A YOUNG British Angora goat farmer from Holsworthy has accomplished more than most 14-year-olds, with his goats gaining numerous rosettes at county shows and making appearances on the big screen and in glossy magazines.

Mitchell Snook-Bevis, from Noteworthy Farm, Holsworthy, breeds award-winning Angora goats, which have featured in the Hollywood film Snow White and the Huntsman, have made appearances on the Alan Titchmarsh Show and in the pages of Closer magazine.

In August, Mitchell was given the opportunity to visit Victoria, Australia, to study on a working Angora goat farm and learn their techniques.

Mitchell spoke to the Post about his exciting trip and other impressive accomplishments he and his goats have had together.

While Mitchell was showing his goats in the British Angora goat championship at the Three Counties Show, in Malvern, he met Mrs Nicholls, who had flown over from Australia to judge the entries — she later offered Mitchell a work experience place in Australia.

Mitchell said: “My Angora goat Harvey (who is four) won the best buck in his class and then overall champion of the show. The judge was so impressed with me that she offered me the chance to go and see how they farm Angora goats in Australia.”

Mitchell went out to Australia on August 11, and returned ten days later on August 21. Mitchell was able to go on his trip thanks to sponsorship from many local businesses and organisiations. He said: “I was lucky to be sponsored by the British Angora Goat Society and British Mohair Marketing, Harper’s Home Feed, Holsworthy Lions, Holsworthy Masons, Hatherleigh NFU, Bradworthy Young Farmers hosted a wine and wisdom evening and Holsworthy Mole Valley gave me a new coat, boots and waterproof trousers as when I went it was still their [Australia] spring.

“I also had sponsorship from family and friends, if it was not for them I would not have been able to go as it was short notice and I thank everyone who helped and supported me.”

Mitchell spent ten days in Australia learning from experienced goat farmers who currently tend a herd of over 2,000 Angora goats.

Mitchell said of his experience in Australia: “I loved being there — the open space and the scenery. I stayed at Victoria and I could see the oil rigs from part of the farm.

“The farm was huge, it had its own island for some of the goats. They run over 2,000 Angora goats and are hoping to expand.

“When I was there I was ear tagging the baby goats and I helped with some tricky births — as I have small hands. We started shearing and I had a go and sheared a few goats, we also sorted out the mohair after it came off the goat — this is to separate the stains from the clean mohair.

“I learned the general knowledge of the goats and got to work with their cattle dog moving goats from one part of the farm to another, which took us over three hours as there were lots of goats going to different places on the farm.”

Back in the UK and speaking about his responsibilities at home on Noteworthy Farm, Mitchell said he helps feed their goats and check them over in the morning before he goes to school with his brother Max and sister Jorja.

His duties at home also include moving the goats from the paddock to the barns, feeding them, helping trim their hooves and worming them.

Mitchell said he also helps out during kidding season and that since his trip he feels ‘really confident as I have had so much experience in Australia’.

Mitchell has taken part in many county shows in the past with the Angora goats he helps raise. He told the Post about one of his most memorable experiences at a show with his four-year-old Angora goat named ‘Harvey’.

Mitchell said: “My most memorable moment is when Harvey won the Breed Championship Show this year when I was handling him as I was in the show ring. I was so nervous but Harvey did not put a hoof wrong, he is a real star.”

Perhaps one of the most notable achievements Mitchell’s Angora goats have made has been their appearance on screen and in magazines.

Some of the Angora goats from Noteworthy Farm, which Mitchell has helped raise, were chosen to be in the 2012 film Snow White and the Huntsman, which was filmed at Pinewood Film Studios in London.

Mitchell said: “I could not go as I was too young and had to go to school. Mum and Dad went and said it was fantastic! They had to dress up and were in the film handling the animals.”

Adding to their fifteen minutes of fame the family were also invited to appear in Closer magazine after a picture Mitchell’s mother, Juileann, took and tweeted went viral online. The picture was known as ‘goats in coats’.

Mitchell explained: “Mum had tweeted a photo of the new born kids in woolen jumpers as we were having bad weather.”

They were then approached by the Alan Titchmarsh Show and asked to appear on the show with the Angora goat kids in their woolen jumpers.

Mitchell said the kids were very well behaved, adding: “We could not go as, yet again, we had to go to school.”

Looking to the future, Mitchell is pleased with all he has accomplished but is now setting his sights firmly on gaining work experience later this year with either the British Wool Board or a local working wool mill.