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2023-08-31-accounts

HEREFORDSHIRE FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Charity Registration Number: 520998

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Reference and Administrative Information

Name Herefordshire County Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Other names Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs HFYFC Registered number 520998 Registered address YFC Centre Beech Business Park Tillington Road Hereford HR4 9QJ President Mr Max Jenman Chair of Executive Committee Miss Imi Manning Vice - Chair of Executive Committee Miss Annabel Beaumont Chair of Management Committee Mr Robin Knott Treasurer Mrs Heather Hadley Trustees To 16 January 2023 From 16 January 2023 Miss B Anthony Miss A Beaumont Mrs P James Mrs W Davies Miss L Legge Mrs H Farndon Miss I Manning Miss L Legge Mrs A Rees Miss I Manning Mrs R Wall Mrs R Wall Mr A Baker Mr A Baker Mr R Knott Mr R Knott Mr S Rogers Mr T Richards Mr S Rogers Custodian Trustees Mr N Evans Mr R Knott Mr C Mayson Bankers HSBC plc. CAF Bank Ltd Scottish Widows Bank 35 High Town 25 Kings Hill Avenue PO Box 883 Hereford Kings Hills Leeds HR1 2AQ West Malling LS1 9TY Kent Lloyds Bank plc ME19 4JQ 8 High Town Hereford HR1 2AE Independent examiner M. A. Williams Accountancy Ltd 7 Cottons Meadow Kingstone Hereford HR2 9EW

1

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 August 2023

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the Federation for the year ending 31 August 2023. These have been prepared in accordance with the governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019

Structure, governance and management

The charity was established by a constitution adopted in 1960 and adopted a new constitution on 3 September 2007, which was amended on 16 April 2012

The Management Committee, who are the trustees of the Federation, are appointed as follows:

The Management Committee appoints Holding Trustees to act as custodian trustees, who hold that office at the pleasure of the Management Committee.

The Executive Committee is appointed as follows:

All of the above serve on the Executive Committee for one year and are eligible for re-election, except custodian trustees who hold office for such time as the Management Committee determines

The trustees have considered the major risks to which the Federation is exposed and are satisfied that adequate steps have been taken to minimise exposure to such risks

Objectives and activities

The objects of the Federation are

Achievements and performance

The Annual Report details the activities undertaken by the Federation during the year. These activities benefit the public through the organisation of competitions and events and the skills that members learn in taking part in those competitions and events.

Financial review and policies

The financial statements detail the financial performance of the Federation during the year

The trustees:

2

Independent Examiner's Report on the Financial Statements

Report to the trustees of

HEREFORDSHIRE COUNTY FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS

Registered charity number 520998 On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages 4 TO 11

31 AUGUST 2023

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

Independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

Name

Relevant professional qualification

Address

M. A. Williams Accountancy Ltd

MAAT

3

Independent Examiner's Report on the Financial Statements

HEREFORDSHIRE COUNTY FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS' Report to the trustees of CLUBS Registered charity number 520998 On accounts for the year ended 31 AUGUST 2023 Set out on pages 4 TO 11

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

i

Basis of independent examiner's report

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

Name

M. A. Williams Accountancy Ltd

Relevant professional qualification

Address

MAAT

7 Cottons Meadow, Kingstone, Hereford, HR2 9EW

3

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 August 2023

Unrestricted
funds
2023
Note
£
INCOME FROM:
2
Voluntary income
6,285
YFC activities and events
67,111
Other incoming resources
17,019
Membership
4,258
Investments
831
95,504
EXPENDITURE ON:
3
Staff and volunteers
14,494
YFC activities and events
31,605
Cost of the YFC programme
6,995
Equipping and running the YFC Centre
26,421
Governance costs
1,904
Other costs
1,169
82,588
NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) AND
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
4
12,916
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD
142,643
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
155,559		 Unrestricted
funds
2023
Note
£
INCOME FROM:
2
Voluntary income
6,285
YFC activities and events
67,111
Other incoming resources
17,019
Membership
4,258
Investments
831
95,504
EXPENDITURE ON:
3
Staff and volunteers
14,494
YFC activities and events
31,605
Cost of the YFC programme
6,995
Equipping and running the YFC Centre
26,421
Governance costs
1,904
Other costs
1,169
82,588
NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) AND
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
4
12,916
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD
142,643
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
155,559		 Designated
funds
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-		 Restricted
funds
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
funds
2023
£
6,285
67,111
17,019
4,258
831		 Total
funds
2022
£
4,548
63,193
3,252
1,639
75
95,504 - - 95,504 72,707
14,494
31,605
6,995
26,421
1,904
1,169		 -
-
-
347
-
-		 -
-
786
-
-
-		 14,494
31,605
7,781
26,768
1,904
1,169		 17,241
26,066
11,905
14,552
1,955
688
82,588 347 786 83,721 72,407
12,916
142,643		 (347)
9,610		 (786)
83,902		 11,783
236,155		 300
235,855
155,559 9,263 83,116 247,938 236,155

