Strichen JAC Worthy Winners of Grampian Rally 2021!

Strichen JAC Worthy Winners of Grampian Rally 2021!

A great day was had by all at Echt Show Park, Echt at the 2021 Grampian Rally, hosted by West Aberdeenshire District on Sunday 18th July.

Despite the recent Covid 19 restrictions the event was able to go ahead with various rules in place and changes to the competitions available on the day. The rally committee welcomed Sixteen clubs from around the Grampian area who competed in the day in many competitions from Stockjudging, Construction, Field Contests and sports to Arts and crafts and Practical Competitions. This year we were also joined by members from Shetland Young Farmers who are part of the Grampian area.

North Region Chairman Murray Stephen said ‘it was fantastic to see members back together again competing at the rally, it is always well supported, and we were very pleased to be able to hold the event this year after a long break. This year also saw the presentation of a new Overall trophy, dedicated to the memory of Caroline Rennie, who was tragically taken from us earlier this year. As a member of Turriff & District JAC, the rally was the highlight of her Young Farmer calendar. I am incredibly grateful to her parents, Andrew and Annette, and sister Annabel for gifting “The Caroline Rennie Commemorative Rose Bowl”, a beautiful trophy that means a lot to not only her family, but to her many friends within SAYFC’

The first recipients of the Rose bowl were Strichen JAC who were worthy winners after many successes throughout the day in every area of the rally with an impressive 110 points, 2nd were Vale of Alford JAC with 87 points and in joint 3rd place were Echt YFC and Garioch JAC with 68.5 Points.

The Turriff JAC Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best small club was also won by Strichen YFC, followed by Echt and Garioch.

The Stockjudging was the first competition to take place in the morning, judging three classes of cattle, three sheep and a class of pigs (no reason giving this year). The first placed team winning the North of Scotland Association of Junior Agricultural Clubs Cup for Stockjudging were Inverurie A with 978 points (Shona Marshall, Martyn Thompson and Scott Dey), second were Strichen A with 971 points (Melissa Buchan, David Moir and James Lowe) and third Vale of Alford B with 940 points (Bruce Keir, Brodie Keir and Craig Coutts). The best individual Stockjudging competitor winning the William Brown Cup was Melissa Buchan of Strichen JAC with 353 points, joint second were James Flett of Garioch JAC and Craig Coutts of Vale of Alford JAC with 338 points. The best ladies individual was Melissa Buchan, second was Hannah Lorimer of Echt A with 326 and Shona Marshall of Inverurie A with 324 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 11 teams making tattie boxes, along with 19 teams competing in junior, ladies and senior rope making with various other practical field events throughout the day. The sports competitions were held in the afternoon which included football, netball, running, novelty relay race and throw the welly. Many club names appeared in the prize list proving the dedication and effort that club members put into in all areas of the Rally.

The day’s events concluded with the North Region Tug of War Eliminations which were held at the rally this year due to covid restrictions delaying the competition earlier in the year which saw teams from East Aberdeenshire winning both ladies and gents sections and head to the national finals this weekend along with Durris gents and Strathbogie ladies teams. Results were Gents: 1st East Aberdeenshire A, 2nd East Aberdeenshire B and 3rd Garioch while in the ladies section, 1st East Aberdeenshire B, 2nd East Aberdeenshire A and 3rd Strathbogie.

Rally Convenor, Allan Grant said ‘Well done to all the Young Farmers who came along and participated, thankfully the weather was on our side which allowed everyone to enjoy the sports and field competitions. The judges were impressed by the number and high standard of entries in the industrial tent. Congratulations to all prize winners and to Strichen Young Farmers Club for winning the 2021 Grampian Rally’

SAYFC North Region Chairman, Murray Stephen, said ‘The Rally is one of the main events in the Grampian area calendar and it was fantastic to see so many young farmers competing during the day. Congratulations to all the winners on the day and of course to Strichen JAC. Thanks must go to the Rally Committee from West Aberdeenshire district who put in a power of work over the last few weeks to make the rally a success, as well as all judges, stewards and equipment donors, without their help this type of event could not go ahead’

Other trophies were awarded as follows:

ADAM TROPHY – Individual with Best Exhibit in Floral Art Section

Jenna Ross, Strichen JAC

GRAMPIAN COUNTRY CHICKENS BAKING & FARM PRODUCE TROPHY – Club with most points in Baking Section

Strichen JAC

BARCLAY, ROSS & HUTCHISON TROPHY – Club with most point in club display ‘Meat with Integrity – Scotland’s Larder’, chocolate eclairs (Baking) and item in metal work (Handicrafts)

Mid Deeside JAC

 PRESS & JOURNAL ROSE BOWL – Club gaining most points in Industrial Section

Vale of Alford JAC

ANDREW MEARNS CUP – Club winning the Construction Competition

New Deer JAC

MARNOCH JAC ROPEMAKING SHIELD – Club winning the Ropemaking

Strichen JAC

I & B MATTHEW TROPHY – Club winning the Ladies Ropemaking

Strichen JAC

EAST ABERDEENSHIRE DISTRICT CUP – Club with most points in field contests

Turriff & District JAC

ECHT YFC PERPETUAL CHALLENGE TROPHY – Club winning five-a-side football

Echt YFC

WEST ABERDEENSHIRE DISTRICT SALVER – Club winning the netball

Echt YFC

FETTERCAIRN FARMERS CLUB CUP – Club with most points in the sports section

Strichen YFC

THE SCOTGLASS LTD CLUB PARTICIPATION TROPHY – Club whose members participate the most in the rally

Echt YFC

For full Results see links below. If you require any more information please contact Janelle 

Section Results for web

Stockjudging Detail

Stockjudging Summary