Members of Somerset Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) recently attended sheep shearing training at Bridgwater College’s Rodway Farm at Cannington, to enable them to improve their skills prior to competing at the County Rally, with the best members progressing onto the Royal Bath & West Show representing Somerset YFC.
The session was delivered by Andy Wear, a British Wool Marketing Board instructor and master shearer, and assisted by Tom Wall, a Bridgwater College instructor, from Highbridge YFC. It was co-sponsored by Fox Brothers, Wellington, British manufacturers of the world’s first woollen, worsted, cashmere and flannel cloth.
Bridgwater College is the region’s leading provider of land-based skills training and apprenticeships and has recently invested £3 million in a new Agriculture Innovation Centre at the College’s Rodway farm in Cannington. Nearly 30 young farmers signed up for the free training over two Saturdays.
As a result of the training Andy was able to award one bronze and four blue seals. The British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) issues blue, bronze, silver and gold seal certificates. Blue seal is notionally equivalent to the NVQ Level 2 and bronze, silver and gold seals are notionally equivalent to NVQ Level 3. The blue seal is a pre-requisite to entering sheep shearing competitions such as at the YFC Rally and the Bath and West Show.
A prize, of a hat made in English wool was provided by Fox Brothers for the most improved shearer over the two training days. The winner was Will Hooper, 19, from Bridgwater, from Polden Hills YFC, who is currently an Engineering Apprentice with Bridgwater College, employed by Higher Heathcombe Farm in Enmore.
Jeremy Kerswell, Head of Land-based Studies at Bridgwater College said,
“I am pleased to see that so many Somerset Young Farmers have taken the opportunity to attend these training sessions in what is the 10th anniversary of the merger of Cannington College with Bridgwater College. This type of activity and our work with the Young Farmers is key to our strategy of staying true to our roots and continuing to be the most successful provider of agricultural training and skills in the South West.”
Sam Harvey, an 18 year old carpenter from Farrington Gurney Young Farmers Club said,
“I have recently started helping out a contract shearer and wanted to pick up new skills and improve my technique. Not very many people can shear sheep and we need more young people to take it up!”
Alex Isgar, 26 and self-employed from Wedmore Young Farmers Club said,
“I really enjoyed the training. It’s the first time ever I’ve got the wool off in one go. My family has pet sheep and I came today as I wanted to learn something new.”
Douglas Cordeaux, Managing Director of Fox Brothers said,
“Thank you to all the Young Farmers for taking part in the sheep shearing training and a special well done to Will for being the most improved shearer. Fox Brothers is really proud to be taking part in this project, we hope it raises awareness of British Wool as well as the price.
“When I was watching everyone shearing it made me much more aware of the work that goes with sheep farming. We now have to make the public aware and encourage them to wear more wool! We plan for the shearing training to be an annual event and will continue to work with both Agriculture and Fashion and Textiles students at Bridgwater College.”