4

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2023

Note
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
8
Intangible assets
9
Investments
10
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock
11
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
13
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE
YEAR
14
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS
FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
15
Unrestricted income funds
General funds
Designated funds
Restricted income funds
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS		 £
£
£
£
91,101
92,768
599
779
85,220
84,714
176,920
178,261
3,053
2,129
17,294
2,153
65,154
63,011
85,501
67,293
(14,483)
(9,399)
71,018
57,894
247,938
236,155
155,559
142,643
9,263
9,610
83,116
83,902
247,938
236,155
2023
2022		 £
£
£
£
91,101
92,768
599
779
85,220
84,714
176,920
178,261
3,053
2,129
17,294
2,153
65,154
63,011
85,501
67,293
(14,483)
(9,399)
71,018
57,894
247,938
236,155
155,559
142,643
9,263
9,610
83,116
83,902
247,938
236,155
2023
2022
178,261
57,894
85,501
(14,483)
236,155
142,643
9,610
83,902
236,155

5

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting convention

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to the financial statements.

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019 (the SORP), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and with the Charities Act 2011.

The charity is a public benefit entity as defined by the SORP.

Income

Income is recognised in the period in which they become receivable, which is when the trustees deem that they have become entitled to the resource with reasonable certainty and they are reliably measurable.

Income received for the general purposes of the charity are recognised as unrestricted funds. Income received under restrictions placed under the terms of the receipt of the resource are recognised as restricted funds.

Donated services and facilities are included in income (with an equivalent amount in expenditure) when the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material, and valued at the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.

Income is grouped using a natural classification without apportionment.

The value of voluntary help received is not included in the financial statements but is described in the Annual Report

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised in the period in which a legal or constructive obligation arises which commits the charity to pay out resources.

Expenditure which relates to the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, meetings of trustees or legal advice relating to governance or constitutional matters are recognised as governance costs.

All other expenditure has been grouped using a natural classification, without apportionment.

Fixed assets

Fixed assets are recognised at their purchase cost less accumulated depreciation. It is the policy of the trustees to capitalise tangible fixed assets when their purchase cost exceeds £100.

Depreciation and amortisation are calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets less their estimated residual value over their useful lives. Depreciation is provided on equipment using the following rates: Equipment 5 years straight line Fixtures 10 years straight line

No depreciation is provided on freehold land. The trustees consider that freehold buildings are maintained to a standard such that their residual value is greater that their cost. For these reasons the trustees believe that freehold buildings should not be depreciated as any depreciation charged would not be material.

Amortisation of intangible assets is provided on the straight line basis over 5 years.

Investments are recognised at their market value.

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable amount.

6

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Financial instruments

The charity holds basic financial instruments only. Basic financial instruments are recognised and subsequently measured as set out in Module 11 of the SORP.

Funds

Unrestricted funds are those which can be applied for the charitable objects of the charity.

Designated funds are those which can be applied for the charitable objects of the charity, but have been set aside for a specific purpose or purposes.

Restricted funds are those which can be applied for particular restricted charitable objects of the charity. Restrictions may be placed by the donor or grantor when funds are raised, donated or granted for specific purposes.

2 INCOME

Unrestricted general funds
Grants
Donations
Sponsorship
Membership
Events
Other activities
Hire of facilities
Other income
Investment income
Designated funds
Donations
Restricted funds
Grants
Total		 Voluntary
income
£
-
100
6,185
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,285
-
-
6,285		 YFC
activities
and events
£
-
-
-
-
57,122
9,989
-
-
-
67,111
-
-
67,111		 Other
income
£
-
-
-
-
-
461
4,423
12,135
-
17,019
-
-
17,019		 Income from
members
and
investments
-
-
-
4,258
-
-
-
-
831
5,089
-
-
5,089		 2023
£
-
100
6,185
4,258
57,122
10,450
4,423
12,135
831
95,504
-
-
95,504		 2022
£
-
948
3,600
1,639
53,255
9,938
3,232
20
75
72,707
-
-
72,707

