Why globetrotter Rowan is at the cutting edge of his trade (From Craven Herald)

Why globetrotter Rowan is at the cutting edge of his trade

9:50am Thursday 20th May 2010 in

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North Craven farmer Rowan Pickles has just come to the end of lambing-time – but only a few weeks ago he was shearing sheep.

That might seem rather unusual at this time of year, but Rowan has recently returned from Iceland where sheep are sheared in the spring.

And that was just one of the many trips abroad he’s been able to make after mastering his skills on sheep shearing training courses.

Rowan, 26, works on his parents’ farm at Far Gearstones, Chapel-le-Dale, where the family runs around 1,100 Swaledale ewes and 50 sucklers.

He began shearing sheep alongside his father Jeff when he was 14, but soon after decided to attend one of the British Wool Marketing Board’s sheep shearing training courses.

“You can learn a lot of the basic skills at home and it’s a very good grounding, but the Wool Board’s training courses give you a fresh perspective on shearing and start to make you look at the job in a really professional way,” said Rowan.

Over the years, he’s been on four shearing training courses in North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

“The training courses straightened me up – that’s the best way to describe it – and I’m very glad I went on them when I did, and as early as I did,” he said.

“Bad habits can creep in when you don’t realise it, but training instructors can spot them a mile off, even though you think you’re doing the job well enough.”

Rowan has reached the Gold Seal standard – the highest that can be reached on the British Wool Marketing Board’s shearing courses. He’s been working in shearing gangs since his teenage years and still shears sheep on farms in the north of England as well as working in the south west in early summer.

Shearing trips abroad have been plentiful. Rowan has notched up five visits to New Zealand as well as trips to Sweden and Iceland.

“I know some young shearers feel they may not be good enough to go to New Zealand, but I’ve always found the Kiwis to be very helpful,” he said.

“And even if you don’t get the chance to shear a lot of sheep, there’s a huge amount to be gained from just watching the experienced shearers at work.

“But once you can shear good numbers of sheep, there’s nothing to beat a trip to New Zealand. I can do around 300 sheep a day now when I’m there.”

Rowan reckons there are still good opportunities for young people who can master the skills of shearing.

“I’d certainly advise anyone who enjoys shearing and who is keen to improve their skills to go on a course,” he said. “You might think you know how to shear sheep, but a day on a training course really makes you look at your shearing in a different way and helps you do the job so much better.”