A Busy Summer of Shearing Courses
British Wool held over 130 two-day shearing courses this year attended which were attended by over 800 all benefiting from learning a new skill or developing their technique and knowledge. Supporting the next generation and shearers is an important part of British Wool’s role, and it’s encouraging to see the quality of shearing we have here in the UK, on our farms, but also on the competition stage.
Below, we’d like to share feedback from Colin Jones, who attended a recent course:
“Firstly, I would like to thank you for arranging for me to attend the shearing course at Hurstley Court. I just wanted to let you know that the instructors were amazing and really helpful. They were clearly very knowledgeable, and it was clear that they have a passion to train others in the art of shearing. They structured the two days perfectly which meant we were all able to pace ourselves. They added in a section about how to sharpen cutters and combs plus a couple of reflective practice demonstrations to remind us of what to do and when.”
Several in-shed training days were also held where an instructor works with shearers for a day at their place of work – we’ve received feedback from many who found these days particularly beneficial.
In July, August, and September we have shearing courses available for anyone wishing to shear lambs or ewes, including wool handling and support anyone wishing to travel abroad this winter. There are several courses available online, and once again, we can provide in-shed days for lamb shearing.
Also, if you are thinking of traveling this winter, we have instructors available to visit you or a group, providing advice and shearing knowledge.
Richard Schofield, Shearing Manager, British Wool, said:
“The organising of the courses is very much a team effort, and I thank our UK instructors for all their hard work and commitment in supporting the next generation and our shearers.”
To find out more about upcoming courses, visit Shearing Courses
Lamb Shearing Masterclasses:
British Wool will be running master class lamb shearing courses in August with guest instructor Justin Bell from New Zealand and Matt Smith.
These courses will be on Romney lambs and a great opportunity to improve your lamb shearing and gear selection. These courses will be covering the whole of the UK.
For more information, click (visit Shearing Courses ) or contact 01274 688666 or email [email protected]
Shear Brilliance – Huw achieves a new British Shearing Record:
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.
Two Welsh Shearers team up to achieve a new British Shearing Record:
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 in 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 at British Wool, 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. Well done, Alun.
Two Welsh Shearers team up to achieve a new British Shearing Record
On the hottest day in Wales this year, Gethin Lewis from Rhayader and Llyr Evans from Aberystwyth were successful on Saturday in their shearing challenge in 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 7 am at Gethin’s family farm in Cwmdauddwr, Rhayader, and after four shearing runs, the last ewe was shorn at 5 pm, 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 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.”
Gareth Jones, Head of Member Engagement at British Wool, said: “On behalf of British Wool, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Gethin and Llyr on their incredible achievement. Setting a Shearing Record requires not only personal dedication and skill but also the collective effort of a strong support team. We commend everyone involved in making this success possible.”
British Wool recognises the importance of promoting excellence in the shearing industry and celebrates milestones that reflect the hard work and passion of those within the farming and wool community.
The Welsh Air Ambulance and Brain Tumour Research were the nominated charities, with fundraising taking place during the day.
More information is available at
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gethllyrbritishrecordattempt
Welsh shearers attempts British Shearing Record
All eyes were on Machynlleth in Mid Wales over the weekend, 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.
The record took place at Hendreseifion, the location of another record achieved by local shearer Meirion Evans 12 months ago.
After months of preparation, the record attempt started at 7 am and concluded at 5 pm 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 shearer attempting but are 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.”
Huw concluded by thanking everyone who had attended on the day to support him, and the charities supported by the record, the Welsh Air Ambulance & Aberdyfi Search and Rescue.
Gareth Jones, Head of Member Engagement, British Wool said: “On behalf of British Wool we offer huge congratulations to Huw on his successful record attempt. This was a display of high-quality shearing, and Huw should be very proud of his achievements.”
“We appreciate the hard work that goes on behind the scenes in holding a record and therefore offer congratulations to everyone who has helped and supported Huw in successfully setting a new British Shearing Record.”
