YOUNG farmers clubs from Northumberland participated in two qualifier events earlier this month.

All 10 young farmer clubs from Northumberland made their way to Newbrough to take part in the Stock Judging and Tug of War qualifiers held at Thornton Towers farm by the kind permission of the Gibson family on Sunday, May 19.

Hexham Courant: The tug-of-war qualifierThe tug-of-war qualifier (Image: James Little Photography)

The event was hosted by Shaftoe YFC which will host this year's rally on June 1 at Beacon Rigg Farm, Langley and is open to the public from 11am.

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Hexham Courant: The event at Thornton Towers The event at Thornton Towers (Image: James Little Photography)

The day started at 9.30am and after all members had signed in, the stock judging began.

Competitors were required to judge beef, butcher's lamb, breeding sheep and dairy (at Peepy Farm) which involved placing the class of four into their order of preference and presenting their reasons to the judge. After the conclusion of the stock judging, members and spectators made their way to the cricket pitch where the tug-of-war competition took place.

Hexham Courant: Competitors judged beef, butchers lamb, breeding sheep and dairy at Peepy FarmCompetitors judged beef, butchers lamb, breeding sheep and dairy at Peepy Farm (Image: James Little Photography)

With nine junior, 10 female and nine male teams, they were split into two leagues with the top two from each qualifying for the final on rally day. After a very competitive afternoon, the teams that progressed were: Bellingham, Cambo, Haltwhistle and Stamfordham in the juniors; Cambo, Haltwhistle, Stamfordham and Whitley Chapel in the female and Cambo, Haltwhistle, Stamfordham and Whitley Chapel in the male class.