Boost for Coleraine YFC hall

RES representative Karl O'Mullan presents a cheque for £1,500 to members of the Coleraine Young Farmers' Club, which will help to rebuild their groups premises in the town. Included on behlaf of the young farmers are Maxine Smyth, Russell Smyth, Paul Adams, Joanne Smyth and Ruth Adams.

For the past few years the club has been on a long road of fundraising to rebuild the club hall.

The initial plan was to renovate the hall as it was in need of a lot of work, however when work began the full extent of the renovation was realised and the club was forced to knock the hall down and start a complete rebuild.

The club has been meeting in alternative locations for two years now and trying to raise the remaining £30,000 to complete the interior works.

Mark Smyth, Coleraine Young Farmer’s Club said, “This funding will be used to cover the cost of much needed interior works such as electrical and plumbing installation in the new club hall.

“We are very grateful to RES for their support on this project.

“With a membership of over 80 we provide a valuable resource to local farming community.

“We hold meetings twice a month as well as running a raft of practices and competitions. Many of our competitions do not require any agricultural related knowledge but those that do offer a great insight for members and a better understanding of agriculture and the food chain.

“One of our main competitions is public speaking which requires members to select and research a topic before preparing a speech which they then present to a judge.

Many of these competitions offer great life skills for the members.”

Karl O’Mullan, Development Manager with RES added, “RES is really pleased to be able to contribute to, and provide practical support to, the Young Farmers’ Club in Coleraine which does so much good work with young people aged between 12 and 25 years from all backgrounds not just from the farming community.”

* One of the most popular competitions in the YFCU calendar, group debating, takes place during November.

Kindly supported by YFCU platinum sponsor Elanco, the competition commences with three area heats and the best teams from each area will compete at the final.

Teams competing in the senior section of the competition receive their topics on the evening which encourages members to ‘think on their feet’ as they only have 30 minutes to prepare their argument before they debate it in front of the judges.

The final will be held at Magherafelt High School on Monday, November 24 with guest speaker John McCallister, MLA.

Representatives from Elanco will be attending the heats and final. For more details on the competition please contact Heather Stewart at YFCU HQ on 9037 0713.