A SURPRISE discovery of a box of unidentifiable
photographs, found during the 2005 modernisation of
the County Office of the Gwent Federation of Young
Farmers has snowballed into a lovingly compiled book
that celebrates in pictures the last 70 years of the
Young Farmers Movement in Monmouthshire.
County Organiser Julie Bainbridge who
discovered the initial photographs told the Chronicle,
"Looking through the photographs I became more and
more curious about the lives of the people they
contained. Who were these past members? What event
was being recorded? In one photograph there was a
member of the royal family presenting a trophy to a
mystery member. I asked myself who would be able to
identify and remember the occasion.
"With the Federation's 70th Anniversary
approaching it seemed an ideal opportunity to
produce a historical photographic record of the last
70 years of our organisation.
"Our aim has been to record the changes and
events that have occurred over this time, particularly
the impact of the Second World War, the changes in
working techniques, transport and farming tools,
styles of dress, and changes in skills such as
ploughing, cookery, public speaking, and sporting
events.
"Laws and regulations have also changed
considerably over this period and have had a
significant impact on our rural society.
"Underlying the production of this book has
been a sense of urgency to make contact with the
remaining members of our vanishing past, and thanks
are due to everyone who has loaned or donated
photographs to create this permanent record of their
historical roots.
"Most importantly, thanks are due to the
Heritage Lottery Fund who provided the grant to fund
the project. Without their financial support and
acknowledgment of the importance of this project, the
book would not exist.
"We have tried very hard to be as accurate as
possible with dates and names, and inevitably there
will be gaps and inaccuracies where memories are
fading, but I hope this will not detract from the
reader's pleasure of the book.
"This has truly been an intergenerational project.
So many of our elderly past members have made a
valuable contribution and our younger members have
been privileged to meet and work with them on this
book."
A special 'Memory Evening' attended by over
three hundred past members enabled junior members
to collect photographs for the book, and they then
worked with county archivist Tony Hopkins and oral
historian of the St Fagan's National History Museum
Dr Beth Thomas.
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded a grant of
£24,500 to support the project, and the book will
form part of the year long celebrations planned by
members.
An exhibition of the project will be traveling to
the Royal Welsh Show, the Monmouthshire Show, and
the Usk Show during the summer months.
Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales said,
"We think that it is really important for young people
to learn about their past and understand the
communities they live in. This project has done just
that. The young people involved in the project have
learnt more about the history of a movement that they
are passionate about. As a consequence of that they
have learnt more about their own heritage, picking up
new skills and confidence along the way."
Wales YFC is a voluntary youth organisation that
represents 6,000 young people in rural Wales.
Although the name of the organisation refers to
'Young Farmers', its members represent represent
young members from all walks of life - so you don't
need to be a farmer to be a member - in fact if your
between 10 and 26 years old and want to live a little
and learn a lot, then Wales YFC is most definitely for
you.
As a democratic organisation, it's the members
who decide what to do within the organisation and
they are only limited by their imagination. Members
get the opportunity to take part in all sorts of different
activities throughout the year, from trips to
competitions galore. There are also opportunities to
travel abroad, to attend social events, meet new
people and make friends from all over Wales.
County President Jan Francis said, "The years
spent in YFC at such a formative time in one's life,
leave extremely strong and indelible memories - that
last a lifetime.
"I never fail to be impressed by the number of
ex-young farmers who take the lead in all facets of
life, whether it be the local council, magistrates,
charities and politics.
"It is often said that 'if you want a meeting
properly conducted, than ask a young farmer to do it.'
The public speaking, drama and entertainment
competitions give enormous confidence to our
youngsters, helping to develop well rounded, well
mannered and knowledgeable people. It is, I think,
vital that the organisation continues to flourish and I
am proud to have been associated with it for 48 years.
"This book serves as a timely celebration of 70
great years of the Gwent young farmers, and I'm sure
anyone involved with the organisation will find it
packed full of treasures to indulge their browsing
pleasure."
'Seventy Years of Gwent Federation of Young
Farmers Clubs' which includes a wealth of
photographs from the organisation's genesis in 1938
right up to the present day, is published by Old
Bakehouse Publications and copies are available at the
Abergavenny Bookshop.
Alternately you can ring the County Office on
01291 672602 for further information on how to
obtain a copy.