The Farmers Mart Aug/Sep 2013 - Issue 29 | Page 40

THIRSK AUCTION MART

THIRSK AUCTION MART CELEBRATES ITS CENTENARY
Thirsk Farmers Auction Mart Co Ltd has just celebrated its centenary, after moving from its original site at Station Road, Thirsk to the smart new purpose-built Thirsk Rural Business Centre.
The company today is highly progressive and utilises the latest technology to ensure it remains efficient – but it has an interesting history. The original Mart that was held at an Auction Mart near Thirsk Market Place was run by Freemans Auctioneers. In 1906, they were approached by a co-operative of Thirsk local farmers to buy them out but they decided to decline this offer. Then in January 1907 Thirsk Farmers set up a limited company in the name of Thirsk Farmers Auction Mart, comprising of 19 directors including local farmers, a bank manager and a JP. The original auctioneer was Seth Kirby, grandfather of the present Company Secretary. The first Chairman was Henry Robson of Catton, Thirsk and the first Company Secretary was Stephen Kirby. A purpose-built mart was built on Station Road, leased from the Turton family and later purchased in 1920. This was a top of the range Market boasting two rings at a time when most marts only had a single ring. In 1965 the directors ceased trading and leased out the market to auctioneers, Seth Kirby & Sons. Then in 1972 the Board of Directors took back the running of the Company. Turnover at that time was about 80 cattle, 250 sheep and 100 pigs per week. Massive improvements to the facilities began and continued in a rolling programme over the next 20 years as throughput continued to increase, reaching peaks of over 1000 fat cattle, 7000 sheep and more than 3000 pigs. More land was then purchased for expansion. Sales of store stock were introduced from 1972 and more recently, sales of Furniture, Fur Feather & Machinery which have now become regular features with fortnightly sales of Furniture &

• Weighing Solutions are the market leader in the design, supply and installation of Livestock Auction Mart Weighbridges. • We manufacture a standard and bespoke range of Prime and Store Cattle, Sheep and Pig Scales. • All weighbridge decks are fully galvanised for durability.

• All load cells and electronic equipment are manufactured in stainless steel to IP68. • A full range of single and multi line ring displays are available. • Fully OIML approved for trade. • Computer interfaces to suit integration with your existing Mart Software.

For further information please contact Alex Forsyth or visit our redesigned website at

www.weighingsolutions.co.uk
Mobile: [phone] • Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Muirhead Road, Stenhousemuir, Larbert, FK5 4HZ

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Aug/Sep 2013 FarmersMart

To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk