YFCU Arts Festival Gala 2016 proves a huge success

The Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) popular Arts Festival Gala recently took place at the Millennium Forum in Londonderry.
James Chestnutt from Chestnutt Feeds, who are the sponsors of the Arts Gala VIP reception, and guests are pictured with YFCU President Roberta Simmons at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival GalaJames Chestnutt from Chestnutt Feeds, who are the sponsors of the Arts Gala VIP reception, and guests are pictured with YFCU President Roberta Simmons at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival Gala
James Chestnutt from Chestnutt Feeds, who are the sponsors of the Arts Gala VIP reception, and guests are pictured with YFCU President Roberta Simmons at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival Gala

Sponsored for a number of years by NFU Mutual Insurance Society Limited, the Arts Festival Gala evening saw the top five clubs from the YFCU’s arts festival perform to a sold out crowd.

A VIP reception sponsored by Chestnutt Animal Feeds was also held before the performances.

The clubs that took to the stage were Finvoy YFC, Spa YFC, Lylestone Productions (Lylehill YFC and Holestone YFC ), Randalstown YFC and Glarryford YFC who performed a short drama piece which the members wrote and produced themselves. The compere for the evening was actress and comedian Nuala McKeever.

James Chestnutt from Chestnutt Feeds, who are the sponsors of the Arts Gala VIP reception, and guests are pictured with YFCU President Roberta Simmons at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival GalaJames Chestnutt from Chestnutt Feeds, who are the sponsors of the Arts Gala VIP reception, and guests are pictured with YFCU President Roberta Simmons at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival Gala
James Chestnutt from Chestnutt Feeds, who are the sponsors of the Arts Gala VIP reception, and guests are pictured with YFCU President Roberta Simmons at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival Gala

Guest speaker at the Gala was UFU President Ian Marshall who presented the awards following the performances.

The results were as follows:

Most amusing moment: Lisnamurrican YFC - ‘Smooth Gliders, Syncronised Swimming’

Most innovative musical moment: Glarryford YFC – ‘See you again’

YFCU President Roberta Simmons is pictured with RUAS President Billy Robson and wife Eileen at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival GalaYFCU President Roberta Simmons is pictured with RUAS President Billy Robson and wife Eileen at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival Gala
YFCU President Roberta Simmons is pictured with RUAS President Billy Robson and wife Eileen at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival Gala

Most imaginative theme: Kilrea YFC – ‘Downton Shabby’

Best choral piece: Spa YFC

Best choreography: Glarryford YFC

Best newcomer: Trillick YFC

YFCU CEO Michael Reid and YFCU President Roberta Simmons are pictured with John Henning, Head of Agricultural Relations, Danske Banke and Ann Henning at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival GalaYFCU CEO Michael Reid and YFCU President Roberta Simmons are pictured with John Henning, Head of Agricultural Relations, Danske Banke and Ann Henning at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival Gala
YFCU CEO Michael Reid and YFCU President Roberta Simmons are pictured with John Henning, Head of Agricultural Relations, Danske Banke and Ann Henning at the VIP reception of the Arts Festival Gala

Outstanding Performance of the Night: Glarryford YFC

Awards of Special Merit: Spa YFC, Finvoy YFC, Randalstown YFC, Lylestone Productions (Lylehill YFC and Holestone YFC) and Glarryford YFC.

DARD is pleased to be associated with the YFCU which is the leading representative group for young people in agriculture and rural communities in Northern Ireland.