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 they’re 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 3^rd 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 50^th 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 friends, and they do last forever!  this diamond year hasmost cretainly been Kilrea YFC's and the memories of it will too last forever.