An award-winning Powys farmer who has raised more than £120,000 for cancer research is selling his unique herd for charity.

After being seriously injured by a bull he owned while attending a market in Carlisle that left him with an injured leg and broken ribs, 78-year-old Emyr Wigley made the difficult decision to sell The Old Stackyard Blues herd, the only charity herd of its type in Britain.

All 33 cattle from the herd will be sold at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on March 4 as part of auctioneers Halls’ annual sale of British Blue Cattle.

The herd was established in tribute to Emyr’s wife, Evelyn, who died of ovarian cancer aged 69 in 2015. Before their retirement they were dairy farmers for 20 years and had a small group of British Blues, which she loved, hence why Emyr chose to start a small breeding herd in her memory.

Over the past seven years, Emyr, who lives at Deytheur, Llansantffraid, has raised £121,691 for Ovarian Cancer Action and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution from selling his cattle and books. All proceeds from the herd’s sale will go to the same charities.

He said: “So much assistance has been given, from hours of work to donations of necessary equipment and substantial discounts on buildings, equipment and services, for which I will always be grateful.”

OTHER NEWS

He also thanked everyone who had helped him during his time recovering from the injuries he sustained.

His niece, Laura Pritchard, said he was “lucky to be alive” but has praised his ability to continue working.

She said: “I love him to bits. We are very close because I have spent much of my life with him and my late aunt.

“We are hoping to raise £100,000 from the herd’s sale, as there is already a lot of interest because of the good breeding, the highest possible herd health with no vaccinations of any sort. The herd has generations of natural calving traits.

“My uncle is working flat out on his mobile phone organising the sale, with me in the background. The surrounding farming community has been beyond excellent with their support since he was injured.”

Jonny Dymond, Halls’ senior auctioneer and Shrewsbury Auction Centre manager, said: “We are honoured to be the chosen auctioneers for this most significant dispersal sale for the family, the breed and the charities.

“It is a truly unique herd and the journey Emyr Wigley has been on deserves all our admiration.”

Want to stay up to date with all the top stories of the week from Powys? Click here to sign up for our weekly catch-up email newsletter and click on the + for the ‘Weekly Catch-Up’.