Phil Hawksby, along with his team of expert shearers, is based in Durham but travels far and wide, covering farms from Humberside to the Scottish borders. With over 10 years of experience, Phil has earned a reputation as a trusted shearer, taking care of sheep shearing needs for local farmers. We recently caught up with Phil and his team at a farm in Muggleswick, near Consett.
Muggleswick, Consett, Co. Durham, ENGLAND – 18th July 2024: Consett in Focus (CiF) Work and Trades project -Phil Hauxsby, Sheep Shearer, working at Bean’s Farm Mugglesick, Consett, Co. Durham, ENGLAND
(Photo by George Ledger Photography)Muggleswick, Consett, Co. Durham, ENGLAND – 18th July 2024: Consett in Focus (CiF) Work and Trades project -Phil Hauxsby, Sheep Shearer, working at Bean’s Farm Mugglesick, Consett, Co. Durham, ENGLAND
(Photo by George Ledger Photography)Muggleswick, Consett, Co. Durham, ENGLAND – 18th July 2024: Consett in Focus (CiF) Work and Trades project -Phil Hauxsby, Sheep Shearer, working at Bean’s Farm Mugglesick, Consett, Co. Durham, ENGLAND
(Photo by George Ledger Photography)Muggleswick, Consett, Co. Durham, ENGLAND – 18th July 2024: Consett in Focus (CiF) Work and Trades project -Phil Hauxsby, Sheep Shearer, working at Bean’s Farm Mugglesick, Consett, Co. Durham, ENGLAND
(Photo by George Ledger Photography)
Sheep shearing is an ancient craft, with roots stretching back to 3500 BC, when bronze blades were the tools of the trade. Today, most shearers use electric or battery-powered machines, making the process faster and more efficient, though it’s far from easy! A skilled shearer can transform a woolly sheep into a sleek, shorn beauty in just a few minutes.
So, the next time you see a flock of sheep looking neat and tidy, spare a thought for the centuries-old tradition and skill that goes into creating that perfectly shorn fleece!
