History in the Making
Here is the history of our achievements of the Club at County, Welsh and National Level, it is largely based on information gained by old year books together with various stories told through the research from past members.
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There are many accounts, stories and highlights which richly deserve a mention and no offence is intended to anyone who may feel left out of this account.
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Wick & District Young Farmers Club was founded on 20th November 1936 being affiliated to National Federation, Wales YFC had not been founded at that time. Wick was one of the Pioneer Clubs of Glamorgan Federation which followed several years later on 5th May 1939, we are one of the oldest surviving YFC clubs in Wales! Mr Cyril Kinsey from the County of Herefordshire helped establish the club – I suppose you could title him as an Organiser at the time!
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The first meeting of the club was held at Broughton Chapel and amongst those present and elected to office were Colonel Bruce as President, Mr Illtyd Thomas - Chairman (Somerset Farm, St Donats) and Mr Daniel Evans - Secretary. Apparently, whilst meetings were in progress a long line of push bikes would be found leaning against the wall – the only person who owned a car at the time was Mr Kinsey who apparently used to get rather cross with the members for pushing large stones under his tyres! Great to hear that the tradition of “good clean fun!” was had from the start of club!
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11th August 1949 an article in Western Mail & South Wales Echo reported by a Wick member Miss Janet Evans (formally Marcross Farm ne: Battrick) Headlined ‘Wick can give lead to Welsh Clubs’ where she listed the members achievements in the early years. The report concluded that great credit is due to all its club members, officials and its Club Leader Mr WJ Bassett in particular.
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1936 – 1937 Royal Welsh Show in Monmouth – Mr IJ Thomas & Mr WJ Bassett gained Second Prize and a Bronze Medal in Stockjudging. Mr David Davies, Monkton, a junior member at the time remembers that a new competition was held in club where 15 members all had calves and competed in local shows such as Cowbridge Show (held in the Old Bear Fields). Wick members swept the board winning prizes. In the same year at the London Dairy Show – Mr WJ Bassett gained Gold Medal as one of the highest individual scorers in a list of 170 competitors.
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1937- 1938 Bath & West Show – Mr WJ Bassett, Mr GW Thomas, Mr IJ Thomas gained First Prize as Best Stockjudging Team with Mr IJ Thomas as individual competitor – the team travelled by aeroplane to get to Weston Super Mare and travelled across county to get there!! – what an adventure! Another new competition, where members had to buy their own stock – this year was pigs! They had to monitor their growth, expenses for food and bedding. Mr David Davies then had to travel the stock to Barry Slaughterhouse – where he won a Medal for the best pig! Later that year in Smithfield Mr GW Thomas, Mr IJ Thomas and Mr WJ Bassett attained second best in Great Britain with Bill Bassett winning a Gold Medal for highest individual scorer! During the Christmas period, Wick held their very 1st Annual Poultry & Whist Drive to raise funds for club! Brainstrust and Debating were also very popular at the time.
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1938 - 1939 Another year of rearing stock but this year was sheep! The members had to have 2 sheep (Cheviot) and rear and monitor them again through to lambing season. Iris Davies Monkton won the accolade for Wick this year. Meanwhile in Hyde Park, London – Mr Mansel Hopkin (then Champion shearer for Great Britain) and Mr G Evans gained 4th place in the Sheep Shearing competition. Club visits varied from travelling to Cadbury/Bournville, Glan Valley as well as Cheddar Gorge (all memories from David Davies Monkton!)
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1947 – 1948 Wick were now in full strength to the extent that there were 2 clubs a Senior and Junior part of the club to help manage the large amount of membership!
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Competitions were interrupted during war years and many joined the Mounted Home Guard or Dad’s Army of our day! Certain rules were provided to club members who were now meeting in the Wick Village Hall, Wick. Mr Wilde kindly assisted by transporting the stone by horse and cart to help build the hall for the Community.
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After WW2 life in the YFC movement began to flourish again.
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1950 - 1951 County Rally Day at Margam Park by kind permission of Mr DM Evans-Bevan. Entry fee 6d The competitions of that day were similar to that of today;
Stockjudging – ring of 4 Friesian cows (no Holsteins!) and ring of 4 Shorthorns for Mr Mervyn Thomas and Mr Alban Wilde together with milk records!
