Swann urges clubs to enter Rye Trophy

UUP MLA Mr Robin Swann has called on Young Farmers’ Clubs from across the Province to enter the annual competition organised by the influential Rural Youth Europe organisation.

Assemblyman Swann issued his appeal as he congratulated Kesh YFC on winning this year’s prestigious trophy.

The competition was introduced during Assemblyman Swann’s two-year term as RYE Chairman and the trophy itself was presented to RYE by Mr Swann. Previously, Mr Swann had also served a two-year term as RYE Vice Chairman and is a former President of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster.

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Mr Swann said: “Kesh Young Farmers Club brought the RYE trophy to Northern Ireland, fighting off stiff competition from similar organisations from across Europe.

“Kesh’s winning project in 2011 was its innovative competition called How fit is your Tractor?”

Members of the Kesh Young Farmers’ Club and the local community were invited to bring their tractors to the Kesh Marina to enter the “fittest tractor” competition.

The judge checked the engine, tyres, and the general condition compared to the age of the tractor with a grand prize awarded to the winner.

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Other club members also competed against an independent judge to see if they could assess and pick the tractor closest to the judge’s choice. In addition, there was also a junior section for children who came with their toy tractors!

Assemblyman Swann added: “I warmly congratulate Kesh YFC in bringing the trophy to Northern Ireland on behalf of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster.

“It was doubly pleasing to see a Northern Ireland victory as I both introduced the competition and presented the original trophy.

“I encourage other clubs from across Northern Ireland to follow Kesh’s excellent example and enter their ideas for future RYE competitions.

“This is a terrific way to demonstrate that Young Farmers’ Clubs are an integral part of rural communities across Ulster,” said Assemblyman Swann.