Randalstown YFC celebrates 60th anniversary milestone

Members performing a scene from the arts festival production

It was a huge success and everyone enjoyed the barbecue and activities such as a bouncy castle and slippery football.

The club welcomed nine new members to the first meeting back in September with a fun filled night of games. Meetings throughout the winter included a trip to We Are Vertigo, farm safety talk and disability sports night. The end of September saw the club organise ‘Flashback Friday’ in the Chimney Corner. All proceeds from the event went to raise money for a defibrillator for The Caddy Community Hall and to the club’s chosen charity for the year - The Community Rescue Service.

The Wild Duck, Portglenone, was the venue for the club’s 60th anniversary dinner on November 1, 2019. It was a full house as members past and present joined together to celebrate this milestone. On the night Mrs Anne Speedie (Club Treasurer 1959-61) and Miss Ellen Smyth (Junior Member of the Year) cut the cake. A great night was had by all.

Members of Randalstown Young Farmers club at the opening meeting of the new club year

Members participated in the Swimming Gala, Public Speaking, Home Management, Demonstration Presentation and Ulster Young Farmer competitions. A massive well done to all those who were placed in their age groups.

It was a busy start to the new year with trips to the Grand Opera House, Belfast ,to watch Beauty and the Beast, a roving supper and a trip to the Kingspan. The annual general meeting was held in January. This gave members the opportunity to vote for the incoming office bearers and committee for the club year 2020 – 2021.

The following were elected:

President: Kathleen Cunningha; Vice President: Trevor McNeilly; Club Leader: Jack Johnston; Assistant Club Leader: Steven Doole; Secretary: Ryan Bonar; Assistant Secretary: Elizabeth Adair; Treasurer: Alison Thompson; Assistant Treasurer: Kathleen Galloway; Public Relations Officer: Rachel McNeilly; Assistant Public Relations Officer: Georgia Nicholl

Mark Johnston and David Mills pictured at the Flashback Friday event

Congratulations to everyone who was voted onto the new committee. The club would like to wish them all the best for the incoming year. Also, a big thank you must go to everyone who stepped down from the committee – their time and dedication was greatly appreciated.

January also saw 20 members head off on the return leg of the Biggar YFC exchange. Many thanks must go to Biggar YFC for hosting a great weekend and for welcoming our members into their homes.

The Arts Festival production ‘A Hole In The Wall’ was performed by 41 members on the final night of adjudication in Ballymoney High School. After all the hard work, learning the play and dances, the club were delighted to be chosen to perform at the Gala. Special thanks must go to the producers and to all those who helped with the production.

Next up was the annual church service in March. To celebrate the 60th anniversary year several past members joined present members to form a choir for the service. An amazing £880 was raised at the offering and was presented to Laurel House Chemotherapy Unit.

Unfortunately, due to the uncertain times following the outbreak of Covid-19, the club decided to cancel any future club meetings and upcoming events. With the help of online technology, members still were able to compete in competitions and challenges during lockdown. Well done must go to all those who took part in the virtual Floral Art and Stock Judging Finals.

Members also participated in the ‘Chase the Rainbow’ and ‘How Green is your farm’ challenges and also in the ‘YFCU Big Clean Up’ challenge. The club was delighted to make it through to the final five in the Club of the year competition.

During lockdown members collected and delivered food bank donations to The Jam Store, First Presbyterian Church, Randalstown. The grant of £100 given to the club from Power NI was used to buy more non-perishable food items for the Jam Store. The club would like to thank all frontline and NHS staff for all their hard work during this pandemic.

The year wouldn’t have been such a success without such a strong, hardworking committee, club members, parents and community that has supported the club not only this year but over the last 60 years.

Special guest Anne Speedie and club member Ellen Smyth cut the 60th anniversary cake

Randalstown Young Famers Club would like to wish everyone well in these strange and uncertain times. More details can be found on our Facebook page or contact the club secretary, Ryan Bonar, on 07804473488 or the club leader, Jack Johnston, on 07540242638.