Annaclone and Magherally YFC enjoy a busy start to the summer

The annual ‘Parents’ Night’ took place on Wednesday 23rd March in the club’s hall, on the Ballydown Road in Banbridge. This was a night to mark the end of the club’s winter programme and highlighted the successes of the club and its members, whilst providing entertainment to the audience in the form of short sketches. Many laughs were had, and many buns were eaten, in what proved to be a very enjoyable and memorable night.

Since Parents’ night, members of the club have been very active in numerous competitions and events. The Co Down heat of the Dairy Stockjudging and Silage assessment took place at Draynes Farm, Lisburn on Tuesday 12th April.

Congratulations to members Stuart Hanna, Noel Savage, John Porter and Stephen Cowan who all were placed in their respective age groups for Dairy Stockjudging and members Andrew Sleator, John Porter, Stuart Cromie, Jonathan Sleator and Stephen Cowan who were placed in their respective age groups for silage judging.

These members will now progress to the Northern Ireland finals.

Well done to a number of the girls from the club who played the girls five-a-side football tournament, and progressed to the finals, held at Balmoral show.

Three teams from the club competed in the Build it competition held in association with Tesco, on Wednesday 8th June.

The task was to build a bridge made from materials provided, and three teams managed to construct bridges, of varying strengths.

On Friday 17th June, the club members enjoyed the new revamped Rally night, hosted by County Down Young Farmers’ at Ballynahinch RFC, which was coordinated by one of their own members, Jonathan Sleator, who is the current Co Down Chairperson.

Approximately thirty members from the club attended, and the club managed to win the overall coveted Rally Shield, despite stiff opposition from ten other clubs in Co Down.

A number of members volunteered on Saturday 18th June at Acton House Farm, Poyntzpass, as part of the Open Farm Weekend.

An enjoyable day out was had by all.

Both junior and senior members travelled to Downpatrick Mart, on Wednesday 22nd June, to compete in the annual Co Down Beef and Sheep Stockjudging competition. Andrew Sleator, Noel Savage, David Sleator, Ruth Thompson, David Spiers all were placed in their respective age groups for Beef Stockjudging and Alexander Mitchell, James Boyd, Stuart Hanna and Stuart Cromie were placed in their respective age groups in the Sheep Stockjudging. These members will now compete in the Northern Ireland Finals in July.

Date for your diary: Annaclone and Magherally YFC invite you to their annual Treasure Hunt and barbecue, on Friday 8th July.

Cars will leave the club hall, on the Ballydown Road in Banbridge, from 7pm. Everyone is welcome.

For more information about the club, or treasure hunt, please do not hesitate to contact club leader Jane Cowan, 07821 442252 or see the club’s Facebook page.