United Auctions (UA), Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers, are unaffected by the sad news of Elphinstone’s collapse at the end of September.
Neil McLean, United Auctions’ Managing Director, said: “The company was bought out of Elphinstone three years ago and as a consequence of that we’re completely unaffected.”
Online press coverage below
United Auctions (UA) set a new company and breed record of £90,000 last Saturday (9 October) at Dalmally Mart’s Annual Blackface Ram Sale.
Auctioneer George Purves sold a Blackface shearling by breeder Ian Hunter of Dalchirla, Crieff before a silent, packed ringside that ended in a round of applause.
Saturday’s price smashed the previous breed record of £85,000 in 1997 at Lanark, also set by Mr Hunter.
The record-breaking shearling was bought by a consortium of three breeders, Alastair MacArthur, of Nunneries with John Wight & Sons of Midlock and Mary McCall Smith of Connachan.
UA’s Joint Managing Director Robin Tough said: “This new record price is one for the history books and we’re delighted to be part of it. While other industries are struggling it shows there is still a lot of confidence in agriculture.
He added: “It was a tremendous sale with level trade throughout and one of the highest ever clearances. The averages were up significantly on last year, benefitting the producers who attended.”
Press & Journal, 11 October 2010
Farmers Weekly: Taking Stock, 11 October 2010
Blackface Sheep Breeders Association, 9 October 2010
Huge congratulations & big thanks to the amazing 500+ runners who took part in Deafblind Scotland’s ‘Field of Dreams’ today. Pics here. Results here.
You’ve helped the charity get one step closer to their dream of creating a multi million pound training and resource centre for deafblind people in Scotland. And raised money for other good causes too!
You can still donate online at www.deafblindscotland.org.uk
Here’s the press coverage so far.
Charity runners on their marks for £1.2m centre – Evening Times, 16 Aug 2010
Race entrants first on new road, BBC news online, 20 Aug 2010
Smooth radio, 21 Aug 2010
Evening Times mention, 21 Aug 2010
GMTV Scotland, 23 August 2010, 6.35am & 7.35am bulletins
A Scot who is deaf and blind is taking part in two charity races this weekend to raise money for Deafblind Scotland.
Stephen Joyce, 36, is donning his running shoes for the ‘Field of Dreams’ Road Race this Sunday, 22 August to help raise money for the charity’s new £1.4million training and resource centre for deafblind people in Scotland.
The one-off charity event has attracted hundreds of runners and walkers of all ages and abilities for the ‘Field of Dreams’ 10k, 5k and 1k races on the new Kirkintilloch link road, which will connect Kirkintilloch and Lenzie to the national motorway system, before it officially opens.
Organised by Deafblind Scotland, in partnership with local regeneration organisation Kirkintilloch’s Initiative (KI), the 4km road section of the course takes in town centre, suburbia, peat bog and wetlands and ends at a motorway roundabout.
Stephen has Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes deafness from birth with gradual loss of vision from the teenage years onwards due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, commonly called tunnel vision.
Stephen, from Falkirk, is the Training Manager for the Lenzie-based charity. Despite his loss of sight and hearing he is no stranger to running, adventure and fundraising. He has run the Edinburgh marathon three times and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain on the planet, with two communicator/guides. He completed the final peak unassisted, raising more than £12,000 in sponsorship for Deafblind Scotland.
On Sunday, Stephen will be delighted to run the 1k with his seven-year-oldson, Cameron before taking on the 10k race. He hopes to run by himself but if it becomes difficult a guide will join him. He will start the 10k around fifteen minutes after the official start to get a quieter run.
Using British Sign Language, Stephen said: “There’s no point sitting around waiting for life to pass you by. I want to get out there and achieve my personal goals.
“The race is for such a good cause. The training side of the charity is all about raising awareness. I train professionals, individuals and organisations how to work with people who have dual sensory impairments. I also help deafblind people become trainers.”
He added: “It’s really important that people realise what deafblind people can contribute to the world and we’ll continue to fight to be treated as equal citizens.”
