St Albans Young Farmers Club

OINKS, moos and baas are the first things that spring to my mind when I think of a farm. At least they used to be, until I met a group of young outdoor enthusiasts who have made it their lot in life to give farming a funky makeover. The St Albans Young Fa

OINKS, moos and baas are the first things that spring to my mind when I think of a farm. At least they used to be, until I met a group of young outdoor enthusiasts who have made it their lot in life to give farming a funky makeover.

The St Albans Young Farmers Club is crazy about the countryside and they like nothing better than to be out and about, enjoying the fresh air and discovering new al fresco activities to get stuck into.

The St Albans YFC, part of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, is one of the most welcoming clubs I have visited. Their motto, You Don't Have To Be One To Be One, is testament to their friendly nature and the fact that most members don't even come from a farming background.

Being one of those outdoorsy types, I couldn't wait to give the YFC a whirl and so, accompanied by my equally enthusiastic sister Elise and a pair of stout wellies, I headed off to a YFC rally near the Old Albanian Club in search of some fun on the farm.

It was a sunny Sunday and the young farmers had kitted out their patch with bunting, hay bales, tractors of all shapes and sizes and everything else that a farming fan could possibly want to see, including a barbecue (vegetarians beware) selling big, fat, juicy local produce burgers.

YFC County Chairman James Williams was our tour guide and, after some fuel from the ice cream van, we were whisked off to try out the zero steer mower challenge (pull down on the lever to go left, up to go right) which had me in fits of giggles when Elise kept reversing into a particular sturdy hay bale.

The 360 Digger tennis ball challenge was next and it was some of the best good clean fun I've had in ages, despite the fact that it took me a record one and a half minutes to transfer the hooked tennis ball from one cup to another, balancing it on the digger's bucket.

A wheelbarrow race, strongman competition, human gymkhana and a three legged race were just a few of the other treats in store that afternoon, and there was even time towards the end for tug-of-war and a float parade. The only thing missing, perhaps, was a nice jug of ginger ale.

Surely the YFC don't have this much fun all the time? But eager beaver James assured me that the fun loving clubbers are always out and about enjoying both farming activities (including making their own horseshoes) and general 20-something fun down at the local watering hole.

When? Usually meet every Tuesday at 7.30pm

Where? The Green Man pub, Sandridge

How much? �25 a year

Contact: Chairman of St Albans Seniors Gerald Norman at cheekychappy@dellmail.com