## **WORCESTERSHIRE FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS**
**MINUTES** of seventy-ninth Annual General Meeting of the Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs held at County Office on Thursday, 9 November 2023 at 7.30 pm.
**THE PRESIDENT** – The President, Mr A Nott, welcomed 75 members and friends. A minute’s silence was held for friends no longer with us.
**APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE** were received from Miss H Anderson (Wythall), Mr J Fellows, Mr L Hill, Mr D Pardoe (Life Vice-President) and Mrs Pardoe, Mr T Goodwin.
**MINUTES** – The minutes of the seventy-ninth Annual General Meeting held on 11 November 2022, having been circulated, were taken as read, adopted and signed as a correct record by the President.
**ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2022/23** presented by Miss M Phillips. Miss Phillips said this was the 80[th] Annual General Meeting and reported on the Harvest Thanksgiving Service, competitions and sports events, also the junior events. Abberley YFC represented the county at the West Midland Area events and the Carol Service and socials had continued to the end of the year. The National Federation Chairman had visited Upton upon Severn YFC. The new year had been a busy one with competitions – Pantomime, Hedging and Stockman of the year. Abberley YFC members had won both senior and junior Member of the Year. She thanked the Whitman family for providing the venue for the County Show and Mr P Rose, Mr R Pinfield, Mr C Wood and Mrs S Symonds for their hard work in making it a successful show. Crowle YFC won the Tug-of-War and the overall winners were Inkberrow YFC. They were the only County entering every competition at the Royal Three Counties Show.
Miss Phillips also thanked the Goodwin family for providing the venue once again for the Defford Event and all the members for a successful year. The County continues to flourish and Miss Phillips thank everyone for the help given to herself, Miss C Potter and Mr H Thatcher and for the support and help of Mrs Symonds in the office.
The Resolution “That the Annual Report for 2022/23 be received and adopted”, was proposed by Miss C Potter, who thanked Miss Phillips for all she had done for the Federation. This was seconded by Mr H Watson.
**THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2022/2023** was unanimously adopted by the meeting.
**STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR 2022/2023** presented by Mrs J Rose (County Treasurer). In presenting the accounts, Mrs Rose said that the General account showed a profit of £3.580 after setting aside £5,000 for painting the room, other repairs and tidying outside. £1,000 had also been set aside towards a training day for officers. The Building Fund had made £4,944 profit after paying £13,000 towards salaries and also paying county insurance and buying new equipment for the county. She thanked the Trustees for their assistance towards the running of the county office.
Membership fees had risen to £11,171, which was great to have more members and although there was a profit on Defford and a small one on the waxathon, the County had made a small loss overall on events after AGM expenses, payment for the card machine and online sales which had now been cancelled. There was also a small loss on the County Show. Competition costs this year had been covered by entry fees, showing a small profit. Room hires continued to grow showing a healthy profit of £16,758. She thanked Mrs Symonds and Mrs E Tyler for their hard work and keeping the hirers happy.
## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR 2022/2023** (Continued) –
On the expenditure side, rent had returned to normal after covid and salaries and expenses had gone up now that committees, competitions and functions are now running normally – money had been set aside to cover these. Sundry expenses were made up mainly of contributing towards the WMA and engraving cups. Referring to the building Fund, Mrs Rose said rents were slightly down and heating had gone up due to increased prices. The fund had also covered the cost of a new computer and overhead projector as shown in equipment. Upgrade of the whole computer system continues with a new computer in the office and the meeting room. Mrs Rose thanked Mr Wood for his help and advice.
The Balance Sheet shows that, overall, the Federation’s funds increased by £8,524,
Mrs Rose concluded by thanking Mr Minett for preparing the accounts.
Mr C Wood moved the Resolution “That the Statement of Accounts for the year 2022/2023 be received and adopted”. This was seconded by Mr H Watson and adopted.
**PRESENTATION OF THE ANNUAL RETURN OF MEMBERSHIP** – Mrs S Symonds, County Development Officer, said that as at 31 August 2023, which was the end of the membership year, there were 370 members. The following details of the Annual Return of Members to the National Federation at that date in 9 Clubs were: 173 Juniors, 104 Intermediates, 89 Seniors and 4 Associate Members. Making a total of 370.
