YOUNG farmers from the Okehampton area have been celebrating their successes at their annual dinner.

The event, celebrating the 66th anniversary of Okehampton and District Young Farmers' Club, was held at Okehampton Golf Club on January 7.

The dinner was attended by 47 members of the club, who were congratulated on their successes by club president Ruth Maile.

The guest speaker for the evening was Exbourne dairy farmer and milk retailer William Dunn, a former club and Devon County Young Farmer chairman. Mr Dunn's wife Andrea presented trophies to many of the young members.

The Perpetual Challenge Cup for the member gaining the highest number of points at the group rally at Okehampton Show was won by James Heard, who also won the K A Stevens Cup for the boy with the most points. The cup for the girl with the most points was awarded to Harriet Bullingham.

Hannah Packman won the cup for over 18 girls with the most points, while Darcy Heard won the over 18 male cup and the cup for best club sheep, for raising the best sheep couple.

The Roy Wadman memorial cup for the member under 18 who contributed most over the past year was won by Giles Heard, who represented the club at county ­and group level at badminton. The cup for the most contributing member over 18 was awarded to James Heard, who has been instrumental in driving the club forward, bringing together a tug of war team and represented the club at county and group meetings.

The trophy for Okehampton Young Farmers' Club member of the year was awarded to John Maile, who attended meetings regularly, had entries at the group rally and county show, and brought strength to the tug of war team, all whilst fulfilling his duties as the club treasurer.

On behalf of the club, Graham Francis received the Okehampton Carnival best comic tableau cup.

The club's president Ruth Maile said: 'The club is going from strength to strength. I'm really pleased that we're now doing a much greater variety of activities, like the dung run raising money for the North Dartmoor Rescue Group.'

The forthcoming programme for the club demonstrates the variety of activities they take part in, and certainly lives up to the motto of 'Fun, learning and achievement'. The club's entertainment competition 'Five Minutes of Fame' will take place on January 30, whilst mid-February will see the beef stock judging.

There will also be a repeat of last year's hugely successful dung run, in which club members sell farmyard dung to gardeners to raise money for charity. Anyone wishing to order a bag of manure for their garden, which will be delivered on February 6, can order by contacting James Heard on 01837 54575.

Further information on the club is available from club secretary Kathryn Allen on 07810 444256, or by going to the Okehampton YFC page on Facebook.