60 years of Kells and Connor YFC

The first officials were James Brown, club leader, and Barbara Montgomery, secretary.

The club has progressed in many ways over the past 60 years.

Kells and Connor YFC have had success in many competitions at both area and Northern Ireland levels, namely, stock judging, public speaking, fencing, Ulster Young Farmer, rugby and many more.

Indeed, Kells and Connor YFC has produced two YFCU presidents, the late Mrs Linda Currie and Mr Robin Swann.

The club year 2019 to 2020 was a year of celebration.

The club year included the usual programme of meetings, go karting, ice skating, Brain of Kells and Connor and a Christmas party for the younger children of the community.

Area competitions were also attended by some of the members like stock judging, public speaking, floral art and Ulster Young Farmer.

Kells and Connor YFC members have raised many thousands of pounds over the past 60 years for various charities.

Events such as a bed push, a shoe push, treasure hunts and sponsored walks.

Friends of the Cancer Centre was chosen as the clubs’ charity for this year.

Peter McWhirter, Sarah Davidson, Andrew White, Houston Bonar and James Fullerton came up with the idea of a cycle.

This was no ordinary route, 600 miles in six days through the six counties of Northern Ireland.

They encountered some horrendous weather but were blown away by the kindness of people at the various venues they used for overnight accommodation.

Many members of the club met up with them on the final leg of their journey and they returned to a rousing welcome home in Supervalu Carpark in Kells.

A welcome supper was provided by Sizzlers chip shop.

The sponsorship from the cycle ride was added to a collection from the church service in Connor Presbyterian, a stationary cycle ride kindly hosted by McCool’s SuperValu and a raffle and auction held at the anniversary dinner.

A total of over £5,000 was raised for this worthy cause and the cheque was presented at the anniversary dinner.

A lot of work went into a very successful dinner dance in November when over 200 past and present members, friends and families met in the Ross Park Hotel.

Guest speaker was Mrs Zita McNaughter, president of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster.

Support in the community is also a very important aspect of club life and Kells and Connor YFC would like to hold events to include the local community.

After the success of the community table quiz the previous year several people asked if the club would run it again.

This year Connor Presbyterian hall was packed to near capacity and members thank everyone for their support for a great night’s craic.

Connor was also the venue for the Annual church service and several of the club’s members took part in the service.

The club’s parents’ and friends’ night preparations were well underway with members ready to begin practises when Coronavirus struck.

This was to be the end of the club’s 60th anniversary celebrations with past members to join them to take part in the play.

This has had to be put aside for now, but the club hope in the future to be able to perform for their loyal audience.

Over the years some of the trophies have gone astray which would be presented to members on parents night.

If you would happen to have any, please get in touch with any of the club members.

Congratulations to Sophie McAllister who was placed joint first in Co Antrim in the beef judging.

During the Covid-19 lockdown Kells and Connor YFC put together a very entertaining toilet roll video which had many views on Facebook.

This was one way to keep contact with club members.

Families were also included in a Bingo night on Zoom.

A few members also joined in supporting the NHS with the Rainbow Campaign in various forms.

Virtual stock judging has been another way the members have kept their hand in, taking part in dairy, beef and sheep area judging.

This has proved challenging as it makes it more difficult when you can not see the animals in “real life”.

However well done to those involved in organising these competitions.

Through the past 60 years the club have lost many members of Kells and Connor Young Farmers’ Club.

Recently the club lost Mr Jim McBride, a past president and patron of Kells and Connor YFC, he was a great supporter of the club in any way he could.

Going forward, none of the members know what if any form, the young farmers year will take. But the club will endeavour to keep contact with members and will have a programme ready to roll when life resumes some form of normality.

The club would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports Kells and Connor YFC in anyway.