Ally at the Helm

Jillian and Ally standing in field on a sunny day

Alan Robertson

Monday 29 April 2024 - 17:08

Alistair (Ally) Brunton has been elected as the latest Chair of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC). Ally (27) from East Fife JAC was officially appointed at the Association’s AGM held on Saturday 20^th April, stepping up from his position as National Vice.

He is already looking forward for the year ahead and said:

“I'm absolutely delighted to be appointed as National Chair of SAYFC. I have gained a huge amount from Young Farmers since I joined East Fife back in 2012, so to have the opportunity to give back and lead this amazing organisation is an honour. The Association is in a strong position, largely due to the hard work of outgoing Chair Jane Strawhorn, so I would like to thank her for everything she has done.

We have a strong team across all national and regional committees this year, and I'm excited to see where their enthusiasm and dedication can take us over the next year.”

As Ally mentioned he inherits the position from Jane Strawhorn of Crossroads YFC, under whom, the association has enjoyed a year of growth and positivity. In an emotional final report, she addressed those gathered at the AGM, remarking on how the last 12 months had been “the best year” of her life and encouraging members to “enjoy every moment” and “seize every opportunity” that Young Farmers sends their way.

Working alongside Ally this year will be the newly appointed National Vice Chair Jillian Kennedy of Aberfeldy & District JAC. Jillian (28) has spent the last year guiding SAYFC’s work in the East Region as Regional Chair and is excited to be moving up onto the National Stage:

“I am delighted to be taking on the role of National Vice Chair. I am really looking forward to working with Ally and all our national and regional committees over the coming year. SAYFC is a fantastic organisation with so much to offer its members and I look forward to another incredible year within the organisation building on existing opportunities and striving for more for the membership.”

The month of April also saw each of the Association’s 6 National Committees hold AGMs in order to elect office bearers for the year ahead. The appointments for 2023/24 are as follows:

Agri & Rural Affairs

National Chair- Scott Dey (Inverurie JAC)
National Vice Chair- Fraser Graham (Crossroads YFC)
West Region Chair- Jack Young (Carluke YFC), East Region Chair- Christina Smith (Edinburgh JAC), North Region Chair- John Forbes (Bower YFC)

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