Welsh shearers attempts British Shearing Record
After 12 months of training and preparation, two Welsh Shearers are gearing up for a shearing challenge in July. Gethin Lewis from Rhayader and Llyr Evans from Aberystwyth will be attempting the 8-Hour Two Stand British Ewe Record.
Ahead of their record attempt, British Wool met with both Gethin and Llyr:
Where are you from?
Gethin: Cwmdauddwr, Rhayader, Mid Wales
Llyr: Trawsgoed, Aberystwyth
Details of your farm/shearing business
Gethin: I have grown up on Glan Elan Farm and lived there all my life. We farm over 1,000 breeding ewes and have a 60-head suckler herd – all the stock is finished on the farm.
The shearing business is in partnership with my friend Ryan and was passed down to us in 2022 from Oliver Rees, whom I started shearing when I left college at the age of 17. Our shearing season begins in mid-May and finishes just after the Royal Welsh Show.
I have shorn in Norway for 5 seasons, and attained the shearing run there from Ross Thompson in 2023.
Llyr: I live on the home farm of Hendre Rhys , and we have about 300 ewes, which are Romney and Aberfields. We also rear a few calves
The shearing season starts early shearing down in Dorset at the end of April for Henry Mayo. This continues until the beginning of June, and at that point I return home shearing for my father, Gerallt, and do a few days for Gethin and Ryan as well.
In previous years I have worked in Scotland shearing for William Dickson in the Borders for 3 years, and also once for Matthew Seed in Turriff, Aberdeen
I also enjoy travelling the world shearing and have completed six seasons in New Zealand for Brendan Mahony and in Norway for four seasons in the autumn, and also three in the spring
I have also shorn in Denmark with my father a few times.
Personal and Professional Achievements
Gethin: There are many, but winning the Champion Shearer of Wales at the Royal Welsh in 2023 & 2024 and representing Wales for three seasons in New Zealand, being a part of the first ever Welsh test match team to win on New Zealand soil with Llyr Jones are up there as highlights for me. Others would include winning the Great Yorkshire Show and Llysfasi Shears in 2023, as well as winning the Welsh Lamb Circuit Final in the same year at Cwmdauddwr Shears. I have been a part of the Welsh speed shearing team for two seasons, winning speed shear test matches in New Zealand and in Australia at the Wagga Wagga Speed Shear in 2024. Since the summer of 2025, I have also been a shearing instructor, which I enjoy.
One of my biggest personal gains from being within the shearing industry is that I’ve met so many new people who all want to help one another. I’m grateful to have made some lifelong friends and memories in various countries, all with shearing at the forefront.
Llyr: I have attended several British Wool shearing courses, which I’d recommend to anyone wishing to learn or develop their shearing skills.
Other achievements would include making a few intermediate finals in New Zealand in 2019-20. I have shorn a few tallies in the UK and New Zealand, including 734 in 9 hours as well as qualified for a few open finals in the UK.
I feel very fortunate to have shorn with many excellent shearers, meeting lots of good people, and making great friends and memories.
Tell us what motivated you to attempt the record
Gethin: Since being involved with Nick Greaves and Llyr Jones’ 9-hour lamb record in 2022, it inspired me to want to attempt one myself. So, in 2023, we set out a Personal Best/Tally Day to see if I could shear 700 in 9 hours. I managed to shear 737, which motivated me further to try a record attempt with Llyr Evans, who shorn a tally of 734 in 2024.
Llyr: I have helped with several records and enjoyed being involved and supporting the attempt.
I always enjoy being surrounded by hard-working people, which makes me push myself a bit more to get to their level
Advice to up-and-coming shearers.
Gethin: Work hard, get your gear and grinding correct from the start. Always ask for help and advice, as every day is a school day. Get out to New Zealand for a shearing season as soon as you can and really enjoy the learning process every season.
Llyr: Work hard, but make sure you enjoy yourself at the same time
Go on a shearing course as these are an excellent way to learn and continually improve.