Drena O’Malley, Deafblind Scotland’s Resources Manager said: “It’s our dream to build a new centre that offers deafblind people the opportunity to pursue their ambitions in a building specially designed to meet their unique needs.
“A new centre would have all the adaptations deafblind people need to be able to take part in activities and function independently. Our current premises are simply no longer fit for purpose and renting different venues just doesn’t meet their needs for good lighting, good acoustics and surroundings which are easy to navigate.”
The ‘Field of Dreams’ 5k starts at 9.30am and the 10k at 10.30am. Both events finish in Woodhead Park where the special 1k Fun Run for children of 12 years and under starts at 10.35am.
After the race events are completed, small groups will have the chance to walk along part of the new road and view the proposed ‘Field of Dreams’ site, where the charity hopes to build its new 7000sq ft centre.
The new Link Road is one of KI’s flagship projects and special permission has been secured for the race from the contractor, Carillion plc. Final preparations to the road will be carried out after the race with completion programmed for October.
Entry fees are £15 for the 10k, £10 for the 5k and £2 for children’s 1k Fun Run.
To enter the race or to make a donation, visit www.deafblindscotland.org.uk
People can also enter on the day.
ENDS
The race is on to sign up for a one-off charity road race for Deafblind Scotland next weekend.
Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities can take part in the charity’s ‘Field of Dreams’ 10k, 5k and 1k races on Sunday 22 August.
Competitors’ registration fees will raise funds towards creating a new £1.4 million ‘Field of Dreams’ training and resource centre for deafblind people in Scotland.
Organised by Lenzie-based charity Deafblind Scotland, in partnership with local regeneration organisation Kirkintilloch’s Initiative (KI), the event is being held on the new Kirkintilloch link road, which will connect Kirkintilloch and Lenzie to the national motorway system, before it officially opens.
The first 1000 runners to finish will receive a special ‘Field of Dreams’ medal. Family entertainment will include a running commentary, music, snacks and bouncy castles for the younger kids.
Drena O’Malley, Deafblind Scotland’s Resources Manager, said: “This is a unique event on a wonderful piece of road engineering which takes in suburbia, peat bog and wetlands in less than four kilometres and ends at a motorway roundabout.
“This will be a great opportunity for experienced runners from all over central Scotland to get their heads down and go for it on a rolling course with no cars, no obstructions, and great views.
“It will also be a great family day out and I’d encourage local residents, running and walking enthusiasts, families and businesses to come along to support this good cause. Together we can turn our dream into reality.”
After the race events are completed, small groups will have the chance to walk along part of the new road to view the Link Road features and the proposed ‘Field of Dreams’ site, where the charity hopes to build its new 7000sq ft centre.
The ‘Field of Dreams’ 5k starts at 9.30am and the 10k at 10.30am. Both events finish in Woodhead Park where the special 1k Fun Run for children of 12 years and under takes place at 10.45am.
Entry fees are £15 for the 10k, £10 for the 5k and £2 for children’s 1k Fun Run.
To enter the race or to make a donation, visit www.deafblindscotland.org.uk People can also enter on the day.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Deafblind Scotland:Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 or jenny@jkconsultancy.com
Kirkintilloch’s Initiative: Shaheena Abbas on 0131 556 0770 or Shaheena.abbas@pagodapr.com
Notes to editor
Deafblind Scotland is an association for deafblind and dual sensory impaired adults. Our vision is for a society where deafblind people have the permanent support and recognition necessary to be equal citizens.
Kirkintilloch’s Link Road lies at the heart of Kirkintilloch’s £56 million regeneration programme, which has already seen new state-of-the-art leisure, health and business facilities created for the town, including a 46-berth marina along the canal.
Visitors to the Stirling Agricultural Centre witnessed an unusual sight today as eleven girls on eleven vintage tractors drove into the mart to raise funds for charity.
United Auctions (UA) welcomed the Tractor Girls for their only stop in Stirling on day four of their trip. The visit gave the girls a chance to collect donations from farmers – and UA – as well as stretch their legs and enjoy a hearty lunch before continuing their epic road trip.
