Strength, quick reflexes and a great level of skill were on show at the speedshearing event held at Baysham Farm, Sellack on Friday, August 28th. The fantastic event raised about £10,000 to help the Rudge family fulfill the dream they have to help young shearers gain crucial experience.

Hundreds of people filled the barn, at the farm which is home to the Rudge family. Many had come to take part, or watch the competitions but many more were there to show support for Chris and Jen, who lost their son Billy, in a tragic accident in February this year.

The event was organised as a way of raising funds to send two young farmers to New Zealand to hone their skills on a station there. Chris and Jen were hoping to raise £4,000 to cover the costs to enable two youngsters to take up this opportunity.

Chris told the Ross Gazette: “Billy’s death was terrible for us as a family but it affected the whole community and this event was a way of bringing everyone together and thanking them for the support they gave when it happened and every day since.”

Despite the poor weather on Sunday, August 30th the festival organised in memory of 20-year-old Ollie Floyd, a member of Ross Rugby Club who also died in tragic circumstances, was a great success.

The day started with a memorial rugby game against an invitational side from the Forest. Ollie played for Drybrook as a child, and Ross as an adult, and both sides were made up of players that had played alongside Ollie. The match was played in great spirits, the Forest side won the game 22-15 and won the first ever Ollie Floyd Memorial Trophy.

After the rugby, friends of Ollie and his family, listened to live music, enjoyed themselves and dug deep in their pockets to help fill collecting buckets. The rain did not dampen the enthusiasm to have a good time in memory of Ollie.

This festival was organised on a shoestring budget but raised over £3,000 which will be divided between a children’s charity and plans for a festival next year.

Both Ollie’s parents, Nick and Hayley, were at the festival and Nick played in the memorial rugby game earlier in the day.

Nick told the Gazette: “I just can’t explain it, the support has just been absolutely amazing for our son, I just find it unbelievable really, to see what people are like, their compassion, I’ve never seen anything like it to be honest.”

Read the full report in this week’s Ross Gazette.