Category: Lob In The Landscape

From The Young Moonraker 1977, the 1977 Year Book of Wiltshire Federation Of Young Farmers Clubs:

Soil Assessment And Management Competition

A team from Wiltshire competed against a team from Dorset in the Area finals of the National Soil Assessment and Management competition which is sponsored by BP Oil Ltd., in conjunction with the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service.

Dorset beat the Wiltshire team in a close fought battle held at Westwick Farm near Pewsey, Wilts. Each team had to assess the soil in three different fields on the farm and then report on their findings and recommendations.

Dorset emerged the winners by just nine points – scoring 229 points to Wiltshire’s 220.

The Wiltshire team comprised Richard Tyler (Melksham Y.F.C.), Richard Ridout and Michael Brake (Warminster Y.F.C.).

The final was judged by Mr. Roger Unwin, Soil Scientist with ADAS Bristol, and Mr. Jeff Grindrod, Farm Manager, Westwick Farm.

Westwick Farm is owned by Lord Devlin, who congratulated both teams on their efforts.

From The Young Moonraker 1977, the 1977 Year Book of Wiltshire Federation Of Young Farmers Clubs:

Warminster Y.F.C. Hot Foot It To The National Finals

The’Bald Prima Donna’ by Eugene Ionesco, an anti-play, reached the Drama final at Brighton.

Played at Marlborough, Weston-Super-Mare and Tewkesbury before reaching Brighton, it was warmly praised by all the adjudicators, the exception was the Brighton adjudicator, Mr. Silvester, who praised the cast on their brave attempt but was not happy about their presentation of the play. He also condemned the very unreceptive audience who failed to comprehend the play’s humour.

The winning performance by Acle Y.F.C. deservedly won for the North. The play ‘The Laboratory’ was superbly acted and was very humorous, whereas the Welsh play coming second was serious and dreary, and Warminster after a well fought fight could only come third.

The cast for the Play included Sue Priestner, Jill Trollope, Jane Forward, David Forward, Stephen Allard and Peter Scott.

Many thanks to Bill Hurd who unflagingly produced the play, and also to Sue Heath, Martin Few and Michael Brake for their invaluable help behind the scenes.

Sally Allard, Warminster Y.F.C.

From The Young Moonraker 1977, the 1977 Year Book of Wiltshire Federation Of Young Farmers Clubs:

Warminster Junior Y.F.C.

Another year has flown by again, but looking back on the Warminster Junior Young Farmers programme, what a busy year it has been. If the enthusiasm of the last A.G.M. is anything to go by, 1977 promises to be every bit as active.

The past year’s events have included films and talks, carol singing (where some visibly swaggered with Christmas spirit!), Pantomome, several farm walks, visits to Stonehenge, Rode Bird Gardens, Treasure Hunts, Rounders and Barbecue and finally, a splendid camping weekend.

Competitions improved this year as the Show results were much impoved on previous attempts. We entered Junior Public Speaking for the first time where we learned a lot! and when it comes to rounders they certainly know how to ‘wap’ ’em.

I would like to thank Shirley Clifford for all her past work as Junior Leader and at the same time, Susan Heath for taking her place.

Congratulations for winning Junior Committee Cup goes to Stephen Tippets who was just ahead on points.

Into ’77 we go, and whatever is in store, with a little help from our friends we’ll have a go.

Peter Scott, Co-Junior Leader.

From The Young Moonraker 1977, the 1977 Year Book of Wiltshire Federation Of Young Farmers Clubs:

Just A Thought

Farmer leaning on a gate
Wonders why he got up late
Jobs are few and far between
Would paint the fence but feeling mean.

Potato crop, dirty word,
Water shortage, things absurd,
Harvest done and time on hands.
Wonders where’s the promised land?

Equipment rusting, with lack of use
Not much on is old excuse,
Who knows what to sow this year
Some say oats have profit clear.

Now water up to knees again,
Kind weatherman he gives us rain,
Yes, but why is there such a lot?
Silly man know not how to stop.

Four wheel drive now so plain
Air conditioned cabs look all the same
Power steering and stereo game
Saves the farmer going lame.

Elm trees falling by the score
Gives sales boom to power saw,
If they twist and fall wrong way
Pick up the phone and call A.A.

Bushtail rabbit running wild.
Deer eating hay that’s piled.
Pheasants waiting for the bang,
And pigeons bombing labouring gang,
So many things to keep them snappy,
It’s being so miserable what keeps ’em happy.

Peter M. Scott, Warminster Y.F.C.