The chairman’s report this year will be slightly different, slightly different being a theme that seems to summarise the past six months, in that it is a secretary’s report instead.

We started the year off super excited about what was ahead of us - oh how blissfully unaware we were! Our first competition back was ten pin bowling, which we all know is a Wythall favourite and everybody had a wonderful time, and I think everybody managed to keep the balls in their own lane this time.. 

Shortly after we hosted our Harvest Supper - Beoley Village Hall was packed with a brilliant turn out and beautifully decorated with fantastic table decorations created by our own members. That same weekend was the Harvest Festival at Worcester Cathedral. In typical Wythall fashion we were not very organised for this - I still owe a very disgruntled James and Dan a drink for representing the club so last minute and I’m very thankful to Neil, Alice and Lydia for getting everything together for the boys, their only job was to turn up with a tie on.. they just about managed it with the promise of cake at the end!

To kickstart October we returned to Cottage Farm Stables to host our new members night - lots of juniors turned up for a good game of rounders and tug of war whilst the oldies looked on from the bar! Later that month, Emily, Jack, Dan and myself went along to Condover Hall for the club officers weekend. Surprisingly, we managed to get the training done amidst all of the laughter and I don’t think some people will ever look at Sophie Morgan the same way again.. I also learnt that Cameron here is very good at shuffling, who knew!

Our meetings continued, Wythall’s art skills were demonstrated once again with pumpkin carving, another firm favourite and a delighted junior won first prize for the best pumpkin. Sadly, the next couple of months did not go quite to plan - the rain came down heavy so we were unable to help at the Umberslade Bonfire Night, we’d have been better off parking boats than cars! At the end of November we’d normally be suited and booted for the Winter Wonderland Ball but unfortunately this was also a no-go this year, so a trip down the Henley mile was in order!

On one very long and very cold Sunday, James, Lydia and I travelled up to the Staffordshire Showground for the English Winter Fair - we all know Lydia has an expertly practised eye but James and I didn’t have the first clue about stock judging, this was a new world to us! However, it seems beginners luck was in our favour. Up against hundreds of members from across the country, Lydia placed 20th in the senior live beef, James placed 8th in the senior live lamb (with an incredible score of 93/100, might I add) and I shocked myself more than I think I shocked others, winning the intermediate beef carcass - my parents didn’t believe me when I told them! As a county, Worcestershire also came home with team placings throughout - a 3rd, a 6th and a 10th. 

It wasn’t long before Christmas was upon us.. another very cold and wet day saw Dan and I trekking down to Cirencester Markets for more stock judging. Wythall took a trip to the Christmas markets, hosted a film night with Christmas pyjamas, had a wonderful meal at The Warwickshire Lad and finished 2019 with a bang at the Cutnall Boxing Day Doo. There was also a huge turnout to the tractor run, a very special event in memory of Jack Connolly.

2020 started off better than we could have hoped with the Public Speaking competition held at county and it’s safe to say that Wythall wiped the floor with the other clubs, placing in every competition we entered! In situations vacant, our chair, Emily placed 3rd and James came 2nd. As a team, Emily, James and Max won the Call My Bluff competition. Dan won Mr YFC. in Miss YFC Emily came 3rd and I placed first and won overall Senior Member of the Year, and finally all five of us won the MACE Debating competition - plenty of prize cards to bring home! 

Sadly, we lost one of our own early this year. Harvey Morris tragically left this world way too soon after a courageous battle with a heart condition. Harvey was a delightful young man with a real zest for life and was the embodiment of young farmers. Wythall had lost a member of the family. Our love and best wishes go to Di and her family who we will always be here to support. Thank you to all who donated to Just Giving in memory of Harv and in aid of the British Heart Foundation and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. 

I’d like to thank Peter Charles for kindly hosting stock judging practice during those cold months and Andy Callwood for coming over to lend us his expertise - we had several members come to try it for the first time! Dan and I made another long journey, this time down to Gloucestershire, for the pre-show carcass judging with Dan placing third in the senior lamb carcass. And congratulations to Lydia who solely represented Wythall at the Stockman of the Year competition. Another cold day saw Dan, Matt and Ryan hedgelaying, with Ryan placing third in the senior individual.

We managed to squeeze in one final muddy jolly at Inkberrow’s foot cracker in March before the pandemic caught up to us and YFC had to come to a halt with the whole nation in lockdown. We kept our spirits up, having fun creating the loo roll challenge but unfortunately, rally was unable to go ahead - so a virtual rally was held instead! With members entering various competitions from home such as baking and woodwork. Not quite the summer we expected as our infamous Bash on the Borders was also reluctantly cancelled. 

Recently, we learnt of the sad passing of Craig Thompson, a past President of Wythall YFC and a strong supporter of the club. On behalf of the club, I would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and friends. 

A chairman’s (or secretary’s) report has never been wrapped up so quickly but unfortunately that’s where we finished. The pandemic has made it a strange year to say the least but most importantly, all of our members are safe and sound. Wythall may be a small club but we will work hard to keep it going throughout this time as the world slowly starts to open up again. I would like to wish the best of luck to the incoming committee for this year - it’s going to be a tough one but we will continue doing what we do best in the hope that we can return to normal once more, fingers crossed that’s by rally next year!

Thank you to all those who individually donated to Harv’s cause but due to a total lack of income, charity donations have not been made by the club this year. We will work hard to fundraise and make up for this at some point in the future. 

Finally, good luck to all in what I hope will be another successful year for Wythall - we’ll make it happen, we always do!

Molly Phillips - Secretary 2019/2020

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