**COUNTY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER’S REPORT** – Mrs S Symonds said that this had been another busy year with events and competitions being held and she thanked everyone who had hosted and been judges and stewards, including Public Speaking, Hedging , Entertainments, Stockman of the year. The County Show had returned to a farm and Mrs Symonds thanked the Whitehouse family for hosting at Brookhouse Farm, Frankley. She also thanked Mr Rose, Mr Pinfield, Mr Hazelwood and Mr Wood, everyone who had helped set up and clear up, judges, stewards, bar helpers and Lions on the gate. Congratulations went to Inkberrow YFC who won for the second year running and the members who had gone forward to the Royal Three Counties Show and National finals.
The County Show was followed by the Royal Three Counties Show and the Defford event held with thanks to the Goodwin family. The Harvest Festival at Worcester Cathedral was attended by members who took offerings.
Mrs Symonds said that sadly, past President for 1998-2000, Mrs Maggie Pearce passed away in March. She was a huge supporter and was very proud of the Federation and the members. Mrs Rosemary Cottrell had also died She was a past President and supporter of Crowle YFC.
Finally, Mrs Symonds thanked her family for their support, together with Miss M Phillips, Miss C Potter and Mr H Thatcher and wished Miss Potter and the members good luck in the coming year. The President thanked Mrs Symonds for her hard work with both the membership and room letting.
**ELECTION OF PRESIDENT** – Miss M Phillips read the Resolution that “That Mr A Nott be thanked as President and that he be asked to accept re-election as President of the Federation for the year 2023/2024”. In moving the resolution, Miss M Phillips thanked Mr Nott for his support and he would be hosting the County Show in 2024. This was seconded by Miss C Potter who said she was looking forward to working with Mr Nott in the coming year. The Resolution was carried unanimously by the meeting. Mr Nott thanked everyone for his re-election.
**ELECTION OF LIFE VICE-PRESIDENT** – Mr Nott read the Resolution “That Mr Phil Ash be thanked for his services to the Federation over the past years and be asked to accept election as a Life Vice-President”. In moving the resolution Miss M Phillips said that Mr Ash had been a member of Malvern YFC and had been County Chairman. He had also spent time bringing the County Constitution
up to date. This was seconded by Miss C Potter who thanked Mr Ash for his help and support to the County Federation. The Resolution was carried unanimously by the meeting.
**ELECTION OF VICE-PRESIDENTS –** Mr Nott read the Resolution “That Mr A McMinn and Mrs S Callwood be thanked for their services during the past four years and that in their places Mrs G Williams, Mr N Warren and Mr S Jones be asked to accept election for a period of three years. Also, that the remaining Vice-Presidents, being Mr A Morris, Mr M Jennings, Mr M Brian, Mrs H Thatcher Mrs N Potter and Mr M Powell be thanked for their services during the past year”. In proposing the resolution, Mr J Bradley thanked Mr McMinn and Mrs Callwood for their help and support in the past years. He said Mrs Williams helped on a family run farm and been involved with Martley and Abberley YFCs and had sons in Abberley YFC. Mr Warren had been a member and officer in Hagley YFC, entering competitions and had been Show Chairman. Mr S Jones was a sheep farmer and had been involved with young farmers for over thirty years having been chairman of Bromsgrove YFC. This was seconded by Mr J Adams. The Resolution was carried unanimously by the meeting.
**ELECTION OF COUNTY CHAIRMAN –** Mr Nott read the Resolution “That Miss M Phillips be thanked for her services during the past year and that Miss C Potter be asked to be County Chairman for the year 2023/2024”. In moving the Resolution, Mr O Raybould said that Miss Potter had been with Abberley YFC for eight years, being Chairman for three years and organising many events. This was seconded by Mr B Williams. The Resolution was carried unanimously by the meeting.
**ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN** – Mr Nott read the Resolution “That Mr H Thatcher be asked to accept the role of County Vice-Chairman for the year 2023/2024”. In moving the Resolution, Miss C Potter said Mr Thatcher was a member of Upton upon Severn YFC. He was a valued member of the Federation taking part in competitions and was Chairman of the Activities Committee. This was seconded by Miss B Wilson. The Resolution was carried unanimously by the meeting.
**ELECTION OF DEPUTY VICE-CHAIRMAN** – Mr Nott read the Resolution “That Mr H Watson be asked to accept the role of County Deputy Vice-Chairman for 2023/24”. In moving the resolution, Mr B Williams said that Mr Watson had been with Abberley YFC for ten years, two of which as Chairman. He had taken part in competitions both in County and National and was now Chairman of the Activities Committee. This was seconded by Miss G Sparey. The Resolution was carried unanimously by the meeting.
