The journey to Yr Ostrey began back in the autumn of 2008 when Dewi Ellis judged the Penywern flock to be the Best Overall Flock in the South Wales Club.
Retaining their trophy from 2006, and also taking home the trophy for stock rams, led to our invitation to visit Dai & Cynthia Morris.

Dai & Cynthia have bred Lleyn sheep since 1995. Originally they were used as recipient ewes for Beltex embryos. The Lleyn ewes soon impressed as they were easily lambed and managed and they were soon bred in their own right. The first 300 ewes were brought from Flock 99, and though their flock numbers have been reduced, their flock has continued to go from strength to strength.
They have had significant success at the Royal Welsh, the South Wales club show in Llandeilo, Pembrokeshire County show and local shows. Their success continues in the sale ring and their ram Penywern “The Doc” holds the breed record after being sold for £15,000gns in Carlisle in 2006.
They have 95 Lleyn sheep, which they run on 25 acres.

The day began at 1.30pm, allowing plenty of time for the morning showers to clear. People arrived from near and far. It was pleasing to see a combination of familiar faces from the Lleyn society as well as new faces that have bought Lleyn, and those who are considering buying them this autumn. An estimated 120 people attended in total. The stock was mainly housed inside, sorted by age and sire. Two flock sires from Flock 172 and flock 893 were on show, as well as the remainder of the flock out in the field.

Dai opened the day welcoming the crowd that had arrived and explaining the history of their Lleyn flock. Then we were all free to wander round and have a look at their stock. A stock judging competition had been prepared with four ewes and four yearling rams. There was also a guess the weight of the ram competition, using one of the stock rams.
Jane Page had brought the club stand to provide some literature and advice to those expanding their flocks or buying Lleyn for the first time.

Lionel Organ had previously judged the sheep and provided us all with the correct placing and his reasons.
Lionel then talked us through the procedure for preparing and presenting Lleyn sheep for the show ring. In a very short time period he provided us with a comprehensive advice on showing and hopefully this will help encourage members to take to their show rings.

Following the announcement of the winners by the Nia Williams, the Society president, John Adams, the Society chairman, and Llew Thomas, the Club Chairman, thanked Dai and Cynthia for their wonderful hospitality and the hard work that they had put into ensuring the days success.
The club also thanked Lionel for helping with the stock-judging competitions.

The winners on the day were

1. Overall Stock-judging: - Eifion Ellis.
2. 2nd place stock-judging-Emyr Evans.
3. Junior stockjudging-u16-Harri Vaughan
4. Guess the weight of the ram- Lionel Organ (138kg-that is the ram, not Lionel.)

The weather did not allow for tea on the lawn but a wonderful tea was provided by Cynthia and helpers in a covered area of the yard. The weather held right until the last moment when thundery showers descended on the last few visitors to leave.

Proceeds of £145 from the stock judging competitions were donated to Macmillan nurses.

The Club are grateful to Dai & Cynthia and their army of friends and neighbours who made the day a resounding success.