Essex Young Farmers - Spring 2021

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS SPRING 2021

Cover Image: Daisy Jones

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CONTENTS

INSIDE...

SPRING 2021 05

THANK YOU MARY & CAROLE

06

COUNTY CHAIRMAN

07

COUNTY PRESIDENT

08

COMPETITIONS

09

FIVE MINUTES WITH... JENNY MASKELL

10

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

12

ASHDON & SAFFRON WALDEN CLUB REPORT

13

COLCHESTER CLUB REPORT

15

DUNMOW CLUB REPORT

16

HALSTEAD CLUB REPORT

17

MALDON CLUB REPORT

19

ONGAR CLUB REPORT

21

SOUTHMINSTER CLUB REPORT

23

WIX CLUB REPORT

25

LIZZIE’S TRIP DOWN UNDER

27

ANNOUNCEMENTS

28

FUNDRAISING

30

CHAPLAIN'S CHAPTER

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS SPRING 2021

Hello everyone!

This is the first magazine edition that we are sending out as a digital copy to Young Farmers members, so hopefully most of you are reading this on your screens!

Considering we are unable to meet up as we would all like, Young Farmers have still been busy, from delivering muck for charity to baking amazing cakes.

There are also already some great events planned for the next few months for you to put in your diaries which is certainly something to look forward to.

From, Flick x

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS office@essexyfc.co.uk 01245 360442 www.essexyoungfarmers.co.uk Whitbread’s Barn, Chatham Green, Chelmsford, Essex, CM33LQ Magazine published by: Duplexity Artwork www.duplexity.co.uk ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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FEATURE

THANK YOU & GOOD LUCK, MARY & CAROLE! LAST YEAR SAW SOME DRASTIC CHANGES IN THE ESSEX YFC STAFFING TEAM WITH BOTH MARY AND CAROLE LEAVING THE FEDERATION. WE WANTED TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE LADIES IN THE OFFICE FOR EVERYTHING THEY DID FOR THE FEDERATION DURING THEIR TIME WITH US. The work carried out by the staffing team within Young Farmers is often underestimated as much of this goes on behind the scenes.

However, Mary and Carole saw the County Federation run like clockwork and, between them, had racked up over 15 years of service. To many, Young Farmers is like an extended family and that certainly was the case for Mary and Carole - the sisters both lived for Essex Young Farmers and were always either at the end of the phone for support or in the office if anyone needed anything (or were just passing and fancied a brew). No matter what deadlines they were working to, they were never too busy to help and often knew the answers to any questions from the top of their head!

Everyone involved with Young Farmers will remember the bubbly character the ladies brought to the office and the many funny memories shared along the way, such as when the Chairman would play tricks and move the office furniture around after an exec meeting leaving them baffled the next day trying to find anything, to experiencing their first “Micky D’s” or watching Mary try to navigate across the compound after a long Show day...

There are too many memories to share, but I think we speak on behalf of everyone when we wish Mary and Carole all the best for the future. We hope Carole enjoys returning to the classroom and Mary enjoys retirement running her hobby farm (allotment) and continues to perfect her golf game (though maybe the 19th hole will be the most successful?).

You will both be truly missed throughout Essex and we look forward to seeing you in the future!

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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COUNTY REPORTS

COUNTY CHAIRMAN ELLIE GEMMILL

Hello all!

Well, spring has arrived, lockdown is easing and the days are getting longer.

We started the year on a high as all the clubs did really well doing their bit for local communities by collecting Christmas trees after the festive period. Ashdon & Saffron Walden in particular did a fantastic job as they raised £5,500 for their chosen charities, Children’s Liver Disease and Beat Eating Disorders.

Moving into February we did “The Great Essex Young Farmer Bake Off”. We also opened the competition up to subscribers and the creativity and ideas that went into these cakes was second to none! The theme was “Countryside Show Stopper” and was won by Nicola Gilbey, Maldon member. It was certainly a showstopper, indeed!

Our next competition was to design a beer label, teaming with Bishop Nick’s Brewery to brew our own Essex YFC Pale Ale. The members had the opportunity to compete in designing the label, to be printed on the initial run of 2,000 bottles.

Again, the entries we received were outstanding and the artists have definitely come out of the woodwork during this lockdown! The winning design was by Wix member, Tom Novorol, with “Fork In The Hay”and orders can now be placed via the office.

As a county, we also managed to raise £325 through our Valentines raffle which included a delicious meal for two, generously gifted by Abigail’s Delicatessen. This was won by two of our Ongar Subscribers, Duncan and Anne Padfield.

