Southern District Raft Race

Sept 8, 2024  •  General

On a grey and rainy September day, young farmers from throughout the county gathered for the Southern District Raft Race which was held by kind permission of Mark and Diane Barnes at Hyning Farm, Whinfell.

The young farmers put their full creativity to good use, designing and building rafts over many weeks and despite the damp conditions, the atmosphere on the day was fantastic.

Southern District President, Stephen Park commented “The young farmers really pulled out all the stops to make some great rafts and everyone had a really good time. We are very grateful to Mark and Diane Barnes for hosting the raft race, Bendrigg Trust for the loan of the life jackets and to Gary Parsons and his team from Bay Search and Rescue who kept everyone safe on the day. Without these people, the day would not have gone ahead”

The raft race was held in order to raise money for Bay Search and Rescue and the Southern District of Cumbria YFC. A big thank you must go to the Raft Race sponsors; Baymix Concrete Limited, High Haume Farm and Glamping, James Casson Recovery, NFU Mutual, North of England Mule Sheep Association and Richard Gibson Portable Toilet Hire.

Thanks also to Stewards on the day Georgia Hunter and Becca Denney and Scorers Stephen Park and John Garnett and to Piper Hole Dairy Goat Farm for the catering on the day.

The final results were as follows:

Junior Raft Race: 1st – Grayrigg YFC, 2nd – Lowick YFC, 3rd – Eden Valley YFC, 4th – Crook YFC

Senior Raft Race: 1st – Kent Estuary YFC, 2nd – Grayrigg YFC, 3rd – Eden Valley YFC, 4th – Sedbergh YFC

The award for the Best Looking Raft was judged by Gary Parsons and Diane Barnes and was awarded to Kent Estuary YFC for their picnic bench raft.