Photos: Young Farmers mark 70th anniversary

Seventy years on and Clitheroe and District Young Farmers’ Club is still going strong, thanks to support from local farmers says its president.
Past club members (Left to Right) Tom Armstrong, Fiona Whitwell, Jamie Hopcraft, Hazel Lonsdale, Grace Hopcraft, Matthew Whitwell.Past club members (Left to Right) Tom Armstrong, Fiona Whitwell, Jamie Hopcraft, Hazel Lonsdale, Grace Hopcraft, Matthew Whitwell.
Past club members (Left to Right) Tom Armstrong, Fiona Whitwell, Jamie Hopcraft, Hazel Lonsdale, Grace Hopcraft, Matthew Whitwell.

Speaking after a 70th anniversary celebration at Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho, president Miss Mary Bailey said: “It is the continuity and support from local farmers that has made it such a successful club.”

The celebration was attended by 214 guests who were treated to a talk by Mr Lionel Hill MBE, former president of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs.

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Mr Hill raised the toast for the next 70 years of the club before club chairman Richard Whitwell responded with a toast to the life of the club.

Past club members (Left to Right) Tom Armstrong, Fiona Whitwell, Jamie Hopcraft, Hazel Lonsdale, Grace Hopcraft, Matthew Whitwell.Past club members (Left to Right) Tom Armstrong, Fiona Whitwell, Jamie Hopcraft, Hazel Lonsdale, Grace Hopcraft, Matthew Whitwell.
Past club members (Left to Right) Tom Armstrong, Fiona Whitwell, Jamie Hopcraft, Hazel Lonsdale, Grace Hopcraft, Matthew Whitwell.

Entertainment was provided by magician Sam Cannan and there was a disco by Richard Cropper.

Miss Bailey added the event had been a “real reunion” with the ages of those attending spanning generations.

Other guests included two founder members of Clitheroe and District YFC, Mr Norman Lund and Mrs Dorothy Dent, who cut the celebration cake.

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Clitheroe and District YFC stages indoor meetings at Pendleton Village Hall and enjoys an active and varied programme of events with visits far and wide.

Its membership is still going strong after 70 years with president Miss Bailey describing the club as “blessed”.

“It is absolutely wonderful the way it has kept going – we’ve been on a high for 70 years and have never had a lull.

“Clitheroe has been blessed and my theory is it’s down to the wonderful support from the generations of families to members who have always been there to offer support. We’ve always had a very good advisory committee, who are there to help and advise.”