Randalstown Young Farmers' reflect on busy winter programme

As 2018 is drawing to an end, Randalstown YFC has been busier than ever with competitions, dinner dances and club meetings.
Randalstown YFC Committee Members 2018-19.Randalstown YFC Committee Members 2018-19.
Randalstown YFC Committee Members 2018-19.

September saw three fencing teams competing at Northern Ireland level, with the team of Robert Smyth, David Thompson and Steven Doole being placed first in the Novice section.

Robert Smyth was also placed first in the Northern Ireland Soil Assessment Competition.

September also saw Randalstown YFC welcoming 21 new members to the club and taking a trip out to ‘We are Vertigo’ in Belfast.

Aaron McNeilly (Best Under 16 Club Member) and Robert Smyth (Best Over 16 Club Member) pictured at Randalstown YFC's annual dinner.Aaron McNeilly (Best Under 16 Club Member) and Robert Smyth (Best Over 16 Club Member) pictured at Randalstown YFC's annual dinner.
Aaron McNeilly (Best Under 16 Club Member) and Robert Smyth (Best Over 16 Club Member) pictured at Randalstown YFC's annual dinner.

In October, members competed in public speaking and floral art competitions and the Club have extendec congratulations to Gemma Dickey on being placed first in Northern Ireland for Impromptu Public Speaking. They have also extended a ‘well done’ to Ellen Smyth, Emma Mills and Ryan Bonar who have progressed to Balmoral Show 2019 for the floral art final.

October also saw the County Antrim YFC Annual Dinner Dance take place at which Randalstown picked up 11 prizes, including Most Efficient Club in County Antrim for the second consecutive year. Members all had a great night celebrating their achievements over the past year.

Club members attended the Jungle NI Fright Night and on November enjoyed their club’s annual dinner dance which was held in the Rosspark hotel where members welcomed Andrew Patton as a guest speaker.

Following the yearly prize giving everyone was entertained by a magician.

Front- Georgia Nicholl (Junior Member of The Year NI), Rachel McNeilly and Ellie Agnew and Back- Emma-Jane Sloan and Emma Mills at the annual dinner of Randalstown YFC.Front- Georgia Nicholl (Junior Member of The Year NI), Rachel McNeilly and Ellie Agnew and Back- Emma-Jane Sloan and Emma Mills at the annual dinner of Randalstown YFC.
Front- Georgia Nicholl (Junior Member of The Year NI), Rachel McNeilly and Ellie Agnew and Back- Emma-Jane Sloan and Emma Mills at the annual dinner of Randalstown YFC.

On the night Robert Smyth collected the award for Best Over 16 Member, Aaron McNeilly collected the award for best Under 16 Member, Gemma McNeilly collected the award for Most Outgoing New Member and Ellen Smyth collected the award for most enthusiastic

member.

The club is planning to run a children’s Christmas party on Saturday, December 8, and a Beetle Drive on Friday, March 8, 2019.

More details of both can be found on the club’s facebook page.

A spokesperson for the Club said: “These events are open to all members of the community so remember it’s not all about welly boots and tractors!”