Success to speak of for Shropshire's young farmers
Shropshire has once again proved that it has some of the best speakers in the country when a contingent from three county young farmers clubs travelled to Weston-super-Mare to compete in the southern England round of this year's speaking competitions, writes Stephen Evans.
Representatives from Ludlow, Alberbury and Clun took to the floor in junior speaking, intermediate brains trust, and senior after dinner speaking respectively.
The juniors, made up of Tom Harris, Alice Watkins and Dan Taylor, all from Ludlow, did an excellent job with Tom Harris singing Elvis Presley, Alice chairing really well and Dave injecting a good bit of humour. Sadly they weren't placed but they did themselves and their county proud.
Alberbury were the winners of West Midland area and, keen to continue that trend, they had Victoria Rowlands keeping Tim Davies, James Kynaston and Oliver Steeple in check. They provided laugh-out-loud entertainment and duly came second. See you at the national finals.
Clun has never taken part in after dinner speaking until this year, though you would never have thought it. Natalie Morris delivered a faultless speech and was rightly crowned best speaker in southern England. Lucy Rose supported Natalie expertly.
The rest of the team was on next and Lucy Bright chaired the herb society dinner expertly.
Owen Morris and Tom Bright delivered some brilliant puns and all that was left was for the judges to crown Clun victorious.
They now go into the national finals having won everything this year.
* Stephen Evans is county chairman of Shropshire Young Farmers
