15280/1GAZETTE & HERALD: FARMERS and hauliers from all over the county went to the first Bristol cattle market with baited breath on Thursday and they were pleasantly surprised.

Emotions were running high at the last Chippenham market on Thursday, January 27 with people worried about travelling the extra miles to Bristol, but they were impressed with the new site.

The Bristol Sales Centre is situated just off the M5. It is easily accessible and boasts modern facilities that will benefit local farmers.

Most people feared for the cattle travelling longer journeys but the site, a pedigree livestock centre, seemed to be a big hit.

Farmer and haulier Ted Greenaway, 78, from Cirencester used to go to the Chippenham market every week, now he will make the 50-mile journey to Bristol just as often.

He said: "The market set up is very good. It's quite an impressive site. It took us one hour and 15 minutes to get there where Chippenham used to take 40 minutes. We'll get used to it I suppose."

Mr Greenaway, who bought and sold cattle at the first market travelled on the motorway rather than taking a cross-country route. He said the extra diesel expenses could be a worry.

"It just depends on trade. You never really know how it could affect you. It's a fair journey. It's going to be a big advantage when the Cirencester market is built."

The amenities at Bristol include modern penning, extensive concrete area, large clear span buildings and a new air-conditioned restaurant.

The move was made to make way for a new county records office when North Wiltshire District Council chose not to renew the licence of the Cocklebury Road site.

Director of markets at Premier Livestock Auctions Limited Peter Kingwill was one of the auctioneers at the final Chippenham market. He made the move to Bristol with the market.

"I'm very pleased with how the first day went. It was well received," he said.

"There were a lot of people down there from all over and a lot of the core people from Chippenham.

"Most people came down the motorway or across country, they found their way and were impressed with the facilities.

"All of the major buyers were there. Once they get on the motorway people feel quite happy about continuing on."

He added: "It's a question of life must go on. It would be great if it Chippenham was still operational for another 10 years, but it isn't. One door shuts and another one opens."

But the memories of the old market will live on for ever at Chippenham Heritage Centre. The old bell was presented to curator Mike Stone by Peter Kingwill. It will have a place of honour in the market display.

When the market moved to Cocklebury Road from its town centre site in 1952 the bell was ceremoniously handed over and struck at every market since.

Mr Stone said: "We are very pleased to have the bell because it is an important part of the town's history."

The livestock market was central to the town's prosperity for hundreds of years.

In 1792 it was reported that a large market for corn was held in the town on Saturdays and in the records of the Manor of Monkton the ancient pig market of Timber Street is mentioned.

Until 1910 horses were sold in front of the Bear Hotel, sheep in front of the Angel and cattle where the War Memorial now stands.

In 1904 Chippenham Town Council resolved the cattle market should be moved from the streets and Sir Algernon Neeld, owner of the Town Hall, proposed the land behind the hall now the car park for Borough Parade would be the best place for it.

From 1910 till 1930 the market took place on alternate Fridays and a sale of poultry took place in upper market place.

In 1939 the council bought nine acres of land off Cocklebury Road and on May 6, 1951 the first part of the new market was opened.

The entire new market opened in April 1954 and it continued to expand over the years until it became one of the largest in the country.