Striking gold for shearing

He got back to his parents' farm at Far Gearstones, Chapel-le-Dale, near Ingleton, where they run 1100 Swaledale ewes, after travelling to Iceland for its spring shearing.

At the age of 26, he has also travelled to Sweden and five times to New Zealand, as well as the length of England, on the strength of his shearing skills.

He began learning alongside his father, from the age of 14, and honed his skills with British Wool Marketing Board training courses to the point he has achieved the board's Gold Seal standard.

He said: "You can learn a lot of the basics at home but the Wool Board courses make you look at the job in a professional way. Bad habits can creep in when you don't realise it, but training instructors can spot them a mile off."

For details of forthcoming courses contact Gillian Tart at 01274 688666.

The British Isles Shearing Competitions Association has announced a contest to find two British representatives to be sent to a competition in New Zealand next year, sponsored by equipment supplier Lister Shearing. Qualifying events listed at www.britishwool. org.uk/compdiary.asp?pageid=63

CW 8/5/10