Manic start for 'Murrican

Their first meeting, now four months ago, took the form of a games night featuring Janette Sterling and Richard Bartlett and was quickly followed the same month by a charity sheep sale which raised 3894.66 for Cystic Fibrosis.

The swimming gala was next and Jonathan McMaster, Michael Marshall, Robert McMaster and Teresa Connon all took part.

Lastly in September their second club meeting involved games of dodge ball.

Floral art was first on the list in October and eight members took part - Melissa Knox, Melissa Millar, Carrie Bonnar, Kirsty Mitchell, Naomi Bell, David Millar, Ruth McMaster and Anna-Grace McCullough. Congratulations must go to Melissa Knox for getting placed first in the seniors and also Melissa Millar for getting placed fourth. Best wishes go to Melissa Knox for the final in May at Balmoral Show.

The third club meeting saw members off to the driving range to hit some balls and this was followed by attendance at the County Antrim Dinner Dance.

Receiving Prizes at the County Dinner was:

• Melissa Millar – 16 – 18 Farm Scrap, 16 – 25 Floral Art and 16 – 18 Craft

• John Crawford – Machinery Handling and 12 – 14 Farm Scarp

• Gayle Adams – 14 – 16 Dairy Judging and Junior Young Farmer

• Teresa Connon – 14 16 Beef Judging

• Derek Storey – Machinery Handling

• Julie Simpson – 12 – 16 Floral Art

• Louise O’Melvena – Club Leader of the Year

The annual Church Service was next in October which was held in Glenwherry this time and the amount raised was 188.20 which will help send 80 goats for the “80 goats for 80 years” fund.

Lastly in October the fourth club meeting took the form of a bingo night, while meetings in November started with a visit from the Broughshane dance group and continued with the first exchange meeting with Milebush.

The sixth club dinner was staged in November when prizes were received as follows...

• James Owens Rose Bowl for Floral Art – Julie Simpson (Junior) and Melissa Millar (Senior)

• Lisnamurrican P.S. Tray for Home Management – Kirsty Mitchell

• William Kennedy Perpetual Cup for Ulster Young Farmer – Thomas Gibson

• Lisnamurrican P.S. Cup for Junior Young Farmer – Gayle Adams

• David Clyde Perpetual Cup for Craft Work – Melissa Millar

• Esler Cup for Drama – Ruth Watt (3 Act) and Louise O’Melvena (1 Act)

• Dessie Maybin Perpetual Cup for Dairy Judging (12-16) – Gayle Adams

• Henry J Sloan Cup for Dairy Judging (16-21) – Cara Johnston

• Saunderson Perpetual Cup for Beef Judging – Teresa Connon

• Thoburn McCaughey Perpetual Challenge Silver Salver for Sheep Judging – John Crawford

• Wilsons Feed Perpetual Cup for Silage Assessment – Cara Johnston and Teresa Connon

• Kidd Family Cup for Tractor Handling – Derek Storey and john Crawford

• Richard Marshall Memorial Shield for Tractor and Machinery Safety Competition – John Crawford

• Anderson Perpetual Cup for Most Enthusiastic New Member – Alan Adams

• Mr and Mrs James Owens Cup for Best Under 18 Member – Melissa Millar

• James McNeill Perpetual Cup for Best All Round Girl – Melissa Millar

• McCaughey Perpetual Cup for Best All Round Boy – David Millar

• Leslie and Wilma Houston Endeavour Cup – Carrie Bonnar

• Lisnamurrican Perpetual Cup for Best All Round Member – (vote) – Melissa Millar

The Broughshane lights switch on was next in November and for this club members dressed up as Santas and sailed round on a trailer.

Lastly in November was the Ulster and Junior Young Farmer and Murrican members who completed the paper were: Melissa Millar, David Millar, John Crawford, Carol Crawford, Andy MaGarry, Thomas Gibson, Lauren McKendry, Cara Johnston, Gayle Adams, Teresa Connon, Joe Connon, Joe Adams, Alan Adams, Chrissy McMaster, Jonathan McMaster and Carrie Bonnar.

The first December club meeting featured a drug awareness talk and also a meeting of the Home Management team with Melissa Millar, David Millar and Lauren Gordon took part but bad weather called a halt to the second December meeting.

Murrican members are now all set for a similarly busy few months ahead and have a packed agenda prepared for 2010.