MP calls funding meeting to save Sedbergh Auction Mart

4.18.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 24th Apr 2006

Local MP Tim Farron visited Sedbergh Auction Mart on Saturday following the announcement that the Mart will close. Tim met with a number of farmers and concerned Mart users, many of whom are keen to keep the facility open and operating.

First thing this morning, Tim organised a meeting for Wednesday where some of the farmers present on Saturday, a representative from Rural Regeneration Cumbria, and Tim, will get together to look into possible sources of funding to keep the Mart open if the farmers decide they would be able to run it as a co-operative. The meeting on Wednesday should provide useful information and a possible way forward that can be presented at the meeting some farmers called for Wednesday 3rd May.

Tim commented: "Having met with local farmers on Saturday and seen the Mart in full flourish, I hope that we can find possible sources of funding through this meeting on Wednesday to help keep the Mart open. I ask that any other organisations that may be able to provide funding for the Mart to be run as a co-operative contact me with further details. Sedbergh Auction Mart is a vital part of our local community and hugely important to our farmers - I am determined to fight to keep it open".