Shropshire Farming Talk: The run-up to Christmas has been busy

 November saw our first ever Careers fair which was a great success with over 300 people in attendance and over 30 businesses. 

It was a great night and was brilliant to see so many young members and members of the community coming to see what jobs were available in the food and agricultural industries. 

Thanks again to all the businesses who came to support us and Halls Ltd for the use of the Livestock Market. 

Throughout November and early December, we have seen the start of the YFC competitions, with lots of public speaking competitions, which are fantastic skill builders for members.

Clubs are working hard to make sure they’re high up on our competitions league – full competitive mode is in full swing! Several clubs strutted their stuff in true strictly style for the Ballroom dancing competition and then numerous flips and cartwheels for the cheerleading competition! 

Our annual Carol service was held at Holy Trinity, Much Wenlock and again saw over 30 young farmers from every club take part in a live nativity, mid service, again a fantastic evening welcoming many YFC members, past and present, and members of the local community to join in the festivities. Thank you to Reverend Matthew Stafford who led the service. 

Our final large event for 2024 was the Illuminated tractor run with RABI, held by kind permission of Halls Ltd, which was on Sunday. 

Raising money for RABI, Shropshire YFC and my two chosen charities, Severn Hospice and The Cavalier Centre, we saw 55 decorated tractors travel through town! 

The drivers upped their game from last year! 

Everyone enjoyed lighting up the town and providing some festive cheer. 

We also plan to plant a tree for every tractor that came, some drivers had their trees and YFC will be planting the rest in 2025. 

As we now wind down for Christmas, we’ve had a fantastic start to the YFC year and I’m excited to enter 2025 with lots more exciting plans with the YFC team. 

Panto and One Plus competitions, sports, tug of war, Shropshire Show and the floats, our Rally and of course our Chairman’s concert and Chairman’s ball in August 2025. I hope 2025 is ready for us!

On behalf of Shropshire YFC, I would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. 

If you want to keep up to date on our latest news and events, follow our Facebook or Instagram pages - @ShropshireYFC and if you would love to join your local YFC, please visit www.sfyfc.org.uk or contact our County Office on 01743 442880.

by Millie Preece, Shropshire Young Farmers' Club