OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

← Herefordshire County Federation Of Young Farmers Clubs

2025-08-31-accounts

HEREFORDSHIRE FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Charity Registration Number: 520998

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs 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 Mrs Chloe Watkins
Vice - Chair of Executive Committee Miss Kate Lawrence
Chair of Management Committee Mrs Wendy Davies
Treasurer Mrs Heather Hadley
Trustees To 13 January 2025 From 13 January 2025 (unless stated)
Miss A Beaumont Mrs F Bevan
Mrs F Bevan Mrs W Davies
Mrs W Davies Mrs H Farndon
Mrs H Farndon Mrs K Gore (elected 31 March 2025)
Mrs R Wall Miss K Lawrence
Mrs C Watkins Miss I Manning
Mr A Baker Mrs R Wall
Mr R Knott Mrs C Watkins
Mr T Richards Mr A Baker
Mr S Rogers Mr R Knott
Custodian Trustees Mr N Evans Mr R Knott Mr C Mayson
Bankers Lloyds Bank plc CAF Bank Ltd Scottish Widows Bank
8 High Town 25 Kings Hill Avenue PO Box 883
Hereford Kings Hills Leeds
HR1 2AE West Malling LS1 9TY
Kent
ME19 4JQ
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 2025

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the Federation for the year ending 31 August 2025. 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

On accounts for the year ended

Set out on pages

520998

31 AUGUST 2025

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 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

Report to the trustees of

HEREFORDSHIRE COUNTY FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS

Registered charity number 520998 On accounts for the year ended 31 AUGUST 2025

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

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

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

Name

M. A. Williams Accountancy Ltd

Relevant professional qualification

MAAT

Address

3

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 August 2025

Unrestricted
funds
2025
Note
£
INCOME FROM:
2
Voluntary income
10,630
YFC activities and events
74,806
Other incoming resources
3,217
Membership
7,793
Investments
2,526
98,972
EXPENDITURE ON:
3
Staff and volunteers
24,706
YFC activities and events
44,903
Cost of the YFC programme
6,611
Equipping and running the YFC Centre
13,570
Governance costs
2,276
Other costs
695
92,761
NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE)
4
6,211
Transfers between funds
(1,200)
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
5,011
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD
152,799
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
157,810		 Designated
funds
2025
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
406
-
-
406
(406)
1,200
794
8,857
9,651		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
250
-
-
-
250
(250)
-
(250)
83,116
82,866		 Total
funds
2025
£
10,630
74,806
3,217
7,793
2,526
98,972
24,706
44,903
6,861
13,976
2,276
695
93,417
5,555
-
5,555
244,772
250,327		 Total
funds
2024
£
9,527
77,409
4,448
6,870
2,535
100,789
25,088
50,376
6,134
19,397
2,300
660
103,955
(3,166)
-
(3,166)
247,938
244,772

4

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025

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		 £
£
88,739
240
88,522
177,501
2,254
10,679
83,215
96,148
(23,322)
72,826
250,327
157,810
9,651
82,866
250,327
2025		 £
£
89,382
420
86,800
176,602
3,223
755
74,313
78,291
(10,121)
68,170
244,772
152,799
8,857
83,116
244,772
2024

5

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025

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.

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.

6

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

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
£
-
590
10,040
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,630
-
-
10,630		 YFC
activities
and events
£
-
-
-
-
60,764
14,042
-
-
-
74,806
-
-
74,806		 Other
income
£
-
-
-
-
-
72
2,763
382
-
3,217
-
-
3,217		 Income from
members
and
investments
-
-
-
7,793
-
-
-
-
2,526
10,319
-
-
10,319		 2025
£
-
590
10,040
7,793
60,764
14,114
2,763
382
2,526
98,972
-
-
98,972		 2024
£
-
172
9,355
6,870
67,919
10,068
3,860
10
2,535
100,789
-
-
100,789

7

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025

3 EXPENDITURE

Staff
costs
Events and
activities
Other costs
Depreciation
and
amortisation
£
£
£
£
Unrestricted general funds
Staff and volunteers
20,721
-
3,985
-
YFC activities and events
-
44,903
-
-
Cost of the YFC programme
-
5,649
782
180
-
-
12,042
1,528
Governance costs
-
-
2,276
-
Other costs
-
-
695
-
20,721
50,552
19,780
1,708
Designated funds
Competitor expenses
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
406
-
-
-
406
Restricted funds
Staff costs
-
-
-
-
Other costs
-
250
-
-
-
250
-
-
Total
20,721
50,802
19,780
2,114
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		 2025
£
24,706
44,903
6,611
13,570
2,276
695
92,761
-
406
406
-
250
250
93,417
2025
£
20,721
500
1,934
180
2025
No.
5
2025
£
1,900		 2024
£
25,088
50,376
6,134
18,991
2,300
660
103,549
-
406
406
-
-
-
103,955
2024
£
20,080
475
1,929
179
2024
No.
7
2024
£
1,998

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 2025

Wages and salaries

2025 2024
£ £
20,721 20,080

The average numbers of persons employed by the charity during the year was 1 (2024 - 1). All employees are primarily engaged in charitable activities.

