The Farmers Mart Feb/Mar 2015 - Issue 38 | Page 56
Selby Auction Mart
Reputations in the Ring
Chris Berry talks with Richard Haig at Selby’s
lively Livestock Auction Mart.
»»Respect is something
with much of its esteem
that is hard-earned, no matter
coming from its leadership, a
what sphere you work in and
strong and focussed committee
as I came here was the respect
the farming world is certainly
and chairmen who have
everyone had for Robin. The
no exception. Certainly, a good
ensured that Selby has grown
team at the mart and all of our
reputation is paramount in the
as a business yet still retained
farmers and buyers were all
livestock markets, whether
its ‘friendly mart’ tag.
Robin fans and quite rightly
TRIBUTES TO ROBIN
“What came across as soon
Richard Haig is the current
so. He took the mart forward
managing director and cattle
in leaps and bounds and was
auctioneer, with his colleague
instrumental in establishing
Mart has carved out its own
Chris Clubley auctioning
Selby as this wonderful auction
niche over the past quarter of a
the pigs and sheep. Richard
centre. Peter Cornforth was
century since its move from the
came from United Auctions
the chairman when I first
centre of town to its outskirts.
in Stirling nine years ago and
arrived and it is now Ralph
It is now one of Yorkshire’s
has carried on the tremendous
Coward. I met with Robin
most respected mart centre,
work done by Chris, the rest
during the interview process
of the Selby team and perhaps
and spent many a time with
most notably, Robin Screeton
him afterwards. He lived and
who sadly passed away two
breathed this place. When
years ago this summer.
the mart took me on it was
you are a buyer, seller or an
auctioneer.
Selby Livestock Farmers
Just a couple of weeks before
another big step for them as
this issue went to press, a
they had not had a full-time
framed photograph of Robin
auctioneer/manager because
took pride of place on the wall
Robin and Chris both have
in the mart café with Robin’s
or have had their own land
partner, Val Ellerington, was
agency businesses too,” he
present along with Chris and
explained.
we were there to photograph
“We have some fantastic
the handover from Val to
people who commit so much
Chris.
time and energy to the mart’s
During my visit, Richard
success - from Chris, who
looked back to when he first
56 Feb/Mar 2015 www.farmers-mart.co.uk
is still a director and was
took over his role from Robin.
managing director before me;