Made by Yorkshire Television, this is one of a series of programmes featuring Michael Clegg as he visits interesting places and people of Yorkshire.  The series ran from the 1980s into the 1990s.  In this programme, Clegg visits York Livestock Centre at Murton on market day where he speaks to the farmers and auctioneers. The film begins with pigs and cattle being unloaded from lorries at the market on the Thursday before Christmas.  Clegg announces that it is the biggest pig market in...

Made by Yorkshire Television, this is one of a series of programmes featuring Michael Clegg as he visits interesting places and people of Yorkshire.  The series ran from the 1980s into the 1990s.  In this programme, Clegg visits York Livestock Centre at Murton on market day where he speaks to the farmers and auctioneers. The film begins with pigs and cattle being unloaded from lorries at the market on the Thursday before Christmas.  Clegg announces that it is the biggest pig market in Europe.  Pigs are herded into small metal pens as Clegg states that in East Yorkshire, “Pigs come off the production line as predictably as packets of biscuits.”  Cows are similarly crammed into pens.  We are informed that there are two livestock market days, on a Monday for animals bound for the slaughterhouse, and on a Thursday when livestock are sold to fellow farmers, usually for breeding.  One farmer from Halsham, in Holderness, Albert Marshall, has brought four yearling heifers for sale, hoping to fetch £400 apiece.  He is interviewed by Clegg, and explains that he first went to the old market in York with his father when he was 5 yrs. old, and that now he is 60. Clegg goes on to interview the auctioneer, James (“Jimmy”) Stephenson.  Stephenson explains that the reason for the fast talking is to keep up a rhythm, with people bidding on the beat, and to get a flow going.  As an auction takes place for pigs, one farmer bids by raising his thumb.  The pig auctioneer, Cliff Lockwood is interviewed.  He explains that two years previous he sold over 4,000 pigs in one day, a world record.  The outside of the Livestock Centre at Murton is shown, while inside farmers mill around the few shops and banks, and eat in the canteen.  A dealer, Richard Moore, is interviewed.   He sells cattle directly to farmers, rather than go through auction.  An Irish dealer sells some cattle outside in the rain.  Albert sells two of his heifers, and then Clegg takes over the auctioneer’s job to sell the other two.  These are all sold, although for less than what Albert was hoping for.  Mr Cooper, who buys two of them for £330 each, is interviewed.  Finally, James Stephenson gives an assessment of Clegg’s performance as an auctioneer. Presented by Michael Clegg Cameraman – Brian Wilson Sound Recordist – Kevin Quirk Film Editor – Peter Fitzhugh Dubbing Mixer – Terry Cavagin Production Assistant – Lesley McKirdy Graphics – Trevor Hodgson Animation cameraman – Paul Allen Director - Peter Jones Producer - Mark Meysey-Thompson Editor – David Lowen Yorkshire Television Ltd 1986 Yorkshire Television Production