Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2011 | Page 84

COUNTRY LIFE Isle of Wight Young Farmer Members in the 1980s and 1990s Reunion for all! Around 250 people attended the Isle of Wight Young Farmers Club Reunion at the Chequers Inn, Rookley on Saturday May 21. The evening was an amazing success. Farming folk of all ages turned up, faces appeared from the mainland and much reminiscing was done. Many came that belonged to the clubs in the 1950s and many from more recent times. It was lovely to see the younger members mingling with the older generation. The event was organised by The Leverets (The I.O.W. Foot Beagles Supporters Club). Committee members Naomi Bellamy, Julie 84 www.visitislandlife.com Wannop Corney, Ann Plimley, Anna Morris, Carly Reynolds, Rachel Richards and Karen Sheath, together with Vanessa Whitewood and Karen Smith worked very hard in preparing and presenting the evening. A fantastic collection was put together of memorabilia and old photographs of various Young Farmer events. This was displayed around the room and on a large television screen that attracted everyones interest and provided much hilarity. There were nostalgic carnival scenes from 50 years ago, pictures of filling a trailer with grain using pint glasses and many other activities such as stock judging and farm vists. A hog roast type buffet was served and a raffle held. Prizes had been donated from Island businesses and friends and an auction took place with Howard Johnson making an excellent auctioneer as always. The proceeds of the raffle are going to R.A.B.I., The Royal Agricultural Benevolant Institution. A very big thank you to everyone who helped to make this the resounding success that it was and it is hoped to hold various similar events in the future.