The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2019 - Issue 62 | Page 28

28 RICKERBY SHOW
APR/MAY 2019 • farmers-mart.co.uk
RICKERBY SHOW’S COMING OF AGE
On the 7th of March I headed north to the city of Carlisle to attend and cover the Rickerby
Annual Show. Having ploughed my way through the rain and wind on the A65 and M6, I
arrived at a much drier Carlisle and the impressive head offices of the Rickerby Group.
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THIS year more than most there was an
extra buzz in the air, not only from the ded-
icated staff but also from the dynamic duo
that is Martyn Henderson and Colin Potts,
Rickerby’s two area directors that steer the
hugely successful eight depot operation, as
well as devise and put together the annual
show. This year is a milestone with it being
the 18th consecutive show.
I met up with Martyn who, as usual, was as
busy as ever with people at the front desk,
both with staff and customers on the phone.
I asked how Wednesday went - “Champion”
came the reply from a smiling Martyn. They
had around 2500 people attend and this year
the spread was much better; rather than
everyone virtually coming in the evening,
there was a greater spread across the day,
probably due to the inclement weather this
year. This worked much better as the staff
and exhibitors were able to talk to more
farmers and close those all-important deals,
and even Martyn got the opportunity to
close a few deals. It also spread the pressure
on the caterers who at the start of each day
freshly prepare hundreds of tasty sandwich-
es and gallons of soup which are eagerly de-
voured by the traditional hungry farmers.
One thing that Martyn said as we were
discussing how the show had grown in re-
cent years, was that 18 years ago it was very
much seen as a Carlisle and Penrith show,
whereas now it is a full Rickerby show, with
all depots represented and every model
and piece of machinery they sell on view.
Wednesday is always the day when actual
busloads of farmers come for the day from
the farther reaches of the Rickerby empire
such as Durham and Alnwick.
The past year has been a very strong one
for Rickerby. The weather did help, and we
all know how much of a part it can play.
Rickerby have had a 30-year relationship
with Bailey Trailers and the previous trading
year has been its best. Always looking to
develop and improve there have been
some spectacular new pieces of machin-
ery introduced from the New KIDD feeder
bedder, to the prestigious Ferrari Weeder –
Ferrari being a new range this year - not the
cheapest kit on the market, however if you
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