The Farmers Mart Feb/Mar 2016 - Issue 44

Scapegoat Hill OPENING HOURS: MON-FRI 7.30AM-7.00PM, SATURDAY 9AM-12PM (MAPLE ST 2PM-3PM) Proud to be associated with Eric Townend & Son ASPLEY 01484 MIRFIELD 421 512 01924 MAPLE ST, OFF KINGS MILL LANE, ASPLEY HD5 9AX BIRCHENCLIFFE 01484 Our Services Include: 492 200 QUEEN ST, MIRFIELD, WF14 8AH EMERGENCIES (Maple Street Surgery) 450 022 01484 BIRCHENCLIFFE HILL RD BIRCHENCLIFFE HD3 3NL 421512 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR THONGSBRIDGE 01484 684 189 MIRY LANE, THONGSBRIDGE HOLMFIRTH HD9 7RY Animal Rehabilitation Centre at our Birchencliffe surgery. Complete, professional and caring, ideal for those recovering from injury or illness. Duo Mk5 Surgical Treatments Neutering Vaccinations Pet Insurance Ultrasound Scanner Microchip Identification Worming Flea Control Dietary Advice and Supplies Hill farmers where machinery comes first Bio Mk3 Chris Berry talks with the Townend family of Scapegoat Hill Roadeo Curve Roadeo Pusher YORKSHIRE’S LEADING MULTI AUCTION CENTRE PROUD TO BE SUPPORTING ERIC TOWNEND & SON Murton York YO19 5GF • WEEKLY LIVESTOCK SALES • • • • MACHINERY & PLANT • SPECIAL SALES HORSE SALES MOTOR AUCTIONS FINE ARTS & ANTIQUES T: 01904 489731 62 Feb/Mar 2016 www.farmers-mart.co.uk www.ylc.co.uk »»UP IN THE PENNINE HILLS, five miles west of Huddersfield is a village that goes by the name of Scapegoat Hill which at its height runs to around 1100 feet above sea level. It is a community that grew through the wool trade and weaving, but for the Townend family at Lockwood Farm, it is all about machinery. Today, Jonathan Townend fronts up the business that his great-grandfather started nearly a century ago; a business that his grandfather, Eric Townend became better known for and that his father, John fronted before the lad with the gift of the farming gab took over. It’s a business that has seen the family become a leading player at the now annual Yorkshire Agricultural Machinery Show (YAMS) that took place in early February, and saw them once again take one of the biggest stands to showcase the new farm machinery franchises they operate for several major manufacturers including McHale, K-Two, Strimech, Walter Watson, Brown’s and Malone. “My father, Eric was always making trailers,” says John Townend. “He used to make at least five every week. He manufactured all sorts of farm equipment too including grass harrows. His father, my grandfather, did it too. They started just after WWII. They’d fetch stuff like Standard Fordson tractors and threshing machines back from machinery sales in Cambridge and sell them in Huddersfield Cattle Market. “The trailer business started when they bought horse carts from Smiths Crisps in Cambridge. They would turn them into trailers to tow behind Grey Fergies and Standard

The Farmers Mart Feb/Mar 2016 - Issue 44 | Page 62