Identification Record – Identify 20 items associated with Rural Life for Mr Tom Davies & Mr Gwyn Thomas
Sack Mending – Mr David Hopkin
Poultry Trussing – Miss Janet Evans
Stock Valuation & Judging – Mr Roddy Powell & Mr Gerald Thomas
Machinery Competition – Mr Mervyn Thomas & Mr Gwyn Morgan
Poultry Culling – Miss Margaret Evans & Miss Elizabeth Williams
Pony riding - Mr David Williams
Sheep Shearing (hand / machine) – Mr Alban Wilde
Salad Making – Miss Ann Davies
Public Speaking – Miss Winnie Davies, Miss Margaret Evans, Mr Charles Taylor
Sewing on a button – Miss Winnie Davies
Dairy Ration competition – Mr Mervyn Thomas
Scarecrow Making – Mr Gerald Thomas & Mr David Hopkin
Apparently Members could be found at the dance after Rally in the Pavilion Porthcawl – tickets were 5 old shillings!!
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1951 Mr Alban Wilde travelled to The Bath & West Show to compete for Glamorgan with Jim Jarvis from Maendy during the year Wick competed in Brainstrust as well as Mock Auction Competition.
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1954 - 1956 Club membership had by now hit rock bottom and Wick needed a large recruitment push. Adverts were placed on the local “wireless” and letters sent to all the local farms to promote the YFC movement to enable club to continue. Massive thank you to Mrs Heather March and Miss Winnie Davies for their indebted support. As a result of this club membership grew and were back on track once again!
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1957 Rally Day Singleton Park, Swansea (14th Annual) a real landmark for Wick where we won our first Rally Day!! Being a real achievement as Glamorgan was now up to 24 clubs with a staggering 1200 members!! Same year at the RWAS held in Rhyl to represent Glamorgan were Miss Brenda Morgan in Sweet Making 1st place, Miss Hilda Morgan for Pancake Making 1st place, Miss Joan Morgan in Floral Decoration 1st place. Fantastic results!
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1959 The following members were awarded Silver Craftsmen badges (very much coveted at the time) duly given to Hilary Jones, Joan Williams, Janet Williams, Hilda Morgan by Major Treharne. Miss Winnie Davies (Club Leader) was also awarded The National Certificate of Merit by Major Treharne. Wick also in the year won Rally Day (second in a row!)
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1963 Wick was down to 12 members (3 of which were girls) despite this club remained competitive especially in regard to Stock Judging. Mr David James represented Club & County on no less than 3 occasions at Smithfield Show during early and mid-sixties.
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1966 Mr David James travelled to the Isle of Man as a competitor at the Royal Manks Show during summer, and represented Club and County 3 times at Smithfield Show! The club certainly had a talent as during the sixties Wick won County Level 3 times!
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1967- 1968 Avril Thomas and Linda Thomas represented County at the ‘International Poultry Show’ in Olympia, London being placed 10th out of 55 competitors – this included some of the countries top chefs!
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Unfortunately, the later parts of the sixties saw the demise of several Glamorgan Clubs largely to the new mechanisation of the agricultural industry and the drift of many members of the rural communities towards towns and cities. Some clubs merged in order to survive even so their memberships dropped too.
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By early seventies Glamorgan Federation were down to 10. Wick remained true and were fortunate to survive! With this new era came inter-club exchanges which also brought on a new dimension for International club exchange visits.
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1971 - 1972 Linda Thomas became the first Wick member to take part in an overseas visit in Italy. NFYFC organised the event and Linda was chosen after interviews at Welsh then national level to become the successful candidate. Linda spent several weeks with an Italian family experiencing true Italian life. 1972 Phillp Ricketts represented Wick and County at the Royal Welsh Show in the Beef Stockjudging Section and brought home the Cup gaining 1st place.
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1973 - 1974 Avril Thomas successfully negotiated Welsh and National Level interviews to represent Club, County and country to Austria. Avril was the only one chosen from Wales. This venture lasted 6 weeks in total. Wick were on a roll as John Evans in the same year was chosen to represent County and Country on a trip to Canada for 4 weeks . This was organised by ‘Contact Canada’, rumour has it that John has lots of interesting slides which have yet to see the light of day!! 1974 David Bassett was Chairman of the Junior Public Speaking Team for Club and County attaining 2nd place at Brecon Welsh Level.
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1975 - 1976 Tim March represented Club and County with a victorious and impressive result as Chairperson sweeping the board and winning National Level bringing the National Cup back to Glamorgan!! To complete the year 3 members John Lougher, Dave Bassett and Glyn Stanley represented County at Smithfield Show claiming 3rd place overall.
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1976 County Rally Day at Pencoed College proved to be a great success winning overall. Our 3rd win since 1959. Apparently masses of trophies, cups and shields were won that day including Miss Mary Evans as Rally Queen!
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1978 - 1979 Wick gained the headline news with an International exchange organised by ‘4-H’ where a coach load of Wick and Maendy members travelled by road and air for a 2 week long tour of farms and places of interest. Glamorgan returned the hosts the following year. In 1979 Wick swept the board winning the Rally Day and Winter competitions making Wick the winners overall – a very busy and extremely successful year for Wick!
