ON Saturday, July 9, several members of Devon Young Farmers’ (YFC) travelled to Stafford for the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs Competitions Finals.

They were competing against Young Farmers’ from the rest of England and Wales in public speaking, performing arts and sports competitions.

It was the Devon YFC Junior Public Speaking team and Show Choir that took the top spots and were crowned National Champions.

The Devon YFC Junior Public Speaking team consisted of Ruby and Rose McCombe from Culm Valley YFC, as well as Gracie Rice from Cruwys Morchard YFC.

They were judged on their speaking ability, as well as their ability to conduct a meeting as a Chairman, Vote of Thanks and Guest Speaker.

Jill Persey, Devon YFC Vice President, trained the Devon YFC Junior Public Speaking team.

She explained: “We are so ecstatic to have won the National Junior Speaking finals! These talented girls have worked so hard to achieve this goal and to also gain the awards for Best Speaker, Best Vote of Thanks, and second place by one point for Best Chairman made this win all the more special.

“Junior Public Speaking is the perfect opportunity for young members to learn such an important life skill, not just to speak in public, but also learn how to professionally conduct a meeting. I am so proud to have been a part of this team and to see them do so well.”

There was also success for Haldon YFC’s Show Choir team, which consisted of members from Cheriton and Tedburn, Newton St Cyres and Okehampton Young Farmers’ Clubs, who were also crowned National Champions.

Haldon YFC’s Choir prepared for the National Finals by performing at the Farm Business Awards at Devon County Show earlier in the month.

The choir were trained by Cheriton and Tedburn YFC member Dan Grist.

He explained: “You don’t usually associate young farmers with singing, but over the last few months we have had so much fun seeing what we can put together for the Show Choir Competition.

“There is always a big rivalry with the Welsh, especially when it comes to singing, so we were over the moon to just pip them to the post!

“It’s been amazing to see the confidence of the choir grow and perform at events such as Devon’s Farm Business Awards – all experiences that we will never forget.”

Devon YFC also had teams compete in Auctioneering, After Dinner Speaking, Brainstrust, Cheerleading, Dodgeball and Hockey. All of these teams had to win rounds at a County and South West Area level in order to reach the national finals.

Hattie Pike from Honiton YFC was awarded second place in the Auctioneering, with East Devon ladies picking up fourth in the Ladies Hockey.

Rosie Bennett, Devon YFC Chairman, adds: “It is incredible to see Devon YFC perform so well in such a variety of competitions, from public speaking to performing arts. It demonstrates the strength we have in a diverse range of competitions and proves that Young Farmers’ is so much more than just farming!

“We are so lucky to have such a vast network of trainers, judges and supporters and without them this level of national success wouldn’t be possible.

“Whether you’re competing at a club level in a Village Hall, or reaching the Nationals Finals in Stafford, we all gain so much from giving these competitions a go – they really do give you skills for life.”

For information on how to join your local young farmers’ club, visit: www.devonyfc.co.uk .