Driving vintage tractors more than 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End, the Tractor Girls hope to raise £100,000 for Cancer Research, CLIC Sargent and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Dating from the 1960s, the tractors reach a top speed of 15mph. They have no cabs or power steering, exposing the ladies to the elements throughout their 13-day journey, which started on Sunday (27 June) and will finish on 9 July in Ladock at Lands End.
For safety reasons – and to avoid road rage from other vehicles – the girls drive in pairs at two-minute intervals.
Aged from 19 to 30 years, the Tractor Girls 2010 team includes two Scottish ladies – Eilidh Grieve from Aberfeldy and Laura Mathers from Aberdeen, Irish sisters Louise, Carol and Claire Moore as well as New Zealander Jamie Hawkins and five girls from Dorset, Catherine Farwell, Alexandra Goddard, Sophie Jeans, Hannah Mayhew, and team captain Jenny Coles, who came up with the idea.
David Leggat MBE, Executive Chairman of UA, said: “The Tractor Girls are taking part in a terrific challenge to raise much-needed funds for these very worthy charities. We’re delighted to lend our support and wish them every success – and good weather – for the rest of their trip.”
Eilidh Grieve, who organised the Scottish leg of the trip, said: “We wanted to do something different to raise a huge amount of money for charity as well celebrate our rural heritage. We all have personal connections to the benefitting charities and feel very strongly about supporting their work to help fund the search for a cure. And the road run will be a great way to see the country – on the sunny days at least!”
Follow the Tractor Girls on Facebook and read their interactive blog – as well as donate online – at www.tg2010.co.uk
United Auctions (UA) welcomed 50 Commonwealth visitors to the Stirling mart today as part of the 24th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference.
The Stirling Agricultural Centre is the only auction mart to be included in a pre-Conference tour programme that will see delegates from around 20 Commonwealth countries visit a range of Scottish farms and the Royal Highland Show ahead of the main Conference on 28-30 June.
The Commonwealth Agricultural Conference will take place in Edinburgh and is run by the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC).
Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists showed the delegates around the new £15m Centre – the new venue for the world-famous Perth Bull Sales®.
David Leggat MBE, Executive Chairman of UA, said: “It’s with great pleasure that we welcome these international visitors to the Stirling mart to experience first hand the excellent facilities on offer.
“We’re delighted to support the important work of the RASC, which helps nurture relationships and share best practice amongst more than 40 sister organisations throughout the Commonwealth.”
The 24th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference comprises a range of speakers delivering 22 papers on a variety of Scottish and global agricultural topics. It also includes a welcome address by Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment and culminates in a conference dinner at the Signet library in Edinburgh.
Congratulations to agricultural client United Auctions who are in the running for two coveted national agricultural awards.
The nominations are for Livestock Supplier of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture for Executive Chairman David Leggat MBE in The Scottish Farmer’s Annual Supplier Awards 2010.
The prestigious awards, run by the weekly farming publication, attracted nominations from all over Scotland and will be announced on Thursday 24 June at the Royal Highland Show.
They recognise UA’s considerable achievements over the past 12 months. The company has opened the new £15 million Stirling Agricultural Centre – their new headquarters – and made significant investments to safeguard the future of centres at Dalmally, Lairg, Islay, Oban and Huntly.
When United Auctions’ world-famous Perth Bull Sales moved to the new Stirling Agricultural Centre in October 2009, we prepared & distributed a press briefing statement and managed the media during the event. We’ve included the pre- and post-event coverage in the local paper, the Stirling Observer too.
BBC news online, 14 October 2009, new location for Perth bull sales
Stirling Observer, 14 Oct 2009, Stirling debut for famous bull auction
Stirling Observer, 30 Oct 2009, Over 10000 attend first Stirling bull sale
United Auctions’ executive team graced the cover of Stirling Council’s quarterly mag, Stirling Eye this edition. A full page interview with Group MD, Neil McLean is on p 22.
We liaised closely with the team at Stirling Council to discuss the shots they needed to secure the front cover. We arranged and managed the shoot, bringing in photographer Jim Mailer from Whyler Photos, Stirling. After co-ordinating the interview with Neil, we provided the images to accompany the piece.
