The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society has congratulated the Welsh Shearing and Woolhandling Team for taking three out of the six world titles at the 2023 Golden Shears World Championships. 

The Golden Shears Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling World Championships, which showcases the art, skill and techniques it takes to be a world champion, were held at The Royal Highland Show in Scotland last weekend.

Shearing teams from 30 nations flocked to Edinburgh to compete at the event, which is held in a different location around the globe every three years.

In what became a fantastic win for Wales, Gwion Lloyd Evans claimed the world champion individual machine shearing title, with fellow Welsh shearer and previous world champion, Richard Jones finishing second.

In the team’s section, Evans and Jones combined superbly to take the team Machine shearing competition. The world champion woolhandling team event was won by Welsh pair Ffion Jones and Sarah-Jane Rees.

Elfed Jackson and Gareth Owen came third in the world blade shearing team championship. Elfed was also sixth in the world champion individual blade final.

Ably leading the Welsh team to their success was manager Alwyn Manzini.

RWAS chief executive Aled Rhys Jones congratulated the Welsh team on their excellent win.

“The society, along with the whole of Wales, is so very proud of what the team has achieved in the Golden Shears,” he said.

“This is the best result Wales has ever had at the world championships and we cannot wait to welcome the team home to raise the roof at The Royal Welsh Show in just four weeks’ time.”

The RWAS thanked to the main sponsors of the Welsh team, Nettex Agri and Caleb Roberts Insurance Services Ltd.

Speaking at the Senedd this week, James Evans MS has congratulated Welsh competitors on their success.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MS said: "They showcase the art and the skill and techniques it takes to be a world champion.

“The event brings together skilled shearers and wool-handlers from 30 countries to compete in various shearing disciplines.

“It's fabulous to say that Team Wales came away with winning the team wool-handling championship, the team shearing championship and the individual machine-shearing championship.

“I'm sure the whole Chamber want to pass on our huge congratulations to Gwion Evans, Richard Jones, Elfed Jackson, Gareth Owen, Ffion Jones and Sarah-Jane Rees on all their success.”

Mr Evans wished Welsh competitors continued success at the sheep-shearing competitions at July’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.

People wishing to watch the world champions compete in the Royal Welsh Shearing and Woolhandling competitions are being encouraged to book their tickets in advance here.