FOUR members of Beaminster Young Farmers will travel to Stafford Showground in July to represent Dorset YFC in the National Brainstrust Competition.

Lucy Wallbridge, Penny Cross, Megan Edwards and Sam Norman took part in the first Dorset Round back in January 2017 and then went onto represent Dorset YFC at the South West Area weekend which was held in Newquay at the beginning of March. They have now just returned triumphant from the Southern Regional Finals.

Lucy Wallbridge, 21, said: "I’m excited to have got this far in the competition, and incredibly grateful for the support that we have received from both our club and our county. We’re determined to do our best at the finals, and represent Dorset well!"

The team will consist of a chairman and a panel of three members. Draw for order of appearance will be made prior to the day. All competitors must be present 20 minutes before going onto the platform; the chairman will be given a choice of sealed envelopes.

One will be chosen which will contain six question topics, three of a general nature and three on rural affairs, from which he/she will select three for discussion by the team. One question must be selected from each section plus one other. The chairman will have no prior communication with the team about the questions he/she has selected to be discussed.

The topics that are chosen to talk about are extremely varied and the ones that Dorset YFC have discussed so far range from the Badger Cull, the Royal family, gastric bands, the potential for tractors to be banned during rush hour, driverless cars and the potential for a shortage of fruit and veg picking labourers in the future.

"This event is always well attended and is a highly beneficial social skill to gain," a Dorset YF spokesman said. "Not only are the entrants learning about rural and general topics but public speaking and confidence is a great skill that is gained with this. Being able to stand up in a room full of people and state their case take a lot of skill.

"It just goes to show that Young Farmers is not all about farming, this is so much you can gain from the club. We are so pleased with our Dorset Team and wish them so much luck for the final and proud to be Young Farmers."

Young Farmers Club is a charity club with members aged between 10 and 26 and you don’t have to be a farmer to join young farmers. If you are interested in seeing what else they have on offer check out their website www.dorsetyfc.org.uk or drop up a line on 01305 263947 and speak to Tracy the county organiser.