RESULTS 2023
Junior Class sponsored by British Wool.
1st Ross Kehely
Total score 58.500
2nd Claire Thorpe
Total score 74.100
3rd Ben Perkins
Total score 79.700
Women's Class sponsored by Lee House Farm, West Sussex.
1st Marie Usher Smith
Total score 40.700
2nd Susie Parish
Total score 50.650
3rd Laura Barnard
Total score 75.750
Intermediate sponsored by NFU Southeast.
1st Sam Harvey
Total score 46.700
2nd Susie Parish
Total score 51.450
3rd Adam Perkins
Total score 54.750
Blades Novice sponsored by Blades Shear Gear Ltd.
1st Andy Pannell
Total score 71.850
2nd Sam Harvey
Total score 81.000
3rd James Lewis
Total score 95.350
Blades Open sponsored by George Mudge & Co
1st Andrew Mudge
score 86.734
2nd Micheal Churchouse
Total score 102.600
3rd Ed Goodfellow
Total score 105.083
Senior sponsored by Channons Country Store, Rye.
1st Clay Harris
Total score 59.666
2nd Jake Podger
Total score 70.483
3rd Harry Bishop
Total score 73.550
Open sponsored by Robins of Herstmonceux & Alan Kensett. 1st Matt Smith
Total score 69.450
2nd Llyr Jones
Total score 72.250
3rd Ed Gingell
Total score 76.050
Congratulations to Jon Roberts, winner of the Alan Kensett Trophy for the "Cleanest pen of shorn sheep" in the Open Final.
Southern Shears UK Results 16th July 2017
Novice Class
Sponsored by the British Wool Marketing Board 2 Lambs
1 George Ticehurst 34.267 points 4 min 53 sec
2 Grant Roffey 34.433 points 6 min 58 sec
3 Laura Charnock 38.200 points 7 min 36sec
4 Isaac Pragnell 76.200 points 12 min 36 sec
Junior Class Sponsored by The National Sheep Association South East Region 5 Lambs
1 George Dallaway 29.567 points 9 min 41 sec
2 Harry Bishop 34.133 points 8 min 52 sec
3 Holly Aprino 36.100 points 8 min 57 sec
4 Gary Gosnell 42.267 points 10 min 38 sec
5 Andrew Flake 53.600 points 10 min 24 sec
Ladies Class,
Winners cup sponsored by Jim Horne 3 Lambs
1 Marie Prebble 22.401 points 5 min 32 sec
2 Holly Aprino 41.201 points 5 min 26 sec
3 Laura Charnock 56.000 points 13 min 30 sec
Intermediate Class
Sponsored by RJ & JM Morris, and Phil Hart. 7 Lambs
1 Andrew Pannell 52.915 points 12min 04 sec
2 George Dallaway 54.050 points 13 min 01 sec
3 Harry Bishop 55.229 points 12 min 36 sec
4 Holly Aprino 56.450 points 12 min 29 sec
5 Jason Clay 60.443 points 11 min 06 sec
Novice Blades Class
Sponsored by Blade Shear Gear UK 2 Ewes
1 Jan Van Den Hardenberg 68.900 points 9 min 28 sec
2 Nick Flux 107.600 points 9 min 02 sec
3 Marie Prebble 114.950 points 8 min 49 sec
4 Angela Pearson 138.500 points 18 min 30 sec
Open Blades Class 5 Ewes
1 Andrew Mudge 77.850 points 15 min 33 sec
2 George Mudge 79.300 points 16 min 14 sec
3 Tim Collins 122.350 points 21 min 39 sec
4 Jan Van Den Hardenberg 124.700 points 19 min 02 sec
5 Nick Flux 143.650 points 20 min 57 sec
Senior Class 15 Lambs
1 Rob Wilkinson 65.800 points 18 min 40 sec
2 Alex Gilmore 68.567 points 18 min 26 sec
3 Andrew Pannell 79.000 points 21 min 44 sec
4 Marie Prebble 91.833 points 26 min 34 sec
5 Alex Olphert 108.183 points 31 min 49 sec
Open Class
