Shear Brilliance of Welsh shearers record attempts
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 they’ve shorn together for several years on local farms, and 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, and 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.
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