The Welsh Runs

Traditionally, the best lambs, the so-called “Welsh Runs”, come from Snowdonia Mountain, North Wales. “The Welsh Runs” photo story focuses on traditional rural Wales and a vanishing way of life that portrays almost forgotten customs associated with farming.

It is a story of a young family Jackson, their everyday activities and professional routines practiced in an old-fashioned manner as well as obstacles they are facing. The Jackson family is one of very few remaining native householders with deeply rooted tradition of sheep farming and skills such as blade shearing, which is a very important and specific skill of Elfed Jacksonmaking it a ‘trademark” of the family. At the same time it is also a portrait of a small and remote community in which people still rely on each other in order to fulfill their daily activities.

Unfortunately, because of the fact that Snowdonia Mountain is a National park with a growing touristic potential, there is an increasing pressure from the Government which are are imposing restrictions to this mountain sheep farming causing this way of life and work to eventually vanish.