With only a week to go before the national finals of 12 YFC competitions (and four more at Sports Day), here’s all you need to prepare for a weekend in Staffordshire.
We can’t guarantee sunshine but as we’re currently seeing higher temperatures and sunny skies, it’s best to be armed with sunscreen, water and a hat, especially if you’re competing in outdoor competitions such as Fence Erecting, Farm Machinery Skills, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Auctioneering and the sporting events on Sunday.
You could win some amazing prizes in our Competitions Day Raffle, including a £200 Warning Brooke voucher, four tickets to Alton Towers and a pair of Hexby shorts and a hat! You can purchase tickets online in advance or on the day via the website or pay via our card reader or with cash. The Club Shop will also be on site too so you can stock up on YFC goodies!
It’s a long day for competitors and spectators so we recommend bringing your favourite snacks to keep you going. There is a café on site, serving hot meals, sandwiches, crisps and cakes for a lunchtime pick-me-up or you’re welcome to bring a picnic.
With four different public speaking competitions taking place throughout the day, why not listen to the debates and hear some interesting viewpoints? From After Dinner Speaking to Brainstrust, you should be informed on all current affairs by the end of the day. Or more confused by them!
Our Farm Machinery Skills competition is supported by Kramp, Rea Valley Tractors and Border Plant and is well worth watching to test how much you know. The competition features a realistic farm accident for our competitors to manage (screaming and fake blood included!), as well as the need to demonstrate their skills operating machinery and spotting hazards. You can also watch the Auctioneering competition, supported by IAE and be impressed by how fast YFC members can talk!
If you love a bit of Strictly, then get your fix by watching the Ballroom Dancing Finals in the Ingestre Suite from 2pm. Following some fancy footwork and glittery outfits, the Cheerleading teams will be bringing the energy to the dance floor.
If you are competing in or watching the Clay Pigeon Shooting, this takes place at Oakedge Shooting Ground, which is about 10 minutes’ drive from Staffordshire County Showground. The awards for this competition are presented at the shooting ground, so you don’t need to attend the Showground. If you want to see other competitions or take part in the final ceremony, you’ll need to head to the Showground.
After all the competitions are complete, NFYFC hosts an awards ceremony at 5pm in the Ingestre Suite where all the winners are announced (and our Raffle winners are announced). We encourage the crowd to cheer loudly when our winners are revealed.
There will be photographers and videographers there on the day filming the action – and capturing our winners on camera at the end! If you have won a place in the top three, remember to get your official photo taken at the back of the room and the winners will also be invited for a quick chat on camera too! If you don’t want your picture taking, please contact Margaret Bennett.
Don’t forget it’s Sports Day on Sunday 6 July, where our teams will compete in Ladies Netball, Men’s Football, Mixed Rounders and Badminton. These all take place at Stafford Grammar School and will kick off from 10am.
All competition rules and details can be found here. Many thanks to our competition sponsors ADM for supporting the Situations Vacant competition, Kramp, Rae Valley Tractors and Border Plant for supporting the Farm Machinery Skills competition, IAE for supporting the Auctioneering and BASC for their support of the Clay Pigeon Shooting.