Sponsored by Wairere UK 20 Lambs
1 Stuart Connor 66.900 points 18 min 27 sec
2 Ed Gingell 70.300 points 16 min 56 sec
3 Andrew Mudge 73.950 points 20 min 44 sec
4 Rob Wilkinson 80.100 points 22 min 21 sec
5 Malcolm Sweeney 83.500 points 23 min 57 sec
Cleanest Pen in the Wairere UK Open Final
The Alan Kensett Cup Malcolm Sweeney
Novice Class
Sponsored by the British Wool Marketing Board 2 Lambs
1 George Ticehurst 34.267 points 4 min 53 sec
2 Grant Roffey 34.433 points 6 min 58 sec
3 Laura Charnock 38.200 points 7 min 36sec
4 Isaac Pragnell 76.200 points 12 min 36 sec
Junior Class Sponsored by The National Sheep Association South East Region 5 Lambs
1 George Dallaway 29.567 points 9 min 41 sec
2 Harry Bishop 34.133 points 8 min 52 sec
3 Holly Aprino 36.100 points 8 min 57 sec
4 Gary Gosnell 42.267 points 10 min 38 sec
5 Andrew Flake 53.600 points 10 min 24 sec
Ladies Class,
Winners cup sponsored by Jim Horne 3 Lambs
1 Marie Prebble 22.401 points 5 min 32 sec
2 Holly Aprino 41.201 points 5 min 26 sec
3 Laura Charnock 56.000 points 13 min 30 sec
Intermediate Class
Sponsored by RJ & JM Morris, and Phil Hart. 7 Lambs
1 Andrew Pannell 52.915 points 12min 04 sec
2 George Dallaway 54.050 points 13 min 01 sec
3 Harry Bishop 55.229 points 12 min 36 sec
4 Holly Aprino 56.450 points 12 min 29 sec
5 Jason Clay 60.443 points 11 min 06 sec
Novice Blades Class
Sponsored by Blade Shear Gear UK 2 Ewes
1 Jan Van Den Hardenberg 68.900 points 9 min 28 sec
2 Nick Flux 107.600 points 9 min 02 sec
3 Marie Prebble 114.950 points 8 min 49 sec
4 Angela Pearson 138.500 points 18 min 30 sec
Open Blades Class 5 Ewes
1 Andrew Mudge 77.850 points 15 min 33 sec
2 George Mudge 79.300 points 16 min 14 sec
3 Tim Collins 122.350 points 21 min 39 sec
4 Jan Van Den Hardenberg 124.700 points 19 min 02 sec
5 Nick Flux 143.650 points 20 min 57 sec
Senior Class 15 Lambs
1 Rob Wilkinson 65.800 points 18 min 40 sec
2 Alex Gilmore 68.567 points 18 min 26 sec
3 Andrew Pannell 79.000 points 21 min 44 sec
4 Marie Prebble 91.833 points 26 min 34 sec
5 Alex Olphert 108.183 points 31 min 49 sec
Open Class
Sponsored by Wairere UK 20 Lambs
1 Stuart Connor 66.900 points 18 min 27 sec
2 Ed Gingell 70.300 points 16 min 56 sec
3 Andrew Mudge 73.950 points 20 min 44 sec
4 Rob Wilkinson 80.100 points 22 min 21 sec
5 Malcolm Sweeney 83.500 points 23 min 57 sec
Cleanest Pen in the Wairere UK Open Final
The Alan Kensett Cup Malcolm Sweeney
Southern Shears UK Results 17th July 2016
Novice Class
Sponsored by the British Wool Marketing Board 2 Lambs
1 Danny Wilson 29.533 points 5 min 01 sec
2 Laura Charnock 33.267 points 8 min 53 sec
3 Grant Roffey 36.233 points 6 min 37sec
4 Charlie Seal 38.367 points 6 min 41 sec
5 Tom Wood Woodroof 40.633 points 7 min 34 sec
The National Sheep Association Junior Class 5 Lambs
1 Marie Prebble 33.167 points 11 min 29 sec
2 Claire Sweeney 37.533 points 12 min 34 sec
3 Harry Bishop 38. 967 points 11 min 05 sec
4 George Dallaway 40.533 points 11 min 40 sec
5 Jack Mighall 42.533 points 13 min 22 sec
