Monday 31 May 2010

Scrap Book

Hi all, it's me again. Back from the U.S.A.

I just wanted to say thanks to Claire for writing the reports for me, also if anyone has any pictures, cuttings, tickets or any YFC regalia from the last 2 or 3 months since I've been away I'd really appreciate them for the scrap book.
Many thanks,
Oli

Monday 24 May 2010

shiver me timbers

Last thursdays visit was to WH Bond at Trerulefoot, who sell timber, farm, landscape garden, hire plant amongst many other things. They've grown loads over the past few years and now turn over about £10 million a year, and have about 70 employees so it was interesting to hear the stories of where they've been and where they're going - their first venture was turning their farm into St Mellion golf course - not a bad start. Many thanks to the staff who stayed late to show us round, and for the quiz prizes!

Tuesday 18 May 2010

executive committee meeting

I've just got back from the Cornwall YFC executive committee meeting, which is where myself and Ed get to represent our clubs views, keep up with whats going on at county and national level, and vote for any decisions to be made by county.

A few relevant things mentioned: (I'll read this out to club at the next suitable opportunity as well)

  • Clubs were requested to put forward ideas for the posts of Junior County Chairman and GP Vice Chairman
  • It was decided that at any do's at Pure nightclub or any indoor do there will be no entry after 12 midnight from now on
  • Valentines Ball will be on a saturday next year - 5th feb - to try and boost attendance
  • The Fresh Start training course was well recieved and they want to know who's keen for next year - its a course covering all the basics of running your own farm business (both Pip and Burdie did it and thought it was good)
  • National AGM next year is at Blackpool, 6-9 May, weekend will cost around £210
  • >16 & 17 year oldsare still fine for the SWA weekend next year (there was talk of stopping them attending a while back)
  • The SWA competitions day in a few weeks is at shaftsbury and gillingham county showground
  • Royal Cornwall - herdsmans bar will be closed from 6pm onwards each day to the general public - only those showing cattle or exhibiting (who will have wristbands) will be allowed to enter. This is predicted to cause chaos as a lot of people turn up evenings for a drink, and there's no where else to go nearby, and no alternative laid on!
  • The royal cornwall campsite will be closely monitored this year for those not paying, causing trouble etc. Apparantly its filling up fast and you need to book in advance - not sure how true that is
  • Harvest festival is at truro cathedral this year on 24th sept, with do after in Pure, Newquay
  • Membership across the county is down on previous years, and we need to help get it up to a higher level. PLEASE if you havn't paid up, do so. If you have a friend, bring them. 
  • Mole valley farmers asked if club members across Cornwall would do a 'welly conga' at RCS to set a guiness world record! However no-one felt they'd be able to get enough people together at the right time so its unlikely this will happen

Friday 14 May 2010

pulling rope

Launceston YFC have always been known for our Tug of War team, being national champions for four years in a row (2003, '04, '05, '06), and with six of our team members about to reach the age limit we figured it was time to get some younger members keen, by hosting an evening at our Warbstow training ground.

From 2010, Club meetings

Despite a slow start to the evening, we ended up having loads of people having a go, including a whole car load of Rob Vine's mates from Duchy. There were a few reluctant people, but I think everyone enjoyed it in the end... I have noticed a number of people on Facebook mentioning they were feeling a little sore today!

Next cubicle meeting this sunday,7.30 at Steve's

Sunday 9 May 2010

super sunday II - camel trail

Have just got back from a nice sunday afternoon trip down the camel trail with a gang of 14 club members. After a bit of negotiation on bike prices, the girls set off on their nice leisure bikes, and the boys all hired tandems! Needless to say it was very funny.

We seemed to get from Wadebridge to Padstow in record time. Enough time for a look around, fish and chips, ice cream and a pint. Nice.



The next supersunday will be sunday 20th june, going to splashdown at Paignton - http://www.splashdownquaywest.co.uk/

rosebowl

It's been a while since the last Rosebowl, our annual club public speaking competition. Thursday's competition was run by Graham Smale and Peter Stenlake, who first started us of with a game of Articulate - a verbal form of Pictionary, then finished the night by picking the six best speakers, and asking them all to put forward a case for their made up political party (being election night!). Sofie Watton came out tops with her 'Welly Boot Party' manifesto - excellent work!



A rather long business meeting followed...

Something I've managed to get dates on at last - our club exchange with Praze YFC
7-8 August - us visiting Praze
4-5 September - Praze visiting us

Sunday 2 May 2010

truro cathedral

How old is Truro Cathedral? Well I don't think anyone would have guessed just over a hundred years. Suprise number one of last friday evening's visit (thats right, club on a friday).

Our two guides took us round and showed us all the fine details of this magnificent building that most people would never notice, such as the italian marble flooring, fine carvings, pieces of artwork and the crypt. Everyone found it fascinating, and will look at it in a different way when down there at the carol service this year.



Other news:
The next supersunday is a week today - cycling the Camel Trail (weather permitting)

Cubicle meeting is postponed 'til tuesday night now, 7.30 at my place.

For those involved - folk dancing practices will be tuesday's 11th, 18th and 25th May at Gemma's barn.