THERE was a double success for Whitley Chapel at the annual Northumberland Young Farmers’ stockman of the year competition.

This year’s competition, aimed at fostering the farming skills of the next generation, was held on Sunday, January 26.

It was held at West Belsay Farm, by the kind permission of the Dodd Family, and hosted by Stamfordham Young Farmers’ Club.

There was a junior and senior competition – and Whitley Chapel took the top prize in both categories.

They had stiff competition to fend off with ten senior teams and eight junior teams entered into the event from clubs across the county.

Each member was required to judge beef, sheep, and dairy, as well as completing an animal husbandry questionnaire.

In the junior competition, Whitley Chapel’s team of Jess Henderson, Katie Willey, Joe Crozier and Steven Heslop achieved victory, while Jess Henderson also won the best junior in the individual competition.

Whitley Chapel’s senior team of Gemma Common, Amy Gibson, Amy Lee and Abby Kellett took home the top prize in the senior section, with the individual prize going to Angus Tailford from Shaftoe Young Farmers’ Club.

Vicky Harrison, county competitions secretary for Northumberland Young Farmers, said: “A massive thank you to all the judges, stewards and the Dodd family for being fantastic hosts and making the day a success.”

The winners now go forward to the northern area competition, due to be held this summer. The winners of the northern competition will then compete nationally.