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1979 - 1980 Wick were up to 60!!! Members and decided to have an Exchange with Falmouth YFC. Mary Evans and Sue Crossman won the Cookery to represent Glamorgan at National Level in the Rally Day. Also that day Club came 1st in the Disco Dancing with Jane Thomas, Judith Williams, Lisa Hubber and Mair Hopkin (Decker). They competed at the RWAS and gained 1st place! Wick were on a roll this year and won the County Entertainments with ‘Pick of the Week’ produced by Miss Winnie Davies. Wick went forward to Brecon High School for the Welsh Final. Another 1st for Wick was in the Netball in Llangollen coming runners up! Hilary Evans also won the interviews for Wales to visit Sweden for Glamorgan
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1981 - 1982 Wick were blessed with another Rally Queen in Audrey Thomas. 1982 proved to be another fantastic year for the history of the club and certainly one for Glamorgan when Wick won the County Drama competition with their performance of “The Walrus and the Carpenter” produced by Miss Winnie Davies. Wick won Wales Level at Caldicot and went forward to compete at Blackpool on the 1st May at the Opera House - they gave a fantastic performance attaining 2nd place overall with Rhys Evans winning Best Actor with Prunella Lewis and Dave Bassett receiving nominations. Well Done Wick, a fantastic credit to all members who took part on both stage and backstage on this occasion. Not sure but this may of been the furthest that Glamorgan Federation ever attained within this competition. To complete this hugely successful year Gareth Davies gained 1st place in Smithfield Show for the Junior Sheep Judging.
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1983 Wick continued to grow in strength with Avril Thomas being elected as ‘All Wales Girls Committee Chairman’ whilst Michael Thomas became ‘County Chairman’ and ‘Council Delegate’ representing Glamorgan at N.F.Y.C. and ‘Vice Chairman’ from Wales to the National Federation. Michael is to this day the only person from Wick to achieve such a high office. Congratulations Mike.
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1985 - 1986 Arwyn Thomas won County Stockman of the Year at Glamorgan County Stockjudging Day. Not happy with one year, the following year Arwyn Thomas won County Stockman of the Year at Glamorgan County Stockjudging Day for the second year in a row!
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1989 An unusual type of Stockjudging took place at the Royal Bath & West Show with Charlotte Thomas sweeping the board gaining 1st place in the Senior Goat Judging!
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1990’s During the nighties, club membership was at a low level to 4 members! 2 of those were juniors aged 15! Despite this the club were determined not to allow such restraints to hamper their progress. To this end great credit must go to ex-Wick members John Lougher and John Thomas whose enthusiasm and dedication was a saving grace to Club.
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1990 - 1991 At County Rally Day Di-anne Thomas won the National County Floral Arrangement and went forward for County to compete against 71 others! Wick also won the Recruitment Cup as well as JL Hughes Cup for Best Exhibit (Wick went to RWAS with Charlotte Thomas and Lisa Newman gaining 2nd place for County Wick ) The same year Charlotte won Senior Stockman of the Year in Gower at County (being 1st female to win this award in County as it was at the time a man’s world!) Charlotte then went forward to represent County at the Smithfield Show where she was awarded National Achievement Award for being 3 points away against 73 competitors!
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1991 – 1992 Club was up to 10 members but nothing dampened their spirits! Wick were back on form for the Drama with ‘Ring O Roses’ produced by Miss Winnie Davies. Gaining 1st place at County Level and represented Glamorgan at Wales level in Newtown. Over 200 red paper roses were made by Mrs Anne Thomas, Croes Cwtta for the scenery! There was panic in the camp for the Wales final as Charlotte Thomas had to have an operation to have her kidney out but cancelled it in order to perform! She didn’t let the side down - a true star! The low numbers in club still didn’t stop them competing and overall gained 5th place in the County Rally day. In that same year Katie Broadbent won ‘Best Chairman’ in the Intermediate Debating Team and went forward to compete at Wales Level. Wick club also won for the second year running the Vale Stockjudging Cup while in the Summer club enjoyed an exchange with Ashby de la Zuch YFC as well as a memorable visit to Bulmers, Hereford! Winter brought the snow with the coldest, whitest day in memory at Gelliger market for County Stockjudging Day! Gareth Davies won the Stockman of the Year
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1993 - 1994 Becki Cobon and Sian Escott represented Wick & Glamorgan at the Welsh Public Speaking in Haverfordwest. Charlotte Thomas trained the Wick team where Becki gained highest mark for her vote of thanks and Sian was one mark off as Best Speaker! Fantastic achievement! In this year Wick took part in the Rural Life Project clearing the old beacon site at Wick and dry stone walling. Three members gained ATB qualifications and decided to help out Wales YFC showing their skills in front of the YFC Centre on the Royal Welsh Showground. Next time you visit the showground have a look at John Lougher, John David and Charlotte Thomas skills in dry stone walling which still stands proud today! 1994 Wick had a club exchange with Rea Valley YFC getting a real soaking with the assault course they built for us! Wick were involved in the daffodil planting in the Village of Wick where BOCM kindly donated all the bulbs – every spring around the village you will see where the members planted the bulbs. Wick continued to raise funds for club with a Silent Auction where over £900 was raised in the Wick Hall! The County Stockjudging Day had fantastic results for club with Charlotte Thomas winning Stockman of the Year with Three Crosses YFC the hosting club. Robert Edwards won the Junior Stockman and there was a 1st for Angharad Llewellyn in Horse Judging .
