| The days of the small country livestock market are all but over. Many across the country have closed for good but Chagford's still exists for the time being. These photographs have been taken in the knowledge that it may not be possible to see this sight for much longer. They were taken on various occasions:: The summer sheep sale in August 2003, a sale that is no longer held, and the annual suckled calf show and sale in November 2007 and 2008.
Whatever one may think about the raising of livestock for the table, a market has been part of the Dartmoor landscape and way of life for many centuries but it is likely that these few pictures will have to stand as its epitaph. Especially unusual these days is to see stock being taken through the town to the market on the hoof in 2007. It had not been seen for some years and may not be seen again. |
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It isn't just the selling - it's the meeting and the talking as well. Buy Print |
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Mill Street, Chagford Buy Print |
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The Square, Chagford Buy Print |
The cattle pass the auctioneers' offices Buy Print |
Droving not driving through Chagford Buy Print |
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Arrived safe and sound Buy Print |
Early in the morning the stock begins to arrive and is numbered and taken to its alloted pens Buy Print |
Knowing looks and shrewd judgements Buy Print |
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"That one will do well" Buy Print |
Barcodes and passports. A system thought up in a comfortable office and administered in the outdoors Buy Print |
Pedigree Hereford bull Buy Print |
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Charolais with Hereford cross calf at foot Buy Print |
It's only a little'un Buy Print |
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Going.......... Buy Print |
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Going..................... Buy Print |
...........Gone. Buy Print |
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Suckled calf sale November 2009 Buy Print |
Suckled calf sale November 2009 Buy Print |
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Suckled calf sale November 2009 Buy Print |
Suckled calf sale November 2009 Buy Print |
A study in concentration, 2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
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2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
2008 Suckled calf show and sale |
2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
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Farmers' car and traire park. 2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
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2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
A break to roll and enjoy a cigarette Buy Print |
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Prizewinners, 2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
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2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
2008 Suckled calf show and sale Buy Print |