**ELECTION OF HONORARY TREASURER** – Mr Nott read the Resolution “That Mrs J Rose be thanked for her services during the past year and be asked to accept re-election of Honorary Treasurer of the Federation for the year 2023/2024”. In moving the resolution, Mr C Wood said Mrs Rose had put in a lot of effort to ensure the County’s finances were running well. This was seconded by Miss I Baldi-Turner. The Resolution was carried unanimously by the meeting.
**APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS –** Mr Nott read the Resolution “That Minett and Co, Chartered Accountants, be thanked for their services during the past year and that they be asked to accept reelection as accountants for the Federation during the year 2023/2024”. Mrs J Rose thanked Minett and Co for their advice and preparation of the accounts and moved the Resolution. This was seconded by Miss B Walters. The Resolution was carried unanimously by the meeting.
**MEMBERSHIP FEES –** Miss M Phillips read the Statement “That the Worcestershire Federation membership fees for the period 1 September 2023/24 will remain the same: Seniors - £36.75; Intermediates - £31.50; Juniors - £26.25; Associates - £21”.
**COUNTY BUILDING** – Mr M Yarnold presented the report on the County Building. He said he was pleased to deliver the 2023 report on behalf of the Trustees. It had been a fairly quiet year. Mrs S Howard had retired as a Trustee and they had welcomed Mrs D Jackson in her place joining Mr F
Harcombe and Mrs H Collins. They were pleased to report the success of the building continues to go from strength to strength. On entering the 30[th] year since the land was purchased, the bank account remains healthy and their financial commitment to the Federation remains strong and important.
The four units remain fully rented and he thanked the tenants for continued occupation. The meeting room was a great success story and he thanked Mrs Symonds who went above and beyond looking after the hiring of the room. She also had a good relationship with the tenants making sure they were happy and letting the Trustees know of any issues. The longest serving tenant was Mrs E Tyler, who with her team and Mrs Symonds kept the hiring of the room running smoothly, clean and set up for hirers.
Fibre broadband had finally come to the building and the hirers were satisfied with the fast broadband. Two tenants had now taken advantage of this service.
Mr N Tyler was a star turning his hand to almost any job which needed doing around the building and keeping it looking good. He thanked Mr Tyler for his hard work most of which is not is not obvious. Mr Yarnold also thanked Mrs Rose, a director of Shires Farm for looking after the accounts and Mrs S Goodwin for managing the building fund so efficiently as she had from day one.
After a short-term fix of the sewerage system, they will hopefully be renewing the soak away to run more efficiently and cope with the capacity needed for the busy meeting room and the units. The Trustees would continue to ensure all runs well and that the interests of Worcestershire Young Farmers remain at the front of all that they do. He thanked his fellow Trustees for their support and the Federation for entrusting them with the amazing facility of which members should be immensely proud.
Mr Nott thanked Mr Yarnold and the other Trustees for all their hard work looking after the building.
## **CLUB CHARITY REPORTS –**
**Abberley** – £2,466.60: split between Air Ambulance £1,578.05 and Little Hearts matter £888.55, raised by harvest supper, tractor run, carol singing, fun ride, car parking at Tenbury Show and Redmarley Hill Climb and an afternoon tea.
**Bromsgrove** – The Club was in a better position than the previous year. £1,814: raised by carol singing and Valentine’s ‘doo’ £500 to Young Minds and £500 t0 Macmillan Cancer Support. The Club also supported Michael MacPherson’s Shearathon, the Club donating £1 per sheep shorn, raising a total of £814 for his chosen charities of Macmillan Cancer Support and FCN.
**Crowle** – £976.50: split between Club funds and Air Ambulance: raised by harvest supper raffle £105, a muckathon £311, help setting up and car parking for Crowle Football tournament weekend - 7 members for 5 hours receiving a donation of £535. They held ferret racing at their county social selling chocolates and sweets £35.50.
**Cutnall Green** – £1,518 split between St Richard’s Hospice and Stephen House, a Memorial project: raised by a Harvest Green Ball raffle £435, junior member Theo Morris raised £900 for St Richard’s Hospice by having his hair shaved off and during a car treasure hunt Ellie Potter raised £183 taking part in a charity horse race, which went to Stphen House.
**Inkberrow** – £4,760.54: raised by Carol Singing £244.57, Footcracker £265, Donations £500, Charity Shopping Night £258.68, Harvest Supper £247.29, to Brain Tumour Support £2,000 and 80[th] Ball raffle £1,145. Volunteering hours: helping set up Village Christmas tree – 3 members for 2 hours, helping set up Christmas Shopping Night – 2 members x 92 hours, total 10 hours @ £10/hr = £100.
