Moves afoot to re-form Latheron Young Farmers' Club
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CAITHNESS could have a fourth young farmers’ club if a new venture gets the go-ahead at an open meeting tonight.
Support is growing to re-establish the club at Latheron which went to the wall 18 years ago due to a lack of members.
The initiative has been sparked by the number of young farmers from the east of Caithness who have joined the county’s three current clubs at Bower, Forss and Halkirk.
Tonight’s meeting at Latheron Hall is being held to find out if there is enough support to form the fourth club.
Kerry Mackenzie, Highland regional events manager of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs, is confident about the chances of success.
She said: “Latheron Young Farmers’ Club shut down in 1999 as there was not enough members to keep it going.
“However, there has been a lot of interest in the area to re-form the group.
“There are between 12 to 15 youngsters in the area who have said that they would be keen to start it up again.
“The chances of it being successful are really hopeful and we are asking people to come along to Tuesday’s meeting to confirm there is enough interest and arrange what the next steps should be.
“We might look to have a stock judging or games night to begin with and if that is a success, we would look to establish the club.”
Bower Young Farmers’ Club is the largest club in Caithness with Halkirk and Forss also well supported.
A YF club also used to be based in Watten before it shut down due to a lack of members.
Mrs Mackenzie believes there is a clear need for a club covering the east and south Caithness.
She said: “Bower has members from the Latheron area and I know a few people from east and south Caithness have considered joining Bower and Halkirk but due to the distance involved, it put them off.
“We hope there will be enough interest from the open meeting and we will take it from there.”
Mrs Mackenzie said being a member of a YF Club can be very fulfilling.
“It’s the largest rural youth organisation and there is a lot of personal development opportunities including competitions, events, travel and training in agricultural and rural affairs."
Membership is open to anyone between 14 and 30 and you do not have to be an actual farmer to join.
Tonight’s meeting starts at 7.30pm.
For more information regarding the meeting email Kerry@sayfc.org or call 07771 393817.
