Meet the Team – Depot Ops
As part of British Wool’s 75th Anniversary, we caught up with the Depot Operations team who oversees the depot operations across the UK, including our eight grading depots. With 100 years of experience in the industry. We caught up with Billy Hewitson, Head of Operations, Colin Jarvis, Area & QHSE Manager, and David Swinton, Area Manager, to find out more about their work.
Firstly, introduce yourselves to us:
Billy:
I’m from Paisley in Renfrewshire and have worked for British Wool for 40 years. I started working for Scottish, English, and Welsh Wool Growers in 1985 at the main depot in Paisley.
Colin:
I grew up in a small village just outside Stamford. Starting in the wool industry in 1990 at Central Wool Growers (CWG), an independent grading depot, as a seasonal temporary worker. The plan was to stay for a couple of months before starting college. But soon realised how much I enjoyed the business and was interested in pursuing it further.
After working through the first busy summer season. I was offered a 5-year trainee Grader apprenticeship, which I gladly accepted. Growing up within the agricultural industry. My father working on Arable farms all his life. Before that, my grandfather was a shepherd in Norfolk. I feel I was always destined for a career in agriculture!
David:
I was brought up and spent all my life in the Tweed Valley. Living on a farm up to the age of 12 and then moved to the local mill town of Innerleithen. My family has a Fencing Contracting business in the area, which gives me a good knowledge of how farming works and the challenges involved.
When did you join British Wool?
Billy:
Starting work in 1985 in the main depot in Paisley. We then moved to Hillington in Glasgow in 1986, where I performed every job at the depot. From sweeping the floor, intake, packing, and grading. We were taken over by the British Wool Marketing Board in the mid-1990s and moved to Irvine. In the early 2000’s where I progressed to head grader. Moving onto depot supervisor and depot manager, a short time later.
Colin:
I was with CWG for 31 years until 2021, when it closed as part of the British Wool restructure. After completing my apprenticeship, I worked as a grader until 2003, then was promoted to Head Grader. Co-managing the depot from 2013, until its closure. In 2021, joined British Wool as a Quality Control Manager for Southern England & Wales. Which gave me responsibility for overseeing the grading and technical standards at our depots. It had always been an ambition of mine to reach this position.
David:
Starting my British Wool career on my 16th birthday in May 1984 on a 4-year apprenticeship at Stewart & Ramsden in Galashiels (part of the British Wool group). Following qualification, spent the next 18 years as a wool grader. Not only in Galashiels but also working at the Carlisle and Irvine grading depots and Ulster Wool in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Becoming an Assistant Manager at Galashiels in 2006, and then Depot Manager between 2009 – 2017. Managing the wool sorting side of the business. Completing 41 years of service to British Wool.
What did the role of being a Depot Manager entail? Describe a typical week in the role.
Colin:
My role was very hands-on, part of the grading team while also managing the day-to-day warehouse operation. Over the years, did all the different jobs in the warehouse, which helped in managing the staff. Involved in recruiting and managing the staff and ensuring we were working to British Wool’s grading standards.
David:
A typical week as a manager is organising the workflow for the grading team, making sure the wool is also managed into the depot during the busy summer months. Galashiels was the biggest depot in Scotland, and we managed the intake of wool from Northumberland, South Scotland, Fife, and Perthshire. Loving the challenge of always getting as much wool to the door, which could be as much as 1,000 sheets per day during the peak of July and August.
Tell us more about the role you are currently in and what this entails.
Billy:
As the years progressed and different management took over British Wool, my job changed. Firstly, took on the role of Wool Sales and Quality Control for the UK and Northern Ireland. After a couple of years, in 2021, took on my current role of Head of Operations, where I oversee the depot network, purchase our consumable stock, deal with any day-to-day issues at our sites, among other jobs!
Colin:
Involved in ensuring our quality standards are being met and ensuring our trainee graders are meeting our requirements. My role has moved into managing Operational activities across the network with Billy & David. Also work with our depots to ensure we are meeting our own Health & Safety requirements, adhering to our legal obligations, whilst also looking at new ways to update and streamline our processes.
David:
Current role is as Area Manager for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Northern England. This is varied, from Quality Control visits to depots and trainee grader monitoring, which is every 6 months. Managing the UK collection centre network and am currently focused on finding new sites across the UK. Going from office work to hands-on, such as driving an FLT, to sometimes grading wool.
We are a small team covering the UK, so never stuck for a job to do!
Do you have an anecdote or experience to share from your time at British Wool?
