NEW Deer Young Farmers have celebrated their 100-year anniversary in style by using several events to mark the occasion – from farm walks, to a stock judging, and an anniversary ball.

During the ball, last November, an auction was held, which, along with donation, raised £2000 for the Scottish Air Ambulance charity.

The time-line of events:

• July, 2022 – Farm walk for all past and present members by kind permission of Haddo Estate, which was led by estate factor, Mark Andrew, followed by a hog roast and natter with families back at the New Deer Showpark, by kind permission of the New Deer Agricultural Association.

• October, 2022 – Stockjudging held at Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud, by kind permission of Harry and Helen Brown and family, to which all past and present members were invited. Wilma Wilson won the chairperson’s prize by correctly guessing the combined weight of the live fat lambs.

• November, 2022 – Anniversary ball at the Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, where a memorial room was created with lots of memorabilia, past minutes books, photos and videos.

o Oldest past member, Andrew Logie, cut the cake with the current youngest member, Cameron Muir.

o Past member, Davie Scott, said grace

o Past member, Jimmy Kindness, gave a tribute to the club

o Linda Birnie wrote and recited a toast to the club

o Presentation of prizes:

o Stockjudging winners (30 and under ladies) – Fiona Marshall (3rd), Gail Leggat (1st), Catherine Beaton (2nd) (Image 10)

o Stockjudging winners (30 and under men) – Iain Birnie (2nd), Stephen Birnie (1st), Craig Beaton (3rd) (Image 11)

o Stockjudging winners (over 30s ladies) – Eileen Thomson (2nd), Lynne Pirie (1st), Gwen Chalmers (3rd) (Image 12)

o Stockjudging winners (over 30s men) – Bruce Wilson (2nd), Ron Fraser (1st and 1st Overall), Drew Wilson (3rd) (Image 13)

o Valuation winners – Lynne Pirie (3rd), Drew Wilson (1st), Scott Gibson (2nd) (Image 14)

o Dead weight and grade winner – Eileen Brown (Image 15)

o Past member, Karen Grant, wrote and recited a poem

o Current club chairperson and anniversary treasurer, Gail Leggat, gave the vote of thanks.

• March, 2023 – Presentation of cheque to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance at Hangar (Aberdeen) (Image 16). During the ball an auction and donations, including one for £1000 from the current New Deer YFC, we raised £2000 for this most worthy charity.