Alnwick Young Farmers Club launches recruitment drive - and you don't have to be a farmer

The club, which has been active for over 50 years, is hosting a new members night on Monday, at 7.30pm at Lucker Village Hall.

It will be welcoming all new faces from the surrounding district who are keen to become a Young Farmer, and the best thing about it… you don’t need to be a farmer!

Led by young people, for young people, Northumberland Federation of Young Farmers is a rural youth organisation for people between the ages of 10 and 26 with an interest in the countryside.

Each Young Farmer club in Northumberland is run by its members, so meetings suit members’ interests; these can be guest speakers, visits, activities or competitions.

Recent Alnwick meetings include stock judging practice, bowling, trampolining, pumpkin carving and local business talks.

Club vice secretary, Rebecca Maitland, says joining Young Farmers was ‘the best thing I’ve done to date’.

“I joined Young Farmers in 2015, not even from a farming background and only living in the countryside,” she explained. “From then on, I have made many great and life-long friends as well as creating some fantastic memories at various events.

“Young Farmers really offers young people the best opportunity in life; teaching life skills such as public speaking and also introduces them to the agriculture side with competitions such as stockjudging and tractor handling at the annual rallies.Contact Alnwick club chairman Harry Tunstall on 07411 355801 or club secretary Hannah Byers on 07512 801657.