Cumbria YFC celebrate volunteers after national award win

The group received the King's Award for Voluntary Services 2023 on Tuesday in recognition of their work in the community.

One such volunteer is Jenny Wood, who joined Crook YFC when she was 11 years old and, 11 years later, still plays a large part in the group.

She said: "Over the past three to four years, I’ve enjoyed volunteering to photograph as many of the YFC events that I can and documenting the success of the Cumbria YFC members.

"Getting the opportunity to cover these events is a fantastic experience and it’s great that I can do something really positive for the young farmers."

Jenny Wood and Nicola Swindlehurst of Crook YFC (Image: Joanne Mills)

Nicola Swindlehurst has been the Club Leader at Crook YFC for the past three years.

"I started volunteering for Cumbria YFC to give something back to the organisation which gave me so much growing up, including my husband who I met 21 years ago," Ms Swindlehurst explained. 

"Cumbria YFC is a fantastic organisation which teaches young people so many life lessons and important skills, not just within the agricultural sector but also giving young people experience in a safe and fun environment.”

The team in Grayrigg contains a former Southern District Chair and a former Cumbria YFC president.

Emily Armer and Hannah Sowerby of Grayrigg YFC (Image: Joanne Mills)

Emily Armer started at the age of 11, becoming the SD Chair last year, whilst Hannah Sowerby joined Grayrigg YFC when she was 13.

Ms Sowerby said: "It is run by young farmers for young farmers and it’s therefore important that current members also volunteer and give something back."

Completing the team in Grayrigg is Jayne Knowles, Rachel Dodgson, who found love with their respective partners through these clubs, and Stephen Procter, who joined the set-up in the 1970s when originally tasked with setting up a rugby team.

The Grayrigg YFC team of Stephen Procter, Rachel Dodgson and Jayne Knowles (Image: Joanne Mills)

Will Knipe, a member of Kent Estuary YFC, explained: "I volunteer for Cumbria YFC as it’s what I like doing, meeting new people from all over, not only Cumbria but further afield as well. 

"Giving back and helping the junior and inter members to get as much out of young farmers as I did is really important to me.”

Aged 19, Roger Bainbridge was a later recruit than most at Crook YFC before joining Sedbergh YFC.

"Young Farmers has been a big part of my family's life, and we are all happy to give back where we can.”

Will Knipe of Kent Estuary YFC and Roger Bainbridge of Sedbergh YFC (Image: Joanne Mills)

It was family connections that pushed Mel Hartley and Tracy Hodgson into the organisation.

"My aunties were heavily involved in Southern District clubs and, as a child, I'd attend field days to watch them compete and was keen to get involved myself," Ms Hodgson detailed.

Ms Hartley said: "Coming from a small farming family, it helped start to grow my connections within the farming community."

Mel Hartley and Tracy Hodgson of Sedbergh YFC (Image: Joanne Mills)

It is the work of these volunteers, as well as those further north, that will see Cumbria YFC recognised at Buckingham Palace next year.