During the Wales YFC Entertainment Feast recently, the Wales YFC Junior Member of the Year Competition, which was kindly sponsored by JCP Solicitors’ Rural Practice Team, was held. Judging the competition was past Wales YFC Chairman Enfys Evans, Kay Lewis past Wales YFC staff member and Malcolm Thomas, Rural Client Manager at JCP Solicitors. The title of Wales YFC Junior Member of the year for 2013 was given to Elin Havard, Sennybridge YFC, Brecknock.

Before the competition all candidates for the junior member of the year competition had to submit a CV detailing their activities within the YFC, as well as listing their experiences of leadership, teamwork, charity or voluntary work and others skills on paper and producing a PowerPoint presentation to present to the judges during a formal interview with the judges.

“The standard of entries from across Wales was outstanding. These young people are dedicated members of YFC who have worked hard within their clubs and who have exceptional knowledge of the movement at County and Wales level. JCP Solicitors’ Rural Practice team are proud to support such a beneficial and rewarding organisation and would like to congratulate all members who took part.” said Malcolm Thomas, JCP on behalf of the judges.

Elin, who has just turned 16, is an active member of Sennybridge YFC where she especially enjoys competing in public speaking, stock judging and drama competitions. She is currently studying for her GCSE’s at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Ystalyfera and in the future she hopes to study further at sixth form and university and pursue a career in rural media.

Elin said, “It is an honour to have been chosen to be Wales YFC’s Junior Member of the Year. I am thrilled to be representing Sennybridge YFC and the county of Brecknock as, without their support, I would not have achieved this award.”

“Being a farmer’s daughter, I feel privileged to live and grow up in a spectacular part of the Welsh countryside – the heart of the Brecon Beacons. I am very luck that my local club is one of the most active within the county of Brecknock. This has already provided me with a multitude of opportunities to partake in a wide range of activities, nurturing my key skills and bolstering my confidence and self-esteem.”

“My motto in life is to have a go, give it my all and if at first I fail, try again – life is for living!” she added.

“Elin will be an excellent ambassador for Wales YFC, and we wish her all the best in representing Wales at the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs Junior Member of the Year Competition.” added Malcolm.

Both the Junior and Senior Member of the Year will be ambassadors for Wales YFC during the year and will be called upon as officers of the organisation to assist during various events.