Strichen JAC’s Continued Success at the Grampian Rally

Strichen JAC’s Continued Success at the Grampian Rally

Strichen JAC’s Continued Success at the Grampian Rally

An action packed day was held in Keith Showfield at the 2024 SAYFC Grampian Rally on the 8th June by this year’s hosts, Deveron & Speyside District.

The rally committee welcomed over 200 members from Fourteen clubs from around the Grampian area who competed throughout the day in many activities from Stockjudging, Construction, Field Contests and sports to Arts and Crafts and Practical Competitions. McCreath, Simpson & Prentice joined the event as Main Sponsors with Robb Milne, Regional Sales Director attending on the day. Following the prize giving Robb said “MSP were delighted to sponsor the 2024 Grampian Rally. SAYFC is a brilliant organisation and a key part of the future of our industry. It was great to see such a big turn out on the day”

The recipients of the Caroline Rennie Commemorative Rose Bowl for a fourth consecutive year were Strichen JAC who were worthy winners on the day with 104.5 points, a close second were Udny JAC with 98 points and in third place were Keith & District YFC with 75.5 Points.

The Turriff JAC Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best small club was also won by Garioch JAC, followed by Deer & Deer YFC in second and New Deer in third place.

The Stockjudging was the first competition to take place in the morning, judging four classes of cattle and four of sheep followed by reasons for the top placed competitors. The first placed team winning the North of Scotland Association of Junior Agricultural Clubs Cup for Stockjudging were Keith & District B with 1164 points (Lucy McGillivray, Abbie McGillivray and Rachel Davidson), second were Deer & District A with 1149 points (Craig Buchan, Thomas Hall and Jennifer Hall) and third Inverurie B with 1101 points. The William Brown Cup for the best individual in the Stockjudging was won by Scott Dey, Inverurie with 406 points, Second overall was Abbie McGillivray, Keith with 400 points and in third, Murray Taylor, Kinneff with 398 points.

There was an impressive display of entries in the industrial section which gave the judges a challenging morning. While outside, the weather created challenging conditions for all sections but the day continued. Construction competition got under way with 13 teams making potato boxes, along with 21 teams competing in junior, ladies and senior rope making with various other practical field events throughout the day. The sports competitions were held in the afternoon which included football, netball, running, relay race and obstacle race. Many club names appeared in the prize list proving the dedication and effort that club members put into in all areas of the Rally despite the unseasonal weather.

The day’s events concluded with the Tug of War, which saw six ladies and twelve gents teams competing for the top spots. Results were, gents, first Kinneff, second Lower Speyside and third Strichen while in the ladies section, Strathbogie were placed first, Echt second and Udny in third place.

SAYFC North Region Vice Chair, Ellen Glennie said “We had a fantastic day in Keith despite the challenging weather. Congratulations to all members who attended the Rally, you are all a credit to SAYFC.  Very well done to all the prize winners, especially Strichen JAC for winning the overall trophy and Garioch YFC winning the small clubs.   A massive thanks once again goes to all who were involved in the planning and running of the day.”

2024 Rally Convenor, Brenda Anderson said “I feel it’s important to recognise the number of young farmers who attended, participated and contributed to the success of the rally on Saturday despite the unseasonably cold and wet weather, spirits appeared to remain high and positive and it was great to see everyone competing and enjoying the good variety of competitions. There was an impressive number of entries received and the quality of workmanship and skill that was presented across all sections was to a high standard giving the judges a hard task in scoring but in general the judges, stewards and committee members made comment to the quality of work on show. Congratulations must go to all prize winners from the day and to Strichen Young Farmers Club who were the overall winners of this years Grampian Rally with Garioch picking up the small clubs prize. Lastly but not least a big thank you to Keith Country Show for allowing us to use their show field and equipment for the day and to the committee members who were on hand to allow access during the lead up to the Rally and of course all judges, stewards and committee it is greatly appreciated”

Other trophies were awarded as follows:

ADAM TROPHY – Individual with Best Exhibit in Floral Art Section

Winner: Rebecca Kindness, New Deer

GRAMPIAN COUNTRY CHICKENS BAKING & FARM PRODUCE TROPHY – Club with most points in Baking Section

Winner: Echt                                                                                                                              

BARCLAY, ROSS & HUTCHISON TROPHY – Club entry: Scottish Inventions” – (Club Display), 2 x Empire Biscuits (Baking) and Pom Pom Animal (Handicrafts)

Winner:  Vale of Alford 

PRESS & JOURNAL ROSE BOWL – Club gaining most points in Industrial Section

Winner: Udny

ANDREW MEARNS CUP – Club winning the Construction Competition

Winner: Strichen

MARNOCH JAC ROPEMAKING SHIELD – Club winning the Ropemaking

Winner: Strichen

I & B MATTHEW TROPHY – Club winning the Ladies Ropemaking

Winner: Strichen

EAST ABERDEENSHIRE DISTRICT CUP – Club with most points in Field Contests

Winner: Keith

ECHT YFC PERPETUAL CHALLENGE TROPHY – Club winning Five-a-side Football

Winner: Udny

WEST ABERDEENSHIRE DISTRICT SALVER – Club winning the Five-a-side Netball

Winner: Garioch                                                                          

FETTERCAIRN FARMERS CLUB CUP – Club with most points in the Sports Section

Winner: Strichen

THE SCOTGLASS LTD CLUB PARTICIPATION TROPHY – Club whose members participated most in the rally

Winner: Garioch

Thanks must also go to our Main Raffle Sponsor, Iain MacEachan Transport and the following raffle prize donors:

Allarburn Dairy

Avva Gin

Crisp Malting Group

Deans of Huntly

Douglasbrae Ltd

Duncan Grain

Glenfiddich Distillery

Harbro

Highland Fuels

House of Mulben

HRN Tractors

Johnston Carmichael

Johnstons of Elgin

Mains of Glassaugh Vegetables

Mark Garrick Tractors

NFU Mutual – Keith

Norvite

Ringlink Elgin

Rizzas Huntly

ScotEID

Seafield Veterinary Group

Speyfest

Strathbogie Vets

Strathdeveron Gardening Services

The Royal Hotel/Kastille

Tesco Keith

Towns & Carnie

United Auctions

Walker Shortbread

Full Rally Section Results (1st – 3rd)

Stock Judging Overall Placings

Stock Judging Full Results

If you have any questions or would like to have more information on specific competitions, Ropemaking, Construction etc please contact Janelle via email janelle@sayfc.org