Young Farmers take part in South West Area Competitions Day

Members of Cornwall YFC, Devon YFC, Wiltshire YFC, Dorset YFC and Somerset YFC headed to Lackham College in Wiltshire to take part in various competitions, such as Tug of War (TOW), fence erecting, stockman of the year and more. 

Cornwall YFC 

Cornwall YFC came first out of all the counties at the SWA competitions day. They won two trophies. 

Milly Bersey (GP Chair), Jordan Edyvean (County Chair) and Sophie Olds (SWA Chair) holding the trophies. (Image: Cornwall YFC)

Other results included: 

• 1st place Junior TOW - St Mabyn - putting them through to the National final in August!
• 3rd place Men’s TOW - St Mabyn
• 2nd Place Senior Stockman of the Year - Tom Retallick, St Columb, qualified for National Final
• 2nd Place Cube Exhibit – Roche – Kenya – Qualified for National Final
• 3rd Place Fence Erecting - Liskeard

Second place cube exhibit. (Image: Cornwall YFC)

A spokesperson for Cornwall YFC said: "A big thank you and congratulations to all members who attended the day, you are a credit to your clubs and to the county…. Good Luck to the members who qualified for the National Finals."

Devon YFC 

Devn YFC were awarded the overall trophy for the most points in competitions across the South West Area Weekend and the competitions day. 

Tug of War results: 

• Men's first place - Anstey YFC 
• Men's second place - Honiton YFC 
• Ladies second place - Whimple and Broadclyst YFC
• Ladies third place - Anstey and Honiton YFC
• Juniors second place - Honiton YFC
• Juniors third place - Meshaw/Whimple and Broadclyst YFC

A spokesperson for Devon YFC said: "Well done to the Haldon ladies and junior teams that also represented the county exceptionally well.

"Good luck to Anstey and Honiton Men’s, Whimple & Broadclyst Ladies and Honiton’s Juniors who will all go forward to represent Team Devon at the National YFC finals in August."

Other results included:

• Senior Stockman of the Year Champion - Ellen Layzell 
• Fence Erecting Champions - Culm Valley YFC (Fredie Branton, James Cottrell and Toby Redwood)
• Fourth place for Club Cubicle - Withleigh YFC

Winners of the fence erecting competition. (Image: Devon YFC)

Dan Grist, county chair, said: “I was incredibly proud of all the Devon YFC members who competed at the weekend. From fence erecting to tug of war, it was a brilliant showcase of YFC skill and teamwork.

“A highlight had to be the all-Devon Men’s Tug of War Finals where Anstey and Honiton YFC competed for the top spot, fresh after their participation in the English National Tug of War Championships the week before. It is incredible to witness the sheer determination and dedication from all the men’s, ladies and junior tug of war teams.  They put in so much hard work, and we are incredibly proud of them all. Bring on the national finals later this year.”

Dan accepting the most points trophy. (Image: Devon YFC)

Wiltshire YFC 

Results included: 

• Cube Exhibit 1st place -  Lizzy Clarke from Purton and Cricklade (now going to National Finals)
• Young Stockman of the year 2nd place - Joe W from Chippenham Young Farmers (now going to National Finals)
• Auctioneering 3rd place - Jonny Taylor from Purton and Cricklade Young Farmers
• Fence Erecting 4th place - Ollie Burge, Tom Evans and Aaron Christian from Chippenham Young Farmers

Lizzy Clarke from Purton and Cricklade. (Image: Wiltshire YFC)

A spokesperson for Wiltshire YFC said: "There were a total of 28 teams in the Tug of War competition across the Mens, Ladies and GENSB (juniors).

"A huge welldone to our men’s team from Devizes Young Farmers and our junior team from Devizes YFC, Malmesbury YFC and Chippenham YFC who all pulled so well in the heat. We are very proud of you.

"Huge welldone to you all! A big thank you to all of our judges, stewards time keepers coaches and parents for giving up their time."

Devizes YFC. (Image: Wiltshire YFC)

Somerset YFC 

Results include: 

• Young Stockman of the Year 1st Place - Gilbert Loder
• Senior Stockman of the Year 3rd Place - Grace Whitcombe
• Tug of War - Men's team (Chew Valley, Farrington Gurney and Polden Hills) came joint third 
• Tug of War - Ladies team (Polden Hills, Farrington Gurney and North Somerset) came first and are now through to National Finals 

Stockman of the Year first and third place. (Image: Somerset YFC)

A spokesperson for Somerset YFC said: "All three teams did amazing and should all be proud of themselves. Unfortunately, the Juniors (Weston & Banwell, Wedmore, Highbridge and Polden Hills) didn’t place in the top four but did considerably well seeing as most hadn’t done it before until this year.

Ladies TOW team. (Image: Somerset YFC)

"A huge well done to William Land of Kingsbrompton who travelled down to Royal Cornwall Show for the SWA rounds - he did fantastically and placed third qualifiying for Nationals at The Great Yorkshire Show.

"A huge well done to Toby Cleave of Yeovil who competed for for Somerset in the SWA rounds in Auctioneering - he did fantastically placing second and qualifying for Nationals.

"Huge well done to the clubs for working together for Somerset YFC!"

Dorset YFC 

Results include: 

• 1st Place Auctioneering - Henrietta from Marshwood Vale YFC  (going forward to NFYFC Finals)
• 3rd Place The Cube - Puddletown YFC

Dorset YFC stock judging team. (Image: Dorset YFC)

A spokesperson for Dorset YFC said: "As the SWA Competitions Day results start to come in we would like to say a big congratulations to Henrietta from Marshwood Vale YFC who came 1st in the Auctioneering Competition and goes through to to the NFYFC Finals - Well done Hen and good luck."

(Image: Dorset YFC)