Tributes flood in for ‘legend’ of livestock auctioneering

Mr Thomlinson was a highly respected auctioneer at Harrison and Hetherington’s Borderway mart at Carlisle.

In a statement Harrison and Hetherington described him as a ‘legend within our auctioneering industry’.

He had worked at the company for 57 years, and was praised for his skill in mentoring and developing the next generation of auctioneers.

He was recognised for his services to the industry in 2017 when he was awarded the Farmers Gauardian’s Mart’s the Heart Auctioneer Lifetime Achievement award.

Outside of the auction ring Mr Thomlinson had a long association with Limousin cattle, and along with his wife Sheila owned a pedigree herd.

Mr Thomlinson was a past president of the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) and the breed society paid their respects by describing the role Mr Thomlinson played in the livestock industry, and development of the Limousin breed, as ‘huge and important’.

A statement from the BLCS said: “Through his years as an auctioneer at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, he conducted many highlight Limousin sales and memorably became the first auctioneer to sell a bull in the UK to over six figures.

“Through his work with Harrison and Hetheringon, and with his affinity to Limousin cattle, David’s mark on British Limousin extends the mantle of him being a true legend of the breed.”

He was chairman of the National Beef Association, and a past chairman of the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA).

In a statement the LAA said: "David’s lengthy career in the industry demonstrated his passion for auctioneering, promoting the role of livestock markets and their future, where he was recognised as an inspirational role model to many starting out in the industry."