December 2004

Turkeys raise £s for YFC

Turkey talk: Left to right Brampton young farmers Philip Mattinson, Thomas Moscrop, club chairman Ian Ridley, Bob Gorst and James Mattinson.

Brampton young farmers are hoping the pounds their Christmas turkeys have gained will bring in the £s for club funds.

Members of the club have fattened 22 turkeys which they have entered for Harrison & Hetherington's annual Christmas poultry sale on Wednesday December 22 at Borderway Mart, Carlisle. They are aiming to raise a minimum of £150 towards their club's annual levy, which in turn will help cut membership costs.

Turkeys were supplied by local rearer Willie Roper at eight weeks old in September, weighing 8lbs apiece.

The turkeys' diets have been varied from nettles and turnip tops to digestive biscuits although cranberries and sage and onion have not featured, say the young farmers.

Competition will be tough for who will produce the heaviest bird - some are already over 20lbs - as well as for the best-dressed turkey.

"We used to finish a calf and sell them at a primestock sale to raise funds for the club but that came to an end during foot and mouth year," said club member and turkey rearer Bob Gorst, of Wetheral, who has kept his turkeys fit by letting them out for a run. Thomas Moscrop said: "We're looking forward to the sale to see how much money we can raise, but there won't be a dry eye in the house when we sell the turkeys!"

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