YOUNG Farmers members from across Cumbria demonstrated their skills in stock judging to tractor handling, and bail stacking to tug of war at the weekend.

The Cumbria Young Farmers Clubs Southern District Field Day, at Whicham Hall Farm, the Whicham Valley, attracted some 1,500 people for contests across rural skills and also fun competitions.

Broughton Young Farmers hosted the day which involved around 120 competitions, with everything from sheep shearing, cookery, eating, cross country, the bolster and bar event and wheel barrow derby go-karts.


Young Farmers, is an organisation for 10 to 26-year-olds, which involves many activities, such as public speaking, sports, fundraising and competitions.

Ten clubs, including Broughton, Furness, Lowick and Cartmel were competing for the honours. 

The grand finale was an obstacle course, designed and built by dairy Stephen Fell, of Bootle, who appeared on the Ninja Warrior TV show.

The overall winners were Kent Estuary, followed by Grayrigg, Lowick and Broughton. Furness won the small club trophy. 

Field Day chairman, Ian Butterfield, thanked all those who made the event possible, from the land owners, to Broughton Young Farmers and all the clubs involved.

He said: "It's a fun day and a good get together."

Erin Huntingford, 24, of Dalton, a member of Furness Young Farmers for 10 years, was involved in the senior girls sheep stock judging. Miss Huntingford achieved 96 points out of 100 judging Swaledale gimmer hoggs.

Miss Huntingford said: "I thought field day was excellent this year, very well organised and Broughton YFC were great hosts. The day started out wet but came out with sunshine for the grand finale. 

Furness won the small club trophy which we were all very pleased with." 

John Longworth, 24, of Duddon Valley, is South District vice chairman and he represented Lowick Young Farmers.

Mr Longworth was involved with the Herdwick sheep judging and was the winner of the bolster and bar contest.

He said: "It was a very well organised field day, it was a good  day with a good turnout. It's the biggest competitions day of the year and a lot of work goes into organising them. It's a chance to show off skills and get involved in fun competitions." 

Mr Longworth said Young Farmers clubs are a great ways to learn a lot of new skills, such as building confidence through the public speaking events.