Trillick and District YFC Zoom into 2021

John Armstrong, secretary, delivered a comprehensive report of the club in 2020 despite Covid 19 bringing regular activities to an abrupt halt.

Treasurer Shannen Vance presented a very satisfactory financial report and reported that the club presently has 41 members.

The following officials were elected for the 2021/2022 season: President, Rachel Law, club leader, Colin McKinley, assistant club leader, Charlie Henderson, secretary, Megan Birney, assistant secretary, Jane McGrade, treasurer, Jamie McCutcheon, assistant treasurer, Shannen Vance, PRO, William Graham, assistant PRO, Rebecca Mulligan, John Armstrong also currently serves as Tyrone county chairman, Jake Cunningham as assistant county chairman and Shannen Vance as county treasurer.

Until Lockdown members enjoyed a wide variety of club meetings including making bat boxes with Andrew from Ulster Wildlife, a games and pizza night, boccia with the Grahams and outings to the Fane Valley Mill in Omagh and paintballing at Splat Attack. Meetings moved to Zoom and a club quiz was held and Christmas decoration making with Rebecca Mulligan.

With regular activities cancelled members got involved in several community events.

Mark Gibson acted as question master at the club’s annual quiz which was won by the Bear Hugs raised over £500 for the Palliative Care Ward in Omagh Hospital.

Trillick and District YFC were able to adapt the annual car treasure hunt to comply with Covid regulations. 22 teams took part and, instead of a barbecue each car received a goody bag!

The winners were The Crofters.

Club leader Colin and secretary John constructed a scarecrow for the Peter Pan Playgroup Competition in September.

In the sunshine members took part in two innovative YFCU initiatives.

Club members and friends undertook a 600 mile walk in aid of the Farm safety Foundation Yellow Wellies Appeal.

When the miles were added up electronically 1,035 miles had been walked and £690 raised.

Some members even did some litter picking on the way.

Club leader Colin McKinley was grateful for fellow members who came to his aid as a much needed Toilet Roll flew across Tyrone and Fermanagh to Girgadis Road.

The Toilet Roll Challenge was posted on Facebook.

During the summer members and their families generously donated items for local food banks the ARC , Irvinestown, and The Pantry, Lisnaskea, which is run by the club’s vice president Val Crozier.

In December further donations, combined with generous donations from the Peter Pan Playgroup, went to the food banks and to the Co Tyrone committee collection as part of the YFCU president’s Christmas appeal.

In March Trillick and District YFC unveiled their new club shirts once again generously sponsored by Joe Mills and Son Arrow Oil And Country Store and Brian Keys (Tractors) Dromore.

Sponsorship also came from a new sponsor Farmstrong, Trillick, owned by former club member Neil Armstrong.

Members look forward to sporting the shirts across the province when YFC events resume.

The club was also pleased to receive a proportion of funds raised by Glengeeragh LOL and Pipe Band in a charity static cycle in memory of local farmer David Montgomery a victim of Covid 19

Although Laura Sproule was unable to go on her YFCU exchange trip to Scotland this year some members undertook YFCU travel opportunities.

Four farmers attended a farmwalk in Hillsborough and Bryan McKinley, Dean O’Neil and John Armstrong went on the YFCU agri trip to the Netherlands.

Throughout the year members participated in a wide range of competitions and have had successes at county and Northern Ireland level.

Most including the Ulster Young Farmer, public speaking, home management, the Dunbia Live to Dead competition and stockjudging were conducted online.

Judith McKinley and Shannen Vance were awarded the prestigious 2019/2020 YFCU president’s award for outstanding contribution to the YFCU.

Judith also gained third place in her section of those receiving this award.

Trillick had a very successful night at the annual Tyrone Efficiency Awards. John Armstrong was judged first club leader, Judith McKinley first secretary and Shannen Vance first treasurer and Mollie Henderson second PRO.

At Northern Ireland level Shannen was declared second treasurer – a great achievement.

Shannen Vance created an arrangement depicting 90 Years of the YFCU for the Northern Ireland finals of the floral art, not at Balmoral Show, but on Zoom outside her house and featuring a step ladder among the blooms.

Judith McKinley received first place in the 2019/2020 finals of the presentation/demonstration competition and in the 2020/2021 final was awarded third place with Shannen Vance second.

Both ladies were successful at the public speaking finals also on Zoom with Shannen placed second and Judith third.

Instead of the YFCU choir competition the YFCU held a talent competition by video and Megan Birney entered her rendition of ‘The Climb’ and was awarded the prize for solo performer.

In December Jamie McCutcheon’s Badoney Beltex Sheep was awarded reserve champion in the YFCU competition held at the Beef and Lamb Championships.

However December also brought sad news of the death of Mrs Jean Funston, wife of vice president Billy, and a great friend to the club.

Club cups for 2019/2020 season were awarded as follows

Floral art

Junior – Amy McCullough and senior – Shannen Vance

Public speaking

Junior – Charlie Henderson and senior – Judith McKinley

Stockjudging

Beginner - Piarus McCarron, junior – Thomas Kerr and senior - John Edgar

Home management, Judith McKinley

Ulster Young Farmer, Thomas Kerr

Highest attendance, Harry Kerr

Junior club participant, Charlie Henderson

Senior club participant, Laura Sproule