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LPT-eO1-s2 [PL] Post &Times, February 24, 2010 33 Leek Cattle Market’s 50th anniversary celebrate 50-year milestone The only thing it probably needs is more fat cattle for the meat trade, but hopefully this will come forward.” The market was given a £300,000 refurbishment in 2006. Staffordshire Moorlands District Council provided £170,000, with the rest coming from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands. Councillor Ben Emery, portfolio holder for arts, culture and tourism, said: “We’re delighted to have been associated with the livestock market throughout its 50 years in Junction Road. “I wish the market every success for the next half-century.” A dairy and calf show and sale will be staged at the market on Tuesday. Boulds of Leek Ltd Congratulations to Leek Cattle Market Beef •Lamb •Pork •Chicken Direct from Leek Market and local farmers Bacon and Gammon Joints and variety of cheeses Home made by your local friendly butcher! Sausages, Cooked Meats,Frshley baked pies and Sausage Rolls from our own bakery 54 Derby Street, Leek. Telephone :01538 384334 Visitors will receive a commemorative catalogue published by Leek Auctions Ltd and site owner Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. 800 years of markets: Page 34 WHAT DO YOU THINK? Write to the editor, Post & Times, Smithfield Centre, Haywood Street, Leek or email newsdesk@ thepostandtimes.co.uk ©NM Keeping farmers fed is a recipe for success COOK Jean Wain has been serving up tasty dishes to hungry farmers for the past 20 years. Jean, pictured, took over the canteen at Leek Cattle Market, in Junction Road, in 1990. Her grub has proved to be so popular, she needs five members of staff to help serve up breakfast and lunch. Jean said: “The market is very busy and attracts farmers from all over the country, which means the kitchen is also very busy. “It is very satisfying when farmers who have travelled a long way say they have enjoyed the food. “I have enjoyed the last 20 years. There have been a lot of laughs despite the BSE crisis and then foot and mouth, Farming Matters atHowsons We’ve been working with farmers since our practice was established and today we still have alarge client base of farmers, small and large. For afree initial confidential discussion, please contact: Seaton Kennerley Leek Office 01538 393600 Suzanne Preston Stoke Office 01782 848838 Stephen Eardley Uttoxeter Office 01889 563550 Other offices in Newport, Burslem and Alsager www.howsons.com ©NM which closed us for about 12 months. “I could not have built up the business and carried on without my staff. I really do appreciate what they have done.” Shortly after Jean first opened, the canteen was targeted by arsonists. She added: “We could only provide sandwiches from a office until portable units were brought in. Jean and her team have also raised £4,000 for charity. A few years ago, she bought new mugs, charging a 20p deposit. When the mugs were returned, she refunded the money. However, many of the farmers chose to put the coins in a jar on the counter. A total of £4,000 has been donated to Cancer Research UK. 69 Derby Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6JL Tel: 01538 373308 Sale of freehold property by auction, private treaty or tender. Valuations for all purposes of property, livestock &machinery Letting and Management of Agricultural, Land &Residential Property Compensation claims for wayleaves and easements and disturbance claims Single Farm Payment matters incl. sale and transfer of entitlements. General Practice and Land Agencymatters Director and Shareholder of Leek Auctions Ltd Iwish to thank everyone who has supported the market over the past 50 years and look forward to your continuing support. Also my thanks to the manystaff and fellow Auctioneers who have served the Market so well over the years. www.grahamwatkins.co.uk ©NM
34 Post &Times, February 24, 2010 LPT-eO1-s2 [PL] Leek Cattle Market’s 50th anniversary Auction at heart of town for centuries WEEKLY livestock markets have been closely bound up with Leek’s history for more than 800 years. The first charter to hold a market was granted by King John, in 1208, to the Earl of Chester, afeudal overlord of the Moorlands. Although Leek was then only a very small settlement clustered around the Old Church, the market made it a place of considerable importance for miles around. For many years ownership of the market rights was in private hands, but in the 19th century it passed to Leek Improvement Commissioners, the forerunners of the present district council. By then livestock sales took place on the area now occupied by the Monument, and in 1870 the commissioners bought nearby land in Haywood Street as a site for a new market, which opened for business four years later. The market remained in the heart of the town, and every Wednesday iron pens adjoining the footpath were filled with cattle. They were then sold on by the leading auctioneers – Sam Mottram and J Oakes Ash. Startin Tractors Limited See us at www.startintractors.co.uk The Electrical Contractors Association REGISTERED MEMBER Congratulations to Leek Cattle Market Tel. 