I only went to Rugby Cattle Market on a school trip. The thing I remember most was the noise of the place. It was a constant bustle and commotion, lots of shouting. The auctions were fun though – didn’t have a clue what the auctioneer was saying, but it all seemed to work!
And it was all over so quickly.
Fat Stock Report
Anyway, the cattle market is now closed in Rugby, it’s now the site of a supermarket and hotel, I think, among other things. The Nuneaton Observer of December 11th, 1964 gives a ‘Fat Stock Report’. They mention how “a heavy entry of fat pigs met a firm trade with pockets and cutters averaging 35s. per score.”
Sheep, bullocks… The report matches up to my memory of it being a busy place!
Do you have any memories of the market? Did you buy or sell there? Do you have stories about your time using the market and your own background? Let us know below in the comments section.
Comments
As a child I remember being taken to the cattle market in Henley in Arden. I am not sure when it closed but where the market was held is now housing. It was noisy there too.
I remember going here and stroking the lambs and calves. I was worried because they used to suck my fingers so I thought they were hungry. I wanted to take them some food but was not allowed to, surprise,surprise.
I worked as a driver and cleaner at the cattle market from 1976 till 1990. We had several sales a week the main sales were on a Monday with store pigs on Fridays. There was also special sales through out the year which included Irish cattle sales store cattle coming from Ireland, the Murphy brothers also stored cattle in fields at brownsover which is now strawberry fields etc..on sale days we used to run cattle to market down the Leicester Rd Newbold Rd and Wood St in to the market. What a sight, 200 cattle running up Wood St. Good fun????
A farmer I knew brought a calf home from Rugby Cattle Market to Stretton on the bus. Three cheers for Midland Red!
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