’ - Secretary s Report 2022 2023
Mr President, Mr Chairman, ladies, gentlemen and fellow Young Farmers, tonight’s AGM signifies an end of another successful club year. What a great opportunity it is for us to have enjoyed a year that has yet again been flourished by member and club successes.
May I begin by paying tribute to our retired Chairman and Secretary – Oliver Gilbert and Pui Yu Liu, who steered the club through the various difficulties as we came out of the difficulties of the pandemic. You have set a very high example of how to undertake proceedings as an officer and both Ed and I have tried to follow the big shoes you left for us.
The new year began in October last year with our New Members Evening hosted by our wonderful club leader Frances Combellack here at the Helford Gig Club. We had an excellent turnout of members old and new who enjoyed a variety of games and icebreakers. That same week, the club entered two cubicles at the Western Area Ploughing Match, where we achieved Third Prize for our domestic cubicle, filled with a fantastic array of baking made by our members. Thanks must also go to Chris Hosken and Mike Webb who donated the vegetables for our other display.
As we entered November, the club hosted our Charity Bonfire and Fireworks Night at Higher Trenower Farm - kindly hosted by the Jenkin family. Olympic fever struck our members at the Indoor Sports Round. The club qualified at the West Round at Hayle School to take part in the County Final at Newquay Sports Centre, where we came ninth overall.
The club also enjoyed successes at Helston Fatstock Show. Rachael Benney won the cup for Beef Stock Judging, Pui Yu Liu for the most points in Points Judging, and Ollie Pearce winning the cup for most points in the YFC section.
The club also entered a plethora of speaking teams for this year’s competitions, held at the Royal Cornwall Pavilion Centre. The Call My Bluff team of Ryan Benney, Nathan Collins and
Annabel Nicholas achieved 2[nd] place. We were very lucky to enter two Junior Public Speaking Teams. The first – Mollie Chilcott, Megan Ruberry and Annabel Nicholas coming 4[th] , and Ryan Benney, Phoebe Rogers and Georgia Collins coming 3[rd] . The Brainstrust team of Ed Hosken, Lowri Lougher, Martha Richards and Ollie Pearce came 1[st] and on to South West Area to represent Cornwall. Personally, I have always had a passion for the speaking competitions: the skills they provide; the confidence they can transform; and the camaraderie of working together as team. I look forward to our members achieving more successes in these competitions in the future.
The Christmas festivities were once again enjoyed by our members. We enjoyed two evenings of carol sing in the Chairman and Secretary areas. Thanks to the Prince of Wales, Bloomfield, Hosken, Wallis, Nicholas and Pearce families for hosting. We also were privileged to host the Cornwall YFC Carol Service at the Cathedral with Warleggan YFC. Members took part in choir of members from across Cornwall, read passages and poems and took part in the Nativity. Just the sight of Nathan, Ryan and Aaron marching up the aisle as the kings made for think for a split second that I had a entered some dodgy Take That reunion!
The new year and its first few months could only mean one thing: Entertainments! The club entered three cabaret acts this year, ‘The Suitcase Flashmob’ produced by Rachael Benney and Jean Richards; ‘On my Own’ beautifully sung by Pui Yu Liu, and ‘A Cornershop Kerfuffle’ produced by Ollie Pearce and Ed Hosken, which went on to qualify into the Cornwall YFC team for South West Area. We also were delighted have a jump rope team of Chelsea Gilbert, Jono Gilbert, Pui Yu Liu and Chloe Ransley from St Buryan YFC, who came 1[st] . Jono Gilbert also won Mr Personality in the Senior Member of the Year competition, who brought the roof down with his performance.
South West Area came along in March, where members trekked up to Weymouth for the weekend’s celebrations. Members enjoyed a great weekend getting dressed up as Where’s Wally and letting their hair down. Members who took part in the competitions enjoyed great success. The Jump Rope team came 3[rd] Place, and the Brainstrust team of Ed Hosken, Lowri
Lougher, Ollie Pearce and Cari Thomas of St Mabyn YFC winning 1[st] prize and going on to Nationals. A revived Charity Dung Run also took place this month, with a small and committed group of members spending all day selling dung in and around Helston, a smelly but rewarding day!
April Showers soon came by and with it came the club’s Advisory Evening. The Ladies Advisory put on a great spread of a cold meat supper and more desserts than a Mary Berry cookbook. The Men’s Advisory put on a great show for us, followed by a raffle. It was lovely to bring back this event to its former glory and I hope it continues to thrive in future years. April also was the month of this year’s WOTNOT – ‘Retallick’s Ramble’. Tom Pearce, Chelsea Gilbert, Rebekah Hosking, Betty Buchanan, Martha Richards, Ollie Pearce and over 40 other members took part in a 100-mile walk from Helensburgh to Edinburgh. It was a fantastic week of kilt-wearing, feet blistering, suitcase smashing fun and over £15,000 was raised for charity. April also saw the West win the East vs West Rugby Match for the first time In ten years! Well done to our members: Owen Williams, Angus Williams, Harry Walsh-Newton, Fin WalshNewton and Eddie Dark who were all part of the winning team.
