Snowdonia flockmaster wins Memorial Award
A North Wales flockmaster and former Nuffield Scholar who runs 1000 ewes on his farm in Snowdonia is the winner of the 2008 John Gittins Memorial Award for his outstanding contribution to the Welsh sheep industry.
Cyril S Lewis of Pen y Bryn, Penmachno, Bettws y Coed, Conwy, was one of 12 candidates nominated for the award which is given annually in memory of John Gittins, a Montgomeryshire farmer who pioneered the Welsh Mule, a breed of sheep which went on to make a significant contribution to the economy of sheep farming in Wales and elsewhere.
Mr Lewis, a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies, has been secretary for 30 years of the CAMDA Group, a cooperative breeding organisation established in 1974 to advance the genetic merits of the Welsh Mountain breed.
The judges for this year’s award said Mr Lewis had devoted an immense amount of time to the project and much of its success was attributable to his commitment. The CAMDA Group could demonstrate enormous genetic progress and continued to push back the boundaries of understanding, continually evaluating new methods of sheep management and production. A great deal of technical progress had been made which had also benefited other groups and other breeds of sheep.
Mr Lewis, who has travelled the world to gain and impart knowledge, has been in demand by industry-related bodies and has served on committees and boards throughout Britain. In 2005 he won the George Hedley Award for his contribution to the British sheep industry.
The John Gittins Memorial Award is open to candidates working or living in Wales who may be nominated by the RWAS Advisory Committees in Wales, the Welsh Mule Sheep Association, the Wales National Sheep Association, the NFU, FUW and CLA.