CUMBRIAN young farmers were able to meet up, socially distanced, for the first time in over six months due to Covid-19.

Officers from the ten Southern District clubs gathered to take part in their annual officer training event.

Trainers and Cumbria YFC Advisory members: Paul Barrow (Eden Valley YFC) and James Taylor (Crook YFC) led the club secretary training, while Emma Williamson (Eden Valley YFC) and Dan Asplin (Kent Estuary YFC) took the chairs training.

Southern District Chair William Longmire and Vice Chair Jess Rogerson helped organise and supervise the evening, ensuring that covid protocols were in place and social distancing was adhered to.

Cumbria YFC Chief Officer Joanne Mills commented that “It was the first time we’ve ever had to take a tape measure to officer training, but it was a great night and meeting up again really gave the young farmers a boost!”.

The District Finals of the Junior Reading District Competition held at PRUFC, Penrith and Lane Farm, Milnthorpe saw the young farmers gather in a socially distanced manner to read exerts from “Stig of the Dump” by Clive King.

The results were as follows:

Northern District:1,Skelton C: Maisie Strutt, Hannah Holmes, Charlotte Elliott; 2,Raughton Head: Rachel Bell, Mark Musgrave, Margaret Bell; 3,Caldbeck: Caitlin Brownrigg, Daniel Taylor, Olly Monkhouse; 4, Greysouthen: Sarah-Beth Fillingham, Jessica Walker, Charlotte Pickthall; 5,Skelton B: Alfie Hay, Hope Wear, Ollie Hay6th: Skelton A: Philippa Dickinson, Chloe Stephenson, Amy Wilson

Southern District:1, Lowick: Zara Clough, Matthew Bedford-Tyson, Ava Bigland; 2, Crook: Lola Armistead, Mika Armistead, Anna Hayton; 3, Ken Estuary: Abbie Date, Millie Kitching, Hannah Barton.

The top three teams from both districts will go onto compete at the County Final in January 2021.

A very big thanks to judges: Mrs Valerie Gornall and Mrs Emma Williamson and Mrs Sue Robson and Mr Dave Malloy for their support and positive feedback and to stewards for the evening: William Longmire, Jess Rogerson and Robbie Tuer.

A final thank you to Christine Knipe and the WCAS team at Lane Farm and to Caren Bainbridge at PRUFC for helping the young farmers to run safe and socially distanced competitions.