NEW British sheep-shearing records were set last week by two Welsh shearers.

Gareth Daniel and Ian Jones had set out to beat the existing 'Nine Hour Two Stand' British lamb shearing record at a specially-organised event, supported by the British Wool Marketing Board, which took place last Friday at Llysfasi Agricultural College, in the Welsh town of Ruthin, in Denbighshire.

In the end, the boys sheared a record-smashing combined total of 1457 lambs – while Gareth also set a new Nine Hour British lamb shearing record with his tally of 781 lambs, beating the previous tally of 537.

Gareth, aged 33 from Penegoes, near Machynlleth, took up shearing aged 19 as a means of getting to New Zealand. Today, he is a beef and sheep farmer and contract shearer. His shearing partner, fellow farmer 36-year-old Ian, is from Hundred House near Builth Wells. He manages a flock of predominantly Beulah Speckled Face sheep and finishes store calves.

Speaking afterwards Gareth said: “We owe our success on the day to the many helpers from across the shearing industry who brought the lambs forward, packed the wool and provided help and support in the build up to the day. Setting a record like this is a real team effort.”

Both Ian and Gareth are effectively trained athletes and the BWMB suggested that they face the very same physical and mental challenges that the Olympic athletes in Rio have been facing. Certainly, such shearing records cannot be attempted without months of hard training and preparation, both in the gym to build and maintain fitness, and on the shearing circuit.

On hearing they had reached their goal Ian said: “A day’s shearing like this is the physical equivalent of running three marathons, so we were both fully aware that stamina, mental and physical strength and adrenalin would all be required to achieve our goal.”

During the last three weeks, UK shearing has also seen Matt Smith and Ivan Scott breaking World Records to go with Gareth and Ian's new British record.

BWMB chairman Ian Buchanan commented: “Competitions helps take us to the next level, transmitting enthusiasm to the next generation. Gareth and Ian have both attended BWMB’s shearing courses and we are very proud of their achievements. They are, without doubt, ambassadors for the industry and role models for young shearers just starting their shearing careers.”

The BWMB regularly supports competitions and organises shearing training throughout the UK, providing both new and established shearers with skills and techniques passed on from expert instructors. More than 1000 shearers each year benefit from its courses.

North Wales BWMB board member Bedwyr Jones, who witnessed the new record and, along with other family members, provided a large number of lambs sheared, added: “Wales is one of the great sheep nations within the UK and I’m delighted the records have been set here in Ruthin. British wool is sought after around the world and a high profile event such as this is an excellent way of further raising the profile of the wool industry.”

Gareth and Ian would like to thank the following for their kind sponsorship and support of their record attempt BWMB, Lister Shearing, HCC, Agrimin, Oink Oink, Cig Maethlon, Agricamera, Ifor Williams Trailers, Milfeddygon Dolgellau, For Farmers, Castell Howell, Kiwi Kit, Dei Foulkes, L E Jones Haulier Limited and Coleg Cambria.