At the end of February I had the amazing opportunity to talk to Rob Jelly from BBC Essex radio. It’s not often you get over an hour on the local radio dedicated to farming and mental health. An interview was conducted between Cam Young, Dayna Warner, Ed Ford and myself,

06

and it was great to help highlight the mental health and well-being amongst the farming community and Essex Young Farmers.

On the topic of good deeds, Colchester Young Farmers recently coordinated their “Muck Run 2021” in March. They managed to raise over £1,000 by delivering over 250 bags of cow muck, and the money raised went to their lifetime charity The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation.

All in all, we’ve been very busy with meetings via Zoom and waiting for the days we can meet face to face!

We have a few events to look forward to in the upcoming months, providing Boris’ roadmap stays on track!

To start, we have our “Great Grain Campaign” taking place between 10th – 18th April. The aim is to collect wheat from farmers who are helping support us by donating a tonne or two of wheat and to sell it through ADM Agriculture Ltd. The money raised from this will go towards Essex Young Farmers and our 2022 show.

Duncan and Anne enjoy their meal for two Valentines raffle prize

Fork in the Hay beer - coming soon!

Come May we have our Drive In Cinema on Saturday 15th where the film “Grease” will be featuring on the screen down at Barleylands. To mark the day of our lost show, on Sunday 16th we have a Tractor Run, taking a scenic route from Boyton Cross down to Barleylands, but there will be more information to follow with finer details and government guidelines closer to the time.

In June (I know, a bit far in advance!) we will be having an online charity auction, kindly hosted by Cheffins Auctioneers. This will be done online, but get those bidding panels out and at the ready!

This rounds up my spring report for now, but let’s look forward to the summer and better times ahead!

Ellie Gemmill

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

Nicola Gilbey won the Bake Off with this show-stopper!

COUNTY REPORTS

PRESIDENT’S REPORT MILES LEEDER

B

y now, every member has had the unenviable privilege of having a Covid birthday and, as we approach the summer months, there is definitely light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.

In the entire history of the Young Farmers movement, we have not seen such a profound impact on the membership. Even through a foot and mouth outbreak, a World War and other lesser world dilemmas, 2020 will be remembered for mass isolation, difficult loss of family and friends and a gentle reminder where our food is sourced, only to be highlighted from our exit from the European Union.

So the transition back to normality will bring fresh challenges. A two-year break from the Young Farmers Show will inevitably bring some changes.

With a refreshed committee and some new ideas, let’s hope we can forge a path for the agricultural industry and locally-sourced food.

Essex Young Farmers have suffered greatly from the lack of revenue from two years without a show and efforts are underway to “plug” the funding gap from two years of show cancellations.

By the time this magazine hits your doorstep, the successful Great Grain Campaign will have reached its finale and our gratitude goes to the generosity of all farmers, machinery dealers, sponsors and subscribers who have lent, given and donated towards the campaign which will go a long way to bridging the funding gap until we can hold a Show again in 2022.

Most of you will now know that our new County Organiser has settled into her position and, as we gradually open up Whitbreads, I am sure you will all meet her in the coming weeks. Jenny has certainly jumped into the role with great gusto and there been plenty to organise.

The new YFC beer is going great guns and what a way of engaging members in lockdown with a design competition for the label. Get your orders in quick before it all gets drunk!

Despite the challenges of several lockdowns and weekly rule changes, clubs have made great efforts to continue their charity work. Successful Christmas tree collections, muck runs and local community projects have all given them a little something to engage with in difficult times.

I think I can safely say that we will all be glad to see the back of the secondary virus of Zoom! Although this has been an invaluable tool to the federation in keeping communications open, it is a poor substitute for the real thing. So to break us back in gently, what better way to get together than showing those shiny tractors off at the Tractor Run and a Drive-In Cinema to commiserate the Show cancellation? We even have our own beer to blow the froth off and toast a fresh start to a rejuvenated Young Farmers.

Please remember that Whitbreads is a great asset of the YFC and is at the disposal for any clubs to use if they so wish. We will be looking forward to opening up the building for social gatherings very soon as we patiently await those full-on weekends of Young Farmer parties.

See you all soon (in person)!

Butter wouldn’t melt, and rubber tastes better!

