FINVOY YFC celebrate 70th anniversary

They held their Parents Night on Thursday 17th March in Finvoy Presbyterian Church Hall and the array of silverware on display portrayed perfectly Finvoy’s success at Club, County and Northern Ireland level within the YFCU.

Members both past and present entertained the audience with choir singing, Arts Festival and some comedy sketches informing the audience of member’s not so memorable antics throughout the year!

Finvoy’s success was also recognised at this year’s Co.Antrim YFC AGM where the Club were awarded Most Efficient Club in Co.Antrim for the 3rd year running. Well done everyone – this is a great achievement for the Club. Congratulations must also go to Richard Beattie for gaining 3rd in the Senior Member of the Year Competition, Ruth Dunlop for gaining 2nd Top Secretary, Rachel Campbell for gaining 2nd Top PRO and David Dunlop for gaining 1st Top Treasurer in Co.Antrim.

The YFCU Arts Festival Gala held in the Millennium Forum on 31st March is an experience Finvoy members will not forgot. The Club were awarded the new YFCU Gala Arts Festival award for ‘Most Outstanding Performance of the Night’ for their performance of “My Big Fat Gypsy Arts Festival.” The Club are delighted to have achieved this new award and a big thank you must go to talented Producer Jonathan Hanna and his team of choreographers Ruth Dunlop and Lindsey Henry.

This year’s YFCU Annual Conference and AGM seen member Martyn Blair elected as Deputy President for the 2nd year. The Club have no doubt Martyn will do an excellent job – it’s great to see a Finvoy man at the helm of the YFCU. Congratulations must also go to David Dunlop who was awarded Top Treasurer in Northern Ireland at the Conference – a worthy winner. David was also awarded 2nd in the Ulster Young Farmer of the Year competition.

Success continued for the Club at this year’s YFCU Drama Dinner which was held in the Dunsilly Hotel on the 4th May. The cast of the 1 Act Drama were awarded Best Play for their performance of “Any Body For Tea?” and producers Stephanie Fulton and Karena Shaw picked up the award for “Best Producers.” Well done to all involved and to Karena and Stephanie for their hard work in producing the play. Finvoy’s joint 3 Act Play with Garvagh YFC “A Wake in the West” was also a success at the dinner. The cast were awarded “Best Play” and Martyn Blair was awarded a merit for his acting skills. Well done to Barbara Blair from Garvagh YFC for winning “Best Actress.” This is a great achievement for all involved and thanks must go to Adrian Cooper for producing the play.

Finvoy members would like to take this opportunity to thank Rea’s of Finvoy for sponsoring their new 70th Anniversary rugby shirts. No doubt the shirts will be put to good use for the busy summer ahead. The summer season will kick off for Finvoy with their Annual Sports Night on Friday 25th May in Ballymoney Showgrounds. All teams are welcome and a disco will follow in Ma Kelly’s after the event. Finvoy will also hold their Community BBQ on Saturday 9th June at 24 Drumlee Road, Finvoy (same venue as last year – it will be signposted from the main Finvoy Road). Music will be provided Picture the Sound. Hope to see you all there!