A FINE time in Finland was enjoyed by West Devon teenager Gemma Bowden who recently embarked on an exchange trip to the Scandinavian country, organised through Devon Young Farmers.

Gemma, from Drewsteignton, is a member of Cheriton and Tedburn Young Farmers, and won a scholarship to travel to Finland along with ten other junior young farmers from clubs across the county.

In July, the eleven YFC members and two leaders played host to a group from 4H (the Finnish equivalent of YFC).

The visitors were taken on a farm tour of Bicton, saw the Eden Project, went horse riding on Exmoor, spent a day by the sea at Exmouth and visited the Mid Devon Show Dance.

The new-found friends were reunited a week later when the Devon contingent flew from Heathrow to Helsinki.

Gemma and the others stayed with host families at the village of Tuuri, close to the city of Seinajoki, on the west of Finland.

The Devon youngsters visited the National 4H Festival, where they were able to try painting, canoeing and stone engraving as well as joining in the making of a massive horse out of willow.

The youngsters also enjoyed drama and live bands, learning some traditional Finnish dances along the way.

Other highlights included a traditional Finnish sauna, glass-blowing, a baseball game, a zoo and an evening river cruise.

Gemma and her fellow travellers agreed it had been an amazing opportunity to learn about Finnish culture and the contrasts between the two lands. The exchange scholarship was made possible thanks to Devon international links person Peter Reed.

Some great friendships were established by the exchange with Cheriton and Tedburn Young Farmers gathering to meet Helie who Gemma hosted, welcoming their guest with a barbecue and playing rounders.

It has been a busy summer for Cheriton and Tedburn YFC, as well as the group rally where many members received awards, there was the successful foam party, the profit from which will be used for YFC 60th anniversary celebrations in Exeter later this month.

The club also recently held a disco at Fingle Glen and a paint-balling day.

Anyone interested in joining Cheriton and Tedburn Young Farmers can contact Sarah Toms on 01647 24270 or attend one of the section?s meetings every first and third Tuesday of the month in the Spalding Hall, Cheriton Bishop.