Shropshire's young farmers showwhat they can do
Young farmers from all over Shropshire have been helping out their local communities while at the same time raising money for charity in their chairman's charity weekend.
The weekend was the brainchild of Shropshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs chairman Rebecca Green, of Brown Clee YFC, who wanted to showcase the skills of young farmers while helping the communities in which the 18 clubs are based.
Activities on April 8 and 9 included coffee mornings, sprucing up gardens at a care home, resurfacing a play park, mowing a churchyard, and painting jobs at a primary school.
“The weekend was a huge success. Everyone got involved and had fun, and we have raised so much money. I am very proud of all involved," she said.”
Not only did events raise money for charities including Midlands Air Ambulance, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and Nuffield Eye Hospital, but clubs made a difference in their local communities by renovating community areas and holding social events.
Things got off to a great start with Shawbury YFC raising £325 from their coffee morning in aid of Severn Hospice at the village hall. Other catered events were well supported including a coffee morning held by Bridgnorth YFC which raised £198.60 for Cancer Research UK, Brown Clee’s afternoon tea, Alberbury’s Big Breakfast, and a soup lunch organised by Rushbury and Cardington YFC.
Dorrington Young Farmers ploughed up the playground rather than the field, spending the Saturday resurfacing Dorrington play park. The club received a £400 Countryside Challenge grant from the national YFC to pay for materials.
The gardens of Wheatlands Care Home, Much Wenlock, were spruced up by Much Wenlock YFC, who painted sheds and prepared vegetable plots. The care home donated £30 to Midlands Air Ambulance. Craven Arms Young Farmers planted a wilderness garden for the local pre-school, while Cleobury Mortimer and Ludlow joined forces and painted the woodwork outside Bitterley Primary School.
Blessed by good weather, Nesscliffe YFC went litter picking up Nesscliffe Hill, Clun members were weeding and painting at Clun Memorial Hall, Whittington and Oswestry YFC rebuilt the fence at Oswestry Rugby Club, and Chirbury and Marton Young Farmers mowed Chirbury churchyard and tidied outside Marton Village Hall.
Fourteen tractors were to be seen touring around the Whitchurch area in the glorious sunshine on Sunday as part of Whitchurch YFC’s charity tractor run and barbecue, finishing the weekend off by making over £150 for West Midlands Air Ambulance.
Catherine Faulkner of the YFC said: "Each club was set the challenge to do something local and worthwhile for charity, and they should all be proud of their achievements over the weekend. Charity is at the heart of Shropshire Young Farmers, which is itself a charity run by the members for the members.
"Each year Shropshire YFC is pleased to donate thousands of pounds, and 2017 looks set to be no exception. Members are always coming up with new ideas to raise money while having fun.
"Events in the coming months include a three peaks challenge in June, for which Chirbury and Marton YFC are busy training"
