A century of trade: Talgarth Market celebrates 100 years

As one of the few auction marts in the country that is still situated in its traditional town location, Talgarth Market has remained on its Hay Road site, which is leased from the local council, since the gates first opened in September 1925.

With a reputation for trading quality livestock, the market has proved a vital part of the local farming community, with the market itself the beating heart of the rural town.

The market is one of the string of auction marts under the umbrella of Sunderlands Markets, comprising Hereford, Builth Wells, and Talgarth livestock markets, all of which are within a 40 miles radius and run independently.

Talgarth is run by manager, head auctioneer and company partner, Matthew Nicholls, who has worked at Sunderlands since 2009 and is the current vice chair of the Welsh Livestock Auctioneers Association.

He works alongside junior auctioneer, Phil Jones and the 15 staff the market employs on its sale days.听The team is also supported by retired auctioneer Graham Baker, who still works on a consultancy basis, and has been a large part of the mart's success, joining Talgarth Mart in 1957, guiding it through various changes.

undefined — Auctioneers, Graham Baker and Matthew Nicholls

The market comes to life on its weekly sale, which is held every Friday, selling cull ewes and prime lambs. Sister market Builth Wells also runs on a Friday, while Hereford runs on a Tuesday, Wednesday and bi-weekly on a Thursday.

In 2020, Talgarth saw its monthly cattle sales come to an end due to the implications of Covid-19, amalgamating the sale with the fortnightly cattle sales held in Hereford.

However, cattle make an appearance at the market for the annual Talgarth Christmas fatstock event.

Mr Nicholls says: "Hereford is the gateway into Mid-Wales and Talgarth is on the path to Builth Wells, which is in the heart."

The market remains relatively similar to when it was built, still using the same pens that were first created, although they were covered in the 1970's.听The yard has the capacity to comfortably pen 2,000 lambs and 1,000 ewes, regularly seeing throughput of more than 1,500 head on a weekly basis at the prime stock sales.

During the autumn, evenings in Talgarth are bustling, being known for their breeding sales, seeing 1,500 head sold at the special sales over the period.

Mr Nicholls says: "We regularly see eight buyers every week, representing the majority of the major firms. Throughout the year, the market is known to offer high-quality lowland and continental lambs, bred in the renowned stock producing area, across the Wye Valley and the Welsh border. The local farmers are proud of the stock they produce and it is a pleasure to sell them. Many of the families still utilising the market today have sold there for generations and have proved loyal customers, so we strive to look after them.

"For the market to have been open for 100 years is a testament to the support of the local farmers and credit to the standard of stock they produce, which sees regular and returning buyers."

At the time of establishment in the 1920s, the market was long-awaited, with the local council advised that the demand was well overdue.

The market was the first in mid-Wales to be built at the expense of ratepayers' money. Hay Rural District Council designed the market with plenty of room, which has helped with the site's longevity.听The total build was estimated at 拢3,000, which today converts to just shy of 拢160,000.

At the time, the market was operated jointly by Talgarth Farmers Mart and Howell Powell and Sons, Brecon, until 1949, when F. H. Sunderland and Co ran the market in conjunction with Howell Powell and Sons.

A new lease of life was breathed into the mart when Graham Baker joined the business, overseeing booming breeding sales, including a peak of 7,000 Clun Forrest ewes in 1958.听In December, the market held its annual fatstock, which included a celebration of the centenary of the business. It saw a throughput of 1,143 prime lambs and cull ewes and nine prime cattle.

This was a record-breaking day for the market, which saw the cattle champion, a pedigree Limousin heifer weighing 700kg, from sibling team, Harry and Rory Owen, Llyswen, achieving 拢9,200.

This was purchased by the town butcher, Brian George, who also bought the reserve champion from father and daughter team, Philip and Maizy Price, Glasbury, who sold a Limousin steer weighing 550kg for 拢3,400.

"Mr George is a brilliant example of the cooperation between the town businesses and his family has purchased all bar one champions at the fatstock since it was first held," said Mr Nicholls.听

He believes that a market set in a town is as important now as it was years ago.

"The market helps to put Talgarth on the map and helps to unite the town," he says.听"On market day, the town is bustling and you can see it reflected in the local butcher, shop and similar businesses."

Mr Nicholls believes that the benefit to a market set in the town should be reciprocated, with Sunderlands supporting and sponsoring the local rugby club and Christmas lights, and hosting part of the annual Talgarth Town Festival.

He says: "Across the three markets, we are a reasonable employer within the local area, and when it is all put together, it plays a huge role within the area."

Looking ahead to the future, Mr Nicholls says the aim is to maintain stock numbers at Talgarth, delivering for local farmers and for the market to keep playing an important role in the local rural community.

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