Billy:
A funny story from my time as a depot manager. The depot was broken into early one morning, as the key holder and manager, I was called out. Once I arrived, there were police everywhere, and I asked to go into the depot to see if there was any damage. The police said I couldn’t go in as there may still be someone inside and they were waiting on the police dogs turning up. Police dogs arrived and duly searched the building and found no one on site. Police officer then asked if they could perform a 15-minute training session with the dog in the depot due to all the wool and agricultural smell of the depot, they wanted to hide in a skep of wool, cover themselves with wool, and let the dog try and find them, to which I agreed. After 15 mins of training, the police officer came out of the depot with dog, the officer was covered head to toe with wool. She must have chosen a skep of the hairiest, most kempy blackface I had at the depot. The dog did find her; she went away happy and rather woolly!
Colin:
A few months ago, I was offered the opportunity to appear on BBC’s Countryfile, the episode was centred around Bradford and the part it has played in the wool industry over the years. It was fantastic to be involved in, and Sean Fletcher and the Countryfile team made it a great experience. It took me out of my comfort zone, but sometimes you need that!
David:
I can’t think of anything but having a good sense of humour and being a team player goes a long way.
As we celebrate 75 years, how important is British Wool and the collective marketing of wool in the UK today?
Billy:
One of the greatest steps forward that I have seen in 40 years is the addition of our traceable system. This allows us to trace every member’s wool straight through our intake, grading, and packing system, and then allows the sales team to auction the wool as traceable, which generates a better return for our members.
75 years of British Wool is a fantastic achievement; British Wool plays a vital role in ensuring UK sheep farmers receive a fair return for their fleece. By operating a collective marketing system, it grades, packs into bales of the same type of wool, and sells wool on behalf of its members. This not only guarantees quality for buyers but gives members a better return and guaranteed payment than they may achieve elsewhere.
Colin:
British Wool role in the agricultural sector is as important as it was 35 years ago when I joined the industry, providing a reliable service whilst offering greater flexibility in how farmers can get their wool into us is vital. Our grading process remains largely the same over the years, but it remains a key part of ensuring consistency and instilling confidence for the onward supply chain.
David:
The British Wool auction system is the driving force, and as sheep numbers decrease in the UK, this will only increase demand and give confidence to farmers that British Wool works for them.
Our Licensing Scheme Continues To Expand
Our licensing scheme continues to expand helping to drive new demand for members wool. Meet some of the new brands on board….
Championing the reduction of single use plastic in horticulture, Wool Pots was born in 2020 and won The Wool Innovation Award in 2022 and is going from strength to strength. The knitted pots allow more oxygen to the roots which promotes stronger root growth and plant health. The wool also insulated against heat, cold and retains water better, using 20-30% less water. With over 500 million plastic pots being sent to landfill in the UK every year and a black plastic pot taking 450 years to breakdown into microplastics- it is wonderful to see British wool help to combat this problem.
One of Huddersfield’s oldest active weaving mills. Born in 1782 as an artisan laboratory, today it produces fabrics using only naturally dyed and finished wool, without chemical additives. The range of products is wide, made up of various elements including Covert Twill, used in the past for the Upholstery of Rolls Royce.
Founded by knitwear designer/maker Jessye Boulton in 2021 who trained in fashion knitwear and knitted textile design at Winchester School of Art. Jessye take inspiration from the dramatic, rugged coastlines and raw, untouched moorlands of the surrounding landscapes of West Cornwall.
A contemporary British brand with a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
Their first collection includes their beautiful Richmond woollen throws and cushions as well as their Serenity bedding range.
Linwood is championing Romney sheep in their latest wool collection. The wool has been finished to give it a luxuriously soft texture, making it the perfect choice for upholstery as well as curtains. British wool makes for a durable, eco-friendly, stain- and fire-resistant by design, and it has been piece-dyed to provide an alluring array of colour. We look forward to seeing it pop up in interiors across the UK in the coming years.
A collaboration between London City Farms and Ossian Knitwear. This pilot project united 10 London Farms, combining their wool for commercial processing. The finished yarn and products are offered back to the farms at cost, generating vital funds to support their running costs.
Lanifico Luigi Zanieri (Italy)
Founded in 1952 and dedicated to producing premium-quality apparel fabrics 4. With a fully integrated, in-house production process—including dyeing, spinning, and weaving, ensuring the highest standards of quality and reliability.
Meet Mike Berry
Mike Berry will be a familiar face to many farmers after 45 years working at British Wool in the South West of England. We met up with Mike to talk about his career in the wool industry.
Firstly, introduce yourself:
I was born on the 2nd of July 1960. Married Jackie in 1982, I have two boys, Nick (41) and Liam (39). Two grandchildren, Beatrice (12) and Spencer (5). I started with British Wool on the 14th of June 1976, my mum’s birthday. I retired after 45 years in 2021.
Tell us about your career at British Wool?
I started at the Buckfastleigh Depot as a casual, then I went on to run the bale store before becoming an apprentice grader around 1983.
The depot at Buckfastleigh closed in 1991 and I moved to the Liskeard Depot as a grader. I then moved to South Molton in 2007 as Depot Manager and retired at the end of August 2021.
