Lleyn Sheep Society celebrates 50 years

After World War Two in the 1950’s and 60’s, the Lleyn was on the endangered breed list.

The late 1960’s saw a group of breeders on the Lleyn Peninsula in North Wales champion the prolificacy and maternal traits of the breed this then led to an increase in numbers alongside an increased demand.

The Lleyn has become one of the best success stories in British sheep breeds with it now being one of the fastest growing in numbers, ultimately aided by the commercial demand. You can find the breed in most corners of the UK and Ireland.

According to the EBLEX 2012 survey there were 474,000 Lleyn ewes in Britain compared to just 7,000 in 1971. The report quotes “in 40 years the Lleyn breed has risen from a very small local Welsh breed to the largest non-hill pure breed in Britain and the fourth largest non-hill ram breed. In addition, it is third behind Texel and then Suffolk for contributing to crossbred ewes, outside the mule/halfbred types.”

Society Chairman, John Dugdale says: “It is great to celebrate the success for the Lleyn sheep.

“Our thanks must be given to those founder members of the Society who spotted the potential and set up the Society.

“Appreciation must also be shown to the many members and officer holders over the years who have worked tirelessly to get us where we our today and I am proud to be Chairman of such a forward thinking and hardworking Society.”

Over the years there has been a change in the size and scale of the Lleyn sheep. Through commercial demand she has gone from a small to medium sized ewe to a medium sized ewe. This has seen resistance from some quarters whilst other breeders have embraced this much more easily. As the breed is so versatile in general it has been able to cater for most desires.

The Society is hoping to celebrate in style at the AGM weekend which is being held in North Wales and will include a visit to the Lleyn Peninsula where is all began.