Respected Auctioneer awarded lifetime achievement award by NSA Northern Region
15th February 2019
Skipton based Craven Cattle Marts General Manager and Auctioneer Jeremy Eaton has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Northern Region of the National Sheep Association (NSA).
The TI Allinson Memorial Award was presented by retiring NSA Northern Region chairman Eddie Eastham at the region’s annual members meeting at The Hired Lad, Penrith Mart on Wednesday evening, following Mr Eaton’s nomination for the high-profile accolade by NSA member Geoff Lawn, of Skipton.
The award is presented annually to someone who is recognised as giving a considerable contribution to the northern sheep industry.
Mr Eaton has worked for Craven Cattle Marts for 37 years and Mr Lawn noted that he had been the instigator of stepping back from deadweight selling of lambs to re-establish a very successful live lamb selling market, which also saw what was considered at the time a ‘bold move’ from selling off the boards to selling through the ring. “This was to the benefit of the farmers in the area and the auction” says Mr Lawn.
Mr Lawn also highlighted Mr Eaton’s assistance provided during and after the harrowing year of 2001 when Foot and Mouth caused much heartache in the local agricultural community. Mr Lawn continues: “Jeremy is always looking to provide the best and fairest service for his customers at the mart.”
During the more formal part of the NSA Northern region ARMM outgoing Chariman Mr Eastham reported on a chaotic 12 months for the sheep industry, from the adverse weather to Brexit and everything in between. NSA Northern Region Treasurer Ted Ogden, who also works at Skipton Auction Mart as livestock sales manager and auctioneer, reported on a stable year with the region’s accounts.
Both noted that 2019 sees the much anticipated biennial event of NSA North Sheep that will be held at the Frankland family’s New Hall Farm in Rathmell, North Yorkshire on Wednesday 5th June. Further details on the event can be found at the event website here.
The formal proceedings of the evening continued with Thomas Carrick, of Alston, Cumbria, elected as NSA Northern Region Chairman, Matt Bagley, Head of Agriculture at Newton Rigg college, as Vice Chairman, and Ted Ogden re-elected as treasurer. The NSA Northern Region continues to be represented on the NSA English Committee by Eddie Eastham of Carlisle, Thomas Carrick and Greg Dalton of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, while John Geldard of Kendal, Cumbria remains as the regional Trustee on the Board at NSA.
