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British Strong Wool Ewe Blade Shearing Record Attempt

  • Fernhill Farm Cheddar Road, Compton Martin Bristol, BS40 6LD United Kingdom (map)

Two stand British Strong Wool Ewes Blade Shearing Record

September 17th, 2022 from 6am to 6pm for 9 hours of Blade Shearing

Location is our Sheep Shearing Shed @ Fernhill Farm

https://www.facebook.com/events/AndyWearandElfedJackson

https://www.facebook.com/Andrew-Wear-Elfed-Jackson-British-Blade-Shearing-Record-Attempt

Please find details of the official sponsorship letter here:

I am Andrew Wear from Fernhill Farm on the Mendip hills, Somerset with a huge passion for Blade Shearing. Together with my partner Jen Hunter and our two teenage sons we holistically manage 1300 Romney cross Shetland ewes alongside our events and wool enterprises.

 Awarded the BISCA long standing dedication to the shearing industry, I am recognised as a UK ambassador for Blade Shearing and delighted to share we are a current Sheep Farmer of the Year Finalist 2022.

 I would also like to introduce my teammate Elfed Jackson, a farmer and part time agricultural collage tutor running 700 Welsh Mountain Ewes with his wife Bwn, on the family’s tenanted farm on the Carneddau range in Snowdonia.

 We have known each other since 1985 when we first competed at the Royal Bath and West show. Since then, we have competed against each other at most shows here in Britain and travelled and competed at many World Shearing Championships including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland and France.

 As we are both celebrating a very special 60th birthday this year, we have decided that we are going to attempt a Two stand, nine-hour, Strong Wool Ewe Blade Shearing British record at Fernhill farm –

 We will be the first two in the UK to attempt a British Two stand Strong Wool Ewe Blade Shearing Record and we are confident that we will be successful.

 We are therefore writing to ask if you would kindly offer to sponsor our British Record attempt.  We are seeking to raise a considerable amount for our chosen charities and to help cover costs.

These costs include a £2000 fee to the British Isles Shearing Competition Association (BISCA), the expenses of adjudicators and judges who will be present to scrutinise the quality of our shearing throughout the day. A designated animal welfare officer will ensure that the highest standards of husbandry are maintained under strict record conditions and a team of people, that without their help in preparing the sheep and making sure the day runs smoothly without whom a record would not be possible, will need accommodation in the vicinity of the farm.

Andy and Jen will be responsible for management of the record sheep until the event, and with their vast experience of running previous British & World records at their farm, we can trust the highest standards of organisation will be achieved. This detailed preparation incurs costs including setting up the shearing stand to British Record requirements and ensuring the correct sheep handling facilities are in place, as well as managing the flock’s optimum health through the summer.

Other costs include employing a technician, a skilled expert to manage our shearing gear, a sheep Vet present on the day in charge of welfare, a first aider, and providing Fernhill Farm Food and Accommodation with ample facilities for all the team on the day.

Our chosen charities whom we are raising funds and awareness for is the DPJ Foundation and FCN.

The DPJ Foundation, which supports those in the Agricultural sector in Wales. The mental health farming charity works with leading organisations in agriculture including NFU Cymru, FUW, YFC, Vets and Welsh Government to help provide an accessible and flexible service.

The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times.

We should be very grateful if you would please consider the following sponsorship brackets:

 Premium Sponsor

Required financial contribution: £1,000

 Your Company logo will feature on all team t-shirts and our shearing singlets on the day.

Your Company logo will feature on all promotional material and social media surrounding the event.

Your Company logo will feature on the tally board which will be photographed throughout the day.

Your Company banner will be positioned above the shearing stand in main view of supporters present on the day and video streaming of the event worldwide.

 Major Sponsor

Required financial contribution: £500 - £1,000

 Your Company logo will feature on all team t-shirts and our shearing singlets on the day.

Your Company logo will feature on all promotional material and social media surrounding the event.

Your Company banner will be visible at the back or sides of the shed on the day of the event.

 Sponsor

Required financial contribution: £250 - £500

Your Company logo will feature on all promotional material and social media surrounding the event.

Your Company banner will be visible at the event.

 We should be very grateful if you could contact me at your earliest convenience, so that work to organise the event can begin as quickly as possible with your support. This is the first time a British 9 hour, two stand, Strong Wool Ewe Blade Shearing Record has ever been attempted and success on the day will be down to the huge effort from all involved and the generosity of sponsors in making it possible.

Media coverage of the event will no doubt be extensive, previous shearing records in the UK have attracted a great deal of global media attention for the sponsors involved.  

 If you are able to commit to sponsorship, please return by post your approved contribution as a cheque made payable to Fernhill Farm or pay directly into Account Fernhill Farm 01137809 sort code 30.99.51

 Many thanks in advance for your contribution, which will empower farmers of all ages to share in good and difficult times and raise money for such worthwhile charities.

 Yours sincerely Andy Wear

andy@fernhill-farm.co.uk

07712616797