## **CLUB CHARITY REPORTS** (Continued) –
**Martley** – £2,520 to the County Air Ambulance: raised by Big Breakfast £1,000 and two Bingo evenings £650. Volunteering hours at local events totalled 87 = £870.
**Tenbury Wells** – £998.70 rounded up to £1,000: raised by Harvest Supper raffle £161.50, panto raffle ££77.00 and big breakfast £760.20. Volunteering hours at Tenbury Show – members helped during the week leading up to the show completing 153 hours in total = £1,530, Pallisters sheer a thon – 1 member for 8 hours = £80, help at Rochford fete – 3 members totalling 14 hours = £140, Eastham fete – 9 members totalling 31 hours = £310, help at Hanley William family fun and BBQ evening – 2 hours each for 6 hours = £120 and 1 member helped set up marquees for the Tenbury drive thru drivers = £10. **Upton upon Severn** – £867.30: to the FCN: raised £182 from a fireworks night, Quiz night £90.50, , Footcracker £276.80, Harvest Supper £318.
**Wythall** – £6,416: £1,287 to The British Heart Foundation in memory of Harvey Morris raised by Harvest Supper raffle £287 and Bash on the Borders £1,000 donation out of the profits, £326 donation to support Bizza Walters running the London Marathon who raised £5,455 for Farm Africa. Volunteering hours: 8 members for 5 hours at the Forest of Arden Ploughing Match receiving £100 donation, 10 members helped over 2 days set up for the Tanworth in Arden Flower and Produce Show and 6 members helped for 3 hours with car parking and programme selling at the Croome and West Warwickshire point to point.
Mr Nott thanked the Clubs for raising approximately £21,250.
## **PRESENTATION OF AWARDS 2023/24** – Made by Miss M Phillips.
Mr Nott presented the President’s Cup to Mr O Raybould.
During the meeting presentations were made to Mr and Mrs Rose, Mrs S Goodwin, Mr R Pinfield, Mr H Thatcher, Miss M Phillips, Miss C Potter, Mr C Wood, Mrs Symonds and Miss J Allen.
**DATE OF NEXT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING –** To be held at the County Building on Monday, 29 January 2024 at 8.00 pm.
The meeting was declared closed at 8.50 pm.
## **WORCESTERSHIRE FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS CLUBS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
|**GENERAL FUND**
**Membership Fees**
**Profit on Events**
Social Events and Fund Raising
County Show
Competions
**Other Income**
County Youth Worker
Rent Receivable
Hire of Rooms & Equipment
Sundry Income
Bank Interest
**Less Expenditure**
Rent
Salaries and Expenses
Printing, Stationey and Computer
Expenses
Postage
National Levy and Insurance
Telephone and Communication
Repairs and Replacements
County Officers Expenses
Independent Examiners Fee
Sundry Expenses
Depreciation
**SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR**
**Less Allocation**
Decorating and Repairs
Security Upgrade
Training Club Officers|12291
11171
12291
11171
-122
-398
3692
-1410
-409
377
3161
-1431
12000
13500
1485
1485
13112
16758
9
251
3298
592
29904
32586
45356
42326
4800
4800
18580
17000
3885
3781
45
59
15
0
463
499
0
2269
1960
2000
1832
732
1960
851
564
755
34104
32746
11252
9580
6000
5000
2000
0
0
1000
8000
6000
3252
3580
**2024**
**2023**|
|---|---|
## **WORCESTERSHIRE FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS CLUBS NOTES TO STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
|**1**
**TANGIBLE ASSETS**
Net Book Values at 1st September 2023
Depreciation
Net Book Values at 31st August 2024
**2**
1 Ordinary Share - Shire Farms Ltd
Market Value
1 Ordinary Share - Shire Farms Ltd
**3**
Creditors
Accruals
Reserve for decoration and security costs
Reserve for membership support fund
**4**
Creditors
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**CREDITORS AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
**CREDITORS AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER ONE YEAR**
**INVESTMENTS**|**EQUIPMENT**
**FREEHOLD**
**LAND &**
**BUILDINGS**
**TOTAL**
2255
289102
291357
564
564
1691
289102
290793
**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
1
1
-
-
2161
2410
3810
732
8435
6000
1270
1551
15676
10693
2993
2993|
|---|---|
## **TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
## **CREDITORS**
Creditors amounts falling due after more than one year