THE TRANSITION BACK TO NORMALITY WILL BRING FRESH CHALLENGES. A TWOYEAR BREAK FROM THE YOUNG FARMERS SHOW WILL INEVITABLY BRING SOME CHANGES. WITH A REFRESHED COMMITTEE AND SOME NEW IDEAS, LETS HOPE WE CAN FORGE A PATH FOR THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY AND LOCALLY-SOURCED FOOD

Miles Leeder ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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COUNTY REPORTS

COMPETITIONS PAIGE MITCHELL & CHARLOTTE THORNTON

Hi everyone, While we’re still looking forward to getting back into our usual competitions programme, we’ve been really delighted to see some great participation from clubs in our virtual competitions - all of which have full competition points up for grabs.

Starting off in February, we saw some fantastic bakes for our Great Essex Young Farmer Bake Off. Well done to Nicola Gilbert of Maldon who took home ‘Star Baker’, and also to Charlie Balaam of Ashton and Saffron Walden who won the subscribers’ class. Moving into March, our beer label competition saw a fantastic

standard of entries from all over the county.

Congratulations to Tom Novorol of Wix who came out on top and will now see his winning design printed onto 2,000 bottles of beer, thanks to our friends at Bishop Nick.

Well done to everyone who has taken part so far! We hope to have a few more competitions in the near future which we’ll keep you posted about soon.

Until next time,

Charlotte & Paige xx

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ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

FEATURE

MINUTES WITH...

JENNY MASKELL

(COUNTY ORGANISER) Let’s start off easy - tell us a little about yourself and who you are both inside and outside of Young Farmers!

I am me, what you see is what you get. I am 40-something, living in Suffolk with my two daughters, Beth and Lucy. I come from a farming background and still help out where I can, albeit my Dad has a contractor in now. I help at a friend’s shoot and do all the cooking, which is far better than my shooting skills!

If we’re sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it’s been, what did we achieve together?

Getting Essex YFC back on track, having a secure future again and also having plenty of positive experiences to tell everyone. Oh, and of course, the best party ever.

What things do you not like to do?

My pet hate is to fill my car up at a petrol station – there is just something about it.

Discuss a specific accomplishment you’ve achieved in a previous position that indicates you will thrive in this position...

In October 2020 I worked very closely with the St Edmundsbury Cathedral and Trinity Park in Ipswich with the Young Farmers and organised a Drive-Through Harvest Festival, replacing the traditional cathedral service. Watching the Bishop give his sermon from a combine cab just proved to me the power of Young Farmers - with the support and help, even in the hardest of times, they come together and pull something amazing off.

What are the three things you always carry with you?

Mobile phone, but who doesn’t these days? My diary, I still have a paper diary.

Paracetamol, as you never know! Oh, and of course, nowadays I have a box of facemasks in my car.

What is your personal greatest achievement within the farming environment?

Winning a ploughing competition when I was 13. I had a very good teacher and would still happily sit on a tractor and plough all day. It was a little international 414 the first tractor my Grandfather brought brand new. It’s now skipped a couple of generations and my eldest daughter now owns it.

Proudest moment in YFC...

I was a YFC member several years ago but, more recently, I have been and still am an advisory committee member for a Suffolk Junior Club – in 2018, Beth came joint-second at the High Sheriff’s awards evening for all her work and commitment to Young Farmers – not bad for a 15-year-old.

Best bits of YFC...

Driving the machines - who doesn’t like a challenge? The bigger, the better!

Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to drive the largest tractor in the UK, Case 620, one of the longest lorries, a Volvo A30G, to name a few.

Making friends for life, meeting like-minded people and partying the night away with them.

Most recently, I had to do the opening speech for Suffolk YFC / St Edmundsbury Cathedral’s Drive-Through Harvest Festival, from the top step of a combine, in the wind and the rain, in front of not only the dignitaries of Suffolk, but also the farming community, the press and TV. It’s times like those I wish I had done the Public Speaking course when I was a member, and why it’s still important today for members to do. You never know when you might need it.

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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CLUB REPORTS

ASHDON & SAFFRON WALDEN

YF CLUB REPORT

CLUB CHAIRMAN Lucy Hitchcock

Hello everyone!

I hope you have all kept safe and well during the third lockdown. Times have been tough this year, but with the vaccination programme going well and the news of the country starting to re-open again, things are certainly looking up for Young Farmers!

I don’t have a huge amount to report on, I’m afraid. We were lucky enough to still be allowed to do our annual Christmas tree collection on January 3rd, which this year was in aid of Children’s Liver Disease and Beat Eating Disorders. 600 trees were collected from Saffron Walden and Newport as well as surrounding villages from Elsenham and Clavering, to the Pelhams, Albury and Manuden.

