Sam Jones of Bryneglwys wins national sheep shearing title

On a triumphant day for the Clwyd County Federation of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, second place also came to North Wales as another Clwyd member, Gethin Williams, claimed second.

Sam, who works on his family's beef and sheep farm at Penbedw in Bryneglwys, took top spot in the NFYFC Sheep Shearing final in Harrogate representing Ruthin Young Farmers Club.

The 23-year-old runs his own shearing business, SJ Shearing and carries out contract work for farmers here in the UK. Between November and February he works in New Zealand and spends March shearing in Norway.

Having finished second last year, Sam had some words of advice for aspiring shearers.

"Do a few courses, keep travelling and shear as many sheep as you can. Don’t give up and keep trying. Never hold yourself back."

Clwyd's Gethin Williams receives his second place in the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs Sheep Shearing competition from Jessica Rose (Image: National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs)

The young star of the shearing world underlined the importance of travel and going where the work is to become the best.

“New Zealand is completely different to Norway – you’re shearing on a much larger scale. There’s more sheep, more work and better shearing. There’s a good social side to it all too. It’s not just a job, it’s a good laugh. You meet people and learn lots.

“You have to keep going on the British Wool courses as you’ll keep on improving. There’s always room for improvement. I try to do a course every year.

“Get along to shows too. I always meet new people at the shows and get to know other people better. You can learn off other shearers and by watching. I’m not afraid of asking people their opinion on what sort of comb they’re using, for example. It’s good to chat to people with more experience than yourself."