Ladies Class, Winners cup sponsored by Jim Horne 3 Lambs
1 Marie Prebble 31.500 points 6 min 10 sec
2 Susie Parish 31.533 points 6 min 24 sec
3 Jolene Cutting 31.666 points 6 min 00 sec
4 Claire Sweeney 34.000 points 7 min 26 sec
The Intermediate Class
Sponsored by RJ & JM Morris
7 Lambs
1 Sam Davidson 40.036 points 11min 55 sec
2 Susie Parish 51.836 points 14 min 51 sec
3 Jason Clay 60.472 points 11 min 38 sec
4 George Dallaway 61.879 points 15 min 29 sec
5 Marie Prebble 69.950 points 18 min 19 sec
Blades Class 3 Ewes
1 George Mudge 78.600 points 12 min 32 sec
2 Danny Wilson 87.016 points 15 min 27 sec
3 Andrew Wear 87.567 points 13 min 58 sec
4 Tim Collins 89.283 points 15 min 19 sec
Senior Class 15 Lambs
1 Darren Alexander 58.834 points 17 min 02 sec
2 Alex Gilmore 61.283 points 17 min 03 sec
3 Stewart Bourne 63.850 points 17 min 57 sec
4 Ed Goodfellow 64.450 points 18 min 33 sec
5 Ewen McDonald 67.817 points 18 min 43 sec
The Wairere UK Open Class 20 Lambs
1 Stuart Connor 65.800 points 18 min 24 sec
2 Ethan Pankhurst 67.350 points 18 min 32 sec
3 Ed Gingell 70.650 points 19 min 16 sec
4 Scott Gerke 76.200 points 20 min 21 sec
5 Malcolm Sweeney 79.000 points 23 min 33 sec
Cleanest Pen in the Wairere UK Open Final
The Alan Kensett Cup
Malcolm Sweeney
Novice Class
Sponsored by the British Wool Marketing Board 2 Lambs
1 Danny Wilson 29.533 points 5 min 01 sec
2 Laura Charnock 33.267 points 8 min 53 sec
3 Grant Roffey 36.233 points 6 min 37sec
4 Charlie Seal 38.367 points 6 min 41 sec
5 Tom Wood Woodroof 40.633 points 7 min 34 sec
The National Sheep Association Junior Class 5 Lambs
1 Marie Prebble 33.167 points 11 min 29 sec
2 Claire Sweeney 37.533 points 12 min 34 sec
3 Harry Bishop 38. 967 points 11 min 05 sec
4 George Dallaway 40.533 points 11 min 40 sec
5 Jack Mighall 42.533 points 13 min 22 sec
Ladies Class, Winners cup sponsored by Jim Horne 3 Lambs
1 Marie Prebble 31.500 points 6 min 10 sec
2 Susie Parish 31.533 points 6 min 24 sec
3 Jolene Cutting 31.666 points 6 min 00 sec
4 Claire Sweeney 34.000 points 7 min 26 sec
The Intermediate Class
Sponsored by RJ & JM Morris
7 Lambs
1 Sam Davidson 40.036 points 11min 55 sec
2 Susie Parish 51.836 points 14 min 51 sec
3 Jason Clay 60.472 points 11 min 38 sec
4 George Dallaway 61.879 points 15 min 29 sec
5 Marie Prebble 69.950 points 18 min 19 sec
Blades Class 3 Ewes
1 George Mudge 78.600 points 12 min 32 sec
2 Danny Wilson 87.016 points 15 min 27 sec
3 Andrew Wear 87.567 points 13 min 58 sec
4 Tim Collins 89.283 points 15 min 19 sec
Senior Class 15 Lambs
1 Darren Alexander 58.834 points 17 min 02 sec
2 Alex Gilmore 61.283 points 17 min 03 sec
3 Stewart Bourne 63.850 points 17 min 57 sec
4 Ed Goodfellow 64.450 points 18 min 33 sec
5 Ewen McDonald 67.817 points 18 min 43 sec
The Wairere UK Open Class 20 Lambs
1 Stuart Connor 65.800 points 18 min 24 sec
2 Ethan Pankhurst 67.350 points 18 min 32 sec
3 Ed Gingell 70.650 points 19 min 16 sec
4 Scott Gerke 76.200 points 20 min 21 sec
5 Malcolm Sweeney 79.000 points 23 min 33 sec
