Aberhafesp Y.F.C. 60th Anniversary Celebrations

 

On the 26th September 2014 former and present members of Aberhafesp Y.F.C. gathered in Theatr Hafren, Newtown for a very memorable event to record the past 60 years of there being a Young Farmers Club in the parish.

 

Those members and associates were welcomed to the Theatre by our hosts, the catering department of the college including students and staff plus pupils of Llanfair Caereinion High School.  On entry, we were offered canapés of many sorts, all very tasty, and a choice of Bucks Fizz or orange to prepare our palates.

 

On entry to the auditorium, tables of 10 were suitably prepared for a memorable meal.  A farm-house terrine was for first course, followed by pan-roasted chicken, sauce, roast potatoes and roasted cherry tomatoes.  The taste was sumptuous, and this was followed by home-made meringues, lemon-curd cream, fresh berries and to finish this off, tea and coffee.  All this was served to 220 gathered friends by the young catering learners and Llanfair students.  This was a very commendable effort on their part, all co-ordinated by a former chairman, Mrs Susan Jones.

 

Mr Richard Jones acted as compere for the evening and welcomed a former county organiser Ann Davies, now of Carmarthenshire, to address us all.  There were many reminiscences of the days when the club was at its zenith, winning the National Entertainment Competition in Bournemouth, together with many other county attainments.

 

The first chairman, Mr John Jones, now of Wrexham but formerly of Llwydcoed,  spoke about the inaugural meeting and his chance to develop his skills, especially sheep-shearing, where he was able to represent Wales in this particular discipline.  The first secretary was also present, Mrs Betty Jones, née Lloyd, of Kerry.  It needs to be recorded that the first secretary of the former Bwlchyffridd Club, Mrs June Jones, née Evans, was also present with 30 former members.  Bwlchyffridd was founded early 1946-1950, there being insufficient youngsters at that time to maintain the club.

 

Richard Jones, excellent himself as an entertainer, gave his reminiscences of times past with the club, one being a Saturday sponsored bike ride around Berriew, Churchstoke and on to Kerry, reaching speeds of 60 m.p.h.!!  A Y.F.C member feeding cat food to his fellow members on a very late-night feast.  There were howls of laughter and of course a reminder of their Y.F.C. achievements.  A sumptuous cake was cut, made by Mrs Glenys Jones, née Foulkes and enjoyed by all.  It was a glorious evening, very respectable and memorable.  The ‘older’ members were happy to call it a day while the younger ones, true to the spirit of Y.F.C, danced the night away to the music of Steady Edd and The Boogie Men.

 

Suitable praise and acknowledgments were given to an organising committee of about 12 former members.  The efforts of Mrs Helen Beynon Thomas and Angela Owen were singled out for their untiring efforts in organising the event.

 

Michael Jones