LUCY HITCHCOCK

We managed to raise a fantastic £5,500 for our charities - this is a record achievement for the club and a fantastic success for us.

We would like to thank everyone for SUNDAY 11TH JULY their kind donations which will be massively appreciated ASHDON AND by the two charities who have really SAFFRON WALDEN struggled in the past year to raise funds due to YOUNG FARMERS the COVID-19 crisis. We were able to recycle SUMMER FUN RIDE many of them A flat route of approx. 10 miles through the to the farm beautiful Hertfordshire countryside and at Saffron Walden County High School where the goats thoroughly enjoyed them! woodlands

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ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

Ash & Saff have got lots in the diary now that Boris has announced lockdown is coming to an end! We are planning to run our annual clay shoot, as well as a long distance ride on July 11th which has never been attempted by a club before. Club nights can start getting back to normal so we can start having some real fun again instead of doing boring old Zoom!

Thanks so much for everyone’s support over the past year, it is really appreciated by all of us! It will be so exciting to get back to normal and show the world what Young Farmers is really about again!

Lots of love,

Lucy xxx

CLUB REPORTS

COLCHESTER

YF CLUB REPORT

CLUB CHAIRMAN Oliver Weavers

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all well and continuing to stay safe during these uncertain times - fingers crossed we will be out the other side soon!

Although this year has been tough, Colchester Young Farmers continues to thrive with membership numbers growing and enthusiasm building… especially now that there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

‘Zoom’ is probably the most used yet most loathed word in the country at this point, however, Colchester YFC has used it to its full advantage. So far this year, we have had two charity talks from ABF The Soldiers Charity and our lifetime charity, The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation… it’s safe to say there were no dry eyes in the house for this call!

ERIN THOMAS

Following on from the Essex YFC Big Exchange Weekend in 2019, where we exchanged with Collingham Young Farmers in Nottinghamshire, we have had several video calls with them. Both clubs have hosted a games night each… and both times Collingham members have won, so the competition isn’t over yet! This is a great way of spicing up the old Zoom quiz nights, so we definitely recommend a virtual exchange with other clubs across the country… I’ve also been asked to mention that Troy Avery is still yet to win a single quiz night! Hehe.

Some of our members have also taken part in Essex YFC’s virtual competitions (Bake Off and Beer Label Design) and won points for the club, so well done! The majority of our members are really looking forward to being able to start training for the Tug of War competitions this year and hopefully we can get some of the new members to join in too.

At the beginning of March, we hosted our annual Muck Run. For this event, we would usually drive around a certain few villages with a tractor and trailer full of muck, knock on doors and all our members would shovel the muck into wheelbarrows there and then.

Due to COVID, we had to think of a socially distanced way to undertake this fundraiser. It was decided that we would take pre-orders only for delivery on a set day and would reuse animal feed bags by filling them with muck to leave on driveways. This meant we could offer the muck out to a larger area. It’s safe to say that it’s likely we will run the event this way in the future as we managed to raise over £1,000, which is amazing! We also made it into the newspaper! All the funds raised from this event will be going to our lifetime charity, The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation. Huge thanks to Neil Pulford at Newbridge Mill Farm for donating the muck year on year and to the members who helped over two weekends, bagging and delivering the muck.

In light of (hopefully) coming out of lockdown over the next few months, the club has started to plan and get involved with some upcoming events. This includes our Road Run, Party, Harvest Supper and the Great Grain Campaign in aid of Essex Young Farmers.

If you are a farmer, local to Colchester, and can spare a tonne (or more) of wheat to help save Essex Young Farmers, please get in touch with us or Essex YFC directly. If you’d like more info on the Great Grain Campaign or would simply like to donate, please contact office@essexyfc.co.uk or visit the website.

Thanks for reading and stay safe,

Erin xx ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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CLUB REPORTS

DUNMOW

YF CLUB REPORT

CLUB CHAIRMAN Andrew Hutley

Hey everyone, What a crazy year it has been, but we can finally see the end and hopefully we will be back to doing what we do best very soon. We have got lots of plans for after June 21st, including our Harvest Summer which will be on October 9th, and we hope to see lots of you there.

Since my last report, we have raised £1,305 from our Movember challenge, with the funding all supporting men’s mental health and testicular cancer. This is an amazing charity and it has been great to give out as much support as we can. Following on from this, we had many members complete our annual Christmas tree collecting raising funds for Dunmow. We collected over 111 trees around the Dunmow and Essex area.

Dunmow also entered two cakes into the Essex Young Farmers Bake Off, with Rosie Beanlands finishing in third place with 121 votes.

