Farm club birthday dinner marks membership revival

Last updated 19:40, Thursday, 10 April 2008

SOME OF Aspatria Young Farmers’ Club’s founding members were reunited for the first time in decades during a celebration to mark the club’s 50th birthday.

FRIENDS REUNITED: Dorothy Middleham, left, founding secretary of Aspatria Young Farmers, with social secretary Sarah Eve at the 50th anniversary celebrations.

An anniversary dinner dance for around 250 people was held at the Greenhill Hotel, near Wigton.

Among the guests was Dorothy Middleham, the club’s first secretary.

She helped social secretary Sarah Eve cut a cake made to mark the occasion.

Miss Eve said: “With farming being the way it is, we wanted to recognise the club’s achievement.

“We only had three members a few years ago but we have made a comeback and gone from strength to strength. We’re proud of the way things are.”

A major turnaround has seen membership numbers boosted to around 40.

Club chairman Mark Hurst, 19, made a speech about the club’s achievements over the last year before the dancing began.

He said: “I think it’s a great club. Everyone is so enthusiastic and has such a good time.”

Among the year’s achievements was the club’s victory in the junior stock judging competition at the Field Day.