I've also seen all the things you mention but this year the buyers have had to be on their toes as the trade has kept up throughout the season. We're very lucky in our area in that we have a choice of at least ten markets within 40 miles so that if an auctioneer is faffing about, customers will use another mart. All our lambs have been sold through markets this year but due to tb restrictions, cattle have had to go on the hook.Whilst I love all these old photos and remember fondly the odd visit with Dad and various uncles, I don’t like market ways and never have.
I remember Dad and other farmers having arguments with auctioneers ringside because bids weren’t taken, were taken too high or the wrong price knocked down at the last split second. Auctioneers favouring bidders and ignoring the last bid to knock stock down for a prearranged price.
I dare say plenty will disagree but it can’t be denied.
Back in February I spent a morning at a market and it just reminded me of why I dislike that way of selling. Along the lines of finished lambs there was no interest shown by buyers too engrossed in their phones. Many pens just knocked down for the previous pens price with no asking the vendor.
I saw a customer on the way out and he agreed, saying he’s thinking of not bothering again.
It’s a club, an organisation that if your face fits you’ll do well.
Any pics of Hexham mart when it was in the town ?
I went to the school just above and that s how I remember i remember Hexham hubbocks and rickerbys their as well .View attachment 931458
Bottom mart.
View attachment 931459
Top mart.
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Old ropery building converted into a cafe. (down the hill from the top mart).
My first two years of Grammar school were spent trudging up and down that hill at Fellside and past the mart, before moving up to the the high school at the far end of the town.I went to the school just above and that s how I remember i remember Hexham hubbocks and rickerbys their as well .
I went to fell side , mr gamble was head iirc and I also went to QEH .My first two years of Grammar school were spent trudging up and down that hill at Fellside and past the mart, before moving up to the the high school at the far end of the town.
Rickerbys and Hubbucks are now near the new mart, down next to the Tyne.
It's a much better location for space, parking etc, although it does flood on occasion!
The Low mart is the hospital now,and Rickerbys is M@S.I went to the school just above and that s how I remember i remember Hexham hubbocks and rickerbys their as well .