Cleanest Pen in the Wairere UK Open Final
The Alan Kensett Cup
Malcolm Sweeney
2015
First Open Class Win for Son of Legendary Sheep Shearer at Southern Shears UK
The Southern Shears UK sheep shearing competition took place on Sunday 12 July 2015 at Holmbush Farm, Faygate, West Sussex. The Open Class, sponsored by Wairere UK New Zealand Romneys, was won by Jack Fagan, son of legendary sheep shearer and five times World Champion Sir David Fagan. Jack Fagan,22, from Te Kuiti, New Zealand, sheared 20 lambs in 17 minutes 37 seconds accruing 61.75 points to achieve his first Open Class victory. This was a 7 point lead over his nearest rival, Jon Roberts from Devon who finished in 19 minutes 52 seconds with 68.75 points. Fagan also supported the competition by commentating on some of the classes. Roberts was awarded The Alan Kensett Cup for Cleanest Pen, a prize given to the shearer with the most neatly shorn sheep.
The Senior Class was won by Ed Gingell,30, from Heathfield. Gingell won the first Southern Shears UK Open Class in 2013. Adam Webb, 20, from Australia, won the Intermediate Class. The class was sponsored by shearing contractors R.J. and J.M. Morris.
The Junior Class, sponsored by the National Sheep Association South East, was won by Will Hinton, 21, from Wiltshire. Hinton shears around 3000 sheep per year. In 2014 he won the Farmers Apprentice web TV series, organised by Farmers Weekly.
The Novice Class, sponsored by the British Wool Marketing Board, was won by George Ticehurst, 17, from Folkington, East Sussex. This was his first competition. Ticehurst shears around 100 sheep per year and has a personal best daily tally of 35 sheep.
George Mudge,68, from Devon, won the Blades Class. Mudge represents England in the Blades shearing team. This was the largest blades class to date for the competition with six entries, including Shun Oishi from Japan and lady shearer Susie Parish from Hampshire.
Jolene Cutting from Rye took the Ladies Class, shearing four lambs in 8 minutes 47 seconds with 38.6 points, a comfortable win over rival Susie Parish who finished in 10 minutes 4 seconds with 44.7 points. Parish had beaten Cutting in the 2013 Ladies Class but missed the 2014 competition, making this year the first rematch for the two ladies. The Ladies Class was sponsored by Mole Valley Farmers, with Jim Horn sponsoring the cup.
There were 55 entries from 36 individual shearers, including 7 ladies. The Suffolk mule lambs shorn were supplied by Sussex farmers Martin Carr and Richard Padfield. Sponsors included Horner Shearing who provided the vests and Lister Shearing Equipment who provided the shearing machines.
Lydia Hill
Southern Shears UK Press Officer
[email protected]
Southern Shears UK 2015 Results
Open Class - 20 lambs
1 Jack Fagan17m 37s 61.750 points
2 Jon Roberts19m 51s 68.750 points
3 Nick Harding 19m 57s 70.500points
4 Ed Gingell 20m 24s 76.300 points
5 Rob Lee 20m 43s 77.100 points
The “Alan Kensett Cup”
for the “Cleanest shorn pen” in the Open Final, Jon Roberts.
