Champion Woolhandler

Born and raised from Corwen, Wales, Ffion Jones has been immersed in farming and woolhandling from a young age. Growing up on her family’s farm near Sennybridge, she developed a deep appreciation for the industry. Now, she supports her husband, Richard Jones, as he and his father run their family farm, managing both sheep and beef.

Ffion is an accomplished woolhandler with an impressive competitive record. She has won the Welsh Woolhandling Circuit four times and, in 2023, secured both the Welsh Circuit and Open Woolhandling titles. One of her proudest achievements came at the 2023 World Championships at the Royal Highland Show, where she and Sarah Rees claimed victory in the teams’ event—a moment that stands out as a career highlight.

Beyond competitions, Ffion is passionate about the wool industry and its future. As a British Wool Ambassador, she hopes to inspire and educate others about the craft she has been involved in for so long. She credits Gwenan Pawai as a key influence in her journey, admiring her knowledge, skill, and generosity in sharing her expertise.

While Ffion’s professional successes are remarkable, her greatest personal achievement is her three children, who remain at the heart of everything she does. Balancing family life with her love for wool, she continues to champion the industry, ensuring its traditions and skills are passed on to the next generation.

Farmer and World Shearing Champion

Based at Grugor Isaf, Bylchau in North Wales, Gwion Lloyd Evans has spent his life immersed in farming and shearing. Growing up on the family farm, he developed a deep-rooted passion for the industry, starting shearing at just 12 years old. While farming at home remains central to his work, he also spends summers shearing across the UK.

Gwion has made a name for himself on the shearing circuit, winning multiple open competitions and cementing his reputation as a highly skilled shearer. His proudest moment came at the Royal Highland Show, where he achieved an incredible double victory—winning both the World Machine Individual and Team titles, a testament to his dedication and expertise.

For Gwion, farming isn’t just a career; it’s a way of life. He wouldn’t want to do anything else, and that passion extends to shearing. As a British Wool Ambassador, he hopes to inspire the next generation to take up the craft and ensure the industry remains strong for years to come.

When it comes to inspiration, Gwion credits the many shearers he’s worked with and for, learning from their skill, work ethic, and commitment to the trade. Now, he’s carrying that knowledge forward, both on the competition stage and in the field, continuing to push the standards of shearing excellence.