Mourne YFC conquer lockdown

Mourne YFC have had quite a different year this year due to Covid-19 and unfortunately the club were unable to do all the things the club had planned.
Members of Mourne YFC during their outing to the the lifeboat station in NewcastleMembers of Mourne YFC during their outing to the the lifeboat station in Newcastle
Members of Mourne YFC during their outing to the the lifeboat station in Newcastle

But the club made the most of it and continued to have face to face meetings when the club were able to.

The club started the year off with a bag collection in Asda in Kilkeel followed by a trip to the amusements in Newcastle.

They then took part in Grassroots Challenge – the club did a number of litter picks and made squirrel feeders.

Members of Mourne YFC taking part in the Grassroots ChallengeMembers of Mourne YFC taking part in the Grassroots Challenge
Members of Mourne YFC taking part in the Grassroots Challenge

Mourne YFC also managed to get a trip to the life boat station in Newcastle before the first lockdown happened.

Unfortunately because of Covid-19 the club weren’t able to finish the winter programme as planned or do their usual summer programme but that didn’t stop them doing as much as they possibly could.

The club took part in competitions that were held online such as dairy, beef and sheep stock judging.

The club also took part 
in the ‘I Spy a Rainbow’ challenge from YFCU headquarters which saw club members 
decorate their homes and local areas with rainbows to show their support for the key workers.

Members of Mourne YFC making their donation to their local foodbankMembers of Mourne YFC making their donation to their local foodbank
Members of Mourne YFC making their donation to their local foodbank

The club donated a boot load of food and toiletries to The Cornerstone Foodbank in Kilkeel.

Mourne YFC also took part in the ‘YFCU Big Clean Up’ which involved members taking part in a litter pick in their local area.

On Tuesday 22nd September Mourne YFC had their first meeting of the new year, however this year it was slightly different because it was done online via Zoom.

Although it wasn’t the same as meeting face to face and taking part in the different ice breaker games it was still nice to come together as a club and find out what members have been getting up to in this strange year.

Members of Mourne YFCMembers of Mourne YFC
Members of Mourne YFC

On Tuesday 13th October the club were finally allowed to come together and have their first face to face meeting in Annalong Community Centre.

Everyone enjoyed being back together and enjoyed the ice breaker games and the club were also able to finally have their prize giving night.

In November the club were invited to join a Zoom meeting for the Grassroots Challenge awards night during which the club picked up an award for club of the year and club secretary Rebecca picked up the award for adult champion.

Mourne YFC were able to have their first out meeting of the year on Tuesday 24th November when the club travelled to Cranfield Alpacas.

Members of Mourne YFCMembers of Mourne YFC
Members of Mourne YFC

This was a very interesting night and all club members really enjoyed it. Mourne YFC had a very interesting informative talk about the alpacas, the club were able to feed the animals and they club got the chance to walk them back to their field on a lead.

In December the club took part in the presidents Christmas appeal where the club collected food donations from club members. Members Rebecca and Darren then visited The Cornerstone Foodbank in Kilkeel.

The club attended the YFCU outdoor prize giving in Ballymena Rugby Club during which the club picked up the Pam Robinson award.

The club were able to squeeze in one more out meeting just before Christmas to the amusements in Newcastle before yet another lockdown.

Despite it being a year like never before the club still had a very busy year and made the most of it.

Mourne YFC can only hope that things will improve and that they can get back to meetings again as soon as possible.

Members of Mourne YFC at the open air prizegiving in BallymenaMembers of Mourne YFC at the open air prizegiving in Ballymena
Members of Mourne YFC at the open air prizegiving in Ballymena

The club were especially happy to launch their new online video which they will be launching in March 2021.

Keep an eye out on Mourne YFC’s Facebook page to keep up to date with all the latest club news.