Senior Class - 15 lambs
1 Ed Gingell 13m 45s 54.250 points
2 Nick Harding 14m 31s 55.884 points
3 Jacob Moore16m 49s 61.050 points
4 Rob Lee 16m 45s 64.383 points
5 Adam Webb19m 51s 70.683 points
Intermediate Class - 5 lambs
1 Adam Webb 7m 41s 35.650 points
2 Ross Thomson 8m 28s 36.200 points
3 Stacey Donald Whitu 7m 49s 37.850
4 Andrew Pannell 9m 14s 42.700
5 Susie Parish 11m 53s 48.050
Junior Class - 4 lambs
1 Will Hinton 9m 15s 52.250 points
2 Claire Sweeney11m 50s 54.417 points
3 George Dalloway 10m 26s 55.867 points
4 Andrew Pannell 8m 30s 60.750 points
5 Jack Mighall 15m 0s 64.000 points
Novice Class - 2 sheep
1 George Ticehurst 4m 14s 33.967 points
2 Amelia Wood 8m 22s 52.733 points
3 Emma Blomfield 8m 54s 58.300 points
4 Emily Killick 9m 25s 58.333 points
5 Lydia Hill 6m 44s 65.967 points
Blades Class - 2 sheep
1 George Mudge 6m 53s 45.150 points
2 Andrew Weir 9m 0s 62.000 points
3 Shun Oishi 7m 58s 75.400 points
4 Timothy Collins 8m 48s 77.400 points
5 Susie Parish 15m 18s 101.400 points
6 Nathan Wall 15m 40s 122.500 points
Ladies Class - 4 lambs
1 Jolene Cutting 8m 47s 38.600 points
2 Susie Parish 10m 4s 44.700 points
3 Claire Sweeney 11m 35s 49.500 points
4 Amelia Wood 16m 10s 73.750 points
5 Lydia Hill 14m 19s 93.200 points
Southern Shears UK Results 13th July 2014
Novice Class
2 Ewes
1 Jack Mighall 45.833 points 5 min 25 sec
2 Lydia Hill 53.067 points 7 min 17 sec
3 Ruth Carroll 69.033 points 10 min 16sec
4 Hazel Wood 71.333 points 11 min 10 sec
The National Sheep Association Junior Class
5 Lambs
1 Charlie Parry 36.933 points 10 min 28 sec
2 Claire Sweeney 37.867 points 11 min 08 sec
3 Marie Prebble 40. 133 points 11 min 16 sec
4 Robert Hubber 42.300 points 11 min 03 sec
5 Sarah Higgins 43.300 points 14 min 21 sec
Ladies Class, Winners cup sponsored by Jim Horne
2 Lambs
1 Jolene Cutting 20.250 points 3 min 25 sec
2 Marie Prebble 25.200 points 3 min 54 sec
3 Claire Sweeney 25.550 points 4 min 41 sec
4 Sarah Higgins 39.400 points 7 min 08 sec
5 Ruth Carroll 64.950 points 6 min 49 sec
The RAPPA Intermediate Class
3 Lambs
1 Charlie Parry 30.617 points 5 min 39 sec
2 Robert Hubber 32.216 points 6 min 31 sec
3 Andrew Pannell 32.350 points 6 min 07 sec
4 Alex Olphert 34.183 points 5 min 37 sec
5 Harry Bishop 41.833 points 7 min 30 sec
Blades Class (looking for a sponsor)
2 Ewes
1 George Mudge 47.550 points 7 min 51 sec
2 Bob Blanden 75.450 points 14 min 09 sec
3 Tim Collins 75.800 points 10 min 56 sec
4 Nathan Wall 79.650 points 14 min 23 sec
Senior Class (looking for a sponsor)
12 Lambs
1 Cam Hicks 47.166 points 11 min 20 sec
2 Dean Herlihy 47.750 points 12 min 00 sec
3 Sam Mackrill 47.967 points 12 min 46 sec
4 Rich Carter 50.616 points 12 min 04 sec
5 Alex Gilmore 55.167 points 13 min 10 sec
The Wairere UK Open Class
20 Lambs
1 Cam Hicks 66.800 points 18 min 03 sec
2 Dean Herlihy 68.400 points 19 min 11 sec
3 Rich Carter 71.650 points 18 min 49 sec
4 Malcolm Sweeney 72.100 points 20 min 59 sec
5 Sam Mackrill 72.150 points 20 min 50 sec
