Carlisle Young Farmers Dinner

On Friday 26 March, we were invited to Carlisle YFC dinner dance at The Shepherds Inn. On the table, there was Michael, Kevin B, Carrie, Kevin C, Fiona, Leanne, Julie O, Sandra, Emma P and myself.

The evening started by us all meeting in the foyer for a quick drink before making our way to the table where we were had a very good meal.

Before the meal, Nick Utting welcomed all the guests to The Shepherds Inn then asked Craig Norman to say grace, which was amusing. For starter there was a choice of cream of vegetable soup and melon sorbet. Then for main was the traditional roast beef dinner with all the trimmings; and of course both Kevin’s had to have seconds which did lead into slight confusion with the waitresses who ended up shouting at each other over the ‘GRAVY!!’. Finally, for dessert, there was a fabulous choice of chocolate torte, sticky toffee pudding and raspberry pavlova then coffee and mints to top it off.

After the meal, it was time for the speeches. Nick Utting gave the first speech about when he was a member of Carlisle about 40 years ago. The next speech came from Richard Miller – Carlisle YFC Chairman, and he gave his thanks to the club secretary and president. Finally, we listened to a talk from the legendary Geoff Capes.

Geoff Capes is a former British and Commonwealth shot-put champion and is one of Britain’s most capped male athletes and has represented Britain in international events
including Munich, Montreal and the Moscow Olympics. Not only that, but he has also won ‘Worlds Strongest Man’ competition twice, in 1983 and 1985. His talk was fascinating and we were all glued to our seats listening intensely.

After all the speeches were complete, there was a live band called ‘Band Camp’. They played some great songs so we were able to get up and dance.
All in all, we all had a great evening!
Emma Thomlinson