The lack of affordable housing in rural areas, lack of jobs and the constant threat of poachers were the three top problems that Bridlington Young Farmers Club felt affected their lives in the countryside most of all when I visited them recently at Boynton Village Hall.

Second home owners were blamed for the property price hike that has taken place and although members reported that there had been some affordable housing built in Nafferton what had been built was generally regarded as being 'no bigger than a chicken hut'. One member reported that over 65 per cent of the homes in Flamborough were now second homes.

It was also felt that local job opportunities were few and far between, with the only work available being seasonal, during the summer months. Some of the members were particularly vehement in their opinion of poachers: 'They don't respect your land and they don't care about anyone or anything. They're just bullies, and you can't use self defence on them otherwise you'll get in trouble yourself.'

Whilst housing, jobs and poachers were the top three, others that also figured in their discussions were the lack of shops in villages and rural transport. Members were present from the villages of Boynton, Barmston, Skipsea and Nafferton on the day that the Post Office announced it was set to close many of its rural offices.

If this happens it could lead to all four being without any type of shop facility (Boynton is already without).

Interestingly, when faced with a vote regarding which subject affected the group the most it was affordable housing that came out on top, with poachers second and lack of shops in third place rather than jobs – but after a second vote, through the protestations of the exceedingly vocal Joe Ellis who championed the lack of support for farmers as his main concern throughout the evening the voting pattern changed with affordable housing, jobs and poachers all receiving an equal number of votes.

Joe did receive some support for his motion but it was still way behind the other three.