Skegness Magazine

Here are two newspaper stories giving an excellent account of the Skegness Cattle Market. The first article appeared in the Skegness News 28th November 1923 and tells us of the first opening of the cattle market. The second article appeared in a 1931/1932 Skegness Directory published by George Ball.

OPENING OF THE CATTLE MARKET MR GEORGE F. BALL’S ENTERPRISE

Yesterday was the informal opening of of the Cattle Market built for Geo. F. Ball, and situate in Alexandra Road, Skegness.

The pig pens and poultry pens are completed, and nicely arranged under cover, a great advantage and particularly appreciated by the company who were present. Wet weather makes, everything and everybody uncomfortable, and it was a happy foresight of the promoter to have the pens covered in.
Owing to the Foot and Mouth disease restrictions many entries of store pigs had to the cancelled, but 33 porkets and fat pigs were offered. In the poultry pens there were 359 head of poultry, and several rabbits and pigeons.
About 500 people attended the market, a number a beyond the expectations of the auctioneer and other optimists, and though some were not buyers, a great number who has had no intention of doing so, bought articles. Such will be the case every week.

We can see in the course of a few years a big business at Skegness brought simply through the institution of a Cattle Market.

Before commencing the sale the auctioneer announced that a new Cattle Order had been issued. All fat stock moved that day could be detained in the slaughter houses for ten days instead of 96 hours as announced in the previous orders. The New Order stood good until the 20th December.
He also expressed his pleasure at seeing many people present for the opening of the market.

It was probably a big idea and undertaking, but he had commenced at the bottom of the ladder and he hoped in a few months to get to the top.

The sheep pens would be ready for next week, and later the beast pens.

Every facility would be granted by Mr. Mountain, the representative of the L.N.E. Railway, to get the animals away if buyers wished to send the away by train. Everything that was sent into the market that was healthy and genuine would have his best attention.
Next Tuesday will be the first annual Stock Show of the Market, and in addition to a good number of entries Archibald Weigall has entered two pens Lincoln long wooled lambs.
The firm of Mr F W. Walker is carrying the work in connectionth the laying out the market.

The following Skegness Cattle Market feature appeared in the Skegness Directory 1931-1932 written by George F Ball of Skegness:

It is now nearly eight years since the first sod was turned for the foundation of Mr George F. Ball’s important cattle market, situate in Albert Road, off the Wainfleet Road. There were many difficulties to be surmounted. There were people who predicted failure. There was also a host of well-wishers and optimists, however, and the unbounded enthusiasm and business acumen of the promoter has turned the venture into an unparalleled success.

Today it is widely recognised that the markets has conferred a great benefit on the agricultural community of the district, and indeed, of the county.
The market, which cover one-and-a-half acres, is a model of what such a centre should be. The sanitary arrangements are perfect. There are separate entrances for beasts, sheep and pigs, and poultry and produce. The stock entered for sale, which is of the highest quality, is drawn from a very wide area, which boasts some of the finest feeding land in the country.
The market has an excellent block of offices, which are tenanted by Messrs. G. F. Howson & Son, Corn Merchants, Wainfleet; Messrs. Achurel & Sons, Agricultural Engineers, Horncastle ; Mr. F. W. Walker (a well-known local builder, who constructed the market): Mr. W. O. Knott, Motor Engineer, Drummond Road ; Messers Crowder and Sons, Seedsmen, Horncastle.
The poultry section, with pens permanently fitted, is under cover, as well as the produce section, where butter, eggs, dressed poultry, fare produce, etc., are offered by auction.

From June to the end of September an afternoon sale for these products is held each Friday at 2.30 p.m.
The pig pens are also under cover, as is the beast sale ring, with weigh bridge.

Sheep pens occupy the centre of the market, and there is a lair for stock arriving previous to market day. The market paddock extends to within a short distance of the L.N.E. Railway sidings, and ground has been reserved for the future erection of a cattle dock, which will enable stock arriving by rail to be discharged direct into the market.
The Christmas Fat Stock Show ranks as one of the foremost in the county, the exhibits being of a very high standard. Valuable Silver Cups, cash and other prizes, which are contributed by the townsfolk, neighbouring farmers and other supporters, are given.