Young farmers across Cornwall have been treading the boards with a show stopping performance, thanks to significant financial support from rural insurance firm Cornish Mutual.

A variety show full of sketches was held recently at St John’s Hall in Penzance by the Cornwall YFC with sponsorship to the tune of £1,000 from the Truro-based company, which insures around two thirds of Cornwall’s farmers.

Praze YFC was the group that won the county final with an ‘X-Factor’ themed show, Launceston YFC came second and Liskeard YFC took third place. Prior to the grand finale event supported with the bursary, there were two rounds held in Penzance and Liskeard with five teams from across the Duchy taking part.

Gerald Haines, county organiser for Cornwall Young Farmers, said: “We’re very fortunate that Cornish Mutual has continually supported our drama activities since the early nineties. The sponsorship goes a long way in helping us to achieve our goals and if it wasn’t for the grassroots help from Cornish Mutual, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. The drama competition is just one of the many activities our Young Farmers get involved in throughout the year.”

Cornish Mutual’s local Inspector, Jackie Coutts, added: “This is part of our overall support for young farmers across Cornwall – it reinforces our commitment to this really important group of people. We’ve supported young farmers for many years and have a very longstanding relationship with Cornwall YFC. We’re delighted to be working with them to support their events, which have been great fun.”

As well as sponsoring Cornwall Young Farmers, Cornish Mutual also supports Devon and Somerset clubs. Cornish Mutual, which has offices in Truro and Exeter, employs 65 staff across the South West.

Founded by a group of Westcountry farmers in 1903, Cornish Mutual is the only general insurer based in the South West.  Even today, the company is still owned by its Members, and remains at the heart of rural communities throughout Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

Although staying true to its origins in agriculture (around two thirds of Cornwall’s farmers are Members), Cornish Mutual now provides household, commercial, events and personal accident insurance to Members of all descriptions, living or working throughout the South West countryside.