Proudest moment in shearing
Gethin: Winning Champion Shearer of Wales in 2023 and retaining the title in 2024 to remain in the Welsh test team for another 12 months.
Llyr: Having a good group of friends who are willing to help me achieve my goal.
Who has been your inspiration?
Gethin: I have watched, shorn with, learned from, and become friends with some of the best shearers in both the UK and the World over the years, I couldn’t just pick one.
Llyr: My father has been a big influence in getting me into shearing and letting me travel all around the World. There are so many other people I have worked with who have given me a lot of help and guidance over the years. It’s impossible to pick one from so many great people.
Gethin and Llyr’s record attempt will take place at Glan Elan, Cwmdauddwr, Rhayader, LD6 5HG.
The record will start at 7 am on Saturday, 12th July 2025.
All eyes of the shearing community will be on Wales in early July as four Welsh shearers attempt three British Shearing Records.
Huw Jones, a 27-year-old Welsh shearer Abergynolwyn in Mid Wales will attempt the 8-Hour Solo Ewe British Record on Saturday 5th July.
Shearing normally starts for Huw at the end of April in England before coming back home to Wales to shear from the end of May. Huw shears with his friend Gwydion and they’ve shorn together for several years on local farms, and the aim is always to finish shearing by the Royal Welsh Show so he can enjoy the show!
In recent years, many shearing records have taken place, and Huw comments: “Seeing Matt Smith, Rowland Smith, Gareth Daniel, and Ian Jones achieve their records, planted a thought in my mind that I would like to do something like that one day, but realised I was years away from it! After waiting patiently, I finally achieved a long-term goal 2 years ago in New Zealand, shearing 554 lambs in 8 hours. But I still wasn’t satisfied. I wanted to do 600, so when I got home, I asked my brother if I could try and do a personal best on his sheep. Thankfully, he agreed, and then on the 12th of July 2023, I shorn 704 ewes in 9 hours. That was the big motivation to attempt a record. I set my goal for about 2 years and chose the record I wanted to attempt to break!”
After 12 months of training and preparation, Gethin Lewis from Rhayader and Llyr Evans from Aberystwyth will be attempting the 8-Hour Two Stand British Ewe Record on Saturday, 12th July.
Both Gethin and Llyr farm at home and have experience of shearing not only in the UK but around the world.
In terms of achievements, both commented:
Gethin: “There are many but winning the Champion Shearer of Wales at the Royal Welsh in 2023 & 2024 and representing Wales for three seasons in New Zealand, being a part of the first ever Welsh test match team to win on New Zealand soil with Llyr Jones are up there as highlights for me. Others would include winning the Great Yorkshire Show and Llysfasi Shears in 2023, as well as winning the Welsh Lamb Circuit Final in the same year at Cwmdauddwr Shears. I have been a part of the Welsh speed shearing team for two seasons, winning speed shear test matches in New Zealand and in Australia at the Wagga Wagga Speed Shear in 2024. Since the summer of 2025, I have also been a shearing instructor, which I enjoy.
“One of my biggest personal gains from being within the shearing industry is that I’ve met so many new people who all want to help one another. I’m grateful to have made some lifelong friends and memories in various countries, all with shearing at the forefront.”
Llyr: “I have attended several British Wool shearing courses, which I’d recommend to anyone wishing to learn or develop their shearing skills. Other achievements would include making a few intermediate finals in New Zealand in 2019-20. I have shorn a few tallies in the UK and New Zealand, including 734 in 9 hours, as well as qualified for a few open finals in the UK.
“I feel very fortunate to have shorn with many excellent shearers, meeting lots of good people, and making great friends and memories.”
When we asked about what motivated them to attempt a shearing record they said:
Gethin: “Since being involved with Nick Greaves and Llyr Jones’ 9-hour lamb record in 2022, it inspired me to want to attempt one myself. So, in 2023, we set out a Personal Best/Tally Day to see if I could shear 700 in 9 hours. I managed to shear 737, which motivated me further to try a record attempt with Llyr Evans, who shorn a tally of 734 in 2024.”