01827 880088 Clifford Green Electrical Ltd Industrial, Commercial, Domestic Installations, Repairs &Maintenance Congratulations to LEEK MARKET on your 50 years of successful trading. We are proud to have been of service 6-8 Leonard Street, Leek, Staffordshire. ST13 5JP Tel: 01538 384563 Fax: 01538 384563 greenelectrical@btconnect.com Between the pens in Haywood Street and the houses in Cromwell Terrace, the large open area now occupied by the bus station was known as the Horse Fair, although sales of horses had become a rare event by 1960. Most of the market trade was in cattle but a small shed next to Cromwell Terrace was the setting for sales of pigs, sheep, calves and poultry. The Haywood Street market may have been the last word in 1875 but by the 1950s trade was outstripping the accommodation and sales were held on Thursdays as well as the long-established Wednesdays. The Improvement Commissioners had discussed the new market for many years before it became a reality. History repeated itself in the 1930s when the need for another new market was recognised by Leek Urban District Council. But the intervention of the Second World Warmeant it was 1960 before the cattle market could leave Haywood Street for Junction Road. There have been many changes in farming over the centuries but buying and selling cattle still calls for the same old shrewdness in ©NM ©NM HINE PLUMBING SERVICES LTD Tel. &Fax. 01538 300334 Mobile. 07973 135664 www.hine.uk.com e-mail sales@hine.uk.com Gas/Oil/Central Heating/Underfloor Heating/Un-vented Pressurized Hot Water Systems/Bathrooms/Showers/ Tiling/Leadwork/Pipe Threading/ STWAListed/GasSafe & Oftec Registered Renewables-Solar &Ground Source Congratulations to Leek Auctions on 50 Years wishing them future success &prosperity Top left and above, the original cattle market outside the Talbot Inn in Leek. judging stock and weighing up bargains. In the same time, the value of money has changed drastically. The Haywood Street market cost just over £1,000 and in 1960 its replacement cost less than today’s price of a small house –£85,000. Quite apart from the improved facilities, one of the big benefits of the new market was the greatly increased space –seven acres instead of the cramped one-and-a-half acres at Haywood Street. Another impetus in the need for a new market was the move towards TB attested herds and accommodation for more than 200 such beasts was an important part of the Junction Road plans. The new premises also provided greater comfort and ease of viewing for buyers and sellers, ample car parking and plenty of room for hauliers to load cattle wagons. ©NM The welfare of animals was another influence, and so milking facilities were provided as well as sick pens, while hay, straw and water were readily available. Work on the Junction Road site began in 1958 and the council and its contractors were praised for bringing the market into operation so quickly. The main contractor was H Brereton and Sons Ltd, of Tunstall, and many other local companies had a hand in its completion. The opening of the market was invested with due ceremony and celebration, attended by more than 3,000 people. There was a large entry of stock from far afield and a record number of prizes on offer. Every seat, and all the standing room, was full when the first sale began. The market was opened by Leek’s MP Harold Davies, who paid tribute to agriculture’s huge influence on the nation. He wished the market prosperity and hoped it would add to the reputation of the Queen of the Moorlands. Everyone took it as a good omen for the market’s future when a Friesian cow, entered by a Yorkshire farmer, gave birth to a bull calf in the ring. In keeping with the mood of celebration, record prices were paid. Mr J Naden, of Buxton, bought the supreme champion, a Friesian heifer entered by Lancasters, Congleton, for £140. He also bought the reserve champion, another Friesian, from a Yorkshire farmer, for £120. TELL US YOUR MEMORIES AND STORIES FROM THE MARKET? Write to the editor, Post & Times, Smithfield Centre, Haywood Street, Leek or email newsdesk@ thepostandtimes.co.uk YOUR LOCAL LANDINI AND POTTINGER DEALER ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE TO OUR PRODUCT RANGE THE LATEST FRANCHISES KIOTI TRACTORS UTV VEHICLES,WESTWOOD RIDE ON MOWERS &GARDEN MACHINERY, ECHO CHAINSAWS &STRIMMERS,KARCHER PRESSURE WASHERS,ETC ALSO DEALERS OF THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS SUZUKI QUADS,TEAGLE, NC,KEENAN,FLEMING,QUICKE, RICHARD WESTERN,DODA PUMPS,KRM, HACKETT HARROWS, ALBUTT,OIL, FILTERS,PTO SHAFTS,HYDRAULIC HOSES, BATTERIES AND MANY MORE ALSO STOCKING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING,BOOTS,ETC We are pleased to be associated with LEEK CATTLE MARKET -Congratulations on 50 yearsofTrading CALL AND SEE US FOR ALL YOUR AGRICULTURAL NEEDS AT PARKHALL FARM CHEADLE OR LEEK CATTLE MARKET EVERYTUESDAY PART EXCHANGES WELCOME Park Hall Farm,Adderley Road Cheadle,Staffordshire ST10 2NJ Tel/Fax: 01538 756 272 Email: info@johnsonag.co.uk www.johnsonsag.co.uk TELEPHONE LES BAILEY ON 07790 020476 OR DAVID PARSONS ON 07891 914231 ©NM
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