The British Isles has
many breeds of sheep, some recently introduced and some having existed for centuries.
The Welsh Mountain sheep can be termed as an umbrella description to describe
many breeds indigenous to Wales.
Through breeding and selection over the centuries the Welsh Mountain sheep has
developed into many distinct breeds, The Balwen Welsh Mountain being one of
those. Therefore, whilst not similar in appearance to the speckle or South Wales
Welsh Mountain, they are similar in many other ways such as hardiness, ease
of management and good mothering ability. The Balwen Welsh Mountain sheep is
distinct in having the Head Socks and Tails factor.
The Balwen has a base color of black/brown or dark gray, with a white blaze on the face, four white feet and a half white tail. The name Balwen is derived from the Welsh phrase Bal meaning white blaze.
It is thought farmers over the years used the Balwen as landmarks on the hills as a means of recognizing ones flock. By whatever means, the Balwen has been preserved by the continued belief of committed enthusiasts that the Welsh Mountain is a 'sheep for all seasons'.
For many years
the Balwen was confined to an area of central Wales on the borders of the
old counties of Cardigan, Brecon and Carmarthen. The catchment area of the
river Tywi, north of Rhandirmwyn (now the Llyn Brianne Dam) was the breeding
grounds for the Balwen sheep, and the ancestry of all Balwens can be traced
back to the Tywi valley.
It was acknowledged for many years of the need to form a breed society to preserve and promote Balwens and on the 21st of February 1985 at the Glanbran Arms, Cynghordy the Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep Society was formed
The Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep is a small, very hardy breed. They are easy
to manage having very few health problems associated with many of the larger
breeds. They have excellent feet requiring little attention and can get by
with only the minimum of feeding at peak times of the year. The Balwen is
an excellent mother, having very few lambing problems with plenty of milk
capable of rearing twin lambs under the right circumstances.
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Balwen Welsh Mountain Sheep Society: Mr Chris Lewis,
Ty Deri,
Llanvetherine,
Abergavenny,
Wales,
NP7 8PY
