Shearer returns to venue of triumph

MEMORIES: Masterton former shearer Ian 'Scottie' Stewart is heading back to the Bath and West Show 50 years after winning the inaugural British Golden Shears. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Heading back to the Bath and West Show, Ian "Scottie" Stewart will be proudly wearing the same Scottish tweed jacket he was wearing when he won the first British and Eire Golden Shears 50 years ago.

The 78-year-old Masterton former shearer is heading to Ireland to watch the Golden Shears World Championship being held at Gorey before heading to the Bath and West Show in Shepton Mallet where he won the inaugural British Golden Shears five decades ago as a 28-year-old.

Winning the title he also won 100 for his efforts; the equivalent to "$10,000 today".

"That was like a month's wages back then," he said.

Born in Scotland, Mr Stewart came to New Zealand as a teenager taking up employment as a farm worker where he soon took up shearing.

"It just went from there," he said. "I've been shearing ever since. It's not just a sport, it's a job where you make some awesome friendships with like-minded people," he said.

"Most shearers are hard workers."

Catching up with old mates in Ireland and Britain is what he's most looking forward to.

You can read more about his thoughts on shearing and life as a competitive shearer in this week's Time-Age Rural.