Under 35s Launched

holding the future of the Club in their hands. Virginia Masser explains their re-launch as the Under 35s

AS with many things in life the Under 30s section was affected by Covid challenges. After making a telephone call or two and having some initial conversations, it seemed the time had arrived to re-invigorate the Under 30s.

Andrei and I held various meetings with the Committee members to enable this to happen, covering a lot in our various discussions, including: • Their views for the future

• How the Under 30s needed to change in line with current day needs; lifestyles have changed, with

Under 30-35s far more interested in forging ahead with their careers these days

• The Under 30s rules, which the Under 30s are free to change within their

Committee. Some changes were required to ensure a fair process is followed at all times, in a way that suits the current day means of communication and pace of life

• The Committee structure, including the Under 30s Jill

Willows representatives

• The Under 30s Club budget and how it should be used to benefit more members

• The Jill Willows fund used for training and development of this section of the membership

• How our Under 30s section aligns with other London clubs

The voting also took place for this year’s key positions within the Under 30s and we were delighted to announce that Alice Hind became Chairman in January and Emily Pile her trusted Vice Chairman.

WHAT AN EXCITING YEAR!

Along with the exciting news of the Under 30s becoming the Under 35s we have had two fantastic events – the very successful Black & White dinner and our Summer Festival – attracting new and established members, and those who have not been to the Club in a long time. It is such a joy to see everyone enjoying all our Club has to offer. At the Summer Festival last year’s Under 30s Chairman, Eleanor Kay, talked about her current exploits. Should anyone be interested in speaking at one of our dinners, or know of anyone who may be, please do let us know. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure within the industry. We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone at our next scheduled event September’s Shoot Dinner. For details of further events see Under 35s news in Andrei’s emails, the Club website and ‘The Farmers Club U35s’ Facebook page.

Contact Alice Hind for more information c/o The Farmers Club • 020 7930 3557 generaloffice@thefarmersclub.com

A questionnaire was also created and sent out to the Under 35s membership database, gaining excellent feedback and helpful pointers to incorporate into the developments.

As a result of these excellent discussions, and the results of the questionnaire, various changes were made to create the building blocks for the future. One of these changes was the now permanent invite for Under 30s Committee members to attend the main Club Committee dinners – a great way for all Committee members to seek a greater understanding of the Club, its members, its views and its future.

The one element that required the main Club’s vote was the proposal that the Under 30s become the Under 35s, a change that now suits this element of the membership and embraces those between 30 and 35 that have got lost in life and don’t align to any section of Club membership, often losing their identity with it.

So, it was agreed this would be trialled for six months with a final vote at the 2022 Club AGM. It was presented to the membership at the AGM, with an explanation of the reasoning, and was voted through as a positive way of moving forward.

Ladies and gentlemen we can officially announce that the Under 30s is now the Under 35s.

2022 has already seen some fabulous events take place on this wave of newly found enthusiasm, creatively assisted by Craig our Member Experience Manager and on one occasion (as per the fun and unwritten Under 35s Club rules) attended by Club Chairman, John Lee.

After this Journal went to print the Summer Weekend was set to take place, with a dinner in the Club, and farm walks were also in the planning.

We look forward to seeing a thriving Under 35s over the coming year and beyond.

In 1963 Club Chairman John Rowsell proposed a Junior Section, for those under 26 years of age, which first met in 1964. It soon developed into the Under 30s and by 1989 comprised 10% of the Club’s membership, with an active programme of dinners, talks and farm walks. Many Under 30s members have subsequently become Club Chairmen.

The informal Cheese & Wine Evening was attended by 25 Under 35s

Alice Hind - Under 35s Chairman

Striking decorations made for a great atmosphere at The Black & White Dinner for 40 Under 35 members

Emily Pile - Vice-Chairman