Cattle and sheep at Braunton Auction 

The hustle and bustle of the live market where sheep and cattle are up for auction on a farm in Braunton. In the 1950s judging livestock was a case of checking the animal over to see if it came from good stock. Farmers, buyers and sellers form a human pen for the cows on offer and the auctioneer is among them with his crook. 

Today, breeding, buying and selling is backed up by advances in science and there are rigorous controls on the sale of livestock. Markets still are important social gatherings for the farming community and key trading is carried out by farmers, dealers and butchers. However these now take place in dedicated livestock and farming centres. The collection of cars in the muddy farmyard are also of interest. This film is part of the Coward Collection.