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Property for sale by Auction Three people are sitting at a desk in front of laptops and microphones. The person on the left, who is speaking into a microphone, and the person on the right are seated. The person in the middle is standing and smiling. A logo with the letters

Celebrating Half a Century of Excellence: The 50th Anniversary of Borderway Market Carlisle

Quite possibly the best place in the world for any Auctioneer or Livestock person ……………………  

On a bright and sunny Thursday, the 22nd of August, 2024, Borderway Mart in Carlisle, a beacon of the agricultural sector, marked its golden jubilee.

Operated by the esteemed agricultural auctioneers, Harrison and Hetherington (H&H), this milestone signifies an impressive 50-year journey of substantial contributions to the agricultural landscape, both within the UK and on the global stage.

Property for sale by Auction Black and white photo of a crowded auction house. A cow stands in a central ring surrounded by spectators, some seated and others standing. Several individuals near the cow appear to be handling or presenting it. A large spotlight is directed at the ring. Presented by World of Auctions
A Black and white photo of a crowded auction house. Mr Dick Harrison founder and Auctioneer speaking from the Rostrum as  A cow stands in a central ring surrounded by spectators, some seated and others standing. Several individuals near the cow appear to be handling or presenting it. A large spotlight is directed at the ring. Presented by World of Auctions

 

A Journey Through Time: 50 Years of Borderway Mart

Over the past five decades, H&H has transformed Borderway Mart into a premier livestock trading hub in the UK. Since its inception in 1974, the mart has become an indispensable part of the agricultural community, overseeing the sale of an astounding 820,000 animals annually. This translates to a staggering £240 million in transactions each year.

The grand opening of the mart, graced by the Westmoreland MP, the Rt. Hon. William Whitelaw, was a momentous occasion that made waves in the Cumberland News.

Property for sale by Auction A bustling auction scene at a livestock market features a central pen with a single sheep and four men. Surrounding the pen, a crowd of bidders and onlookers seats themselves on tiered benches. Signs and screens display auction information, lending a busy air to the setting. Presented by World of Auctions
Auction A bustling auction scene at a livestock market features a central pen with a single sheep and four men. Surrounding the pen, a crowd of bidders and onlookers seats themselves on tiered benches. Signs and screens display auction information, lending a busy air to the setting. Presented by World of Auctions

 

Since those early days the market has been taken care of and graced by many of greatest stalwarts and auctioneers in the livestock industry. Including but certainly not limited too its visionary founder Mr Dick Harrison, Robert Harrison, Jimmy Hyslop, The late Great David Thomlinson, together with the brilliance in a difference ways of David Pritchard, Brian Richardson, and many others. Today the market is taken care by Scott Donaldson Auctioneer extraordinaire! Supported by James Little, Grant Anderson and their team.

 

Property for sale by Auction A man in a tan jacket and blue tie leans on a metal rail, surrounded by cows in a livestock pen. The setting appears to be a cattle market or auction area with multiple cattle pens in the background. Presented by World of Auctions
Mr Scott Donaldson  in a tan jacket and blue tie leans on a metal rail, surrounded by cows in a livestock pen. The setting is the penning area at Borderway Mart with multiple cattle pens in the background. Presented by World of Auctions

A Week of Jubilation: The Anniversary Celebrations

To honour this significant milestone, H&H orchestrated a week-long series of events, commencing on Monday, August 19, and reaching a crescendo on Friday, August 23, 2024. The festivities included prime and store sales, and a unique reenactment of the inaugural sale from 1974. This nostalgic trip down memory lane offered attendees a glimpse into the mart’s illustrious past.

The pièce de résistance of the anniversary was the Anniversary Sale Day Breakfast. This event saw former auctioneers Michael Dickie and Robert Harrison return to the rostrum to auction the first lots. Original staff members, including John Carruthers, Howard Matthews, Isobel McVittie, Cyril Hogg, John Clark, and Micky Thompson, were invited as special guests of honour.

Property for sale by Auction Three people are sitting at a desk in front of laptops and microphones. The person on the left, who is speaking into a microphone, and the person on the right are seated. The person in the middle is standing and smiling. A logo with the letters "H&H" is visible on a backdrop behind them. Presented by World of Auctions
Three Stars Robert, Scott and Isobel people are sitting at a desk in front of laptops and microphones. The person on the left, who is speaking into a microphone, and the person on the right are seated. The person in the middle is standing and smiling. A logo with the letters “H&H” is visible on a backdrop behind them. Presented by World of Auctions

 

Property for sale by Auction A smiling elderly woman in a tan blazer and white shirt stands among a small group of people. She is holding a brown bag and engaging with two people near her, including a blonde woman in a navy vest. The setting appears to be an informal gathering or event. Presented by World of Auctions
A smiling Isobel was wearing a tan blazer and white shirt stands among a small group of people. Including the laughing Lynne Grieve She is holding a brown bag and engaging with two people near her, including a blonde woman in a navy vest. The setting appears to be a formal gathering of the event. to celebrate 50 years of H&H at Borderway.  Presented by World of Auctions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Community Affair: Involvement of the Farming Community

H&H extended an invitation to the farming community to partake in the celebrations by sharing photos, mementos, and memories from the mart’s early days. Managing Director Scott Donaldson underscored the value of these contributions, stating that they represent a rich archive that adds depth to the celebration. The anniversary was not just a celebration of the mart’s history, but also a testament to the resilience and evolution of the agricultural community it serves.

In A Showcase of Greatness and Excellence: Special Events and Sales

The week-long jubilee also hosted several noteworthy events, including  – . A new sale for the Charollais breed welcomed vendors from Northern Ireland, and the sale of Limousin bulls yielded impressive results, with a top price of 18,000gns and a 68% clearance rate.

Property for sale by Auction Two people kneel next to a sheep, proudly holding a "Supreme Champion" rosette and a certificate. Behind them is a black and gold banner with the text "Texel" and "NEOGEN." The background indicates a formal livestock competition or award event. Presented by World of Auctions
Two people kneel next to a sheep, proudly holding a “Supreme Champion” rosette and a certificate. Behind them is a black and gold banner with the text “Texel” and “NEOGEN.” The background indicates a formal livestock competition or award event namely “the Texel Sheep Society’s Farmers Guardian-supported 50th anniversary Textravaganza National Show at Borderway Mart”. Presented by World of Auctions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Toast to the Future: Conclusion

The 50th anniversary of Borderway Mart was a grand affair that paid homage to its past, acknowledged its present, and looked forward to its future. Through a series of engaging and community-centric events, Harrison and Hetherington celebrated the mart’s rich history and its profound impact on the agricultural sector.

 

The festivities not only underscored the mart’s achievements but also reinforced its role as a cornerstone of the farming community in Carlisle and beyond.