City of Derry YFC start off 2020 with a bang

January is usually a quiet month in the year, but that was definitely not the case for City of Derry YFC this year.
Incoming City of Derry YFC committee 2020/2021 - Front row, Lowry McCollum (club treasurer) , David Oliver (chairperson of AGM), Emma Montgomery (club secretary) and Wendy Canning (club PRO). Back row, Matthew McCorkell (assistant club treasurer), Ryan Kelly (assistant club leader) and Megan Henderson (assistant PRO)Incoming City of Derry YFC committee 2020/2021 - Front row, Lowry McCollum (club treasurer) , David Oliver (chairperson of AGM), Emma Montgomery (club secretary) and Wendy Canning (club PRO). Back row, Matthew McCorkell (assistant club treasurer), Ryan Kelly (assistant club leader) and Megan Henderson (assistant PRO)
Incoming City of Derry YFC committee 2020/2021 - Front row, Lowry McCollum (club treasurer) , David Oliver (chairperson of AGM), Emma Montgomery (club secretary) and Wendy Canning (club PRO). Back row, Matthew McCorkell (assistant club treasurer), Ryan Kelly (assistant club leader) and Megan Henderson (assistant PRO)

On Monday, January 6 the club held their annual general meeting to decide on their new committee for the year 2020/2021.

Thanks to David Oliver member of Dungiven YFC and part of the executive committee.

Patron – Mr Samuel McKean

NI Quiz City of Derry YFC Team 1 - Alix Dalzell, Alana Dalzell, Amy Campbell and Emma MontgomeryNI Quiz City of Derry YFC Team 1 - Alix Dalzell, Alana Dalzell, Amy Campbell and Emma Montgomery
NI Quiz City of Derry YFC Team 1 - Alix Dalzell, Alana Dalzell, Amy Campbell and Emma Montgomery

Club president – Mr David Devine (Jnr)

Deputy president – Mr John Foster

Club leader – Ellen McCollum

Assistant club leader – Ryan Kelly

Sam Killen, Courtney McNeely and Hannah KillenSam Killen, Courtney McNeely and Hannah Killen
Sam Killen, Courtney McNeely and Hannah Killen

Club secretary – Emma Montgomery

Assistant club secretary – Jemma Gamble

Club treasurer – Lowry McCollum

Assistant treasurer – Matthew McCorkell

Jessica Pollock from Derg Valley YFC and Lynne Montgomery City of Derry YFC enjoying fun filled gamesJessica Pollock from Derg Valley YFC and Lynne Montgomery City of Derry YFC enjoying fun filled games
Jessica Pollock from Derg Valley YFC and Lynne Montgomery City of Derry YFC enjoying fun filled games

PRO – Wendy Canning

Assistant PRO – Megan Henderson

The club would like to thank all outgoing office bearers and best wishes to the new elected committee.

On Thursday, January 9, two teams from City of Derry YFC headed to Brunswick Bowling Alley to take part in the YFCU ten pin bowling competition.

Club exchange with Derg Valley YFCClub exchange with Derg Valley YFC
Club exchange with Derg Valley YFC

Team 1 consisted of Amy Campbell, Alix Dalzell, Alana Dalzell, Jack Gamble and Emma Montgomery.

Team 2 consisted of Ben Buchanan, Russell Kelly, Ryan Kelly, Tom Parkhill and Mark Dixon.

Well done to both teams but unfortunately they took up no places.

There was a busy week ahead for most as Monday, January 20 was a trip to Letterkenny Activity Centre for a night of Go-Karting.

This is a night which members all loved, with a great turnout of 55.

Tuesday, January 21 saw Lowry McCollum come first in the Co Londonderry silage making competition.

Adam Foster, Matthew McLucas, Aiden and James O'Brien at Brunswick Bowling AlleyAdam Foster, Matthew McLucas, Aiden and James O'Brien at Brunswick Bowling Alley
Adam Foster, Matthew McLucas, Aiden and James O'Brien at Brunswick Bowling Alley

On Wednesday, January 22 27 members headed to Castlederg for an exchange with Derg Valley YFC.

A great night’s craic was had by all. Thanks to Derg Valley YFC for hosting and providing pizza.

City of Derry YFC look forward to having you back on the return leg.

Thursday, January 23rd saw members Russell Kelly, Adam Foster, Ryan Kelly, Tom Parkhill, Gordon Crockett and Lynne and Emma Montgomery participate in the second stage of Ulster Young Farmer and home management in Kilrea Primary School.

Well done to Russell Kelly for getting through to the Northern Ireland final in the Ulster Young Farmer.

February wasn’t long in coming around the corner.

On Monday, February 3 the club welcomed volunteers from Foyle Search and Rescue, Carol, Gerry and Jack.

They gave club members an insight to what they do and the hard work and commitment involved.

They do a great job for the city and community.

Member Lowry McCollum headed off to the Netherlands and Belgium for the annual YFCU agri trip.

He got a tour of YARA Factory, Sluiski, in Netherlands, a cheese processing farm and a second dairy farm in Belgium and also visited the floating farm in Rotterdam.

Next on the agenda was a night of ‘That’s How I Roll’ which was a game of bowls in the local Bowling Alley with strikes all round.

February was a great success and ended on a high note with Co Londonderry efficiency night.

City of Derry YFC got third best club in Co Londonderry and Emma Montgomery second best club secretary. Lynne Montgomery was also given a travel award as she heads off on exchange later in the year. Well done to Russell Kelly junior member of the year and Tom Parkhill senior member of the year on their interviews and to Wendy Canning who also participated in the Pinta Princess Competition.

March started off the month with Hannah Kirkpatrick member of Kilraughts YFC telling members of her experiences whilst being away on YFCU exchange to Canada.

Friday, March 6 saw two teams from City of Derry YFC venturing off to Sperrin Integrated College to participate in the YFCU NI Quiz.

Team 1 consisted of Alana Dalzell, Alix Dalzell, Amy Campbell and Emma Montgomery. Team 2 was Ben Buchanan, Mark Dixon, Ryan and Russell Kelly.

No places were gained but as they say - if you’re not in, you can’t win!

On Saturday, March 7 club secretary Emma Montgomery and club PRO Wendy Canning completed the child protection and safe guarding training in Curragh Hall.

Competition season is ongoing with three members Jemma Gamble, Lynne and Emma Montgomery participating in Co Londonderry demonstration presentation heats in Ballymoney High School.

Well done to Jemma Gamble and Lynne Montgomery who are through to the Northern Ireland final.

Members look forward to what the rest of 2020 has to bring.

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