Cleanest Pen in the Wairere UK Open Final
The Alan Kensett Cup
Malcolm Sweeney
Second Southern Shears UK a Success
The second Southern Shears UK sheep shearing competition took place on Sunday 13 July at Holmbush Farm, Faygate, West Sussex. Southern Shears UK was started in 2013 by a small group of farmers, shearers and enthusiasts. The competition aims to promote the skill of sheep shearing and to bring the local farming community together. The competition has grown from 23 competitors in 2013 to 35 in 2014, including seven lady shearers. Shearers came from as far away as New Zealand and Australia. This year Southern Shears UK is a BISCA (British Isles Shearing Competition Association) registered competition. Sponsors of the competition include the National Sheep Association, the British Wool Marketing Board and the National Farmers’ Union.
This year the Open Class was supported by new sponsor Wairere UK New Zealand Romneys, based in Washington, Pulborough, West Sussex. The Open Class was won by New Zealander Cam Hicks,23, who sheared 20 lambs in 18 minutes 3 seconds. Sheep shearing is judged on a combination of speed and quality of work. Malcolm Sweeney from Heathfield, placed fourth with a time of 20 minutes and 59 seconds, won the Alan Kensett Cup for Cleanest Pen. The prize is awarded to the person with the most neatly shorn sheep.
New this year were the Senior and Intermediate Classes. Cam Hicks also won the Senior Class. The RAPPA Intermediate Class was won by Charlie Parry from Powys, Wales. Parry also won the Junior Class.
Jolene Cutting from Rye stormed to victory in the Ladies Class with a 5 point lead over her nearest rival Marie Prebble from Canterbury, Kent. Jolene shears 10 000 sheep a year and has a personal best of 251 in one day.
The Blades Class had four competitors, doing their bit to preserve the ancient skill. The class was won by George Mudge, 67, from Devon, a member of the England Blades shearing team.
The competition includes a Novice Class to encourage new entrants to the skill and those who only shear a few sheep each year. This class was won by left handed shearer Jack Mighall, 19, from Surrey.
The competition was very much a family affair. Sister of open shearer Malcolm Sweeney, Claire Sweeney, a qualified vet at Cliffe Veterinary Group, Lewes came second in the Junior Class and third in the Ladies Class. The Novice Class saw father and son Subash and Clem de Menezes from Balcombe, West Sussex battling it out, placed fifth and sixth respectively. Shearers were supported by their families. Andrew Pannell from Worthing, placed third in the Intermediate Class, was watched by his partner Anna Pickton and six month old daughter Lily Pannell. Open class shearer Ed Gingell was also supported by his wife Emily and two year old daughter Molly.
Sheep shearing is an extremely demanding activity requiring high levels of fitness and skill. The British Wool Marketing Board is seeking to get competitive sheep shearing recognised as a sport.
