It has been a very busy few months of competing for Radnor YFC members.

The new YFC year kicked off in September at Kington Show, where this year’s competitions were run by Herefordshire YFC. The theme for the marquee competitions was ‘Safari’, and after a long day of contests it was Radnor Valley YFC who took home the overall trophy, with Knighton YFC in second place and Rhosgoch YFC in third. It was great to see three Radnorshire clubs taking the top spots.

Radnor YFC rounded off the day by coordinating the Kington Show Dance in the evening, where a great night was had by all.

Early October saw members from across Radnorshire flock to Cwmwhitton Farm, Knighton, for the annual Field Day Competition, sponsored by F.M. Caine & Sons and kindly hosted by Colin, Phyllis, Gareth, Georgina Pugh and family on behalf of Knighton YFC.

The day was packed with a huge variety of competitions, with clubs going head-to-head in everything from cookery and flower arranging to commercial dancing, ATV challenges, lamb trimming and photography. A record 20 teams entered the fencing competition, with Howey YFC winning both the Senior and Junior classes.

Howey YFC also celebrated success in the ATV Challenge, with Ieuan Griffiths and Geraint Mathias taking home the trophy. Rhayader YFC picked up the S4C Cup for Commercial Dance, as well as winning the Social Media Post, Decorate a Yule Log and Entertainment Programme categories.

The Inner Wheel Trophy went to Edw Valley YFC for Junior Fferm Factor, Auctioneering and Skills Exhibit. Dolau YFC won the Lucerne Wilson Cup for Cookery, Floral, Poster and Sentence, while the Rotary Cup - covering Advent Calendar, Junior and Senior Give It a Go and Photography - was claimed by Penybont YFC.

Aberedw YFC took first place in the Federation Display, where this year’s theme was ‘YFC Through the Decades’. Tom Evans of Howey YFC won the Max Pugh Trophy for the Lamb Trimming competition.

The Efficiency with Safety competition attracted a strong entry of 11 teams and was held at Underhill Farm, with Rhayader YFC taking the title and the points carried forward to Field Day.

After a long and closely fought day of competition, Dolau YFC were crowned overall winners - claiming the trophy for the first time in over 20 years. Rhayader YFC finished a very close second, just two marks behind, with Howey YFC in third place.

Radnor YFC then moved on to the Public Speaking Competitions, held over two weekends at the beginning of November and kindly hosted by The Lion Royal, Rhayader, NFU Cymru and Wales YFC.

On Saturday, November 1, NFU Cymru and JCP Solicitors sponsored the Junior Reading competition, which saw 12 teams reading extracts from Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo. Radnor Valley (A) YFC won the Junior Reading Trophy, with Llanbadarn Fynydd YFC in second place and Radnor Valley (B) YFC taking third. Keira from Radnor Valley was awarded Best Individual.

Other competitions held that day included Situations Vacant, won by Elizabeth Swancott of Teme Valley YFC in the Senior section and Katie Jones of Aberedw YFC in the Intermediate section.

The annual Junior and Senior Member of the Year competitions also took place, with Tilly of Dolau YFC winning Junior Member of the Year and Sian Davies of Edw Valley YFC taking the Senior title.

The second weekend of Public Speaking competitions began with the Senior Mace Debating, where teams from across the county entertained supporters with lively debates on rural and current affairs. Presteigne YFC and Teme Valley YFC finished joint third, Radnor Valley YFC took second place, and the overall winners were Penybont YFC, represented by Lowri Bayliss, James Powell and Amy Edwards. James Powell also claimed the much-coveted Best Speaker trophy.

The Ian and Elaine Blair Bursary followed, with 11 clubs submitting bids for equipment. Aberedw YFC received £300 towards a new tug of war training rig, while Knighton YFC secured £200 for tug of war equipment. Dolau YFC was awarded £100 towards an ATV safety helmet, and both Presteigne YFC and Edw Valley YFC received contributions towards new PA speakers.

The following day it was time for the Juniors to showcase their public speaking skills. Ellen, Maisey and Milly of Cantal YFC clinched the Junior Public Speaking title, with Ellen also taking home the trophy for Best Speaker.

Next up was the Intermediate Brainstrust, where Dolau YFC came out on top. Nia Thomas, Louis Watkins, Tilly L and Tilly D secured the win, with Nia Thomas also claiming the Best Speaker trophy.

The overall trophy for the weekend was awarded to Howey YFC - only the second time they have won it in 80 years. Teme Valley YFC finished as runners-up, with Cantal YFC in third place.

The following weekend was a busy one, with many Radnor members competing at Wales and National level at the Wales Eisteddfod and Bingley Hall.

At the Eisteddfod, Eleri Davies of Rhayader YFC placed third in the Musical Instrumental Solo on piano. In the homework section, Mia of Penybont YFC came second in the poster competition, while Keira of Radnor Valley YFC also secured second place in the social media post category.

The highlight of the day came from Penybont YFC, who took first place in the dancing competition. Congratulations to all involved!

Meanwhile, at Bingley Hall in Staffordshire, some of Radnor’s best intermediate and senior stockjudgers were representing the county at national level.

Among the standout results was current County Chair Elizabeth Swancott of Teme Valley, who took first place in the U28 lamb carcass competition. Robbie Hodnett, also of Teme Valley, achieved strong marks, helping secure first place for the lamb carcass team.

Mark Nixon of Edw Valley, the Vice County Chair, came a very close second in the senior live lamb class.

As November drew to a close, many members took part in the Royal Welsh Winter Fair - and once again, Radnor’s stockjudgers delivered outstanding results.

Hollie of Howey YFC placed second in the U18 lambs, while Thomas Swancott of Teme Valley won the U28 beef class. Laura Bevan took first place in the U18 beef, and together Thomas, Laura, Seren and Rhys claimed the overall beef team title.

Ellie of Rhosgoch YFC also impressed, finishing second in the under-18 Decorate a Chocolate Yule Log competition, which saw an exceptionally high standard of entries.

It has been a very busy autumn, and while the competitions calendar will pause over the Christmas period, Radnor YFC members will remain active in their communities - carol singing for charity, attending the President’s Carol Service and organising tractor runs.

As they draw to the end of their 80th year celebrations, every member of the federation will also be planting an oak tree.

Radnor YFC now looks ahead to the Entertainment Competition at the Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells, taking place from February 16–21, 2026.