Two young farmers, Chris Rowberry and Jamie Bevan are starting the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand, working and learning about sheep shearing on one of the country’s best stations.

The pair were presented with cheques for £1,000 each, to finance their travel and board, on Wednesday, October 21st at Hereford Cattle Market. Their journey was set to begin on Monday, October 26th.

Chris Rowberry is keen to return to New Zealand, he first visited four years ago and he told the Ross Gazette that this is a great opportunity to get experience. He is a keen shearer who works on his Grandad’s farm but wants to improve his skills alongside experts.

Jamie Bevan knew Billy well and has shorn against him in competitions. Jamie won the YFC Billy Rudge Cup for the tidiest sheep shorn at the Hereford Club’s rally in June this year.

Cheques for £500 were also presented to representatives of Welsh Newton and Pontrilas Young Farmers’ Clubs, as both groups had helped with the sheep shearing event.

A donation of £2000 has also been made to the Air Ambulance in recognition of the work they do.

When Billy Rudge, who was just 20-years-old, died in a tragic incident while working at his home, Baysham farm, near Ross-on-Wye, his family struggled to move on.

A reminder, from friends, of Billy’s love for sheep shearing led to the charity speed shearing event.

To read the full story, see this week’s copy of the Ross Gazette.