A year filled with celebrations, parties and fun has come to an end
as Kilrea Young Farmers club see out their sixtieth year and welcome their sixty first.
Asking the question do diamonds really last forever?
The eventful year arranged to help Kilrea celebrate the clubs sixtieth
anniversary was kicked of in April ’05 at the clubs annual family and friends’ night. A host of faces old and new graced the stage to bring back a selection of those favourite moments some
are embarrassed to say they remember!
With Linda Steel and Rosemary Patterson behind the organisation it
was sure to be an action-packed year. Following the sketches of the family and
friends night in April the celebrations once again were in full swing by September as the club held a BBQ and dance in Killygullib
Orange Hall. This was an opportunity for all members past, present and future
to reunite and meet up to remember all the fun they had on the way to sixty.
The event captured the entire essence of Young Farmers, for all ages,
children to grandparents who can remember the enjoyment brought to life and to the community of good old fashioned fun. Another night to add to the memories, making the diamond sparkle even brighter.
The sparkling did not stop there as the club again came together in December for
a dinner dance to honour the occasion. The dinner dance was held at the Royal Court Hotel, Portrush on the 3rd of December and brought together over 170 past and present members including the inspiration
for the club Mr Harry Gardiner who formed the club in March 1945. Mr Gardiner celebrated the event with this grandson Graham,
a current and active member. The two generations helped with the proceedings
as they cut the diamond cake.
The evening also saw the launch of an up to date 50th Anniversary
book entitled “sentimental journeys – the next stop”, consisting of the clubs activities throughout the
past ten years on their journey to sixty. The celebrations extended long in to
the night as McStock Ceili Band struck up and everyone remembered that “once a young farmer, always a young farmer!”
With the formal occasions over all was left was to enjoy the rest
of the year young farmer style!
The year and celebrations ended April ’06 at the annual parents
and friends night where all present reminisced about “the good old days” whilst looking to the future and wondering
what the next sixty have in store.
So to answer the question, firstly I must say as a girl diamonds are
definitely my best friend. They may not last forever however the memories of
this diamond will last the rest of my and many other lives.
Lynsey Gordon
