A POWYS sheep shearer is eyeing up a British record when he attempts to shear hundreds of animals in a matter of hours later this month.
Lloyd Rees, 28, will be making a record-breaking attempt to shear more than 873 lambs in nine hours later this month.
He started shearing around home with his dad and uncles and then at the age of 16, attended a British Wool training course with Greg Evans near Llandrindod Wells.
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Lloyd was part of the four-stand team that set the British record in 2019, where Lloyd sheared 725 lambs – now he will take on the solo record in Builth Wells later this month.
The event will not only be an attempt to break the record but an opportunity to raise money for a good cause, with money being donated on the day to the Welsh Air Ambulance and Parkinsons UK.
Lloyd, from Brecon, said: “I enjoy the physical and mental challenges of shearing. A particular favourite is racing other shearers, both in work and in the shows. If I'm not shearing then I'm usually at home farming with Mum and Dad and will just get on with whatever Dad throws at me.
“The main motivation behind attempting the record is that I want to challenge myself to see if I can shear the most lambs ever in an official nine-hour day, while also raising money for two charities that are very important to me – Parkinson's UK and the Wales Air Ambulance.”
Richard Schofield, shearing manager at British Wool, gave his backing to the event and said: “Record attempts are an excellent opportunity to showcase the highly skilled individuals driving the industry forward while also helping to promote the quality of British wool to wider audiences.
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“As a key industry body, we are totally committed to supporting champions as representatives and ambassadors. We’re delighted to be supporting Lloyd to help him achieve his goal and wish him the very best of luck.”
The shearing record will take place on Friday, August 19, at at Blaenbwch Farm, near Builth between 5am and 5pm.
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