THERE is a new chairman of the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs.

Kirsty Searby, 27, from Wakefield, has taken over the reins from Bedale farmer John Craddock.

Kirsty said she was “dragged along” to Holme Valley YFC by a friend at the age of 12. “I only went along to keep her company,” she admitted. “My friend only lasted a couple of months but I stayed and eventually became chairman.”

Kirsty doesn’t come from a farming background and works as a physics teacher in a Barnsley secondary school.

The first major event of her chairmanship was the annual county rally at Thirsk Auction Mart last Saturday. “My aim is to get to know other members from around the county and encourage more of them to get involved on a larger scale - in more county competitions and events - rather than staying in their own clubs,” said Kirsty, who has always been a keen competitor in the cookery competitions.

Ms Searby says that another challenge is keeping young people’s connections with their young farmers’ clubs going after they move away to university.

“During my time as chairman I want to encourage everybody to keep that connection going and get involved in giving something back to the young farmers movement,” she said.

Kirsty’s vice-chairmen are Silsden-based dairy and sheep farmer Georgina Fort and Helmsley YFC member Ed Bentley. Ed is a farmer’s son but works in computer technology.

A number of awards were made at YFYFC’s annual meeting, where the new chairman was officially handed the chains of office. These were presented by honorary life member Jim Barton. Honorary Life Member awards were given to Rob Beal, of Rillington YFC, Great Smeaton YFC’s Tom Pattison and Tom Heseltine, of Upper Wharfedale YFC.

A Time and Talent Award was made to Knaresborough YFC, in honour of its annual tractor run which this year raised more than £8,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in memory of much-missed member Mike Spink. The Alan Goldie Trophy for Best Speaker went to new vice-chairman Ed Bentley.