Lydia Hill
Press Officer
Southern Shears UK
Southern Shears UK 21st July 2013 Results
Novice (2 sheep)
1. Luke Williamson 26.08 points, 4min 10 sec
2. Ruth Carroll 27.52 points, 6min 38 sec
3. Lydia Hill 34.72 points, 8 min 59 sec
Junior ( 4 sheep)
1. Susie Parish 22.34 points, 7 min 14 sec
2. Andrew Pannell 28.84 points, 6 min 14 sec
Open (20 sheep)
1. Ed Gingell 62.05 points, 16 min 53 sec
2. Cam Hicks(Marton, New Zealand) 66.08 points, 18 min 39 sec
3. Malcolm Sweeney 71.50 points, 20 min 52 sec
Ladies (4 sheep)
1. Susie Parish 22.63 points, 6 min 45 sec
2. Jo Cutting 23.15 points, 6 min 12 sec
3. Sharon Thomson (New Zealand) 41.33 points, 8 min 36 sec
Blades (2 sheep)
1. Forty Bush 36.37 points, 10 min 56 sec
2. George Mudge 41.95 points, 11 min 6 sec
On Sunday 21 July sheep shearers flocked to take part in a new shearing competition, Southern Shears UK.
Southern Shears UK has been set up by a small group of farmers, shearers and enthusiasts keen to promote the skill of sheep shearing and encourage new entrants to the profession. Sponsors include the National Farmers’ Union and the National Sheep Association. The competition took place at Holmbush Farm, Faygate, West Sussex. There was a Novice, Junior, Open, Blades and Ladies Class. The competition attracted 23 shearers, including 7 ladies. Judge Laurence Carter said: ‘I’ve never seen so many lady shearers.’ Shearers from Devon, Wiltshire, New Zealand and Poland competed alongside local contractors. Competitors ranged in age from 19 to 69.
In the Ladies Class, Jo Cutting from Rye, whose personal best is 250 sheep shorn in one day was beaten by 0.52 points by Susie Parish, sheep and alpaca shearer from Hampshire. While Kirsty Tester from Arundel sheared for the first time in a competition. Her husband, David Tester, competed in the Open Class. The couple were cheered on by their children.
The Blades Class promoted the traditional skill of hand shearing. The two entrants, George Mudge,66, from Devon and Forty Bush,48, from Wiltshire, both represent England in the World Blades Shearing Competition. The class was won by Forty Bush.
The Novice Class, for non professional shearers, saw six graduates of the sheep shearing course at Plumpton College shear two sheep each. Competitors included Ruth Carroll, a qualified hairdresser from Eastbourne and Robert Robertson, 69, from Lewes, a retired computer programmer and smallholder. The class was won by Luke Williamson, 26, a dairyman from Lindfield.
The Junior Class, won by Susie Parish, saw Andrew Pannell, 23, from Worthing, who shears around 3000 sheep a year competing for the first time.
The Open Class, for the most experienced shearers, saw 11 professionals battling to be the winner of the Holmbush Farm World Cup. Bonnie Morrison, from New Zealand, had the highest annual tally, shearing 80 000 sheep a year. While Reg Benjamin, 52, also from New Zealand, has shorn 1.5 million sheep so far in his career. The highlight of the day was the Open Final. Ed Gingell, 28, from Heathfield, Malcolm Sweeney,31, also from Heathfield and Cam Hicks,22, from New Zealand sheared 20 sheep each in sizzling temperatures. Ed Gingell, the winner, finished in less than 17 minutes.
Vice Chair and Shearing Contractor Rob Morris from Rye said: ‘we achieved what we set out to achieve, to promote shearing in the South East and to encourage more people to enter shearing.’ Chair of Southern Shears UK and Lecturer at Plumpton College, Phil Hart said: ‘The highlight for me was seeing the Novice shearers being first on the stand at the end after watching a thrilling 20 sheep open final, inspired and full of enthusiasm to help shear the remaining 40 sheep. Shearers from all classes joined in to help out. A great team effort!’
The organisers would like to thank all of the sponsors, competitors and supporters who helped to make Southern Shears UK a success. If you would like to sponsor Southern Shears UK please contact Phil Hart via the Southern Shears UK website.
