Cornwall YFC gets a bumper crop of entries for online Competitions Week

Young farmers from across Cornwall have been demonstrating their skills and creativity as part of the Cornwall Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFC) Annual Competition Week, which has taken place online for the very first time this year.

Over 120 photo and video entries were submitted by members from 20 clubs across the county and St. Mabyn YFC was crowned overall winner for 2020, followed by Warleggan YFC in second place.

Competition classes included:

A cake for our amazing key workers;
A selfie with my pet;
A bouquet from my garden;
‘I love YFC because…’ poster design, and
‘My favourite place’ landscape drawing.

The final class, the Beef Stock Judging, saw sisters Alison and Maria Warne from St. Mabyn YFC win the junior and intermediate titles and Tom Retallick, St. Columb YFC take the senior first place.

The judge was impressed with the reasons given, how members presented themselves, the level of knowledge the members showed, and the confidence portrayed in their two-minute videos.

This year’s event was hosted by Warleggan Young Farmers’ Club and sponsored by leading rural insurer NFU Mutual.

Announcing the results by video message, NFU Mutual chairman Jim McLaren said: “The judges have been hugely impressed by the breadth and depth of talent displayed across a wide range of categories with over 120 entries received in total.

You all have so much to be proud of, not least the way in which you reach out to each other with friendship and support, particularly in these very challenging times.

“This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and you should all be proud of the pioneering work in Cornwall with the My Mind Matters Campaign, you’re making a real difference to people’s lives and to their wellbeing.”

Usually held annually in May, the competition is the highlight of the Cornwall YFC calendar for many, but the event had to be cancelled and moved online due to Covid-19.

Kelly Evans, Cornwall YFC county organiser, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the number of fantastic entries to our online Competitions Week and have been really impressed by the creativity shown.

Taking time out to get creative was perhaps more important than ever this year. As well as working on our farms, many of our members are key workers with the NHS, in schools or in our shops, and lots of clubs have been doing volunteer work, collecting and delivering essentials to help those in their local communities.

“We know that this can be a particularly lonely time too, so clubs have been keeping in touch with members and providing support and advice where they can.

“We hope the competitions gave everyone a fun challenge and the chance to celebrate each other’s work.”

Winners

The overall winner of each class was selected by a panel of judges, with second to sixth place decided by Cornwall YFC members’, families and supporters ‘likes’ on Facebook.

Winners for individual categories were:

A cake decorated for our amazing key workers

Junior: Laura Rogers, Warleggan Young Farmers;
Intermediate: Tegan Arthur, Probus Young Farmers;
Senior: Kelly Parsons, Wadebridge Young Farmers’ Club, and Laura Moore, Liskeard Young Farmers.