7

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2023

3 EXPENDITURE

Staff
costs
Events and
activities
Other costs
Depreciation
and
amortisation
£
£
£
£
Unrestricted general funds
Staff and volunteers
10,354
-
4,140
-
YFC activities and events
-
31,605
-
-
Cost of the YFC programme
-
6,306
509
180
-
-
24,299
2,122
Governance costs
-
-
1,904
-
Other costs
-
-
1,169
-
10,354
37,911
32,021
2,302
Designated funds
Competitor expenses
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
347
-
-
-
347
Restricted funds
Staff costs
-
-
-
-
Other costs
-
786
-
-
-
786
-
-
Total
10,354
38,697
32,021
2,649
4
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
The net movement in funds is stated after charging:
Staff costs
Amounts payable to independent examiner
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
Amortisation of owned intangible fixed assets
5
TRUSTEE EXPENSES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
Number of trustees to whom expenses were payable
Total trustee expenses
Equipping and running the
YFC Centre
Equipping and running the
YFC Centre		 2023
£
14,494
31,605
6,995
26,421
1,904
1,169
82,588
-
347
347
-
786
786
83,721
2023
£
10,354
450
2,469
180
2023
No.
2
2023
£
1,750		 2022
£
17,241
26,066
7,289
14,366
1,955
688
67,605
-
186
186
-
4,616
4,616
72,407
2022
£
13,481
432
2,866
120
2022
No.
2
2022
£
1,192

The expenses are in respect of travelling and out of pocket expenses. Trustees received no remuneration in the current or preceding year.

Trustees, members of committees and volunteers were reimbursed costs of events and activities undertaken in the normal course of activities of the Federation.

8

6 STAFF COSTS

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2023

6
STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
Social security costs (net of employment allowance)
Other pension costs		 2023
£
10,181
-
173
10,354		 2022
£
13,300
-
181
13,481

The average numbers of persons employed by the charity during the year was 1 (2022 - 1). All employees are primarily engaged in charitable activities.

No employee earned more than £60,000 in the current or preceding year.

The charity contributed to the money purchase pension scheme of its employee. There were no contributions outstanding at the end of the year (2022 £Nil).

7 GOVERNANCE COSTS

Expenditure relating to meetings of trustees
Trustee liability insurance
Independent examination of the accounts
Professional fees, including maintenance of accounting records and data protection
8
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Land &
Buildings
Equipment
£
£
Net book value
At 1 September 2022
82,636
4,606
Additions
-
802
Depreciation
-
(1,744)
At 31 August 2023
82,636
3,664		 2023
£
1,151
303
450
-
1,904
Fixtures
£
5,526
-
(725)
4,801		 2022
£
1,193
330
432
-
1,955
Total
£
92,768
802
(2,469)
91,101

All tangible fixed assets are primarily used for charitable purposes.

9 INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Net book value
At 1 September 2022
Additions
Amortisation
At 31 August 2023		 Website
£
779
-
(180)
599

All intangible fixed assets are primarily used for charitable purposes.

9

10 FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT INCOME

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2023

Cash equivalents on deposit 2023
£
85,220		 2022
£
84,714

The investment is unquoted and in the form of deposits with financial institutions in the United Kingdom which cannot be converted to cash without notice. The charity's investment income arises entirely from interest on cash in these deposits and on deposits disclosed in cash at bank and in hand.

11
STOCKS
Branded goods
Consumables		 2023
£
2,022
1,031
3,053		 2022
£
1,527
602
2,129

Consumables include postage and stationery, heating oil and items used for competions and events.

12
DEBTORS
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors
13
CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
Cash in hand
Cash at bank
Cash at bank is held with banks and building societies in the United Kingdom.
14
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN DUE YEAR
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
No amounts relate to restricted funds in the current or prior year.		 2023
£
313
4,796
12,185
17,294
2023
£
296
64,858
65,154
2023
£
6,221
8,173
-
89
14,483		 2022
£
1,055
986
112
2,153
2022
£
299
62,712
63,011
2022
£
1,904
5,743
263
1,489
9,399

No amounts relate to restricted funds in the current or prior year.

