes a BBQ and local Ales.

Club chairman Andrew Martin said that Ludlow could prove that a barn dance isn’t the only way to raise money for charity, despite hosting successful barn dances in the past. The club have recently returned from the UK’s largest YFC events in Torquay and the Royal Welsh Show as part of an action packed summer program for members. “Ludlow has really pulled together with the auction and we are receiving items from across the UK which we hope generates lots of interest”.

Promise Auction

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:01:39 +0100

Ludlow are hosting a Promise Auction in Henley on July 26th, in aid of Midland Air Ambulance and St Michael's Hospice .

Summer Rally

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:00:20 +0100

It is the end of June and the competitions season has begun! Rally 2015 took place in North Shropshire over the weekend and Ludlow had many high glass entries - including a Total Wipeout team!

Spring AGM

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 13:59:09 +0100

Spring saw Ludlow members travel to the YFC AGM in Torquay this year where 5000 young farmers from across the UK and Wales meet up over The dance floor was heaving in the Arena on the first night of Annual Convention as Huw Stephens from Radio 1 took to the decks.

New year news, Casino Night and Public Speaking Success!

Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:00:47 +0100

New Year News;

The second Ludlow YFC Casino Night took place at Ludlow Brewery this February and the evening was a great success! The evening is a rare chance for current, past and advisory members to meet up and enjoy a local evening out. Congratulations to Club chair Andrew Martin who won the most chips during the evening – next up LA!

In other news, Ludlow YFC has ‘articulated its voices’ to new heights after being entered into the regional public speaking competition finals for under 16’s. The national federation of Young Farmer Clubs is holding its annual public speaking final round in Weston Super Mare in Somerset this year and for the first time Ludlow members are entered.

Ludlow is competing to become one of five YFC Clubs finalists who will attend the National Competition Day in July, making up teams from the north, south and Wales. Teams consist of 3 members all aged 16 and under who have to participate in judged speaking competitions surrounding a proposed topic. Designed to enhance member’s ability to discuss topics with confidence in public, this is one of the federations most beneficial competitions for personal development. Ludlow YFC wishes its finalists Alice Watkins, Dan Taylor and Tom Harris the best of luck in Weston Super Mare!

Check out the gallery!

Medieval Fayre Castle Cleanup

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:44:39 +0100

The annual YFC Castle Cleanup took place at the end of November, seeing members breach the walls of Ludlow Castle to clean up the Straw from the Festive weekend at Ludlow Castle. Money donated from the fayre goes to the clubs chosen charity along with proceedings from carol singing.

Fantastic turnout for Footcracker

Thu, 04 Dec 2014 21:31:34 +0100

More than 70 members from Shropshire took part in Ludlow's footcracker this November, members were dropped at a secret and remote location, charged with the task of walking over three miles and finding their way back home.

With thanks to the Tally Ho for hospitality on the evening!

YFC look ahead to another 70 years

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 10:47:04 +0100

YFC look ahead to another 70 years

Ludlow Young Farmers’ club celebrated a 70 year milestone at Ludlow Racecourse this October with over 300 founder, past and current Young Farmers attending a harvest supper in what was a fitting end to the clubs anniversary year.

Attendees, who had travelled from as far as Scotland, Devon and Cornwall for the evening were entertained by guest speakers, memorabilia, a live band and the annual award ceremony to congratulate this year’s outstanding members. The event was a chance to recall the many stories and tribulations from the clubs history including weddings, awards, and trips as well as the many charity donations.

Ben Sanders, the 2014 club chairman who initiated the forage aid campaign in Shropshire that saw over fifty tons of feed, hay and straw donated to flooded farmers in Somerset, has congratulated everyone’s efforts in making the anniversary a success. “Since the very first meeting in 1944, Ludlow YFC has been a big part of rural Ludlow and the youngsters within it. Ludlow has had hundreds of members over the past 70 years, donated thousands of pounds to charity and always put Ludlow on the map for YFC”

Newly elected club leader Andrew Martin from Bitterley near Ludlow will be joined by Secretary Francesca Hinves and Treasurer Charlotte Clarke in 2015, who are together on the search for new members. Despite high average membership for Shropshire, Ludlow YFC continues its fresh outlook approach to ensure the survival of the club. “The statement you don’t have to be a farmer to be a young farmer couldn’t be more accurate. If you know anyone aged between 14-26, tell them about our new members evening and don’t assume it’s not for you” Andrew said.

Anybody who wants an active social life should join. Weekly meetings involve sports, entertainment, leisure, trips and visits with great opportunities available and lots of money raised for charity. Ludlow Young Farmers are holding a new members evening at Ludlow Rugby Club on Tuesday 28^th October at 7.30pm – everybody is welcome. To find out more visit our website www.lyfc.yolasite.com.

Generations set to be reunited at 70th Anniversary Celebration

Thu, 28 Aug 2014 12:03:13 +0100

In a year full of anniversaries amongst the farming community, Ludlow Young Farmers Club are looking ahead to the 70th anniversary celebration Harvest Supper this autumn, as the harvest season comes to an end.

All founder, past and current members have been invited to raise a glass, acknowledging the triumphs and tribulations since the very first young farmers club meeting held in 1944. Generations of families who have previously been involved in the club are already booked to attend the evening on Saturday October 4th, with bookings coming from as far as Suffolk, Scotland, Devon and Cornwall.

The evening includes a full course dinner and entertainment, featuring guest speakers and memorabilia stands including recollections from since club records began, with historic photographs of rural life in Shropshire during the 1990’s.

As one of the county’s largest youth organisations, Ludlow Young Farmers Club plays an important part in engaging and developing rural young farmers and local students alike. The 2014 club chairman Ben Sanders, who helped plan the clubs efforts in the forage aid campaign earlier this year which donated over 50 tons of hay, straw and fodder for flooded Somerset famers, said “I am delighted to be chairman on this special year and really look forward to enjoying the evening with everyone who has played a part in our club. It is astonishing to think how much money our club has raised for charity in the last 70 years”.

70 years in, the club continues to provide weekly activities, entertainment and competitions as part of the National Federation which has 25,000 members aged between 10-26. Tickets for the anniversary celebration are still available, please contact Laura Edwards on 07891646886 and Rachael Marsh on 07590925962