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.

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.

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.

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.


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.

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.