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1995 - 1996 During this year the members collected & donated chocolate eggs for the Children’s Ward in Princess of Wales Hospital. Wick were very lucky to host an International Exchangee from Perth, Australia in this year and found it fascinating to listen to the different types of farming from the other side of the World! County Sports Day and Wick won the Mixed Rounders where a weekend away in Rhyader was in order! A mixture of visits to different places through the year from Semex UK, Dalgetty Spillers in Carmarthen, Golden Vale, as well as a Mushroom Farm! In the spring Rob Edwards, Charlotte Thomas, Sally Harris & Claire Taylor (Maendy YFC) travelled to Angelsey for the Wales Stockman of the Year!
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1998 - 1999 At the County Stockjudging Day James Tudor won the Junior Stockman of the Year, he represented Glamorgan at the Winter Fair in Builth Wells in the Beef Judging and was placed 1st ! Fellow club member Huw Lougher represented club at the European Dairy Event, Stoneleigh. On a different note Alice Evans was chosen to represent County for the Wales Brainstrust Team. In 1999 Wick membership had grown to 35 (largest in the County that year!) members decided to take part in the U16’s Mixed Rounders at County Sports Day, having won this level they went to the Wales Final in Aberystwyth where they came second and competed at National Level in Stoneleigh! This year was Pantomime at the Pavilion Porthcawl where Huw Lougher earned the award of ‘Most Promising Actor’. Huw was on a roll this year and also gained (like his Uncle Dave Bassett ) Mr YFC!
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2001 – 2002 The year of the ‘Foot and Mouth’ outbreak had considerable effect on the Country as well as the YFC movement. Wick were 15-20 members but this didn’t put club off with the Entertainments where Wick won County level with ‘Circus Mania’ produced by Mary Jeffreys. Welsh Finals were held in Newtown where Wick gained 2nd place. During Summer Wick took part in County Sports Day winning Mixed Rounders and representing Glamorgan at Wales Level. During this year Wick struggled with attendance due to 99% of members doing GCSE’s and A Levels but managed to raise over £1,000 for club funds with Supper at Sutton by kind permission of the Gluck family.
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2004 - 2005 The following 4 members won the County Public Speaking Cup for the Brainstrust Competition: Rhiannon Reed, Kate Stone. This proved to be a very popular year “ The Year of the Calendar!” - Club members took their clothes off to raise funds Huw Lougher was Mr Jan, Jos Tudor – Miss Feb, Pete Morris & Kate Stone – March, Natalie Mc Ginn – Miss April, Kate Rimmer – Miss May, Nicky McNab – Miss June, Sam Gluck – Mr Sept, Suzy Gluck (Battle) Miss October, James Tudor – Mr Nov, and to top it Mr John Lougher carol singing for December! 2004 was 100 years of RWAS where Eleri Harris Thomas and Sarah Davies competed for Glamorgan in the Cookery Competition gaining 2nd Rosette. Rhodri Thomas and Peter Morris represented Glamorgan in the Show for the Forestry Competition too. A new fund raiser was organised by kind permission of the Gluck Family at Sutton Manor, Llandow where supper and an Auction was very well supported. Wick also entered a new competition in the Junior Reading with Tom Edwards, Lloyd Harris Thomas and Jade Worthington gaining 2nd place overall.
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2005 - 2006 County Drama, Wick performed ‘Weird, Wicked and Wonderful’ produced by Mary Jeffrey winning the County Drama Final. Huw Lougher won the Best Actor award for County and represented Glamorgan at Newtown for Wales level, which was held in Theatre Hafryn. Sam Gluck won the Best Male Actor at Welsh Level winning the Royal Crystal Goblet. During the year Tom Edwards won the Junior Stockman of the Year as well as the Vale Show!
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2008 – 2009 Wick won the Drama with the Production of Tempest Fugit (Time Flys) and went forward to represent County at Newtown. Massive thank you goes out to Mrs Mary Jeffreys and Mrs Pam Morgans for all their dedication during the Production.
