Farmers, Food & Future Trends:
Kirkby Stephen Mart Hosts Innovative Networking Evening
Kirkby Stephen Mart, a longstanding hub for the agricultural community, welcomed over 160 farmers and partners for an informative and social evening on Friday, 14th February. The event, supported by the H&H Group businesses – Harrison & Hetherington, H&H Land & Estates, and H&H Insurance Brokers – was a thank you to customers of the local agricultural community and to foster relationships through networking, education, and entertainment.
The evening was officially opened by Mark Richardson, Regional Sales Manager and Auctioneer for Harrison & Hetherington (H&H), who emphasised that the event was about “meeting friends, new faces, and spending time with like-minded people.” He set the tone for a night filled with camaraderie and professional insight.
Mark Barrow, Director of H&H Land & Estates, followed by introducing the company’s specialised services and key team members who serve the Kirkby Stephen area. Amanda Wallbank, Associate Director for H&H Insurance Brokers (HHIB), then took the stage to share her 32 years of experience in providing bespoke insurance solutions for farmers and rural businesses. She also introduced the newly built and permanent office at Kirkby Stephen Mart, which will be staffed on mart sale days, with the goal of opening up to four days per week.
“It was an absolute honour to be part of this great event at Kirkby Stephen Auction, celebrating the H&H Group working together,” said Amanda. “I was delighted to share our exciting plans for the future. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us – your enthusiasm and engagement made the event a tremendous success!”
The event featured guest speakers Charlotte Ashley and Rebecca Wilson, both renowned agri-social media influencers, who shared their insights into the evolving digital landscape of farming. They discussed how social media has become a powerful tool for modern agriculture, offering personal experiences and professional strategies to attendees.
Commenting on the evening, Mark Richardson said, “A huge thank you to everyone who attended and to the entire H&H team for pulling together to make this event such a success. It was great to see so many farmers and members of our agricultural community come together. The positive feedback has been incredible – so much so that we might just have to make this an annual tradition!”
One of the highlights of the evening was the stock-judging competition featuring three pens of lambs, with categories for both under-17s and adults. Hannah Pedley took home the top prize in the adult category, while Robert Davidson triumphed in the under-17s section.
A captivating butchery demonstration by local butchers Messrs Dowdings and Messrs Steadman showcased their craftsmanship and highlighted the differences between butcher’s lamb and export lamb. The session also explored consumer treds, such as the growing demand for quick-to-cook meals and easy-to-prepare recipes.
“I was pleased to see farmers actively participating in the Q&A session, covering topics like the impact of injections on meat quality and the improvements in lamb standards over the past decade at Kirkby Stephen Mart,” said Mark Richardson.
The evening concluded with Mark Barrow of H&H Land & Estates saying: “I’m incredibly proud of this event and its success. It was fantastic to see the H&H team bring an idea to life, to create an evening which has truly showcased our innovative approach to business. I would like to thank you all for coming and look forward to building on this momentum in the future.”
To wrap up the night, Mark Richardson auctioned the expertly butchered lamb joints and three half boxes of lamb, raising £1,152 from the auction and charity raffle combined. The proceeds will support H&H’s chosen 2025 charities – RABI, RSABI, and Growing Well.
