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1st August 2011
Young Shepherds Line up finalised:
The Texel Society would like to congratulate all the finalists
from across the UK that will be attending the World Young Shepherds
competition.
Eight young shepherds – two each from England, Wales,
Scotland and Northern Ireland will go ‘down under’ to New Zealand
in early November to battle against others from around the
globe in the first World Young Shepherds Competition. The competitors
from UK have all qualified as a result of taking part in competitions
organised by NSA mainly at sheep events in Northern England,
South West of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland ran
a special competition to find its entrants.
Sponsorship has been
gained to cover the costs of the flights for the eight future
bright lights of the sheep farming industry and full recognition
to those who have helped with this excellent competition will
be given in future updates and through features in the Sheep
Farmer magazine as well a through the trade press.
Over the past
few years the development of Young Shepherds competitions at
NSA events has been an initiative that NSA has pushed hard based
on recognition of the need to encourage the next generation and
showcase their talent. The culmination of this is the first of
what it is hoped will be many future world championships.
Amongst
the 8 ‘Super Shepherds’ will be two Texel Members representing
Scotland, Borders area David Gray and Aberdeenshire’s, Gregor
Ingram. Along with them will be England competitors Phillip Derryman
and Alastair Graham, who also keeps a 300 strong mixed Texel
flock, welsh competitors Llion Wyn Jones and Dafydd E Roberts,
and from Northern Ireland, Jonathan McKelvey and Thomas Gibson.
It
will be a fantastic opportunity for the competitors who we are
sure will be great ambassadors for our Industry and the British
Texel. |