Not too much to report from me this time around, but I hope everyone is safe and doing well - let’s support Essex Young Farmers as much as we can.

LIV BEER

Love Liv xx

SINCE MY LAST REPORT WE HAVE RAISED £1,305 FROM OUR MOVEMBER CHALLENGE, WITH THE FUNDING ALL SUPPORTING MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH AND TESTICULAR CANCER

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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CLUB REPORTS

HALSTEAD

YF CLUB REPORT

CLUB CHAIRMAN Paige Mitchell

Hi everyone, I hope you are all safe, well and keeping your spirits up as we are on the final stretch to what hopefully will be back to our version of normal!

As you can imagine, things have been very quiet on the Halstead front but we have been keeping the club going with Zoom calls and quizzes for the club members so they still feel involved, especially some of our new members.

We have loved seeing the entries to some of the virtual competitions such as the Bake Off, and well done to Poppy Coy for both entering and creating such a great cake!

Hopefully we will see you all very soon and we cannot wait to meet up with all of the other Essex Young Farmers clubs!

FRANCESCA SIMES

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Francesca x

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

CLUB REPORTS

MALDON

CLUB CHAIRMAN

YF CLUB REPORT

Jamie Marshall

Bake Off competition entries

I hope everyone is safe and well. It’s been a tough few winter months for everyone, but days are getting brighter and summer is on it’s way as we come to the end of lockdown.

GEORGIE FRENCH

DUE TO SOME CHARITIES HAVING TO CANCEL THEIR TREE COLLECTION, AS A CLUB WE STEPPED IN AND HAD A TEAM SPEND A SUNDAY MORNING COLLECTING TREES FROM HOMES IN THE LOCAL AREA

Christmas tree sales were, again, a huge success. As well as having our base, we also did deliveries.

In total, we sold 90 trees and raised £1,200. The money raised will go to our chosen charity, MIND. Due to some charities having to cancel their tree collection, as a club we stepped in and had a team spend a Sunday morning collecting trees from homes in the local area.

Recently, County organised a Bake Off cake competition to get the bakers back into the kitchen.

I would like to say massive well done to everyone who took part. A special well done to our club members Syd Gallagher, Kayleigh Rowsell and Nicola Gilbey for baking some lovely cakes! Congratulations also to Nicola who came first!

I’m sure Nicola, Syd and Kayleigh will be back the kitchen baking for the club for our first meet back... so no pressure!

Thank you for everyone that voted for our members.

As lockdown has had us all stuck in our homes over the past few months, our members are continuing to work hard in their work lives. Well done to everyone, especially to the key workers!

Due to lockdown restrictions starting to relax, our committee have been back planning club meetings for when we are allowed to meet again.

Maldon Young Farmers can’t wait to get back to normality and have a drink together.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at events soon.

Georgie x ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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CLUB REPORTS

ONGAR

YF CLUB REPORT

CLUB CHAIRMAN Will Spanton-Coates

We’re nearly halfway through another Young Farmers year and, although a quiet one, it has definitely been memorable for us all!

Ongar has had a fairly quiet start to the year, however it has allowed time for plenty of discussion around the planning of future events and fundraising ideas that we look forward to organising in the near future. It is regrettable that the Show cannot take place again this year, but Ongar is looking forward to the forthcoming County Tractor Run and Drive-In Cinema this summer.

HANNAH GILES

DESPITE THINGS BEING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TO NORMAL, ONGAR YOUNG FARMERS IS STILL A BRILLIANT CLUB TO BE A PART OF AND WE ARE LIKE ONE BIG FAMILY. WE’RE A CLUB WITH MEMBERS WHO WORK IN A VARIETY OF ROLES IN AND OUTSIDE OF FARMING; SO ALL ARE WELCOME!

Our club have always been a competitive bunch and this hasn’t changed, despite a global pandemic! With thanks to County for organising online events, we have managed to gain club points with members participating in ‘The Essex Young Farmers Bake Off’! Ongar proudly produced two entries and even managed to gain a second place finish, winning 15 club points.

Despite things being slightly different to normal, Ongar Young Farmers is still a brilliant club to be a part of and we are like one big family. We’re a club with members who work in a variety of roles in and outside of farming, so all are welcome! As well as numerous activities and competitions at County level and beyond, there are also many benefits including travel opportunities, training bursaries and plenty of sport and social events. Not forgetting, of course, the lifelong friendships and, in some cases, marriages as well as amazing memories that you make! Please feel free to send us a message on Facebook or Instagram (Ongar Young farmers / @ongaryfc ) for more information about becoming a member!

