Home   News   Article

Moray young farmers clubs plough on through rain to build bale art off A96


By Lorna Thompson

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

TWO Moray young farmers teams ploughed on through the weekend deluge to build this year's bale artworks off the A96.

Lower Speyside Young Farmers (YF) and Keith and District Young Farmers Club (YFC) rolled out their bale art entries for the nationwide annual competition run by the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC).

This autumn young farmers throughout the country are hoping to get people talking about mental health by promoting the "Keep Talking" campaign being run by the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) and SAYFC's Are Ewe Okay? campaign. The artworks also celebrate key workers.

A team from Lower Speyside YF built their "This Little Pig Stayed at Home" creation alongside the A96 near Kinloss. The bale art, featuring pink-wrapped bale pigs, highlights the "stay at home" and social distancing messages of the pandemic.

Eve Newlands (18), from Forres, Lower Speyside YF secretary, said on Saturday: "The club has been working away with the 'pigs' today in the rain.

"We have had to reduce the numbers of pigs due to a lack of pink wrap – but have made a larger than planned house and more Covid-related signs, such as the two-metre distancing message."

Lower Speyside Young Farmers member Ellie Newlands next to the club's 2020 bale art creation near Kinloss. Picture: Becky Saunderson.
Lower Speyside Young Farmers member Ellie Newlands next to the club's 2020 bale art creation near Kinloss. Picture: Becky Saunderson.

The bale art team included vice-chairman Graeme Rhind, Rhona Rhind, Craig Reid, chairman Harry Ross, Ellie Newlands, Gordon Kelly and Eve.

The club thanked A&K Rhind, of Newton of Struthers, for use of the field.

Also busy on Saturday were Keith and District YFC, which set up their bale art entry on the A96 Keith to Huntly road, just along from Netherton Farm.

Keith and District Young Farmers Club's bale art creation for 2020 off the A96 between Keith and Huntly.
Keith and District Young Farmers Club's bale art creation for 2020 off the A96 between Keith and Huntly.

Their theme this year was "Something to make you Smile". The club said: "It’s been a tough year for everyone and mental health plays such a crucial part of our lives – especially in times like this. It’s important to raise awareness and #KeepTalking."

The 59 bale art entries in Scotland will be whittled down to six finalists.

More stories here .


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More