Television to blame for decline in Ballygrainey Young Farmers’ Club (1963)

Hemmed in by Donaghadee and Newtownards, the club had lost, over the year, a large potential membership to the clubs in both centres, “but now numbers are beginning to rise”, it was noted.

Only the work of the senior members had saved Ballygrainey YFC, explained secretary Roy Irvine.

He blamed television largely for the downhill slide in membership.

He told Farming Life: “It can be difficult to keep up enthusiasm on a cold winter's night.

“It's much easier to sit at home and be entertained.”

Now, he told Farming Life, younger members were joining and had brought the club strength up to 65 - “only 10 of whom are girls”.

When founded at the end of the Second World War there were 100 members.

“But a few years ago attendance meeting had dropped to a mere 12 to 15. average attendance had risen to more than 30,” said Mr Irvine.

“Some 20 of them take part in the stock judging competitions and concentrate on the cattle aspect.

“No one here is very much interested in sheep or pigs, but a few do work with poultry.”

In 1962, many of the younger members gained diplomas in their first area finals so Roy was looking forward to the future with optimism.

The entire movement, he felt, had “gone down the hill” during the last few years and he thought the sure way of keeping it to the fore was by varying its activities.

A large number, he said, wanted the clubs to organise more social functions.

While many clubs up and down the country stayed active the year through, Ballygrainey YFC closed down in the summer months.

Roy said: “Things are kept ticking over, however, at this time with the stock judging.”

For Roy the club was very much “a family business”.

Three years previously he had took on the secretaryship from his sister. Angela, who had just completed a three-year spell in the office.

A brother, Hugh, was in his fifth year as club leader.

Two other brothers, Kenneth and Raymond, were also keen members.