The past two years have looked rather different for Radnor YFC members with competitions including the annual rally having to move online due to the pandemic.

However, with restrictions finally eased the federation welcomed back its pre-rally competitions sponsored by Hay and Brecon Farmers. The highly anticipated 74th annual rally was then held last month, staged at Cwmfaerdy Farm, Abbeycwmhir, and kindly hosted by the Powell Family and sponsored by Caleb Roberts Insurance Services.

Radnor Valley YFC was victorious on the day after ending with 3,205 marks. In second place was Knighton YFC with 3,198 and third was Penybont YFC with 3,169. Radnor Valley chairman Robbie Savage and secretary Gemma Morris were delighted to lift the shield for the federation for the first time in 25 years.

Pre-rally competitions had earlier taken place throughout May. These included three types of stock judging in Hereford cattle, Welsh Section B ponies and Park Type Cheviot sheep. Teme Valley YFC won the West Bromwich Building Society Trophy for the club gaining the highest number of points in all pre-rally stock judging competitions. Other pre-rally competitions included the dancing competition and the promotional video with the host club Penybont YFC winning both competitions.

Radnor YFC Rally Day 11th June 2022 host club Penybont YFC held at Cwmfeardy Abbeycwmhir.
Relay race winners Cantal YFC (Radnor Valley FC)

On rally day, over 300 members from across the county battled it out for their individual clubs. Competitions ranged from shearing and wool handling to flower arranging, cookery, singing and lots of stage entries. There was a real buzz around the rally site, which saw a record attendance on the day. Members, supporters, and followers of Radnor YFC enjoyed catching up with friends and looking around at the exceptionally high standard of competition from all members.

Radnor Valley’s success began when they made a clean sweep of the shearing and wool handling competitions, winning the five out of the five trophies up for grabs for the second time in a row.

Philip Price won the senior and intermediate as well as the Ian Jones Perpetual Cup given for the tidiest shearer.

Rhys Davies won the junior shearing competition and Lauren Morris was victorious for wool handling.

Sam Beavan of Knighton YFC won the Caleb Roberts Shield for the yearbook cover.

Georgia Price of Edw Valley YFC won the Andrew and Janet Abberley Cup for best soloist and the Llanbadarn YFC girls took top spot in the group singing.

Cantal YFC had a successful day winning the Mrs B I Roderick and Mrs Lawrence Novelty Shield for coming first the relay race main ring competition.

Rhayader YFC gained the most points combined in the cookery and craft section and Anwen Hardwick won the C W Hulin Cup for the Scrapbook competition.

Radnor YFC Rally Day 11th June 2022 host club Penybont YFC held at Cwmfeardy Abbeycwmhir.
Aberedw YFC performing on stage (.)

The shield success is testament to the federation’s perseverance in making a strong comeback after the pandemic.

Recent events since the rally have included the Wales YFC Sports day where Gemma and Lauren Bradford of Penybont YFC, Lauren and Gemma Morris of Radnor Valley YFC and Grace Licence-Law of Knighton YFC represented the county in the ladies hockey. The group performed excellently and came away with second prize. Hali-Rae Morris of Edw Valley YFC came first in the under-16 high jump in the athletics competition.

Radnor YFC members are now preparing and looking forward to competing again at the Royal Welsh Show.