SOME of North Craven's finest farm manure is now working its horticultural magic on some equally fine gardens thanks to a young farmers' group which was chucking muck around at the weekend.

And for those green-fingered members of the community concerned they missed the chance to get some added nitrogen directly to their plots, another 'fresh' batch will be making the rounds this coming Saturday courtesy of Burton-in-Lonsdale YFC.

Like everyone, young farmers' clubs have struggled with Covid. Members couldn’t meet weekly and as a result clubs have struggled to retain numbers.

But things are thankfully returning to normal and Lawkland YFC got back into the swing of things - quite literally - with their ever-popular ‘Muck Chuck,’ an annual event for many years and current club parents are keen to keep it this way.

Last Sunday, February 27, club members and parents set off around surrounding villages of Settle, Giggleswick, Langcliffe, Austwick and Clapham, delivering some of the finest manure available to local gardens and allotments. It had been kindly donated by the Dugdale farming family in Stackhouse.

One of the parents as well as the event's co-organiser Kelly Armitage said: “Two teams hit the road so a bigger area could be covered. Barrows and bags of muck were delivered by the trailer load. Rotted manure is excellent for the garden, rose bushes, rhubarb and much more.”

All monies raised, which turned out to be a grand total of £558, went towards the running of Lawkland YFC.

Kelly added: “This is a great amount and thanks must go to all the buyers and the members and parents for helping, plus the Dugdales for the muck that we chucked.

“Lawkland YFC, formed in 1934, are back up and running with 15-20 active members meeting weekly. Everyone is keen to support the club to keep it going. Young farmers is such a fantastic organisation with a wide variety of activities and competitions to take part in, at the same time learning valuable life skills that will help young people forever through life.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the YFC movement should visit www.yfyfc.org.uk or call the YFYFC office on 01423 546170 to see where their nearest club is located.

Those who may have missed the Lawkland YFC Muck Chuck and still require some manure should take note that Burton-in-Lonsdale YFC are staging a follow-up one on Saturday, March 5.