Published at 14:56, Tuesday, 05 February 2013

YOUNG farmers from the South Lakes were celebrating after making it through to the next round of a speaking competition.

CELEBRATING Pictured are the young farmers who came first to fourth, from left to right, Craig Brough, Jan Mason, Mark Curr and Kerry Procter

The team from Lowick went head to head with teams from other Cumbrian Young Farmers’ Clubs in the public speaking competition.

Meanwhile, 12 young farmers battled it out in a close contest to be named Cumbria’s Young Farmer of the Year.

Craig Brough, from Raughton Head YFC, came out on top after finishing ahead of Mark Curr, from Pennine, and Jan Mason, from Crook.

But judges said it had been a close competition with a mere 15 points between first and last place.

Kerry Proctor, of Grayrigg, came in fourth place.

The judges — last year’s presidents Nick Utting, Clare Johnson and John Dickinson — said they had been impressed with the quality of the interviews and CVs.

Meanwhile junior members were showing off their public speaking skills in front of judges Anne Byers and Malcolm Robinson.

The judges applauded the high standard of the competition, with just 10 points separating first and sixth place, as topics ranged from gymnastics to Guinea pigs.

Longtown’s team of Paul Gardner, Edward Harrison and Georgina Carruthers came in first place.

They were followed by the teams from Caldbeck and Lowick, while Drigg took fourth place.

The top three in both competitions will now go to Sacriston, County Durham, on March 2 to compete against rivals from the six northern counties.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk