SHAFTOE Young Farmers Club swooped eight trophies at this year’s Northumberland YFC annual general meeting.

The event allows clubs from across region to gather together and elect a new committee, whilst celebrating individual club’s success with a trophy presentation.

Shaftoe YFC were awarded ‘Most Improved Club’ and ‘Highest Increase in Membership’, after the club doubled its membership from 30 members to over 60.

Club chairman James Little (24) said the rise in numbers was due to the regular and varied weekly activity programme, put together by himself and office bearer Connie Moore, which also won ‘Best Club Programme’ at the event.

Just a few of the activities the award-winning programme offered included rock climbing, quiz nights, ice skating, wildlife talks, dance parties, games night, trips to museums, brewery tours, laser quest and farm visits.

“As chairman, I wanted to offer a range of activities which were both educational and recreational,” James said, “as well as being suitable for members of all ages, so that whether they were ten or 26, there was something for everyone to enjoy.”

The club also fielded the title of ‘Best Junior Stocking Judging Team’, and received recognition on the night for their success in the national YFC jump roping competition, which saw the club come sixth in the country, and first in the North-East.

Individual members also saw success, with club member Jake Reed (14) being awarded ‘Best Novice in the South’ and ‘Best Junior in the South’ for his stockjudging skills and chairman James himself was given the Farmwrite award for his work in media and communication on the club’s behalf.

“I’m very proud and of all the club,” James said. “It’s an incredible achievement to have won so many awards when we were competing against the rest of the county.

“The club couldn’t have thrived without the support of our members, so I’m thankful to every single one of them.

“We’ve come a long way since last year, and our feedback from members, both old and new, is that they are enjoying what we currently offer, so here’s hoping for another year of success.”

James is currently beginning to plan a equally adventurous programme for 2019, which will include a 24-hour hike along Hadrian’s Wall for charity.

Shaftoe YFC meet every Monday at 7.30pm at Langley Village Hall.