Lydia Hill
Press Officer
Southern Shears UK
Novice (2 sheep)
1. Luke Williamson 26.08 points, 4min 10 sec
2. Ruth Carroll 27.52 points, 6min 38 sec
3. Lydia Hill 34.72 points, 8 min 59 sec
Junior ( 4 sheep)
1. Susie Parish 22.34 points, 7 min 14 sec
2. Andrew Pannell 28.84 points, 6 min 14 sec
Open (20 sheep)
1. Ed Gingell 62.05 points, 16 min 53 sec
2. Cam Hicks(Marton, New Zealand) 66.08 points, 18 min 39 sec
3. Malcolm Sweeney 71.50 points, 20 min 52 sec
Ladies (4 sheep)
1. Susie Parish 22.63 points, 6 min 45 sec
2. Jo Cutting 23.15 points, 6 min 12 sec
3. Sharon Thomson (New Zealand) 41.33 points, 8 min 36 sec
Blades (2 sheep)
1. Forty Bush 36.37 points, 10 min 56 sec
2. George Mudge 41.95 points, 11 min 6 sec
On Sunday 21 July sheep shearers flocked to take part in a new shearing competition, Southern Shears UK.
Southern Shears UK has been set up by a small group of farmers, shearers and enthusiasts keen to promote the skill of sheep shearing and encourage new entrants to the profession. Sponsors include the National Farmers’ Union and the National Sheep Association. The competition took place at Holmbush Farm, Faygate, West Sussex. There was a Novice, Junior, Open, Blades and Ladies Class. The competition attracted 23 shearers, including 7 ladies. Judge Laurence Carter said: ‘I’ve never seen so many lady shearers.’ Shearers from Devon, Wiltshire, New Zealand and Poland competed alongside local contractors. Competitors ranged in age from 19 to 69.
In the Ladies Class, Jo Cutting from Rye, whose personal best is 250 sheep shorn in one day was beaten by 0.52 points by Susie Parish, sheep and alpaca shearer from Hampshire. While Kirsty Tester from Arundel sheared for the first time in a competition. Her husband, David Tester, competed in the Open Class. The couple were cheered on by their children.
The Blades Class promoted the traditional skill of hand shearing. The two entrants, George Mudge,66, from Devon and Forty Bush,48, from Wiltshire, both represent England in the World Blades Shearing Competition. The class was won by Forty Bush.
The Novice Class, for non professional shearers, saw six graduates of the sheep shearing course at Plumpton College shear two sheep each. Competitors included Ruth Carroll, a qualified hairdresser from Eastbourne and Robert Robertson, 69, from Lewes, a retired computer programmer and smallholder. The class was won by Luke Williamson, 26, a dairyman from Lindfield.
The Junior Class, won by Susie Parish, saw Andrew Pannell, 23, from Worthing, who shears around 3000 sheep a year competing for the first time.
The Open Class, for the most experienced shearers, saw 11 professionals battling to be the winner of the Holmbush Farm World Cup. Bonnie Morrison, from New Zealand, had the highest annual tally, shearing 80 000 sheep a year. While Reg Benjamin, 52, also from New Zealand, has shorn 1.5 million sheep so far in his career. The highlight of the day was the Open Final. Ed Gingell, 28, from Heathfield, Malcolm Sweeney,31, also from Heathfield and Cam Hicks,22, from New Zealand sheared 20 sheep each in sizzling temperatures. Ed Gingell, the winner, finished in less than 17 minutes.
Vice Chair and Shearing Contractor Rob Morris from Rye said: ‘we achieved what we set out to achieve, to promote shearing in the South East and to encourage more people to enter shearing.’ Chair of Southern Shears UK and Lecturer at Plumpton College, Phil Hart said: ‘The highlight for me was seeing the Novice shearers being first on the stand at the end after watching a thrilling 20 sheep open final, inspired and full of enthusiasm to help shear the remaining 40 sheep. Shearers from all classes joined in to help out. A great team effort!’
The organisers would like to thank all of the sponsors, competitors and supporters who helped to make Southern Shears UK a success. If you would like to sponsor Southern Shears UK please contact Phil Hart via the Southern Shears UK website.
Lydia Hill
Press Officer
Southern Shears UK