The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) has announced the winner of this year’s John Gittins Memorial Award.

Tracy Powell of Blaenbwch, Builth Wells, is the 2024 recipient of the prestigious award.

The annual award celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on the Welsh Sheep Industry through their commitment, innovation, and service.

Each year, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society invites nominations from its Advisory Committees across Wales, alongside the Welsh Mule Sheepbreeders Association, NSA Wales, NFU Cymru, FUW, and CLA.

After an extensive review, the judging panel recognised Mrs Powell’s tremendous contributions to Welsh sheep farming and selected her from a strong field of candidates. She will be presented with a specially crafted Welsh Crystal piece, sponsored by the Welsh Mule Sheepbreeders Association, on Monday, November 25. As well as this, Mrs Powell will contribute an article to the 2024 Society Journal, sharing insights from her experience.

With more than 30 years of service to RWAS, Mrs Powell has played an instrumental role in elevating the profile of Welsh shearing on both national and international levels. She began her career in the RWAS Livestock Department, where she rose to the position of Livestock Officer within five years. For the past 19 years, she has served as Programme Officer with her responsibilities including organisng shearing competitions, compiling data for the Society’s program and catalogue, and curating content for the annual RWAS Journal. Her tireless work ensures that the shearing competitions, among the largest events at the Royal Welsh Show, run seamlessly, which benefits both competitors and audiences alike.

Mrs Powell also collaborates closely with the Golden Shears World Council and the British Isles Shearing Competitions Association, ensuring Wales remains at the forefront of shearing on the global stage. She supports the Welsh Team’s participation in various international championships, including the Golden Shears World Championships, Six Nations, and test matches across the UK, Ireland, and France.

Her contributions were spotlighted in 2010 when she helped the RWAS host the Golden Shears, a major event that attracted competitors from more than 30 countries. Mrs Powell and her husband, Rob, have also hosted numerous record-breaking shearing events on their family farm, Blaenbwch, which truly underscores her commitment to fostering the next generation of Welsh shearers.

The judging panel, comprising of Mr Dafydd Parry Jones (RWAS), Mr Richard Thomas (Welsh Mule Sheepbreeders Association), and Ms Caryl Hughes (NSA Wales), noted Mrs Powell's extraordinary dedication and positive impact on the industry. Her passion for promoting and advancing Welsh shearing and her encouragement of young talent and community involvement in the shearing scene were significant factors in their decision.

She will be presented with her award during the upcoming Royal Welsh Winter Fair at the Showground, Llanelwedd on Monday, November 25.

This year’s nominees also included leading figures from across Wales.

The nominees were as follows:

Brycheiniog / Brecknock - Mr Gwyn Davies, Caebetran Farm, Powys.

Sir Gaerfyrddin / Carmarthenshire - Mr Adrian Davies, Glanbrydan Farm, Carmarthenshire.

Ceredigion - Mr Gwyn Davies, Trefere Uchaf, Ceredigion.

Clwyd a Swydd Gaer / Clwyd & Cheshire - Mr Martin Sivill, Plas Coch Farm, Denbighshire.

Sir Forgannwg / Glamorgan - Mrs Katie-Rose Davies, Nantymoel Farm, Glamorgan.

Sir Fynwy / Monmouthshire - Mr Aled Groucott, Swffryd Farm, Monmouthshire.

Sir Drefaldwyn / Montgomeryshire - Mr Dylan Jones, Lluest Wen, Powys.

Sir Benfro / Pembrokeshire - Mr T Russell Davies, Rhydymerydd, Pembrokeshire.

NFU Cymru - Mr Robert Lewis FRAgS, Glan Elan, Powys.

NSA Cymru / Wales - Mr Tim Ward, The Old Byre, Powys.

Welsh Mule Sheep Breeders Association Ltd - Mrs Tracy Powell, Blaenbwch, Powys.

The RWAS has congratulated all nominees for their dedication and thanks them for their contributions to the Welsh Sheep Industry.