A member of Eardisley YFC in Herefordshire, Bethan Anthony describes herself as a ‘die-hard' young farmer.
A member of the federation since she was 10 years old, Bethan has had a varied career in YFC which led her to be the only Herefordshire county chair to have a two-year reign from 2020 to 2022, kickstarting the county after the Covid-19 pandemic.
She may be a schoolteacher by day, but nearly every Wednesday and Sunday evening since Christmas Bethan has spent her time in Eardisley village hall, with 30 fellow young farmers acting up – for the annual YFC drama festival.
After winning their county and regional round, Eardisley are bound for Leamington Spa where the National Federation of Young Farmers final will be on April 20 and 21.
See also: FG Live: New Young Farmers conference to be held in Blackpool
This is not the first time Eardisley YFC has got this far in the 18 years that Bethan has been a member, qualifying for national an impressive five times, three of which in the last five years.
In Leamington Spa, the club will battle it out against seven other clubs from across England and Wales.
Experience
Although being from an agricultural background and both of her parents working within the industry, Bethan is not directly involved in agriculture, but this has not tarnished her experience in the federation.
A seasoned performer, Bethan has been a part of 14 Eardisley performances with this being her last competing year. In her time, she has been nominated for Best Actress five times.
It is in the on-stage and public speaking competitions which Bethan believes she has got the most out of YFC and which have helped her to get where she is today.
She says: "Without YFC I do not believe I would have the confidence to be a teacher and hold a role like county chair. I was surprised when I attended university how few people could speak in front of people, which is a skill I gained from a young age through the organisation."
See also: FG Live: New Young Farmers conference to be held in Blackpool
Being dyslexic, Bethan can find learning her lines a challenge, but says she has never been judged for this in her club, who have always helped her with any challenges.
To start, they have a few script read-throughs in their designated roles to help people get to grip with their lines before they start to act out the individual scenes for six weeks before the county round.
The club have a cast of around 30 members every year, with a role available for everyone who wants one.
Bethan says: "I am usually given a comical role and not much of a dancer, so I usually sing.
"Our producers are good at helping to get the best out of each member. If people are shy, they often help backstage or move scenery for the first year to help them build confidence on the stage and seeing how everything works."
Memories
Bethan says that the competition is one of her favourites because it brings so many members of the club together.
"Now I am an older member, I can see the impact the performing arts competition has on younger members.
"It is such an intricate competition, with so many different layers not all of which can be seen plainly from the audience," she says.
Taking place after Christmas, the competition helps to keep the club engaged following the festive season.
Reflecting on her on-stage career with YFC, Bethan says she has played a variety of roles, from a bear that did not speak throughout the whole production, to a leek where she wore a children's play tunnel, and a tine tuner singing tea lady..
"My first year, I played a Merryman and wore a pillowcase as my costume, I soon realised I should not take myself too seriously," she says.
One of her favourite memories is when Eardisley performed their 2019 national winning drama for locals and more than 650 people came to watch the production in a shed. Caught by surprise, the club were trying to find chairs from numerous village halls before the curtains opened.
With her time in the federation about to draw to a close, Bethan says that this competition has made her realise her love for the stage and is keen to help the club in future productions and join another performing club.
This year she carried out her first on-stage judging role for the One Plus competition in the neighbouring county, Brecknock.
About Eardisley's qualifying performance
Their production of Lavender and Lunatics has been produced by ex-members, Annie Rees, Emma Turner and Lynn Davies and is an all-age performance comprising of 30 members, from 11-28 with nearly half aged under 16.
The play is described as a comedy of life imitating art in a play, within a play, within a play. The club says they have laughed in every rehearsal and are hoping the audience enjoys it as much as they enjoy performing it.
Bethan's top tips for the stage
1. Never say no, even if you feel silly
2. Do not do things halfheartedly, that is when you will feel silly
3. Lines are not the most important part of a role
4. Serve your time doing less desirable roles
5. Listen to your producers, they have been in your shoes
6. Just because your friends stop doing the competition, does not mean you should
7. Project your voice
