It’s been a busy few weeks for Stewartry Young Farmers after an influx of new members gave the club a welcome boost.
According to chairman John McCulloch, membership has almost doubled from 32 to 60 – allowing the club more scope to take part in events and activities.
Recent highlights include a Red Cross first aid training day at Castle Douglas Community Centre, a district netball tournament and tug o’ war competitions.
The men’s team qualified for the West Region elimination round at Lesmahagow Show on Saturday and although they didn’t make it through to the national tug o’ war final at the Royal Highland Show later this month the Stewartry was Dumfries and Galloway’s top team.
The club also hosted the district rally for Dumfries and Galloway’s six clubs at Low Milton, Crocketford, by kind permission of the Barbour family.
The event was attended by around 200 young farmers form across the region with football, stock judging, quad bike driving, sheep shearing, a construction challenge, handicrafts and tug o’ war among the activities.
A dance in Castle Douglas Town Hall followed to round off a highly successful day.
A two-woman team from the club also competed in a district country cooks competition at Redbrae near Wigtown, with Abby Forsyth and Meghan Carson claiming second place. The duo then went on to score a joint fourth in the regional final at Queen Margaret’s School in Ayr.
Club chairman, John McCulloch, told the News: “We have been very busy as a club taking part in district and regional competitions.
“We had junior and senior handicraft teams at Ayr Show and also took part in the tug o’ war at the show with both girls and boys teams.
“And as a committee it has been an extremely busy time planning for the club’s 90th anniversary next year.”
John added: “We are up to 60 members now from 32 so that’s quite a rise in a year.
“But we are always looking for new members and have room for plenty more.
“Anyone aged between 14 and 30 who wishes to come along will be made very welcome.
“If anyone is interested of learning more they can contact myself on 07769 799 937, Meghan Carson on 07880 672 837 or contact the club via our social media pages on Instagram or Facebook.”