10

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2023

15 FUNDS OF THE CHARITY

Current year
General - unrestricted
Designated - unrestricted
Competitors Expenses Fund
Total designated funds
Restricted
Headquarters Fund
Total restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Prior year
General - unrestricted
Designated - unrestricted
Competitors Expenses Fund
Total designated funds
Restricted
Headquarters Fund
Total restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Chairman's Ball Fund
The Prince's Countryside Fund
The Prince's Countryside Fund
Chairman's Ball Fund		 At 1
September
2022
£
142,641
535
9,075
9,610
81,193
2,709
83,902
236,153
At 1
September
2021
£
137,541
535
9,261
9,796
81,193
7,325
88,518
235,855		 Income
£
95,504
-
-
-
-
-
-
95,504
Income
£
72,705
-
-
-
-
-
-
72,705		 Expenditure
£
(82,588)
-
(347)
(347)
-
(786)
(786)
(83,721)
Expenditure
£
(67,605)
-
(186)
(186)
-
(4,616)
(4,616)
(72,407)		 Transfers
between
funds
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Transfers
between
funds
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At 31
August
2023
£
155,557
535
8,728
9,263
81,193
1,923
83,116
247,936
At 31
August
2022
£
142,641
535
9,075
9,610
81,193
2,709
83,902
236,153

The Competitors Expenses Fund was designated from monies received as penalties from members, and is used for funding expenses incurred by competitors in competition finals.

The Headquarters Fund is to be applied to the provision of a permanent headquarters building for the charity.

The Chairman's Ball Fund was designated from monies received from fundraising events held by Chairs of the Executive Committee over a number of years and is used to purchase fixed assets.

The Prince's Countryside Fund was granted to fund a training programme for members and former members in agricultural and rural skills through a joint project between the charity and The Herefordshire Rural Hub. This project is administered by The Herefordshire Rural Hub.

16 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND

Funds at 31 August 2023 are represented by

Tangible and intangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets / (liabilities)		 General -
unrestricted
£
9,036
85,220
61,301
155,557		 Designated -
unrestricted
£
1,471
-
7,792
9,263		 Restricted
£
81,193
-
1,923
83,116		 Total funds
£
91,700
85,220
71,016
247,936

11

HEREFORDSHIRE FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2023

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 August 2023 Unrestricted Fund

Note
INCOME
Levies
Grants and Donations
1
Rally and Dance
2
Drama
2
Dances and Events
2
Chairman's Ball
2
Sponsorship
Net Surplus on Hire of Facilities
Net Surplus on Publications
Net Surplus on Catering
Net Surplus on Branded Goods
Sundry Income
3
Insurance Claim for Property Repairs
Investment Income
EXPENDITURE
Salaries and Employment Costs
Administrative Support
Officers Expenses
Travelling Expenses
Events and Activities
Website
Light and Heat
Rates and Water
Insurances
Property and Equipment Costs
Printing and Stationery
Computer Software and Applications
Telephone and Internet
Postages
Professional Fees
Governance Costs
Sundries and Cleaning
Training
Trophies and Engraving
Trailer Costs
Bank Charges and Interest
Depreciation
NET SURPLUS		 £
£
4,258
100
10,726
3,630
10,805
5,424
6,185
4,423
323
4,598
34
50
12,085
831
63,472
10,354
1,770
4,050
90
3,216
677
2,133
676
659
15,736
1,072
1,022
714
17
450
1,454
2,399
1,320
12
257
176
2,302
50,556
12,916
2023		 £
£
1,639
948
14,378
3,816
9,566
3,339
3,600
3,232
664
5,211
3
20
-
73
46,489
13,481
1,682
3,492
268
4,650
555
1,322
1,002
608
2,413
1,329
957
1,256
146
432
1,523
2,526
309
93
249
296
2,800
41,389
5,100
2022		 £
£
1,639
948
14,378
3,816
9,566
3,339
3,600
3,232
664
5,211
3
20
-
73
46,489
13,481
1,682
3,492
268
4,650
555
1,322
1,002
608
2,413
1,329
957
1,256
146
432
1,523
2,526
309
93
249
296
2,800
41,389
5,100
2022
46,489
41,389
5,100

2

3

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 August 2023 Unrestricted Fund

1

Grants and Donations

Grants and Donations
National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs
Other		 2023
£
-
100
100		 2022
£
750
198
948

Fund Raising Events

Rally and Dance
Drama
Chairman's Ball
Dances
Other Events		 Income Expenditure
£
£
23,866
13,140
8,053
4,423
11,051
5,627
10,203
3,142
3,949
205
57,122
26,537
2023		 Net
£
10,726
3,630
5,424
7,061
3,744
30,585		 Income Expenditure
£
£
28,479
14,101
7,913
4,097
4,409
1,070
9,754
1,681
2,700
1,207
53,255
22,156
2022		 Net
£
14,378
3,816
3,339
8,073
1,493
31,099

