On Saturday, 5th July, all eyes were on Machynlleth in Mid Wales. Where Huw Jones, a 27-year-old Welsh shearer, was successful in his shearing record attempt. Achieving a new 8-Hour Solo Ewe British Record, shearing 663 ewes. This beat the previous record held by Martin Howlett of 539.
After months of preparation, the record attempt started at 7am and concluded at 5pm with hundreds of well-wishers in attendance to support and congratulate Huw.
At the end of the record, a tired but delighted Huw said:
“Today has been an amazing day, thank you to everyone who has helped me achieve what I have here today. There are too many people to name individually, but you all know who you are. Records are not just about the shearers attempt but very much a team effort. I could not have achieved this today without so many people. I thank you so much for the support you have given me.”
Huw continued by mentioning the support of his family:
“My family has always supported me to get me where I am today, no matter what I wanted to do, my family has always been there, and I thank them, it means so much. I’d like to mention my grandad, who is sadly no longer with us, but hopefully looking down on me today, he was the one who started me shearing.”
The charities supported by the record, the Welsh Air Ambulance & Aberdyfi Search and Rescue.
A week later, on the hottest day in Wales this year. Gethin Lewis from Rhayader and Llyr Evans from Aberystwyth were successful in their shearing challenge. Achieving a new 8-Hour Two-stand British Ewe Shearing Record. Gethin was also successful in setting a new British Individual Record.
Shearing started at 7am at Gethin’s family farm in Cwmdauddwr, Rhayader, and after four shearing runs, the last ewe was shorn at 5pm, with a combined total of 1,364 ewes shorn in 8 hours. The existing record was 1,075 ewes held by Martin Howlett and Jonny Roberts since 2019.
Both shearers were also up for the 8-Hour Solo Ewe British Record of 663 ewes held by Huw Jones from the previous week. Llyr shore 668 and Gethin became the new record holder, shearing 696 ewes.
Catching up with both shearers at the end of their successful attempt, Gethin said:
“I’m delighted that our attempt was successful. It’s been a 12-month journey preparing for today, but all the hard work has been worth it.”
Llyr agreed and said:
“All roads led to today, and I’m proud of what we have both achieved – it feels great to be a British Shearing Record Holder.”
Speaking about the hot weather, Llyr added:
“ The extreme heat made the challenge more difficult and at times during the day it was extremely difficult, and we both needed to dig deep to get through to the end.”
Both Gethin and Llyr wanted to pay tribute to all those who had supported their attempt, speaking on behalf of both, Gethin said:
“This record would not have been possible without the help and support of both our families. Thank you, it means so much to us both that we have achieved what we have here today. We’d also like to pay tribute to the support and commitment of so many people, too many to name individually. From the farmers supplying the sheep, pen men that were here with us all day, the wool wrappers, and all our family and friends – a huge thank you.”
The Welsh Air Ambulance and Brain Tumour Research were the nominated charities.
More information is available at
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gethllyrbritishrecordattempt
Gareth Jones, Head of Member Engagement said:
“On behalf of British Wool, we congratulate Huw, Gethin, and Llyr on their incredible achievements. Setting a Shearing Record requires not only personal dedication and skill, but we also appreciate the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, and therefore we offer congratulations to everyone who has helped and supported Huw, Gethin, and Llyr with their Shearing Records.”
A special mention to Alun Lloyd Jones who shorn 725 ewes in 9 hours on 4th July, raising funds for Eif’s Ewing Sarcoma Research Fund.