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2009 – 2010 Wick were on a roll again and won the Panto this year with the Production of “A Lads Turkish Delight” Huw Lougher was awarded Best Male Actor at County Level with special mentions for our Genie Howie Evans!
Again massive thank you to Mary Jeffreys for Producing the Panto..
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2010 – 2011 County Stockjudging Day hosted by Gower YFC where following members gained places in County. Zoe Lllewellyn 1st in Beef. Isobel Smith 1st in Beef and Dairy and Katie Evans 3rd in Beef & Dairy winning Junior Stockman of the Year. During the year, Club held an Auction night raising £900 for club funds. Club also collected Easter Eggs to donate to the Childrens Ward in Princess of Wales
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2011 -2012 Mr Owen Harries competed in the Promotional Sign for Rally Day – fortunately a photograph was taken, as a few days later after all his hard work the sign was stolen from Splott Cross! Pleas were put out to local papers asking for it to be returned to club but sadly no one ever came forward..
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2012 - 2013 Isobel Smith gained the highest marks overall in the County Stockjudging Day throughout the County – she then went forward to the Winter Fair at the tender age of 14 to compete in the U16’s Junior Beef Section. Here Isobel gained 1st place winning the Beef overall – she was interviewed by S4C and kindly given a cut glass bowl from the FUW! In the Rally Wick won again the Chariot Race and travelled to RWS for the final! It must have been the hottest year of the show with members dressed in thick tartan and hessian!! Members cooled down afterwards in the members bar!! While poor Dan Evans ended up in hospital with sunstroke!
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2013 - 2014 “THE YEAR OF THE PLANE!” a moment in history for Club when we competed in the County Entertainments with our giant plane! Filling the whole stage, being 30 ft wide and 10 ft tall!!! – huge thanks to Tom Edwards and team for their construction for what will be something that past and present members will talk about for years to come! “Glam Airs” was written by Charlotte Thomas and Co-produced with Miranda Mc Ginn – winning County Best Technical Award gaining 2nd place overall. Other competitions during the year that Wick won was the Cube Exhibit (being the 3rd year in a row!) and County Exhibit with Jemima Jones' hard work for War Theme to the Royal Welsh Show.
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2014 - 2015 This year Wick were to host the County Stock Judging Day which was held at Slade Farm and Penuchadre Farm in St Brides Major with great success for the club. Past members helped to support club with stewarding to ensure a smooth running day. Many thanks to the Davies and Morgan family for their support as well as Anne Thomas & Sally Holmes for the catering. Another first for Wick was in the First Ever County Eisteddfod which Wick won overall! Winning the first ever County Competition was a wonderful achievement for such as small club and as a mark of respect a new trophy was donated by Woodcraft 82 as a Memorial Trophy for Anne Thomas who over the years supported the club for her 2 children Di-anne and Charlotte as well as her granddaughter Isobel. The Panto was written by Charlotte Thomas with “The Pirates of Wickedsville” with great support from Mary Jeffreys and Pam Morgans. Overall club came 3rd with their production (this time it was a ship!) where the cast did a wonderful performance. During the year Katie and Meg went forward to Aberystwyth being rather eventful footage on the TV! Another 1st for Club was Wales Public speaking when two members - Llinos Evans and Megan Davies represented County at Wales Level in the Welsh Public Speaking - on the same day Tom Edwards represented Glamorgan in the After Dinner Speaking. In 2015 Club broke with tradition and organised an Exchange with Marshwood YFC as we hadn’t had an exchange for many, many years! This proved to be a great success with huge thanks to Gaynor and Rhodri Davies allowing the 2 clubs to camp for the weekend.
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2015 - 2016 19 members in our 80th year! In the County Eisteddfod Competition Club came 1st in the homework section coming 2nd overall. Wick competed in the Junior Public Speaking with Isobel Smith as Chairman, Megan Davies as Main Speaker and Lucy Roberts as Vote of thanks - overall Wick came 1st place after a long wait since 1991! Isobel was chosen to represent Glamorgan as Chairman. Big thanks to Charlotte Thomas for training the Team! Club competed in the Senior Debating Team with Lloyd Harris Thomas as Chairman, Tom Edwards as Opposer Kathleen Harding as seconder, Evan Thomas as Proposer and Katie Evans as seconder. Overall Wick came 2nd (which has taken a very long time to get this position!) Evan Thomas was chosen for the County Team and Katie Evans as Reserve Seconder – a moment in history for Club Senior Debating for Wick! Field Day club secured 1st place in the U16 Sugar Craft with Lucy Roberts (represent Club and County at Wales Level). During the Summer Club organised an exchange with Wedmore YFC which proved to be a great success.