Sundry Income

Fines, Penalties and Entry Fees

2023 2022
£ £
50 20

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 August 2023 Designated and Restricted Funds

INCOME
Grants and Donations
Fines and Penalties
EXPENDITURE
Training
Depreciation
Administration and Co-ordination
Promotional Costs
NET (DEFICIT) / SURPLUS		 2023 Total
£
-
-
-
544
347
242
-
1,133
(1,133)		 2022
Total
£
-
-
Competitors
Expenses
Fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Chairman's
Ball Fund
£
-
-
-
-
347
-
-
347
(347)		 Princes
Countryside
Fund (2)
£
-
-
-
544
-
242
-
786
(786)
-
3,560
186
1,056
-
4,802
(4,802)

Mr President, honoured guests, ladies, gentleman and fellow young farmers,

It gives me great privilege to stand here before you having just completed my year as Herefordshire’s CountyChairman. I can’t quite believe how fast these last 12 months have gone and how much we have accomplished and achieved in such a short time frame. After a couple of tumultuous years it is nice to be completely back to normal with a full calendar of competitions and events and with membership numbers hitting their highest figures since 2018.

A little insight into how my county chairman journey started. My young farmers career began 10 years ago after becoming a member of Ledbury Young Farmers and I never would have thought I would have gone on to complete a successful tenure in the countychairman role. As a young 17 year old all I wanted to do was party and have fun and taking on the highest role in the county was never in the plans. As I started to get a little bit older and more involved within the Ledbury committee I very quickly came to the decision that I did much prefer the social side to young farmers then having to actually organise the clubs day to day activities.

In 2019 as vice chairman of Ledbury I was tasked with organising our annual trip to Blackpool. During this trip, the soon to be incoming vice county chairman Bethan, collared myself and my sister in a bar and asked whether we would consider becoming Vice Competitions Chairmen. Unfortunately we said yes and I haven’t been able to say no since so two years on the competitions committee, two years as vice county chairman and a year as county chairman followed. I can honestly say becoming county chairman and by saying ‘yes’ is by far my greatest accomplishment to date. I really have had the best four years helping to run this wonderful federation and giving back to an organisation that has shaped my life and career in a way I never thought imaginable 10 years ago.

My year as county chairman started back in October last year and I had two main goals I wanted to achieve. Firstly, I wanted to get the membership figures over the 601 mark which enables us to have two competing entries at west midlands area and national competition rounds. Unfortunately we fell 34 members short of the mark but I honestly hope the 567 competing members we did have had the best year being part of such a range of fantastic clubs. All those members were welcomed to such a wide and varied competitions and events programme thanks to the wonderful team of county officers this federation has.

The competitions year started with the Ploughing Match held at Woodmanton which was a hugely successful day with around 40 ploughman and a large competition entry in the domestic section. As a federation we decided not to hold the competitions programme planned at the Kington Show that September following the passing of the National Young Farmers patron Queen Elizabeth.

The Ploughing match was closely followed by our two annual stock judging competitions both the live and carcase and the Hereford Cattle Judging. With the current membership being largely junior dominant we knew the Junior Quiz would be a big evening with multiple teams entering the quiz. December rolled around and it was our Public Speaking Day and I would like to take this moment to thank the Herefordshire Chairman of Council for their generous offer of the use of the Town Hall for this competition.

During this pre Christmas period the events team were busy organising bus trips to Cardiff to watch the international rugby and our annual pub games competition which all the intermediate and senior members seem to thoroughly enjoy! After Christmas we once again put on our finest shirts and schoffels to hit Play Night club for the first of four take over events this year.

As we moved into the New Year, the senior members took part in the annual Senior Quiz and Craswall once again dominated the hedge laying competition held on the Duchy of Cornwall estate thanks to the Williams Family. We then moved on into the busiest four monthsof the young farmers calendar starting off with the Entertainments week, held at Kingstone High School. Three nights containing a wide variety of onstage talents, it was fantastic to see what a gifted membership we have here within the county.

Sports Day closely followed with the juniors running riot on the basketball court and the seniors making strides on the hockey pitches. The membership then started getting ready for the jam packed two months of rally preparations ahead. The first competition of rally season was our Stock Judging competitions. The forever growing popularity of stock judging is incredibly impressive as all the clubs tried to get in the early rally points and take home as many prize cards as they could. Pre-Rally closely followed, with 12 teams competing in the fencing competition and members also taking part in the Farm Safety Skills competition, one of the most important competitions in our young farmers calendar.

