The Farmers Mart Apr/May 2016 - Issue 45 | Page 74

Northfield Agricultural Services Ltd
sales and the day-to-day
management of the business
while Cecil was chairman and
Laurence company secretary.
They bought the land from the
Hodgsons to where Northfield
Agricultural moved to, round
the corner from the house, in
1978.
“We hadn’t a franchise
when we started and had just
one fitter and a storeman.
Jill used to do the VAT at 10
o’clock every night. Initially
we were approved traders to
Thompsons of Beverley selling
Massey Ferguson. We then got
to selling more than them so
we became sub-dealers and
subsequently were given the
main franchise in 1982. In those
days you sold tractors by being
at Hull livestock market on a
Monday; and at Beverley on a
Wednesday. You were expected
to be there and farmers would
be looking for you. Deals were
done there and then, or in the

Corn Exchange were grain was
traded or in the Durham Ox
pub!”
George is keen to apportion
credit were it is undoubtedly
important.
“Without the Hodgson
family’s involvement over many
years we wouldn’t have a
business today. I know that only
too well. Laurence’s connection
with the company only ceased
two years ago and Cec gave
his shares in the company
to Richard when he passed
away. He was a man of true
honour and virtue. We have
been very fortunate to have
them as friends and business
partners.”
Richard feels the same about
those who work with them.
“We also wouldn’t have
achieved 40 years without the
loyalty of our customers and
staff, the majority of whom have
been with us since leaving
school. Iain Ford, our general

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74 Apr/May 2016 www.farmers-mart.co.uk