Auctioneers to saddle up for epic challenge
A trio of livestock auctioneers from Somerset will be swapping the sale ring for the saddle as they prepare to embark on a epic challenge in the name of charity.
Andrew Clements, James Wotton and Jamie Batt from Greenslade Taylor Hunt, who operate Sedgemoor Auction Centre, plan to cycle between all the firm’s offices.
Covering a total of 230 miles and raising funds for Cancer Research UK, the group will start their “Tour of GTH” at the Hammet Street office in Taunton on Monday, November 5.
Mr Clements, who auctions dairy stock and calves at Sedgemoor as well as conducting sales across the South of England and Wales, said: “Cancer Research UK is a great cause that we really wanted to support and raise as much money as possible.
“All three of us know people who have suffered or are suffering and it’s a charity that will hit home for pretty much everyone.”
Heading across Exmoor, the trio will pick up the most recent additions to the GTH network; Williton and Minehead before continuing to South Molton on the first day. Exmoor is not the only challenge ahead of them as they will also cross the Blackdowns and the Mendips as they travel to Tiverton, Honiton, Chard, Ilminster, Dorchester, Sherborne, Yeovil, Langport, Wells, Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater before finishing back at Sedgemoor on Friday, November 9.
Mr Wotton, who has recently moved to the Honiton office but also sells calves and fodder at Sedgemoor, added: “We always like a challenge and we are hoping the whole of GTH will be supporting us and helping us to fundraise.”
Completing the trio, Mr Batt works out of the Yeovil office covering a large area for professional work, along with selling breeding rams every Saturday at Sedgemoor. He said: “We think the distance is doable but the hills and the potential for bad weather in November means we are taking on a big challenge.”