ALMOST 200 current and former members of Presteigne Young Farmers Club marked the club's 60th anniversary with a black tie dinner and dance.

The event, which took the best part of a year to plan, was deemed a great success and a fitting celebration of such a notable landmark.

Club President John Davies hosted the event at The Hill Farm and said it was only right the club should mark its history as they have a lot to be proud of.

“Listening to our speakers, it was amazing just how much the club has achieved during the past six decades,” he said.

“In addition to the many competition successes over the years, there were major charity fundraisers and a host of community projects in and around Presteigne.

“It has always been a strength of the movement that the club members organise all their events themselves and this celebration was another example of how well that works.

“Presteigne YFC and the wider Young Farmers movement play a key part in Radnorshire life and it's to be hoped this will continue for at least another 60 years."

Former members Harold Nicholls, Trevor Owens and Jonny Williams were the main speakers, while the immediate past chairman Will Rogers spoke on behalf of the club.

“It was really good to see so many of the current club members and their parents present for this landmark evening,” said Mr Rogers.

“As with all clubs, Presteigne has had peaks and troughs over the years, but we are pretty strong at the moment and hopefully our 60th anniversary celebrations will be the start of good things to come,” he added.

Mr Rogers joined the club's first-ever chairman Margaret Mills in cutting the celebration cake, while club members then provided entertainment before the evening was rounded off with a dance.

Presteigne YFC said afterwards that it would like to thank everyone who played a part in the organisation of the event and especially those former members who travelled long distances to join them for the evening.