New Deer Young Farmer's get set to celebrate 100 year anniversary
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2022 marks a very special year for the New Deer Young Farmers Club as they turn 100 years old.
They are planning to make it a memorable one as some past and present members have joined together to form a new committee and organized a Farm Walk, Stockjudging and finishing the year with a celebratory Ball.
New Deer Young Farmers can trace the origins of their club back to 1922, technically making it one of the oldest young farmers clubs in Scotland, although it was started as a Discussion Group and the young farmers title came in the mid-1930s.
The club was started in 1922 by college advisor Mr D Munro after a three-year course in agriculture, run by himself in New Deer.
The club was only the second of its kind to be formed in Scotland, the first being in Orkney.
The First chairman was George Milne of Coulterna, Maud.
On arrival of the Second World War on 1939, all meetings were cancelled but members did their bit for the war effort by assisting the New Deer Show Committee in raising funds for the Red Cross.
Meetings resumed in 1945 and have carried on to this day.
In the 1946-1947 season, there was a membership of 325.
Currently the membership of New Deer Young Farmers sits at 20, but they are still a strong enthusiastic club, recently gaining the third overall title at 2022 Grampian Rally held at Fettercairn on June 18.
Over the past 100 years, there has been a repeating theme of young people getting together with common interests, learning how to improve their existing skills and learning new ones.
Meeting new and often life long friends, with many meeting their future partners.
To reflect on this, they have organized the following to celebrate and share memories-
A Farm Walk open to all past and present members on Sunday, July 10 by kind permission of Haddo Estate.
Cars are to meet at the New Deer Showpark at 12.30pm which will then be followed by a Hog Roast back at the New Deer Showpark at 5pm which all past, present members and families are welcome to join.
To reserve your hog roll and book your space on the walk, please contact Lorna Beaton – 07803 255041 or Gail Leggat - 07774 311510 by July 2.
A Stockjudging and valuation will be held on Saturday October 15 by kind permission of Harry and Helen Brown of Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud which will be open to all past and present members.
More details will be available nearer the time.
And finally, an Anniversary Ball will be held at The Banff Springs Hotel on Saturday, November 26 which all past, present members and friends are welcome to attend.
Tickets are £40 each and must be purchased before November 12, they are available by contacting Lorna Beaton – 07803 255041, Gail Leggat - 07774 311510, Claire Brown – 07775 338950 or available at the Young Farmers stand at New Deer Show on July 17.
The committee are also on the lookout for any old trophies or photographs/memorabilia which they are going to display on the night of the Ball.
Pictured are some of the committee members (picture taken by Created by Louise Norrie):
Back row - Eileen Thomson, Wilma Wilson, Nicola Thomson, Eileen Brown, Rachel Kindness,
Graeme Leggat and Drew Elphinstone.
Front row - Gail Leggat (treasurer), Claire Brown (secretary), Lorna Beaton (chairperson),
Ginny Ducker (assistant secretary), Linda Glennie, Ian Pirie and Eddie Hosie.
