Club of the Year: Heckington and Sleaford YFC, Lincolnshire
Heckington and Sleaford Young Farmers’ Club might be a reasonably new club but its approach to inclusivity, marketing and safety have been rewarded with the Club of the Year title for 2025.
With 69 members joining in the last year membership year – 30 retained and 39 new – the club saw impressive growth, particularly among junior members, who now make up 43 of the total, nearly doubling from the previous year.
Throughout 2024–2025, the club delivered a diverse programme of events, from educational talks and workshops to fun-filled social activities. Highlights included a joint meeting with Corringham YFC to host the Cranwell Bloodhounds, a visit to Heckington Windmill with Collingham YFC, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Elite Fish and Chip Shop.
One meeting highlight was an auctioneering session, which inspired a 14-year-old member to compete in NFYFC’s Auctioneering competition.
Club Chair Beth Appleyard said:
“We try and keep activities low cost and fun and include some serious nights in there as well. We’ve had a few juniors come through who thrive on the fact we do a bit of everything.”
The club’s commitment to wellbeing is evident in its collaboration with the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network, which delivered a mental health workshop and trained two members in Mental Health First Aid.
Safety and safeguarding are top priorities, with systems in place to ensure junior members are always supervised and supported.
Heckington and Sleaford YFC also shines in competitions. The club entered every county event this year, placing in the top three in most and achieving an impressive 5th place in the Rally – a great achievement for a club only seven years old.
Communication is tailored to suit different audiences: Facebook Messenger for members, WhatsApp for parents, and email or phone for county and stakeholders. This approach ensures everyone stays informed and engaged.
The club’s promotional efforts are equally impressive. Their presence at the Heckington Show included an engaging stand with games, activities, and a trailer that had previously won first place at the Lincolnshire Show. Their social media presence has helped them go viral on TikTok, amassing over one million views and over 2,400 followers. Their content showcases everything from club nights to competitions, helping attract new members and raise awareness.
The judges praised the club’s innovative use of social media, their commitment to internet safety, and their inclusive approach.
Judge and Vice Chair of NFYFC Council Jessica Rose said:
“Heckington and Sleaford have more than 60 members and actively promote their club on social media – jumping on TikTok trends to reach new people. We liked their focus on internet safety and were impressed by their plans to develop a workshop on cyber security to keep members safe.”
With a goal to reach 100 members and a clear vision for the future, Heckington and Sleaford YFC has set the benchmark high for being the best club.
Well done!
This successful school club, which had 32 members in 2024-2025, has a waiting list for people wanting to join. With its own farm to enjoy on the school premises, there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about livestock and showing. They compete at many county shows, giving young people the opportunity to make connections with the farming community.
They created a successful new initiative called ‘lambs on tour,’ which involved YFC members taking the club’s sock lambs out to visit nurseries and care homes.
They also competed at their first NFYFC final in the Cookery competition – the first time a team had competed from Kent – and placed sixth. An elected committee support the club leader and communication is made through an online portal and social media. Safety is a priority – helped by the school’s safeguarding systems – and there’s extra precautions in place on the farm. This club is inspiring future farmers as well as building confidence and friendships.