Llyr: “I have helped with several records and enjoyed being involved and supporting the attempt. I always enjoy being surrounded by hard-working people, which makes me push myself a bit more to get to their level
The third record will a previous Champion Shearer of Wales winner and Welsh shearing team member Alun Lloyd Jones, from Llangollen, attempting the 9-Hour British Ewe Shearing Record.
When and where………………
Huw Jones record attempt will take place at Hendreseifion Farm, Llanwrin, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8QQ.
The record will start at 5 am on Saturday, 5th July 2025.
The Welsh Air Ambulance & Aberdyfi Search and Rescue charities will be supported on the day.
Gethin and Llyr’s record attempt will take place at Glan Elan, Cwmdauddwr, Rhayader, LD6 5HG.
The record will start at 7 am on Saturday, 12th July 2025.
The Welsh Air Ambulance and Brain Tumour Research charities.
Alun Lloyd Jones shearing record will take place at Blaenbwch, Maesmynis, Builth Wells, LD2 3HU.
The record will start at 5am on Friday 4th July.
Eif’s Ewing Sarcoma Research Fund will be supported on the day.
Welsh shearer attempts British Shearing Record
A 27-year-old Welsh shearer will attempt a shearing record in July. Huw Jones from Abergynolwyn in Mid Wales will attempt the 8-Hour Solo Ewe British Record.
For approximately 6 months of the year, Huw’s normal shearing routine would be spent between here in the UK and New Zealand. The rest of the year would be farming on the family farm, along with some contract sheep dipping alongside his brother.
Huw said:
“As far back as I can remember, farming has always been my main passion. I would always be outside farming with my parents, and when staying with my grandparents. Luckily for us, Mum and Dad have always included me and my brother in a lot of farming decisions from a young age (sometimes too young), but it helped us learn how important it is to consider all aspects before making a decision.”
Shearing normally starts for Huw at the end of April in England before coming back home to Wales to shear from the end of May. Huw shears with his friend Gwydion and they’ve shorn together for several years on local farms, starting with the rams and yearlings and then on to the ewes and mountain flocks. The aim is always to finish shearing at the Royal Welsh Show so he can enjoy the show!
In terms of personal achievements, graduating as an Agricultural Engineer from Harper Adams University would be one of them. Huw says:
“Although I don’t fully use my degree now, it was important to me, even though I loved shearing and farming, that I always had something I could fall back on, education and learning are never a waste and always a good thing.
Another personal achievement was winning the Louise Owen Memorial Shearing Scholarship, which allowed me to travel to New Zealand to shear for Brendan Mahony in Napier. I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity, and I still go shearing for Brendan every year.”
In recent years, many shearing records have taken place, and Huw comments:
“Seeing Matt Smith, Rowland Smith, Gareth Daniel, and Ian Jones achieve their records, planted a thought in my mind that I would like to do something like that one day, but realised I was years away from it! After waiting patiently, I finally achieved a long-term goal 2 years ago in New Zealand, shearing 554 lambs in 8 hours. But I still wasn’t satisfied. I wanted to do 600, so when I got home, I asked my brother if I could try and do a personal best on his sheep. Thankfully, he agreed, and then on the 12th of July 2023, I shorn 704 ewes in 9 hours. That was the big motivation to attempt a record. I set my goal for about 2 years and chose the record I wanted to attempt to break!”
Finally, as the day of Huw’s attempt draws closer, he concluded:
“I have a few proud moments in shearing, and winning the Senior Championship in Corwen Shears was a personal highlight. There are many shearers and people outside of shearing who have inspired me in different ways, but for me, Rowland Smith has always been a big inspiration. Not only is he an outstanding shearer in shows/records and in the shed, but he also has an incredible work ethic. I could never manage lamb shearing until I watched Rowly shear lambs in front of me; that is when I finally stopped making excuses of being too tall for lambs and found a way to get it done.”