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2016 - 2017 The year started well with Lucy Roberts winning the U16 Recitation in the Eisteddfod, our good luck continued with Llinos Evans coming 2nd in Dairy U26 Stock Judging and Evan Thomas 2nd in Dairy U26. Alisha Major & Hollie Jones 1st in County Decorate a Christmas Tree, coming 2nd at Wales level. Evan Thomas 1st in Public Speaking as Respondent on Behalf of Visitors and achieved 3rd at Wales level. Wick came 2nd in the Drama Tick Tock with Tom Edwards winning Best Actor. At Field Day Alisha Major & Lucy Roberts came 1st in the Junior Nature Trail. Success was also achieved at County Rally Day Alisha Major 1st in Craft; 2nd placements in capable Campers for Alisha Major, Lucy Roberts & Hollie Jones; Design a Mood Board 2nd for Katie Evans, Alisha Major & Hollie Jones; Lip Sync Battle 2nd for Tom Edwards, Katie Evans & Lucy Roberts; Woodwork 2nd for Lloyd Harris Thomas & Tom Edwards and finally Wool Handling 3rd for Katie Evans.
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2017 - 2018 Super Eisteddfod with 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the Sentence Competition from Alisha Major, Katie Evans & Hollie Jones respectively; Lucy Roberts 2nd in Recitation; and Alisha Major 2nd in Work of the Young Farmer. Success continued at Stock Judging with our Vice Chairman Alex Edwards 2nd in Dairy U26; Alisha Major 1st at County Christmas Wreath, coming 3rd at Wales level with only 2 points separating the top 3 competitors. Junior Public Speaking Day Lucy Roberts 1st in Spelling Bee with her sister Bel 3rd. Great recognition for our Ice Maiden Pantomime 3rd overall with nominations for Best Technical performance and Best Director. Public Speaking Day 2, 2nd for our Senior Debating Team comprising Tanya Bhanaut, Tom Edwards, Evan Thomas, Annie & Katie Evans. Evan went on to represent County at Wales level coming 4th with Tom Edwards chosen as Reserve. Further success at Field Day with our Senior Team 1st and winning the Ashdown Fencing Shield for Tom & Alex Edwards and Evan Thomas. Our Junior Fencing team came 3rd with Tom Naylor, Luke Holmes & Rory Vizard. We achieved 3rd in YFC Live with Tom Edwards, Victoria Powell, Isobel Thomas & Hollie Jones. And so to Rally Day where prizes came in abundance. Alisha Major 1st for the Club Scrapbook with a remarkable 95%; Hollie Jones 1st at Wool Handling; Boys' Bricklaying 1st for Tom Edwards & Tom Naylor; Craft 1st for Alisha Major with Rhianna Jones coming 3rd. Promote Your Club 2nd for Alisha Major, Hollie Jones & Tanya Bhanaut; Dancing 2nd for Alex Edwards, James Morgan, Evan Thomas, Catrin Long, Victoria Powell & Katie Evans; Design a Kite 2nd for Rhianna Jones, Hollie Jones & Alisha Major; Girls Bricklaying 2nd for Del Davies & Rose Lubin; and finally Woodwork 3rd for Tom Edwards & Evan Thomas.
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2018 - 2019 3rd place successes at County Stock Judging Day for Hollie Jones in both Dairy & Lamb U18, Alisha Major in Beef U18 and Natalie Evans Dairy U26. We continued the threes at County Quiz Night with Alisha & Hollie gaining 3rd for the Christmas Tree Decoration. The National Eisteddfod was our next comp with the Wales Finals held within Glamorgan with the infamous chair designed & made by our very own Tom Edwards, Club Leader. Alisha gained 3rd for her Design a Promotion Leaflet and our dance troupe of Hollie, Rhianna Jones, Lauren James, Lucy & Bel Roberts attaining 4th. Alisha also represented County at Website Design & Sentence with Lucy representing County at Recitation. Public Speaking Day 1 success continued for Lucy within the Junior Comp and chosen to represent County at the Wales Finals where the team achieved a super 4th place. Alisha came 3rd in the Junior Member Competition with our Brainstrust team of Alisha, Hollie & Lauren gaining 5th. Entertainment success followed for Lauren James chosen as the Most Promising U14 Female Artist, a thoroughly deserved accolade. Alisha & Hollie then lead the way at County Field Day attaining 1st in the RWS Cookery Comp and chosen to represent County at the Wales Finals in the Royal Welsh Show. Both Alisha & Hollie came 2nd in Fferm Factor before being joined by Rhianna for the Cube Exhibit to achieve yet another 2nd. Alex Edwards, Luke Morgan & James Morgan gained a very well deserved 2nd in the Senior Fencing Comp. Rally Day soon approached with Hollie achieving great success for the Scrapbook and Wool Handling with her sister taking 2nd in the latter. Alisha, Hollie & Rhianna gained 2nd at Capable Campers; with a quick team change to Bel Roberts, Hollie & Rhianna gaining 2nd in the NFYFC Cookery class. Alisha gained 2nd at Craft with Rhianna taking the 3rd spot. Del Davies & Catrin Long attained 2nd at Girls Bricklaying with Del achieving 2nd at Girls' Car Maintenance and 3rd for her Minute Book. Alisha & Hollie partnered up again to gain 3rd at the Dressing Up Comp with Luke Morgan a very willing Humpty Dumpty! Finally Alex, James, Del & Luke took 3rd at Tractor Bale Handling. Our final comp of the year saw yet more success for Alisha & Hollie within Breed Stock Judging with 1st for Hollie at Welsh Black Cattle, Alisha coming 2nd then a role reversal with Alisha gaining 1st for Welsh Mules and Hollie 2nd. Both girls continued to the Royal Welsh Show to represent County at the Wales Finals.
