Cymdeithas Defaid Balwen
Sheep Society
A SHEPHERD’S CROOK WITH A PURPOSE!
A huge thank you to Paul Hancox for kindly donating this beautiful Shepherd’s Crook to the Society.
This is one of several crooks Paul has generously donated to various breed societies throughout the year, helping to raise valuable funds and support the work of our societies.
This crook will be offered for sale at the Society Sale next Saturday 19th September with all proceeds going directly to the Society.
So whether you’re after a practical shepherd’s crook, a special keepsake, or simply want to support the Society, keep your eye out for this one!
Thank you, Paul, for your incredible generosity and continued support.
OFFICAL SHOW AND SALE
Show – 11th September 2026
Sale – 12th September 2026
Only registered Balwens will be sold, under the Balwen Society rules and regulations.
Beautiful, attractive sheep, perfect for smallholders, with awesome milky ewes who generally lamb without any bother. They’re fantastic sheep for showing in Rare Breed classes and are ideal for Young Handler classes too!
But as well as being pretty to look at in the fields, Balwens produce the most beautiful, tender and tasty lamb
Come along and see if you can find next year’s top show prospect!
The only place to buy registered Balwens on the open market in England!
Melton Mowbray Traditional & Native Show and Sale 2026
SAVE THE DATE
The Balwen Society Annual Awards Dinner will be held the evening of 17.10.26 - pop the date in your diary! More information to follow!
SAFIWCH Y DYDDIAD
Mae Noson Gwobrwyo Blynyddol y Gymdeithas Balwens yn cael ei gynnal gyda’r nos ar yr 17.10.26 - nodwch y dyddiad yn eich dyddiaduron! Mwy o fanylion i ddilyn!
Balwen Society Annual Awards Dinner
About The Breed
The British Isles are home to many breeds of sheep — some introduced in recent years, while others have grazed these lands for centuries. Among them, the Welsh Mountain Sheep serves as an umbrella term for several breeds native to Wales. Through generations of careful breeding and selection, these sheep have developed into distinct types — one of which is the Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep.
🌿 Origin: The Balwen comes from a small area of Wales, the Tywi Valley.
❄️ Near Extinction: In the harsh winter of 1947, the breed was almost wiped out, with just one ram surviving.
📈 Recovery: Numbers slowly increased through the 1950s and 1960s, and by the 1970s, interest in the breed spread beyond the valley.
🏛️ Breed Society: In 1985, the Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep Society was founded. While the population has continued to grow, the Balwen remains on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s Watchlist today.
KEY QUALITIES
GREAT MOTHERS
Balwen ewes are widely recognised for their exceptional maternal qualities, making them a highly valued breed for both pedigree and commercial flocks. They are naturally attentive mothers with strong bonding instincts, good milk production, and an easy lambing ability that helps produce vigorous, healthy lambs. Their hardy nature and calm temperament allow them to thrive in a range of environments, particularly in challenging upland conditions where resilience and self-sufficiency are essential. These qualities make the Balwen a practical, low-input breed capable of rearing strong lambs with minimal intervention.
CARCASS AND MEAT
The Balwen Welsh Mountain is also respected for the quality of its carcass, producing lean, well-shaped lamb with excellent flavour. The breed develops naturally muscular carcasses without excessive fat cover, making it attractive to both traditional and modern markets. Balwen lamb is known for its fine texture and distinctive taste, reflecting the breed’s ability to efficiently convert forage into high-quality meat. Their manageable size and efficient growth make them an increasingly popular choice for breeders looking to combine hardiness, performance, and premium carcass characteristics.
MARKINGS
One of the most recognisable features of the Balwen Welsh Mountain is its striking and unique appearance. The breed is traditionally black or dark brown in colour with a distinctive white blaze running down the face, white socks on the legs, and a white tip to the tail. These markings give the Balwen its unmistakable character and strong visual identity among native sheep breeds. Combined with their compact build and alert expression, Balwens are admired not only for their practicality and performance, but also for their beauty and heritage significance within Welsh farming history.
Judges List
Please find below the contact list of judges for the year ahead.
We encourage all members to reach out to judges in their area — not only to discuss upcoming shows, but also to share ideas, experiences, and advice. Building strong connections within our community helps us all promote the Balwen Sheep and ensure high standards across the breed.
Members are especially encouraged to support and encourage Balwen Sheep classes at local agricultural shows. Many of our breeders are also able to judge Badger Face, Black Welsh Mountain, and other native breeds, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the ring.
If you’re planning to enter or organise a local show, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the judges listed — they’re always happy to offer guidance and support.
Please find the attached forms, kindly provided by Adam, for the Balwen Sheep Society Show and Sale. These documents contain the information and paperwork required for the event and are available for download below. These have also been distributed via email.
THE BRICKLIN SHIELD
For the highest points in show classes outside of Wales.
Presented in 2025 by Brian and Elizabeth Eagles long time breeders and supporters of the society who kept Balwens in England for many years. This award will be presented at our awards dinner in October
This award is different to the Welsh show points system as it does not require a Balwen list judge. Record all your results for any other native, rare breed and hill and heath classes.
To enter, forward details of your show results for the 2026 season to Chairman Adam Lynch - cows@hotmail.co.uk
BALWEN SHOW POINTS SYSTEM / SYSTEM PWYNTAU SIOEAU BALWEN
The Balwen Show Points Competition is back!
Points can only be awarded in Balwen classes judged by a Balwen-listed judge.
1st – 6 points
2nd – 5 points
3rd – 4 points
4th – 3 points
5th – 2 points
6th – 1 point
To be eligible for the award you will nominate your 6 best results from these shows, your entries must include the number of animals forwards in each class.
The Royal Welsh and the National show are to be excluded this year.
Please note: Where only one exhibitor in each class, no points will be awarded.
Good luck to everyone competing this season!
⸻
SYSTEM PWYNTAU SIOEAU BALWEN
Mae Cystadleuaeth Pwyntiau Sioeau Balwen yn ôl!
Dim ond mewn dosbarthiadau Balwen a feirnir gan feirniad sydd ar restr swyddogol Balwen y caiff pwyntiau eu dyfarnu.
1af – 6 phwynt
2il – 5 pwynt
3ydd – 4 pwynt
4ydd – 3 phwynt
5ed – 2 bwynt
6ed – 1 pwynt
I fod yn gymwys ar gyfer y wobr, bydd angen i chi enwebu eich 6 chanlyniad gorau o’r sioeau hyn. Rhaid i’ch ceisiadau gynnwys nifer yr anifeiliaid oedd ymlaen ym mhob dosbarth.
Ni fydd y Sioe Frenhinol Cymru na’r Sioe Genedlaethol yn cyfrif tuag at y gystadleuaeth eleni.
Sylwer: Os mai dim ond un arddangoswr sydd mewn dosbarth, ni ddyfernir unrhyw bwyntiau.
Pob lwc i bawb sy’n cystadlu’r tymor hwn!
Upcoming Events 2026
Melton Mowbray InspectionFri 11 SeptMelton Mowbray
Society Show & SaleSat 19 SeptMonmouthshire Livestock Auctioneers- INSPECTION RHAYADERSat 07 NovRhayader Livestock Center