31 Years at British Wool
Gareth Jones, Head of Member Engagement at British Wool, will be a familiar face with many farmers and stakeholders across the UK. This year marks Gareth’s 31st year working for British Wool (across two periods, 1990-2004 and 2008 to present)
As British Wool marks its 75th Anniversary, we meet with Gareth to discuss 31 years at British Wool and 35 years within the agricultural industry.
When did you start with British Wool?
Technically, I started in 1988 with a summer job when I was at college studying a BTEC in Business and Finance. When I finished college, I was asked if I was interested in the Administrator role at the depot in Denbigh, North Wales. I accepted and became employed full-time in 1990. My role was responsible for all depot administration, and the intake and dispatch sections.
What would you say are the biggest changes from then to now?
My waistline would be the first thing!! Back then, everything was done manually; I had no computer or mobile phone, no email, WhatsApp groups, text messages, it was all done on a landline and pigeon……………sorry, paper and pen. Letters would be sent in the post to members confirming their collection details, etc. All the paperwork from the depot, such as receipts of wool and grading details, was sent to the Welsh Regional Office in Newtown, where the information was inputted onto the farmer’s account ready for payment.
In terms of the depot, much has changed, such as the packing machines. We used to have the old bank bottom packing machines that were bigger-sized bales and not as heavy as the current bales, which produce smaller and heavier bales. Core testing of wool is key, so buyers at the auction have the confidence to buy the product they need. Back in the early 90s, it was all done manually, whereas since the late 90s, a machine has been developed.
You left British Wool in 2004 for 4 years. What did you do then?
I was aware of proposals to close the Denbigh depot and had always been quite ambitious – this encouraged me to try something different. I was appointed County Executive Officer for the Farmers Union of Wales in 2004, covering the four North East Wales counties. The role managed the union’s activity across the counties, including membership, communications, policy, and political engagement. This was a role I thoroughly enjoyed. I learnt so much during my short period with the Union. The opportunity to return to British Wool cam up in 2008 and the opportunity was too strong as I was returning to an organisation I’d worked in for 14 years and firmly believed in the important role and principles of British Wool as an organisation representing farmers.
What is your role at British Wool?
The role has evolved over the last 17 years to what it is today. I am very proud to be the Head of Member Engagement and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at British Wool. I’m not sure what the 19-year-old Gareth Jones would have said in 1990, but it has been and continues to be a role and organisation I thoroughly enjoy working for. Along with the Member Engagement team, I am responsible for managing all member-facing activity, including marketing, communications, stakeholder engagement, and customer service.
In 2017, I spent 8 months working as Operational Improvement Manager for the business, supporting the UK depot network on productivity and identifying improvements across the business.
How have things changed in the last 17 years?
In terms of my role, many things have changed, such as technology and the various platforms and applications available to support our marketing and communication efforts. The different ways of communicating with members have changed, for example, social media, digital, direct communication via email or text, and various electronic newsletters such as Graze and Shear News. Although traditional communication remains important through the press, face-to-face, and postal, the communication options available to us today make it easier, quicker, and more cost-effective to communicate with our members.
What does the future hold?
I see a bright future for British wool; there is a lot of interest in the fibre our members are producing, and the number of brands wanting to use British wool. Long may this and British Wool continue to be a strong voice and representation for UK sheep farmers.
British Wool and the IWTO
We have been a member of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) for many years. It is the global authority for standards in the wool textile industry. Since 1930, the IWTO has represented the collected interests of the global wool trade. Members come from all stages of the wool textile pipeline, from farm to retail.
Working with the IWTO is crucial for British Wool. Andrew Hogley, CEO at British Wool, explains:
“A critical part of the IWTO is that it sets the global standards for wool testing that all wool growing nations are subject to. These are the tests that all the lots we sell at auction go through at the Wool Testing Authority Europe (WTAE), in Caernarfon. This gives our buyers third party verification on things such as yield, vegetable matter, micron and colour of the wool.”