Keep safe and well and let’s hope we can meet regularly very soon!

Hannah

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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CLUB REPORTS

SOUTHMINSTER

CLUB CHAIRMAN

YF CLUB REPORT

Lizzy Tresadern

Spreading bark in Latchingdon

Hello all, Welcome along to the spring magazine, I hope that you are all keeping yourselves out of harm and are safe and well. As I sit at the old typewriter, the flowers are out and spring seems to be on the horizon, though noone seems to have told the weather yet! I’m sure by the next magazine I’ll be complaining about the heatwave, though.

JACK GARWOOD WE ALSO HAVE HAD A LOT GOING ON IN THE BACKGROUND SO THAT WE CAN FIRE INTO ACTION WHEN THE TIME COMES

I had been hoping to talk to you about how wonderful it was to be free of all this lark by now but, unfortunately, that isn’t the case - but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy! In December we helped out and attended the Essex YFC Drive-In Best-dressed tractor at Carol Service, and for those that came I’m sure the drive-in carol service you will agree it was a fantastic day! The icing on the cake was that we even won the best decorated tractor competition. Thank you to everyone involved for making it such a success. Around Christmas we also went to Latchingdon play area, once again spreading bark chipping to make sure that local families could make the most of the good weather when it arrived.

As well as this, we have been keeping Zoom in business while trying to be inventive with new games, so thank you to everyone for their ideas. We have done more dreaded quizzes, but we did a ‘Guess Who?’ with baby pictures, which is harder than any of us realised!

We also have had a lot going on in the background so that we can fire into action when the time comes. We have got a programme in place with meetings along the lines of fish and chips, bike rides to the beach and a talk from one of our members about equine dentistry. All of which I am very much looking forward to, as I’m sure the rest of the members are too.

Our Chairwoman looking like she’s ready to eat some sand!

Along with the fun, we of course have work to do. We are planning a sponsored Big Beach Clean along Bradwell beach, hopefully raising funds for Essex YFC and cleaning up a local area in one fell swoop. Finally, we are involved with the Essex Young Farmers Great Grain Campaign 2021, so if anyone local would like to donate then give Southminster a shout and we can arrange collection.

I look forward to updating you on all of these and more next time. Until then, look after yourselves.

Jack

Our Bake Off entry

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

21

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Facilities include: • Main Hall – seating for 100 people • Tables and chairs • Multimedia Projector • Free Wi-Fi • Ample parking and easy access • Kitchen You are invited to use the fully-fitted kitchen when hiring the Main Hall to prepare your own tea and coffee. We can also supply details of local caterers should you require refreshments during your event. The kitchen is offered in conjunction with room hire, all we ask it is left as it is found.

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CLUB REPORTS

WIX

CLUB CHAIRMAN

YF CLUB REPORT

HANNAH MARSHALL

88% OF PEOPLE IN THE FARMING INDUSTRY UNDER THE AGE OF 40 SAY THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THEY FACE DAILY. IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE EASY, BUT ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO FACE THESE PROBLEMS IS TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE

Nathan Sprawling

Hello everyone, I hope you are all keeping safe and well. I’m not sure about you, but it seems to be a very long time since we had a club night that wasn’t virtual. I certainly can’t wait until the restrictions lift, so we can slowly get back to normal, whatever that is!

In the last magazine, I mentioned that the fundraising side of Young Farmers had taken a bit of a kicking. Well, in December we managed to rectify this by raising £655 with our annual Christmas tree sales. On January 2nd, we added to this further by collecting over 250 trees and raising £1,700 in the process. We are hoping that with Boris’ roadmap we will get the opportunity to host some events later on in the year that will allow us to make our final total that little bit bigger - keep your fingers crossed!

In other news, our social media girls have been busy keeping everyone entertained with a Wix Young Farmers TikTok account, so make sure to check it out. They have also hosted a few photography competitions on Facebook that have proven to be very popular.

Now, it is no secret that the current situation with lockdown, and the isolating work that

makes up most of the farming industry, can have a detrimental impact on people’s mental health. Back in February, two of our members, Cam Young and Dayna Warner, were invited to talk on this matter on BBC Essex, along with Ed Ford and Ellie Gemmill. One of the topics covered was that 88% of people in the farming industry under the age of 40 say that mental health is the biggest problem they face daily.

