Wales YFC News

After 18 months of virtual meetings, The Wales YFC annual general meeting was held in person on 18th September this year at the Royal Welsh Show ground. In the absence of the president, the out-going Chairperson of Wales YFC, Katie Davies chaired the meeting. From Pembrokeshire, Katie’s hard work and dedication to the movement over her two year term as chairperson was recognised as she was thanked by all. Handing over the mantle, expressed her gratitude over the past two years, and mentioned how much of an honour it was to become the first ever parent/child to become Wales YFC Chairman, following in her mother’s footsteps.

Caryl Haf from Ceredigion was duly elected Wales YFC Chairperson and Hefin Evans from Carmarthenshire was elected as vice-chairperson. Chris Lewis, longstanding Wales Vice President, was elected as Wales President. His loyalty and hard work for the movement was noted and praised, as he has always believed in the power of YFC members as a collective.

As new chairperson, Caryl asked that all clubs support each other as counties and work together as they move forward through these different times. She noted that she is looking forward to travelling to every county and to meet as many members as possible, this time in person. Winners of various awards were also announced during the meeting. Pembrokeshire YFC won the Beynon Thomas trophy for the highest points scored by junior members, and the Western Mail trophy for scoring the highest number of points in all Wales YFC competitions throughout the year went to Montgomery YFC.

There was a sense of turning a new leaf following a strange two years for the movement, with the announcement of new staff members; Rhianwen Jones appointed as Competitions and International Officer, Anna Jones as Marketing and Communications Officer and Philip Ellis as the new Chief Executive. Philip noted that it is “a tumultuous time but an exciting time” and said his main priority will be “getting back to where [Wales YFC] was” before the pandemic.

Although an unusual two years have passed, the passion shown to moving forward in these challenging times is testament to the strength of the Wales YFC movement, be it here in Wales or as a nation as a whole.