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

7
GOVERNANCE COSTS
Expenditure relating to meetings of trustees
Trustee liability insurance
Independent examination of the accounts
8
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Land &
Buildings
£
Net book value
At 1 September 2024
82,636
Additions
-
Depreciation
-
At 31 August 2025
82,636
All tangible fixed assets are primarily used for charitable purposes.
9
INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Net book value
At 1 September 2024
Additions
Amortisation
At 31 August 2025
All intangible fixed assets are primarily used for charitable purposes.
10
FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT INCOME
Cash equivalents on deposit		 Equipment
£
2,670
381
(1,133)
1,918		 2025
£
1,425
351
500
2,276
Fixtures
£
4,076
910
(801)
4,185
2025
£
88,522		 2024
£
1,514
311
475
2,300
Total
£
89,382
1,291
(1,934)
88,739
Website
£
420
-
(180)
240
2024
£
86,800

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.

9

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025

11
STOCKS
Branded goods
Publications
-
Consumables		 2025
£
300
562
1,392
2,254		 2024
£
1,652
-
1,571
3,223

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

12
DEBTORS
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
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
15
FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Current year
At 1
September
2024
Income
Expenditure
£
£
£
General - unrestricted
152,799
98,972
(92,761)
Designated - unrestricted
Competitors Expenses Fund
535
-
-
8,322
-
(406)
-
-
-
Total designated funds
8,857
-
(406)
Restricted
Headquarters Fund
81,193
-
-
1,923
-
(250)
Total restricted funds
83,116
-
(250)
TOTAL FUNDS
244,772
98,972
(93,417)
Chairman's Ball Fund
No amounts relate to restricted funds in the current or prior year.
HFYFC Celebration Fund
The Prince's Countryside Fund
No amounts relate to restricted funds in the current or prior year.		 2025
£
5,629
5,050
10,679
2025
£
230
82,985
83,215
2025
£
6,288
16,120
866
48
23,322
Transfers
between
funds
(1,200)
-
-
1,200
1,200
-
-
-
-		 2024
£
261
494
755
2024
£
303
74,010
74,313
2024
£
1,227
8,437
448
9
10,121
At 31
August
2025
£
157,810
535
7,916
1,200
9,651
81,193
1,673
82,866
250,327

10

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 15 FUNDS OF THE CHARITY (continued)

Prior year
General - unrestricted
Designated - unrestricted
Competitors Expenses Fund
Total designated funds
Restricted
Headquarters Fund
Total restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
The Prince's Countryside Fund
Chairman's Ball Fund		 At 1
September
2023
£
155,559
535
8,728
9,263
81,193
1,923
83,116
247,938		 Income
£
100,789
-
-
-
-
-
-
100,789		 Expenditure
£
(103,549)
-
(406)
(406)
-
-
-
(103,955)		 Transfers
between
funds
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At 31
August
2024
£
152,799
535
8,322
8,857
81,193
1,923
83,116
244,772

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.

The HFYFC Celebration Fund was designated from the surplus from the 80th event to be used for future celebratory events.

16 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND

Funds at 31 August 2025 are represented by

Tangible and intangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets / (liabilities)		 General -
unrestricted
£
7,128
88,522
62,160
157,810		 Designated -
unrestricted
£
658
-
8,993
9,651		 Restricted
£
81,193
-
1,673
82,866		 Total funds
£
88,979
88,522
72,826
250,327

11

HEREFORDSHIRE FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2025

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 August 2025 Unrestricted Fund

