Glarryford YFC is 70 years young

A Glarryford YFC festival production from the past - a competition the club still enjoys participating in today.

It was back in the difficult war years that Rev Robert Lennox gave his blessing for the young people of the locality to meet in Clough Church Hall to socialise and learn about rural life and in 1943 Glarryford Young Farmers’ Club was born.

In it’s early years Mrs Lennox started the club on the drama trail and members still enjoy participating in the drama competitions to this day.

In 1953, the Club bought Glarryford Creamery which was renovated and opened in 1961 as Glarryford Farmers’ Hall. The committee decided to build the minor hall in 1975 and maintain the halls to the present standard.

A spokesperson for the Club said: “There is no doubt that part of the success of Glarryford YFC is due to the fact that we have our own facilities and that is in no small measure due to stalwarts like James A & Rita Gregg and Ernie O’Hara.

In February 2012 we had a special evening to mark the opening of the Gregg Hall as a token of our appreciation of the work and dedication James A and Rita Gregg contributed to the Club.”

Glarryford Young Farmers Club is well known across the province for it’s high number of members, high standard in competition entries, involvement with local shows, supporting charities and not forgetting enjoyable Sports Night and BBQ’s including a unique one for past members.

This year the Club is fundraising for Meningitis UK and Clic Sargent and are planning to complete a 70 mile bath push in May for these charities to mark their 70th year.

Fundraising will start at the 70th Annual Club Dinner and awards plus a raffle and auction on November 16 at 7.30pm at The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine when guest speaker will be James Campbell from the Irish Farmers Journal.

Tickets are £25 and these are available at Glarryford Young Farmers Club Hall every Monday night between 8pm-9pm or order by contacting 07745229041.

The spokesperon said: “It would be great to see a room full of past members, parents, coaches and trainers and current club members socialising together to mark the success of Glarryford YFC because together we are better farmers, better countrymen and better citizens.”