When I started at Buckfastleigh the drivers delivered wool loose in the back of trailers and we carried by hand to the grading table. Once we graded the wool back in the early days. We didn’t have lines like we do now but bins where the wool would be moved into. Once there was enough for a bale, the bailing machine staff moved it to the bin and filled with wool. Machinery in the depot has certainly improved for the better. The way we grade wool hasn’t changed from the first day I started. Which is very specialised and shouldn’t change
The Buckfastleigh Depot had three floors. The bottom floor was the bale store. The middle was for the grading. The top floor we used four times a year for wool bale samples from the South West Depots (South Molton, North Tawton, Liskeard, Launceston, Buckfastleigh) ahead of the auctions. The buyers would view the samples on a Monday and Tuesday. We held the auction on a Wednesday at a hotel in Exeter.
What did the role of being a Depot Manager entail? Describe a typical week in the role.
A typical week as a Depot Manager (certainly not 39 hours) was organising staff, dealing with hauliers delivering wool and collecting sale wool, speaking with members, making sure collection sites were running smoothly, dealing with contractors and grading wool daily.
I enjoyed most aspects of working for British Wool especially the shows, but most of all spending as much time as possible at the grading table. Being a Depot Manager, I found working on the production floor was the best way of getting the most out of your staff, my least favourite part was doing office work.
As British Wool celebrates 75 years, it couldn’t be more crucial that British Wool continues to provide a service for members and buyers. I believe if British Wool wasn’t there the UK wool trade would struggle to survive
I still support British Wool by judging at shows and meeting the many farmers I have met and become to know over the years.
Fleece presentation is key in maximising value and ensuring a high standard of product for processing
Excellent fleece presentation is essential to maximising the value of wool to our members. This starts with shearing; It’s important to shear the wool to a high standard, for when the wool is ready for sale.
After Shearing, we have some useful tips on fleece presentation
- Include dry belly wool with the fleece before folding the flanks towards the centre.
- Turn in the britch end and roll the fleece firmly and neatly towards the neck.
- After rolling part the fleece, and without twisting, tuck the neck wool firmly into the body of the fleece.
- The finished fleece stays firm and secure and ready to place in the wool sheet.
Some other tips when packing the wool
- Don’t mix hill wool with lowland wool. Kemp from hill wools can cause cross-fibre contamination.
- Don’t mix coloured wool and white wool. This can also cause cross-contamination.
Ensure the wool meets a high standard of presentation is also key for our buyers and those processing the wool. Richard Alderson, Head of Wool Sales, explains more:
“Whilst instances of polypropylene contamination in the wool we receive from our members are relatively low compared to wools from other origins, we have recently seen an increase in complaints from some of our auction buyers. Polypropylene contamination causes huge issues throughout the textile production chain, as it spins and dyes differently from wool and can lead to large financial claims.”
Richard adds: “Please ensure that during the shearing and rolling process that the area used is clean and free from any contaminants and use the British Wool bags and are clean and intact. If you believe any of the bags supplied are in a poor condition and may lead to contaminating the wool, please do not use them and contact your local depot/collection centre for replacements.”
More information
What To Do (Step By Step) – British Wool
Summer show season is in full swing, and we are making the most of it, connecting directly with our members, trade partners, and consumers through a busy calendar of events.
One of the season’s highlights was the Great Yorkshire Show, one of England’s most prestigious agricultural events and conveniently close to our Head Office in Bradford.
Graham Clark, Marketing Director, said: “The Great Yorkshire Show is a key platform for British Wool. It allows us to speak directly with our farmer members and engage consumers with quality British wool products.
“We also invite local licensees to join our stand, giving them a chance to sell their goods and showcase the breadth of innovation and craftsmanship in British wool. It always generates great interest and strong sales.”
We also made an impression on the fashion stage, participating in the event’s live runway shows and demonstrating wool’s versatility in contemporary fashion. A crowd-favourite, the shearing competition stage attracted significant attention, including two live segments on BBC Breakfast News, offering valuable national exposure for British Wool and the wider wool industry.
This year marked our first appearance at Groundswell, the regenerative agriculture event drawing record attendance. Our Wool Hub, featuring licensees and product showcases, received strong engagement from attendees keen to explore wool’s sustainability credentials and traceability.
Across Europe, we continue to build influence in the fashion and textile sector, attending multiple apparel shows where sourcing decisions are being made for upcoming collections.
Graham said: “We’ve spent the last few years building relationships within the fashion industry. Our new British Wool Sourcing Guides have played a key role; they bring together certified British wool cloth and yarn ranges from all our partners, offering brands an easy, traceable way to source genuine British wool. It’s the first time such a comprehensive collection has been presented in this way.”
The guides have also helped overcome long-standing misconceptions about British wool being too coarse for apparel.