The big bass drum of Helston Flora Day meant that May was in the air, and with it a new King to fit. To mark both occasions, a Sponsored Flora Day Marathon – or aptly named ‘Florathon’ took place. Hosted at Burnuick Farm by kind permission of the Wallis family, members danced continuously around a decorated route for twelve long hours, before embarking along Culdrose and into Helston to join the town band for their May Day practice. It was a magical day and thanks to everybody that was involved. Later that month, the club took part in the Cornwall YFC Competitions Day at Blable Farm, Wadebridge. We enjoyed great successes in competitions ranging from stock judging, cookery, tug-of-war, auctioneering and painting a round bale to name but a few. A special mention to Pui Yu Liu who won the Fashion Make and Model competition for her beautiful dress, qualifying to represent Cornwall at South West Area level.
The beginning of June was the Royal Cornwall Show. This year’s YFC tent was festooned in an array of colour with reems of
bunting and floristry – full of an array of crafts and entries showcasing the talents of our members. This year’s cubicle theme was ‘Famous Artists’ – with our club being given Elton John. Hours and hours were spent in my garage painting and decorating the cubicle. A small but dedicated group of members worked away to produce everything from a yellow brick road to the tiniest of tiny dancers. Elton John famously sang ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ – but old Reg Dwight nearly did break mine from the work that went into our display! We achieved 13[th] place, but we most certainly deserved a higher place and I have decided to no longer boycott Elton John! Our members also achieved success in the stock judging competitions at the show – winning the trophy for the most points in Beef Stock Judging. After success on Competitions Day, Pui Pui travelled up to the South West Area Competitions Day at the end of June, flying the flag for Cornwall and coming 1[st] place again.
We’re all going on a summer holiday in July. Okay – maybe nowhere exotic, but the club did travel up to Talskiddy, St Columb for the annual Cornwall YFC Rally. Club had a strong turn-out of entries across all fields. We were delighted to win the most points in the Handicraft section, especially Tom Pearce who won the Best Handicraft Exhibit. Thanks to the Retallick family who hosted us. A small group of members travelled up to Staffordshire for the NFYFC Competitions Finals at the beginning of the month. Pui Pui yet again strutted her stuff and achieved national 2[nd ] Place for her Fashion Make and Model – a hugely well-deserved accolade. The Brainstrust Team from South West Area won national 1[st] Prize, and I was honoured to also win national Best Chairman. It really was the proudest moment of my YFC life, and I was privileged to be part of such a talented team.
August came along and members enjoyed a Mystery Weekend organised by our Chairman Ed Hosken. Members enjoyed paintballing, slip and slide, campfire games and an all-round great weekend. The Bank Holiday weekend at the end of August saw the club host a Charity Tractor Run, Sheaf Pitching and Clay Shoot day at Boskenwyn Manor Farm, by kind permission of the Benney and Pearce families. It was a great day with 50 tractors following a route around Port Navas, Mawnan Smith and
Constantine. We also saw a great number of entries for Sheaf Pitching and the Clay Shoot. Well done to everyone who was involved in making the day a successful one. Lowri Lougher also travelled to Jamaica as part of a NFYFC Travel scheme and had a great time volunteering and exploring the other side of the world.
The beginning of September marked a very busy time for three of our members. Ed Hosken, Tom Pearce and Lowri Lougher took part in the Cornwall YFC Three Peaks Challenge, where members climbed the highest points in England, Wales and Scotland in just 24 hours. The group completed it alongside members from across the county and raised an amazing £5,000 for charity.
This year’s Ploughing Match was held at Higher Relowas Farm by kind permission of the Bryant family. Well done to Owen, Bett y and Ryan for organising a fantastic, and almost completely dry day! It was a great location with an equally great number of entries in the ploughing, tractor pull and domestic sections. The disco in the evening was also a great success, with the bar serving ‘Sex on the Plough’ cocktails and DJ Ronnie on the decks. Well done to everyone involved!
As you can tell, the club has yet again enjoyed a varied and interesting club calendar. I’m sure I speak for both Ed and I when I say how very thankful we are to everyone who has helped our club grow from strength to strength this year. We have enjoyed the celebrations with you and supported each other in the bad days.
The list of people to thank is never-ending and I apologies if I have missed anyone – but I want to make a few special mentions.
