The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2013 - Issue 30 | Page 48

DARLINGTON FARMERS AUCTION MART DFAM LOOKS FORWARD TO THE NEXT 130 YEARS Exciting changes are on the way for Darlington Farmers Auction Mart. Ian Wilkinson went along to find out more. After more than 130 years of successful auctioneering, Darlington Farmers Auction Mart will be moving to a brand new site on the outskirts of town. The new site is already being prepared; a slight but positive setback was the discovery of large Peat Reserves which are now being removed and sold on and the proceeds will help towards the building of what will be a state-of-the-art Auction Mart and Business Park. Designs are now being finalised not only to modernise, but also ensure it is both highly functional and easily accessible for the many farmers who have long used the town centre site. Because of its size and location, the present site inevitably restricts both hours and stock levels. In this frenetic and energetic market there have been a NFU MUTUAL DARLINGTON BRANCH IS PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH DARLINGTON FARMERS AUCTION MART Taking the time to o?er you attentive, personal, local service for your insurance, pensions and investments. number of amusing occasions when beasts have decided not to enter the pens - but to set off for Darlington town centre - actively pursued by eager stockmen and farmers – happily none has ever got far before being returned to safety! Construction is expected to commence in Spring 2014 and work will include the building of a new road and roundabout to ensure good access, with C.H.MEATS LTD completion scheduled for early 2015. Talking to senior auctioneer Andrew Armstrong, I asked why Darlington has enjoyed success for so long. Andrew explained: “We attract every size and style of farmers from as far as 100 miles or more and really that’s down to two things: one, consistently achieving good prices both for buying and selling and two, the general Chris Hodgson and CH Meats are proud to be associated with DFAM. CH Meats take great pride in sourcing the finest locally reared Cattle, Sheep, Pigs and Goats as well as stock from their own farm. They provide a wide range of meats produced in excellent modern facilities” Unit 8, Sutton Grange Sutton on Forest York YO61 1EN, Tel [phone] | [email protected] Call 01325 466989 for a quote or pop in NFU Mutual O?ce, Unit 12a, The Beehive, Ling?eld Point, McMullen Road, Darlington, DL1 1YN Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited. Linda Scott Associates Ltd supports Darlington Farmers Auction Mart www.scottcredit.co.uk Tel: [phone] or 07740-683734 Linda Scott Associates Ltd Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority 48 Oct/Nov 2013 FarmersMart To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk