The Young Farmers are a national organisation. Throughout the country there are many clubs going from Lands End to John O'Groats to the Isle of Man and Wales.

Bolton-by-Bowland Young Farmers Club meet in the village hall at 7.45 pm on Monday evenings each week, with a break for a month in the summer. Some of our meetings are visits or trips to many different places. These meetings often start earlier than 7.45 pm.

The club will in 2006 be celebrating its 60th Anniversary. From this it is noticeable that there have always been young people in the village willing to enter and take part in Young Farmers. The Young Farmers is an organisation which is run by the members, with the aid of an advisory and a committee. These are generally made up of past members.

The Chairman is Edward Thornber, and the secretary is Rosalyn Pate.

The club over the years has been very successful - awards that have been won during the last year are Regional Presidents Award to Rebecca Whitwell; the Regional Involvement Award; the Semple Trophy, which is a competition within Yorkshire for stock judging and various girls events. Holly Bond won the County Finals for Public Speaking earlier in the year and these start again soon, where we are hoping to have the same success.

The different competitions that are run through the Young Farmers range from quizzes, public speaking, debating, cookery, flower arranging, stock judging, pantomimes and many different sporting events. All of these are held at Club, Region, County and National Level.

Each year we organise village events. We light the Bonfire and serve the suppers in November. We organised the duck race on New Years Day which raised £500 for the Tsunami Eathquake appeal. On the same day there is also a Tug of War between the Young Farmers and the village - unfortunately washed out this year by a nasty squall. We also help with different functions throughout the village such as washing up for the WI Christmas Party and we have fought to get recycling containers placed on the car park by the tourist room.

Each year there is the annual AGM. This is mainly for the senior members of the clubs. It involves them either travelling to Blackpool or Torquay where they all have a fun packed weekend. This gives them the perfect opportunity to meet the other Young Farmers from different areas throughout the country. It is a very worthwhile and unforgettable experience.

If you would like more information or to join Bolton by Bowland Young Farmers please do not hesitate to ring me:

Rosalyn Pate 07970704939

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