Firstly, to the members of Helston & St Keverne YFC. Without your attendance, ideas, and support, we would not have a club. Everything, from baking a cake for a competition, coming along to an event, pouring a pint or flipping burger on a BBQ means we grow into an even better club than we already are. I would encourage you to take part in every opportunity you can, as the greatest rewards for doing do will solely be for you. There have
been occasions in the last year where I have felt slightly deflated at the lack of attendance by club members, so please do everything you can because you are all a special part of our unique and diverse club.
Thank you also to the Advisory for your support also during the last twelve months. The majority of you have provided me with support, kindness and experience that have helped me to no end. I would, however, like to take the opportunity to remember that the role of the advisory is to advise, and not to run. Every constructive piece of support and criticism is appreciated by us all, many of whom are learning on the job and aim to do all they can to see the club progress.
Thanks also to our President, Mr Chris Hosken and Vice President, David Nicholas. Thanks also must go to our club leaders, Frances Combellack, Hayden Jenkin and Rachael Benney. You have all been at hand when support was needed.
I would also like to thank our life member, Angela Wallis. Ang, I cannot thank you enough. I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve spoken on the phone, sat at your kitchen table where I have laughed and at time almost cried. You really mean a lot to me and a club without you is a much poorer club indeed.
Thank you to my family who have quietly and constantly provided support throughout the year. I would not be here today had you not stood behind me and helped host lots of events, even if when I excitedly told my dear Gran this week that I had been invited to give a speech at a dinner and dance she said: ‘Oh, so they couldn’t find anyone else then!’.
Thank you to our glamorous Programme Secretaries – Martha Richards and Rebekah Hosking. You have planned and delivered an excellent club programme which has been varied and interesting.
A big thank you to our Treasurer – Chelsea Gilbert. You have always been at hand behind the scenes when a float was needed, and a jaunt to Barclays was required. Your long experience as a club member has certainly been to our benefit during this busy club year. A special mention to Andrew
Coulston who has also always been at hand to help with any financial enquiries.
And finally – to the Chairman, Ed Hosken. Where do I begin? Ed, you’ve quite frankly been my rock this last year. We have certainly had a varied year full of many achievements, and you have been there every step of the way. I could not have imagined this last year without such a kind, considerate, levelheaded, and all-round great person like you by my side, even when at times I honestly didn’t know where to turn. You truly are one in a million, a true friend and you don’t give yourself enough credit for what you do for our members. Thank you for everything, I will be forever grateful.
It has been the honour of my life to serve you as the Club Secretary, whilst also serving as the Bar Manager this last year, and I will cherish the memories and laughter you members have all provided me. I have always maintained that joining this club when I was 15 was the best things I ever did, and to see some of the talents and personalities in our youngsters means that we can look forward to an exciting, dynamic future. I look forward to continuing to help in any way I can as a proud Helston & St Keverne member, and as the newly elected Vice GP Chairman for Cornwall YFC. I wish everyone the very best of luck for the forthcoming year – particularly Owen, Betty, and Ryan.
But from me, curtains closing - it’s over and out...thank you!
With Best Wishes
Oliver Pearce Club Secretary – 2022/2023
Helston & St Keverne YFC Income & Expenditure 2022/2023
| Membership Bars Dinner & Dance 2022 South West Area Club Clothing Ploughing Match 2022 Ploughing Match 2023 County Ball Outings Advisory Evening Florathon Donations Dung Run Tractor Run Dinner & Dance 2023 Carol Singing Misc CFYFC Fireworks Evening Xmas Meal Hall Hire Clay Shoot/Summer Do 2022 Bank Charge Interest Totals |
Income £3,655.00 £7,616.00 £3,195.00 £3,739.10 £4,812.26 £6,609.20 £367.50 £714.00 £1,174.00 £1,437.90 £1,573.47 £70.00 £725.00 £861.50 £953.00 £283.88 £1,010.27 £844.23 £315.00 £100.00 £11.83 £40,068.14 |
Expenditure |
|---|---|---|
| £8,793.45 £4,307.42 £3,194.00 £3,962.45 £5,110.25 £3,747.54 £1,260.00 £1,008.00 £1,576.18 £1,061.38 £206.06 £2,750.00 £600.00 £1,689.26 £372.00 £349.58 £305.00 £686.00 £122.56 £12.50 £41,113.63 |
Opening bank balances - £11,996.27 Cash held (01/09/2022) unbanked - £1,037.24 Cash held (30/08/2022) unbanked - £5,135.36 Closing bank balances - £6,852.66
The above Income & Expenditure Account was prepared by John Dark, Club Auditor 4[th ] October 2023
Helston & St Keverne Young Farmers Club
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Helston & St Keverne Young Farmers Club
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees
I report to the charity’s trustees on my examination of the accounts of Helston & St Keverne Young Farmers Club (the trust) for the year ended 31st August 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commissions under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect;
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with those records or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
John Dark Montrose Casterills Road Helston Cornwall TR13 8BJ
Date - 3rd March 2024