In the heart of Herefordshire lies a tradition rooted in the region’s agricultural past—Hereford Poultry Auction. Originally held at the historic Old Livestock Market, it was a bustling event where farmers, traders, and locals gathered to exchange livestock and produce, embodying the rich traditions of rural life.
This blog post is a visual story from my 2009 visit to the Hereford Poultry Auction—just two years before the Old Livestock Market was closed and replaced by the modern Old Market Shopping Centre. For many, its closure marked the loss of a market and the end of an era for Herefordshire’s rural identity.
The Atmosphere Inside Sunderlands Salerooms
On the day I visited with my Contax G2 camera loaded with Kodak Tri-X 400 black & white film, the atmosphere inside Sunderlands Salerooms—a timeworn brick building—was dim but captivating. Narrow horizontal windows allowed just enough natural light to spill into the room, setting the perfect mood for the monochrome aesthetic I aimed to capture.
Lining the four outer walls were cages filled with birds of every kind: chickens, ducks, geese, baby chicks, and ducklings. Buyers inspected them closely before preparing to bid.
The subdued lighting created a dramatic ambience, ideal for monochrome photography. The light streaming through the windows carved out striking shadows across the brick walls, adding texture and depth to the bustling scenes inside the saleroom. As I watched, I captured buyers inspecting the birds and engaging in lively conversations while the constant soundtrack of clucks and chirps filled the air.
The Allure of Hereford Poultry Auction
Hereford Poultry Auction always drew a diverse crowd. As the auctioneer called out starting prices, buyers bid enthusiastically for the best stock. Like today’s auctions, it offers restaurants the chance to source fresh, local poultry and provide families with geese and turkeys for special occasions like Christmas.
The old auction at the Livestock Market wasn’t just about transactions—it was about tradition, community, and a rhythm of life that had persisted for generations.
Hereford Poultry Auction Today
While the Old Livestock Market is now a memory, the new Hereford Poultry Auction still endures. Today, it takes place at the new Hereford Market, held twice a month on Saturdays from February through November. It still draws poultry enthusiasts and traders from across the region, keeping the spirit of livestock trading alive.
Though the setting has changed since my 2009 visit, the essence of livestock trading remains. However, those who remember the Old Livestock Market know that a special chapter of Herefordshire’s agricultural history has closed—the end of an era.
Preserving the Spirit of Rural Herefordshire
Reflecting on my visit, the 2009 Hereford Poultry Auction was more than just a photography session; it was a snapshot of rural life as it once was. Through these black & white photos, I preserved a disappearing tradition—a glimpse into a way of life that valued community and tradition.
These images are not just pictures; they record Hereford Poultry Auction at a key moment in Herefordshire’s rural history.
Summary
Through the timeless lens of black & white film photography, this post captures the spirit of the Hereford Poultry Auction at the Old Livestock Market—where tradition and commerce once thrived.
Although the old market has vanished, the memories and legacy endure. So, the next time you visit the modern Hereford Poultry Auction, take a moment to reflect on its deep roots and the traditions that continue to shape Herefordshire’s rural community.
Hereford Poultry Auction – Photo Gallery
Below are more images from my 2009 visit, capturing a treasured bygone era of Hereford’s agricultural life.
Where: Hereford Poultry Auction, Old Hereford Livestock Market, Hereford, England.
When: July 2009.
What: Contax G2 35mm rangefinder camera | Kodak Tri-X 400 B&W film.
How: I scanned the 35mm B&W negatives as raw TIFF files using the Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 film scanner and VueScan software. Then, I processed the images using this step-by-step guide on how to convert colour negatives in Photoshop.
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