Note
INCOME
Levies
Grants and Donations
1
Rally and Dance
2
Drama
2
Dances and Events
2
Chairman's Balls
2
Sponsorship
Net Surplus on Hire of Facilities
Net Surplus / (Deficit) on Publications
Net Surplus on Catering
Net Surplus on Branded Goods
Sundry Income
3
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		 £
£
7,793
590
8,414
3,318
9,829
-
10,040
2,763
1,977
6,365
27
382
2,526
54,024
20,721
-
3,900
85
5,333
974
1,507
649
853
2,782
1,469
1,342
692
75
500
1,776
2,537
316
(12)
486
121
1,707
47,813
6,211
2025		 £
£
6,870
172
12,061
4,583
7,240
43
9,355
3,860
(51)
3,157
285
10
2,535
50,120
20,080
-
4,823
185
4,197
823
3,314
955
691
4,906
1,097
1,365
694
30
475
1,825
2,255
1,030
84
2,289
60
1,702
52,880
(2,760)
2024

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Notes to the Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 August 2025 Unrestricted Fund

3

1 Grants and Donations

Grants and Donations
2025 2024
£ £
Other 590 172

2

Fund Raising Events

Income Expenditure
£
£
Rally and Dance
23,044
14,630
Drama
9,333
6,015
Chairman's Balls
-
-
Dances
24,255
15,762
Other Events
4,132
2,796
60,764
39,203
Sundry Income
Fines, Penalties and Entry Fees
Administration Time Recharged
2025		 Net
£
8,414
3,318
-
8,493
1,336
21,561		 Income Expenditure
£
£
24,607
12,546
9,473
4,890
14,662
14,619
16,990
11,082
2,187
855
67,919
43,992
2025
£
-
382
382
2024		 Net
£
12,061
4,583
43
5,908
1,332
23,927
2024
£
10
-
10

Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 August 2025 Designated and Restricted Funds

INCOME
Grants and Donations
Fines and Penalties
EXPENDITURE
Training
Depreciation
Administration and Co-ordination
Promotional Costs
NET (DEFICIT) / SURPLUS		 Competitors
Expenses
Fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Chairman's
Ball Fund
£
-
-
-
-
406
-
-
406
(406)
2025		 Princes
Countryside
Fund (2)
£
-
-
-
250
-
-
-
250
(250)		 Total
£
-
-
-
250
406
-
-
656
(656)		 2024
Total
£
-
-
-
-
406
-
-
406
(406)

HFYFC Annual Report 2024/25

It is my honour to present the annual report for 2024/2025. It only feels like yesterday that I was stood introducing myself 12 months ago as the new County Chairman but what a busy 12 months they have been!

Competitions shape most of the YFC calendar, with my year as chair starting off with the Live & Carcass Judging in early October, held at Neil Powells, Ewyas Harold and then onto the live site at Huntley Court, hosted by the Dale Family. A great turnout with lots of clubs represented and nice to have a dry competition following such a wet ploughing match to complete Bells year as chair, just a few weeks prior.

October half term was soon upon us which meant only one thing – 36 teams of juniors heading to this very village hall for the junior quiz. Leaving the night on a sugar high from the pick ‘n’ mix sold by the catering team and maybe, just maybe, a bit more knowledge gained from the quiz?

Young farmers offers so many life skills to its members, one of which we are often commended on, is public speaking. Wanting to try and encourage some new entries and with the competition just around the corner, Phil organized some ‘showcase’ evenings at the county office to demonstrate how the competitions run.

For the stock judgers among us, mid-November would normally mean a weekend at the English Winter Fair in Stafford for the Live & Carcass. Unfortunately, due to increasing cases of Bluetongue, the show was cancelled, and we re-routed our teams for the National finals which were re-arranged and held on the Stafford/Derbyshire border. A long day with, what is usually a 2 day competition, being held in just one, but with good results all round, bringing home 1[st] in the senior beef and joint 3[rd] in the senior team.

The next week some of us embarked on a trip to London, after we organised a bus to transport farmers from Herefordshire to support the ‘We Just Want to Feed You’ rally in Westminster.

We made it as far as Swindon, luckily not yet on the M4, when the bus broke down. We all quickly dispersed into taxis or onto trains, to make it there in time. There were lots of memorable moments from the day, including Kate & I thinking we’d lost Max – bearing in mind that we were both in separate taxis on the M4 so there wasn’t much we could have done if he was lost!

The end of November saw the return of a Fashion Show, held at Wellington Village Hall. An evening of catwalks and even some of our own members having a go at modelling. Next up was the after-dinner speaking competition, with some new faces taking part which was great to see. We should have then held the public speaking day, but the weather had other ideas and so this was postponed until January…and for hopefully better weather…

December saw a social for the junior members, with the return of the ice-skating trip to Ice Quest Malvern, thankfully all 45 juniors who went left in one piece! Seniors then enjoyed a day out at Hereford Racecourse Christmas jumper day before Christmas and we also hosted a Trilogy Takeover between Christmas & New Year. We also organised a bus for new year’s day to Cheltenham races.

