DURING the Second World War a group of young famers formed a club by placing a simple report in the Peeblesshire news.

And although this was a period of devastation and destruction, it was also a time of communities coming together to create something special to survive these trying times.

Members of Peeblesshire’s Junior Agricultural Club owe a great deal to those past members who embarked on a dream to start the club in May, 1944.

The formation of the club proved to be popular and it had 210 members by the time of the first annual general meeting.

Changes came about in 1946 when the Club joined the Lothians Association of Junior Agricultural Clubs which had been formed one year previously.

The year 1951 saw the Peeblesshire Young Farmers’ Club become the Peeblesshire Junior Agricultural Club as it is known today.

This year the club and its members will celebrate its long and proud history with a series of events.

The young farmers will swap muddy boots and grubby overalls for ball gowns and dinner jackets at the 25th Anniversary Ball on May 25 at the Marquee West Linton Green.

The club will also be taking a trip down memory lane by publishing a commemorative book which will feature profiles of previous members.

Past members are being invited to tell their stories by detailing the number of years they spent in the club and also note if they held any office bearer positions during that time.

The current committee are also interested to know if anything significant happened during the years members spent in JAC that “shaped their lives today”.

But the big question they really want to know is if Peeblesshire Junior Agricultural Club was the place you found love and had your fairy-tale ending.

Perhaps you met someone within the club or from another Young Farmer’s Club?

Jennifer Jeffery, who is on the committee for the anniversary celebrations, said: “Peeblesshire JAC has gone from strength to strength throughout its 75 years with an increasing number of members year on year.

“The benefits of being a member of such an organisation are wide ranging and I think we can all agree that each member leaves young farmers with lots of new skills they can apply throughout life.

“The 75th Committee are looking to celebrate and record our achievements through the publication of our 75th Anniversary Commemorative book.

"We'd like to encourage each past member or anyone who's been involved with Peeblesshire JAC to get in touch with us and contribute''

Information and pictures for the commemorative book should be sent to peeblesshirejac@hotmail.co.uk

Anyone wishing to find out further details about the ball and how to purchase tickets should enquire via email.