SIR - I write with regards to the current state of Scotland's Young Farmers Clubs.

I am an 'active' - or perhaps will be if circumstances and organisation changes - member of a relatively well-established YFC in the West Area. I feel that there are a noticeably concerning number of events unfolding in our club, and, no doubt, others in the West Area and outwith.

Originally, I believed Young Farmers was all about a sense of community, a large family if you will, whereby everyone would be willing to help/look out for each other.

I would like to think that this is an important quality of the farming community.

However!

Within our club, this sense of community is lacking. For example, our committee is based around friendship circles and not, as it should be, based on what skills/qualities an individual may bring to the club, and what changes they could make to the improvement of the club.

There is a reluctance for change, often members like to quote 'but it has always been this way', when any suggestion for alteration of tradition are concerned. This seems to me a worrying mindset for our future generation of farmers.

Also, there seems to be a lack of respect between all members of our club - especially noticeable between the older and the younger members. This can easily be observed at various events, such as sport and concert practices, whereby language exchanged is often foul.

Older members deem such behaviour acceptable since they have experiences of similar treatment from older members before them. And, our club seems to be becoming increasingly 'cliquey', deterring new members from joining and chasing original members to other clubs.

Other generations are unsurprised by the 'clique' label attached to our club. Why? - Because 'it was always that way'. Personally, I find it outrageous that this has been normal for decades.

Double standards, bullying and shouldering out individuals, trying to make a change seems to me counteractive against the whole purpose of a Young Farmers Club. I am sure that we are not the only club to experience such cliques and drama.

Changes must be made!

A concerned Young Farmer.