THE popular shearing contest at the Kent County Show has been scrapped.

Show organisers have cited both financial reasons and visitors’ concerns over animal welfare for the decision.

But it has been greeted with disbelief by farmer and vet Hugh Skinner who is planning to host the event himself at his Sissinghurst farm in July.

Detling showground manager David Goff said the main reason for pulling the event was the £15,000 running costs. He confirmed comments by onlookers, worried about the sheep, had been taken into account when the decision was made to drop the high-speed Romney Shears competition.

Mr Goff, a former lecturer at Hadlow College, said: “When I used to teach shearing, I said it is a bit like men shaving but the public don’t understand.

“Education of the public is our real concern. In the old days people were country folk but now they come from the towns and really don’t understand.

“I am very conscious that we need to educate the public.”

The contest has been held at the show for the past five years and is exclusively for the breed which has been linked for centuries with Romney Marsh.

Mr Skinner, who wants to make his event one for all the family, said: “I just think it is another example of the public being separated from what goes on in the countryside.

A statement from the show organisers, the Kent County Agricultural Society, said the decision to scrap the contest had been made for cost-cutting reasons and to give more room to trade stands.

It added: “The welfare of the animals is a major concern and although there have been concerns raised by the public this was not the primary reason for the competition not appearing”

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