ANYBODY who has ever poked fun at northern accents needs to eat their words after a group of young farmers from Yorkshire were among the top prizewinners in a national public speaking competition.

A delegation from Yorkshire travelled down to Stafford County Showground for the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs prestigious annual competitions day.

Yorkshire YFC’s Hannah Eaton was named best junior chairman, with first place in junior vote of thanks taken by Lucy Ellison. Third in junior speaker was Jacob Ryder, with the Yorkshire team coming runner-up overall.

In other national finals, Rathmell YFC’s Anna Booth was named fourth in the Junior Member of the Year competition. Tom Barley, of Great Smeaton YFC, was third in the Situations Vacant category, in which members have to apply for a job and impress at a mock interview. Shooting ace Katie Carvey, also from Great Smeaton YFC, won the junior and ladies clay pigeon shooting. Yorkshire also took third place in the ladies’ clay competition, with Emily Bradley shooting very well to take third place honours in the ladies’ event.

In sporting events, Yorkshire A won the Junior Dodgeball, with Yorkshire B coming third. Yorkshire A was second in the hockey and the Frisbee competition.

“Qualifying for any national final is a great achievement,” said Kirsty Searby, chairman of the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFYFC). “But to come home with such a great set of results is something all the members should be really proud of.”