SETTLE young farmers returned triumphant from a recent county-wide public speaking competition in Harrogate.

Taking part in the Yorkshire Young Farmers Public Speaking contest at Harrogate High School, Settle District Young Farmers, which has just celebrated its 80th anniversary, had a fantastic day winning both team and individual competitions.

The whole team, which entered both senior and junior sections, came home with the Yorkshire Post Trophy for winning the most points overall - for the first time in 34 years. Some members will now go forward to March's Northern Area Finals in Scarborough.

In the junior section, Ellie Forster, from Rathmell, was named overall chairman; Erin Booth, Lawkland, the overall vote of thanks and Emma Robinson, Lawkland, was second placed speaker. The junior team came first out of 12 teams taking part on the day. Coming sixth overall was Ronan Frankland, Rathmell, as chairman,  Isobel North, Lawkland, as speaker  and Orla Frankland, Rathmell, with her vote of thanks.
 

In the junior reading, contest, Lawkland’s team of Emma Robinson, Belle Whitwell and Erin Booth were placed fourth overall; and in an intermediate contest, Rathmell’s team of Emily Palmer, chair; and Ellie Forster, Ronan Frankland and Charlotte Booth, panellists were second overall.

In the senior debate, Rathmell’s team of Anna Booth, chair; Amelia Fawcett and Charlotte Booth as the proposition and Emily Palmer and Amy Mounsey as the opposition were the overall winners. Anna Booth was awarded senior member of the year and Amelia Fawcett joint fourth with her ten minute speech.