Sheep shearer trainer picks up top award

Roy Coker from Honiton is one of the country’s top shearing judges, has trained other shearers to become judges, and was elected as England’s judge at the last World Championships in Australia. 

 

The Prince of Wales Award, presented in partnership with the Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA), champions people and organisations which offer young people the best opportunities to gain land-based rural skills.

 

The judges were greatly impressed by the large number of young people Roy has trained over four decades and the high standard some have achieved, including in the Golden Shears World Championships. 

 

Roy, aged 63 who farmed at Feniton, said: “I feel that I have had a great deal of pleasure out of shearing, and training young shearers is one way I can put something back into the industry.”

 

He first started shearing at the age of 12, instructed by his father, and started a contract shearing business with a friend at 18 at the same time as helping to run the family dairy farm. Through shearing competitions run by the Young Farmers’ Club he went on to represent both his county and country in many competitions including the world championships. He has judged top international competitions, including world championships.

 

“As well as instructing, I’m an area judge for England training more experienced shearers in the art of judging. Over the years I have also shown my own dairy cattle enabling me to train young calf handlers in the skill of showmanship and stock judging. Many have gone on to represent Devon at the national calf show at Stoneleigh.”

 

Last year the British Wool Marketing Board recognised his great contribution to the industry and awarded him its prestigious outstanding service certificate to sheep shearing.

 

Roy added: “I like to encourage young people into shearing as it gives them the opportunity to travel the country and the world of contract shearing and competition gives them the chance to earn extra money to help them get onto the farming ladder. They also meet many other young farmers who can become lifelong friends.”

 

The Award is now in its 28^th year and Roy will be presented with a framed certificate and a £1,000 cash prize donated by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

 

 

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