Essex young farmers mark their show weekend in a special way
13th April 2021
Essex County Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs have teamed up with local agricultural dealer R W Crawford and tractor manufacturer Massey Ferguson to mark what would have been their Annual Show Weekend with a Covid secure Drive-In Cinema and Tractor Run.
The past 12 months, like for many of us, has been difficult for Essex Young Farmers’. The Charity, dedicated to supporting young people in agriculture and the countryside, provides a unique opportunity for Members to develop skills, work with the local community, travel abroad, take part in a varied competitions programme and enjoy a dynamic social life.
When Covid struck, the Federation had to move quickly to adapt to an online programme and make the hard decision to cancel their Annual Essex Young Farmers’ Show. Twelve months later and the Federation faces significant financial shortfalls due to the cancellation of their Show for the second year running. The Annual Show, usually held in May each year, is organised and run by the members and welcomes over 15,000 visitors through the gates. Unfortunately, being unable to host such a large event has affected morale and depleted the Charity’s reserve funds. However, with lockdown measures easing, members are staying positive and thinking outside the box for alternative fundraising ideas.
To mark the weekend, which would have been the 2021 Essex Young Farmers’ Show, the Charity will instead host a Drive-In Cinema on the Saturday evening followed by a Tractor Run on Sunday. This event has been made possible by the support from local agricultural dealership R W Crawford & Massey Ferguson.
Hannah Kelsey, Marketing Manager of R W Crawford, said: “We have been a great supporter of Essex Young Farmers for many years, with many of our team being a part of ECFYFC at some point during their lives. So we are thrilled to be given the opportunity to support Essex Young Farmers with their latest fundraising events alongside Massey Ferguson.”
Lindsay Haddon, Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager of Massey Ferguson, said: “We are delighted, as always, to be able to support Young Farmers. The importance of YFC’s and what they bring to the agricultural community is paramount, now more than ever, so it is our pleasure to be able to support Essex Young Farmers’ partnered with our dealer R W Crawford”.
The Drive-In Cinema will be held on the evening of Saturday 15th May and hopes to put some smiles on people’s faces with a classic screening of Grease!
Tickets are £25/car these are currently on sale for Members and Subscribers via our Eventbrite page and any remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public from 1st May.
The following day will see the Tractor Run welcoming both modern and vintage tractors. The modern tractors will start at the showground (Boyton Hall) and be joined along the route by the vintage tractors before finishing at Barleylands around 13:30. If you would like to take part in the event please contact Jenny at County Office on 01245 360442 or email office@esseyfc.co.uk.
Ellie Gemmill, County Chairman of ECFYFC, said: “It’s sad we were unable to put on a Show this year due to current circumstances but nonetheless we are very excited about the Drive-In-Cinema evening and Tractor Run. This will be the first event of many to come that will allow Members, Subscribers and the Public reunite together again. We are very grateful for the support from R W Crawford and Massey Ferguson and look forward to welcoming you to these upcoming events”.
If you would like to support the continuing work carried out by the Federation, there are many ways you can do this; by becoming a Subscriber, supporting the charities fundraising page or attending one of the many events planned over the coming months. More information can be found at www.essexyoungfarmers.com.