It may not always be easy, but one of the best ways to face these problems is to speak to someone. It doesn’t matter who you talk to or what you discuss, as long as you know that there are always people willing to listen. If you need someone to talk to, please phone FCN on 03000 111999 as we may be in the same storm, but not in the same boat.

Finally, congratulations must go to our very own Tom Novorol who won the Essex Young Farmers beer label design competition; the winning design will be printed on 2,000 bottles of Bishop Nick Pale Ale so keep your eyes peeled for these.

That’s all for now, until next time!

Hannah

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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FEATURE

LIZZIE’S TRIP DOWN UNDER! Lizzie Tresarden reflects on her trip to New Zealand thanks to funding from the EYFC DC Bower Trust...

Hi, my name is Lizzy Tresadern. I am the current Chairman of Southminster Young Farmers club and I work on a vineyard/arable farm in Essex (Clayhill Vineyard). I have been a member of Young Farmers for four years now.

In February 2019, I went to New Zealand with my partner, Will De Dieu Bellefontaine.

A few months prior to the trip I applied for funding from the EYFC DC Bower Trust, which went on to pay for my flight to Auckland. It was a really simple process during which I filled out a short form and sent it over to F&GP. I was then soon accepted for funding and I went straight on to booking my flight with the money that they sent over to my account (easy as that!).

Once we arrived in Auckland we went travelling around the North Island before working at Man O War vineyards for the next three months.

Before we set off for work, we took part in the Kiwi Experience bus tour and some of the highlights from that tour included Hobbiton (the film set of the Hobbit), a Moiri Village experience and abseiling through glow worm caves (my favourite)!

Once we had travelled the North Island we made our way over to Waiheke Island for the Man O War vineyards, where we were to live and work for the next few months. Pretty much as soon as we arrived harvest started - we picked a record amount of grapes for Man O War that year and, of course, drank about the equivalent in wine (can’t say no to free wine)!

I also managed to get myself a job in the winery every day. In the evenings, once the grapes were picked, that was where I took part in the day-to-day winery jobs which definitely kickstarted my current passion for wine making!

Since then, I have continued working on Clayhill Vineyard and in the winery. I’ve also done a course in wine making at Plumpton College and I’m looking to do many more harvests abroad. Along with my boss for supporting and teaching me for the last six years, I also have Essex Young Farmers to thank for giving me the opportunity to further my career and introduce me to the world of wine. The money they gave me helped massively and made the planning of my trip easier.

If you are a signed-up member and want to further your career or passions by travelling abroad or starting a new educational course, then definitely apply for one of the many funding programmes that Essex Young Farmers offer to every single member. I can’t thank EYFC enough for the opportunity of this trip of a lifetime.

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FUNDRAISING

FUNDRAISING IN ESSEX YOUNG FA ESSEX COUNTY FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS CLUBS HAVE TEAMED UP WITH LOCAL AGRICULTURAL DEALER, R W CRAWFORD, AND TRACTOR MANUFACTURER, MASSEY FERGUSON, TO MARK WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THEIR ANNUAL SHOW WEEKEND WITH A COVID-SECURE DRIVE-IN CINEMA AND TRACTOR RUN.

The past 12 months, like for many of us, has been difficult for Essex Young Farmers. The charity, dedicated to supporting young people in agriculture and the countryside, provides a unique opportunity for members to develop skills, work with the local community, travel abroad, take part in a varied competitions programme and enjoy a dynamic social life. When Covid struck, the federation had to move quickly to adapt to an online programme and make the hard decision to cancel their Annual Essex Young Farmers’ Show. One year later and the federation faces significant financial shortfalls due to the cancellation of their Show for the second year running. The Annual Show, usually held in May each year, is organised and run by the members and welcomes over 15,000 visitors through the gates. Unfortunately, being unable to host such a large event has affected morale and depleted the charity’s reserve funds. However, with lockdown measures easing, members are staying positive and thinking outside of the box for alternative fundraising ideas.

To mark the weekend, which would have been the 2021 Essex Young Farmers’ Show, the charity will instead host a Drive-In Cinema on the Saturday evening, followed by a Tractor Run on Sunday. This event has been made possible by the support from local agricultural dealership R W Crawford and Massey Ferguson.

Hannah Kelsey, Marketing Manager of R W Crawford, said:“We have been a great supporter of Essex Young Farmers for many years, with many of our team being a part of ECFYFC at some point during their lives. So we are thrilled to be given the opportunity to support Essex Young Farmers with their latest fundraising events, alongside Massey Ferguson.”

Lindsay Haddon, Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager of Massey Ferguson, said: “We are delighted, as always, to be able to support Young Farmers.

