30 Jun Strichen JAC Crowned 2025 Grampian Rally Winners
Strichen JAC Crowned 2025 Grampian Rally Winners
The sun shone on Echt Showfield as an action packed day lay ahead for the members attending the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs 2025 Grampian Rally on the 28th June. Organised by the years hosts, West Aberdeenshire District.
The rally committee welcomed over 200 members of Sixteen clubs from around the Grampian area who competed throughout the day in many activities from Stockjudging, Construction, Field Contests and sports to Arts and Crafts and Practical Competitions. AJC Construction of Aboyne joined the event as Main Sponsors with Gordon Hutcheon, Construction Manager attending on the day. Following the prize giving Gordon said “It was excellent to be involved in the Grampian Rally. The entertainment and skills on display were superb. I was brought up on a farm so to be involved in such a worthwhile cause and support the next generation means a lot”
The recipients of the Caroline Rennie Commemorative Rose Bowl for the fifth year in succession were Strichen JAC who were worthy winners on the day, powering ahead with 123.5 points, in second place were Garioch JAC with 82.5 points and in third place were Vale of Alford with 78 Points. The Turriff JAC Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best small club was also won by Garioch JAC, followed by Echt with 50 points and Deer & Deer YFC in third place with 43.5 points.
The Stockjudging was the first competition to take place in the morning, judging four classes of cattle three of sheep and a valuation class followed by reason giving for the top placed competitors. The first placed team winning the North of Scotland Association of Junior Agricultural Clubs Cup for Stockjudging were Strichen A with 1059 points (David Moir, James Lowe and Stuart Ross), second were Keith A with 1056 points (Lucy McGillivray, Richard Davidson and Harvey Stuart) and third Udny A with 1053 points (Craig Taylor, Jasmin Strachan and Joanna Greaves). The William Brown Cup for the best individual in the Stockjudging was won by Finlay Hunter, Garioch with 371 points and a close joint Second overall was Craig Taylor, Udny and Lucy McGillivray of Keith and with 370 points.
There was an impressive display of entries in the industrial section which gave the judges a challenging morning. While outside, the Construction competition got under way with 14 teams making picnic benches, along with 21 teams competing in the junior, ladies and open Rope Making Competitions and various other practical field events throughout the day. The sports competitions were held in the afternoon which included football, netball, running, obstacle race and throwing the wellie boot. Many club names appeared in the prize list proving the dedication and effort that club members display in all areas of the Rally.
The day’s events concluded with the Tug of War, which saw six ladies and ten gents teams competing for the top spots. Results were, gents, first Strathbogie, second Kinneff and third Mid Deeside while in the ladies section, Strathbogie were placed first, Kinneff second and Udny in third place.
SAYFC North Region Chair, Ellen Glennie said “It was a fantastic, sunny day and I’m delighted with the level of entries and sportsmanship on display from all of the Grampian clubs. A massive thank you goes to all who were involved in the planning and running of the day.”
Other trophies were awarded as follows:
ADAM TROPHY – Individual with Best Exhibit in Floral Art Section Winner: Emma Smith, Vale of Alford
GRAMPIAN COUNTRY CHICKENS BAKING & FARM PRODUCE TROPHY – Club with most points in Baking Section Winner: Vale of Alford
BARCLAY, ROSS & HUTCHISON TROPHY – Club entry: “Tall Ships” – (Club Display), 2 x Meringue Nests (Baking) and A Sewn Doorstop (Handicrafts) Winner: Vale of Alford
PRESS & JOURNAL ROSE BOWL – Club gaining most points in Industrial Section Winner: Vale of Alford
ANDREW MEARNS CUP – Club winning the Construction Competition Winner: Mid Deeside
MARNOCH JAC ROPEMAKING SHIELD – Club winning the Ropemaking Winner: Strichen
I & B MATTHEW TROPHY – Club winning the Ladies Ropemaking Winner: Strichen
EAST ABERDEENSHIRE DISTRICT CUP – Club with most points in Field Contests Winner: Udny
ECHT YFC PERPETUAL CHALLENGE TROPHY – Club winning Five-a-side Football Winner: Strichen
WEST ABERDEENSHIRE DISTRICT SALVER – Club winning the Five-a-side Netball Winner: Vale of Alford
FETTERCAIRN FARMERS CLUB CUP – Club with most points in the Sports Section Winner: Strichen
THE SCOTGLASS LTD CLUB PARTICIPATION TROPHY – Club whose members participated most in the rally Winner: Durris
Thanks must also go to our Main Raffle Sponsor, Millar Plant Ltd and the following raffle prize donors:
Stock Judging Overall Placings
If you have any questions or would like to have more information on specific competitions, Ropemaking, Construction etc please contact Janelle via email janelle@sayfc.org