TRILLICK and District Young Farmers Club (YFC) recently held its AGM via Zoom online meeting, with Colin McKinley, Club Leader, welcoming David Oliver from Dungiven YFC, who conducted the meeting.

Secretary John Armstrong delivered a comprehensive report of the club’s workings in 2020, despite Covid-19 bringing its regular activities to an abrupt halt.

Treasurer Shannen Vance presented a very satisfactory financial report and reported that the club presently has 41 members.

At the AGM, the following officials were elected for the 2021/2022 season: President, Rachel Law; Club Leader, Colin McKinley; Assistant Club Leader, Charlie Henderson; Secretary, Megan Birney; Assistant Secretary, Jane McGrade; Treasurer, Jamie McCutcheon; Assistant Treasurer, Shannen Vance; PRO, William Graham; and Assistant PRO, Rebecca Mulligan.

John Armstrong also currently serves as Tyrone County Chairman, Jake Cunningham as Assistant County Chairman, and Shannen Vance as County Treasurer.

Until Covid-19 Lockdown, members enjoyed a wide variety of club meetings, including making bat boxes with Andrew from Ulster Wildlife, a Games and Pizza Night, boccia with the Grahams, outings to the Fane Valley Mill in Omagh, and Paintballing at Splat Attack.

Meetings moved online with Zoom, and a club quiz was held, and Christmas decoration-making with Rebecca Mulligan.

With regular activities cancelled, members got involved in several community events. Mark Gibson acted as question master at the annual quiz, which was won by the Bear Hugs, and raised more than £500 for the Palliative Care Ward in Omagh Hospital.

The club was able to adapt its annual car treasure hunt to comply with Covid-19 regulations; 22 teams took part, and instead of a BBQ, each car received a goodie bag. The winners were The Crofters.

Club Leader Colin and Secretary John constructed a scarecrow for the Peter Pan Playgroup Competition in September.

In the sunshine, members took part in two innovative YFCU initiatives. Club members and friends undertook a 600-mile walk in aid of the Farm safety Foundation’s Yellow Wellies Appeal.

When the miles were added up electronically, 1,035 miles had been walked, and £690 raised, with some members even doing litter-picking on the way.

Club Leader Colin McKinley was grateful for fellow members who came to his aid as a much-needed toilet roll flew across Tyrone and Fermanagh to Girgadis Rd. The Toilet Roll Challenge was posted on Facebook!

During the Summer, members and their families generously donated items for local foodbanks: the ARC, Irvinestown, and The Pantry, Lisnaskea, which is run by the club’s Vice-President, Val Crozier.

In December, further donations, combined with generous donations from the Peter Pan Playgroup, went to the foodbanks and to the Tyrone County Committee Collection as part of the YFCU President’s Christmas Appeal.

In March, Trillick unveiled its new club shirts, once again generously sponsored by Joe Mills and Son Arrow Oil And Country Store, and Brian Keys (Tractors) Dromore.

Sponsorship also came from a new sponsor, Farmstrong Trillick, owned by former club member Neil Armstrong.

Members look forward to sporting the shirts across the province when YFC events resume.

The club was also pleased to receive a proportion of funds raised by Glengeeragh LOL and Pipe Band in a charity static cycle in memory of local farmer, David Montgomery ¬– a victim of Covid-19.

Although Laura Sproule was unable to go on her YFCU exchange trip to Scotland this year, some members undertook YFCU travel opportunities.

Four farmers attended a farm walk in Hillsborough, and Bryan McKinley, Dean O’Neil and John Armstrong went on the YFCU Agri Trip to the Netherlands.

Throughout the year, members participated in a wide range of competitions and have had successes at county and Northern Ireland level.

Most such competitions were conducted online, including the Ulster Young Farmer, Public Speaking, Home Management, The Dunbia Live to Dead, and Stockjudging.

Judith McKinley and Shannen Vance were awarded the prestigious 2019/2020 YFCU Presidents Award for outstanding contribution to the YFCU.

Judith also gained third place in her section of those receiving this award

Trillick had a very successful night at the annual Tyrone Efficiency Awards. John Armstrong was judged First, Club leader; Judith McKinley First, Secretary; and Shannen Vance First, Treasurer; and Mollie Henderson Second, PRO.

At Northern Ireland level, Shannen was declared Second, Treasurer – a great achievement

Shannen Vance created an arrangement depicting 90 Years of the YFCU for the Northern Ireland Finals of Floral Art, not at a Balmoral Show, but online on Zoom, outside her house, and featuring a step ladder among the blooms.

Judith McKinley received first place in the 2019/2020 finals of the Presentation/Demonstration Competition, and in the 2020/2021 final was awarded third place, with Shannen Vance in second.

Both ladies were successful at the Public Speaking Finals also held online on Zoom, with Shannen placing second, and Judith third.

Instead of the YFCU Choir Competition the YFCU held a talent competition by video, and Megan Birney entered her rendition of ‘The Climb’, and was awarded the prize for Solo Performer.

In December, Jamie McCutcheon’s Badoney Beltex sheep was awarded Reserve Champion in the YFCU Competition held at the Beef and Lamb Championships.

However, December also brought the sad news of the death of Mrs. Jean Funston, wife of Vice-President Billy, and a great friend to the club.

Club cups for the 2019/2020 season were awarded as follows.

Floral art: Junior went to Amy McCullough; Senior went to Shannen Vance.

Public speaking: Junior went to Charlie Henderson; Senior went to Judith McKinley.

Stockjudging: Beginner went to Piarus McCarron; Junior went to Thomas Kerr; Senior went to John Edgar.

Home Management went to Judith McKinley.

Ulster Young Farmer went to Thomas Kerr.

Highest Attendance went to Harry Kerr.

Junior Club Participant went to Charlie Henderson.

Senior Club Participant went to Laura Sproule.