Radnor YFC kicked off Rally season with the Pre-Rally competitions, sponsored by Hay and Brecon Farmers, Sunderlands, Pilgrims UK, Agri Intelligence, and Samaritans. This was followed by the much-anticipated 77th Annual Rally, held on Saturday, June 14, at Hafod, Llaithddu, kindly hosted by the Price family and jointly sponsored by Trevoil Farm Feeds and Gamic Trailers.

The Pre-Rally competitions ran throughout May and featured three types of stock judging: Holstein Friesian Cattle, Butcher’s Pigs, and Bluefaced Leicester Sheep. Llanbadarn Fynydd YFC won the West Bromwich Building Society Trophy for achieving the highest number of points across all Pre-Rally stock judging competitions, with Aberedw YFC in second place and Howey YFC in third. In the other competitions, Aberedw YFC took first place in the dancing, and dominated the tug of war, winning the men’s, ladies’, and junior sections.

More than 400 members from across the county competed on Rally Day, representing their clubs in a wide range of competitions – from shearing and wool handling to flower arranging, cookery, singing, and stage performances. Despite a wet start, activities were swiftly moved under cover, and by the afternoon the weather had brightened. Radnor saw full entries in most competitions, with record numbers of junior shearers and wool handlers putting on a fantastic show in the shearing shed. Members, supporters, and friends of Radnor YFC also enjoyed catching up and admiring the exceptionally high standard of competition throughout the day.

Gethin Lewis of Rhayader YFC won both the Senior Shearing and the Ian Jones Perpetual Cup for the tidiest shearer, while Sam Bridgewater of Aberedw YFC claimed the Intermediate Shearing title.

Radnor Valley continued its strong record in shearing and wool handling, with Rhys Davies winning the Junior Shearing and Lauren Morris and Ella Sankey taking the Senior and Junior Wool Handling titles. Ava Davies of Rhayader YFC won the Caleb Roberts Shield for the Yearbook cover.

Rhian Hughes of Cantal YFC secured the Andrew and Janet Abberley Cup for best soloist, and Llanbadarn YFC girls once again took top spot in the Group Singing. Edw Valley YFC won the Mrs B I Roderick and Mrs Lawrence Novelty Shield for the Main Ring Display, while one of their youngest members, Ollie, achieved marks of 100 to win the HM Bennett Ltd Shield for Fat Lamb Judging.

Dolau YFC came out on top in the combined cookery and craft section, while Abigail Hughes of Radnor Valley YFC won the C W Hulin Cup for the Scrapbook competition. Dolau and Knighton YFCs shared the T.O. Nicholls Trophy for Stock Judging on Rally Day, and Rhayader YFC won the Efficiency Cup for the best-kept minute and attendance book.

Cantal YFC won the P.R.H. Tantrum Cup, with Laura Bevan sharing the Sarah Froggatt Trophy with Ebony Price of Presteigne. Knighton YFC once again lifted the Glenda Lawrence Cup for their promotional sign, while Penybont YFC won the Rachel Bufton Memorial Trophy for the highest number of points in flower arranging.

In the overall results, host club Llanbadarn Fynydd YFC finished third with 2,952.5 marks, Radnor Valley YFC claimed second with 2,970 marks, and Aberedw YFC were crowned winners of the 77th Annual Rally with 3,001 marks. Howey YFC took the trophy for the highest-placed small club outside the top three.

There was little time to rest for Radnor YFC, as just two weeks later the celebrations continued with the 80th Anniversary Lunch and Chair’s Ball. Both events were held on the same weekend at Wernheulog Farm, kindly hosted by the Davies family.

The festivities began with ‘Siani’s Shindig’, where members danced the night away at County Chair Sian Davies’ Ball.

After a quick turnaround by the 80th Anniversary Committee, nearly 400 past and present members and friends gathered for the Anniversary Luncheon. Among them were 50 past County Chairs, who enjoyed an afternoon of food, speeches, and music, with performances from Rhian Hughes, Eleri Davies, and the 80th Choir, alongside displays of photos and memorabilia from the clubs.

Following the lunch, an auction in aid of Sian Davies’ chosen charities raised over £17,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity and cancer services at Wye Valley NHS Trust.

Radnor YFC’s 80th celebrations will continue into autumn and winter.

Next up was the Royal Welsh Show, where winners from the Radnor YFC Rally went on to represent the county in the Wales YFC finals, securing a commendable fifth place overall.

There were some outstanding individual results: Abigail Hughes of Radnor Valley YFC took 1st place in the Scrapbook competition, while Lauren Morris, also from Radnor Valley, won 1st place in Wool Handling. Harrison of Llanbadarn Fynydd YFC also impressed, coming 1st in the Under-21 Bluefaced Leicester Sheep stock judging at just 16 years old.

Radnor’s Tug of War teams, coached by Tracie Zembruski, also delivered strong performances. The ladies’ team finished 5th, the men’s team 4th, and Aberedw YFC’s junior team claimed 3rd place – securing Radnor 2nd overall in the Tug of War competition. The junior team went on to qualify for the National YFC Tug of War Championships at Tenbury Show on Saturday, August 2, where they finished 4th – a fantastic achievement.

To round off the year, Radnor YFC recently held its 80th Annual General Meeting, where new county officers were elected. Elizabeth Swancott of Teme Valley YFC succeeded Sian Davies as County Chair, while Mark Nixon of Edw Valley YFC was elected County Vice Chair. Robert Lewis stepped down as President, with Sharon Hammond taking on the role and Trevor Owens elected Deputy County President.

On the awards side, Edw Valley YFC won the Trevaughan Trophy for attendance at county meetings, while Penybont YFC claimed the NFU Shield for most competitions won throughout the year, after topping the Inter Club Quiz, Public Speaking Weekend, Pantomime competition, and Sports Day – congratulations!

The newly elected officers, together with county committees, are now preparing for a busy programme ahead as the new YFC year officially begins on 1 September 2025.