The first two heats of the competition kicked off with members from Counties Armagh and Down travelling to Ballynahinch Community Centre on Monday 29th September and competitors from Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone travelling to Fivemiletown High School on Tuesday 30th September 2008.
At each heat competitors were divided into two age groups, 12-16 years and 16-25 years. They were then given just one hour to complete a floral decoration depicting the Keats-inspired theme of 'Mellow Fruitfulness'.
Artificial, fresh or dried material could be used in the decoration and all arrangements had to be constructed on the evening. The arrangements were marked out of 100 in the following categories: choice of materials (30); Presentation (30) and finally technical skills displayed (40).
The judges congratulated everyone on their imaginative and interesting interpretations of the theme. They had a difficult task marking the entries, allowing just the top two in each age group of each area through to the final, which will return once again to agriculture's premiere venue, Balmoral Show in May 2009.
The Association would like to take this opportunity to thank Joe Crawford from Fort Dodge Animal Health for sponsoring this competition and for coming along to the heats. The YFCU would also like to thank judges Barbara Megarry and Elizabeth Allen for judging the first two heats and also to Ballynahinch Community Centre and Fivemiletown High School for the use of their facilities.
Clubs in Counties Antrim and Londonderry will travel to Ballymoney High School on Wednesday 8th October for their heat so look out for results and pictures in next week's paper.
Results:
Ballynahinch Community Centre – Judge Barbara Megarry
12-16: 1st Emma Thompson, Annaclone & Magherally; 2nd Ellen Woods, Annaclone & Magherally
16-25: 1st Jenny Woods, Annaclone & Magherally; 2nd Laura Furey, Killinchy
Fivemiletown High School – Judge Elizabeth Allen
12-16: 1st Chloe Ewing, Seskinore; 2nd Zoe Armstrong, Kesh
16 – 25: 1st Rachel Gibson, Trillick; 2nd Emma Hughes, Trillick