Lots of unexpected things have happened this year but something I didn’t expect to be doing was shovelling snow off Lucton School steps one Sunday in early January for our public speaking day! After being cancelled due to high winds the weather tried to stop it again, but we persevered and had a successful day with Junior Reading, Junior Public Speaking, Junior Member of the Year, Situations Vacant, Ballroom Dancing & Cheerleading all being held.

Around this time, I received an email from Ally in the county office saying that someone called Katy had been in touch wanting information on how they could go about getting Kington YFC set back up. It has been great to have them back with a variety of events and socials taking place over summer. A particular highlight was the “sink or float” round of their quiz night – an idea that got re-used at the rally!

Throughout the winter months, clubs had been getting together for the pub games round before the winners came together in the new year for the final which was held at the kings head in Docklow. It was then time for the seniors to get their brain cells working with the senior quiz which was held at Leominster Golf Club.

Next up, it was time for Craswalls favourite day – the Hedging Match. Another very wet day of competing at Elvastone but fair play to all the competitors, they never complained once! It was also great to see some new clubs taking part for the first time.

February half term only means one thing for HFYFC – performing arts week – with this year being pantomime. With 4 pantomimes being performed alongside the smaller sketches of the one plus & shining star competitions, the audience was entertained across the 3 nights of the panto festival. Golden Valley were crowned the winners and went onto perform and win the WMA competition which we hosted the following weekend. Myself & Tori also represented Herefordshire in the Senior & Junior member of the year competitions.

A couple of weeks later, it was time for another WMA final – this time public speaking. With Dilwyn competing in the junior reading, Eardisley competing in the junior public speaking and a mixed county team in the senior after dinner speaking – we did the hattrick with all teams winning the WMA round and qualifying for Nationals later in the year. A special mention to Lily, Kate & Paige who all stepped in last minute for the After Dinner Speaking. We also had Orleton competing in the ballroom dancing and Lugg Valley in the cheerleading who came away with 2nd place. March also saw us holding some ‘New & Novice’ stock judging training, giving members a chance of judging & giving reasons ahead of the spring stock judging, but also getting

The next day, Kate & I headed to the National AGM in Leamington Spa and then supported Golden Valley in the National Pantomime finals. A huge well done to the club for gaining 2[nd] place overall and Cobie for winning the best U17 performance for his portrayal of Lord Snatchitt. An incredible achievement with a young cast.

Easter Sunday saw the return of the North v South rugby match in Hereford with a landslide victory to the south team. Pre-Rally was hosted by Mum & Rob in Orleton, with the fence erecting and farm machinery skills competitions being held. Us officers were very grateful that Abbie volunteered to be the casualty for first aid, especially as the judge brought along a fake wound that would bleed! Welding & Horse Stock judging at Holme Lacy college brought April to a close on a very hot evening, also marking the penultimate competition until Rally Day.

Speaking of rally, whilst members across the county were starting to make crafts & practice for on stage competitions, we were starting to get the rally site ready. I was very fortunate to have some great support from Pontrilas in the form of the Probert Family & Harry & Roan. Together we spent many hours over 2 weekends pressure washing, dusting, sweeping and tidying. We soon learnt that water wouldn’t run the right way out of any of the sheds we were pressure washing.

With the Jones family also trying to get their new parlour up and running and with rally day soon approaching, I was very glad to receive a message from Mark on the Monday of rally week to say they’d just completed their first milking in the new parlour. It was 10.30 at night but at least they were in! We soon got the sheds sparkling and everything set up for rally to take place. I hope the cows are enjoying their super clean accommodation this winter!

Dairy stock judging was the last competition before rally, this year being held at Merrivale Farm in Aconbury. Some excellent cows for us all to judge and some delicious cake provided too!

Before we knew it, the 17[th] May had arrived. Members from our 15 clubs flocked to Garway for a jam-packed day of competitions all themed to Musicals. We would be here all night if I went through all the results but a huge well done to everyone who took part, helped on catering, car parking or judging/stewarding. The day wouldn’t have happened without you all. Welsh Newton lifted the rally shield this year with a quick pause in prize giving for the cows to come through for milking which was a unique and very memorable moment of the day. It was then onto the rally dance for everyone to celebrate the success of the day.