The importance of YFCs and what they bring to the agricultural community is paramount, now more than ever, so it is our pleasure to be able to support Essex Young Farmers partnered with our dealer R W Crawford.”

The Drive-In Cinema will be held on the evening of Saturday 15th May and hopes to put some smiles on everyone’s faces with a classic screening of Grease!

Tickets are £25 per car and these are currently on sale for members and subscribers via our Eventbrite page.

Any remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public from May 1st.

THE IMPORTANCE OF YFCs AND WHAT THEY BRING TO THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY IS PARAMOUNT, NOW MORE THAN EVER

The following day will see the Tractor Run, welcoming both modern and vintage tractors.

The modern tractors will start at the showground (Boyton Hall) and be joined along the route by the vintage tractors before finishing at Barleylands around 13:30. If you would like to take part in the event, please contact Jenny at County Office on 01245 360442 or e-mail office@esseyfc.co.uk.

Ellie Gemmill, County Chairman of ECFYFC, said: “It’s sad that we were unable to put on a Show this year due to current circumstances but, nonetheless, we are very excited about the Drive-In Cinema evening and Tractor Run. This will be the first event of many to come that will allow members, subscribers and the public reunite together again. We are very grateful for the support from R W Crawford and Massey Ferguson and look forward to welcoming you to these upcoming events.”

If you would like to support the continuing work carried out by the federation, there are many ways you can do this: by becoming a subscriber, supporting the charity’s fundraising page or attending one of the many events planned over the coming months.

More information can be found at www.essexyoungfarmers.com.

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ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

AID OF ARMERS

FUNDRAISING

£45,000 £42,000 £39,000 £36,000 £33,000 £30,000 £27,000 £24,000 £21,000 £18,000 £15,000 £12,000 £9,000 £6,000 £3,000

By now you are all aware that the Show cannot go on, and for a second year in a row we have had to cancel it. The health and safety of both members and visitors, coupled with Government restrictions, left us with no choice.

As is no surprise, this has caused us a financial issue. So, in true Young Farmers style never to let a simple problem stand in our way, with the support of our subscribers, local farmers, businesses, friends and families we give you the ‘Great Grain Campaign’.

We have a target of £45,000 to reach in fundraising this year to keep us afloat - by no means an easy task but, with the commitment of the members and their hidden skills, we will give it our best shot.

Watch this space...

If you wish to help in any way or would like some more information, please do contact the office, or via the Just Giving page on our website.

*as of 1st April 2021

Thank you x

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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CHAPLAIN

CHAPLAIN’S CHAPTER

REVD JANET NICHOLLS

Have you read ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’

by Charlie Mackesy? Stay with me; this is a book with more pictures than words! It has become one of my favourite books and I wasn’t surprised to hear that many NHS workers have quotes and illustrations from the book as screensavers.

magazine, my first thought was: “I have nothing interesting to say.” I’m guessing that we’re all in the same boat. All the fantastic Essex Young Farmers activities that provide loads of “interest” have been on hold. It would be so easy to dip out because we have nothing interesting to say.

My copy of the book frequently falls open at the pages that include:

But I love the reply that the horse gives the fox: “Being honest is always interesting.”

“Is your glass half empty or half full?” asked the mole.

Being honest with ourselves and each other is not only “interesting” it’s really important for our wellbeing especially in challenging times. So, please keep in touch.

Always feel free to phone for me for an honest chat.

“I think I’m grateful to have a glass,” said the boy.

“When the dark clouds come... keep going” “When the big things feel out of control... focus on what you love right under your nose.”

“We have such a long way to go,” sighed the boy.

“Yes but look how far we’ve come,” said the horse.

And, of course, the all-important: “THIS STORM WILL PASS.” But, until now, I haven’t quoted: “To be honest, I often feel I have nothing interesting to say,” said the fox.

When I was asked to write my piece for this edition of the

And, in the words of the horse: “Always remember you matter, you’re important and you are loved, and you bring to this world things no one else can.”

Take care. God Bless. I can’t wait to see you all soon.

Janet

Revd Canon Janet Nicholls, Agricultural Chaplain jnicholls@chelmsford.anglican.org

BEING HONEST WITH OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER IS NOT ONLY “INTERESTING” IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR WELLBEING ESPECIALLY IN CHALLENGING TIMES. SO, PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH Quotes are from: Charlie Mackesy (2019) ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse.’(2019) Penguin Books.

30

ESSEX YOUNG FARMERS | SPRING 2021

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