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2019 - 2020 An amazing year for Wick YFC beginning with Hollie Jones securing two 3rds at Carcass judging in Lamb & Pork. Hollie soon added to her awards winning Junior Stockman at the County finals with 1sts in U16 Beef & Lambs, with Lucy Roberts gaining joint 2nd in the Vet’s Quiz and Sophie Price 3rd in U21 Pigs. Club continued their successes winning County’s Anne Thomas Memorial Trophy as overall winners of the Eisteddfod with Alisha Major attaining three 1sts in U26 Speech, Photography & Sentence as well as 2nd in the Limerick; Hollie Jones gained three 1sts in the YFC Article, Club Project & U26 Poem. Thomas Morgan (10) gained two 1sts in the Film Review & Limerick in his very first competition; Rhianna Jones won the U26 Craft with a 2nd in the Instrumental Solo and finally Lucy Roberts gained 4th in a tightly fought U26 Musical/Film Solo.
Next up came the County Quiz Night with Alisha winning the U21 Decorate a Christmas Wreath before representing County at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair gaining a thoroughly deserved 2nd with Hollie representing County in U16 Stock Judging gaining 1st as the Highest Scoring Individual Giving Reasons in Welsh Award. Public Speaking Day followed with Alisha gaining 2nd at the County finals for Junior Member of the Year with Rhianna chosen as County reserve for Vote of Thanks, the team having been coached by Mr Dave Basset whilst on a week’s holiday from Canada coinciding with his 60th birthday!
The County Drama finals followed with Wick achieving 4th place overall with nominations for Tom Edwards as Best Director at his debut performance with Best Scenery nominations for Pam Morgans & Most Promising U14 Female Artist for Lauren James. Public Speaking Day 2 beckoned with Wick claiming the trophy for Best Cheerleading Team consisting of Luke Morgan, Lauren James, Lucy & Bel Roberts and Hollie & Rhianna Jones. The girls also came 2nd in Call My Bluff with Lucy Roberts, Hollie Jones & Lauren James and finally 3rd place for our Junior Reading Team Lauren James, Rhianna Jones & Bel Roberts with Lauren chosen as reserve Chair for the Wales finals. Big thanks to Evan Thomas for coaching the team!
Covid-19 hit YFC events with hurricane force but the YFC spirit continued with virtual competitions and a 1st for Lauren James & Luke Morgan in the NHS Key Worker Sign, winning a much needed £100 for Club funds with their incredible artwork as seen on our gallery page. Club’s funds were boosted further by £205.00 from the Waitrose Community Matters Scheme organised by Club’s Secretary Alisha Major. Alisha & Hollie added to Glamorgan’s points total for Wales YFC’s Corona Cup entering numerous competitions.
Lucy Roberts became an NFYFC finalist in the Isolation Art Challenge with an outstanding piece of art voted for by the public. The virtual Royal Welsh followed with Alisha Major winning the Craft competition with a remarkable 100 points, Hollie placing 3rd in the Cookery competition and Luke & Lauren’s NHS sign finishing just outside the top three. The final competition of the year gained a 2nd place for Alisha in the NFYFC Flashback Challenge having created a video of members time in lockdown. All in all, it is fair to say Wick YFC absolutely smashed 2019-20, kicking Covid well & truly into touch.
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Over the decades Wick club has been graced with wonderful support from past members and friends who have helped us with training for competitions, venues for constructing scenery, stockjudging practices to name but a few! – we would like to thank you all immensely for your support – long may it continue.