Next, we had our sights set on the Three Counties Show, with Gloucester desperately trying to break our winning streak. A fiercely contested three days of competitions and chief scorer Robin not giving anything away, I wasn’t sure what the result would be when we reached Sunday's prize giving. It turns out I had nothing to worry about as we came away with 12 of the 19 trophies awarded! This achievement really is a testament to the

senior after dinner speaking, fence erecting and rounders. A huge well done to Dilwyn for winning the fencing competition and to Eardisley for coming 4[th] in the rounders!

A very hot evening was spent judging Hereford cattle in Almeley by kind permission of the Powell Family of the Roughmoor herd. The great Yorkshire show was taking place the same week, with Joe from Lugg Valley taking part in the shearing finals and Ben, Harvey & Ben from Lugg Valley. Craswall & Woolhope in the national dairy finals. Unfortunately, I have no photos of these – typical boys!

With the heatwave still in full swing, we sweated it out in Shropshire for the WMA Stockman of the year competition. We had two teams in both the senior and junior competition, coming away with two team 1[st] , Tom Garlick 2[nd] and I 3[rd] in the senior competition and Rees from Craswall 3[rd] in the juniors.

The end of July brought around junior field day at Hereford Livestock Market. A unique competition day for Herefordshire giving our younger members a full day of competitions. Seasons was the theme of the day, chosen by the junior forum committee. From stock judging family dogs, where Kevin my golden retriever, who is usually very quiet, let everyone know he was there, to vegetable animals and obstacle races, it was a fantastic day and great to see so many juniors having fun. Pontrilas were crowned the winners for the first time since 1983 but a huge well done must go to each and every one of our juniors who took part, with junior membership making up over 50% of the county, I believe it is so important to keep these members interested as after all, they are the future of the federation.

When putting this presentation together, I came across some photos and a video that I had completely forgotten about…but it seemed such a shame to not include them! Some wonderful club leaders being dressed up at junior field day…

As many YFC members will say, August is generally the quietest month of the YFC year. With clubs holding summer socials and the start of club AGMS, there’s not really a huge amount that goes on at a county level. So, I thought it was a great month to have a baby! With Arthur arriving safely on the 20[th] August. I’m very lucky to have such a chilled and laid-back baby as he has since been to countless YFC meetings and every competition/event since he was born!

I did however, give Kington Show a miss this year, and with Abbie & Kate both at weddings, it was down to Paige, Hannah, Tom, Wendy, Ally & Sarah to oversee the day. The theme of the competitions were Safari and we had seven clubs competing from Herefordshire.

Ploughing match marked the final competition of my chairmanship, with Will hosting the ploughing at Kentchurch & the domestic competitions held at Ewyas Harold Hall. We had 28 ploughers taking part and luckily the weather was a lot nicer than last year, and from

The night was exactly what I hoped it would be a fantastic mix of current and past YFC members & supporters coming together. With 210 joining for the sit down meal and more coming to enjoy the party afterwards. During the evening, we held an auction to raise money for HFYFC & St Michaels Hospice in memory of Donna Powell, Phils mum who sadly passed away in August. I am pleased to say that we raised £1670 of which we will be donating £1000 in Donnas memory.

The same weekend, the national finals of cookery & floral art were taking place at the malvern autumn show. Well done to Charlie, Kathy & Ellie for competing in the cookery finals and Sarah, Soph & Kate for competing in the floral art finals. Sarah picked up 2[nd] place in the junior competition!

And so that brought my year as county chairman to an end. Now I’m sure any county chair will tell you that they received a lot of support from their officers throughout their year but I really cannot thank Kate, Abbie, Paige, Lily, Hannah, Phil, Tom & Nia enough for all they have done this year – especially with a pregnant county chair. But this “thank you” also extends to anyone who has turned up at competitions to help set up, clear up, judge, steward or score!

Pontrilas as a club have also been an incredible support network, having only known most of them for a few years, I cannot express how incredibly grateful I am to have had them all behind me this year. A particular thank you to Jamie, Sally, Huw & Sarah Probert who have given up so much of their time to support me over the 12 months. But also to all the club members for making me incredibly proud when announcing results at Rally & Junior Field Day – placing in both of these competitions for the first time since the 1980’s.

Thank you to mum for all you have done over the year, I think you’ve been at every competition, spent many hours on the phone when I’m driving back from the county office and more recently looking after Arthur so I could still go stock judging!

And finally to Will, my biggest cheerleader from behind the scenes. For being so understanding, patient & supportive - I couldn’t have got through this year without you. You’ll be pleased to know my calendar isn’t as busy from now on and I’m looking forward to the rest of my maternity leave with Arthur.

And so, ladies & gentleman, it gives me great pleasure in proposing that the annual report for 2024-2025 be adopted.