TEESDALE played host to a fun and laughter-filled young farmers’ rally that was all about the craic with a dose of healthy competition.
County Durham Young Farmers’ Club held its big summer event at High House Farm, in Marwood, last month. The annual competition day featured everything from flower arranging to tug o’ war and fencing. The skills and strength of young farmers from across the county were also tested with welly wanging, fencing, bale tossing and quad bike driving.
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And if that wasn’t enough to keep everyone entertained there were traditional farming demonstrations, arm wrestling and laugh-a-minute competitions such the Wotsit challenge, which saw people seeing how many crisps could be made to stick to a young farmer’s face covered in cream.
The 88 competitions and sport events finished with a big party in the barn.
Janice Baker, secretary of the Durham Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, said: “We’ve got about 300 members and we’re very active. This is probably our most anticipated and biggest event of the year.”
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Tom Addison, from Bowes, helped organise this year’s bash. He said: “It’s very much like an agricultural show but for young farmers. A lot of it is just about letting people have a go and getting together.”
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But he said people’s competitive streaks often came to the fore during the tug o’ war, which, he said, could get a little rowdy. Tractor and quad bike handling were also keenly contested, he said.
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Young farmer clubs across the county, such as Barnard Castle, Staindrop and Weardale, each entered teams.
Elwick YFC’s Katie Sanderson, 24, who was this year named the national senior member of the year, described being part of the organisation as “fantastic” . She especially praised the exchange programme which allows young farmers to travel the world and learn new skills.
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“But one of the biggest value of young farmers is just getting together,” she added.
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