Couple raise £2,500 for charity with speed shearing contest

A bride and groom raised more than £2,500 for charity after holding a sheep shearing themed wedding.

Farmworker Richard Burrow married his sweetheart Kimberley Hague, a primary school teacher, on 31 July in Tiverton, Devon.

See also: How farm wedding venues can make the most of market trends

But the couple could not resist having a farming theme for their big day – and they held a speed shearing contest from 5.30pm after the wedding breakfast.

Richard, a farmworker for the Mills family in Witheridge, north Devon, has sheared in New Zealand, where he once took part in a 24-hour hour charity shearathon.

© Laura Stanbury

Wedding goers, many of whom were farmers, joined Richard to take part in the charity shearing competition.

Eleven shearers, including the groom, were auctioned off by Paul Heard, a farm auctioneer and cousin to the bride.

The top price paid was £300 for the groom. 

‘Thrilling’ contest

Richard reached the final and went head-to-head with local farmer Barry Elston. But Richard emerged as the winner. Wedding guests described the atmosphere as “superb” and “thrilling”.

About £2,000 was raised through the auction and guests continued to add donations throughout the day. In total, about £2,500 was raised for Hospiscare, a charity close to the hearts of the couple.

The buyer of the winning shearer won a box of beef donated by Richard Stanbury, of Knowstone Red Ruby Devon Beef.

Printed shearing vests were sponsored by Heywood Bars and CB Construction, based in Witheridge. 

Are you a farmer who has recently tied the knot, or is about to say “I do”? Farmers Weekly is looking for some lovely couples to share stories on their farming-themed weddings and how they have been affected by lockdown. Get in touch by emailing lizzie.mclaughlin@markallengroup.com.