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Roll of Honour (last updated 2019)
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County Level:
1960 Mr Tom Arnott County Chairman
1966/1967 Mr John Arnott County Chairman
1976 Miss Mary Evans Miss Rally Queen
1977 Mr John Evans County Chairman
1977 Miss Sue Wilde (Evans) County Treasurer
1981 Miss Audrey Thomas (Elliott) Miss Rally Queen
1982 Mr Hywel Evans County Treasurer
1983/84 Mr Michael Thomas County Chairman
1985 Miss Di-anne Thomas Miss Mid Glamorgan at RWAS
1986/87 Mr Hywel Evans County Chairman
1987 Miss Di-anne Thomas (Battrick) Miss Rally Queen
1988 Miss Charlotte Thomas Miss Rally Queen
1990 Miss Di-anne Thomas (Battrick) County Girls Committee Chairman
1990 Miss Charlotte Thomas County Girls Committee Treasurer
1992 Mr Gareth Davies County Chairman
1992 Miss Charlotte Thomas Miss South Glamorgan at RWAS
2006/10 Mr John Lougher County President
2015/16 Miss Annie Evans County Competitions Chairman
2018/19 Mr Lloyd Harris Thomas County Rally Chairman
2019/20 Mr Lloyd Harris Thomas County Rally Chairman
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Wales Level:
1984 Miss Avril Thomas (Rees) All Wales Girls Committee Chairman
1984 Mr Michael Thomas Wales Vice Chairman
Miss Prunella Lewis (Martin) Miss Royal Welsh Show
2011-15 Miss Miranda McGinn Wales Finance
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National Level:
1984 Mr Michael Thomas National Chairman
1992 Miss Charlotte Thomas Miss NFYFC runner up
2011-14 Miss Miranda McGinn Wales Rep for National Board of Management
Club Presidents:
Colonel Bruce
Miss EC Bruce
Mrs Heather March
Mr David James
Mrs Sue Evans
Mr Hywel Evans
Mr John Lougher
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Time Line of Chairman:
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1936 – 1937 Illtyd Thomas, Somerset Farm 1st Chairman
1937 – 1938 David Davies
1947 – 1948 Gerald Thomas
1951 – 1952 Alban Wilde
1952 – 1953 Tom Arnott
1953 – 1954 David Hopkin
1955 – 1956 Tom Davies 20th Anniversary
1956 – 1957 John Arnott
1962 – 1963 Mr I Williams
1963 – 1964 David James
1964 – 1965
1965 – 1966 David James 30th Anniversary
1966 – 1967 Rhys Morgan, Penyrheol
1967 – 1968
1968 – 1969 Philp Ricketts
1969 – 1970 Philip Ricketts
1970 – 1971 Richard Morgan
1971 – 1972 John Stanley
1972 – 1973 Raymond Thomas
1973 – 1974 John Evans
1974 – 1975 Glyn Stanley
1975 – 1976 Tony Evans 40th Anniversary
1976 – 1977 Hywel Evans
1977 – 1978 Avril Thomas
1978 – 1979 Mike Thomas
1979 – 1980 Mary Evans
1980 – 1981 Philip Lougher
1981 – 1982 Rhys Evans
1982 – 1983 David Bassett
1983 – 1984 John Hopkin
1984 – 1985 Mike Battrick
1985 – 1986 John Thomas (Gileston) 50th Anniversary
1986 – 1987 Arwyn Thomas
1987 – 1988 John David
1988 – 1989 Alan Wheway
1989 – 1990 Gareth Davies
1990 – 1991 John Howell
1991 – 1992 Peter Bruen
1992 – 1993 Charlotte Thomas
1993 – 1994 Lisa Ree
1994 – 1995 Charlotte Thomas
1995 – 1996 Charlotte Thomas 60th Anniversary
1997 – 1998 Gethin Williams
1998 – 1999 Alice Evans
1999 – 2000 Leah Jeffrey
2001 – 2002 Suzy Gluck (Battle)
2002 – 2003 Hopkin Evans
2003 – 2004 Kate Stone
2004 – 2005 Mike Thomas
2005 – 2006 Jo Llewellyn
2006 – 2007 Pete Morris 70th Anniversary
2007 – 2008 Jemima Jones & Annie Evans
2008 – 2009 Owen Harries
2009 – 2010 Natalie Mc Ginn
2010 – 2011 Howie Evans
2011 – 2012 Annie Evans
2012 – 2013 Lloyd Harris Thomas
2013 – 2014 Jon Thomas
2014 – 2015 Lloyd Harris Thomas
2015 – 2016 Tom Edwards 80th Anniversary
2016 – 2017 Katie Evans
2017 - 2018 James Morgan
2018 - 2019 Alex Edwards
2019 - 2022 Luke Morgan
2022 - 2023 Michael Mitchell
2023 - 2024 Rory Vizard
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