The (WTAE) is the only IWTO-accredited laboratory in the Northern Hemisphere, making it a vital hub for independent wool testing. Located in the UK, WTAE carries out rigorous testing on wool from across Europe to ensure it meets international quality standards. British Wool is proud to be WTAE’s largest customer, demonstrating our commitment to traceability, consistency, and high performance.
The same trusted testing standards are applied globally – wool from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa undergoes identical procedures to guarantee fibre quality. WTAE plays a key role in upholding the reputation and reliability of the global wool industry.
Andrew continued: “Another crucial part of IWTO is that it brings the global wool community together.”
“We are all facing the same challenges; falling sheep numbers (and therefore wool volumes), prices below where they need to be and wool being attacked on many fronts on animal welfare and the environment.
“This allows us to go to market with a unified voice, as we always say to our members, we are stronger together, and given wool only makes up 1% of global fibres this is also true in the general wool industry.”
We recently attended the IWTO annual industry conference in Lille. Where our CEO Andrew had the opportunity to speak about some of British Wool’s recent successes and ongoing initiatives. His presentation highlighted the positive impact of our contract grading services, particularly in regions such as the Isle of Man and Southern Ireland. Where this approach is helping to improve wool quality and returns.
Andrew also addressed some of the significant challenges facing European wool growers, especially the difficulties they encounter in getting their wool to market due to logistical and economic barriers.
Andrew concludes: “In the UK around 80% of the wool comes to market with 20% being utilised on farm, whereas in mainland Europe, the opposite is the case.
This is because there is no British Wool alternative in mainland Europe working on behalf of the farmer, European farmers are dependent on private buyers often paying rock bottom prices or even have to pay to get the wool disposed of in some instances. Attending the conference this year, it was very apparent that although we face many challenges in the UK with regards to wool we are in a much stronger position than our European counterparts.”
British Wool 1950-2025:
Working on behalf of our members for 75 years:
This year marks 75 years since British Wool was established to support UK farmers and promote the industry globally.
Many things will have changed during that time, but the one thing that remains is the support British Wool offers its membership from the organising of shearing courses, a UK network of over 100 collection sites, engaging with consumers on the unique benefits and characteristics of British wool to working with over 170 manufacturers using the fibre.
Originally located in London, British Wool relocated to Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1967, which was, and remains, the heart of the textile and wool trade in the UK.
As the interest in wool and British wool grew, in 1972 the Shepherd’s Crook mark was trademarked and launched. The logo to this day reassures consumers of the provenance of wool within a product, and currently, British Wool has over 170 manufacturers as part of the brand licensee scheme.
Due to a shortage of shearers during the 90s, to support the next generation and ensure the UK maintained its long history and tradition of this vital rural skill, in 1999, British Wool committed to providing shearing courses and a training programme. Over the years, this grew, and this year over 100 courses will take place. British Wool is very proud of the quantity and quality of shearers we have in the UK, and also to have the World Shearing Champion and World Wool Handling Champion, Gwion Lloyd Evans and Rosie Keenan, respectively, based here in the UK.
Selling products off the farm by auction is a tried and tested method, with wool no exception. In 2003, a significant change in the selling of wool took place with the first electronic wool auction, replacing the traditional open-cry format. This improved the efficiency of selling wool, and it was 18 years later that the British Wool auctions became fully remote and online during the 2020 Covid pandemic.
2010 saw the launch of the Campaign for Wool, a global initiative to promote wool to consumers and launched by HM King Charles III when he was HRH The Prince of Wales. This campaign continues to this day with many wool-producing nations across the world collaborating to promote wool’s versatility and environmental benefits.
Two key developments in recent years for British Wool were the online marketplace launched in 2021, which provided consumers with a one-stop shop for authentic British wool products, and in 2022, the British Wool Traceability Scheme was introduced to promote the origin of end products.
Keep an eye out for more on the 75th anniversary over the coming weeks and months, including a series of Depot Open Days taking place during September and October.