“We’re now working with brands that had never previously considered British wool in their collections. The sourcing guides are shifting perceptions and opening doors.”
As we continue the momentum into the autumn, with our 75th Anniversary celebrations and Wool Month in October, events remain central to our outreach strategy.
Graham concluded: “Taking part in shows and events is a vital part of our approach. It allows us to connect with a wide range of stakeholders — from farmers and brands to the general public. These face-to-face conversations are key to raising awareness of the value British wool offers as a fibre, as well as helping to drive demand. With a busy schedule ahead for our 75th Anniversary celebrations and Wool Month in October, we’re looking forward to keeping that momentum going.”
Meet our Chairman from 1999-2011
Continuing our celebration of 75 years of British Wool. Graze recently met with Frank Langrish FRAgS, who was Chairman for 12 years between 1999 and 2011.
Tell us about yourself:
I am a partner in a family farm running around 4,000 Romney ewes and over 400 cattle. The sheep and cattle run on a low-input lowland grazing system, with the sheep predominately Romney or Romney crosses. The cattle are a suckler herd of pedigree Sussex cattle and purchased in Stores.
I had a lifelong interest in wool, as I am old enough to remember when half of our income came from it. Taking wool into the local “A” merchant or grading depot was a very important day, and my interest was probably deepened by receiving a ten-shilling note from Mr.Strouts, who ran Gregory and Prentis in Ashford when I was six years old.
I learnt to shear on an early British Wool training course at 16. When I was 18, headed off to the Southern Hemisphere and worked shearing, crutching and as a Rousie in the wool sheds. I went on to become a contract shearer in the south east and used to compete in competitions, becoming a Senior shearer in the English team.
When did you join British Wool?
I joined the regional committee which covered all Southern England and eventually became the Chairman of the committee. I became a Board Member in the mid 90’s. Then Chairman of British Wool in 1999 until 2011.
I am probably one of the few people who have seen the various offices and depots. The administrative HQ was originally in London but moved to the Depot at Clayton in Bradford. This site was too small and was eventually sold for housing. The head offices moved to the Euroway Trading Estate to the south of Bradford. The depot was on a separate site a short distance away. In around 2008, the site on Canal Road became available, and everything moved to where it is today in 2012.
During my time as Chairman, I made sure I visited all the depots and met the staff who did such a great job. It was inevitable, as the sheep numbers and weight of wool declined, that depots and staff numbers reduced and sadly have continued to do so.
What were some on the improvements and projects you worked on during your time as Chairman?
Several improvements were introduced. Including the first fully hydraulic packing machines, which were produced by Marsh Engineering, a company located on Romney Marsh. This company had previously manufactured presses for the hop industry.
I also found a way of compacting wool sheets so these could be transported better between collection points and depots.
The most significant improvement in my time was the electronic online auction system. Which was the first in the world. While there was scepticism from the buyers, it has now been well received. It did have a false start in that it was to go live in spring 2001 but FMD stopped that. It wasn’t until 2013 that it began. This revolutionised how wool was sold. Making stock control and invoicing a seamless operation. In the days of the open cry auction, every depot would send in wool samples to Bradford for the buyers to inspect. The costs of this were getting close to a million pounds a year. So, we decided on a wool testing operation, and now have WTAE in Caernarfon. Which analyses all the core samples from the bales, so the buyers have the technical info.
What were the biggest challenges during your period as Chairman?
My biggest challenge as Chairman was the reopening of export markets after FMD, especially China. This entailed visits to Shanghai and long discussions on how we could make the wool and the health certificates acceptable.
As we celebrate 75 years, how important is British Wool and the collective marketing of wool in the UK?
I was, for a short time, the President of the European Wool Group, and it was clear that without an organisation such as British Wool, there was no hope of wool values ever increasing. The organisation is the envy of Europe, with only Norway having an organised collection system now.
If British Wool ceased to exist, there would not be outlets for much of the wool and no one to help promote this excellent fibre.
We held over 130 two-day shearing courses this summer. 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. 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 had 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, our instructors are 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
We 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]
Huw Jones Sets New 8-Hour Solo British 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.
Gethin Lewis and Llyr Evans Break Two-Stand 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. 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
Congratulations from British Wool
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.
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 hace shorn together for several years on local farms. 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. 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.
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 we did manually. I had no computer or mobile phone, no email, WhatsApp groups, text messages. We handled using a landline and pigeon……………sorry, paper and pen. The office posted letters to members confirming their collection details, etc. All the paperwork from the depot, such as receipts of wool and grading details, we sent to the Welsh Regional Office in Newtown. Where the information we 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 had a brief break work at British Wool in 2004 for 4 years. What were you do then during this time?
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. The opportunity was too strong as I was returning to an organisation I’d worked in for 14 years. Firmly believing 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.