From the beginning...

The association was formed on the 7th December, 1920, however it is believed that Black Welsh Mountain sheep were in existence long before then.

The formation of the association and introduction of classes in agricultural shows propelled the breed into the spotlight, attracting new members  and flocks nationwide. The breed was originally considered a rare breed due to its scarceness, and was highly favoured by the gentry, however, the population of pedigree Black Welsh Mountain sheep grew at an astonishing speed, and it continues to do so to this day.

Above: Breed Champion Royal Welsh Show 1994. Pair of shearling ewes by Malcolm McCaull, Sutton Flock, Hereford.

It is believed that the original Black Welsh Mountain flocks were formed during the 1800s. Originally, they were collected locally, almost singly, where they could be found.

Although efforts to recreate the pure strain only really got going after the war, the earliest effort was made during in 1874 by Mrs Mary Inge of Plas Tan-y-Bwlch, Maentwrog, Porthmadog. Her father was William Oakeley who formed the world’s first flock of Black Welsh Mountain Sheep. When she was six years old Mrs Inge, along with her brother, used to go out riding with their parents and were told that they would get sixpence for each black sheep they found.

“We used to tear about on our little Welsh ponies over rough gorse and heather on the hills uttering yells of joy when we spotted a black sheep. My parents then cantered up on their beautiful Welsh cobs to prove our finds and the agent would set out the next day to buy them. This went on for two or three years. My father had a small factory where his black welsh wool was spun into yarn and material which came out a rich dark brown.”  - Mrs Mary Inge, Plas Tan-y-Bwlch.

During the 1870s, a flock was also kept by Colonal Price of Pythal, near Aberystwyth.

 Black sheep  which were selected individually from white Welsh Mountain flocks were considered as ‘genetic throwbacks’. They obtain a dominant  black gene which is heterozygiys. A common theory is that this dominant black gene originated from black Asiatic sheep or Piebald sheep., the latter being the most likely option (J.A. Fraser Roberts & R.G.White, 1924).

Amongst its earliest industries, black wool, popularly known as “coch-ddu” (translating to reddish-black) was highly sought after for the manufacture of black woollen cloth. As early as the 1300s, this wool, like the English, was exported to foreign countries where it was manufactured into cloths and flannels.

The “coch-ddu” wool was bought by farmers in preference to its white counterpart due to its cheapness, warmth and prolonged wear, which was particularly important at the time as wages were low.

The wool was twisted, producing yarn for the production of blankets, cloths and flannels. This was the chief cloth worn by the gentry as well as bards when they met on principal festivals. At the Eisteddfod held at Carmarthen in 1451, Dafydd ap Edmwnt wore a cloak of “coch-ddu” wool, he being a gentleman and noted landowner in Wales.

During the war, this wool was used to manufacture stockings, with the greatest advantage being the non-exisent risk of poison from dyes. Black Welsh Mountain Sheep were also  highly praised for their meat, distinctively dark in colour and rich in taste.

 

The Establishment of the Black Welsh Mountain Sheep Breeders’ Association

The Black Welsh Mountain Sheep Breeders’ Association was established on the 7th December 1920. The sole purpose of forming the association was to “encourage the breeding of Black Welsh Mountain Sheep, at home and abroad, and to maintain the purity of the breed.”

The first meeting was held at the Smithfield Show with only four individuals present. They would later be regarded as the founders of the association. In attendence were; R.M.Greaves Esq., Mrs Jervoise and Major F.H.T Jervoise, with Lord Harlech invited to chair. The first task was to elect officials which would develop and propell the breed into  the public eye.

Lord Harlech was elected President and Mr R.M.Greaves President-elect. Mrs Jervoise was elected Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, with the registered office located at the Jervoise family home at Herriard Park, Basingstoke. The Jervoise family remain members of the association to this day, with flock no.3, in their ownership since the establishment of the association, still in existence.

It was resolved that the number of members would be limited to 20 for the time being. Flocks would be inspected prior to admission and “no lambs with white patches” would be entered.

It remains un-clear as to who initially decided upon a meeting to establish the association, and how this meeting came about.

Below: The original breed standard of excellence as agreed by the council on the 11th December 1923. The document is signed by Lord Harlech, president of the association at the time.

The early years...

With the standard of excellence for Black Welsh Mountain Sheep now set by the founding members, new members applied to join the new found association.  By 1921, the membership of the association stood at eight; Lord Harlech (President), Mr R.M. Greaves (President-Elect), Lord Treowen, The Hon. Cecil Baring, Colonel P.J. Clowes, Mr A. Darby, Mrs Jervoise and Major F.H.T Jervoise. Enquiries for membership had also been received from Lord Tredegar, A.W. Mostyn-Owen, Mrs Nicholl and Mrs Power.

During the first AGM meeting held at Smithfield Show on the 6th December 1921, the expense of registering the society was discussed, with donations offered by council members. The President, Lord Harlech, offered a donation of £15, matched by Mrs Jervoise,  whilst £10 was offered by Mr Greaves to support the cause. The subscription for membership in 1922 was fixed at two guineas.

Membership rose to 17 individuals, and 16 flocks by 1925,  with the total number of registered ewes and ewe lambs at 1,037. Within the following five years, membership rose further, along with the number of ewes and lambs registered to breed standard . Numbers now stood  at 1,068 ewes and 433 ewe lambs , as confirmed at the 10th AGM held at Smithfield Show on the 8th December 1930.

Various articles were produced during this period to promote the breed.  An article appeared in the ‘Live Stock Journal’ on December 4th 1926, and 12 copies were issued to local papers in Wales and the Borders.

Above : The original propganda leaflet issued in 1928 by the breed secretary, Mrs Jervoise, bearing a photograph of a Black Welsh Mountain ram lamb. The origin of the ram lamb featured is unknown.

Above: Black Welsh Mountain ewes and lambs at Herriard Park, Basingstoke. Date unknown. Source: Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)

 “This profitable, picturesque and prolific breed is not merely a fancy one, but one that has proved its worth by the excellence of its mutton and the fineness of its wool, besides taking into consideration the low price at which they are produced.”

- Mrs B.A.L Jervoise - extracted from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Journal, 1928. 

Making their mark in the show ring

During the period of 1920-1930, classes for Black Welsh Mountain Sheep were comissioned at many high profile shows to boost the breed’s profile. Classes were provided for the breed at The Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), The Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS), Shropshire & West Midlands, The Royal Bath and West, Royal Counties Show, as well as other smaller local shows nationwide. Classes for BWM fleeces were also comissioned at Chester Show.

The commission of these classes began the trend of showing Black Welsh Mountain sheep as a pedigree breed, a trend which has remained strong within the association to this day. This is especially true at the Royal Welsh Show, where the number of exhibitors is amongst the highest of all breeds exhibited at the show every year.

Shearling ewes owned by Mrs Jervoise, Herriard Park, Basingstoke. 1st & Breed Champion Royal Welsh Show 1933. Source: Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)