As
I complete my final year as your President, I am delighted that the national membership
figure has risen for the forth consecutive year. It is a tribute to all YFC members
and supporters that you have, between you, managed to rebuild the organisation
so quickly since those dark days of Foot and Mouth in 2001. it is also proof to
me of the very valuable role which the YFCs play in the countryside.
The
National Federation notched up a number of successes during 2005, not least its
successful Ofsted re-inspection. This is a tribute to staff and YFC members across
the county who have worked so hard to ensure that the organisation is recognised
for providing a range of quality services and opportunities to young people. I
do particularly want to congratulate your then Chairman, Mark Grigg, and chief
executive, Janet Gee, for their commitment and determination to put the Federation
on a sound footing.
The
2004 Annual General Meeting saw the launch of my 'Prince of Wales Perpetual Charity
Challenge Trophy', which celebrates the fundraising efforts of YFC members on
behalf of other charities. In 2005, 18 county federations from across England
and Wales took part in the competition, raising a total of £191,090 - a
truly impressive sum by anbody's reckoning. The winner was the Cornwall Federation,
whose clubs raised an impressive £42,821, or £53.19 per member. I
can only offer Cornwall and all the counties that entered, my heartfelt congratulations
on such a splendid achievement.
One
of the greatest pleasures that I have as your President is to meet so many members
as I travel around the Country. I am always struck by your determination to play
a full part in the local community and to keep Britain farming. Testing years
lie ahead as we all come to terms with the new structure of agricultural support
and, with the average age of farmers creeping ever upwards, we need a strong and
robust younger generation with the skills and the energy to seize the opportunities
that exist - and that means all of you. Even if you do not farm yourself, each
one of you can become an advocate for farming, for British food and for regional
and local sourcing by public bodies and retailers. You can make a real difference,
and you must make a difference!
