A summer of Shearing Records
Welsh shearer sets a new British shearing record:
Meirion Evans, an experienced Welsh shearer, succeeded in his record-breaking attempt in July shearing 791 sheep across nine hours.
Meirion, 25, from Machynlleth, North Wales had been busy preparing for this challenge for months and all his hard work and commitment paid off with Meirion setting a new 9 Hour British Ewe record shearing 791 ewes.
The first sheep was shorn at 5 am at Hendreseifion Farm and the last sheep at 5 pm with the 791 total achieved in 9 hours spread across 5 shearing runs.
At the end of his successful record attempt, a delighted Meirion said: “It’s difficult to put the feeling right now into words. Although it was me shearing, the entire record’s success is down to a huge team effort.”
Meirion continued: “This record would not have been possible without the help, support and commitment of so many people, too many to name individually. From the family at Hendreseifion for hosting the record, the pen men who were there with me all day, the farmers for supplying their sheep, the wool wrappers, those supporting me with my gear and all my family and friends – without all of you, today would not have been possible.”
DPJ Foundation is the record attempts nominated charity and more information and an opportunity to support is still available at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/elen-pugh?utm_term=3gQz2xGJx
Staffordshire shearer gears up for his World Challenge
Staffordshire-based shearer Nick Greaves has been preparing for a World Shearing Record attempt which will take place on his home farm in Stafford this coming Saturday (3rd August)
An experienced shearer, Nick will be attempting to break the current 8-Hour World Lamb Shearing Record currently held by Jack Fagan of New Zealand who shorn 754 lambs in 2022.
Nick, 29, farms in partnership with his parents, running 1,350 ewes, 500 ewe lambs and 150 cattle. Nick has been contract shearing since he was 16 years old and started going on British Wool courses with Hywel Jones from that age until he was 20. As well as shearing here in the UK, Nick has also sheared in New Zealand and Italy throughout his career.
On his upcoming World Record Nick said: "I did a 2 stand British record in 2022 with Llyr Jones and I set the new single stand record which was beat a week later. I wanted to use my experiences from the record in 2022 as a stepping stone in getting onto the World Record ladder."
On who inspired him, Nick added: "Lots from within shearing have inspired me but someone who has believed in me from day one is Pete Chilcott from New Zealand who always told me I was good enough for a record and never doubted me. Pete gave me confidence when I needed it most and got me through a tally day, which we did in 2020 in the build-up to the first record. He has taught me the lamb pattern I use today."
On his achievements to date, Nick said: "My best personal achievement to date would be having a mini-me follow me around the farm all day – Eric is 3 and a half and is farming/ shearing mad. My best shearing achievement would be winning the English National, the Open and Six Nations at this year's Royal Bath and West Show. I had been second in the National twice previously but had never won the National before. It was always a goal in my career after watching Adam Berry win it year after year as I was coming through the grades."
Cancer Research UK will be the record attempts nominated charity with fundraising taking place during the day. Like many, cancer has touched Nick's family following his Nanna passing from the disease and Nick's dad being diagnosed with oesophagus cancer three weeks before his record in 2022. Nick's dad went through two bouts of chemo, had a major operation to remove the cancer and is now in remission and on the road to recovery.
More information is available from Nick Greaves's Solo 8-Hour World Lamb Shearing Record Attempt (cancerresearchuk.org)
Scottish female sheep shearer World Record attempt:
Since announcing last August that she was going to attempt a world record, Scottish female sheep shearer Una Cameron has been on a strict exercise and dietary regime under the guidance of personal trainer Matt Luxton, who has trained over ten World Shearing record holders.
Una’s World Record attempt will take place on Wednesday 7th of August on the farm of British Wool Ambassador and World Record holder Matt Smith in Cornwall. The challenge before Una is to shear more than 458 ewes in 9 hours. The current World Record was set on the 9th of February this year by Sacha Bond in New Zealand. She bettered fellow Kiwi shearer Kerri-Jo Te Huia’s record (452) of six years standing, by six.
Over the past three decades, Una has worked in a predominately male profession and has more than held her own. Following her shearing season in New Zealand, during the Scottish winter months, Una has been working with Matt Smith before she came home to the Borders for her shearing run.
Since the record was announced, Una has had a management team working behind the scenes, fundraising and organising all the details, so she can focus on her shearing and training.
On her upcoming World Record Una said: “I have always wanted to attempt a World Record and after over a year of preparation, I’m only a matter of weeks away. It was good spending time down South working mainly on Poll Dorsets, but the weather has made it very challenging for both me and the sheep this year with the constant rain and it’s been so cold.”
Una continued, “I came down to Cornwall on the 19th of July to work on Romney ewes before the big day. To beat the record by one, I will have to average a minute and nine seconds a sheep all day.”
Preparation for any shearing record is key, especially a World Record and Una’s preparation includes regular exercise lifting weights three days a week, doing mobility three days and cardio on a Sunday. “I’ve just started using an ice bath – OMG – the first time I lasted a minute and was watching every second tick by! I’ve now coped with two minutes. It aids recovery, but I’m not convinced!”
“The diet has fancy recipes, which I don’t have enough time to make, but basically if it swam, walked or grew in the ground, I can eat it. But unfortunately, you can’t throw a Snickers bar in the air and say it flew!” she jests.
Gareth Jones, Head of Member Engagement, British Wool said: “On behalf of British Wool we offer huge congratulations to Meirion on his successful record attempt and are delighted to be supporting Nick and Una to help them achieve their goals and wish them both the best of luck."
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