May finally hit us and so did the Rally, this year kindly hosted by the Watkins family at Arkstone Court. It was a hugely successful day with over 400 members competing and hundreds of supporters arriving through the gates to cheer on their clubs. The theme of the Rally this year was Country Pursuits so members got stuck into the 30 competitions we held on the day involving the ever impressive Lip Sync Battle, Chariot Racing, Morris Dancing and the Tug of War. Huge congratulations must go to Craswall Young Farmers for lifting the rally shield this year especially in their 75th anniversary year, a celebratory year to remember. Our Annual Rally Dance then followed, the drinks were flowing, the dance floor was packed and members of Herefordshire and neighbouring counties had a blast celebrating all their Rally successes. A huge thanks has to go to the Rally Task Group and the Officer Team for their tremendous efforts in organising the event this year and making the day and dance such a wonderful success.

The Royal Three Counties rolled around again where members from Herefordshire got to compete against the finest competitors from Worcestershire and Gloucestershire in a repeat of the Rally competitions held back in May. It was one of the most competitiveyears we have had for a while competing and I’m pleased that we came away with the win as well as a huge number of other trophies and prizecards. My second goal I wanted to achieve this year was inspired from a quote from one of my favourite Disney characters Dumbo who said ‘Don’t just Fly, Soar’. I can sincerely say how proud I am at how this county has soared this year and has achieved such great heights. We have had over 100 members represent Herefordshire at the West Midlands Area round of competitions including all our public speakers, stock judgers, our entertainment winners, sports teams, fencers, shearers, tug of war pullers, needleworkers, metalworkers and junior and senior member of the year entries. From those entries we have had over 50 members go onto to represent the county at national competitions andwe have come away with numerous trophies this year.

At the English Winter Fair in November last year the Herefordshire teams took away six first placed trophies and prize cards including 1[st] and 4[th] in the beef and pig live and carcase overall team results. First in the Intermediate Team Results and First in the Senior Team results. First in the Pig Team Results and second in the Beef Team results. Chloe Watkins also came first in the Senior Pig Live and Carcass competition and Tom Garlick came first in the Intermediate Beef Live and Carcass Competition. I think its fair to say Herefordshire wiped thefloor with the competitors at the national stockjudging finals this year.

In April, Eardisley YFC travelled to Leamington Spa where they went on to compete at the National Performing Arts Final wherethey came a very amicable 3[rd] place. Herefordshire also had members competing at the National Competitions Finals this year and it was Dilwyn’s turn to soar as they picked up a first place in the Fence Erecting, and Lucy Hall was also crowned NFYFC Junior Member of the Year which is an absolutely incredible achievement. We did also had members from Allensmore, Hereford, Welsh Newton, Pencombe, Golden Valley, Eardisley, Lugg Valley, Pontrilas and Craswall represent Herefordshire at national finals this year. All their results can be found in the back of the Annual Report Booklet and I am so proud of all they have achieved.

Herefordshire also went on to compete at the Dairy Stockjudging Finals where Chloe Watkins was at it again coming first in the Senior Dairy class, Isabel Mason came 2[nd] in the Junior Dairy Class and the team came 1[st] in the Dairy Stock judging Team competition.

The national finals were completed at the Malvern Show this year where our cookery team wowed the judges with their culinary skills and the floral art competitors smashed their competition too. I’m sure you can all agree with me our members have well and truly soared this year!

I would like to say a massive thank you to our current president Max Jenman for all the support he has given me during my year in post. A huge thank you must also go to our annual sponsors Becky and Charles Wall from A Plush Flush for supporting my year as countychairman and always be on hand for advice and support. And a huge thank you to Robin and the management committee for allowing me to be me and run things the way I have this year.

I must say a huge thank you to Lisa and Wendy who have run the office this year in the absence of a county administrator and good luck to Ally who continues to thrive in her new role. Thank you also must go to my family who have allowed me to take the time away from the farm which has allowed me to try and do the best job I possibly can as county chairman. Finally a huge thank you must go to the wonderful county officer team who have all been there to help me steer the ship this year. I have made you all wear bright orange shirts and jumpers and you have had to put up with my terrible jokes and lively chat but I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better group of friends to have hadthis journey with.

I would like to wish Bell and her team all the success for next year and to enjoy every moment of running the best county in this federation.

Imi Miss Imi Manning County Chairman 2022-23